All the Ways That Count

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 9th December 2017

Characters: Benamil, Arion
Description: Benamil makes a decision about his relationship with Arion.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 2, day 3 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Nazli

Benamil

Benamil debated on whether or not he would go to Arion's that night. Not because he didn't want to see the vintner, but because he wasn't sure what he was going to say that would improve the situation they were in. Arion clearly didn't want him marrying Nazli, but Benamil had always promised he would, and he still firmly believed it was the best form of action for them both.

And yet the note that Akidra have given him earlier that day was burning a hole in his back pocket. If he didn't go tonight would it be the end of their relationship?

**What relationship, Benamil? What promises have you made Arion, really? How does he know you're not going to drop him the first chance you get?** He didn't like this voice, his conscience, because it made him feel guilty.

Well, he couldn't go to Arion empty-handed, that was for sure. He needed something that could be a sign to Arion that he wasn't going to leave him, that this was more than just an experiment. Pushing himself to his feet, Benamil grabbed a pouch and dumped some marks in from the locked box he kept underneath his bed.

He knew just the thing...

"You came," there was relief in Arion's voice when he opened his door and Benamil was standing there, leaning against the door frame and smelling like leather and the lavendar water that Benamil used after shaving.

"Of course I came," Benamil said as he closed the door behind him. The instant he did Arion's arms were around him, the vintner's head buried into the front of his tunic.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." Arion was just so relieved Benamil had come. He had been worried all evening that the beastcrafter wouldn't show, that he had actually driven him away.

"Hey, it's okay," Benamil pressed a kiss to the top of Arion's head, stopping a moment to inhale the scent that was uniquely Arion's. "The news I dropped on you wasn't exactly easy to hear."

"No, it wasn't...." Arion pulled back so he could look up at Benamil, "You haven't reconsidered marrying that woman have you?"

Benamil smiled a little and shook his head, "No, Arion, it has to happen." He pulled the vintner down onto the couch. "Listen, I know you're worried, and trust me, I don't want your sister to drop me /between/ like she threatened, but we need this marriage so we can be together."

Arion sighed, even though he knew it was logical. "Akidra threatened you?" That made him smile a little.

"Yes, and I think she meant it," Benamil grinned back.

"She always was protective." Arion curled up against Benamil's side, pressing as close to him as was possible.

"Listen, Arion, I've been thinking. I know me marrying Nazli is harder on you than it is on me. But I want you to know, the entire time I'll wish it was you standing in front of the harper with me." He hooked his finger underneath Arion's chin and tilted the vintner's face up to his. "I love you, Arion," Benamil brushed his lips softly against Arion's.

Arion felt like he was melting there in Benamil's arms. They'd been friends since they were teenagers, and for many of those Turns Arion had harbored a crush on Benamil. Now, to have the Hold's most eligible bachelor professing his love, to _him_?

"I love you too, Benamil." He sighed softly, looking up into Benamil's dark blue eyes. "That's why I get so crazy, I think, when it comes to our relationship. I'm just... scared of losing you."

Benamil stroked his thumb across Arion's cheek, "You'll never lose me. Ever." He reached into his vest pocket, "Since there's going to be a lot of things going on publicly with the wedding, I wanted to get you something, something to remind you that my heart is yours, even if we can't tell the whole world."

The blonde's eyebrows raised as the beascrafter handed him a small velvet pouch. When he loosed the draw strings, a simple silver band fell into his palm. It was a wedding band, and the significance wasn't lost on him. "A-a ring?"

"Yes," Benamil said, suddenly nervous over Arion's reaction, "we'll be married in all the ways that count, Arion. I've got the mate to it," he held up his right hand, which held a matching silver band on his ring finger.

"Ben," Arion breathed with a smile as he clutched the ring in his fist and leaned over to give Benamil an ardent kiss.

A trickle of relief ran down Benamil's spine.

"I love it, Benamil, thank you," Arion slipped the ring onto his left hand and then threw his arms around the beastcrafter's neck.

"You're welcome," he hugged Arion tightly. "Look at it whenever you doubt, hm?"

"I will," Arion whispered. His heart felt so full at that moment, more than it ever had been in his life. How had he gotten lucky enough to capture the attention of a man like Benamil?

"Now, let me take you to bed." The words were followed by a toothy grin.

"You won't hear an objection from me."

Benamil easily scooped Arion off of the couch and carried him back into the vintner's bedroom. "I've missed you," he said, voice thick with emotion as he deposited the smaller man on the bed.

Arion watched as Benamil tugged off his boots and then pulled Arion's off too. "I've thought about you non-stop," the beastcrafter continued, flicking open his belt, his dark blue eyes searing into Arion's.

The look was enough to make Arion's insides quiver. The way Benamil looked at him was like a starving man seeing food for the first time. Arion's response was to jerk his tunic over his head and toss it aside.

Benamil shrugged out of his vest and then unbuttoned his shirt wordlessly, eyes still pinned to Arion's. He shrugged out of his shirt and then pushed his pants down over his hips, letting the weight of his built carry them to the floor.

"Let's get rid of these," Benamil said, giving Arion a little push so that he laid back on the bed. He hooked his fingers in the loops of Arion's pants and pulled them down in one swift motion and tossed them over his shoulders.

"Perfect," he said, again with a hungry smile.

Arion crooked his finger at Benamil and the beastcrafter wasted no time in joining the vintner on the bed, bodies entwined in a passionate embrace as their lips joined again....

Last updated on the December 10th 2017

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All the Ways That Count