The carriage, pulled by a tireless, enchanted steed, glided smoothly over the cobbled track, a constant, rhythmic rumble its only companion. Inside this extraordinary vehicle—Kazien's true masterpiece—the atmosphere was one of profound domesticity and quiet joy.
Kazien sat comfortably on the soft sofa she was currently sitting on, his hands wrapped tightly around Alvin, who sat lightly on his lap. Alvin, a high elf with a handsome but cute and elegant face, was staring intently at Kazien's handsome human face.
"My dear," Alvin murmured, a soft smile gracing his lips. "I want this carriage to be our home! Forever!"
Kazien chuckled softly, his voice deep and melodious, vibrating comfortably in Alvin's ears. "You really like it, huh?"
Alvin nodded enthusiastically, his golden blond hair gently brushing Kazien's face. "More than anything! It's perfect. It feels safe and comfortable."
"Then if that is your desire, we shall live here." Kazien said, and then kissed Alvin's forehead gently. "This carriage is ours, a haven that moves with us, shielding us from the world."
The magical steed continued its unwavering pace, eating up the miles without need for rest. Alvin found an unparalleled comfort within the carriage's walls. Despite its size and movement, there was no jolting or jarring—the ride was as smooth as sailing on calm waters, a testament to the powerful enchantments Kazien had woven into its frame.
A moment later, Kazien twisted to face him fully, his eyes alight with a new idea. "Where is the photo you kept? I want to display it on this wall!"
Alvin activated his dimensional storage magic and took out a precious photo of himself standing between his deceased parents. He handed the photo to Kazien, who accepted it with due respect.
Kazien examined the large empty wall. With a flick of his wrist and a touch of magic, he began arranging photos of his family—a photo of himself with his parents and siblings. Next to it, he carefully displayed a photo of Alvin with his late parents. Below their two family photos, Kazien arranged three additional photos. A framed photo of himself and Alvin on their wedding day (a wedding ceremony that would take place in the future, but the deep commitment was already palpable).
As well as two photos of them on a date. One photo showed them eating the same noodles until they almost kissed, and the other showed them drinking from a straw but having two places to suck on it until their cheeks touched.
"Wow!" Alvin gasped, watching him work. "You arranged them so neatly! You have a real eye for display."
"Do you approve of the arrangement, my cute prince?" Kazien asked, stepping back to admire his work.
"I love it! I love the way they look together." Alvin exclaimed. He leaned forward, studying the photo display, his gaze lingering longest on the picture from their 'wedding.'
Kazien noticed the direction of his fixation and reached out to gently stroke Alvin's cheek. "Patience, my cute prince. We will have a real, grand wedding in the future. I promise!"
Alvin nodded, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He understood the circumstances that required their commitment to be delayed, but the longing for that official moment was a sweet ache.
He slid off Kazien's lap and then immediately returned, sinking back onto the sofa, but this time turning to sit snugly back on Kazien's thigh, their eyes meeting in a gaze full of anticipation. Alvin lifted his hand and tenderly traced the sharp line of Kazien's jaw.
"After this," Alvin said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "our new life truly begins. My dear, are you ready for what comes next?"
Kazien's sapphire blue eyes were filled with warmth because of his deep love. "I am more than ready. I have been ready since the day I met you. Just promise me one thing: never, ever leave my side."
For Alvin, being by Kazien's side was the safest, most comforting place in the entire world. He felt sheltered and adored. Leaving the side of his future husband was unthinkable.
"I promise." said Alvin, leaning in and bumping his forehead against Kazien's. "I won't leave your side. Wherever you go, my dear, I will always be by your side!"
Time seemed to accelerate within their rolling sanctuary. Before they knew it, the sun was dipping toward the horizon, painting the interior of the carriage in shades of orange and gold.
Alvin, ever the diligent homemaker, was busy preparing dinner in the small, surprisingly well-equipped galley kitchen. Kazien, having finished his magical checks on the carriage's wards and enchantments, felt a familiar pull toward his beloved.
He walked up silently behind Alvin and wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling the elf flush against his chest.
The sudden action made Alvin jump, but the momentary shock instantly dissolved into a wave of giddy happiness. He leaned back into the solid warmth of Kazien's embrace, the simple act fueling his enthusiasm for cooking.
Wherever Alvin moved, Kazien followed, never once releasing his hold. But the warm, constant pressure was proving to be a delicious distraction. Alvin found his focus on the ingredients starting to slip.
"My dear..." Alvin laughed, trying to reach a spice jar on a high shelf. "Could you wait for me at the dining table? If you keep holding me like this, I really can't cook, you know."
Kazien's arms tightened just slightly, and he rested his chin on the delicate curve of Alvin's neck. "Do you… do you truly dislike it when I hold you?" he asked, a hint of genuine sadness in his tone.
Alvin stopped what he was doing and turned within the confines of the embrace to face him. He reached up and framed Kazien's face with his hands, his eyes reassuring.
"It's not that I dislike your hugs, my dear. It's that I can't focus! Do you want me to accidentally put salt in the dessert or chili in the soup?"
Kazien recoiled in mock horror, shaking his head vehemently. He knew Alvin's cooking was too precious to risk. With a final, lingering squeeze, he released his hold and walked obediently toward the small dining table.
Oh, my troublesome future husband! Alvin thought, his heart fluttering. Dislike your hug? Far from it. If you were to ask me to make love right now, I would gladly say yes!
Once he finished cooking, Alvin set the table, serving two bowls of steaming instant noodles, a bowl of vegetable soup, and two bowls of potato soup—the first meal he had ever made for the man he loved.
Kazien scooped up the potato soup and gently fed Alvin. Alvin returned the affectionate gesture, and they continued to feed each other, immersed in their own small, loving world.
That tender togetherness even followed them into the bathroom. In the magically warm bathtub, Alvin rubbed Kazien's back with soap, and Kazien responded by carefully cleaning Alvin's smooth, slender body. Even as they soaked together, Alvin refused to let go of Kazien. His arms were tightly wrapped around his future husband's waist, holding him close.
"My dear?" Alvin murmured, his voice soft against Kazien's shoulder.
"Yes, my cute prince?" Kazien replied just as gently, running his hands over the slick, wet skin of Alvin's arm.
"It's been almost a year since we first met. Do you ever get tired of looking at my face?"