By Candlelight | Aster/Olivine

[penaconysprincess]

 by candlelight

aster/olivine | M / M | T | Available on AO3!

to celebrate valentines day, aster has put together a surprise for the priest. something different. something meaningful.

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“We’re almost there~! No peeking!”

The priest giggled to himself as he allowed the short vampire to lead him by the hand. His eyes were covered by a white blindfold, with his eyes closed from beneath the cloth to avoid any potential risk of peeking.
It was late hours of Valentine’s Day - just an hour or so past sunset. The rest of his clan were out on their own sets of outings. Or, were potentially partaking in some scandalous acts, as Edmond called them. 

Olivine was no exception. The priest had received a plethora of gifts from the rest of his clan members - his boyfriends - throughout the day. From drawings that Garu and Blade had gifted him, to a handful of sex toys designed by Eiden, to a few baked goods that Kuya and Rei had managed to work together on - Olivine had received something heartfelt from his lovers. Even the ones that hadn’t been mentioned.

It was now Aster’s turn to treat the priest to something on this romantic day. Earlier, he had Olivine blindfold himself beforehand. When asking as to why, the charismatic vampire had stated that he had created something meant for the two of them only. And them alone.

Judging from his lover’s previous escapades, Olivine assumed that it would be something sexual in nature. Perhaps Aster had grown hungry, and wanted to make it pleasurable for both of them. Or, maybe he wanted to do something kinky.
He couldn’t help but be a tad aroused by the thoughts he had. As common as their encounters were, the priest wondered if Aster had done something to make this time different. 

Yet, the way he had gently taken Olivine’s hand into his own - and gave it a kiss before leading the taller man away - , it made the green-haired lover begin to think otherwise. Maybe this time, it wasn’t sexual in nature. 

Aster’s steps slowed the farther they walked, only to stop entirely once they had reached their destination. His grip on Olivine’s hand, however, remained firm but gentle, as if he was grounding himself while guiding the priest.
By the time the two men had stopped walking, Olivine felt the air around them feel warmer. It carried a faint, yet familiar scent Olivine couldn’t quite place yet. It had been savory, and mixed with herbs and candlewax.

“Okay, Olivine~.” Aster chirped, his tone barely hiding his excitement. “You can look now!”

Olivine obeyed without question, and stood straight as Aster carefully stepped in front of him. Delicately, he lifted the blindfold off of his face, the soft cloth gently caressing his skin. Light shined back into his line of vision - even if it was dimmer than before.  Before the priest, the vampire’s office revealed itself in a soft bloom of light. 

The overhead lights of Aster’s office had been extinguished entirely. Instead, they were replaced by clusters of candles arranged along the walls and across a small dining table set for two. Their flames flickered gently, reflecting off polished silverware and crystal glasses, casting warm shadows that danced across the stone walls.
The off-white linen laid across the table had covered the wooden top of the table, as flowers decorated the center of the display. They were red roses and baby’s breath specifically.  Steam curled faintly from the dishes already laid out, the aroma rich and comforting.

Olivine’s eyes widened at the sight, then softened in content. The corners of his lips arched upwards into a soft smile. “Aster…” His voice came out as a hushed half-whisper, his hands reaching to his mouth without realizing he had done so. His green hues fluttered to the grinning man before him. “Did you… Have you made all of this?” He asked softly.

Giggling, Aster nodded his head, the vampire’s pink locks bouncing as he had done so. “I did~! Well, most of it, anyway." He answered, tittering once more. “I had some of the kitchen staff make our dinner. The decorating was all yours truly!” He clarified, gesturing to himself almost dramatically as he spoke.
His grin then softened into a gentle smile. Something almost shy. “I knew you liked baby’s breath. And I was looking into some popular dishes in the Water Territory, so you have a taste of home.”

Olivine’s heart felt as if it was steadily about to beat out of his chest. His gaze grew dreamier, and loving. His breathing had slowed into a comfortable rhythm, shaken slightly by the sheer emotion he was feeling. The priest had positively melted over the gesture. Over the fact that Aster had put all of this together for him, and had considered what he had enjoyed along with his preferences.

It was beautiful. It was perfect. He was perfect.

“You…” Olivine trailed off, his voice becoming thick with emotion. His cheeks lifted with his smile. “Thank you, Aster. It’s… beautiful.”
Aster’s eyes practically sparkled as he heard the compliment. Without missing a beat, he sprinted over to the priest, and pulled him into a hug. Their forms swayed as Olivine returned the embrace. “You don’t have to thank me, Olivine.” He murmured, blood rushing to the shorter man’s cheeks. “You already do so much for everyone. That’s why tonight is just for us~.”

The taller man’s eyes crinkled as he swayed along with Aster’s body. “I’m delighted that you’ve gone out of your way for me tonight.” He hummed, lowering his head to meet his lover’s. Gently, his lips pressed a kiss upon Aster’s cheek. The small section of skin seemed to have grown warmer under the delicate touch.
Lifting his head, Olivine giggled fondly at the sight of Aster’s red flush. It practically rivalled the colours of the roses. “You’re so good to me. So loving. So kind, Aster.” He mused, his grateful smile tugging further and further upon his features. “How can I ever make it up to you?”

Aster let out a small, breathy laugh at the question, his fingers curling a little tighter into the fabric at Olivine’s back. He hesitated for a beat before easing out of the hug. Yet, he didn’t let go completely. One hand stayed clasped around Olivine’ body, while the other lifted to brush his thumb along the priest’s knuckles.
“You don’t have to. Not at all.” He responded, the vampire’s voice lighter than his expression suggested. His red hues then glanced upward in mock thought, his smile inching upward playfully. “But, if you really insist..~” 

The pink-clad lover ducked his head down to press a kiss upon Olivine’s hand once more. He could almost hear the staggered beat of the priest’s heart as he had done so. Grinning, Aster looked up at the priest. “Will you be my valentine, Father Olivine~?”

It was Olivine’s turn to blush, his cheeks dusting a bright red hue across themselves. His head tilted to the side, as his gaze grew fonder. “Aster,” He hummed, “I already am.”

He watched as the tension melted from Aster’s shoulders instantly. How the short vampire laughed brightly, before stepping forward again and wrapping his arms around Olivine’s waist. He pressed his face into the priest’s chest. “Good.” He murmured. “I was really hoping you’d say that.”
The two lingered in that position like that for a moment longer as they were surrounded by flickering candlelight and the near quiet hum of the mansion.

After, Aster finally pulled back from Olivine once more with a playful grin. “Come sit!” He chirped happily once more, gently tugging the priest into the office. “I planned this whole dinner, and I refuse to let it go to waste!”
Olivine laughed softly, allowing himself to be guided to his seat.

Outside, the night continued on as it always did. The stars continued to shine overhead, as time moved forward without pause.
But inside Aster’s office, by candlelight, everything felt suspended. It was radiating with love that asked for nothing and offered everything.

For once, Olivine allowed himself to simply receive it.