[Open] Drinks with a King

[conqueredhearts]

WHO: Iskandar and whoever joins him
WHAT: Iskandar has been matching Thedas months to Earth months and is guessing this is around a certain time of year. So he's hear to hold a memorial of sorts.
WHEN: Beginning of Justinian
WHERE: The docks
NOTES: Talk of death and dying. Note this is not a suicide content warning.

This wasn't the Okeanos of his dreams but he felt it would satisfy the time. That was to say he'd been figuring out how the months of this world might line up with those of his own world and had come up with the fact that his might be around Earth's June. The very same month historians had figured out he'd died at the age of thirty-two. Much had happened since that time but he felt that this was a day to honor something. Not him, of course, he had plenty of that already. No today was for those who had died living under his rule.

So he sat at the edge of the docks with a number of wine bottles around him. A couple were empty already to mark how much time had passed since he'd come out here. Around his neck was a small cat who had decided this was his favorite location to sleep even when Iskandar wasn't wearing his cloak. It was just nice to have a solid place to snooze apparently. Also there was a mabari pup next to him, sitting there as if trying to mimic the man in being calm. Not well though considering he kept wiggling about.

Iskandar chuckled and looked over his shoulder, having become aware that he wasn't alone. "Hello there. Would you care to join me? I am honoring the dead with a little memorial of sorts. You are welcome to think of your own lost ones if you like."

Comments

[kartereo]

"Why do you always have to ask?" Waver asked, shaking his head as if the whole line of questioning hurt him personally. It did, in a way. Wasn't his loyalty a given now, something to always be counted on? "Of course I will."

But, more importantly. "Did you want a cake?"

[conqueredhearts]

"I wonder what sort of cakes they have in this world. They must be wonderful!" He'd either missed the question that had been asked before or... Yeah he probably just missed it. That whole talking over things all the time thing.

"You should find a cake for me!"

[kartereo]

"I'll be on cake duty then."

He ignored the question, didn't he? Waver paused for a second, wondering if he ought to press Rider for an answer to his first question. It was bothering him, and so, he sighed.

"You didn't answer the first question I asked."

[conqueredhearts]

"The first?" He thought back for a second then smiled as he recalled what had been asked.

"I always ask because it is my way of showing you that you are special. I thought you might appreciate it!" Clearly he was trying to do something nice for Waver. Maybe he should have thought about it a little more but he had been trying to do something for this mage that was unique to him. Special to him.

[kartereo]

"Oh.

Waver fell into silence, letting that wash over him. He sighed, then admitted what was eating at him.

"It sometimes reads to me as questioning loyalty. S'oversensitve, I realize."

[conqueredhearts]

"It does?"

He frowned then gave himself a smack to the forehead.

"Ah. Of course it would seem this way. I should have taken that into consideration beforehand. That was foolish of me."

[kartereo]

That Iskandar actually gets why Waver is bothered by it sets him at ease more than he can say. Waver sighs, and leans over to pat his king's leg gently.

"You know for next time, that's all."

[conqueredhearts]

"What about this then? What is something you would like me to do that is special just for you? That way I will know it is something you enjoy but we will both know that I give it only for you."

That seemed a better method honestly. Plus at least then he could be sure Waver would really like what they came up with.

[kartereo]

"Off the top of my head?" Waver paused, trying to think. Truly, he and Iskandar had discussed everything between them and laid bare what their relationship would be from here on out. There wasn't anything more he could think to ask for, not really.

"Can I get back to you on that? I can't think of a thing."

[conqueredhearts]

"Of course! You need only let me know when you think of something!" He gave his head a rub then laughed gently. This was something that was going to be unique to Waver so of course he wanted him to like it. If that meant giving Waver time to figure it out then he was all for that.

"I shall work on making it clear that I do not question your loyalty. Of every single person in this world, I know you are the one the most loyal and true to me."

[kartereo]

Waver let out a sigh, mostly a relieved one, and shifted his position so that his head rested on Iskandar's shoulder comfortably. This was a good place to be.

"Thank you. And I am sorry I assumed the worst."

The self doubt and loathing of that nineteen year old sometimes threatened to come back in full force, after all.

[conqueredhearts]

"We will work on that self confidence of yours, I assure you."

But for now he could settle for wrapping his arm around him and drinking this wine like he'd brought. It was a fine time of day for things like this and he wasn't about to waste it.

"For now, just behold the beauty of the water."

[kartereo]

"It has gotten better."

A weak protest, but Waver only said it because he felt some level of obligation. He then let out a sigh, and nudged Iskandar gently.

"Pass the bottle?"

[conqueredhearts]

Fishing out one of the bottles, he let Waver have his very own. Less because he didn't want to share and more because he was likely to finish this on his own with ease and that would leave Waver with little. Far more fair this way.

"You are right. It has gotten better. I have a lot of pride when I think of how far you've come."

[kartereo]

Waver felt a little flush on his face, but at least he could busy himself with the bottle to hide that fact. It felt uncouth drinking right from the bottle, but here, on the dock, with Iskandar, with a giant not-a-dog on his lap, it also felt right for the moment.

"Thanks," he murmured, before taking a sip from the bottle and then placing it down. All the better to lean on Iskandar and close his eyes, content.

"I didn't think I'd hear that from you in my lifetime."

[conqueredhearts]

"Now you have. No matter what I want you to treasure those words for I mean them with my whole heart."

The dog gave a little bark then let his tongue flop out. Iskandar laughed and gave his belly a pat before looking at Waver. Looking down at him, how relaxed he was. "Achilles Alexander likes you a great deal. Look at what a find family we are."

[kartereo]

"I'm half tempted to ask for them in writing too."

In case something happened again. That was a thought Waver hated dwelling on, the question of what if something forced the two apart again. The grief of the first time had been overwhelming, and Waver was unsure how well he could handle a second loss.

"You really ought to stop naming everything after yourself," he said with an eyeroll, hand still moving to pet the creature behind the ears. "It is bound to get confusing."

There's Alexandria, and Alexandria over there, and oh yes, Alexandria.

[conqueredhearts]

"I don't name everything after myself. These two are named after other people." And himself but still... "And I named one thing after my horse."

That had to count for something right?

[kartereo]

"Their second names are yours!" Waver countered. "That doesn't change things."

Okay, it did. It made things less confusing, but Waver wasn't going to let Iskandar off the hook. "There's a bunch of movies and books back home about people and the magical bonds they have with their horses. You'd love them."

[conqueredhearts]

He pouted even though it was the truth. Their second names were in fact his own names. That really was a key thing there. That habit of his was a strong one and breaking it would be...a challenge. To say the least.

Then he was distracted. "There are? I would love to see these things! That bond with a horse is truly a powerful one! I think I should get you your own horse so you can see!"

[kartereo]

"I think I have too many responsibilities looking after something much bigger and harder to take care of than a horse." Waver offered Iskandar a pointed look, trying to remain serious. A grin threatened though, and Waver managed to chase it off.

"But if we ever get home, I'll get you an entire collection of horse and girl bonding books."

[conqueredhearts]

His eyes widened. "They have books like that?"

Now, he knew that he wasn't going to return to Waver's time. His time in that world with Waver had come to an end. It was why he cherished these times they had together. Still, he knew better than to bring down the moment by bringing up that kind of a topic. As somber as this moment really was, he didn't have to make it depressing.

[kartereo]

"And films," Waver added. "Although I think you've got all of them beat by virtue of your story being true."

[conqueredhearts]

"But of course! That is often the case when it comes to tales!" He laughed and clapped his hand on Waver's shoulder. Really he so loved these talks that they had these days. Without thought of winning the Grail or other Servants around to bring chaos.

"You've researched me more, I'm sure. What are your favorite tales of mine?"

[kartereo]

"Well, there's some I roll my eyes at pretty hard," Waver admitted. "Naming a city after you horse, for example."

Because really? Really?

"Hephaestion being mistaken for you by Darius' mother wins actual favorite though."