They got dressed a final time, and they packed, Brannal assuring him that their belongings would be returned after them.
Perian should probably have expected it but didn’t when Brannal held out another package to him, this one small and square.
“Another gift?”
Brannal smiled faintly. “One for each day, for all the memories we made.”
Perian was absolutely not going to forget a moment of any of this.
He sat down on the bed, and Brannal sat down beside him as he untied the piece of string and pulled the lid off the box. He folded back the delicate cloth inside, and his breath caught.
“I know you don’t wear an earth talisman,” Brannal said. “So I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind wearing this. It’s got the elements on it.”
Perian could see where the images had been etched onto the metal, a flame and drop of water on one side. With fingers that shook a little, he flipped it over to see a curl of wind and the outline of a leaf beneath it.
“It’s so beautiful,” Perian breathed.
“Will you wear it?” Brannal asked.
“Yes, of course.” His voice was a bit choked.
Perian’s hands shook so badly he had trouble picking it up, so Brannal lifted out the delicate piece of metal on its chain and fastened it around Perian’s neck. They both looked down at Perian’s chest, where the small disk nestled.
He sniffed. “I love it, thank you.”
No one,no onehad ever gotten Perian jewelry before, nothing that wasn’t beads for his hair. No one had ever wanted to give him something he could always wear, that would always make Perian think of them, every single day.
Brannal smiled at him, eyes so very warm, and Perian had to lean in and kiss him.
“I love you,” Perian breathed against Brannal’s skin. “I will never, ever forget any of this, not as long as I live.”
“I’m glad,” Brannal said, eyes bright with emotions. “I want us to build memories together.”
Perian nodded, a lump in his throat, because that was exactly what he wanted too, memories of all the wonderful things they had done together, hopefully the memories of a lifetime. While it still felt a bit too early to talk aboutforever—or maybe Perian was just scared—it feltlessearly than it had before this holiday.
They were in love, and it certainly felt to Perian like they’d committed in a way that was becoming… unshakable. Like their foundation was being reformed day by day to be a combined one, stronger than they each had on their own, and when it was finished, there would never be anything that could tear them apart.
Perian wanted that so badly heachedfor it. And Brannal had surprised him with this holiday, showered him with gifts, and definitely given him the best sex of his life. It was… everything Perian had never known to ask for. This was everything he wanted, and it seemed, unbelievably, to be what hehad.
It made him feel brave enough to speak. He cleared his throat. “So, uh, I know we originally said we were going to enjoy what was between us. And, I mean, I think we’re doing thatso well. Like, fabulously. But I was hoping you would maybe be interested in something a little more serious than that?”
For a moment, Brannal just looked surprised, and there was a dizzying swoop in Perian’s stomach as he worried he’d somehow got everything wrong.
But then Brannal pulled him into his arms and kissed him thoroughly.
“Oh, yes, Perian, of course. I’m sorry. I realize this is a moment where communication is essential. If I’m being honest, I’ve considered us to be well past that since, I don’t know, the end of the first week?”
And Perian could only laugh, because he’d thought the same thing, only neither of them hadsaid so.
Brannal leaned in to press a brief kiss to his lips this time.
“I don’t consider this to be anything remotely casual. I know there’s still plenty we have to work out, and you have a home that isn’t in the castle. But I’d like to figure it out with you, if you’re interested.”
“So very interested,” Perian assured him. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “I’d like that very much.”
They just stared at one another, smiling, until Perian’s stomach rumbled audibly.
“Breakfast?” Brannal asked with a laugh.
