Back Pain Blues

[starless_sky]

 Life was going easily for the prince and his husband. Ravus wasn't 'new' anymore and Lucis was getting more fond of him by the day. Used to him was perhaps a better way to say it but Noctis refused to give up on Ravus acclimating to Insomnia. He would find a way to blend him with their people better. They would learn to love him. If nothing else, the people loved Noctis more. 

Ravus had managed to convince him to get more work done and he'd actually started to enjoy it. He made more public appearances now, he volunteered more and not just at the animal shelter, he attended his fathers' meetings with the council, and he upheld his etiquette more... All in all Ravus was a great influence and it was awful. His lazy days of manga and video games were in the distant past. What Noct wouldn't do just for one afternoon of idleness... 

It's not like it was his choice. Ravus need only imply there was sex as a reward and Noct would have no choice. It was embarrassing to watch himself but he was a good little boy, obedient as a trained dog so long as he got his carrot at the end of it all. Of course, that wasn't to say he didn't sleep with Ravus just for its own sake either. It was his favorite pastime now, even more than fishing if he were being totally honest. Ravus had managed to thwart several attempts to sneak off to go fishing with the promise of an afternoon romp. 

This week was a busy one and Noctis had done the responsible thing and went straight to sleep when he got into bed. He had to rest to get ready for tomorrow which would be long and hectic, assuming nothing went wrong and made it worse. Only... he couldn't sleep anymore. It was the wee hours and Ravus was out, Noct had been woken up by his childhood companion; back pain. He'd never fully healed from when he was a child and every once in a while it reared its ugly head. 

He knew there was nothing that would work on it, he simply had to ride it out. Sometimes it would quit as fast as it started or he could nod off despite it all and it would disappear while he slept. 

No such luck tonight. He lay on his side facing away from Ravus, trying to keep his breathing calm, trying to focus on each breath and get through this moment and the next. It had to calm down soon. He gripped the sheets while his breathing got shallow and quick but he wouldn't move. Moving made it worse. 

At least Ravus was getting sleep tonight. 

Comments

[starless_sky]

"True..." he'd gladly clear his schedule for her too. Official duty or not he'd make it look like official duty on paper so he could see her with Ravus. Even if it was for her scolding.

Ravus' hands felt better...ish. They were still digging into him and his fingers closed around the bedsheets in a white-knuckle grip.

"Well, surprise. I didn't either until it was happening." he thought he'd marry Luna too. He thought he'd have to fake it and pretend he wasn't into her brother for the rest of his life but fate worked in his favor this time.

"If he was willing to abandon you then you're right, you didn't need him but that's still pathetic." he spares no amount of venom in his words. "I hope you don't expect to do that with me. I'll hunt you down."

[sonoftenebrae]

Ravus' hands still for just a moment. "Do you think so little of my devotion, husband? I swore vows to you, and I intent to uphold them."

He would even if he did not like Noctis. That he has become so fond of him is just extra incentive to remain faithfully by his side.

He resumes his massage, pressing in a little harder now, determined to give his husband relief.

"This will get worse before it gets better. Try to endure it, Noctis. I would not cause you pain except to see you delivered from it."

[starless_sky]

He smirked over his shoulder. "For you, it was only a joke. I know you aren't like that." he had faith at least. "Though the reminders are nice..." hearing Ravus talk about his vows is the closest thing he's got to lovey-dovey sap.

"You think I'd be laying here taking it if I didn't know that? I stopped letting doctors touch it." they always made it worse and not in a way that got better later. He neglected the thing and forced his way through the pain when he was running, fighting, sitting or standing for too long. Ravus surely must have seen his gate when he was in pain and still needed to move.

"Still... usually I enjoy your hands on me."

[sonoftenebrae]

"When you are recovered, I will ensure you enjoy my hands to the fullest." It's a bolder promise than Ravus usually makes, a concession to Noctis' current condition. The offer of future pleasure to dull the present pain.

"Though you should pursue some sort of remedy. I'll consult with my sister when she arrives, make arrangements for someone Tenebraen to see to you as needed." Because obviously not a single Lucian doctor is up to the task.

Of course, that person could be Ravus, though he is willing to entrust his husband's care to an expert from his homeland if one can be found. Only the best for Noctis.

[starless_sky]

"Oooh, like how?" he hardly expects Ravus to describe how he'd fuck him later but he could hope for it. Not that he was going to be titillated right now anyway.

"I've tried everything I know other than Luna." and he didn't want to strain her too much with this, he didn't think it was even fixable after how much time had passed. Even Queen Sylva had to take more drastic measures to help get his body to respond to her healing. Who could expect a Lucian doctor to be able to compete with an oracle? Who could expect a Tenebraen one to do any better?

"How do you know they won't have the same results? That's a lot to ask of them to come all the way here for nothing. Maybe we should go there."

[sonoftenebrae]

"Another massage, for pleasure rather than pain." And perhaps more than that, but Ravus isn't inclined to dirty talk, especially outside of the act itself. But hopefully the suggestions will take root in Noctis' imaginative brain.

"They would consider it the highest honor to be called upon... though if this is your way of suggesting we are due a trip to Fenestala Manor, I suppose that could be arranged."

Ravus understands that he demands much of his young husband. He does the same for himself and his sister. But just because all three of them have roles and duties that must be attended, it does not mean there cannot be the occasional moments of respite.

With Noctis lying beside him, wracked with pain that Ravus is trying desperately to relieve, Ravus is willing to concede a vacation might be in order.

[starless_sky]

"I can already imagine it." a lie, he was in agony, there was no imagining being aroused. Plus Ravus' dirty talk was dryer than his humor if that was possible.

"That's great and all but it's a lot to ask anyway. Unless they want to see Insomnia in which case... sure, have them all come." he paused then his breath grew ragged as Ravus worked on a tender part of his back. "I think... we're overdue for a visit there, don't you?" he always liked to go there. He got to be spoiled rather than be working all the time. The staff at Fenestala Manor were so nice and he got to eat his favorite dessert. And fish. And it was quiet.

Ravus' definition of occasional and Noct's differed greatly at times.

"Besides, it's been a while since I got to ride you in your bed back home." he forced a smirk. "Ah... nevermind, I can't even fake that right now... I do want to go though... It's nice when it's just us." 'just us' meaning him and Ravus without his father around. It wasn't that he hated Regis now but it was awkward between his father and his husband. It was nice to have Ravus in familiar territory without the shadow of his old man over him.