[ the sound of rafa's voice, quiet and almost remorseful, hushes him, makes him regret the assumption a little. he needs to listen.
and he does listen, and what rafa is saying sinks in slowly. i have to go back. he's going to leave eudio, so he can live out the life that hunter has watched him live back home. and raphael knows that rafa loves the city, loves what it has shown him of people and technology and bright futures, but he also has a duty, not just to those closest to him but to those who look to him for guidance. raphael understands.
he expects rafa to say this plainly. raphael doesn't know what he can do to help in terms of his departure, but he's prepared to do what he can. he doesn't see marry coming.
a brief pause follows rafa's words as raphael sifts through that thought and all the thoughts that follow. ]
I didn't realize... [ and he's not quite sure how to end the sentence, so he simply doesn't. he had his assumptions that rafa had charmed quite a few in the city, but he didn't realize he loved someone quite like this. ] What can I do?
[ He lets those words settle for a moment, and then with more urgency, explains: ]
In my world, in my kingdom, it is something only a king can do. When I married Nikolai, we brought an ally from elsewhere to do it. If Hunter and I were at home, I would ask Nikolai to do it himself, but...but here.
I know that you do not call yourself a King. I know that these are not your words, not your beliefs. But you are a Clan leader, and to me, it is the same. So that is what I ask. Will you do this for us? For me.
[ It's a big thing to ask. He knows that. He doesn't know if Raphael will be remotely comfortable, but he is the only authority Rafa could truly believe in for this. He goes quiet, waiting for his friend to speak. ]
[ raphael is thankful for the moment of silence, taking the time to grapple with the idea of himself performing a wedding ceremony. he'd witnessed one not that long ago, yes, and it was for one of the most important people in his life, but this is another, larger step altogether. of course, he has to wonder why him? but rafa goes on without prompting, eager to help raphael understand. he sounds so earnest, even over the phone.
raphael has questions, starting with the name nikolai and ending with the concept of kings, of rank, of worthiness. but rafa has already asked a question, and it's much more important now than any raphael has come up with. ]
No, I wouldn't call myself a king. [ rafa is right, and he feels he should acknowledge this. raphael has faith in his own strength and in his own cunning, in his ability to lead his clan to the best of his abilities, but to be a king is something far more in his mind. he feels as though kings should not have their doubts. but he understands it's not his perception that matters in this situation. if rafa sees him as such, than he should be honored. ]
But if you want me there, then yes. Of course. I'll do this for you.
[ Relief washes over Rafa with that answer. A smile breaks over his face, regardless of the fact that Raphael can't see it, and he leans back in his chair. That relief is obvious in his voice when he speaks next. ]
Thank you, Raphael.
Yours is the authority I recognise. It will mean the world to me, though I know it is a strange favour to ask. Regardless, if ever I can repay this favour in any way, I shall.
[ Whether it's a similar favour or not, he'll consider himself in Raphael's debt. It only seems fair. ]
[ rafa sounds suddenly calmer, like tension has washed out of him, and raphael does little to fight the tug of a smile where no one can see him, alone in his room. it's endearing that rafa was nervous to ask, and raphael's glad he could offer the right answer. he hopes rafa didn't expect him to say no. ]
I'll consider it a privilege. [ and he will, both because it means something to be held in such esteem by rafa, and because he'll be helping a good friend find happiness. he knows rafa deserves it. ]
[ It means a lot to him. If Raphael had refused, he would have looked for another way, but it would not have carried the same weight to him. He can only truly respect the authority of the leaders of his own people. The leaders of other species are not the same, and of course, Rafa has no religion of his own. ]
I can explain our ceremony. It is a simple one, focused on vows, and we will hold it in the Mystic. It will just be Hunter and I, and our closest friends. Magnus should be among them, I hope.
[ he doesn't think it necessary, but there is a comfort in having another to turn to if he ever had a problem here in the city. he values rafa's opinion, respects his approach to life, and from it all stems a strong want to be close to him. ]
I doubt Magnus would miss it for anything. [ raphael knows him well. ] What will you need me to do?
It will not be difficult. It is a simple ceremony. You would invited Hunter and I to make vows to each other, before the witnesses there. Then you would recognise our union, according to your authority to which we have submitted.
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voice
and he does listen, and what rafa is saying sinks in slowly. i have to go back. he's going to leave eudio, so he can live out the life that hunter has watched him live back home. and raphael knows that rafa loves the city, loves what it has shown him of people and technology and bright futures, but he also has a duty, not just to those closest to him but to those who look to him for guidance. raphael understands.
he expects rafa to say this plainly. raphael doesn't know what he can do to help in terms of his departure, but he's prepared to do what he can. he doesn't see marry coming.
a brief pause follows rafa's words as raphael sifts through that thought and all the thoughts that follow. ]
I didn't realize... [ and he's not quite sure how to end the sentence, so he simply doesn't. he had his assumptions that rafa had charmed quite a few in the city, but he didn't realize he loved someone quite like this. ] What can I do?
voice
You can marry us, Raphael.
[ He lets those words settle for a moment, and then with more urgency, explains: ]
In my world, in my kingdom, it is something only a king can do. When I married Nikolai, we brought an ally from elsewhere to do it. If Hunter and I were at home, I would ask Nikolai to do it himself, but...but here.
I know that you do not call yourself a King. I know that these are not your words, not your beliefs. But you are a Clan leader, and to me, it is the same. So that is what I ask. Will you do this for us? For me.
[ It's a big thing to ask. He knows that. He doesn't know if Raphael will be remotely comfortable, but he is the only authority Rafa could truly believe in for this. He goes quiet, waiting for his friend to speak. ]
voice
raphael has questions, starting with the name nikolai and ending with the concept of kings, of rank, of worthiness. but rafa has already asked a question, and it's much more important now than any raphael has come up with. ]
No, I wouldn't call myself a king. [ rafa is right, and he feels he should acknowledge this. raphael has faith in his own strength and in his own cunning, in his ability to lead his clan to the best of his abilities, but to be a king is something far more in his mind. he feels as though kings should not have their doubts. but he understands it's not his perception that matters in this situation. if rafa sees him as such, than he should be honored. ]
But if you want me there, then yes. Of course. I'll do this for you.
[ there's not a single reason to say no. ]
voice
Thank you, Raphael.
Yours is the authority I recognise. It will mean the world to me, though I know it is a strange favour to ask. Regardless, if ever I can repay this favour in any way, I shall.
[ Whether it's a similar favour or not, he'll consider himself in Raphael's debt. It only seems fair. ]
voice
I'll consider it a privilege. [ and he will, both because it means something to be held in such esteem by rafa, and because he'll be helping a good friend find happiness. he knows rafa deserves it. ]
You don't need to repay me.
voice
[ It means a lot to him. If Raphael had refused, he would have looked for another way, but it would not have carried the same weight to him. He can only truly respect the authority of the leaders of his own people. The leaders of other species are not the same, and of course, Rafa has no religion of his own. ]
I can explain our ceremony. It is a simple one, focused on vows, and we will hold it in the Mystic. It will just be Hunter and I, and our closest friends. Magnus should be among them, I hope.
voice
[ he doesn't think it necessary, but there is a comfort in having another to turn to if he ever had a problem here in the city. he values rafa's opinion, respects his approach to life, and from it all stems a strong want to be close to him. ]
I doubt Magnus would miss it for anything. [ raphael knows him well. ] What will you need me to do?
voice
[ A little pause. ]
I could write it all down, if you wish.