 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
"Just for me, hmm?" Dafydd's laugh came easily at Hartley's declaration. One brow lifted. "Well, now I feel rather privileged. Imagine having exclusive access to all this goofiness."
The teasing warmth in his eyes only deepened at the mention of his ego.
"My ego?" he repeated. "I seem to recall a certain husband informing me approximately five minutes ago that nothing is too much for me. If anyone's responsible for inflating my sense of self-importance, I suspect it's you."
The dramatic gasp that followed earned another shake of his head.
"I'm afraid not. No royal blood. No secret inheritance. No hidden kingdom waiting to be reclaimed." His gaze flicked briefly toward the roses he had carefully set aside. "Though if there were, I imagine you'd still find a way to make a bigger fuss over me than any royal court ever could."
As they settled at the table, he found himself watching Hartley for a moment after the other man sat down. There was something endlessly endearing about the way Hart seemed so genuinely pleased by his own efforts whenever they were appreciated, which they always were. The sight had an uncanny ability to kindle the same quiet affection in Dafydd no matter how many times he witnessed it.
The toast drew a soft smile from him, one that only grew when Hart immediately latched onto a single word: ridiculous. "Of course that's the part you focus on," he said dryly.
"Well," he said quietly once Hart had finished, lifting his glass once more, "someone has to keep you from accidentally adopting every stray creature, cursed artefact, and questionable project that crosses your path." His tone was light, the affection beneath unmistakable.
"And for the record, patience has very little to do with it." He reached across the table, his fingers brushing briefly against Hartley's hand. "You're worth it." Simple. Matter-of-fact. Entirely true.
Dafydd finally took another sip of his drink before setting the glass aside.
"Now," he continued, glancing toward the impressive spread of food between them, "tell me honestly—how long have you been planning this?" His eyes narrowed with playful suspicion. He knew the look of a man who'd been secretly orchestrating something for a while.
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