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 Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:12 pm
Roger did not return on the day he had left. It would be a lie to say that Nic never crossed his mind, but his work had kept him occupied until after sun-down.
He did return the next day, or the next.
It was on the third evening, when shops were beginning to close, that he finally found himself back on the street. His nerves burned hot in his chest, and he wondered if maybe it wouldn't be best for everyone if he just went away and never spoke to Nic again. They had shared an amazing, passionate night. While neither of them seemed content to meet just once, it didn't seem smart to start a serious relationship. What if they were caught? Roger had no interest in rotting in prison. It was easy, with two days between them, to discount the emotions he had been feeling during their little tryst. That didn't mean, however, that his body would let him forget them.
As he had begun down the road, those curls had come back to him. They were swiftly followed by warm, striking eyes and a charming little laugh. Roger smiled to himself. He could remember the sparks coursing through his body when they had touched, the way he had been charmed by the carpenter's nervous demeanor. He hadn't made it halfway when he decided against logic. His heart told him to continue. Even if they would only experience those nights of guilty pleasure, he wanted him. There was a part of the blacksmith, though, that wanted something more. He had never had a proper relationship, as proper as one conducted in the shadows could be. They had decided that there would be no expectations, though. He would not press the issue.
He wondered if Nic had been worried. A morning he had planned to be full of kind discussion and a shared breakfast had been struck down by his late rising. He had simply left, without any real sign that he would ever return. He couldn't have struck much confidence in his counterpart.
Roger had to make that up to him, at least.
Snow fell gently around him as he wandered toward Nic's shop. Most people had already taken to their homes from the bitter cold of the past few days, so he was pleasantly alone to think and observe. He smiled as Farthir turned to him, a swath of snowflakes dancing across his snout. He gave his Guardian an affectionate pat as he pulled his scarf down from his mouth.
"Promise me you won't try to take anyone out."
There came a pang of hesitant agreement in response, which was better than he could say for most times he'd tried to strike a deal with Farthir.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:21 pm
Nicholas just wanted to forget it had happened. He didn't want to feel this anxious about it anymore. Would Roger come back? Would Roger even talk to him anymore? If they met in the street would they act as complete strangers? Or would they still be friends. No expectations, so he shouldn't even....He shouldn't even be feeling like this, should he?
Damn those words.
He had tried his best to keep his mind off the feelings he'd had that morning, watching Roger quickly dress and leave. It was work. He wouldn't have lied to him. But at the same time, he wondered if it was just an excuse. If it was...well....He'd gotten this far in life living alone. No reason that couldn't continue. Perhaps that's why he found himself working late this night, his shirt already draped over one of the finished chairs as he got to sanding down another, sweat pouring down his face and chest. It wasn't easy work, that was for sure.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:29 pm
Roger arrived to find the door closed, as he had expected with such weather howling outside. He had never really minded the cold, himself. All it took was a little extra bundling to stay safe and warm.
Most of him said to just go on in with the shop being open and all, but there was a little irking presence that said otherwise. Who knew how he felt about you, smithy? It was best to knock. He rapped his knuckles against the wood of the door and waited, suddenly feeling very nervous.
Farthir had taken to sniffing the faint footprints of another Guardian as they disappeared beneath the snow.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:33 pm
The knocking was a surprise, certainly, and he almost messed up on his current pass of smoothing out the grain. Coughing as the dust rose up again, he wiped his brow on his forearm, straightening up. Had he forgotten to change the sign? No matter, he was still busy with this.
"Still open!" He called out towards the door, getting back to work. It was probably just another mother and her kid with a broken toy, needing a quick fix. That would be fine....
Riven wasn't sure what to think as she stared out at the lighter colored male from her hiding place amongst the trees. That smith's deer? What was he doing here? Curious, though still ever so cautious, she approached Farthir. What was he doing?
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:37 pm
Farthir snapped to attention as soon as he saw the doe move. An interloper, perhaps?! He approached her just as slowly, his head lowered as he sniffed at the air. This was the deer that lived here, but what were her intentions?
Roger was entirely ignorant to the little meet-and-greet off to the side. Something in his chest twisted as he pulled the door open and stepped inside, followed by a tiny drift of snowflakes.
No need to be nervous. He already knew all of the most secretive parts of the carpenter. He turned to see Nic hunched over his work and couldn't help but smile. He supposed it was a little warm in here. He began to untie his scarf.
"You're not cold like that?"
Please, please forgive him the delay in returning.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:18 pm
Riven wasn't sure what he meant. They'd met before, hadn't they? She nosed him just the slightest bit, a little more familiar with him than her usual strangers. How was he today? Shop go well?
Nic didn't even bat an eye as the door opened, keeping his eyes on his work. Everyone knew they could just start talking to him and he'd remember. It shouldn't be anything too serious this time of day after all, right?
But when he heard that voice, he jerked to look up rather suddenly, eyes wide. He hadn't expected Roger. He had never expected Roger to come back. No expectations, but....God, the smile that crossed his face. So warm, so...happy. He stood up a little more fully, dusting himself off as he came to meet him.
"Roger! My friend, it's so terribly good to see you." The warmth only continues into his voice with a touch of excitement, and he's certainly trying to ignore how fast his heart is beating, how much he wants to just kiss Roger silly again. Though he stops halfway of doing it, shyly withdrawing the hand he'd been reaching out to pull him into a hug, face dropping just the slightest. "Ah, sorry....I should have known better.." He mumbles, cheeks flushing. "But...yeah, a little cold. It's not a big deal though."
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:47 pm
Ah, all was well, but his Chosen was very nervous. He turned toward the shop door as if to check on the pair. There was no yelling. That was nice. Farthir's attention turned back to the other deer, ears swiveling.
They should probably leave the men alone, shouldn't they? Maybe there was something important that needed to be done somewhere.
As that smile crossed Nic's face, Roger could do nothing but grin. This was a better welcome than he had been expecting! His arms opened slightly for a hug, and his mouth opened as if to say something, but then Nic stopped. The grin began to falter.
"... should have known better? For what?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:58 pm
Nervous? Oh that won't do at all, simply because her Chosen is just as nervous! If not more! He's been fussing and worrying and simply inconsolable and it's hurting her and him both! And it really makes her miss her dearest friend....
But at least Farthir is understanding. They do seem to need their privacy, so perhaps the two of them could find somewhere warm to rest?
That grin. Oh Nic had missed that grin, and now he'd gone and messed things up again! Well...At least it was him doing it. "Ah I....wasn't expecting...anything." He can't seem to put the words together. Oh he's wanted to expect something more, but he just can't seem to get around those two words that keep holding him back. But surely if Roger was offering a hug....
Nic decides to ******** it all and hugs Roger tight, grinning all the while. Might as well live just a little right. "You have no idea how worried I've been."
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:07 pm
Farthir looks back down the road. Well, his pen is pretty nice, but maybe Riven is a lady that needs fancy things like in the stories. He turned back to her. Did she have any ideas?
Roger, meanwhile, laughed at Nic's insistence at a hug. He was such an awkward man, and on anyone else it might have just seemed clumsy and uncomfortable. With him, it was just something else to grin about.
"I'm so sorry," he replied, happily falling into the hug and holding Nic tight. Ah, the warmth and solidity of his form, the feel of his muscles... he was still trying to not expect anything?
"You know that was just for the sex, right...?" Oh boy, that might have come out wrong. "I mean, now we can talk about it and-- I... I'm sorry. Work was busy, and then my nerves got to me. I'm here now, though!"
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:15 pm
The pen might be nice, she hasn't often trekked over to see him or his Chosen after all. She doesn't mind! It's gotten too cold out to go do her favorite things, so it sounds like a good idea. Shall Farthir lead?
Nic didn't care if he was awkward, he just wanted to hug Roger and try and forget how nervous he had been! For a moment he considered picking up the smith, or at least seeing if he could, but decided against it, pulling back just the slightest bit to watch Roger's face.....
"No no, it's not your fault. I think we both got a little nervous and busy. It's the season for it, isn't it?" He laughs, but quiets down, eyes slowly softening. Just...Just for the sex, huh? He thought on it for a moment, then brushed his forehead against Roger's, lips so close but....
"May I...?" He breathed, smiling just a little bit.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:22 pm
Ah, Farthir well could lead. He rounded the front of the shop and began back down the road, hooves clipping on the cobblestone. His Chosen cared for him well! Unfortunately, he had no thumbs himself and thus no way to start his own fire. Unfortunately for him, anyway. Her Chosen had been nervous, had he?
Roger felt that streak of adrenaline course from his heart to his head. It had been a long time since he had felt that, before Nic came around. It was amazing that he could still have that effect through all of the nerves! His reaction to the sudden closeness was mostly one of surprise, but that didn't mean he wasn't willing.
"It's so chill outside," he said softly, leaning in for a kiss, "I think that might help."
Hopefully they could work out some kind of understanding about everything between them. Then again, even if they didn't he was happy here. The nerves were worth the thrill.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:29 pm
Riven was happy to follow and keep pace with him, finally comfortable in the streets now that the cold weather kept them often abandoned. There would be no need for fire, they would be fine, she assured him. But yes, rather nervous, worried of being abandoned and such.
Nic smiled softly, leaning in even more slowly to kiss him. It was soft, gentle, and just a little bit...loving, even? It lingered for just a while before he pulled back, cheeks dusted pink and eyes half lidded. Definitely enjoyable.
"Warmer now?" He breathes, nuzzling his nose against his softly. He certainly is.
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:37 pm
Oh, abandonment? By whom? ... buy his Chosen?! That was strange! He understood that they enjoyed each other's company, but he hadn't thought that they had known each other for long.
The gentleness of this kiss was surprising, but well-appreciated. Roger returned it just slightly before closing his eyes. He loved that face, those curls... yes. They would have to discuss things, even if they didn't come to any satisfactory conclusions. Was that soft movement another kiss? He nosed and leaned back in, but Nic didn't make that completing move. He didn't mind.
"Yes. Thank you." What else was there to say? 'I see you were working on a chair, do you enjoy chairs?'
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:44 pm
Her chosen has very few people he's really comfortable with, if he can understand what she means. There's friends, and then there's the ones he really can trust, and those come few and far between! In fact...In her memory, Roger might be the only one that hasn't moved away.
If Nic had known he gladly would have completed another kiss. But for now, he smiles softly, finally slipping away with a slight chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. It's nice to have him back, but...Now he doesn't know what to say!
"I'm glad....Ah, why don't you go ahead and take a seat. I'll put the kettle on and we can finally have a cup of tea, right?" It's a little bit of an inside joke, or at least he hopes so. "All the dust is irritating my throat, I've been working all day non-stop. I think I need a break before I hack up a lung."
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:53 pm
One of Roger's eyebrows lifts. Tea indeed? He's not sure if it's just a joke or a joking proposition, but he's amused either way. Having some more "tea" would not help their situation, but finally having some tea would be a good way to break the proverbial ice. He didn't feel skittish around Nic any more, and he wasn't worried. He could only hope that the carpenter felt comfortable too.
... well, he could work with that. He approached Nic from behind as he filled the kettle and began to massage his shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't want to worry you. In fact, I wanted to make you breakfast. If it makes you feel any better, I was very harshly scolded by a woman nearly old enough to be my grandma, and had my hair chewed by a crotchety old mare."
Farthir, meanwhile turned his head to Riven. His loved ones had moved away? That was sad. His Chosen had moved away from his family, but there were people he loved here. In fact, he'd just gone out with-- what was that?
A woman was winding her way down the road, but she seemed to be stumbling. Her clothing did not speak to any particular social class, but she had to brace herself against a rail. Her chest was heaving.
His ears and head perked, and then he turned to Riven. She was welcome to join him, but he had a duty.
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