Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lithian dreamt of his mother’s arms.

He dreamt of warmth, safety, and laughter. Of the high walls of the garden surrounding his parents’ estate and the way the weather of his homeland was never anything but pleasant and peaceful. When the first hints of morning peaked through the dying storm outside, dawn brushing back the cloud cover gently like an extra blanket no longer needed and spilling inward — white-yellow — over the two sleeping companions inside their chosen cave’s entrance, Lithian stirred against the furs. His blue lashes flit upwards and his scales glinted in the morning light as he turned his head.

Dawn on Aisko.

He shivered. And froze.

Casseth was dead asleep, warm and still in his arms. His tawny blonde hair a loose mess about his horns and the furs below. Flushing darkly as the events of the previous night came to him, Lithian felt an accompanying warm rush to the rest of him. He’d slept with Casseth. His best friend in all the world had not merely comforted him, but kissed him, held him, returned his feelings and his intimacy to all the extents Lithian could have possibly hoped for. He shuddered, biting his lip and holding himself still, and quiet, for several long minutes — lost in thought — before carefully untangling himself from his—

—friend?

—lover?

—mate…?

He had not considered Vyren his mate, regardless of the intimacy in their interactions, so Lithian supposed that ‘lover’ was more accurate, if Casseth chose to continue such a relationship with him come morning. If.

Lithian winced, and sat up, his eyes trailing over Cas’ shape. Familiar. Personal. His? He shut his eyes, breathed out, and then drew a fresh, cool breath into his lungs before moving to stand. Clothes. He dressed himself quickly and quietly, used to rising before most anyone else, and felt better once dressed: warm, protected, and ready for the day, come whatever. Afterwards, though, he still lingered, glancing back to Cas as he brushed and braided his hair. When he finished, after only a moment’s hesitation, he moved back over, kneeling beside Casseth, brushing the hair from his forehead, and leaning down to kiss it.

“I love you…” was a murmur so quiet, it barely matched the volume of an exhaled breath. Then Lithian stood, moved towards the mouth of the cave, and kneeled to pray. ‘Abronaxus, my god and father of my people…thank you…’

Lithian startled at the touch, jerked out of the tail end of his prayer by Cas’ arrival. After sending up a quick mental closing statement to his god, Lithian bowed his head, flushing and smiling. “I was thanking Abronaxus for the gifts he has given me. Your company…your friendship…” Lithian tilted his head, eyeing the open tundra before them critically. “And I was apologizing to him, for doubting him earlier. For coming to him, pleading that I was ‘broken’ and begging for him to fix me, when I see now that this was his intention. It is who I am, and as much pain as it may cause me, it is still and will always be a part of me and part of his design. I was also…praying for strength, and faith, hoping that what we…” He flushed, “…shared last night was something that we may continue to share. That I will be enough for you, and that you will not change your mind, but also that…if you do…I should have the strength to leave that choice in your hands, and preserve our friendship above all else…”

He dipped his lashes, eyeing the snow directly in front of him and folding his fingers over his tucked knees.

“You are a precious part of my life, and I will make whatever sacrifices necessary in order to keep you it, happily.” Abashed, Lithian brushed his palms once over his clothes before pushing to a stand. “That is what I prayed for. Did you sleep well?”

Lithian swallowed, shivering as his fingers settled against Cas’ skin, and his gaze trailed down, slowly, only to dart back up to Cas’ lips when it got too low. “It’s early,” he answered, and brushed his thumb in a semi-circle. Stepping in, he drew his hand gradually downwards, eventually coming to perch at Casseth’s hip, the skin there beaded up with shiver bumps. “And you’re chilled…”

Cas’ fingers caught the edges of Lithian’s cloak at the shoulders, bunched, and guided him in, forward and down. His kiss muffled Lithian’s shuddered hum.

“I—” Lashes fluttering shut, Lithian soon gave up on speech, holding to Cas’ waist instead and savoring the warm press and exploration of Casseth’s mouth.

“So…time to head back to bed, then?”

“Mm…”

Casseth tugged, and Lithian followed, stooping to retrieve the fur Cas had brought over before acting as requested and trailing after Casseth, back to the warmth of the furs. He opened his mouth upon arrival to mention something about the fact that he had just finished putting all his clothes back on and it seemed silly to strip them away again so soon when he’d only have to dress again after, but then Casseth’s hands were on him, plucking at his cloak and working at his waistband, and Lithian found himself hard pressed to object. So he didn’t.

In the end, Lithian was pleased they made it out of the cave before the sun reached its highest point in the sky, and he considered it a success. Of sorts. If nothing else, it was an enjoyable experience to say the least.