"I probably stole it from someone," he responded wryly, his lips twisting again into a slight grin; he sounded calmer than he felt, his heart flipping in his chest at the sound of Jigano's voice and the rather unbridled outpouring of words. It wasn't controlled, it wasn't carefully crafted, and the intention—the attention—had the faintest of flushes creeping over Rory's cheeks. Oh, to be young and foolish again, but better than that: to not be sick with guesswork and worry.
To just .. be.
When he re-emerged into the sunlight he found Jigano with his gear (a harp, he had said, and something in Rory's soul did complicated things, completely amazed by the cultured and refined and talented man who stood in his yard, willingly—) and, of course, Queen Owlkitten on his shoulder.
At the playful bow Rory laughed again, sunlight and fresh wind. It felt good to laugh again, and to do it easily, carefree; he had been too long in the dark, for he had taken it with him even as the sun rose again, a sliver of night living in his heart. Oh, he knew it lingered there and that it would wrap itself around him again when Jigano left, but perhaps the fox would have left enough stars for him to get him by.
Gratefully he shifted his burden in his arms, and nodded. "Lead the way, my gallant friend," warm, so warm, and as he followed Jigano towards the pasture full of goats and ponies he found that it was difficult to take his eyes off of him. It warmed him in a way not even the sun could to watch his easy grace, and the fact that it felt a little forbidden just made it harder to look aside.
To just .. be.
When he re-emerged into the sunlight he found Jigano with his gear (a harp, he had said, and something in Rory's soul did complicated things, completely amazed by the cultured and refined and talented man who stood in his yard, willingly—) and, of course, Queen Owlkitten on his shoulder.
At the playful bow Rory laughed again, sunlight and fresh wind. It felt good to laugh again, and to do it easily, carefree; he had been too long in the dark, for he had taken it with him even as the sun rose again, a sliver of night living in his heart. Oh, he knew it lingered there and that it would wrap itself around him again when Jigano left, but perhaps the fox would have left enough stars for him to get him by.
Gratefully he shifted his burden in his arms, and nodded. "Lead the way, my gallant friend," warm, so warm, and as he followed Jigano towards the pasture full of goats and ponies he found that it was difficult to take his eyes off of him. It warmed him in a way not even the sun could to watch his easy grace, and the fact that it felt a little forbidden just made it harder to look aside.
