The beer was a bit stronger than Jigano had given it credit for, with how smooth it had gone down. He normally wasn’t a beer person, but the taste of apples in it (and, admittedly, the company he drank it with) had won him over and he’d shared the tankard gladly with his…
Whatever Rory was, that was more than a friend but not quite a lover.
The bard was delightfully tipsy now, though, and the beer was only partly to blame. The man at his side was more intoxicating than any drink, and the mood of the festival had brought out his playful side even more than Rory alone could usually do. Jigano grinned unabashedly around at the stalls they passed, nodding to acquaintances he recognized from the tavern or around town. Their hands had fallen apart as they ate the tasty grilled worms, and this time the fox had left them that way, fingers flickering towards his companion but holding back, not wanting to force his friend into a public display if he wasn’t comfortable with it.
Foolish fox.
Rory’s touch so light against his skin sent a shiver through him, delicious and sweeter than any sugary confection from the food vendors. His fingers twitched in eagerness and then folded gently around those that slid between his. He didn’t even notice how his smile softened, too distracted by the jump of his pulse. Isuma chortled to herself on Rory’s shoulder, slipping deftly to his other side as the hunter started to lean into the loreseeker. Jigano didn’t notice that, either, his attention caught and held by the blond head tilted up towards his.
A second shiver coursed down his spine at the feel of warm breath ghosting over his skin, and his fingers flexed more firmly around Rory’s hand as the festival seemed to fall away around them.
Maybe it was the beer, or maybe it was Frey’s influence on Rae’s festival, but it was as easy as instinct to tilt his head down and nuzzle smiling lips against the sharp curve of Rory’s elegant cheek. There was music in his soul, and he hummed a few notes as he drank in the warmth of his partner’s body and the scent of sunshine that seemed to permeate his skin. Gods most fortunate, but he was as giddy as a teenager! And what he wanted just then…
”Well,” he murmured, soft words against soft skin, ”We could find some musicians and—“
Isuma suddenly Reep!ed loudly, a happy greeting to an approaching friend, bouncing excitedly on Rory’s shoulder and catching Jigano off guard. For a moment he froze, heat creeping up his cheeks at being caught in such a position, but they had been standing around in public and he couldn’t help but laugh softly at himself and the way just being with Rory seemed to soften his sharp edges and turn all his pride to naught. He turned his head to face the friend who approached, but he stayed pressed close to the hunter and squeezed Rory’s hand in silent promise that they would continue their conversation later.
”Rexanna !” he greeted with a broad smile and the flush still in his cheeks, setting off blue eyes that sparkled brightly, their usual masking shadows fled from Rory’s protective presence. ”Happy Fiat Lux!”
Whatever Rory was, that was more than a friend but not quite a lover.
The bard was delightfully tipsy now, though, and the beer was only partly to blame. The man at his side was more intoxicating than any drink, and the mood of the festival had brought out his playful side even more than Rory alone could usually do. Jigano grinned unabashedly around at the stalls they passed, nodding to acquaintances he recognized from the tavern or around town. Their hands had fallen apart as they ate the tasty grilled worms, and this time the fox had left them that way, fingers flickering towards his companion but holding back, not wanting to force his friend into a public display if he wasn’t comfortable with it.
Foolish fox.
Rory’s touch so light against his skin sent a shiver through him, delicious and sweeter than any sugary confection from the food vendors. His fingers twitched in eagerness and then folded gently around those that slid between his. He didn’t even notice how his smile softened, too distracted by the jump of his pulse. Isuma chortled to herself on Rory’s shoulder, slipping deftly to his other side as the hunter started to lean into the loreseeker. Jigano didn’t notice that, either, his attention caught and held by the blond head tilted up towards his.
A second shiver coursed down his spine at the feel of warm breath ghosting over his skin, and his fingers flexed more firmly around Rory’s hand as the festival seemed to fall away around them.
Maybe it was the beer, or maybe it was Frey’s influence on Rae’s festival, but it was as easy as instinct to tilt his head down and nuzzle smiling lips against the sharp curve of Rory’s elegant cheek. There was music in his soul, and he hummed a few notes as he drank in the warmth of his partner’s body and the scent of sunshine that seemed to permeate his skin. Gods most fortunate, but he was as giddy as a teenager! And what he wanted just then…
”Well,” he murmured, soft words against soft skin, ”We could find some musicians and—“
Isuma suddenly Reep!ed loudly, a happy greeting to an approaching friend, bouncing excitedly on Rory’s shoulder and catching Jigano off guard. For a moment he froze, heat creeping up his cheeks at being caught in such a position, but they had been standing around in public and he couldn’t help but laugh softly at himself and the way just being with Rory seemed to soften his sharp edges and turn all his pride to naught. He turned his head to face the friend who approached, but he stayed pressed close to the hunter and squeezed Rory’s hand in silent promise that they would continue their conversation later.
”
