28.Aug.12, 01:00 AM
The lump formed in S'kef's throat again as he felt that delicate hand wrap around his. J'ver had always been a good listener, but never a selfless one. Now, as S'kef felt the emotions subside from his rambling outburst, he knew something wa different this time. His sweet greenrider had put his prejudices, jealousies, and misgiving aside to listen to a story that no one else wanted to hear. S'kef was no longer bitter towards J'nira and his feelings for her were as dead as she was, but it still saddened him to think that he'd never even said goodbye to the little girls.
All of it was in the past, but never once had S'kef spoken a word about it. Now, he almost felt like he could let it go forever. It wasn't just guilt that held him down, but resentment and contempt. It was out in the open now. He didn't need to tell the whole Weyr to feel like the matter was settled, no longer growing and aching inside him like an ulcer.
As he wrapped his free hand around J'ver's, he felt happy and free for the first time in a long time. His body relaxed in relief and he leaned closer, his distressed face forming a smile in response to J'ver's catty little quip. What would he do without him? "Drink myself to death, clearly," he said. Then, without invitation, he leaned in and planted a light kiss on the greenrider's cheek.
S'kef had been so sure that his confession would send the greenrider packing. Then he feared his story would do him in. Now, as he sat beside the little greenrider who'd endured so much for him, he realized that if his fists hadn't done the trick, nothing will. Feeling proud and entitled, S'kef twined his arms around the greenrider he'd come to love so much and held him close.
"I'm glad. I love you, and one day I'll give you everything in the world." He pulled J'ver close and gently nuzzled his neck, strong arms locking tight around the smaller man, possessively and yet with the utmost care. "We're going to rule the world together one day, Jai. You know we will." There was a new level of conviction in his voice, motivation and desire beyond comparison to what which he'd spoken with before.
It was one thing to have a job to focus on. Now, he had someone to fight for. He couldn't imagine anything better than holding his little greenrider at his side as he strode his way back to the top, in defiance of all the wherries and bastards who'd counted them out after his illness.
He and Tyrrisath were immortal. They would never die.
All of it was in the past, but never once had S'kef spoken a word about it. Now, he almost felt like he could let it go forever. It wasn't just guilt that held him down, but resentment and contempt. It was out in the open now. He didn't need to tell the whole Weyr to feel like the matter was settled, no longer growing and aching inside him like an ulcer.
As he wrapped his free hand around J'ver's, he felt happy and free for the first time in a long time. His body relaxed in relief and he leaned closer, his distressed face forming a smile in response to J'ver's catty little quip. What would he do without him? "Drink myself to death, clearly," he said. Then, without invitation, he leaned in and planted a light kiss on the greenrider's cheek.
S'kef had been so sure that his confession would send the greenrider packing. Then he feared his story would do him in. Now, as he sat beside the little greenrider who'd endured so much for him, he realized that if his fists hadn't done the trick, nothing will. Feeling proud and entitled, S'kef twined his arms around the greenrider he'd come to love so much and held him close.
"I'm glad. I love you, and one day I'll give you everything in the world." He pulled J'ver close and gently nuzzled his neck, strong arms locking tight around the smaller man, possessively and yet with the utmost care. "We're going to rule the world together one day, Jai. You know we will." There was a new level of conviction in his voice, motivation and desire beyond comparison to what which he'd spoken with before.
It was one thing to have a job to focus on. Now, he had someone to fight for. He couldn't imagine anything better than holding his little greenrider at his side as he strode his way back to the top, in defiance of all the wherries and bastards who'd counted them out after his illness.
He and Tyrrisath were immortal. They would never die.