...May Break My Bones [B'jin & Talian]

It had taken Ayyonth kneeling low, R’nd already on his back, and another rider in the crowd to help get the unconscious greenrider atop the dragon as well but they managed it and R’nd didn’t waste more time than it took to nod his thanks for the assistance before Ayyonth took off towards B’jin’s hut. They avoided popping between despite that being the quickest method of travel but R’nd didn’t want to risk exposing all of the torn skin to the bone-chilling cold that incurred in the seconds travel took. When Ayyonth landed with the utmost grace and care for the injured passenger, once again crouching into the best position to be of assistance, R’nd worked them both down and hesitated for only a moment in deciding the best way to carry the smaller rider which ended up being tossed over one shoulder with his arms securing the hold under a firm bottom.

He didn’t make it far in the charge for the hut when the firmly closed door presented itself as a worthy opponent. R’nd fumbled for the handle, growing increasingly frustrated with every second he wasted in getting B’jin tucked away somewhere for a healer to look at. When he finally caught the knob and turned it just enough to pop the latch, his booted foot swung out to kick the door all the way open, causing the bluerider to wince momentarily as the door bounced off the wall it swung heavily into. He hoped there wasn’t any damage but would explain later if there was and he imagined B’jin would be understanding just this once.

Once he crossed the threshold, R’nd froze as the realization hit that he was in B’jin’s hut; the hut no one was allowed into outside of his family. Of course he had been invited in the heat of the moment brought on by playing with paints until both men were in need of a shower. Despite his desire to get a peek into the man’s world, R’nd had chosen to take them to his hut where children weren’t likely to intervene like they had tried to do earlier in their time together. Now, as much as he wanted to snoop with grey eyes glancing over everything, curious to learn what he could, R’nd knew it wasn’t the time and headed for an open door across the living room which he assumed would be the bedroom if the layout was anything like his own. Any self-congratulations he would have done at navigating the basic hut design were killed instantly at the sight of toys scattered all over the floor. He suddenly had a flash of his own bedroom looking like that now that Volfetti had brought Benden into his life and panic threatened to overtake him thanks to that image coupling with his concern for B’jin.

He had to focus! He knew B’jin had a couple of brats and toys underfoot were to be expected even if they were a bit of a turn off and a danger to bare feet and heads when they smacked against the floor or wall after tripping on something. Again, that wasn’t the issue of the moment, and R’nd chided himself while Ayyonth made his own efforts in calming R’nd until the man was able to get over his aversion to children and all things related to them to once more focus on the man in his arms –and in his arms for all the wrong reasons at that! With his eyes drawn to the bed, R’nd moved almost on autopilot, everything around him becoming indistinct blurs as he ignored all the distractions and only focused on getting his friend much needed aid. There was just one problem.

How was he going to get B’jin on the bed without harming him?

R’nd was already worried he had done more damage with the way he had caught the searchrider, moved him, and even now carried him but he wasn’t foolish enough to do the simple method of leaning over and depositing B’jin on the bed, on his back. Carefully he knelt until B’jin’s limp feet touched the floor and R’nd moved his arms from under the buttocks to under the arms so he could guide the unconscious man onto the bed to lie on his stomach, head turned to the side as suffocating the man you had a crush on and were befriending didn’t help the relationship. R’nd visibly relaxed as the tension caused from his task eased upon seeing B’jin lying safely in his bed.

Without hesitating, the bluerider crawled onto the bed beside B’jin, grabbing one of the man’s hands to hold in his own, “Oh, B’jin… I’m so sorry,” his words were nearly a whisper but the emotion behind each word was strong and genuine. He still blamed himself as the final reason for D’ren to issue the lashings and blamed himself for not convincing the weyrleader to revoke the punishment.  It wouldn’t do either of them any good to dwell on what was done and couldn’t be changed. He would have looked around the room for something to talk about if, when B’jin woke with him still there but the toys still weren’t an accustomed sight yet and so grey eyes lowered their gaze and that’s when R’nd saw his shirt. It wasn’t one of his best shirts but it was among his favourites and it was now smeared with blood from when he caught B’jin as he blacked out from the pain. This was the second shirt ruined by the greenrider and it earned a small pout if only because Kerrin liked to lecture him on the amount of clothing ruined in the passion of flightlust and now he was earning a pile of stained shirts.

Speaking of shirts, where was the one B’jin had tossed at him before the lashing? R’nd tried to mentally retrace his steps, wondering where he would have dropped it and hoped it wasn’t back in the Square where anyone could take it or trample it. You left it on my back. You placed it there when you climbed up to get B’jin up. I’ll guard it if you’re that concerned and you can get it later. Well that was a relief! He didn’t need to add lost property to his list of sins against B’jin. Then again, maybe he would add to that list but by holding the shirt hostage until B’jin was feeling better and could appreciate a little humour in the form of the bluerider’s twisted playfulness.

“We’ll get you patched up and right as new soon, B’jin.” With one hand still holding B’jin’s, R’nd brushed the other hand over the greenrider’s forehead checking for a fever. He wasn’t an expert in such things but it made him feel a bit more useful to at least try.

Tal raced breathlessly through the collection of huts that surrounded the Weyr, his heart pounding and his legs moving as quickly as they could. Sweat was already pouring down his neck and back. It wasn't even hot outside! It was, however, remarkably tense.

He could not believe what he'd just witnessed. One of his dearest friends, the man who saved his life, the man he considered a father...flogged like some sort of common hooligan in a public setting. How cruel and humiliating. How heartless this place was, devoid of anything resembling charity or kindness! The dragonriders loved to bitch and complain about how hard their lives were, whine about the plague and the horrors it brought with it...any yet react dismissively when a stolen candidate made the same complaints.

Now Talian could see how cold they were even to each other. Monsters.

All he cared about was helping B'jin.  He tore up to the door of the man's hut, a bag of medical supplies in hand, and burst through the door without knocking. "I'm here," he said breathlessly as he tossed the bag down and pulled his headband on. He frowned miserably as he looked at B'jin. Tal knew R'nd only as B'jin's latest flight partner. Tal didn't honestly care - he was a dragonrider and not B'jin, therefore he was an enemy. All that mattered was that he'd helped carry B'jin to safety...away from that horrid brownrider and his whip.

Talian approached the bed and ran his fingers delicately on the unmarred skin closest to the lacerations. Tal's eyes became glassy. "Hang on, Dad..." he whispered gently.

He reached into his bag for sheepskin gloves. Time to get to work. This was a special patient.

R’nd was getting impatient and starting to worry the longer he had to wait for the healer to show up. He was about to send Ayyonth to go find the kid when he heard the door slam open and the man in question appear. Any other time and he would have found the way he wasn’t acknowledged in the usual manner of smiles, giggles, or staring to be humorous but until B’jin woke from the pain-induced rest and wasn’t in as much pain, there really wasn’t a need for a laugh. He did however give a relieved smile first to B’jin as he tightened his hold on the hand he held and then to Talian as the healer prepped for whatever it was he could do.

“Please help him, Master Healer,” he couldn’t remember the man’s name, if he even knew it, but R’nd would have latched onto the professional rank regardless, showing his respect for the skills possessed. Even during the plague, R’nd had been spared being put in such a position as he was in now, clinging to a man he liked and worrying about the pain, but R’nd believed it wasn’t wise to anger the man with the healing skills by showing any sort of disrespect. “The pain he’s in must be excoriating.”

When Talian called B’jin dad, it gave R’nd a moment’s pause. Did B’jin have older children? It was possible but unlikely that they were brought south. Still, he said nothing, and was glad he did when his memories that had been clouded with too much worrying cleared and R’nd recalled hearing that the greenrider had taken a special interest in the Master Healer he had Searched and seemed to treat him like a son. Right then, their relationship wasn’t important so long as the wounds were looked after and some relief was brought to B’jin.

Larrikith landed lightly on the Healer Hall, her worry and impatience clear in her swiftly swirling eyes and the way she swayed impatiently, wings half extended, ready to take to the skies once more. Her mind didn't so much as touch Talian's, however, as she watched the young man pelt from the Hall and in the general direction of her home. Throwing herself off the roof, Larrikith flew swiftly over his head, ahead several lengths, and then winked between to appear behind him. So doing, the little green lead the way, watching fretfully and bemoaning to herself the terrible slowness of humans. It wasn't even that Talina was so slow, but more that he needed to be with B'jin now and, oh, hurry up!

When the hut came into sight, Larrikith dropped down beside her own door, crooning softly to Ayyonth that he should follow her into the adjoining shelter. It was closed off, and the larger dragon would take up more room than she herself did, but Larrikith didn't plan on staying in the room - he could use it to stick his head into the bedroom - Larrikith herself slipped in, and nosed open the glass door that separated her bedroom, from B'jin's. The heavy fur drape that provided privacy and insulation was nosed under, and the little green dragon crept into her bonded's room, crooning softly under her breath at the two men that kept her's company.

Keeping her distance from Talian as much as she could - Larrikith had no desire to spook the young man when B'jin so dearly needed his attentions - the little green crawled up anxiously, her body kept rigid and coiled; she was both ready to protect but also ready to vanish between if she had to leave the room quickly. She wasn't fearful for her rider's life - the punishment he had received was hardly life threatening by itself, Talian was highly skilled, and the pair had brought B'jin home instead of to that horrible hall that was sprouting with that horrible weed. Larrikith, herself, quite enjoyed the effects of numbweed, but she also was smart enough to know that had B'jin been treated by someone that was unaware of his reaction to the stuff, his healing process would have easily been extended. A lot. She shuddered, delicate green head hovering cautiously over R'nd's legs so she could breath softly on B'jin's face.

The sassy little dragon ignored the two men, and the presence of Ayyonth, as she dipped into B'jin's mind. When the man had fainted, his entire mind had shut down; he had relaxed and no pain had been obvious on his features. As the dragon consciously peered into the world of B'jin, Larrikith's anxiously whirling eyes took in the tightening of expression around the man's eyes and mouth. He wasn't going to wake up, not any time soon at any rate, but his subconscious was more aware of the pain he was in than it had been, and the dragon brushed over his thoughts, eyes whirling faster when she realised he was dropping head first into a cess pool of bad memories. Oh, Ben, Larrikith crooned, her voice a silky whisper as she used the name the memory provoked, unaware she was broadcasting to the three accompanying male minds. You mustn't let him-! her soft, silky tones vanished as her emotions spiked, and her head reared up suddenly, eyes whirling a vicious red.

I'LL KILL HIM! she suddenly hissed, her voice poison, and she flung her head in the direction of the Gather Square. RONARTH! RELEASE ME! That bellow was audible to anyone within the Weyr with an ounce of empathy, her eyes wild as she demanded to be released from the rank bonds that were keeping her on "best behavior" -- she was going to slaughter that brown rider! Hints, comments and mild emotions from the past with B'jin suddenly cluttered into a giant puzzle the little green dragon had not been aware of, and she spun back to face B'jin, her eyes swirling with soul wrenching guilt. He should have told her! He should have told someone!

---

I honestly have no idea what S'kef actually did to B'jin. But, apparently it was horrific and he hid it from Larri? IDK. /shrugs. Ambiguous history makes for better drama and I needed some form of entertainment, since he's dead to the world and I'm feeling melodramatic. /snorts.

Talian wasn't thinking in terms of empathy right now, he was thinking in terms of B'jin's health. The man had been unconscious for far too long. Any longer and it would risk brain damage. That, unfortunately, had to be his first priority.

Healers were supposed to protect theirs from pain. But saving B'jin's life was more important.

"Forgive me, Larrikith," Talian said aloud as he quickly checked over B'jin's vitals. Heartbeat and breathing were fine. That didn't mean B'jin needed to stay out cold, though.

Talian reached under him and rolled him quickly onto one side. "He needs to wake up," Tal said urgently as he moved to B'jin's head, tilting the man's chin up so his mouth was lower. This way, his throat would stay open.

"If he's out for too long, he could have brain damage," he explained as he placed the ball of one hand on B'jin's sternum and used the other to hold him secure. He bore down and started to rub. It was painful and usually good for waking someone up, so long as they weren't too deeply out. There was no guarantee it would work, but it was worth a try.

After a few seconds, Talian stopped and reached for his bag again, hoping B'jin would start to come around momentarily. He got some gloves and some fellis, then looked at R'nd. "Water, please," he said, his tone dropping into a low, mistrustful, even submissive tone as he eyed the rider with suspicion. "I need to start stitching his lacerations, but they need to be cleaned first."

He jumped slightly when he heard Larrikith bellow to Ronarth. What could that be all about? He frowned and looked back to B'jin and began the process of inspecting the wounds.


Far away, Ronarth answered her mournfully. I must not the saddened bronze whispered, There has been enough blood today. Even more than S'kef, he feared for Larri...Tyrrisath was big.

---

And there's no telling with a bastard like S'kef! If someone/I pick him up, we can hash it out then.

Like Ayyonth who followed Larrikith as much as he could, R’nd wanted to pet the petite green and offer her any reassurance he could. While Ayyonth did so by moving in closer, nuzzling against her plump body, R’nd made no move to do such a thing. Larrikith was a bit unpredictable and while he felt that she had accepted both dragon and rider, he wasn’t going to strain the trust while B’jin was unconscious and likely setting the green on edge. He simply kept hold of B’jin’s hand, feeling that would be more than enough to give that reassurance that everything would be fine and he was there to keep an eye on things – except when the healer asked him to run errands, apparently.

R’nd didn’t want to leave B’jin’s side but he didn’t want to be a hindrance either. If the Master Healer needed something and the bluerider was capable of lending a hand, then that was what he would do. “Of course,” he replied evenly, noticing the reserved manner in which Talian spoke to him. He wasn’t a welcomed sight for the young man, that much was certain. As much as R’nd liked to think everyone fawned after him, perhaps barely managing to keep from fainting as he walked by, he knew a lot of the Northerners didn’t take kindly to their situation and blamed all dragonriders for being Stolen and forced into a new life to assist the riders in keeping the dragon population going. It was hard some days to deal with the intent stares of hatred but R’nd typically tried his best to help the Northerners adjust in some way. The healer didn’t seem like he would be interested in that offer but R’nd stored the idea away to visit the man at a later point anyway.

At Larrikith’s bellow for revenge and being released, grey eyes snapped to her, worry evident at what she would do if allowed, or not, to follow through on the threat that sounded like a promise and what it would end up doing to B’jin. Ayyonth… I know, I will try to keep Larrikith calm. You focus on helping with B’jin. R’nd loved his blue beast. When he wasn’t interested in teasing his rider, Ayyonth was a calming presence, rational, and caring. He knew Larrikith was in good hands and returned to the task that was given him.

Dodging around both dragon and human, R’nd excused himself from the bedroom and dashed for the kitchen in search of a large pot or bowl. When the item was found, he made for the water source and was soon returning with the needed water. He reclaimed his seat on the bed beside B’jin and placed the bowl between them so Talian could reach it and R’nd could steady it or move it if need be. He was soon grabbing for the greenrider’s hand again as well, the belief he was somehow helping B’jin get through the pain by that small gesture was silly but strong and it wasn’t doing more damage so he continued with it.

Outside, Ayyonth was working on keeping Larrikith calm and avoiding the desire to give in and do something rash. You should wait for B’jin to wake and start healing so you can talk to him about what you saw. He might be sad if you did anything before then. He paused, thinking a moment and then rested his head atop her smaller body in a caring gesture that was, in his mind, a reasonable copy of the way R’nd gave comforting hugs. I would be sad as well. He adored this green. She was clever, devious, and sassy. He couldn’t stand to see anything happen to her if she went after someone or the punishment that would surely follow.

What? Why! Larrikith's voice went up several mental octaves at Talian's words, and her eyes flashed white in sudden fear. Why did the little healer need her forgiveness? He could help B'jin, couldn't he? Why was he apologising! The green dragon released a creel of distress. Fix him! she implored, her voice wallowing spectacularly close to a broken whine.

Ronarth's reply was less than satisfactory, and the little dragon's posture slumped in defeat. Her words were for no one in particular and perhaps more so for herself.But... it's my fault! Her voice was riddled with guilt. It may have come out as melodramatic from any other, but the utter conviction in her tones and the horrible realisation that was slaughtering her mind voice belied dramatics. Larrikith could be dramatic, even had a tendency when stressed or upset - but it was usually because she didn't curb her responses, rather than fishing for compliments or reassurance. Those were things she rarely needed (though they were appreciated when offered).

Why didn't he tell me? Larrikith asked Ayyonth in a whispery voice as she slipped closer to the larger dragon to coil up against him. She buried her face against his pretty hide, wings tucked in tight so she could wriggle closer, practically crawling under him. She ignored the humans, as B'jin was brought back to consciousness. She would take Ayyonth's advice for now, and grill her rider later. Content in that, the little dragon nuzzled the blue affectionately and let herself relax slowly.


Consciousness was putting up a hell of a fight, but B'jin had a preference for being unconscious when pain - physical or emotional - was involved. As a result, the man put up a valiant effort to remain in the black pool of unconsciousness, even if it were a purulent ocean of bad memories. Unfortunately, while Talian's determined compressions had done their job, it was his gentle touch as the young man cleaned the wounds that woke the greenrider, and his body jerked reflexively away from the pressure. His hip knocked the bowl resting innocently, but the motion did little more than send the water lapping at the edges.

A hiss of pain slithered between the man's teeth, displayed in a snarl as he was welcomed to the world once more by the insistant throbbing of his back. B'jin forced his shoulders and back to relax, though his fingers clamped desperately at R'nd's own without his realising while he wriggled his other arm out from under himself, before it became a candidate for pins and needles - he was uncomfortable enough!

"Shards!" B'jin swore, his voice a half pant, half hiss, breathes deepening and brown eyes remaining closed as the greenrider used techniques he'd been trained in since childhood to counter pain that couldn't be treated with the Planet's usual methods. Fellis was only good if you wanted to be dead to the world - that was an idea! B'jin's eyes, dark with pain, opened, stopping with surprise when the first thing he saw upon lifting them was R'nd's face. His eyebrow twitched, though whether from his obvious surprise at seeing R'nd seated on his bed beside him or as a reaction to Talian's gentle touch as he cleaned up the man's back was debatable. The pout, however, was aimed directly at R'nd as B'jin sulked. "I like it better when you wake me up." And he cast the young healer a dirty look over his shoulder.

"Ow!" the yelp was unexpected, and flew from his lips before he could help himself. B'jin's brows drew down in irritation as he pursed his lips, twisting his head slightly to glare more easily over his shoulder at Talian. "Sweet Faranth boy! Be careful!" He hadn't intended to snap, but B'jin was very rarely companionable when awoken, and adding twenty lashes wasn't making him friendly at all. Brown eyes flashed with irritation, lips pursing before he harrumphed and returned to stare at R'nd, glaring absently when he realised he was staring straight at the man's abdomen, which had obviously been put right there, just to torture him.

Realising absently, even as he grumbled mentally to himself about cruel children and torturous lovers, that he had a death grip on R'nd's hand B'jin loosened his grip and gave him an almost apologetic squeeze. Twining their fingers absently even as he lifted their hands carefully (realising as he did so that simple movements were going to be a painful bother for a while) to use the back of his wrist to brush his hair out of his eyes. It was getting far too long. Dropping their hands to rest between them, B'jin returned to scowling at R'nd with a pout. As he did so, another realisation came to him, and with it, a manner in which to avoid thinking about the fact that Talian's gentle fingers did not feel gentle on his tender back!

"I ruined another shirt." He stated with a deceptively mild voice. His eyes were tight with pain, and though amusement lingering behind the shadows, he was doing a relative job of not letting either emotion mingle in his voice. "You should take it off." Brown eyes widened with innocence, as a smirk flashed over his lips before B'jin grunted in pain, and threw Talian another filthy look. "You're as bad as D'ren!" He snapped, convinced that one had been on purpose.

You're being very ungrateful to the brat, you know, Larrikith put in snidely from where she was curled against Ayyonth, looking particularly at home as her voice brushing on both B'jin and Talian's mind as she spoke - calmer now, however, she was careful not to invade R'nd's. B'jin's gaze shifted to take in the two dragons, and he glared at his green, raising his twined hand to point with one finger at the dragon. "Don't even start." Larrikith gave a snort, and licked Ayyonth's cheek, ignoring her sullen rider completely.

Ignore him, Talian, she advised, brushing his mind with a dismissive voice. Or maybe poke him when he is mean to you. You could try training him to behave. Her amusement laced in that wished the young man good luck with that theory, but also conveyed that  she would enjoy watching him try. Lying down, her chin resting on Ayyonth's forearms, Larrikith watched with one slowly swirling eye, apparently at peace now her rider was awake and appeared to be acting normal - well, she knew he was being normal. She expected the two accompanying humans were startled to some degree. B'jin was such a spoiled brat sometimes.

"I can fix him," Talian assured Larrikith, his voice slightly tense and on edge as he looked over the lacerations. Now that B'jin was bubbling back to consciousness, Talian was comfortable pushing him back on to his stomach. He hated to rouse the man, but natural unconsciousness and anesthetic were two things, and fainting for too long posed a serious risk. Better B'jin be uncomfortable for a while than risk him actually having some sort of brain trauma.

B'jin's wriggling, complaining and dirty looks had little effect on the healer. "It's okay," he spoke aloud to Larrikith as he worked, delicately cleaning the lacerations with as much gentleness as he could manage, "I'm used to patients being snippy with me. He's in pain."

Tal's voice was remarkably even and focused while he worked. Knowing that B'jin was allergic to numbweed, he nodded to his bag. "I have some fellis in there if he would like it, R'nd," he said. He wasn't sure if B'jin had already had some or if he didn't like it, so he was going to leave that up to B'jin and his lover. Tal was more worried about the lacerations.

The first ten or so blows hadn't broken the skin. The next five had left light tearing, but the final five had really torn into the flesh. Once they were clean, Talian reached for his bag again and got a needle and some sinew.

"Sorry, B'jin, but this is going to hurt," he said. He shot his eyes to R'nd. "Give him something to bite," he instructed, struggling to keep the resentment out of his voice. He had no idea how R'nd felt about Northerners, but from Talian's perspective, all dragonriders except B'jin were enemies.

He stayed on his best behavior, though, for two reasons....partially due to fear. The dragonriders had made it clear that they were in charge around here, and there wasn't anything a lowly stolen candidate could do. Talian was well resigned to that fact, and had been since his first conversation with B'jin in the dining hall. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, well...this bastard meant something to B'jin. If he was important to B'jin, Tal would keep his mouth shut.

"Okay...B'jin, I'm going to start suturing you now," he said gently, leaning in close and using a soothing voice. He knew he'd need to distract B'jin from the pain as best he could. "I need you to hold still for me. How are you feeling?"

He expected caustic responses, but that would at least distract the man. With that, Tal pinched the first gash together and made his first stitch.

“I can’t say I have any complaints given where waking you up has led,” of course technically it led to a few kisses before parting ways while when B’jin woke R’nd, it led to far better things. Still, the bluerider fell easily into flirting with the injured man both because it might serve as a distraction from the pain and because it was just a natural part of his being and doing so with B’jin was in no way a hardship; at least not now. It was amazing to think back at how much energy was spent in ignoring the urge to even greet the greenrider until only a few days earlier. “I also can’t complain about the hair falling in your eyes as it suits you.” He chuckled softly as B’jin made them both brush it aside with the way their fingers were now entwined. Given his own hair was worn longer than was expected of a dragonrider, R’nd had a soft spot for others with something outside of the short cropped style most went with for practicality.

He did his best not to wince when B’jin did or when the man voiced his pain while Talian worked on the lacerations since it didn’t seem very helpful as a distraction. R’nd instead kept his eyes from looking at the wounds and held the searchrider’s gaze whenever he could, taking every chance presented to him to talk with B’jin, even if it was a lot of flirting and probably didn’t make Talian overly comfortable. The poor healer already didn’t seem fond of him and now he had to listen to him hit on his father-figure. This was clearly not going to be listed as one of the kid’s best days. “You did but that’s okay. I’m currently holding your shirt of earlier hostage and you won’t see it again until I feel you have paid me ample tribute in creative ways for the sacrificed shirts.” A wicked grin was given before it turned into something a bit tamer so not to scare the healer away, thinking they were in need of some alone time. It was pretty hard to do, though, when B’jin was demanding the removal of clothing.

At the suggestion of fellis, R’nd finally tore his gaze away from B’jin to eye Talian quizzically. “Didn’t you just wake him from sleeping for some medical reasoning? Why is it okay to send him back into a sleep with an herb?” It figured it was due to it being controlled and not from the intense pain but it was still better to have a proper reason from a professional than to just guess. “But if it’s desired, I’ll get it.” How could he say no to a medical recommendation and the request of a friend in pain?

It was just a shame the healer still didn’t seem overly impressed with him and it was getting a little frustrating. Other than belonging to the world that Talian wanted no part of, what had he personally done to the boy? R’nd frowned a little at the tone he knew was being held with a lot of control but didn’t comment on it. It wasn’t the time for asking such questions and trying to prove he wasn’t a bad guy. Instead, he would humour B’jin, obey Talian, and possibly even fluster the healer enough to knock the resentment out of him for a bit all in one move. “It will only be for a moment and I promise it will be worth it,” R’nd told B’jin as he released his hold on the hand and poked at his lover’s fingers until they finally followed suit. Once both hands were free, R’nd pulled his shirt off, turned it inside out, and rolled it up until the bloodied area was lost in the middle of the tight rope of material that was then offered for B’jin to bite down on. As soon as that task was completed, hands were held and fingers entwining tightly once more. Given the tight squeeze he had already received once, R’nd also readied himself for more of the same treatment once the actual stitching began.

Ayyonth, for his part, took the path of being a silent comfort. It seemed Larrikith was content with someone simply being there to nestle up against and shower her with affection in the form of nuzzling or the occasional lick. He did, however, also chuckle at her comments about her rider’s complaints, which finally earned a reply meant to make Larrikith laugh and to share a bit more about the bluerider cozying up to her chosen. R’nd would be no better as a patient. He’s doing quite well in his current role, but he doesn’t enjoy pain and would be whining and pouting constantly. You should have seen him after being punched! It was almost embarrassing to be bonded to him.

He rested his head lightly atop Larrikith’s as she settled hers on his forelegs, falling silent for several seconds, watching the humans interact and deal with everything. B’jin is very brave, and resilient. All will be well, sweet Larrikith.

B'jin's expression turned thoughtful, amusement making itself known with a twtich of the man's lips. His eyebrows crept up his forehead slightly, a questioning look born as he eyed R'nd with amused delight. "Is that so?" he purred, voice low and husky, though it was tight with pain, something he was becoming increasingly unable to hide as Talian's light touch worked over the wounds. He was uncomfortable, and he was in pain. When the topic shifted to fellis, his expression altered at once, emotions warring. He would very dearly like to be welcomed back into the open arms of unconsciousness. That said, however, B'jin wasn't immune to the tension radiating from Talian and R'nd's frustrated confusion as a result. The greenrider was not keen on leaving them alone with his snarky dragon while he lay between them all like a rag doll once more. Unappealing indeed! Besides, "I haven't eaten." B'jin murmured, nostrils flaring as he sucked in a deep breath suddenly. "I wouldn't wake up for a turn." Amusement laced his words as he spoke, joking it off before the emotion died as quickly as it had risen.

"I've survived worse." He said softly, releasing R'nd's fingers tentatively so the man could reclaim his hand. His face quickly shifted into a warmer expression, amusement and affectionate as R'nd obliged his demand dancing through brown eyes, and the greenrider flashed a wicked grin at the bluerider. Taking the rolled up rope the shirt had become with his still free hand, B'jin raised an eyebrow at R'nd, his lips twisting into an expression of amused pain. "You either really hate this shirt," he murmured, "or you really love it." Throwing the man a wink, B'jin glanced over his shoulder at Talian, making sure the boy wasn't about to poke or prod him. When he was sure, he carefully shift around, sprawling more comfortably on his stomach. B'jin folded one arm before him, and buried his face in the crook of his elbow, shirt between his teeth, and clung doggedly to R'nd's hand with his other.

Talian's gentle question was answered with a muffled whine of pain, B'jin's fingers clinging desperately to R'nd's though he was visibly careful not to grip too tightly, while the other hand contracted into a fist in his sheets, knuckles whitening. The whines and whimpers continued as Talian worked his way through his task, though he somehow managed to stay almost statue still, though he failed to contain the unintentional twitching and jerking. Unfortunately, that also meant he was stiff as a board as tightly shut eyes leaked tears into his elbow. Damn to the depths of between the sick bastard that invented pain!

He's not thinking very coherently, Larrikith said softly to Talian, but his last thought about you was affection and something along the line of 'smart boy, stupid questions'. She paused for a moment, attention shifting to Ayyonth though she didn't so much as twitch physically. He has to be, she said simply, sighing softly. She was very glad that she and B'jin had bonded during a time without Thread - the silly man got himself in enough trouble without the falling menace as well to slice him up. A low pitched croon followed Ayyonth's soft words, the little dragon taking comfort in the endearment. She sent Ayyonth a tentative string of affection in return, unsure how it would be received and not sure why it mattered.

"A lower dosage can numb the pain without putting him all the way under," Tal explained quickly as he went to work. He had a tendency to scowl while doing stitches, especially on such a dramatic wound. In fact, this was probably the most dramatic stitch work he'd ever done on a living person. It still didn't phase him. Like all trauma work, he took to it like a fish to water, quickly and deftly making the first series of stitches while he continued to talk.

"I woke him because while unconscious, blood flow to the brain can be reduced and cause permanent damage. It's also easy for someone to stop breathing, which is why I turned his head the way I did. Breathing is an automatic action, but if say the epiglottis closes while you're out cold, you don't know to shift your position or cough to help correct it. That's why if someone passes out from drinking too much, they should be placed on their side," he rattled authoritatively as he continued his work.

The needle passed through B'jin's flesh like it wasn't even there. Tal moved quickly and efficiently, and within a few minutes the first laceration was closed. He immediately got a new piece of sinew to do the second.

"Stop fussing," Tal said bluntly as B'jin began to wriggle and clutch at R'nd. B'jin had been an amazingly compliant patient thus far, but even the slightest wiggle could throw the delicate work off. Tal was forced to slow down a bit, preferring to cause a bit more pain than risk messing up and having to do it again. He patted B'jin's shoulder gently. "Shhh. Hang on," he said. He took a deep breath and resumed.

He cast a quick glance to R'nd. He hoped the bluerider would keep up what he was doing. Talking to B'jin would distract him from the pain, which was what Tal had tried to to when he inquired about B'jin's mood.  That hadn't gone over well.

Some minutes later, Tal was down to one last gash to fix. He sighed in relief and reached into his bag one final time. "All right, we're almost done," he said softly, with far more protective gentleness than he normally expressed. After all, right now, he was a healer. It was what he did best, and almost all he knew how to be.

R’nd nodded in understanding as Talian explained why it had been important to wake B’jin though most of the medical terms went a bit over his head. The main thing he got out of it was staying asleep due to passing out from pain was a scary thing and could lead to far worse situations. It was a lesson he would be sure to carry with him always in case anyone he cared for, or even himself, was fighting a battle with staying conscious after any sort of serious injury. The topic of fellis was one he understood more of and wasn’t surprised by B’jin’s words that both said the obvious with the man not wanting to eat before being whipped and perhaps the more subtle hint that he didn’t want to miss out on anything while R’nd and Talian were with him. “I’ll get you something to eat afterwards so you can take a light dose to help you rest. I imagine you won’t be doing much for a little while and trust me, I’m pretty sad about that as well.” He flashed B’jin another playful grin as he once more teased the greenrider with ideas of the fun times they could have in the near future.

B’jin’s interest in each flirtatious comment did nothing to quell the desire to tease the man either. “I’m going to expect a lot, you know. The bar has been set high given how creative I already know you can be.” He would have felt sorry for Talian having to listen to them if the healer ranking as a higher priority that afternoon but distracting B’jin from the pain and giving him a little something to look forward to after healing couldn’t be topped in the bluerider’s mind. At least they weren’t making out? Yet, anyway.

Since they were already talking about future plans, of a sexual nature but plans all the same, and the ruination of shirts led R’nd to recall the paint covered one he still had, R’nd came up with another reason for them to cross paths and this one in a more innocent manner. “You never got the chance to paint Ayyonth the other day. He would love that attention and actually sit still for it to be done if you’re still interested in doing so.” From his spot curled up with Larrikith, Ayyonth crooned his opinion on the suggestion but spoke not to either rider but the little green dragon, I wouldn’t be opposed to being painted with you either. A reminder of how amazing we are together and all the plotting we have done for Ours.

Oblivious to his dragon’s bout of lazy flirting, R’nd laughed as he pulled at a few strands of his blonde locks that didn’t look quite the right shade. “I’m still not my natural colour, you know. I suspect a few more washings will get the last of the red out of my hair.”

B'jin twisted his head on his arm to gave the bluerider a flat look, his right eyebrow twitching. He wasn't entirely sure how much he'd feel like eating after yet more torture, but he wasn't entirely against the idea; his stomach was not happy about being empty any more than it had been happy with the idea of food that morning. But now, without having eaten breakfast or lunch, B'jin was pretty sure food would be a very good idea. A snort of amusement followed the rest of R'nd's statement even as the man twitched, jerking without intent away from Talian as he stitched. "I'm sure we'll manage just fine," he replied, the last word being turned into a sensual purr. It was quickly converted into a hiss, teeth bared, and B'jin took a deep breath in through his nose.

"How about," B'jin growled back at Talian without looking over at him, "I stitch you up!" His snapping retort followed swiftly on the tail of Talian's command, and the boy's gentle reassurances were met with a dark glower, jaw set stubbornly when he turned to look at him, lifting his sweaty face from the crook of his arm. He kept the look focused on Talian irritably until R'nd started speaking once more, and the greenrider's brown gaze flashed to his other companion, head settling once more on his arm though this time angled to watch R'nd as his expression shifted into something friendlier. R'nd, after all, wasn't the one poking more holes in his flesh! The fact that Talian was fixing the damage was ignored in order to be irritable with someone, and he ignored Larrikith's touch of disapproval.

Brown eyes sparkled as the greenrider smirked up at R'nd, expression one of mischievous delight, despite being tight around the edges as he did his best to ignore the pain of his back. He didn't bother to vocalise a retort for the younger man, instead he let his expression do so for him. B'jin was too irritated with Talian's painful yet necessary work to give a flying green what the boy thought of his behaviour, or his words and the things they implied, as the greenrider brought the entwined hands closer, shifting his grip so he could kiss the bluerider's palm in a move that wasn't nearly as innocent as it was likely to appear from where Talian sat, brown eyes not leaving grey.

With their hands coiled once more before him, B'jin shifted his gaze from R'nd's grey eyes to look at the hair he was holding out for inspection, and the greenrider smirked. "Hrm. It seems I need to improve on hair washing," he replied mildly, amusement lingering in his tones. "Did I miss any other spots?" He questioned lazily, his tone was as mild as a gentle spring day, though his brown eyes were devious even as he flicked a look over his shoulder, without moving, at Talian when the healer spoke. His expression relaxed tenfold at the words, followed by his shoulders to travel in a wave down the man's body. "Thank Faranth!" he gushed in relief, brown eyes wide. Almost done!

"I would like that," B'jin murmured honestly, returning to the topic of painting Ayyonth with an almost shy smile. He enjoyed painting, and being offered such a pretty dragon to create with his own hands was something B'jin would enjoy dearly. "You should look at what's hanging, while you're here." B'jin offered, and that time his words were a quiet murmur as he dropped his gaze, distinctly shy now. All the work in his house had personal meanings behind them. An image of Talian, drawn from memory had joined the wall with his other three children only days before. The picture he had drawn of D'ren, that had lived on the back of his front door (where the Weyrleader was highly unlikely to ever see it) had toppled free when R'nd brought the unconscious greenrider home; Talian's no less urgent entrance had crumpled it.

Larrikith laughed softly, tilting her head slightly so she could gaze up at Ayyonth with one happily swirling eye. Perhaps it would help B'jin see more clearly, she teased, her voice both amused and frustrated by the difficult time she was having with her human to see what was literally right in front of him. She supposed it was typical. You find your human a suitable mate, and the man is too stupid to realise it. Larrikith sighed dramatically though her eyes were swirling with humour.

"I'll stitch myself up before it comes to that," Tal said blandly, giving B'jin a light shove on an undamaged part of his shoulder before he lifted the needle to begin the final suture.

This gash was one of the less serious ones. It was long, but shallow. Tal quickly went to work, pushing the needle in and out of the characteristically elastic human flesh before him. He paused once of twice to wipe some blood away, but mercifully, the worst of the bleeding was long passed. Talian ignored the banter between B'jin and R'nd as he finished his work. If B'jin meant for Talian to look about the notice the new drawing, it went compeltely over the boys head; he assumed, safely for that matter, that B'jin was talking to R'nd.

"Here we go," Tal said warmly, his professionalism and focus dripping off a bit as he tied off the final suture. He pulled it tight and clipped it, stepping back to admire his work. For once, he didn't really feel proud. He was too overcome by sudden illness at the sheer necessity of the procedure to feel anything resembling pride. In fact, now that his work was done and the memory of the actual lashing was coming back, Tal felt a bit sick.

He peeled his gloves off and tossed them into the nearest garbage bin. Afterwards, he stepped away from the bed and flopping into a chair, pulling his headband down around his neck and groaning. What a horrible day it had been.

He didn't bother speaking to either rider, assuming that they preferred to be alone based on the nature of their conversation during the stitching. Not that Tal didn't want to smother B'jin with all kinds of affection. In fact, he was having a hard time resisting doing just that, his impulses cut short by the presence of R'nd. Tal remained far too cowed by dragonriders - especially after the display in the gather square - to dare getting in one's way. Besides, B'jin was probably still feeling prickly.

Instead, the rattled boy got up to go and help himself to some Klah. Yes, Tal was taking it without permission. B'jin could deal.

Grey eyes lingered on his hand linked with B’jin’s, thinking on the kiss to his palm that would normally have been a sweet gesture and one R’nd would have used on another to seduce with pretty and kind movements. In fact, if one of his bedmates had done that after several encounters and coupled it with words of commitment, he would have fled but the greenrider had put a nice twist on it and R’nd was only intrigued by it and the idea that they could manage to find ways to enjoy themselves without destroying Talian’s carefully applied work. The question about washing skills certainly didn’t help R’nd’s mind from moving away from his commitment phobia and into full devious flirt mode either and a slow smirk appeared as his gaze returned to lock with B’jin’s. “I imagine you may need some assistance reaching some spots so there will be ample opportunities for you to get a bit more practice in for scrubbing hair and searching for any missed areas.”

Once again trying to behave in front of the healer, R’nd took a quick look at B’jin’s back, thankful he didn’t wince and give his companion a reason to worry. Talian was doing an excellent job both with the stitching and dealing with B’jin’s grumpiness and sharp comments aimed at him. R’nd was also glad that his suggestion of painting Ayyonth went over well as a distraction and another reason for them to get together sometime later on. He was really enjoying the searchrider’s company, even more so now that he had stopped trying to hide from B’jin or act differently around the man. But it was the simple suggestion B’jin gave in return that ended up serving as a distraction for R’nd. How had he forgotten he was in B’jin’s hut? The desire of earlier to snoop around returned but the bluerider did his best to ignore it, not wanting to show how he eager he was to explore every nook and cranny of the mysterious home of the private greenrider.

He did, however, glance around for paintings on the bedroom walls, to show he was still interested in the hobby that had helped bring them together. “I will definitely check out your paintings but you’ll have to tell me about the inspirations for everything later as well.” Everything always had a story and with B’jin being a Harper, R’nd didn’t doubt there would be some wonderfully told stories associated with what he saw. Before he could voice his thoughts on that, Talian spoke up with the news he was finished and R’nd smiled first at B’jin and then the healer who seemed intent on slipping away unnoticed. That didn’t sit well with the bluerider that was still annoyed by the attitude but also wanted to thank the man for his help.

With Talian gone for the time being, R'nd wanted to use the chance of them being alone to say something about the lashing but he faltered on the first word, "I..." did he want to apologise? Did he want to confess how worried he had been and how grateful he was feeling now? He did but he also didn't want to since that would be delving deep into emotions that he kept ignoring like he always did. Still, B'jin deserved something more than some guy hitting on him after all of that, didn't he? He did but the words were stuck in R'nd's throat and he couldn't say more without switching topics though he swore he'd say what he wanted to say before leaving the hut that day.

“I’ll be only a moment,” he promised B’jin, freeing one hand from their union as the other brushed back the hair that was intent on falling into B’jin’s eyes. R’nd scooted free of the bed and ducked out of the bedroom, not at all concerned that he was half-clothed and chasing after another Candidate. Kerrin’s reaction would have been priceless, no doubt.

He followed Talian to the kitchen and while the man went for the klah, R’nd did a quick assessment of what he wanted to say and what should be said. While he wanted to pick the younger man’s mind as to why he had already classified him as one of the horrible Katilans that shouldn’t be trusted -- though after the lashing, R'nd could see why so many Northerners didn't trust riders -- but he could save that conversation for another time when they weren't in B'jin's hut with the man lying in pain in bed. "Thank you, Talian," he chose to use the healer's name in an attempt to start showing he wasn't evil though the soft tone of his voice and sincerity behind the words were genuine and not calculated. "I know you don't like it here but I'm currently glad you're here and grateful for you tending B'jin's wounds and for you caring."

As R'nd turned to go back to the bedroom, Ayyonth sighed in disappointment and laid his head atop the plump form of his companion. Why was it so easy for his bonded to say such kind things to a stranger, confessing how he felt on the matter to Talian, but froze when it came to sharing with someone he was growing closer to with each meeting? R'nd is just as oblivious but in different ways. Hmm, no, perhaps they are together in what they miss. But in happier news, B'jin seems to be doing much better already thanks to R'nd's enjoyment of talking and the healer's work.

"Talian?" B'jin appeared in the bedroom doorway when neither of his companions appeared to be in any huge hurry to return to him, looking somewhat unsteady on his feet, but no less determined as he gripped the doorframe with one hand, his knuckles whitening as he used it to hold himself up. "How long do I have to wait before I can bathe?" There was nothing at all insinuating about his question, but rather it was a desperate plea, brown eyes wide. B'jin did not want to go to bed covered in dried blood and sweat and Faranth only knew what other grime - that was disgusting. He had a feeling being stitched was going to be a long and uncomfortable haul. He didn't really want to start it covered in grime!

B'jin paused for a moment, indecisive or perhaps calculating, before approaching at an exhausted stagger. The day had been far too long, he had gotten remarkably little sleep the night before, and that was to say nothing of the strain the lashing had brought about. He approached the healer with quiet determination, and when he reached him, carefully took the items he was holding out of his hands and put them on the bench. When the kid was unburdened, B'jin wrapped both arms around Talian carefully, cautious of the work that had been done to his back, and hugged him tightly to himself. "Thank you, Tal," B'jin murmured, kissing the young master on the forehead. He squeezed him tight again for a moment, before releasing him gently. He smiled slightly as he stepped back, brown eyes dull with exhaustion as he leaned his hip heavily against the bench.

"I can have a bath, right?" B'jin insisted again, though he hardly looked like it was something he'd be capable of staying awake through. The ordeal had landed on his head like a mountain, the man's shoulders sagging visibly as he leaned on the bench. "My sheets are clean!" he pouted, as if that were the perfect reason to need a bath (and not the fact that he was gritty with grime). Blinking, B'jin ran a hand over his face, swayed slightly, and then used it to balance himself on the bench.

"And then fellis." He muttered, scowling slightly as he focused on staying awake and off the floor. "Lots and lots of fellis." Tomorrow was going to be a very painful morning to wake up to, B'jin decided. He'd rather wake up to the one afterwards. Or maybe the one after that would be better? "Lots." He added, just to make sure the other two understood.

Humans are silly creatures, Larrikith said fondly, lifting her head to nuzzle the blue's cheek. Yes, she agreed, touching on B'jin's mind and wondering if she should attempt to help keep him awake, or enforce his desire to fall asleep where he was standing. He was heavily focused on freaking out about going to bed grimy, and her amusement was thick as she rumbled softly from where her small form was curled up with Ayyonth.

Just go to bed, love. You have other bedding. Larrikith's voice was soft, but deeply amused. To help fend off confusion, she included Talian in her comment, not at all surprised when B'jin answered her aloud. "It'll get dirty," he sulked, loath to do so. Of all his current companions he'd have thought Larrikith would agree with him! I do, she murmured, amused and still including Talian in the conversation. She felt rude excluding R'nd, but felt it would be ruder still to invade his mind without an invitation. But I'd rather you dirty and whining than drowned in a maw's depth of water.

Tal immediately went on alert when he realized R'nd was following him. The healer spun around and gave R'nd a cautious nod, not oblivious to the genuine warmth in the man's voice. Tal assumed that such warmth was aimed primarily or perhaps even completely towards B'jin, but he wasn't going to cold-shoulder a compliment.

"You're welcome," he replied, equally sincere but completely without friendliness. He didn't sound aggressive either, more just...indifferent. Businesslike Unimaginative. Medical emergencies required stern focus, and while Talian could lapse into that mood in an instant, it took a period of numbness to bring him out of it.

The fact that he was talking to on of his captors didn't help, but his determination remained; if B'jin liked this man, Talian would try to be friendly towards him. The young man was totally unaware of his own rigidness.

"He's  a better father to me than my own father ever was. If I can't do something like this for him, then I have no worth," he said as he took another long drink of his klah. This single, cold bit of elaboration was all he had to say on the matter.

He didn't make it much farther before B'jin appeared unexpectedly and took his drink from him. Tal looked at B'jin with an expression of utter heartbreak. "But.." he complained, pawing weakly after his drink before he felt B'jin's warm embrace surround him.

"Oh...B'jin," Talian said, his exterior defenses melting as he wrapped his arms around the man in return, ever mindful of the stitches. "....You'e welcome. Any time," he crooned.

He peeled away and frowned a bit. This bit of news wasn't good. "You can;t get the stitches wet," he said with a bit of a pout. "You'll have to get spongebaths until they come out...which, I'll need you to come see me in 6 sevendays for," he explained. They may take a little more or a little less, but that was his best estimation.

Tal managed a weary smile. "I...I am glad I could at least be there to help," he said. He thought back on the events and shivered. He felt even more like a captive now, though he didn't make any move to actively express his feelings. Those who looked close enough would see it lingering behind his usually bright eyes. Otherwise, he was quiet, but noticeably meek.

He reminded himself never, ever to offend a dragonrider. Especially the Weyrleader.

R’nd fell silent as B’jin appeared and the conversation shifted from what was looking to be good insight into the young healer and into more gratitude and whining for baths. It was clear Talian was only barely putting up with his presence. Would things change if they met outside of B’jin’s hut when their mutual friend wasn’t lying in pain between them? That was something that would be easy enough to test. He had been teasing Erisi about seeking out the healer before but now R’nd was seriously considering it. Too bad this time it wouldn’t be to flirt with the kid but to find out why he was hated so much, drawn into the blanket assumption that all dragonriders were horrible. Thanks to D’ren and S’kef, it was easily understandable to see why the Candidates from the North didn’t trust any of them.

With B’jin and Talian now focused entirely on each other, R’nd shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. He could handle not always being the center of attention but being forgotten, even for a good reason such as thanking your adopted healer son, irritated him as much as Talian’s distrust and hatred of him. He supposed he should give them privacy and sneak out since he had fulfilled his role of getting the greenrider home and doing what little he could during the stitching. It didn’t help that B’jin was clearly responding to Larrikith and the fact he was doing it aloud meant that Talian was no doubt in on the conversation. He appreciated the green’s respect to not barge into his mind without warning or permission and he would thank her later for observing that courtesy but it was one more reason why he should slip out before his presence was remembered and they shoe-horned him back in.

Although the mentioning of sponge baths intrigued the bluerider enough that R’nd almost spoke up to volunteer for the job. He wasn’t trained for such things, though, and Talian would no doubt find a flaw with that idea as well. That kid really needed a talking to. He wasn’t a bad guy simply because he chose to come South and then Impressed a dragon!

R’nd only managed two steps towards the door before Ayyonth’s normally calm voice bellowed in his mind, R’nd! Don’t you dare leave this hut! The force behind those words left no room for argument and R’nd found himself rooted in place, gaze returning to B’jin and Talian talking so sweetly while his dragon lectured him. You’re being selfish by just removing yourself because you were ignored for two minutes. B’jin has not asked you to leave yet and you still owe him that explanation your faltered on before. And food before the fellis he’s now begging for though it might be best for you both if you don’t cook and look for some fruit.

As Ayyonth’s annoyance turned into amusement at the idea of his bonded cooking, R’nd’s annoyance temporarily flared. Leave it to his dragon to lecture him in order to help him but also find a way to make fun of him in the process. But the blue was right and R’nd quietly returned to the kitchen, eyes sweeping the counters for something easy that even he could prepare without doing further harm to the searchrider. “My offer is still available to get you some food before you take lots, and lots, and lots of fellis.”

"Good," B'jin murmured, handing Talian back his mug with a yawn. He wanted to tell the young healer it wouldn't be necessary, but even B'jin wasn't that optimistic. Between his smart mouth, D'ren's shortening fuse and now S'kef's taste for continued power of B'jin himself, never mind the whip he probably would be keeping under his pillow, the greenrider was doubtful he'd make it the rest of the year without landing on his knees in the gather square again. Talian didn't need to know that, though, and B'jin was saved having to hide it when he was told sponge baths were all he was going to get,

"For six sevendays!" B'jin looked scandalised, brown eyes huge as his exhaustion was thrown off like a blanket by the healer's words, and he stared at Talian in horror. "Sponge baths aren't baths! They're, they're, they're," he tossed around for something that sponge baths were, "they're foreplay! Or... OR!" And his brown eyes went huge again and he leaned forward to stare at Talian, looking horrified, "They're for old people! I am not old!" Totally ignoring the fact that Talian's issued orders were for the rider's own well being and health, B'jin grumbled under his breath and turned his attention on R'nd when the blurerider began poking around his kitchen.

"Lots of fellis," B'jin emphasised, almost smiling. "And you want that cupboard," he added, this time grinning, and nodded at one that was up high and well out of reach of his ever charming brats. "Northern goodies," he explained, "are generally too good to share." B'jin smirked teasingly as he joined R'nd at the cupboard, and stopped behind him. Wrapping both arms around the younger man's waist, the greenrider gave him a light hug as he draped against the bluerider's bare back and his lips pressed a kiss to the base of R'nd's neck. "Food," B'jin murmured against R'nd, breath light as he moved to place a kiss on the man's shoulder, "bath," another kiss, "fellis," another, this time under the man's ear, "and later," a breathy whisper, "repayment!" He leaned back just enough that he could see R'nd's face clearly, and grinned impishly, waiting for a reply. Larrikith rumbled her amusement from where she was curled up with Ayyonth.

Talian frowned sympathetically at B'jin. "I know," he said with a slow nod. "It's not pleasant, but it's the only way it will get better. I'd better not catch you taking any baths." While that line had great potential for joking and innuendo, Talian said it with the same clear precision as always, and with a totally straight face.

He smiled a little bit and gave B'jin one more light clap on the shoulder. "Feel better, okay? I suppose I'll leave you two be," he said. There was no bitterness or jealousy in his voice, but he did cut his eyes towards R'nd. The healer's gaze was soft and pleading, as if silently begging R'nd to take good care of B'jin.

Tal never had been good at hiding his emotions.

He swallowed hard and took a sliding step towards the door. He paused for a half-second as the new picture on the wall caught his gaze. A smile crept onto his face as he realized the implication. He'd never posed for that drawing, but it was still perfect to his scrutinous eyes, done with such detail and care...and placed in such a prestigious place.

He spun around and grinned at B'jin. "You're the best, dad," he said before slipping out.

Previously, the use of that word had been awkward and felt forced...this time, he meant it with all his heart. In a rare occurring, he went back to his room with a bit more faith in humanity than he'd left it with.

R’nd stiffened when he was suddenly hugged from behind. Given Talian didn’t seem to want to share a room with him, it was obvious he wasn’t the one giving out hugs to anyone other than B’jin but it was still a surprise to have the searchrider approach him like that. He relaxed a moment later, allowing himself to enjoy the contact and nodded to the healer that silently pleaded with him to take care of the man they were both fond of. R’nd wasn’t sure how much better his presence would be when all he had done was hold a hand, strip, and now act like a cuddly pillow, but he’d do his best until Talian returned. But with B’jin leaving a trail of kisses on his body, R’nd suddenly didn’t mind the trained healer leaving them alone though the mental note to seek out the younger man and have their needed talk would not be forgotten even with playfully teasing kisses and words.

“Repayment for what? I’ve hardly done anything,” except help land B’jin beneath the whip of an insane man, his guilty conscience merrily supplied though R’nd ignored it, knowing that if B’jin didn’t blame him for anything than he shouldn’t be doing it either. “Though I am extremely intrigued by the implications behind that word.” B’jin was treated to a devious grin, eyes alight with hope of what could come. Oh yes, repayment could come in many shapes and forms and knowing how creative the greenrider could be, R’nd was looking forward to it.

Turning around cautiously so as not to jar B’jin, R’nd hesitated for only a moment on where he could put his hands safely without causing more pain before they rested lightly on his companion’s waist. It would have to do as an intimate embrace for the time being. As he stared into expressive brown eyes, Ayyonth’s chiding came back to him, likely thanks to the meddling blue, and R’nd knew he had to say what he couldn’t earlier. Or at least try to say some of it. He had a way with words when it came to flirting and seduction but to talk about how he felt on a deeper level? R’nd wasn’t nearly as skilled.

“I’m glad you’re okay. I mean, there’s nothing okay about a lashing but I’m glad what you received isn’t worse than it is. But that brownrider…” grey eyes hardened as anger flashed through them. He wasn’t one to judge someone by the colour of their dragon but R’nd was starting to believe that all brownriders were violent dicks. However, anger, like guilt, didn’t have a place in the hut strewn with toys as upsetting an injured man was never a polite thing to do. As much as R’nd would love to hit S’kef, he knew he’d be the one ending up in pain and with his own ridiculous amount of lashings lining his back.

So as quickly as the anger appeared, it vanished, with eyes softening with a smile. “Despite the pain and the whining – and there was a lot of whining – you’ve managed to smile which is probably one of your most charming attributes.” There was no ‘probably’ about it in R’nd’s mind. After getting over how small Larrikith was the first time he saw the pair, young Orwind had been captivated by B’jin’s smile. From then on out, his crush had been cultivated with the greenrider also being one of his examples of a perfect dragonrider.

“Anyway!” R’nd stopped himself from thinking on the past too much and getting too sappy with feelings lurking around the corner and focused on the more important matters of the moment. “You need food and a bath and I’m willing to be your servant for both.”

B'jin turned slightly, leaning lightly into R'nd as he met Talian's gaze, face placid. He didn't respond to the boy's exuberant parting, but his face lit up none the less and a small smile flickered over his lips. B'jin watched Talian leave with warm affection and a soft expression, before returning his attentions once more upon the bluerider. 

Trailing more kisses across the man's shoulders as R'nd spoke, the greenrider breathed out an amused breath in reply. "You want the tally?" B'jin asked lightly, both amused and delighting in R'nd's expression. "Let's see, there's two shirts, at least -" B'jin paused dramatically, face thoughtful as he rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "Oh, at least six baths in the future," his smirk was teasing, quite aware he was probably pushing at R'nd's buttons with that much commitment, and his brown eyes were bight with laughter as they returned to meet the other man's. "Getting me home, feeding me," the greenrider gave an evil little cackle. "Shall I keep going, or is that enough?"

The greenrider's amusement intensified at R'nd's conflicted expression as he turned around to face him and B'jin resisted the urge to steal a kiss, intrigued by what was going on in R'nd's pretty head to cause him such hesitance. The topic the bluerider settled on, however, convinced B'jin maybe he should have stolen that kiss. His first response was a warm smile, tinged with amusement as R'nd stumbled over what he was saying. B'jin's expression faltered at the mentioning of S'kef, however, eyes darkening in a combined whirlwind of anger and sudden fear; not for himself, but for his friend. 

The greenrider's grip tightened on R'nd's waist, fingers hard as his own gaze caught R'nd's flashing grey eyes. Leaning his face closer, B'jin's lips twisted into a sneer. "Stay away from him!" B'jin hissed, his grip shifting to hold R'nd's upper arms insistently, though not with enough force to bruise him. "S'kef," B'jin snarled the name, voice laden with venom, "was born under the Red Star," he shuddered at recalled memories, and his grip tightened for a moment before he forced his fingers to relax. "Don't go near him, R'nd. Please," brown eyes flashed even as he took in a deep breath, and leaned back slightly on his heels. S'kef would no doubt angle in on any of B'jin's friends as a matter of course; if he found out R'nd shared his bed on a regular basis, there would be no end to the trouble S'kef could invent to bring down on the bluerider's head.

B'jin's eyes widened as that thought processed, and he leaned further backward unconsciously, expression distinctly worried. He struggled for a moment, a wild array of emotions flashing over his face. B'jin was D'ren's favourite; he knew that, S'kef knew that, and D'ren knew that. Damnit, the entire Weyr knew that. The greenrider was also avidly aware of the work he had cut out for him, and that he wouldn't be able to protect his friends from S'kef until he was back in the Weyrleader's good graces - something that could take a while, and he wasn't about to ignore the fact that S'kef would undoubtably feed D'ren all kinds of things in that time. B'jin's lips pursed, and his fingers danced softly over R'nd's upper arms as he thought for a moment. Sighing softly, B'jin settled on a warm smile, though his brown eyes were shaddowed with worry. "Just be careful around him, R'nd. He is very adept at leaving scars that cannot be seen." There was too much knowledge in those simple words, but unable to take them back, B'jin latched onto R'nd's change in topic.

As the younger man to steered the conversation into more light hearted seas, B'jin gave an amused snort at the teasing, and he let R'nd's compliment chase away the lingering shadows the topic of S'kef had raised. "Whining and smiling," B'jin murmured, watching R'nd with warm affection, "what more could you possibly desire?" He ended the question with a low purr as he stepped forward and back into R'nd's personal space, leaning up against the younger man as he acted on the lingering desire to kiss the bluerider properly. Food and baths could wait just a little bit longer!

There was genuine fear mixed in with the anger B’jin projected and R’nd was both touched and worried that he had set off such emotions. He hated to see friends in such a state and the desire to apologise over and over while doing what he could to chase the anger away was too strong to ignore. “I’m sorry, B’jin. I promise I’ll stay away from him.” He had already decided he’d be the one that ended up broken if they collided and that had been a wonderful reason to avoid S’kef but B’jin’s anxiety over the idea and his own desire to keep R’nd safe was the ultimate reason to stay away. However, as much as R’nd despised broken promises whether made by or to him, there was one way to make him go after the brownrider and R’nd quickly added that into his promise, “unless he goes after you or Kerrin. He threatened Ker when he went after Talian. What kind of friend would I be if I sat by while either of you were in trouble?”

When B’jin mentioned unseen scars, grey eyes narrowed in suspicion, finding and holding B’jin’s gaze for several heartbeats, trying to figure out what that meant. There was clearly a history there, which R’nd sort of suspected with the pleasure S’kef took in the whippings but at the same time the brownrider could have just hated rule-breakers and greenriders. He wouldn’t ask, however. He wanted to know, not to have a reason to hunt down S’kef but to possibly try helping B’jin to forget what brought out that reaction before. Maybe one day he would earn the right to know more about B’jin’s past. Today, however, R’nd merely nodded his compliance as a hand reached out slowly, gently cupping one of B’jin’s cheeks before dropping back to his side.

“Besides, I’m not designed for that type of physical contact,” his tone was suddenly light and his smile playful as R’nd tried to ease B’jin’s worries with a small joke. If nothing else, R’nd knew he was great in bed and believed such memories could serve as a pleasant distraction from ugly topics, which they seemed to both need. Thankfully, either B’jin believed so as well or it was just a well-timed comment as the greenrider slid back into his arms, hands still only resting on hips. Further experimental wanderings could come later. For now he had a kiss to savour. They were truly far too easily distracted, especially when it came to bathing. R’nd did not regret grabbing that pot of paint before leaving the Square that day, not at all.

Almost reluctantly, the kiss was broken but it was done for more playing around and on a day like they had, smiles and flirting were not seen as a bad idea. “Going back to your previous list… your point is made and I’m amazing. I’ll take further praise in that promise of repayment,” he leaned in close, poised to steal his own kiss but hesitated as a grin occupied his lips instead, “which I don’t doubt will be mind-blowing.”

"Good," B'jin confirmed, brown eyes hard as he met R'nd's with determination. When the younger man spoke again, however, the greenrider's lips pursed into a flat line. "No," B'jin growled lowly, lifting a hand to frame R'nd's chin and his eyes narrowed. "Forget about me." Asking R'nd to ignore Kerrin would be like B'jin ignoring the needs to protect his own children, Talian included. It just wasn't feasible and he wouldn't bother even requesting it, since it wouldn't do any good. But himself? "A safe one," B'jin murmured, brushing his thumb across R'nd's lower lip. "Don't worry about me, okay? I can handle the Weyrsecond." His voice lowered dangerously, though it was aimed at the brownrider, and not in the slightest at R'nd.

He gave a sour little smile as R'nd's grey eyes searched his own, waiting to see what the other rider would do before he himself took any course of action. His expression warmed as the bluerider's fingers brushed over his cheek, and his posture relaxed marginally when there were no forthcoming questions. While R'nd's next words were lighthearted and teasing, B'jin stiffened and frowned darkly.

"I should hope not!" His tone transforming from indignant to a low purr of contentment as mouths were put to far more pleasurable pursuits than wordplay, B'jin's brown eyes sparkled playfully before closing lazily. With one arm winding carefully around R'nd's neck in a slow movement that belied the odd sensation of stitches pulling and shifting, B'jin's features twitched as he settled into the new position, body relaxing slowly. He pouted playfully as R'nd drew back, the greenrider following marginally to prevent excess discomfort from the motion. A soft laugh whispered past his lips as R'nd spoke. "Of course you are," B'jin purred, the sound layered with content amusement. Laughter bubbled forth as his friend continued speaking, B'jins brown eyes bright with devious intent as he smirked. "Always," he murmured against R'nd's lips he stole a soft kiss.

Pulling back teasingly, B'jin slipped fluidly out of R'nd's grip, fingers lingering playfully over chest and stomach, B'jin raised his eyebrows at the younger man with a wide eyed, innocent expression. "You said something about food?" He asked sweetly, though his expression was quickly becoming devious, and a smirk lingering on his lips, completely ruined his attempt at playful innocence.

R’nd wanted to argue the point about forgetting B’jin should S’kef go after him but not only was his tongue otherwise engaged in far more delightful activities, he didn’t want to ruin the calming mood that they were slipping into. That didn’t mean, however, that he would obey the order. There simply wasn’t any chance of R’nd ignoring a close friend that was in need or danger. Kerrin and I’shan were his closest friends and best troublemaking cohorts and recently B’jin had snuck his way into that group. If the whipping-fetish brownrider homed in on any of them, R’nd couldn’t sit by without trying to intervene or go after the man after the fact. He didn’t doubt B’jin could hold his own against S’kef given the way he handled the lashings and stared down the man before and nearly attacked him afterward when Talian had been verbally accosted but doing nothing still didn’t sit well with him.

For now though, despite the anger and hatred for the man, S’kef wasn’t a concern. Making sure B’jin received the care he needed was and since that care currently seemed to be in the form of kisses, R’nd felt rather confident with what he had to offer. Well, he did until B’jin pulled away and gave him large innocent eyes. Right there, without a word uttered he knew he was in trouble. Kerrin was a master at giving him that look and the brat always ended up getting his way because of it. Before a look of worry could appear, B’jin spoke, reminding them of the need for food which caused R’nd to chuckle softly. “Let’s hope you have an easily prepared Northern goodie. Otherwise, it might get pretty messy and dangerous. I promised to find you something to eat, not a gourmet meal.” He laughed once more to partly tease his cooking abilities but to also hide the nervousness about having to prepare food for a man that was already injured. He didn’t need food poisoning as well! Turning to the cupboard, R’nd started to root around to find something quick and easy.

They should both have some fellis. The emotional whirlwind of R’nd’s mind is making me dizzy. Ayyonth’s tone was more amused than irritated as he tried to follow R’nd’s thought process. It wasn’t as hard as it used to be, turns of experience had made him a pro at knowing how his bonded’s mind worked and how he came to conclusions that seemed logical to him. That didn’t mean, however, that he couldn’t laugh at the man, sometimes directly at him or like now, behind his back with Larrikith. I’m also far too comfortable to want to move right now. So I think R’nd should want to stay and finally get some sleep himself. Apparently he had his own version of logic as well.

B'jin grinned impishly as his companion laughed, his expression brightening with honest amusement as R'nd spoke and he slipped back into the bluerider's personal space to peer over his shoulder curiously as R'nd pawed through the cupboard.

"There should be something," he muttered huskily, frowning slightly, "My culinary skills could use some work. Nemell was the one who did - oh! What about this?" Reaching carefully around R'nd, expression twitching as he was reminded of his unhappy back in the process, B'jin extracted a small container of powdered something. He wasn't entirely sure what it was, some kind of porridge or pudding powder judging by the contents. Opening it, B'jin gave a subtle sniff, and then grinned. "This should work? I'm pretty sure you just add water and heat it up." His voice was teasing as his eyes widened humorously with a smirk, and he offered the item to the bluerider. Laughing softly, B'jin turned away to wander across the kitchen.

"I'll grab some water. There are pots there-ish," and he waved a hand in the general direction of the cooking fire and surrounding area without moving his arm too much. Pausing for a moment, he grabbed a jug from the pile of clean dishes loaded on the bench beside the sink and filled it with water from the large barrel outside the kitchen window. Wandering slowly back to R'nd, B'jin used his spare hand to flick some water off the surface of the bowl and in R'nd's general direction. "Here," he offered the bowl with one hand, while the damp fingers of his other brushed down the younger man's side with a sly sideways glance.

"You'll need to light the fire," B'jin pointed out mildly, biting his bottom lip to keep from laughing.

Moving does not sound agreeable, Larrikith murmured in response, her small body rippling with a soft rumble of laughter as she watched the antics of the humans through her rider's eyes. His mind was also all over the place. One moment he was cursing his inability to move without sparking pain, and the next he was laughing - which did nothing to alleviate the pain he was mentally bitching about moment's before. B'jin, Larrikith said softly to Ayyonth, though excluding the so named rider. is an idiot. I think giving them both a heavy dose of fellis sounds like a grand idea. She paused and tilted her head to look up at the blue, her eyes whirling slow but bright with amusement. How will this be managed? she queried, tone devious.

R’nd’s curiosity prickled when Nemell was mentioned but not only did B’jin leave that thought unfinished as he was distracted with food, the bluerider suspected that conversation was a trap and would either anger or shutdown his companion. Some things that were in a dragonrider’s past had to stay there, especially if it was connected to the plague and the seclusion it had sentenced everyone into. He wanted to know more about B’jin but didn’t want to push for any details either. Besides, they were doing well enough with sharing as it was, finding out about interests or quirks as their friendship moved along at its own speed. So Nemell, like S’kef was ignored once again in favour of food.

“I think I can manage that!” Despite the last few days, R’nd’s spirits were lifting, though it wasn’t hard to smile around the searchrider that shared his laidback outlook and desire to not dwell on the bad for longer than needed. He was certain they would both go back to thinking about the pain and the day’s events later on when they were alone, but for now while together, it wasn’t quite as important as enjoying someone else’s company with laughter or flirting.

With B’jin fetching the water, R’nd started the search for the pot, pleased that it didn’t take long and returned his attention to the powered-something. He cautiously stuck a finger in and licked the bit of powder that it came away with which caused his nose to wrinkle. Hopefully it tasted better with water and heated. If it didn’t, maybe he could convince B’jin it wasn’t his poor cooking skills that killed the dish. His ponderings over the mix were abruptly ended when water was flicked at his face and chest causing startled grey eyes to dart up toward the culprit. He only smiled at the playfulness, glad to see B’jin still in good spirits and reached for the bowl only to hiss in shock and jump back without grabbing it. “You’ll end up wearing the water if you keep that up and I thought you wanted to eat before bathing.” R’nd teased, face alight with mischief.

“Oh, I’m pretty good at lighting fires,” his tone dropped to a more flirtatious tone, letting the implication of the kinds of fires he stoked to life be left for B’jin to go over as R’nd grabbed the bowl and went to work on mixing the powder and water before going after the task of fire-starting. Luckily, he actually could start and maintain a regular fire which led R’nd to believe his adventures in B’jin’s kitchen weren’t off to that bad of a start.

Ayyonth flicked his tail idly, content where he lay and who with while getting free entertainment from their humans. He was both thankful and a bit disappointed that R’nd was managing with the food okay since Ayyonth had nothing against B’jin and wanted to see the injured rider well looked after but R’nd’s ego was massive and when he faltered in something basic it not only made the blue chuckle but it managed to keep the human in check and not end up as an annoying and arrogant bastard. If B’jin is an idiot, then I’m not sure what that makes R’nd.

At Larrikith’s inquiry and amusement over the idea, Ayyonth tried to think of a way to make it happen. There was only so much a dragon could do. If only the healer was still around then perhaps they could bespeak the man and have him lend a literal hand. As it was, they would just have to be creative and do the job themselves and from what he knew of Larrikith, she was quite the determined and devious minx. I’m not sure, other than to have the fellis mixed in a drink and get R’nd to drink from it as well. It was kind of a silly idea but Ayyonth wasn’t coming up with anything else other than to simply tell R’nd to shut up and have some fellis as well to help him sleep for a bit.

"Did I?" B'jin purred softly, slipping closer to the bluerider and allowing him to take the bowl, laughter hiding behind the soft words. The greenrider gave a soft purr, brown eyes lighting up as R'nd spoke again, and he closed the small distance between them to stand behind the kneeling bluerider. He didn't respond to the words he'd been given, instead light fingers brushed across the tops of R'nd's shoulders. His touch was feathery as R'nd mixed the powder and water, teasing over the top of muscles at the bluerider's movements and watching the play of movement with interest. He watched silently for a handful of breaths, his fingers breezing over the top of R'nd's skin and a slight smile touching his lips as the tiny hairs at the base of the younger man's neck stood on end.

"Not me," B'jin murmured laughingly, finally replying to R'nd's flirtatious comment as his fingers stopped their feathery light teasing to be firmer, playing across the muscle groups with confidence, fingers sure and smooth. Carefully lowering himself to the ground, B'jin curled one leg up before him, shin mere inches from R'nd's butt while the other stretching out alongside his fellow rider's. As his fingers played down the length of R'nd's spine, and across the smooth expanse of his back, B'jin became immensely aware of his own and the sharp, aching thrum that was radiating from each stitched line. Pursing his lips, he pushed the pain aside and leaning forward carefully, he let his hands rest lightly on R'nd's waist. B'jin kissed him lightly at the base of his neck, his smile still linger on his lips, "I'm better at extinguishing them," he said with dry amusement.

As his hands returned to the business of massaging R'nd's shoulders and down his back (smooth and without any hint of the scars his own would now carry), B'jin realised what a mess he'd made. The man was superstitious enough to believe that 'third time's the charm'; he was also a firm believer that bad things happened in threes, and he'd just given S'kef his second major win over him, and once more he had no one to blame for that outcome but himself. His hands smoothed over R'nd's back before faltering into stillness. Sighing softly, B'jin wrapped his arms low around R'nd's hips and his forehead pressed against his friend's back, between his shoulder blades. "I'm an idiot, R'nd," he muttered, unconsciously echoing his dragon and not realising he was probably making very little sense.

A perfect match? Larrikith teased lightly, a smile in her voice. As her companion fell silent, the little green tilted her head to watch his face, her eyes sparkling brightly with excited and amused colours. She hummed thoughtfully as Ayyonth offered his answer to her question. Her own reply was put off as her eyes flashed a quick yellow. She shifted marginally as she brushed against B'jin's mind, concerned about the decent in his mood. Withdrawing gently, she gave the distinct impression of frowning, her emotions a tumbling breeze. He's so eccentric, she muttered, tone exasperated. And his back is causing him a lot more pain than he's letting on. He really should forgo the bath and just kill the pain. Her tone said clearly how much she doubted that would happen. Faranth forbid his bedding get dirty!

R’nd heard B’jin approach and this time he was ready for hands to find their way to his bare skin. He didn’t flinch or tense at the touch like he had before while looking through the cupboard though a shiver ran along his spine a few times from the gentle dance of fingers moving where they wanted. While the massage felt good – and he let it be known with a moan of approval -- and was already easing some of the tension the day had brought, R’nd decided B’jin was a horrible patient. The greenrider was the one who was supposed to be lying in bed being waited on and pampered with massages and whatever else seemed to be needed or wanted. It was a shame that while B’jin seemed to enjoy the finer things in life, no doubt brought on from his days as a Harper, he didn’t seem to want to impose on friends, which R’nd could understand since he would be the same way. But if he could just get B’jin to at least sit still and mind the injury he had received, it would be a good start!

Then again, maybe B’jin just needed to feel like he still had some control in his life that was a bit off kilter recently or maybe he simply needed the interaction with someone else, the warmth and comfort the contact of another could bring. It was hard to say when the hands were so inviting but the words left R’nd confused and even a bit worried. Ayyonth had said he shouldn’t leave until B’jin asked him to but now with the topic of extinguishing flames between them, the bluerider couldn’t help but wonder if B’jin had changed his mind about letting R’nd into his bed, hut, and life. Why was he so worried that was about to happen? R’nd concentrated on the simple task of stirring the contents of the pot before finding his voice to counter the opinion though perhaps not necessarily dissuade B’jin of any decisions already made.

“No, you’re not. Trust me on that,” R’nd had no idea that B’jin was referring to actual proper relationships and since he tried to avoid thinking about such commitment himself, any hint of the start of an idea in that regard was ignored and pushed to the back corner of his mind and he didn’t realise when there was a possibility of more than just lust involved. So while his statement was intended to show that he enjoyed his time with the searchrider as much now as he did during Larrikith’s flight, be it sexually or with their playful antics, R’nd still didn’t see what they had as anything more than a friendship with extremely amazing benefits. From where he sat, and still looking in on the humans through R’nd’s eyes, Ayyonth gave a low rumble of annoyance at how dense his rider could be.

When arms slid around his waist and he felt B’jin’s forehead come to rest on his back with that muttered self-insult, R’nd stopped worrying about being kicked out and forgot about the food. His hands lowered to rest atop B’jin’s and shook his head no, an action that was probably felt and not seen. “And again I say, no, you’re not. Why would you think that? Unless you mean you’re an idiot for sitting on the floor and standing may pull at the stitches and cause further pain, then I may have to agree with that.” He was concerned about his friend’s back and current mood but he couldn’t help but lightly tease B’jin in an effort to help the sudden change in mood. Thinking back on everything said and done since B’jin was roused for the stitches, there had been a lot of mood swings. If ever there was a day and reason for emotions to go haywire, R’nd suspected a public lashing would rank near the top.

Oh, R’nd… Ayyonth was annoyed and sad that R’nd still continued to hide from feelings that ran deeper than a night of passion even when he was nearly staring them in the face. It used to be a cute and charming quality to the blue that dropped his head on Larrikith’s back, an action that could have been seen as defeat, but now it was becoming irritating. R’nd was as good for B’jin as B’jin was for R’nd. But with them both being so oblivious… A perfect match, indeed. R’nd will take care of him though, sweet Larrikith. If nothing else, he’s dedicated to friends and will see what is needed and how quickly.

B'jin gave a soft, bitter laugh but did not counter R'nd's words. Partly, because he simply couldn't find the energy to do so, but mostly because it would take far too many words to explain, dig far too deeply into realms B'jin wasn't prepared to reveal and most likely send his flighty friend running for the hills. The greenrider enjoyed the younger man's company far too much and had no desire to send him tripping over himself in order to escape.

"That too," B'jin added, his voice bland, though dry amusement flickered over the edges. A smirk crept across his lips and into his voice, "that's why you're here." Lifting his head up, and ignoring R'nd's question, B'jin set his chin on the bluerider's shoulder, twining his fingers with R'nd's as he peered down at the forgotten pot. "It won't cook, you know," he said very seriously, "if you don't put it on the fire." His grip tightened subtly on R'nd's fingers, and his wide eyed expression shifted subtly as he bit back a smirk.

"I wonder," he said softly, tilting his head so his words whispered against R'nd's ear. Whatever he wondered appeared to be left unsaid as he continued down a different trail. "Fire and cooking belong together," he murmured, lips brushing against R'nd's neck, "like water in baths." Lips twisted into a soft smile that was pressed to the base of R'nd's ear in a kiss. "You aren't going to forget the water, are you?"

Butterfly kisses trailed down R'nd's neck. "You seem rather forgetful today." His cheeky teasing was working its way into his voice, brown eyes dark with amusement and lust as he raised one hand, bring R'nd's along with it, and used a soft touch to turn the man's head. "Very odd," he purred, before kissing him.

Larrikith snorted with amused fondness, lifting her head and shaking it in defeat. He may need to tie B'jin's hands behind his back, The little green said in exasperation, though her voice was tinged with her amusement as she felt B'jin's emotions leak through their bond. Completely hopeless. Love and affection was coating those two words, however, and the little dragon twisted to lie more comfortably, the tip of her tail twitching as she relaxed contentedly.

At least we'll never be bored.