739.02.10 | New Skills

N’mor was rather excited about the prospect of the get-together that was being held at his Aunt’s. Having been invited by both his father, and T’ryn, N’mor had taken his friend’s suggestion to heart and made a trip to Telgar Hold, where he had been able to purchase a pair of the strange contraptions that would be attached to his feet so he could glide on the ice. It sounded ridiculous to N’mor, but T’ryn seemed to find the idea appealing and he had not seen any reason not to go along with it. Tying said ‘skates’ to the appropriate section of his dragon’s leathers, N’mor had checked once more that he was appropriately rugged up – sweating as he was in the mild Ista weather, he knew Benden would be a lot colder – before climbing up onto Rhezalth and strapping himself in.

They met T’ryn in the skies above Ista, and Rhezalth took the location from the other bronze, N’mor saluting cheerfully before they vanished between. Reappearing above the rather quaint holding, N’mor peered around curiously as he directed Rhezalth to land a polite distance from where he could see his father, R’nd, and an assortment of R’nd’s family. A wicked smile found itself on his lips, and N’mor slid casually off of Rhezalth and jogged over to join the group, slinging his arm around his father’s waist. “Hey Dad! Thanks for the invite!” He turned his bright grin on Eridella. “Hey Aunt Eridella!” He glanced – not at all subtly – towards R’nd and tossed a wink at Eridella. He felt B’jin laughing silently against his side. Letting go of his father, he stepped forward and kissed the woman politely on the cheek, before turning and making his way back to his dragon. Relieving Rhezalth of the skates and his riding straps (which N’mor tossed on the growing pile of straps from other dragons), the young bronzerider made his way to an empty bench near the frozen lake. Good insight of the holders!

Settling himself on the bench, N’mor set his feet on the skates, and then waited patiently for T’ryn to join him and tie them for him. Having only one hand was such a drag sometimes, but at least he had his friend! If he enjoyed the strange activity, N’mor decided he would get the straps changed to be like the ones on his riding leathers, so he could tighten them himself. In the meantime, N’mor watched the skaters on the lake as T’ryn set his own on, and then he stood up hesitantly, and waddled towards the lake, laughing at their awkwardness. “This is ridiculous,” he said, highly entertained. Clearly once one got the hang of it, it was a rather delightful activity to watch; but N’mor could also tell by the people with their arses in the air or on the ice, that it was not an easy one to master.

N’mor took one more step, and that landed him on ice. Surprised, he squealed in an incredibly inelegant manner as his feet went out from under him, sending him careening across the ice on his rear end. Spinning slightly, N’mor threw back his head and laughed so hard his stomach hurt before he managed to catch his breath and took the hand offered to him by T’ryn that allowed his friend to haul him to his feet. “That was elegant,” he laughed, face flushed with amusement and eyes sparkling. He tried to get his feet back under him instead of splayed and grinned as T’ryn gave him a shove, sending him gliding awkwardly across the ice. Okay, so that was not so hard. But how were people doing the actual skating thing?

I love this snow stuff! Rhezalth interrupted N’mor’s thoughts, and the young man looked up to see where his dragon was, and then laughed again as he saw the usually reserved bronze dragon on his back, wings splayed as he rolled and wriggled in several feet of snow. Look! Wriggling until he could stand up, Rhezalth spread his wings and shook bodily, sending a cloud of snow crystals out in every direction. So pretty! the bronze was standing with his head tilted up, watching the crystals slowly falling back around him. N’mor smiled wistfully. We’ll come back some time when it’s snowing, he promised, delighted in his dragon’s childlike wonder. He laughed again when Rhezalth took several leaping bounds and then flopped over into a fresh patch of snow to start again.

Shifting his gaze from his dragon, N’mor’s attention was caught by a familiar back. He frowned slightly, staring and mildly confused, before the person in question turned around. N’mor flushed crimson at being caught staring when Z’rin’s gaze met his, and he waved weakly in response to the bluerider’s cheerful gesture. Unfortunately, the action unbalanced him, and N’mor’s feet went out from under him, sending him toppling back onto his rear with an ‘oof’ of surprise. Cringing, he glanced up warily to see if Z’rin had seen (it didn’t look like it?) but in the process caught sight of T’ryn. N’mor groaned as his face heated up again, and he dropped his chin to his chest for a moment. Lifting his head again, he forced a quirky smile onto his lips and held out his hand. “Help me up?” he asked, deciding to pretend what had just happened, hadn’t. Hopefully T’ryn would follow his lead… right?

T’ryn was just as excited as the other Katilan-born kids despite having played in the snow and on the ice the previous winter. His excitement stemmed more from getting to share it with his best friend since he hadn’t been able to bring N’mor along with him on the few times he had visited his aunt last winter. He was going to be the perfect nephew that was sociable, the perfect bronzerider that was a proper representative of dragonriders, and the perfect friend that was going to have fun and make sure N’mor did as well.

N’mor beat him to the perfect nephew part though. T’ryn found himself trailing behind his enthusiastic step and following suit with a kiss to his aunt Eridella’s cheek. He burst out laughing at his dad’s reaction to it all and ran off with N’mor when R’nd’s eyes went wide and mouth dropped open as he, likely, tried to cope with N’mor’s phrasing. He could only imagine R’nd was trying to work out if that meant N’mor saw him as a second father and the impact that thought would have on his poor dear old dad for the rest of the day. Ayyonth was going to have his hands full for the next little while with that one.

Without a word of complaint, T’ryn bent down and tied up N’mor’s skates. It was so second nature to him now to help his friend with everyday situations that required two hands that he didn’t even consider it as odd or an added strain to himself. It was just something friends would do for each other and he knew without a doubt that N’mor would do it for him if the places were reversed.

Once they were both laced up, T’ryn hobbled along beside N’mor, grinning at what was to come. He was going to give a warning but N’mor was already stepping on the ice and quickly finding out how different it was from the snow-covered grass. He started laughing when his friend did, and somehow managed to reach him and help him back up in between gasps for breath. “It was far more stylish than my first time,” T’ryn replied with a grin before he gave a shove to send N’mor on his way again. It was a quick way to learn balance but it also gave T’ryn a moment to remember how to move himself. He was a bit shaky and almost fell twice before confidence returned to him enough to leave his little patch of ice.

T’ryn was heading across the ice to where N’mor was slowing down when he saw his friend seemed to be distracted with something off in the field. He assumed it was their dragons getting into mischief until Syrendryth pointed out they were both behaving, one more so than the other. He did his best to follow N’mor’s gaze and saw a man waving and smiling and, a quick glance back confirmed that N’mor was giving a wave in return—and then falling on his ass again.

He frowned as he thought about the exchange. Was there something going on there? Why did he assume that immediately instead of just thinking they were friends or even simple acquaintances? Possibly because he saw the way the bluerider’s – he vaguely remembered the man, but not his name right then – face lit up when he saw N’mor and waved. And why was N’mor waving to a bluerider? He knew his friend didn’t like or trust them though not even he had been told the reason why and he never pressed after the first time N’mor stubbornly refused to go near one when they were young.

“Always,” he answered with a smile when he was asked to help N’mor up. His mind was whirling with trying to solve all of the questions he was coming up with – including the ones that revolved around jealousy over having someone so happy to see him – but he did his best not to show it and definitely didn’t ask about it. They were there to have fun, not ask about potential secret romances like he was starting to form in his head. He was a terrible friend for thinking such things!

“Here, let me show you how my dad taught me,” T’ryn fell into instructor mode instead of confused friend mode and moved to stand behind N’mor. He placed his hands on N’mor’s waist and slowly started skating once he gave the warning he was going to. It likely would make more sense for them to be in reversed positions but he didn’t want to risk N’mor’s balance just yet with only one hand to hold onto and figured he was smart enough to feel the motions and catch on. “Just kind of push with your left foot so you glide a bit on your right, then push with your right and glide a bit on your left. Follow my rhythm, we’ll take it slow. And left… right…” At least this would distract him for a few minutes as he focused and then the fun he knew they’d have soon would toss any lingering questions out of his mind.

N’mor sighed, quietly, in relief when T’ryn helped him to his feet once more. Additionally, it didn’t look like Z’rin had seen him land on his arse, which was a blessing that N’mor was surprisingly surprised by. What did he care if some dumb bluerider saw him land on his arse and make a fool of himself after waving to say hi? Faranth there were so many reasons in that sentence alone! Groaning, N’mor shook his head and used his hand to sweep his lengthening hair out of his face. He really did need to look into getting it trimmed; it was down to his shoulders and unlike some people, he lacked a second hand for braiding it out of his face. He didn’t really think T’ryn would appreciate being asked to braid his hair each morning… Which was a thought that caused N’mor to laugh outright and shake his head, eyes sparkling; “Thanks,” he smiled genuinely, giving T’ryn’s hand a squeeze before releasing it.

“Okay!” N’mor laughed, not sure what he expected, but firm hands on his waist were not it! Surprised, N’mor tilted his head to look over his shoulder and found T’ryn’s face rather closer than he had anticipated. Blinking, blushing but none the less amused, N’mor turned quickly back to face the front, wobbling slightly before T’ryn pushed them off again, his instructions clear and apparently not nearly as confused as N’mor suddenly felt. It didn’t help that T’ryn’s words were taken entirely out of context by N’mor, who had to bite his knuckle to keep from laughing awkwardly at the whole situation. Faranth, he was such a disaster lately! He completely blamed Nadioth and his damned dragon, too!

N’mor had been aware of the fact that he was romantically interested in his best friend for turns, though he had not done anything to ever indicate that to T’ryn. He enjoyed their friendship far too much to risk it over something as easy-come-easy-go as sex, even though that wasn’t what he was solely interested in from his friend. (To be fair, he hadn’t considered the whole sex part of the relationship until after Rhezalth had won Nadioth’s flight. Then it was somewhat impossible to get rid of). Then, of course, there was Z’rin. N’mor didn’t know what to make of his desires for the bluerider, just that they were strong and wouldn’t go away. It made him feel somewhat guilty, like he was cheating on the crush he had on T’ryn. That makes no sense, Rhezalth input, his tone confused. N’mor flicked a glance at him, but otherwise ignored him.

“You’re a good teacher,” N’mor said brightly, tone still laced with amusement at the innuendo he had heard in T’ryn’s instructions. Faranth, he was walking – skating – hormones! It was taking far too much effort not to lean back against his friend in a manner that was not at all appropriate. Instead, he dropped his hand to rest lightly on T’ryn’s, and tried to make himself think solely on learning to skate, and not about crushes and lusty desires and it wasn’t working.

“Thank you,” T’ryn replied softly and felt his cheeks warm from the compliment. N’mor was so strong in character and always knew exactly what he wanted that T’ryn was thrilled with the assessment. He wanted to be a Wingleader and an important skill they needed was the ability to train their wing and show them what he wanted done and the best practices for surviving whatever might be tossed their way. Showing N’mor how to skate was good practice for patience and helping someone one on one and T’ryn stood just a bit taller from the praise that came from someone he admired.

After a few minutes of skating behind N’mor, T’ryn decided his friend was good enough to be on his own again. Except T’ryn kind of liked the way they were and wondered if he could be selfish a little longer. Seeing that bluerider take such interest in N’mor kind of spurred him on and before he could really think about, he had brought them to a stop and let go with one hand. His other hand slowly trailed around N’mor’s waist as T’ryn came to stand in front of him now, facing him.

“I need to practice skating backwards and I think this will help you still with going forwards.” He placed his hand back on N’mor’s waist and with some wiggling of his hips and small movements of his feet, T’ryn felt himself gaining a little momentum to start moving again. With a couple of encouraging words or a head nod that he was doing well, T’ryn got N’mor to start skating again as well.

He felt his cheeks burning again with another round of blushing as he realized how intimate their new positioning was. It actually reminded him a bit of the way some people danced at gathers when the Harpers had switched to slower and more romantic songs. That was all they were missing and T’ryn couldn’t help but be thankful that V’ler didn’t seem to be around and B’jin was likely still flirting with Eridella while they picked on R’nd.

“You’re good at this,” T’ryn said with a small smile, ignoring how he almost sounded breathless. That had to be from the exertion of skating, something he didn’t do near enough to be comfortable in without getting tired right away. It had nothing to do with his thoughts. “Tell me when to let go when you’re ready to go on your own again. And then maybe we’ll have a race!”

N’mor, his mind everywhere but ice-skating, was surprised when he realised they were slowing to a stop. He blinked, frowning slightly. Were they taking a break? He didn’t really need a break – he was missing an arm, not a lung – so he was frowning a bit more in irritation than anything else when he felt T’ryn’s grip shift, and he tilted his head, enjoying the weight of his friend’s hand on his waist as his fellow bronzerider shifted around to face him.

Unlike Z’rin, who was several inches taller than him, N’mor was both startled and pleased to realise he and T’ryn were of a height, and he smiled at his friend, doing his best to ignore the much more intimate positions they were in now. T’ryn was going to kill him, he just knew it! He felt a blush heating his cheeks, but was pleased to note that T’ryn was also red – clearly the exertion of skating was enough to heat one’s face and N’mor could live with that! He grinned, the expression cheerful, as he attempted to get himself gliding again, smile on his lips despite the furrowing of his eyebrows as he concentrated.

“Thanks!” He felt somewhat breathless himself, and wondered how people kept up skating for long periods of time. How did they keep fit when the ice was only around for part of the year? It was so different to running or swimming, which he did plenty of to keep in shape! He didn’t consider the fact that they were both breathless for the same reason – a reason that had nothing to do with skating, or at least, not specifically. T’ryn’s instruction to inform him when he was ready to skate alone had a flash of regret flicker through N’mor’s eyes, but he let it go without further thought and certainly without comment.

“In a moment,” he said, finding his comment perfectly timed to him hitting a bump in the ice and he stumbled, grabbing a fistful of T’ryn’s jacket as he very nearly face planted on his friend. He stared with wide eyes into the face he’d come so close to bumping into, and then he grinned, laughing breathlessly as he righted himself and forced himself out of what he decided to call ‘kissing distance’ without doing something he just knew he’d regret. He cautiously let go of T’ryn’s clothing, brushing it down with a couple of pats and he put a bit more of a respectable distance between them, resetting his hand on T’ryn’s waist.

“How do you avoid landing on your arse from the bumps?” He laughed, peering over T’ryn’s shoulder at the ice they were skating over. It wasn’t like he could see anything that screamed a bump was coming up, and certainly T’ryn wasn’t even looking in the direction he was going! He dropped his gaze to meet his friend’s eyes, head tilted slightly in curiosity.

T’ryn laughed as they had a near-collision but somehow managed to stay standing. “Luck! It’s all luck!” he replied through the laughter that eventually calmed down to just a wide smile. He was having a lot of fun, easily forgetting about the bluerider and N’mor – for now, he was definitely going to think on it more later. He had found some bumps on previous skating trips which caused him to flail before landing on his butt though sometimes he’d hit one and manage to keep his feet. The fact that he had yet to catch one, even with skating backwards, was definitely luck. He wasn’t even sure if anyone could gracefully glide along the surface without reacting in some way to the bumps. He’d have to watch others skate sometime to find out.

After a few more minutes of practicing in their current position, T’ryn finally opted to let go since N’mor had yet to but he seemed ready. He considered a moment what they could do and if they should have a race. The ice had cleared out a bit with only a few couples still scattered around so they wouldn’t really disturb anyone. Just before he suggested the idea again, T’ryn’s eyes lit up with delighted mischief as he carefully turned around to face away from N’mor.

“Catch me if you can!” He taunted over his shoulder before taking off – in a rather slow fashion. After several feet he started to gain a bit more speed but it likely wouldn’t take N’mor long to catch him. Laughing as he stumbled over one of those bumps but still keeping his balance, T’ryn called out, “there might be a prize if you do!” It was so much fun to forget for a while that he was a bronzerider with growing responsibilities and to just act like a carefree kid again.

N’mor laughed outright as T’ryn’s response, shaking his head carefully in amusement. Trust T’ryn to be oozing good luck! Seriously, N’mor was pretty sure T’ryn had never really had a dose of bad luck before! He seemed to have inherited his father’s talent for making things end up smooth, even if there were hiccups along the way. It was slightly unfair, but N’mor didn’t hold that against his best friend. One of them had to be lucky, and it was probably better it be the man who was not missing a limb!

“Hey!” N’mor yelped, when T’ryn was suddenly letting go of him and rocketing off in front of him. N’mor was grinning, working to keep his balance as he found himself skating solo again, though with definite more skill and confidence than when he had first stepped onto the ice. Okay! He could totally do this! Grinning with determination, N’mor did his best to imitate his friend, working at building speed and avoiding the apparent bump T’ryn had hit – which was lucky, because his balance was still somewhat awkward!

It took him a few minutes, but he finally caught up to his fellow bronzerider, wrapping his arm around T’ryn’s waist as he crashed into his back. “What kind of prize?” He asked, his breathlessness making it sound more intimate than he had intended. However, he didn’t have any time to consider that as his skates tangled with T’ryn’s and he took them both to the ground, landing on top of his friend and laughing with breathless amusement as he struggled to get off him, flopping to one side and still chuckling. “Well. I caught you,” he said, laughing again, and arching an eyebrow at T’ryn from where his head was flopped on the ice, facing his friend.

T’ryn gave a startled laugh when N’mor ran into him and an arm went around his waist. He hadn’t quite thought out the ‘catch me’ part of his taunting and probably should have suggested it be more like ‘catch up to me’ or even a simple ‘tag me’ may have worked. As it was, he had been caught and the gracefulness between them soon had them sprawled on the ice. “Oooww,” T’ryn moaned as he still laughed at the situation despite his head meeting the ice. The eldest of his sisters always said he had a thick skull and T’ryn was pretty sure he just proved it!

“I don’t remember due to the concussion you just gave me,” he teased, sticking out his tongue to prove the point. Even though his butt was starting to feel the chill of the ice, T’ryn made no move to get up. He stared up at the sky for a moment, watching some clouds rolling in. He wondered if more snow would fall and if it’d happen while they were still there. If he thought it was pretty on the ground, then it was stunning as it silently fell in big fluffs. He and Syrendryth weren’t too fond of it, though, when it started blowing sideways and tried to blind them.

“Some people like to purposely lie in the snow,” T’ryn confided a moment later, looking back at his friend. “Benden told me, and showed me, last winter that if you lie in the snow and make movements like you’re doing jumping jacks, it leaves a cool pattern behind. He may or may not have gotten me to try it and I may or may not have regretted wearing a short coat that may or may not have helped get snow up my shirt and down my pants.” He started laughing again at the memory and how he chased his youngest sibling around the yard after that, making him giggle with delight.

“Anyway, guess we should get up before we freeze to the ice,” he didn’t think that was really possible; he hoped not anyway! But it was probably best to be on their feet before they became speed bumps for someone who couldn’t stop. It was a bit of a struggle to regain his footing, which annoyed T’ryn more than he would ever admit since it meant he wasn’t perfect at the activity despite the bit of practice he had in the past and the way too many times he had in standing up again. N’mor was treated to the very eloquent dance of finding purchase on the slick surface that left T’ryn with his legs shoulder-width apart and his ass in the air as his hands were planted on the ice. Finally he stood with a smile held firmly in place as if he wasn’t annoyed or frustrated at the struggle and held out a hand to help N’mor up.

N’mor laughed, amused. “Sorry,” he offered, though he did not really sound too worried. It helped that his friend was laughing and seemed fine; if there had been blood involved N’mor probably would have taken his friend’s complaint a little more seriously! He studied T’ryn quietly for a few moments as his friend stared up at the sky, tracing the lines of his face with his eyes before he realised he was staring, and quickly made to follow T’ryn’s lead, looking up at the sky and watching the clouds, a slight furrow between his brows.

“Really?” N’mor asked, turning his head again so he could look at T’ryn again, glad he’d managed to avoid being caught staring (he assumed, anyway!) and that he had a new excuse to look at his friend. “That sounds highly entertaining,” N’mor smirked, envisioning his friend running around with snow falling out of the legs and back of his clothing as pale eyes sparkled mischievously. Definitely an entertaining image! “I should get you to show me some time,” he teased, eyeing T’ryn’s coat and wondering if it were short enough to cause a repeat of the apparent disaster. Laughing, he shook his head and sat up when T’ryn said they should get up.

And wasn’t that a whole other kettle of hilarious fish? N’mor watched with a combination of awe, fascination, and amusement as T’ryn fought his way to his feet, not at all ashamed of the way he took advantage of enjoying the views his friend’s equally various positions allowed him. He was rather pleased, in the end, that his own coat was quite long and hiding his unfortunate… N’mor grimaced before laughing at the expression on T’ryn’s face. He was such a faker. “Thank you,” he laughed, sincerely pleased T’ryn was going to help haul him to his feet, even if he was begging the spirit of Faranth not to have them tumbling over in the process. There was something he would not be able to hide if he landed in his friend’s lap!

And wouldn’t that be a crying shame, Rhezalth drawled, and N’mor frowned in the direction of his dragon, knowing full well the bronze beast had included T’ryn in that particular comment. Rolling his eyes, N’mor shrugged at T’ryn and accepted his hand, playing it off like he had no idea what the dragon was talking about (something he did often enough, considering Rhezalth talked to T’ryn as easily as he spoke to N’mor, thanks to their early start in life.) and found his feet without too much incident. All the while, doing his best to keep a polite distance from his friend, N’mor floundered around, despite the helping hand. Ice was bloody slippery!

“Okay,” he said slowly, catching his balance and feeling more in control of himself than under the bind of hormones, he grinned at T’ryn. “I think I’m good now,” He laughed softly. “I think I’ll try and avoid ramming into you next time!” He could feel Rhezalth preparing to comment on his word choice, and N’mor shut him down like a mental tonne of bricks, horrified at the idea of his dragon commenting on that!

T’ryn cocked his head to the side as he glanced off to where the two bronze dragons were enjoying the snow. He worried briefly that Rhezalth had gleamed something in his mind that was better left out of prying dragons’ view, but then N’mor shrugged and figured it was something between them or something not that important in the end. He refrained from asking Rhezalth what he meant, this time at least. Another cryptic message might not go unremarked upon, though.

“As long as I’m prepared next time, I won’t mind you ramming into me,” T’ryn was blissfully unaware of any sexual innuendo that particular conversation had as he started to skate again. He was doing his best to keep his hormones in check and focus on the day as two friends having fun and not reminding himself that N’mor was attractive with cheeks stained red from the chill and bundled up like he was. They were friends and bronzeriders, he reminded himself yet again. It was becoming his new mantra.

“And maybe I’ll let you watch me roll around in snow after we’ve warmed up with hot drinks,” a hot apple cider sounded wonderful right then but he didn’t want to rush them off the ice either. Not that they couldn’t go back on once they left but T’ryn suspected they’d notice how sore and worn out they were once they sat in a comfortable chair to sip liquid goodness. “Shall we do a few more laps around the pond before resting?”

N’mor stared, his jaw slightly slack as T’ryn skated off, the young bronzerider’s eyes drawn to his friend’s rear, staring attentively as his hips swayed with the motion of his skating. When T’ryn added more to his comment, N’mor groaned softly, his imagination taking flight and he pinched the bridge of his nose. It was incredibly difficult to get the better of the images that T’ryn had painted in his mind, and N’mor wasn’t aware T’ryn had asked him something until he looked up and saw the other bronzerider staring at him.

“Sorry?” N’mor asked, lowering his hand and blinking at T’ryn. “I think I hit my head, too,” he lied, attempting to explain his stillness and silence and the fact that he’d missed entirely what his friend had said, because he was too busy imagining him naked and rolling around, albeit in sheets rather than the snow. He poked his dragon mentally, and got him to share what T’ryn had said.

Shaking himself, N’mor blinked and then smiled lazily at his friend, brushing his hair back from his face as he tilted his head. “Sure!” his expression brightened, N’mor using Rhezalth to help him sooth his emotions and brush away the lust he had been drowning in; his dragon seemed highly amused, but he kept his comments to himself.

“I am getting a bit cold though!” N’mor admitted, eyes sparkling. “Warm drinks sound amazing.” And a fire, too! But he was still enjoying the skating and wasn’t quite ready to go back yet. He just wished he could keep a lid on his damned imagination!

T’ryn frowned at N’mor zoning out on him and it only deepened at the explanation of hitting his head. Maybe they had better get off the ice right then to go warm up and maybe have his aunt or uncle discreetly examine his friend. He didn’t want to make N’mor uncomfortable or make it seem like they couldn’t look after themselves but he’d heard stories about head injuries and how the victim never realised how serious it was until it was too late. In fact, maybe they both better get checked out!

He led them around the pond one and a half more times, figuring the movement was also beneficial for potential concussions and what not. He really had no idea and wondered vaguely if he should study with a Healer when he had down time. Knowing basic first aid and what to look for in certain situations and injuries might be beneficial for being a Wingleader. T’ryn nudged Syrendryth to remind him about that later as he came to a wobbly stop right at the edge of the ice before taking a couple quick steps onto the snow-covered ground.

With a laugh, T’ryn held out a hand to help N’mor off the ice if needed. “I compromised with my desire to skate and my need for warmth. Actually, my extreme need for warmth and food. I worked up quite the appetite playing with you,” that phrase caught his attention and how it conjured up all the wrong images of what kind of playing could be done with another man and T’ryn quickly looked over N’mor’s shoulder at the house behind him, doing his best to look casual about it.

Friends and bronzeriders. Friends and bronzeriders. Nothing more.

“Let’s get our boots on and then I’ll go pull the frozen nephew card and get us inside the warm house by a hot fire with hot drinks,” T’ryn turned his gaze back to N’mor, satisfied he had his emotions in check again and smiled at the idea. The other riders would be jealous but that was the perk to being family and not just a friend of the family.

N’mor followed T’ryn around the lake, cheerful enough though he was honestly a lot more aware of the cold now that they’d brought it up, and their activity had dwindled into just casually trying not to fall on their faces or their rears, instead of playing tag or actually learning how to skate. The young bronzerider was actually shivering when T’ryn lead them to the edge of the lake and stepped off it. N’mor took the hand that was offered to him, stumbling slightly at the difference between gliding on ice and walking on snow.

Laughing, N’mor glanced towards the house that seemed to have captured T’ryn’s attention, before wrapping his arm around his friend’s waist, agreeing that playing the frozen nephew card sounded like a wonderful idea. Getting back to the bench and their boots, N’mor found that getting the ice-skates off was much easier than getting them on – like many things he struggled with daily. Tugging his boots on, and winding the laces around the special tie that had been created on them, N’mor stood up and tilted his head at T’ryn.

“You’re distracted,” he teased, but did not really press. “C’mon, let’s go demand fire and warmth!” Grinning happily at his friend, N’mor waited for T’ryn to join him, and, still shivering, angled for the Hold proper.