All Things New Again [J'ver]

S'kef swallowed a lump in his throat as his poor greenrider remained limp in his arms, apparently unwilling to return even a hug. The prideful brownrider blinked his tears away and kept his own voice steady as he thanked J'ver and moved quietly to the door, his own dignity outwardly intact as well. Like J'ver, however, S'kef was filled with dread and misgivings.

Sir. S'kef's ego swelled a bit at the simple gesture, knowing he was the one who took the wily and sharp-tongued little greenrider and trained him to be so polite and well-spoken. J'ver deserved some credit himself for being so adorable and clever, but where would such a fussy little greenie be without someone strong and sensible to guide him? Shards, just thinking about leaving his poor baby all alone with no one to protect and guide him sicked S'kef to the very pit of his stomach.

As he moved inside and seated himself, he knew something had changed. He'd always kept J'ver close and eventually grown fond of him, but this newly awakened feeling was something different.

It wasn't new, either. S'kef realized that now as he put his elbows on his knees and looked angrily at the floor. He'd been grappling with it for a long time, shoving it to the back of his mind or making excuses. His favorite excuse was perhaps the most plausible; No matter how deeply he loved J'ver, the little greenrider would never return his feelings. S'kef knew from day one that J'ver was a scavenger looking for some fresh meat. He wanted things he was too weak to get on his own. S'kef wanted things that amused him and were useful. They needed each other. Now, J'ver didn't need him anymore...but S'kef, in spite of his fierce resistance to attachment, found he still needed J'ver. It just wasn't the same way he'd once needed him. It was something new, and something far more urgent.

He looked around the hut. It was as annoyingly overdecorated and spotlessly well-kept as ever. There was no sign of disarray, no sign of despair...not a bauble or button out of place. He's just fine without me S'kef grumbled to himself, his momentary panic quickly overcome with anger.

S'kef was quiet for a long time. He neither spoke nor moved, his eyes boring a hole in the floor and his fingers clutching at his knees until the knuckles became white. That's why  I got so angry at the flight he finally confessed to himself. I love him, and he...

Rejected me? Will never love me back? Will betray me?

That was certainly a concern. J'ver was a snake, and if S'kef ever gave the little tart any semblance of power over him, things would go rapidly downhill. S'kef had often suspected his little pet was trying to manipulate him. He liked to think J'ver had never really succeeded, but now he couldn't be sure anymore. How long had be been under the precious spell of those sweet, beautiful eyes? J'ver was so perfect, he was even charming and adorable when he was frightened! Especially when he was frightened!

S'kef eventually raised his head,  a whirl of emotions hidden behind a stoic face. He eyed his greenrider, contemplating his upcoming announcement, but more than anything else cursing himself for falling into this trap. J'nira had left him, leaving him behind to face the plague and exile alone. Now, he cursed her for her weakness and said good riddance. J'ver? J'ver was tougher, far more of a survivor and an infinitely better prize...but shards. He was just so dangerous. So bewitching. So...

The brownrider scowled abruptly, realizing he'd been going on and on in his head about the same sharding things. A mass of confusion and frustration welled up within him, and he rose to his feet.

"J'ver," he finally said. He spoke through gritted teeth and awkwardly refused eye contact, his fist clenched at his side. "I...don't really know what to say to you." His voice shook, for just a moment.

"I told you that if you ever left me again,  I would never forgive you." That was true enough. A flight was different, but  S'kef had his suspicions. The brownrider bit back his anger long enough to turn that thought into something coherent. "....A flight is one thing," he said, finally lifting his knowing, accusing eyes to look at J'ver. "But I won't tolerate being toyed with."

He tightened his fist. He felt the familiar urge to lash out, to punish the greenrider for his idiotic misdeeds and show him his place. He wanted to so badly, but some rational part of him knew that the damage had already been done long ago. J'ver feared him.  J'ver knew his place, even now after their seemingly endless separation.

Or wait! Did he, or was it an act?!

Overcome with a sudden rush of fury at the notion, S'kef turned and swung with all his might, though his target was not his poor baby; he grunted in pain as his hand slammed into the wall, his knuckles snapping and his flesh tearing on impact. He cursed loudly and shook his hand, so angry at his own outburst that he almost foolishly repeated the action.

"What is it with you, you little wretch?!" S'kef raged, turning his once again accusing eyes on J'ver. "Why can't I get you out of my fucking head? What did you do to me, you little-...!"

He stopped himself, swallowing hard to try and keep his voice under control as he started to pace in a frenzy of unchecked emotions. He grumbled and fumed, stalking back and forth before finally turning himself on J'ver again. Unable to stand it any longer, he swooped in, seizing the beautiful man in his arms and pulled him close, so close his breath drifted warmly over the greenrider's ear.

"J'ver, I love you," he said before he realized what he was doing.