Tell me something true [R'nd]

The greenrider murmured softly as he became conscious of the early morning sunlight drifting lazily in through the bedroom window. Brown eyes fluttered open, a frown pulling B'jin's eyebrows together as he directed his gaze accusingly at the window, and glared half heartedly through narrowed eyes at the gap. Said gap that was letting the light through was barely the size of two fingers, and was bypassing R'nd sentiently to linger upon his own face - right across his eyes. Sulking, B'jin turned his gaze towards his very much asleep partner, and let the sour expression fade away into an amused, fond smile. Whatever his lover was dreaming had left a subtle smile etched on the bluerider's lips. Amused, but not particularly keen to wake him, B'jin shifted cautiously to place a delicate kiss on R'nd's temple before cuddling back into the blankets and pillow alike. Comfortable, and relaxed, B'jin watched his friend sleep even as he felt Larrikith rouse against the edge of his mind, her thoughts sleepy and befuddled.

Good morning, love, B'jin greeted the dragon with a gentle brush, eyes leaving R'nd's sleeping face to glance toward the wall behind which he knew the dragons were curled up together, much like their riders were wont to do. His amusement peaked a little at that, before he felt Larrikith's gently returned greeting, her simple words almost addled as she focused more on the yawn he could tell creaked her jaws wide. The little green dragon was content, cuddling closer to Ayyonth and licking the young blue's cheek affectionately as her warmly swirling eyes fluttered shut once more. She didn't need to articulate her desire to spend the morning in lazy company with her pretty mate, and that she was definitely going to encourage B'jin not to bother leaving the hut. The Autumn sunlight was bright, but still held enough warmth to promise a pleasant day. It would be best enjoyed with sleeping in and sunning oneself with good company while humans did human things that added up to a lazy and enjoyable day..!

Chuckling under his breath, B'jin disentangled himself from R'nd, using careful and precise movements to avoid waking the younger man. He looked so content and B'jin had no desire to disturb him at the moment. Delicately getting free of the bed, the greenrider paused dramatically as he waited to see if he'd disturbed R'nd, brown eyes searching the bluerider's features before he breathed a soft sigh of relief and tugged on the first pair of pants he (literally) tripped over. The size and length of the leg belied them as his lovers, and a playful smirk was tossed at the sleeping man. He wasn't able to explain, even to himself, why it was so important not to wake the bluerider. But, for now, it was and B'jin slipped quietly out of the room and through the hut.

He was completely oblivious (as was his style) to the comfort he held in the hut, it was home, and while that thought wasn't actually articulated in his mind, it didn't make it any less so. There was very subtle indications within the small house that B'jin spent at least half his time sleeping in the bedroom; nothing quite noticeable enough to alarm either of the men involved, or likely be caught by friends or visitors, but if one took the time to look there were tiny indicators - the most notable being a small pile of parchment with artwork across the sheets; a small pile that was ignored as B'jin made his way into the kitchen and very quietly began the process of mixing up some klah. The Harper wasn't much of a klah drinker, not since the Plague, but he enjoyed the relaxed and easy tasks required of mixing the drink, and he enjoyed the smell.

When the drink was ready, B'jin poured it into two mugs, adding the required additives to the required liking of both himself and his (still sleeping) lover. He stood for a moment, hands wrapped around the warm mug that contained his drink, holding it just under his nose for a while before taking a small sip. The warmth wasn't quite enough to burn his tongue, but he could feel the progress the liquid made down into his stomach. Content, and relaxed, B'jin adjusted his grip to free one hand, and picked up R'nd's mug before silently leaving the kitchen.

Returning to the bedroom, B'jin entered silently, slipping across the room to place the two mugs of steaming klah on the bedside table by R'nd, knowing from experience that the smooth and aromatic scent usually did well at waking his lover up. Whispering back over to the other side of the bed, B'jin shackled out of the pants and slipped between the furs, being careful to keep his cold feet away from R'nd's bare legs. He didn't distance himself from the younger man, however, as B'jin pressed up against him, burrowing against R'nd's side and letting one hand stroke down the other man's chest. Soft, fluttering kisses were placed along R'nd's jaw line and down his neck, the greenrider's eyes sparkling with gentle warmth as he watched the younger man stir.

R’nd was having an amazing dream; or so he believed before he lost hold of it and it shifted to another which had to be just as or even better. He had B’jin clinging to him and showering him in kisses. It was definitely a nice place to start and R’nd’s creative mind was sure to bring them to even more delightful ways to pass the time. It was only when the scent of klah started tickling his nose that R’nd started joining the land of the awake and chipper once more but it didn’t take long for him to resist the urge to go back to sleep. His so-called dream was currently taking place in real-time and it would be rude and slightly insane of him to ignore that!

“Dreams do come true,” he murmured with grogginess still evident in his voice. Grey eyes were forced to stay open after a few attempts and R’nd smiled as he captured that teasing hand on his chest with a hand of his own. Slowly he brought their hands to his mouth where lips placed a soft kiss atop B’jin’s. “You’re doing an excellent job at getting me to like the whole business of waking up.” It was true. He wasn’t an easy-riser, preferring to sleep as much as he could when he finally let himself crash into bed for something other than entertaining company. In his opinion, mornings were a good time to sleep though Ayyonth didn’t always let that happen either with his early rising. R’nd wasn’t really opposed to mornings anymore but still could have a struggle for crawling out of bed, especially after a fun night in it.

“But I hope you’re not intending on me actually leaving the bed just yet,” R’nd grinned as he shifted just enough to get an arm around B’jin and hold him close, though loosely done as he didn’t actually want to hold his lover there against his will, “or you for that matter.”

B'jin laughed softly at R'nd's sleep addled statement, placing several more breathy kisses along his friend's face, temple to jaw line, before pouting as his hand was scooped up. The greenrider allowed the kiss to be placed, before wriggling his hand free to return to its previous task, teasing lightly across R'nd's chest and stomach as he smirked. "Practice," B'jin teased, smiling warmly though not overly bright. Practice might have allowed him to wake the bluerider up with less grump, but he'd taken for granted, and so never tested, that his friend wouldn't respond too well if B'jin woke him up with blinding smiles and too much ... B'jin, in the ever wise words of Valerian.

"Certainly not," B'jin assured, laughing softly again as he wriggled closer, peppering kisses across R'nd's neck and collar bone. Leaning back, the greenrider's eyes were sparkling with sly amusement as he considered the bluerider for a moment. While there was certainly something going on behind the expression, the promised trouble passed after a moment and instead B'jin wriggled into a sitting position. "I made some klah," he said, stating the obvious because he was pretty sure R'nd could smell it. As he spoke, the same naughty expression flashed across his face and his lips twitched. "I didn't do anything too it!" He added emphatically, eyes widening dramatically as he leaned forward and gushed breathy, "If you don't drink it soon, baby it'll get cold!" He managed to hold an expression remarkably similar to I'shan's Dote-On-N'gelt for all of the best twenty seconds of his life before rocking back with a splutter of giggles.

"Your face!"

Pursing his lips and inhaling deeply through his nose, B'jin managed to smother his giggles, tossing R'nd a mostly apologetic look. Twisting to sit more comfortably, B'jin reached across his lover to pick up his mug, and settled back, eyeing the bluerider over the rim as he took a sip. Fidgeting, and irritated at himself for doing so, B'jin put the mug back down and slid back down, curling against R'nd and cuddling close. "Hypothetically," his voice was mumbling, and the word was drawn out hesitantly, "if you could ask anything, what would you want to know?" Wide, brown eyes were lifted to meet R'nd's gaze, half hidden behind his hair. Anxious, excited, nervous, B'jin offered a small, timid smile though he was all honesty and inviting. 'Hypothetical' questions, of course, could be given 'hypothetical' answers. B'jin's lips twitched and his expression gained a little more confidence.

Besides, it was likely too early for R'nd to ask anything particularly deep. You are such a gutless wonder, Larrikith's sleepy voice held undertones of her amusement. At least he was offering to open up, even if he were attempting to stage how much so.

The face in question was one of horrified shock. Well, that was what he was feeling anyway and R’nd felt like his face expressed it well with his mouth hanging open as he frowned, eyebrows raised, and eyes widening before glazing over with fear and a bit of confusion. What was with that voice and calling him baby? It took a moment for his sleepy mind to connect the dots and remember how I’shan acted around N’gelt and that B’jin didn’t look too amused by their free spirit of a friend acting as he did. Once it was decided his lover was mocking their friend, R’nd tried turning his frozen features into a grin. It was only after B’jin grabbed his mug and started sipping from it that R’nd remembered the words that had been in the same sentence as that so-called term of endearment.

Klah!

He could so go for klah time right now. He was just attempting to sit up enough to reach for his mug when B’jin’s was suddenly being placed back on the table and the greenrider was curling back up with him. Okay then, klah time was over. That was fine; cuddle time wasn’t so bad either, especially since it could hold the chance of falling back asleep. But he really needed to bottle some of B’jin’s energy to be used at times like this. His friend was too perky after waking, most of the time, and R’nd usually had a bit of a struggle with keeping up. It was pretty evident that today was one of those days as he frowned again in confusion when B’jin posed the question at him. R’nd had been all set to hold his lover close and just… be but now he had to think? That shouldn’t be too hard, he concluded almost as quickly as he had originally doubted himself. He did have the scent of klah wafting towards him and the playing around with B’jin to energize him.

“A hypothetical question. Hm…” R’nd lightly toyed with B’jin’s hair, letting his fingers run through the lengthening locks and perhaps purposely mussing them up a bit for an extreme case of bed head, “is it too early to go back to bed?” He was teasing of course and the large smile that appeared a heartbeat later confirmed it. He wasn’t making fun of B’jin, honest! It was just a little revenge for the trick played on him minutes ago with imitating I’shan. There were a lot of questions R’nd wanted to ask and didn’t mind doing so with the guise of them being hypothetical but he still didn’t want to freak out B’jin or overstep the faintly drawn lines R’nd knew where there though he couldn’t quite make them out exactly. So he played extra cautious. He was having fun with the greenrider and didn’t want to mess that up because of a question.

There was one thing, however, that B’jin had brought up some time ago but never actually answered. Now was as good a time as any to try for an answer again. “My ego would like to know, hypothetically, if you had to create a list of things you like about me, what would you put on it?”

B'jin, as is his style, was completely oblivious to the way he was jerking R'nd around. The only awareness he had to his own morning upbeat attitude, was that he couldn't seem to stop fidgeting, a fact that was expressed by his fingers once more waving across the bluerider's chest and stomach in idle patterns as R'nd played with his hair thoughtfully. He was filled with a nervous, twitchy energy that was generally best expressed in nervous, twitchy movements. In favour of not pissing his lover off, B'jin controlled himself, though his hand might possibly have been shaking enough to be noticed in the odd moments his gentle touch paused.

"Mm," he hummed, agreeing with R'nd's quiet repeat of his statement. Hypothetical was good, and could be answered hypothetically, right? So there was surely nothing R'nd could say to -- B'jin stiffened at the quiet question, and then deflated against his lover's body. Unsure if he was disappointed or relieved, B'jin simply curled closer and hmm'ed non-committal instead. It didn't occur to him that he was being teased, since he'd ducked his head back down and failed to see the cheerful expression lighting up R'nd's face. It was Larrikith's quiet poke that had the greenrider lifting a frowning face to peer up at R'nd, and catch the self satisfied expression. B'jin's expression changed to a pout, and his cheeks lit up with a flush. Well, he should have seen that coming. Sulking, B'jin mumbled something under his breath and poked R'nd both lightly and ineffectively in the ribs in revenge for his revenge. Completely unfair, his lack of being ticklish!

"Yes, it is!" The reply was meant to come out soaked in great amounts of dignity and self assurance. It came out far more of a half hearted sulk though amusement lingered under the words, and B'jin shifted slightly to kiss R'nd lightly at the base of the throat. Settling himself back in comfortably, B'jin returned to his unabashed stroking of R'nd chest and stomach, enjoying the simple pleasures of his friends pretty body and the easy breaths he was taking. He would have been quiet happy to get lost in the easy grace of it all, except that R'nd decided he had a question that needed an answer. B'jin's touch faltered into a pause.

"Oh." Every unconscious signal B'jin had been giving of comfort and relaxation vanished, as he wriggled unhappily against R'nd's side and blatantly refused to put his face at an angle where he'd have to look at the other man. His face was hot again, he could feel it! "Um," he made the soft sound as he shifted again, wriggling uncomfortably before stilling himself and curling back against his friend's side, fingers curling into a loose fist and pressing against his own chest, rather than the light and teasing touch that had been previously occupying the time of his hand.

Everyone said compliments weren't hard, everyone! You just opened your mouth, and pretty words would come out and the other person would feel appreciated and there would be flowers and rainbows. Except B'jin had never had any ability with words. If someone told him what to say, or what to sing, then sure, he could do that. With gusto and skill. But actually create them himself? Frantic brown eyes searched the room, as if somehow the answer would pop out of no where. A list? He could do that, right? R'nd was a good friend, right? That was a compliment, wasn't it? He liked him, right? He was sweet, right? And nice, and gentle and fun. Those were good things, weren't they? Compliments? So why couldn't he say them?

The words froze in the greenrider's throat and refused to budge, choking him with their simplistic honesty. What if R'nd didn't like what he liked about him? What if he thought he was silly? What if he laughed at him? What if he took it wrong? What if he took his silence wrong? B'jin gave an unhappy, moaning whimper and pressed his burning face into R'nd's chest. Larrikith, more awake now than asleep due to B'jin's distress, brushed lightly against R'nd's mind. She was prepared to defend her human if the bluerider got upset, but unwilling to step in and cover his arse until she needed to. All the same, she made sure her presence was known to the man, without pressing so close as to invade his thoughts.

R’nd knew almost instantly that he had asked a forbidden question after all. B’jin wasn’t exactly the best for hiding his emotions and while R’nd couldn’t see the man’s face thanks to the way B’jin curled into him, it was still obvious. The way the touch changed, the hesitation in giving an answer that didn’t start and end with ‘um’ screamed quite clearly that B’jin didn’t want to answer, even hypothetically. It was a bit of a blow to his ego that there was someone who wasn’t willing to flatter him when given the chance, though at the same time, Indivara and Volfetti didn’t exactly shine in that area either.

Yet, there wasn’t any desire to have a hissy fit with pouting or leaving the room. There wasn’t even a desire to act like everything was okay when it wasn’t because it actually was okay. That was a bit baffling to R’nd but he genuinely fretted more over upsetting B’jin and making his oftentimes shy lover uncomfortable than he did over what the hesitation meant about him. Was he only a gorgeous man great in bed? Well, that was obviously an affirmative but R’nd didn’t mind if that was all and actually doubted it in the case of B’jin given the other activities they got up to.

It was time to make that question disappear.

He almost smiled when he felt Larrikith brush against his mind, no doubt ready to play enforcer and yell at him if he did anything to further upset B’jin. Nothing to worry over, Larrikith. I thrive on flattery but his actions and expressions when he sees me make up for any lack of verbal compliment. R’nd spoke as gently to the dragon as his touch was to the human as he slowly rubbed small circles on B’jin’s bare back. With his free hand he reached for B’jin’s and didn’t try to open the hand from its fist or move it but placed his own atop it. “That was unfair of me to ask two hypothetical trick questions. We both know it’s never too early to go back to bed when it’s not sleep we’re after and a list of my stellar traits would take hours to rattle off – as would listing yours.” R’nd turned his light touches into a full blown hug with arms wrapping more securely around B’jin for several heartbeats to reassure them both all was well before loosening his hold once more. B’jin was fidgety, as he usually was, and R’nd had learned to never try shackling him down.

“Now, not-so-hypothetical, would you like me to try asking again or would you like to ask me something?”

Wide, sad, guilty eyes lifted up as R'nd spoke, gazing at the hand that lightly held his own for a few moment, barely hearing the words his lover was speaking. He did hear them, however, and while they took a while to process, they eventually made it through and B'jin was startled both by the sincerity of the gentle excuses R'nd wove for his silence, and the reassuring hug he was wrapped up in moments later. The bluerider's grip was strong and warm, and lasted long enough to get his point across without setting off the warning bells that B'jin so rarely heard any more.

As the grip loosened, B'jin shifted his hand to meet R'nd's once more, gently inviting the weaving of fingers as R'nd spoke once more. B'jin considered the question posed of him, shifting up on to his elbow to set that same haunted gaze on R'nd's face. He studied him quietly for a moment, quiet and unblinking before leaning up and gently captured R'nd in a kiss, filling the simple action with everything he couldn't find words for.

Words frustrated B'jin. He could spell, and he could write; he could sing and he could read. But he couldn't make words do the things for him that other Harpers could do, and it distressed him when that happened. It was worse when people pointed out 'but you're a Harper!' like it created a magical gift with words. B'jin could sing, brilliantly - and he could play the guitar, pretty damn well. And he could draw, with a skill that surpassed his voice (which was what he'd been angling for his Mastership in). But he couldn't string words together. Not pretty words, or flowery words, or fancy words.

B'jin broke the kiss reluctantly, and while his eyes were still haunted, there was an undercurrent of gentle appreciation, respect and affection for his friend and lover lingering within. R'nd was special, and good - too good - especially for someone like B'jin. But R'nd was also attached to him for some reason B'jin couldn't put his finger on, and one he wasn't going to ask about. Or question. Or poke at. The bluerider would leave him when he was ready to, and B'jin had no desire to accelerate that happening.

"You," B'jin breathed softly as brown eyes caught grey, the single word carrying the apology he wanted to voice, but was almost sure wouldn't be accepted. 'You haven't done anything wrong' - he couldn't recall when he'd started telling himself that, in the bluerider's gentle voice, when he was sure R'nd would say it to him; sometimes the bluerider did, sometimes it was on his face, or his eyes, or in his actions. Sometimes, lately, B'jin would recognise it himself.

"You," he repeated gently, a small smile lifting one corner of his lips. He hadn't answered R'nd's question, and so it wouldn't be fair to ask one of his own. Not yet.

R’nd hated that haunted look B’jin sometimes got, especially when they were alone together and it seemed he had to be the reason it was there. Likely, he was the reason, in some way, perhaps in what he said, something he did, or even that he didn’t do and it reminded B’jin of a past event he couldn’t shake. What he now knew of his friend’s past, R’nd could understand some of the haunted expressions or the shocked looks he got when he did something nice but not all were understood and the bluerider was occasionally left with self-doubt. He’d never share that though; B’jin didn’t need to add guilt over something silly to his list of excuses to blame himself and R’nd was still a little worried about sharing anything about himself as well. Was anything appreciated? Did he ever help in some way or make things worse? He had his own list of fears and blame though they might not be as deep or important as B’jin’s, R’nd still couldn’t shake them.

The kiss, however, was good at making him forget his circular thoughts that weren’t making any sense, which was blamed on the hour. B’jin could be shy and timid but R’nd loved when the greenrider took initiative like this with surprise kisses that held so much passion in them. They said a lot more than words could, and R’nd had a feeling that was exactly why they were given. Not all Harpers were good with the spoken word and while some were good actors, B’jin wasn’t that either. He was genuine in what he did and said, or didn’t say as was usually the case, and R’nd never suspected himself of being played. Why would there be a need? They had a great thing going with friendship and a lot of fun. There wasn’t a need to play the other for any reason and as he always did, R’nd enjoyed the kiss with as much fervour as he was given.

And like always when B’jin started and then ended the kiss, R’nd pouted at him. If he ever complained vocally, it was done in a playful tone and more often than not, he was able to steal a kiss soon after. He didn’t try then, not with the feeling that B’jin was still trying to work through what had happened and that one little word given voice that carried the implication of many. Somehow, he understood and R’nd gave a small smile in return. “Me,” he finally whispered at the repeat of the word. While he caught what the first one implied, the second one he decided could mean he should ask another question, which he was a bit hesitant about given his track record so far but he was on a mission to make sure all of the awkwardness was well and truly gone so he thought about before finally coming up with what he thought was a fairly innocent question.

“If I had even half of your talent, what would you want me to draw for you?” He had several pieces of art that B’jin had given him hanging around his hut while the others were safely stored away. B’jin had told him to do what he wanted with the stack of approved drawings but R’nd took them all as memories of that crazy night that led into a great – albeit horribly hungover – day and didn’t want to part with any of them. So he had an idea of what B’jin liked to draw but R’nd was curious about what he would love to receive in someone else’s hand. If anything at all. B’jin seemed to be a bit of an art snob which amused the bluerider greatly.

"You don't need talent to give me a drawing," B'jin replied, amused and frank, before flushing crimson for a reason he wasn't quite able to determine and dropped his gaze from R'nd's face. A few short moments later, B'jin looked up once more, smiling and bemused at himself. The flush was fading, but was still noticeable on his features. B'jin was an art snob, and he was particularly aware of his mightier-than-thou attitude to most people who called themselves artists. But he was also a teacher, and a father. He could appreciate a simplistic stick picture as much as the next coddling parent, and while he didn't have a fridge to stick them to, the greenrider made a point of encouraging the particularly eye-widening images Amorandii put together. Endearing, sweet, and slightly horrifying - he loved his daughter's art. He smirked, adjusting his weight to tap R'nd lightly on the nose with his forefinger.

"Hrm," he teased thoughtfully, using the change in subject to toss away the uncomfortable emotions the previous question had brought about. He didn't want to linger on it, particularly since that would require him thinking about what he wanted to say, but couldn't, and then there were the questions of why and B'jin didn't feel like analysing anything. Especially not that. So he did what he did best, locking it away when it was out of his way.

What type of drawing would he like from the bluerider? Well, that wasn't overly difficult. The greenrider was sentimental, and he used art to capture it. It showed a moment past, or a glance of so many things that were no longer, or were never to be. They were reminders and promises and they were meant to ignite emotion. The man's smile turned slightly coy, and he spoke in a light, but serious tone. "Something meaningful," brown eyes caught grey, and an eyebrow arched up. "Not just something because it's pretty, or because you can, but because it means something." The greenrider's gaze became both vague and intense as he continued, "it doesn't have to mean anything to anyone else. So long as you know. So long as it hits here," B'jin brought their joined hands to rest over R'nd's heart, "and then here," he raised their hands to brush across R'nd's forehead. "That is enough."

The man's intense expression softened and he relaxed, leaning on R'nd's chest as he watched the bluerider's expression with curiosity and amusement. B'jin was both surprised at himself and the intensity he'd answered the question, and yet not. He was passionate about his art, and his skills, and what he considered important to those things. B'jin wasn't one to sit down and have a great big heart-to-heart about what he was feeling. But he put it all into his voice when he sang, and into his art when he drew. It was an outlet, and it was so much safer than actually constructing his own words.

Art, lyrics - they were meant to be interpreted by the recipient as they saw fit. Words? Words were difficult to create and work and put together in a manner to be accepted as they were meant, instead of however the listener decided to twist them.

R’nd watched B’jin with cautious curiosity, worried he may have asked the wrong sort of question again. He was relieved when moments after B’jin lowered his gaze with an adorable flush lighting his cheeks, the man looked back up at him again with a smile. It was a good thing this question seemed to be working out okay otherwise R’nd was close to wondering when he lost his ability to talk with someone in a casual and easy way. Perhaps that was the answer right there; he was forming a habit of over-thinking when near B’jin, so afraid that he would upset, anger, or scare off the greenrider with a misspoken word. True, he actually sort of was but that could have been attributed to trying too hard instead of relaxing again and just speaking as he normally would.

Whatever his issue was, he’d analyse it a bit more later on; B’jin was answering the question and so beautifully as well. R’nd watched in silence as B’jin moved their hands from heart to head before settling in to watch for his reaction. Compared with his last question, it was almost funny how easily B’jin could speak about art but not compliment the man he often slept beside. R’nd didn’t dare mention that, not even in jest which it would have been done as, knowing it would send B’jin back into his shell and his friend wouldn’t want to speak again. It didn’t really matter anyway; actions, like art, spoke more clearly than words almost every time. “I like that answer. I like the passion behind every word as well. If I didn’t know before, you would have convinced me how much art is important to you.”

R’nd stole their joined hands for the moment to bring them to his lips and slowly dropped a kiss on each of B’jin’s fingers along the knuckles. He did like that answer but it also didn’t truly help give him any ideas to use at some point down the road if he was inspired to try drawing something. Of course his first thought was to commission someone to do the art but B’jin’s words struck a chord deep within and R’nd knew he couldn’t cheapen such a gift by another hand doing the work. It would lack the meaning, the inspiration, and the passion behind the idea. Not that he had ever really tried painting anything but the man curled into his side but it was still nice to grow ideas that could be potential realities.

“Now, I believe you should ask me a hypothetical question before I spend all day coming up with more.” R’nd wasn’t sure if he’d be able to do that given how hesitant he was to touch on some subjects and how he had already struck out once but he felt that was adequate motivation to get B’jin to ask now.

B'jin flushed with pleasure at R'nd's gentle words, watching as his lover kissed each of his knuckles, belly warm with affection. He enjoyed it when R'nd acted on impulse like that, bestowing gentle actions and sweet words on him like they meant nothing; or perhaps  he was aware of the joy the simplicity of such actions brought B'jin. The greenrider enjoyed the compliments and sweet words R'nd spoke, but he enjoyed the intimate little actions better: those he could return with ease and without worrying he would do wrong. He couldn't do that with the words R'nd spoke, the bluerider having a much more fluid way with the things he said.

The bluerider's gentle reminder that B'jin should ask him a hypothetical question caught B'jin by surprise, and brown eyes lifted from where he had still been gazing throughfully at the fingers R'nd had placed light kisses upon, to look thoughtfully at his lover. A slight quirk at the corner of B'jin's lips indicated his amusement and lack of objection to R'nd tossing his hypothetical questions at the greenrider all day. B'jin hadn't actually considered that R'nd might actually be interested in swapping turns with B'jin in the questioning, and had figured his earlier suggestion to be a simple statement to make B'jin feel better. He knew he should have known better, but sometimes it was hard to bat away the immediate reactions B'jin often came into conflict with when it concerned his lover.

"Hm," his thoughtful gaze studied his lover's face, eyes, nose, lips, cheekbones and lips as he unintentionally gave away the fact that he didn't have anything prepared to ask his friend, as he hadn't been expecting to be asked. However, he had been, so, what to ask the bluerider that made being a greenrider so very much more enjoyable? Larrikith's sudden onslaught of questions was less than appreciated, as she tossed a combination of the outrageous and the ridiculous at him. "If you could have one thing, any thing, what would you want?"

He smiled slightly, leaning on his elbow to brush a strand of hair off R'nd's face as he watched the younger man curiously, wondering how he would answer. He had been tempted to add a 'why' on the end, but wasn't willing to push his luck by asking two questions in one. Besides, he didn't need to know why R'nd would want whatever it was he would want; he was just curious as to what the bluerider would desire. Still smiling subtly, sweetly, B'jin waited.

“A smaller bed to ensure you will always have to cuddle up close to me,” R’nd replied almost instantly with a devious grin. It was partially true – though he did like having the space to sprawl out when alone or to move around when entertaining – but it was more a stall tactic. Every answer that came to his mind didn’t seem appropriate to share and even with how confident he could be, R’nd didn’t want to spook B’jin and still wasn’t sure how much was allowed to be shared with them. Mentioning the North and the lives left behind was always a tricky slope to navigate though R’nd couldn’t deny that his instinct was to tell B’jin how the one thing he currently wanted was to show the greenrider the area he grew up in before being Searched. There had been a stretch beach he loved to wander down and a small cave that wasn’t very deep but just perfect to relax in and watch and listen to the waves. It likely would be a nice place to bring a lover.

In the end, no matter how hard he tried to come up with something, his cave trip and one other answer were all he lingered on. It didn’t seem to matter that it was hypothetical as he linked it to reality, knowing full well that oftentimes ‘hypothetical’ was just a ploy to get real answers. He had done it with B’jin after all when asking about what he would want drawn for him. Other than the spur of the moment bed idea, R’nd was coming up with nothing and finally gave voice to the other easy answer that also gave away far too much about himself, “maybe I already have the one thing I want and can’t think of anything hypothetical.” In one swift move, R’nd had an arm around B’jin and was pulling him close again for a lingering kiss that would leave no doubt what, or rather who, that one desired thing was. If he let himself think too long on what he had said and done, R’nd was certain he’d try to deny it but it’d be of little use since he didn’t like lying and he had somewhere along the way developed a weyr-wide reputation for always meaning every word he said. B’jin would call him on the bluff, if the man even caught what had been implied.

With a final soft kiss to lips and then nose, R’nd couldn’t help himself when a proper answer finally came to mind belatedly and he grinned as he shared it, “Well, maybe an indestructible wardrobe would be nice as well. Oh, and with a way to track articles of clothing when I misplace them.” Or they were snatched as hostages. He really didn’t mind, after a moment of silence was given to ruined or missing shirts; it was almost amusing now and left the bluerider wondering when it would happen again and what would be the next victim.

B'jin laughed, the sound almost as devious as the grin that had taken control of his lover's lips. The quickly quipped answer was so typically R'nd and B'jin's eyes sparkled with amusement. Why R'nd would want a smaller bed when B'jin spent as much - if not more - of his time in bed with the bluerider getting in his space, was beyond him but obviously if he wanted a smaller bed, R'nd didn't have any immediate concerns about B'jin's occasionally clingy bed sharing habits. He liked cuddling in bed, and even though R'nd had been reluctant in the beginning, the greenrider thoroughly enjoyed and took advantage of the fact that he was now a willing participant. Nemall had not been a cuddler, and while B'jin hadn't missed it all that much during his relationship with the other Harper, it was something he had come to near require after he got a taste of it with R'nd... especially since he'd been so thoroughly warned that R'nd was a 'sex only' person; cuddling made it all so much less mechanical!

The greenrider's fingers were tracing patiently over R'nd's collarbone as he waited for the obviously thinking bluerider to answer his question more seriously. He'd been amused and content with the answer R'nd had given, not really expecting anything overly serious. Mostly, he was simply glad that his friend was having some fun with their 'hypothetical' questions and answers session. Particularly after the bump they had had moments before when he had prompted his lover to ask a question. When R'nd shifted subtly in the 'I'm about to speak' manner, B'jin's gaze shifted up to meet R'nd's, a slight frown pulling his eyebrows together as he anticipated the answer with interest. He wasn't worried about what the answer was going to be, he was prepared to try seeing it from R'nd's point of view, so he could understand why it was something the bluerider would want.

B'jin's expression lightened, a small smile lifting his lips as eyebrows relaxed at R'nd's much more serious words. While he didn't have the best relationship with his dragon, B'jin could certainly understand how someone else would view their beast as all they would nee- B'jin's thoughts were cut off spectacularly by R'nd pulling him in close for a kiss, the greenriders eyes opening wide with shocked surprise as he felt the emotion ripple through him, though he was compliant and moved easily into the closer embrace. His eyes closed a moment later as he fell into the kiss, the hand on R'nd's chest unconsciously being used to put barely enough distance between them that his lover wouldn't pick up on the fact that B'jin's heartbeat had just sky-rocketed. He was all the bluerider wanted?!

B'jin's breath caught in his throat as R'nd ended the kiss, almost afraid to open his eyes. Afraid of what they'd say, afraid of what they'd see. The light kiss to lips, and then nose, had B'jin's eyes flutter open and he smiled warmly at R'nd, making a conscious effort to keep his shock, confusion and terror hidden. Fearful simply because it was so much safer to be afraid than it was to be hopeful! He didn't want to over think what R'nd had said, or meant, or even if he had meant to insinuate something. When R'nd spoke once more with his familiar grin in place, B'jin laughed again; this time wicked and devious as he smirked mischievously at R'nd with a completely false and badly aired appearance of innocence; his pulse had almost regulated. Brown eyes widened dramatically as he stared at R'nd insistently, "You misplace your clothing?" B'jin's lips twitched, but he managed to mostly keep the air of wide eyed surprise. "But you love your clothing!"

R’nd had kept a careful watch on B’jin, not wanting to miss even the slightest hint of an emotion at his serious answer. He figured the kisses had done a good job of relaying exactly what the acquired desired item was and perhaps they were also to be blamed for giving B’jin enough time to collect himself before showing any sort of reaction other than a smile. Even with the hint of fear he held himself, as well as shock since R’nd still couldn’t believe he once again let something like that slip out so easily, the bluerider didn’t think there was hidden revulsion of any kind. Perhaps he worried for a moment that B’jin might think he was laying too strong a claim on him and would act like the terrible men of his past but before Ayyonth could berate him for being an idiot by stressing over made up theories, R’nd focused on his playful turn of the conversation to one of his favourite subjects; his clothing.

“I do!” a large grin met B’jin’s, naturally not at all buying that the greenrider thought the clothes were simply misplaced. “It’s like they grow feet and walk away though! It’s strange but what can I do?” Of course he could always tickle the truth out of B’jin but R’nd didn’t really mind his lover’s interest in his clothing or the way a shirt often fell victim to some of their more peculiar interactions. At least, he hoped it was only B’jin that had started a collection. Kerrin would at times swipe a shirt just to mess with him when he was playful or to mend when he was helpful – and likely bored, looking for more sewing projects – but R’nd couldn’t think of anyone in recent times earning a souvenir.

Fingers took to playing with B’jin’s hair and R’nd marvelled at how long it was getting now. Whether or not the greenrider was letting it grow out because of what he said as B’jin laid in pain after the lashing – were those words even remembered? – or if someone else had encouraged the idea or even if B’jin himself thought to do it as a change of pace or some form of liberation didn’t matter to R’nd. B’jin looked hot – which he did with short hair as well! – and while some probably saw it as a rebellious act, like he had heard his own wavy hair called given the cropped style ‘riders preferred, R’nd never thought of it that way but simply as a style choice that the man simply rocked. Was it horribly shallow of him to contemplate B’jin’s hair as often as he did? There was more to B’jin than just his good looks so R’nd decided it was okay to continue playing with the hair.

“Do you want to go another round? You can go again first if so.” R’nd couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at his lips at how his question about the hypothetical game came out as a double entendre. Well, he’d be fine with going another round if B’jin insisted.

Like it was ever arm-twisting!

B'jin opened his mouth to reply, paused as the smirk pulled at R'nd's lips, and flushed suddenly with a snort of amusement aimed at himself. A slow smirk wove itself over his lips as brown eyes sparkled into life. "I believe you just went first." He teased, sitting up and tapping R'nd playfully on the nose as he reached over the bluerider to pick up the previously abandoned mugs of Klah. His expression was mischievous as he settled back, taking a cautious sip of his klah and pausing considerately before shrugging slightly. It wasn't cold - more an unhappy luke warm. His lovers would be warmer, the man having had less chance to drink any previously. B'jin smiled cheekily around the rim of his mug as he handed R'nd his own.

B'jin hrmm'd thoughtfully as he curled against R'nd's side, sipping mildly on his klah with the same, soft and subtle smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Do they come home again?" he asked mildly, as if the subject of runaway clothing hadn't been dropped several minutes ago. He peered curiously into his mug as he spoke, than leaned over R'nd again to pop it back onto the bench. Dregs were not on his breakfast list.

He paused on the way back, leaning comfortably on R'nd and studying his friend's face for a moment. His little smile came back, curling one corner of his lips and brightening his eyes. A naughty, secretive sort of smile that made the greenrider look younger again as he leaned in lightly to claim a kiss, neither demanding nor particularly uncertain. B'jin broke the kiss lazily, fingers curling teasingly over R'nd's chest as he tilted his head and smirked slightly. "No more questions, than?" Brown eyes widened invitingly, the greenrider waited.

---

I'm on a roll, pumping out shoddy tags *shot*

R’nd accepted the mug with a grateful smile, this time managing to take a few sips before anything shocking or energetic came bouncing along. B’jin seemed content to let them enjoy the drink that would help clear away the last of the morning fog. How had he managed to carry such witty commentary and dance his way out of dangerous topics so easily before this cup of glorious klah? He supposed he was finally starting to understand B’jin that little bit more and even while not entirely awake, he could sense the man’s unease and hesitation in some things. When the question was asked of him, all thoughts slipped away and R’nd gave B’jin a confused look for a moment before breaking into a grin as he caught up and hopped back to the topic of his runaway clothing. “It pains me to say but no, they don’t come home again. I fear they get lost on their adventuring and can’t find the way back to me.” R’nd pulled out a pout and tossed together a look of loss and mourning. His poor clothes! Lost but never forgotten.

To cover up his smirk – which he knew didn’t work – R’nd took a long swig of the klah, downing most of the remaining contents before setting the mug back down as well. He settled back in just in time to catch that naughty smile and have a kiss stolen away and leave him with the right amount of craving for it to happen again. Did he have any other questions? Oh, a few came to mind and the wicked light shining in his eyes no doubt gave away what a few of them were but R’nd did his best to think of a proper question first. In the end, the ideas of what he wanted to do to keep B’jin occupied all morning combined with the game that he had also been using to get information about his lover as well ideas of things the man would enjoy receiving.

“If we were to skip out on the duties the day asks of us, what would you want to do?” The fingers lightly trailing along B’jin’s spine were most certainly not a hint at what R’nd would suggest take up a good portion of the day; honest!

B'jin gave a sad little pout alongside R'nd when he said his clothing never came home, such a pity! The mischievous sparkle in the greenrider's eyes belied the expression on his face, which quickly vanished at R'nd's own attempt to hide his smirk. He knew R'nd was playing with him, but the sudden thought of returning R'nd's clothing to him was difficult to shake. It wasn't difficult to decide how such would be done; it obviously required a great deal of dramatic flair and good humour. Perhaps wrapping them up for the bluerider, and presenting them to him like a grand gift on his birthday would work. It would certainly be entertaining, and B'jin knew that his lover would find it both amusing and appreciate the return of his clothing. Of course, if he were going to do that, B'jin would need to steal more. He wasn't going to give up his small collection first!

The older rider laughed softly as he let his fingers dance teasingly over R'nd's collarbone and up the side of his neck, lingering for a moment before trailing back down the way they'd come, enjoying the familiar feel of his friend's skin, not entirely unaware of how long he had managed to keep the younger man's attention focused on him, and returning to his bed; it was something the greenrider was perhaps more aware of than he was letting on. B'jin's eyes darkened in response to the expression on his lover's features, his own almost uncharacteristically wanton as his hands wandered more thoroughly, playing lightly over R'nd's stomach but stopping teasingly short. A turn ago that day, he'd ignored the Weyrleader's wishes to keep the bluerider focused on himself. He hadn't expected it to last for so long, but he was a far cry from unhappy about that! He could feel R'nd's fingers tracing down his spine; most of the scarring had faded well, though he'd always be marred by S'kef's harsh lashing.

B'jin's expression twisted into a wicked little smirk, shifting his weight as he brushed suggestively against R'nd, lips parting to breathe huskily into his lover's ear, "where to start?" The question was blatantly rhetorical as B'jin lipped gently at his lover's earlobe, attention moving swiftly and hungrily down the side of his neck, hands following suit as they found their favourite places to linger. Wingpractice wasn't for a few days, he didn't have a class to teach, and the children were in Creche. B'jin had no commitments for the day, and even if he had... well! The greenrider had snubbed the Weyrleader to bed R'nd before, he was pretty sure a couple of daily tasks held no sway right then!