Private Watch Over You

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Silence had accompanied their every step back to the City and the lofty garden overlooking it. Theryn had a very tangible guilt locked within his stomach which he could not shake, and Darien just seemed... Exhausted. Mentally, physically, perhaps even emotionally - he didn't have his sister's strong gifts where Empathy was concerned to know that for sure - and it only made him feel worse for his actions. He'd gone to speak several times, but nothing would rise up. Theryn was drained too, but he couldn't let it show. This was all his fault, after all. He wasn't sure if Darien would even want him around still.​

​

He hadn't sent him away yet, or had him locked up, so that was something right?​

​

They did not stop in the garden like he'd expected they might, instead Darien went further until he reached his throne room and slumped into the great, ornate chair. Theryn approached, still just as silent, keeping his eyes down. He knelt at Darien's feet, though before it could be assumed that he was frightened and trying to grovel he set about undoing the poor man's shoes. Dari was still in his armour, and in Theryn's mind that simply would not do.​

​

As a token offering a series of small flowers bloomed around him, some of them bearing sweet fruits like strawberries and others just the pretty blossoms filled with nice scents.​

​

Then he got to work, one by one removing the pieces which made up the Contra-Usul's ensemble until he was left in just his trousers and shirt once more. Therein Theryn rose, and offered out his hand; if Darien seemed too tired to rise, he'd go so far as to lift him up in his arms.​

​

Either way he intended on bringing him down to the gardens.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien had not intentionally allowed their return to the city to be passed in silence. He had simply been caught up in his own head. Mind turning over all that had happened of late. All his other attention was on the reigns of his chariot and returning them and his remaining entourage to the safety of the city with its walls and supplies. It had been an eventful night ... An eventful month and it was true that he was exhausted. Exhausted and for the first time in years he felt beset by a feeling of powerlessness. Though he was armoured he felt weak and exposed. Perhaps subconsciously he had also avoided speaking to Theryn because he was quite emotional about him. He had been more worried about him than he had ever worried about anyone. He was angry with him too for putting himself in such danger and yet he did not want to shout at him. That too was strange, his anger just made him want to hold Theryn all the warmer.

It was all so confusing and Darien longed for something he could understand and control. An escape from gods and wars. Freedom from this relentless fear and the confusing miasma of emotions.

He had been in his own world all the way to the summit of the Ziggurat steps and beyond to the height of the platform where his throne sat. A great frame of metal and stone made comfortable with well-stuffed cushions in intricately woven covers. He had pulled back the curtain that normally shrouded him from view with such franticness that he almost took it down in his urgency. He cared not if people saw him tonight. Perhaps it had been a mistake to hide away, let people see that he was god, Contra-Usul and whatever other title he chose to take.

Only once he was on his seat he slumped. His head lolled into his hands briefly as he exhaled in sheer exhaustion. His body, mind and emotional capacity were spent. All that was in him seemed to vanish in that release of air and he looked up from his throne when he had finally let it go. His eyes sought Theryn only to see him pass through the great open doors a moment later. His eyes seemed to linger on the two guards a moment before his head dipped and he began moving across the room, not up the carpet runner that spanned the centre. Next to it upon the bare polished stone. It meant that his footsteps did not pass silently. The soft noise was a comfort to Darien as his head hung again.

It lifted only as Theryn began to ascend the stairs. He was hiding his face, Darien had wanted him to be healed after his fight with the god of war but the man had refused to keep Darien from seeing much of what he had been marked with and refusing all help. He followed Theryn with heavy-lidded blue eyes as he sank to his knee and seemed for just a fraction of a moment to be making himself ready to beg or grovel as he shifted from there onto both knees.

There was no begging or grovelling though. A relief. Instead Theryn reached out to unbuckle the straps of his greaves and footwear. The way he eased them off it was like he thought Darien might be made of glass and if the truth was told Darien felt like that was not far wrong.

"You really don't have to do that Thery ... " he protested despite how glad he was that he would not have to bend down to free himself. Thery offered no response except to hang his head. It was like Theryn had not heard him and when he repeated himself Theryn again said nothing. The only noise he made was a sympathetic whine as he stroked a thumb over the mark of a tight strap left on his leg.

From the pots of foliage behind him bloomed more vines of fragrant flowers and a bushel of sweet fruits batted each of his upper arms. Theryn's offerings "Thank you Thery" he was sure to say though he didn't actually take anything. He was too pumped up with adrenaline to eat.

Darien made a few more protests but they too went ignored as he was meticulously stripped of armour. the belt and scabbard unbuckled and lifted off his hips rendering him unarmed. His breastplate came next, allowing him to draw in a full breath for the first time in an hour or two, and with it went the pauldrons that had sat on his shoulders. All lifted over his head before arm guards were tied from his forearm. The leather and chainlink tunics went next, the second rattling particularly loudly as its weight was removed. Last to go was the circlet in his hair.

Then a hand was being held out to him. He carefully placed one of his own in Theryn's but before he could situate his feet and legs to stand he was being lifted and swiftly they were moving. Too swiftly for him to wriggle from Theryn's arms and regain his own feet. It was about halfway to the garden that he noted that Theryn no longer had the armband he had worn until ... Darien wasn't sure but he was certain he'd seen it glittering as Theryn had started his walk across the throne room.

"What is going on Thery ?" he asked "Where is your armband?"

Theryn Hearthfire

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Protests and thanks went almost unheard as he kept himself focused on the task at hand. One by one, piece by piece, the armour was removed, outer and under, metal, chain, and leather, until it was only cloth once more. Darien's feet were bare, and he wasn't sure how the man felt about that but he didn't have anything nice on hand to replace the boots with.​

​

Maybe that was why he opted to carry him.​

​

As Darien made to stand up, Theryn slipped the armlet from his arm, a beautiful bronze piece made to look like leaves encasing his bicep, and settled it gently on the arm of the throne. If he was to be sent away, or locked away, or... worse... he wanted Darien to have it. Better it stay here than end up in some dungeon lockbox.​

​

He did not look up, not once, though he did breathe a tiny sigh of relief when he heard Darien breathing better.​

​

Now he was cradling him, Theryn was forced to look at him in some way. After all, his head was still hung. He turned his head in a way that hid the worst of his bruising from view, and tried to keep a more neutral expression in place. His eyes were perhaps the biggest giveaway of how he was feeling, he just hoped it would go unnoticed or uncommented on.​

​

It was, in fact, the armlet which Darien noticed first. Or more aptly the lack of one. Theryn bit his lip and hastened his steps, not rushed necessarily but more determined strides. Then they were in the garden, and he was settling the man down into his hammock. One of Rin's hands ran up through Darien's hair, gently styling it back to a more regular state, then he made a gentle gesture for him to remain where he was.​

​

A request, of course, not a demand.​

​

Further fruits blossomed up and around the hammock, easy to pluck, and after disappearing for a minute or so Theryn returned with a small jug of cold water and a cup already filled with such. He offered the cup to Darien, set the jug on a small side table which he scooted up to the hammock itself, and then turned to leave.​

​

There was a lot he wanted to do... He just hoped he could get to it all in time.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Nothing Darien said or did deterred Theryn from his self-appointed task. Eventually, Darien gave up trying, contenting himself to simply settle and let Thery carefully free him from the armour he wore and the responsibility it denoted. He was stilled and calmed but with that came the realisation that his body felt sore and tired. Had he been so tense earlier? He did not know but he knew he felt tense now. It was as if someone had coiled up all his muscles. It was nice though when he was freed from all the heavy clothing, left in just his cloth shirt and pants. Hot skin pressed to cold stone and wood.

Then he was lifted.

Blind to the way Theryn had further bared himself and ignorant of his reasons for doing so Darien failed to note the band placed upon his throne. He was cradled very securely even as he adjusted, noting first the bared arm and then the bruised face of his pseudo-ward. His words had spoken of the armband first because it felt the easier of the two revelations to address and was the most mysterious. Darien could identify where the bruising had come from. He got no answer. Theryn had returned to silence and fear. As their pace quickened he reached up to lay a hand upon the downturned face of the man now caring for him.

His healing was no better than it had been days before when he had tried his best to soothe the scuffs, cuts and bruises afflicting Thery's soles but he hoped it might bring some relief. Gently he lay his palm over the puffed-up angry flesh around Theryn's eye and channelled the force into it. Willing the heat beneath the skin to ease and the blood trapped beneath the surface to dissipate. Even if Theryn did not pull away he could not heal the others face completely but he did his best to reduce the pain.

In any event, he could not heal Theryn further after he was placed down in the hammock. Theryn's face remained far above him as he felt himself sink into pillows. His slightly damp hair was combed back into something resembling order by slender fingers and then a hand brushed down in unspoken request. He was not to move. Dari thought a moment then made a half hum, half yawn "I'll stay still" he agreed though if the truth was told he did not consider he had much of a choice. Trying to get himself out of the hammock seemed a daunting prospect given the weight he felt in his limbs.

More flora bloomed around him and again his skin was brushed with fruits. Dari looked guiltily to Theryn "You don't need to keep making fruit my sweet, I'm not hungry I promise" He said his body was too consumed by the aftermath of adrenaline to consider eating. Even if the fruit Theryn made bloom was the sweetest and most succulent Darien had ever tasted. Still, Thery continued unwaveringly. Disappearing for a second only to return with cool water which was placed in his reach before Theryn was off again.

"Thery, where are you going?" He asked, "Please don't worry about me?" Theryn seemed worried and while his fussing was nice Darien was sure his new companion was in no state to be rushing around and it was certainly not his duty to play the part of a servant. If he again got no reply he would slump back and cross his legs at the ankle before sighing. Staring up for a moment of recentering as he pondered what he ought to do going forward.

Water ... He did need water, he certainly felt thirst and so after his moment of contemplation he propped himself up to drink.

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

A soft silence fell between them as he carried Dari down to the gardens. The poor man was exhausted, overheated and seemed to wince with any jolt Theryn couldn't fully keep him from. No doubt his muscles were achy, and with the heavy armour there were certainly going to be bruises, blisters, and friction burns to tend to. Darien wanted answers of course, wanted to know where the armlet was, but he still couldn't bring himself to speak.​

​

Then a hand was upon his bruised cheekbone, and though he winced and nervously bit his lip he didn't stop the act from being carried out. Well, he probably couldn't have either way, both his hands were occupied, but still. It just added to the gnawing guilt.​

​

With his saviour now nestled into the blankets and pillows set within the hammock, and a request to stay in place accepted, he set about making amends. Dari informed him that he wasn't hungry, but in that moment Rin couldn't figure out how else to show that he was sorry. As he walked away, to fetch the water, he focused on the vines blossoming scented flowers instead, the sort which promoted relaxation, and then he was gone and quickly back again.​

​

Dari didn't immediately take it and drink of the cup, so Theryn bent down to gently lift his head and brought it to his lips so that he could effortlessly sip from it. With such done he turned to leave again, only this time Darien showed some level of objection. The tips of the man's ears burned to hear it, and then he slowly turned to face him. His head remained low, but his eyes did drift over to meet Darien's.​

​

"I have something for you, Petal," he finally said, and it was as though the air was returned back to the room. It wasn't nice to be stuck in his own head, and he hoped that having broken the silence would allow him to keep speaking. The way he said petal though was filled with a nervousness he'd not presented before. Dari had used a pet name too, called Rin his sweet, but the Valkyri couldn't stop from believing he had ruined things.​

​

"And... I want to worry."​

​

Theryn had a brief faraway look in his eye, then he turned to head out just as he had previously planned.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien was not used to or suited for the heavy armour he had donned. Truth be told he'd never worn it before. Never had cause to wear it before. There had been battles of course. Skirmishes and bloodshed but never anything requiring a god. He had never had to face the prospect of an organised attack and led by a rival god no less. He knew the weight of what had been contemplated now. No doubt with time and repeated use the armour would get more comfortable to wear but Darien hoped that he never had cause to find out. Perhaps it was better if it stayed uncomfortable.

There was an emotional relief to be had alongside the physical and he channelled it into his attempt at healing Theryn's Bruised cheek. It was harder for him to call upon these distinctly light-sided aspects of the force. Father had never known how to teach him and Darien's connection to light had always felt more frayed. The dark was hard too but that was less because of the feeling of an unstable connection and more for the way the dark seemed to rush him. Thinking on his relief helped. Gratitude provided some scaffolding to his connection and he hoped Thery was the better for it.

Soon he was in the hammock ... The very same he'd put a frazzled Theryn in not a week before. Was he the frazzled one now? Had they turned the tables? He didn't know to be truthful. His head felt compressed and his shoulders were heavy. Rin seemed intent on looking after him though, settling him and telling him to still himself. When Dari admitted he wasn't hungry Rin seemed briefly troubled then the fruits were replaced by fragrant blooms. Their scent stupified him and he sank down to inhale them. The smell seemed to thicken the air and bring stillness. For a moment or two, there was nothing but him and the chirping of insects. A state he was used to. It was calming but also painful. To be back in the state he had been in before Arcturus and Theryn. Before trouble yes ... or before his current trouble ... but also before friends.

He was lifted from all his thinking by a gentle hand beneath his head lifting him to drink from a glass brought to his lips. It was a strange experience surreal in fact. Like he was too infirm to drink himself ... though he was not. Would he have drunk without Theryn? Probably. He did need a drink after all but ... but ...

The cool water soothed his head and throat. A dryness cleared and an aching shushed. One was gone the other merely told to go. He put up his protests as Theryn went to leave and the man turned back in a heartbreaking fashion. He looked so resigned with his still bruised face and his hung head. Resigned to what? Clearly nothing good. It made Dari's head ache anew. Then their eyes met and for a moment it was better. Not perfect but better.

'Petal' That is what Theryn had called him from almost the first moment. Now it was delicate though. As delicate as the thing it likened him to like at any moment a thumb might rip through it in eagerness.

Theryn wanted to worry. Dari appreciated it. It might be nice to be worried over and fussed again after so long alone but he did not want Theryn worrying too much. He already seemed so taxed. There was little to be done or said though as Theryn turned away again to trudge away. His feet seemed so heavy now where they had been so light and springy when they first met. It was like someone had made them into cement. Dari's hand flashed out in a bid to touch Theryn, it made his hammock sway more violently but he did not tip out.

"We are going to be alright Thery," He said, again taking on the role of protector "So don't worry too much"

Then whether he had touched or not he let Theryn go. Curiosity asked what it might be that Theryn had for him.

Theryn Hearthfire

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

The healing touch soothed more than just his cheek, it helped to quieten his mind and soothe some of his own aches and pains he'd earned at the hand of Forrest. Theryn did not know how to heal, though in that moment he wished he did so that he could return the favour and see Darien free of his aches and pains. He made a mental note of other things to do in this evening of repenting... Massages were in order, he reckoned.​

​

Theryn did not think Darien infirm, far from it, he simply didn't want the man to have to do very much of anything for himself right now. The Valkyri wanted to pour everything he could into Darien's care, he hated the thought of being nothing more than a burden.​

​

The soft touch of the other man's hand against his gave him pause, and while Darien spoke his reassurances Theryn turned his head back toward him. We... Not he, not me, we. Theryn managed a smile at that, and as Darien's hand moved away he gently took it and brought his knuckles up to his lips.​

​

Upon release he wandered from the garden, feet a little lighter now that some of that weight had been lifted. He was gone longer this time, as he trudged buckets of hot steaming water up to the bathhouse via a yoke over his shoulders. Several trips were made, before he took a much needed break, setting the yoke down, then returned to the gardens where he hoped Darien still lay. One hand reached up to rub the back of his neck where the yoke had caused mild irritation, thankfully not noticeable by sight, while the other cradled something safely within its clasp.​

​

Once he had approached the man, he gently brushed some hair from Dari's face then lifted his head once more. He did not speak as he set a necklace into place, the pendant resting upon his upper sternum, deft fingers dealing with the closure. Only once Theryn was done would the pendant itself be looked upon by Dari. It was the pristine purple petals of a plant, seemingly suspended in time.​

​

"When this is worn" he whispered solemnly, almost as though he was making some sort of oath, "I want you to relax... When I set it into place around your neck, it means I wish to tend to you. You work so hard, keeping this City and those who visit it safe and connected. Dari-Darling, you need time for yourself, too... Please."​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Whether they fully knew it or not Darien felt that they were bound together. Watching Theryn slump into the sand just hours before had broken his heart, especially as he was sure that it was his name on Theryn's lips just as he lost consciousness. It was not an image he thought he would forget in a hurry ... not a welcome thought his mind was already so full of worries. Tonight had trebled them. Was it any wonder he was so tense? Theryn's smile made things seem a little less dire though. If Thery was smiling could it all be so bad?

Well, perhaps it could but it could be survived.

Anything seemed survivable if Rin just kept smiling at him.

He smiled too when his hand was caught. So many hands were being caught today but at least just between the two of them, it was in pleasant ways. The kiss to his knuckles sent a bolt of energy through him and he had to catch his breath. Then Theryn was away again and Dari was left swinging in the hammock. Shell-shocked but in a most pleasant way. How could this one man have such an effect on him? He pondered that and lay back, it was better that than the other things that might come into his mind.

Would that he could just think of happy things like Theryn for the rest of his days.

The longer Theryn was away though the more the stress and worry came flooding back. He felt his body starting to coil again and sat up to fumble for the sweet release of his cigarillos. Inhaling the sharp taste didn't completely banish the stresses and worries but it helped. perhaps it was the enforced regulation of his breathing. Darien didn't know. Didn't much care either. All that mattered was that it helped.

Theryn would also find himself offered help by the occupants of the ziggurat. offers of ways to ease or indeed eliminate his burden but when he explained that he wanted no help and no easing of his burdens because he was atoning to their god he would receive a knowing nod of understanding. Then all offers of help would cease. Theryn would be left to his own devices to trudge back and forth up the service passages hunched beneath his yoke and weighted by the buckets of water. He'd also be left to heat them himself and yet if Theryn asked anything of any native they would help him. He was a god too after all. Albeit one who it seemed was in the debt of their god.

By the time Theryn returned Darien had finished smoking and the only sign that remained of what he had done was the lingering smokey scent in the air and upon his breath. He had sat up and was on the verge of going to seek Theryn but he was stopped by the sight of him returning. He did not look any worse than he had when he left though it was hard to tell because Theryn had clearly had a taxing night. Darie had too. Heck Dari had had a taxing week.

The necklace felt heavy. Not unpleasantly but it grounded him. It was like the heaviness one felt before slumping in bed to sleep. dewy, tired eyes turned to look at Theryn as he spoke out his demand. Relax? He had to relax and be tended. He knew what each word Theryn had said meant in principle but together, in this situation ... he was stumped.

"Tend to me?" he mumbled, "what do I do?"

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Dari smiled back and for a moment, one sweet but fleeting moment, all seemed well with the world again. His heart leapt in his chest, blood rushing to flood him with an excitement he couldn't quite understand. Almost enough to keep him rooted where he was, unable to branch out to do what he wished to do to see Darien blossom once more.​

​

But his mind was set, so those roots were torn up and he went on his way.​

​

It was taxing work, made worse by the many injuries he'd already sustained that day at Forrest's hands (and feet... and knees...), and when his difficulties were picked up on by the guards and servants who passed him by they tried to take the yoke from him, someone even brought him shoes for his bare feet. He rejected all as kindly as he could, making it known that he was hoping to atone to their God.​

​

Therein he was shown a back servant's passage, should he wish to use it. A steeper, longer route to get to the bathhouse. He of course took it. And when he came back to the room wherein the water was being heated he was rather grateful to find that it was he who would now be pumping the bellows. Good, the more he could personally do the better.​

​

Bucket after bucket poured, step after step taken, by the time he made it back to the gardens where Darien was thankfully still reclining he was even more beat. He just wanted to lay down where he stood and let the darkness take him the way it had outside of the Goddess of the Sky's encampment. Succumb to the relief of nothingness.​

​

Instead he stepped out into the garden, and approached Darien.​

​

His words seemed to bring about confusion in the man, who asked what it was he would be doing while Rin tended to him. The Valkyri bit his lower lip in consideration.​

​

"Rest." Then he knelt down, biting down harder on his lip to keep from crying out when his joints and muscles screamed in response. His hand drifted up to Darien's hair once more, stroking in the way that Theryn himself most liked. Soon he hoped to better know the things Darien liked, where he wished to be touched, or soothed, or how. But for now he'd do what came naturally.​

​

"You don't have to do anything, in fact... that's the point, Petal. The necklace... frees you from your responsibilities. Your whole life cannot be this throne you sit upon, love. You need more... No, you deserve more."​

​

The more he spoke the easier it was to keep from slinking back into that dark hole of mutism and avoidance. When he was done explaining, and stroking Darien's hair, he rose back up and then stooped to lift the man from the hammock, carrying him once more. This time away from the garden.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien had made it known amongst the staff that they were to treat Theryn as they treated him. If Theryn demanded something it was to be done unless it conflicted with Darien's orders. It was why they had let him leave and why despite being told to look to Theryn's comfort no one pushed back when Theryn announced he was atoning. There was significant interest though, Darien had not had anyone atone to him in all his time as a god. Well not since he made the former warlord of the region atone for his sins with his life. Perhaps the docking of the guard's horns was atonement but it had become more like a ritual tradition now. There was punishment but that was more for breaking the city laws, Darien was not massively involved beyond the fact punishments occurred in the temple which only happened to absolve the innocent citizens of the need to make a blood sacrifice.

Some servants clearly wished to ask questions though none did. Some in the wider city hazarded to do so though. In a timid voice. Uncertain whether Theryn too did not wish to be spoken to directly ... though he had no speaker ... and unsure whether perhaps this exposure to them was atonement too. Justifying their questions. It was noted by the way Theryn forwent the protection for his shoulders usually relied on by those carrying water or using a yoke and the way he refused shoes ... which the natives knew were for protection from pains and discomforts due to seeing Darien wearing them ... evidenced that Theryn was seeking discomfort and the task was a tough one so clearly some difficult task was involved.

The bruising too led to query. had Theryn been punished ? Was he to be punished further ? Where gods punished.

All the same, the natives were all quick to provide anything Thery asked for or needed and none lingered in his way. They would not question his godhood or risk his wrath.

When he returned Darien could see that he was struggling a little. Theryn hid the extent of the discomfort he was in but he could not hide it completely and the only reason Darien did not speak immediately was because he was fast distracted by the introduction of the necklace and all it entitled. The expectation was that he would put aside his responsibilities when it was on. It was so very alien to him. The idea that he could simply let things be a strange one. Almost unfathomable and yet Theryn had fathomed it and Darien would not refuse him. Could not refuse him.

He was to rest and do nothing and he nodded softly "Okay" the mumbled words dripping in exhaustion surprised even him and yet they were said and they could not be unsaid. He was being laid back down and a hand was brushing in his hair to make his eyelids heavy. So heavy he did not notice the further blanching of Thery's lip or the signs of screaming muscles. Thery managed to keep silent any noise of pain too and so Darien had no idea of how bad it was for him.

He only spoke again once he was back in Thery's arms, held too low to see the Valkyrie's shoulders and back where some small sign of the weight of the yoke lingered. With his eyes open he finally addressed Theryn "If you are struggling please don't push yourself I am okay, you don't need to tend me tonight if you want to rest" He pushed the issue no further though. Keen to obey the rules of the necklace. He couldn't relax completely though, not while he still worried over Thery and doubted whether all of this was done not from desire but guilt.

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Rin took any and all suggestions in his stride, the customs of this world were still very alien to him and deep down he wanted to respect and honour them as much as he could. Here, especially, in Darien's domain. Now more than ever. He was questioned, offered aid, gently stopped by those who sought words from him, and just generally urged into interacting. Theryn did not mind one bit, and why should he? He had always been an outgoing individual, even as a child, he loved to be among people, especially those who kept the heart of the city flowing seamlessly.​

​

He was even fairly happy to answer their questions, though he spoke back to them in Basic, not having picked up on their tongue yet, and as a result left some level of mystery in his wake. This God would speak to them directly, it would seem, but it was up to them to try and figure out the meaning for now.​

​

Soon he found himself in the Temple, where he was asked if he needed to draw blood in order to further his atonement. He declined, he was not there for punishment and doing such was a step too far. He knew that Darien would most definitely not approve, and at any rate he was a Prince, here he was a God, he was not doing this to lower himself, he was doing it for Dari, because he wanted to. Because he cared.​

​

Instead of bringing them blood, he blossomed up fresh flowers and vining fruits which gently curled around the Temple's pillar, a bounty for them to share and a subtle reminder that he was, in fact, Lysius. It was time for Theryn to start acting the part, even as he carried yoke after yoke's worth of water back and forth.​

​

He was glad when the tub was full. He'd set into it fragrant soaps which formed vast mountains of bubbles atop the water itself, and within he scattered his favourite pink petals. Then and only then did he return to Darien with the necklace in hand.​

​

The man did not fight him on the symbolism of the necklace, which surprised him. It even looked to surprise Darien too, if his shift in expression was anything to go by. He would honour the necklace, and that caused Rin's heart to leap and beat frantically. "Thank you, my petal" he said, just as he lifted him up and cradled him gently.​

​

Rin hummed as they headed out of the garden and toward the bathhouse. Hummed until he felt Darien's gaze upon him, and heard those words drifting upward. ​

​

"I wish to tend to you" he reminded Darien, gently as he could without giving in so much as an inch of his conviction. No, Theryn was adamant about this. "Please don't worry your pretty little head about it. I am the Crown Prince of Aurum, petal, I do what I do because I want to." He wasn't used to being told what to do, though he did always listen to counsel and reason.

The bathhouse was steamy and warm as they entered. Quiet, too, you could hear the soft trickle of water from a vertical fountain set into one of the walls, but beyond that nothing. Rin brought him over to a plush stool he'd commandeered and gently set the man down into it. Any remaining clothes he could remove from Darien without disrupting his modesty was taken from him gently as he could, reverently even.​

​

"I want you to relax, Dari-Darling, Take as long as you need." He stroked the man's cheek, and then the Valkyri rose up and turned his back so that Darien could finish undressing. He might have left entirely, but Rin wanted at the very least to wash the man's hair. More, if he was permitted. He wouldn't push it though, he did not want to undermine Darien's bodily autonomy or comfort.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

The temple was most impressed by Theryn's display. If there were doubts as to his divinity before there were none now as Fruits they had never seen bloomed across the temple. A rumour even began that the vines had flowed from him where a mortal might bleed. Many stories were swimming amongst the clergy now, stories about Mercurius and Lysius and a fated affection and partnership between them. Darien's high priest had always been good at adapting things to suit the way that Darien behaved and now he found a historic president for a bond between Prosperity and Harvest.

The carrying of water was also to take on religious significance. If it were good for the atonement of a god why not for them?

None of that mattered to Darien, nothing much mattered for the night beyond Theryn and that necklace which had been placed around his neck and symbolised that he was now to be at rest. Theryn did not want him to worry over anything and Darien longed to do what Theryn wanted. His city ... this world could do without him for one night. He was so tired what use was he to them? No, it was far better that he recuperate, maybe with rest he could muster the fresh energy he needed to deal with all the problems and concerns that now assailed them. Maybe he could even find the strength to be the right hand of the head of the pantheon.

Thery dispatched his last worries with a firm and strong declaration. He was a prince, a crown prince no less he never did anything that he did not want to do. There was an adamance to his words that banished anything in Darien that might have continued to fret or worry or resist this night of bliss and service. Dari had not been tended to properly in such a long time. He had been isolated and alone to handle his stresses. It seemed he was to be alone no longer.

"Then I am at your mercy your majesty" Dari whispered against Theryn's naked chest. Yeilding to his will.

When he next looked up they had stepped into the heat and steam of the bathhouse. The tub was filled to the brim with warm water and foaming bubbles and soft pink petals. It was a very inviting sight and already the steam seemed to be seeping into his muscles and soothing his aching joints. Gingerly he was settled onto a plush stool and Thery was stripping him of all but his underclothes. Darien didn't resist. He didn't even flinch as Theryn's soft but icy-cold hands brushed at his skin. There was enough heat in the room and their relations to render such a trivial chill of no consequence to him.

He was commanded to relax and told to take all the time he needed and then Theryn was turning his back on him. "Please don't leave me on my own ... " he pleaded. whether that meant that night or more long term he did not say. He certainly did not want to be alone and isolated again. No sir he did not. Carefully he slipped his small clothes from his hips. Sighing a little at the ache in his legs and then carefully set himself into the bath sinking into the water until it was up to his neck. Wrapping around his aching bones as he tipped back against the rim of the bath.

"I'm in the bath Thery" He called softly. It was his hope that he would soon be rejoined by the man.

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Soft whispers and uttered titles drifted up toward him from where Darien was safely nestled, turned against his chest. As sore and tired as Theryn was, he did not seem to find any difficulty in carrying the Contra-Usul, no strain, no struggled steps, he carried on with an unwavering strength, one which slowly drifted into his psyche also.​

​

He was a Prince, would soon be a King if his mother had her way. Whatever he had faced this day was nothing compared to what he was capable of if he only put his mind to it. Rin's head lifted some, a boldness he had not exhibited since demanding a ship from Arcturus flowing over him. The only thing which really hampered this change in perception was the aching reminders of his fight with Forrest.. and the poor man in his arms. He'd disrespected him by running headlong into the camp like that.​

​

Peering down as they walked, he studied the mans features more intimately than he had before and found his heart aching. He didn't want to lose him, he realized, didn't want to lose this... Whatever this was.​

​

"It is you who are majestic, Petal," he said when Darien used the title on him, "You never speak such formalities to me, I hope you know that." Not least because they were in Darien's realm, not Aurum. Shifting slightly, he put all of Darien's weight into one arm without disrupting the man, and gently ran his fingers against his back soothingly.​

​

He may have been a boy born weak and sickly, ever cold and in the eyes of his Father's people stunted, but the blood of the Valkyri still coursed through his veins and that made him stronger than any ordinary human.​

​

It was nice once they were in the bathhouse, that steam eased even Rin's aches and he let out the tiniest of sighs to feel it. With Dari fast stripped so as to hurry him into the warm embrace of that bubbly water, Theryn turned away and found that Dari did not want him to go. Did not wish to be left here alone.​

​

"I'm not going anywhere, Petal," he promised, "I will stay with you until you order me away." It was a gut-wrenching plea in truth, and Rin was already weary and worn enough that tears sprang up to hear it. By the time he turned back to the bathtub he had done a good job of banishing them, and then he was stepping over to the stool in order to shift it to the head of the tub.​

​

"May I wash your hair, Darien?"​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Perhaps Darien ought to have questioned how it was that Theryn could carry him so steadily but he did not. He was tired, too tired to care why it was that he was being held so comfortably and spared the inconvenience of walking. It was also one less thing to worry about if Theryn was able to carry him so securely he must be doing okay. That was not to say that Darien thought his bruises were superficial or insignificant but he had been forbidden to fret or resist and Theryn's stability was proof he didn't need to fear an imminent faint or lapse into illness.

Though Dari continued to think Rin's actions had been foolhardy and bullish he did not feel disrespected. He knew Theryn's actions had come from a good place. He knew that Theryn had not meant to cause him stress or to make any situation explode, he had just tried to protect Darien. Darien would have to explain to Theryn that now part of that was also protecting himself and his welfare. Not a cause served by going into the desert night alone in little more than pyjamas and picking a fight with an army.

Peering up Darien watched as Theryn bolstered himself too. Tilting up his chin and showing some of the pride and confidence he had shown the first day Dari and he met. That felt like a long time ago but he knew it wasn't. So much had changed since then though. Not all for the better. Who knew what was going to happen next ...

Dari tried not to think about it ... Theryn had ordered him to relax. So he tried to, fixating upon the lines of Theryn's chest ... trying to ignore the blooms of red and purple found there. Darien thought it looked as if Theryn's ribs were broken or cracked. Blinking he tried to banish that thought. Theryn would tell him if he needed rest of his own ... hopefully.

A soft breathy laugh answered Theryn's retort "I am a very formal person Theri, The fault of my Father" he replied "And if you are going to keep using the fact that you are a prince as a way to get your way I am going to keep calling you your majesty" He teased happily. It was true that perhaps here Darien was also royalty but he was not certain ... he considered his titles something of a pretence but were not all titles pretend. Existing only as long as their holders had the power or resources to insist on them? Darien contemplated further teasing in a return to the flirtation they had engaged in back in Theryn's gilded cage ... when he'd threatened consequences if Darien kept calling him sir.

Before he could say more though he was adjusted in Theryn's hold and a soothing hand began moving on his back. It felt wonderful and made him exhale a bundle of tension he had been holding. His back was amongst the parts of him that were most ill at ease. His headache was perhaps the worst but then second place had many contenders. His neck and shoulders, his back, his feet ... Even one of his hands ached from the hours he'd spent gripping tightly to reigns or balling his hands into fists.

The bath water was soon seeing to those pains though ... at least a little. It was nothing he had not felt before. Sleep would help and hopefully, an easier few days to come. Theryn wasn't going anywhere he said. That was good. Very good. Darien closed his eyes, both to try to honour Theryn's instruction to relax and also to take some of the sting out of his headache. He squeezed the pressure point between his thumb and forefinger too ... that helped and lay back "I don't plan to order you away ... or to order you to do anything much" Maybe he'd ask Theryn to stay in sight of the Ziggurat for a while but that was not an issue for the night.

Theryn wanted to wash his hair and he nodded "Anything you wish Theri ... I trust you" Hopefully washing his hair might soothe his splitting head. It was a moment or two later that he realised he had no idea where the bath had come from. Normally it was only filled on a designated day or after hours of notice given the effort it took. "Who fetched the water for the bath Rin?"

Theryn Hearthfire

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Shifting the stool into position, Theryn sank down into it and lightly brought his fingertips up to settle on either side of Darien's head, targeting the temples first and foremost. He had caught sight of the man pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt at pushing off what he presumed to be a migraine; Theryn might have asked for permission to wash the man's hair, but in doing so he'd been granted a blank check of Dari-things to tend to.​

​

Remedying pain was more important than bringing about pleasure, he would do all that he could to at least mitigate the headache.​

​

Massaging Darien's temples, Theryn was quiet and contemplative. There was so much he longed to say but finding the words was proving difficult. It was strange, he'd never suffered an inability to talk like this before yet this past week he'd been more or less mute and even now, even coming out the other side of that thick and suffocating blanket, it tried to keep its claws in him. If he did not find a way to nip it in the bud, he wondered if he'd ever find his voice again.​

​

Maybe he'd just end up fully mute.​

​

He didn't want that. He liked to talk, liked to sing, longed to recite poetry and music to the man now soaking in the tub. Talk, Rin, he pleaded with himself, Just one word then another...​

​

Before he could so much as open his mouth, Darien questioned how the bath had been filled. If nothing else it was a valuable ice breaker.​

​

"I did, Petal," he said, not even trying to hide the truth. In fact, Theryn spoke as though Darien had simply asked him about the weather outside. "Keep your eyes closed, my love... I'll be just a moment, okay? I'm not leaving you, I swear." He did however rise up, momentarily leaving Darien's temples unattended, to snuff out some of the candles in the room until there was just a soft, low glow.

"Much better" he hummed, as he settled back into his chosen seat and resumed the head massage he'd begun.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien heard the stool settle behind him and then there were cold fingers on his temples. Theryn was being as soft and gentle as he could in all things Darien could tell. The wood legs of the stool had been placed as carefully as they could be upon the stone tile and the cold fingers were pressing just slightly at the sides of his head. Darien was glad for Theryn's cold hands at that moment. That is what he needed, heat blanketing his throbbing joints and muscles but chill and cold on the fires in his head. There was almost immediate relief from the softness of Theryns fingertips and Darien let out a soft feeble whimper. Normally when his head hurt he had to handle it himself. Seemingly no longer.

Perhaps he ought to have leant into the silence, settled himself content in the tranquillity free of noise which upset his already furious head. Only he'd lived in silence and isolation for so long and Theryn's gentle words did not upset his head. He liked to hear Theryn, to feel connected and accompanied by someone. Someone who cared for him and whispered sweet things in his ear. Laughter too he missed Theryn laughing even though he'd only had such a small taste of it before the madness of their situation really started. Theryn had at least begun to talk again but Darien feared he might lapse back into muteness if they were not careful. Especially after all the stress of the day.

All of this had compelled him to speak. That and the curiosity about the bath.

Theryn answered simply as if he were remarking on something run of the mill. Who had filled the bath he had. "How? Did you get help?" Dari asked though he feared he knew the answer. There was only one way this bath was filled, buckets of well water carried to a fire, heated till scalding and then carried again up the many steps to the bath. He only hoped Theryn had not done too much or indeed any of the hard labour. The walk to and from the well was hard enough to say nothing of the stairs and all carrying heavy buckets. Theryn was in no state for that.

Before he got his answer he was warned that Theryn needed to step away. Not to leave just for a moment. He was bidden to keep his eyes closed and he did trust put in Theryn completely. The room filled with the smell of extinguished candles and wicks and Darien again breathed out in relief. The darkening in the room gave further comfort to his head Much better was right. The minute or so between Theryn rising and returning had felt much longer but there was a palpable relief from the man as he felt the fingers return to their ministrations on his temples and scalp.

"That feels wonderful," he said sinking deeper into the water and his companion's attentions.

Theryn Hearthfire

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

That whimper broke his heart.​

​

"It's okay, sweetheart," he cooed, "I've got you..." Theryn intended to end the night with Darien feeling relaxed and migraine free. He wondered if maybe he ought to not have used anything scented in the tub, knowing from experience that some smells could aggravate headaches, but it was too late to take that back now and beyond the pain and aches Darien did seem to be settling.​

​

Darien seemed incredibly curious about the matter of the traveling water. "Don't you worry about any of that," he said, "All you need to know is that I took care of it, okay?" As much as he had said it as though it had been nothing at all, he knew that Darien would understand the intricacies of what he'd done. The added harm it had done to his already suffering state. He also knew that it would upset his host... That was the opposite of what he was hoping to do tonight.​

​

Once he returned from snuffing out the candles, he sat silently and simply tended to the poor dear's head. When his massaging crawled higher, closer to hair and scalp, Theryn decided he may as well start on washing too. "I've got you" he said again, this time as he supported Darien's head and gently tipped it back so that his hair was in the water without getting on his face. One hand cradled his head, the other ran fingers through his hair in order to ensure it was thoroughly wet.​

​

Then he set him back up and set about working a lather into his hair. Both hands worked tirelessly, fingers massaging his scalp and doing away with the sweat and sand he'd acquired out in the desert.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

'I've got you ...'

Had anyone got Darien? Properly at least in all ways. People had come close. Luke and Mysa had learned and understood more of him than anyone else ... until Theryn that is. Neither of them had seen and understood him in the way Theryn did though. When Theryn looked at him it was like he saw right into him. Like he saw every heartbeat, every pulsing throb in his mind, every sore muscle and every fear and doubt. Faced with the Darien who had stormed into the throne room tonight Luke would have been firm with him and told him what to do. Mysa would have been caring. Neither would have been both like Thery had. It was likely therefore that neither of them would have helped as much as Thery. Darien knew that when Thery had said he had Darien he'd meant he was going to look after him but it was also right to say that he understood him. Intimately.

The necklace that commanded Dari to be still and at rest proved that.

He was settling. The smells might not be helping his head but he didn't feel that they were especially hurting it either and they were helping him to relax. It was true too that there were many spots on Darien that were still angrily protesting. Not least his poor head. "Thank you" he sighed tilting his head back into Thery's pressing fingers. He wanted to further push the issue of the water. He wanted to worry, he was worried, Theryn was his guest. No more than his guest. His ward and Darien was honour bound to protect him and yet ... his hand reached up to press the necklace against his skin, not hard enough to hurt but enough to feel it and remember what it meant. He was not to worry when it was on. So he had to content himself with what Theryn told him "I will let the matter lie then" he replied "Until tomorrow ... you will tell me tomorrow when the necklace is off"

If the necklace was off.

In a darkened room Theryn restarted his ministration, working cold fingers in circles on his temples but this time where he had stopped before he continued. Working up into his hair and against his scalp. Darien whimpered again in the relief of it. Those hands cradled his head until it was sunk until the water just trespassed at the edges of his face but not into his eyes, nose or mouth. The heat of it hurt his aching head but in a different way than how the headache felt out of water. It was a more contained pain. almost like it could be squashed if he just tried harder at it. Before he could try to try though it was lifted back out and cold soapy fingers were at work upon his hair and scalp again.

Thery had him

"I know" Darie responded so quietly it was almost as if he had not spoken at all.

Each strand of hair was combed over and soaped up, sand and other irritants removed or trapped and then all of it washed away. Darien suspected only sleep would completely banish his headache but Theryn had helped. He touched the necklace again and tried to let his mind leave behind all the problems it was working on. He ought to fixate upon his breathing and nothing else.

"You have me so I don't need to" He knew what he had meant even if Theryn didn't

 

[Theryn Hearthfire]

Darien finally agreed to let the matter of the water lie... for now at least. Theryn managed a smile at that, though he knew the other could not see it, one which was more akin to that first smile he'd received what felt like a thousand years ago. Barely any time at all, in reality. A week, perhaps? If that. Time with Darien flowed differently, he could lose a hazy afternoon doing very little at the mans side, the silence he had been lost within did not make him uncomfortable, in fact he found genuine solace and pleasure in it. It was slow, and purposeful, and delightful.​

​

"Thank you, sweet one" he said, gently slipping one of his ever-cold hands around to settle upon Darien's forehead in the hopes that it might help. "I will tell you tomorrow, necklace or no, this I promise."​

​

Were it up to him, he'd definitely have the necklace still in place come tomorrow. Darien deserved a little time off, more than one evening could provide.​

​

They went on this way for a while, sat within an arguably blissful silence. It was broken only by soft hums as Theryn thought back to a song his mother had once sung to him as a lullaby, the tale of Dawnbringer, as hair was massaged and lathered so dutifully. No strand left untended.​

​

When Darien's quiet musings were said aloud, Theryn nodded his head. He did not entirely know what the man meant by it, but he did understand the sentiment behind it all the same. "Yes, my darling petal, exactly, you can let go now, relax and be yourself... Not a Contra-Usul, not a God, just... Darien. My Deri-Dear."​

​

Mine.​

​

Had he turned to possessiveness so fast? He did feel extremely connected to the man, felt certain he might lay down his life for him if pushed. That was what Valkyri did for those they loved, they fought for them, in defense of them, even if it came at such a price. It was what his Father had done, and his Father before him. Good and noble men, even with their flaws.​

​

Theryn liked to think he would be such a man.​

​

"Let's get those suds washed away" he whispered softly, before cradling Darien's head once more and lowering it slowly into the warmth of the water. "Does that help, the heat? I can support you for a while if you'd like to lay like this, petal."​

​

There was a tranquility to being under water, nevermind warm water, as everything quite literally faded away. At least audibly.​

​

Darien Cordel ​

 

[Darien Cordel]

Darien could not see the smile on Rin's face but he felt it somehow, was it just the vibe of the room? Could he feel it in the force? He did not know. He did not care. It was a pleasant feeling. It filled him with a similar crackling warmth that the first one had. It had been an intense and uncomfortable feeling at first, perhaps because he was not used to it then but he had felt himself craving the feeling the smile gave him recently. He was chasing the high of those butterflies. Now it had come to him in a moment when he was not up to chasing anything.

An icy cold hand settled over the heat of his forehead and he sighed in relief. It was just the thing he needed. Beneath his skin, Theryn would feel the heat in his blood. A heat he was cooling and in turn helping to ease the fires in his brain. The promise that answered his demand helped too in its own way. He had promised to let the matter go and he had been resolved to do his best to put the issue from his mind but the promise helped in that. Unexpectedly so too did the raising of the possibility that the necklace may not come off the next day either.

Darien was already acquiesced to the fact that he would have no say in when the necklace was put on or taken off. That was part of its usefulness. A compelled relaxation that he could not escape. In that, it was up to Theryn when the necklace came off.

As the massaging of his head and hair continued his ears were filled with a hum. At first, Darien found no rhythm in it but soon a melody became apparent. Darien did not comment content simply to enjoy the tranquillity of the moment.

Theryn called Darien his. His Darling Petal. His Dari-Dear. They had not known each other long and it was early to consider belonging to each other but Darien cared nothing for any of that. It felt right to be possessed by Theryn at that moment. The man had consumed his thoughts since they met after all and Theryn was all Darien could ask for. Kind and caring, handsome and sweet. He was a sensible choice for a partner too, such considerations a lingering effect of his father who had for so long been so careful. Lucien could ask for now better for his son than a prince and future king. There was no reason for Darien to baulk at being Theryn's.

There was plenty of reason to relish it and Darien could not deny that he felt a compelling need to be linked with Theryn.

He made no verbal reply but there was a calm happiness in his softened expression. His closed eyes were brimming with love and desire. His body was so at home in Theryn's hands that Darien had largely forgotten he was being held. Only the movement reminded him of some aspects of the physical hold Theryn had on him.

Soon it came time to wash the suds from his head and he was lowered into the warm water. It had certainly helped on certain parts of his body as his muscles throbbed and complained but it was helping less on his head. Gently he shook his head "The Cold was nicer" he mumbled.