Look at the crowds bleeding with laughter [F'ur]

[Requiem]

Ah, well, he'd figured F'lix would likely pick up on something, but the idea was not to alert anyone else, anyway, so he wasn't too worried about it. Terror's frequent whisperings were usually ignored. Or...not so much ignored as investigated and dismissed. It was part of dealing with the salamandyr. If you at least gave the blue's concerns some consideration he tended to be calmer. And, despite the fact that F'ur actually was getting better at blocking out the endless wash of emotion from the small creature...it was definitely easier if he wasn't in a full-on panic all the time.

Glancing down at F'lix in a similar amusement, his lips twitched, and he canted his head to one side. The expression and motion very clearly had a 'wouldn't you like to know?' feel to it. F'ur, flirt his way to the Gather...of course not. And he certainly wasn't banking on F'lix being willing to give him a ride back either. Though, to be fair, if it came right down to it, having Inocenth make a straight flight - likely grumbling the entire way - wasn't a problem.

Eyes narrowing mildly at the odd display of gracelessness that wasn't at all like F'lix - much less the actions following it - he slid after the man by way of a different path. The brush wasn't unwelcome as they came back together, and if F'ur was surprised to find something else in his hand, he didn't make any indication of it. In fact, he slid the mask on without so much as looking at it, letting the cowl fall and instead wrapping the black around his head.

He briefly brushed F'lix's hand in silent thanks as the other bluerider secreted the second of the packages. F'ur was curious what was in them, but figured he'd get a crack at it later. "I don't know about wine. Although you're free to drink. I'm afraid one glass is usually enough to get me more than just a little buzzed." Which actually was an understatement. F'ur's ability to handle any sort of drugs or alcohol in his system was virtually nonexistant. The only upside was that the effect usually didn't hang around long, either.

"Best to finish what we started," F'ur responded quietly. He moved back into the stream of humanity, separating from F'lix briefly before brushing back near him again, the sash having been secured around the red scarf to keep it in place now. "Sel'n seems agitated...maybe a little worse for wear. He's fine, though. I'd be annoyed if no one could tell me why I'd been in the infirmary for months from what appeared to be an attempt at gutting me, too." Just another one of Selenitas's many mysteries.

[rii]

He looked.. dismissible. Another skeleton amongst the crowd, if not a more lighter version. Golden eyes dropped momentarily to the peaked hat as his fingers moved one of the fishing lines back into proper place. He fiddled with the chin strap, checking how it was connected to the sides before looping the hat over his head – letting it fall to rest against his shoulder blades with the strap around his neck. A finger lingered, pulling at the uncomfortable pressure against his throat.

"Really?" One glass, what a shame. F'lix wasn't much of a drinker, but a gather became a reason for him to indulge. He could finish off a wine skin by himself and still be moderately functional (or so he thought). His eyebrow slowly inched up, the faint disbelief clear on his features. F'ur was exaggerating just a bit much. "The wine's not that bad."

Hands returning to sleeves, F'lix again set into motion with the outer, slower flow of bodies. He had never been one to really hide once he had someone's attention. If F'lix felt as if he had earned someone eyes he liked to wander off to somewhere more private to see what they wanted. Call it an irresistible curiosity.

A faint downward twitch of lips as F'lix glanced at the ex-Fortian. Here he had thrown out a few teases to try and ease the mood and it sounded – to him – that F'ur's mind was more occupied with the shadow. What a bother. F'lix wasn't good at this sort of thing to start with and he let the information concerning Sel'n fall into silence for a few moments. He just wanted to enjoy the time, not be on edge about.. nothing. He was sure it was nothing. It was doing well to smother his good mood from their dance. It never took much to alter F'lix inner mood. It was easier lately, F'lix privately admitted, Lilitu's irritability had been making him snappy.

"You're saying you didn't have to convince him to take back the position – he willingly took the job. I'm more concerned about his mental well being." But, F'lix wasn't arguing with the change of ranks. Not at all. He shrugged lightly. "Let's just make sure no one comes back to finish the job." Because, not out of any care for Sel'n, F'lix merely didn't want to see F'ur have to retake the post of weyrlingmaster because the former one did, for one reason or another, end up gutted..

The weaver's stall in sight, F'lix suddenly paused with his fingers curling into F'ur's sash. He stepped into the older man's path, turning to face him. "Why don't you get food then, whatever you find counts as celebratory. I'll pay." No, he wasn't trying to get rid of F'ur–have him off and not be around to witness the old women dot on him like some long lost grandson (and F'lix utterly incapable of fending off such attacks). No, why would he do that?

There also was the hope F'ur would stomp out whatever shadow might be bothering him in the process, but F'lix opted not to make mention of certain overly paranoid salamandyrs. Instead his eyes swept over the skeletal mask grinning down at him.

[Requiem]

F'ur said nothing to the comment about his inability to handle alcohol. F'lix should have a pretty good idea, by now, when he was and wasn't joking. The older man didn't bother to put his usual shields of double and triple-layered meaning up as far as the kitten was concerned.

"Some people like dealing with snot noses? Makes them feel useful?" Although, more likely, it had something to do with the fact that it was F'ur who had taken over for him. Brownriders and their pride. Admittedly, the bluerider did find it amusing that it had somehow worked out with his holding the title of his lover of...turns and turns ago. When he was still learning - everything - and far more willing to be led than he was now. Had to be a little grating on the ego, that.

Unable to tell if F'lix was irritated or not...there was a certain tension about him, but the movements of the crowd prevented him from reading too much into his face and stance...F'ur blinked and pulled up abruptly as he was caught by the waist. He cocked his head to one side in silent inquiry, puzzling over the words for a moment.

It was an interesting proposition. Particularly considering it didn't make much sense, which was unusual enough for the ex-Bendenite to have F'ur immediately curious. "I'm sure you're more picky about food than I am," he commented laughingly, his voice low, though he trusted F'lix to pick it out. "Vendors don't typically go for the 'I'll be back to pay for it later' line, either."

Brushing the inside of F'lix's wrist in silent request, he tapped the back of his fingers against it twice, head canting to the other side. Release him now? It wasn't as if he was going to go wandering off when he had a kitten attempting to talk to him directly in front of his nose. "You're hiding something. What is it you don't want me to see?" he questioned, amusement tracing through his voice.

[rii]

He official gave up on his attempt at sarcasm. F'lix hastily released the sash as if burned by the tapping and quickly wound his arms more tightly across his chest, sneaking the hands further up the sleeves so the palms rested against the opposite limb's elbow. His body language more or less masked by the wide sleeves and black tones. It was a joke – just went to show how horrible he was at communication. The muscle along side his jaw jumped as he absently began to grind his teeth. A slow side to side motion.

"I was going to give you the marks." Yet he had not even made the motions to dig them out, somehow knowing F'ur wouldn't leave. The world and it's sense of humor and all that. The gold eyes snapped to the grinning skull and F'lix was suddenly turning on heel and pushing toward the stall at a more brisk pace, the crimson tassel of fans curling around his waist with the motion.

Of course there were things he didn't want F'ur to see aside from his upcoming embarrassment. Stupid really – of him to even do it. He had bought a couple of the things for F'ur. Custom made items. F'lix had never given anyone a gift. Nor did he have a confident idea about what the older man liked, or would liked.. and what if he didn't like it? Just turn into another topic to needle F'lix about. Laugh at his foolishness. Such a stupid idea. He did not want F'ur to see either of the items. He'd just stash them at the very bottom of his trunk and never spare them a second thought.

Battling the butterflies in his stomach, F'lix forced his somewhat paler features into apathy as he moved on without answering F'ur's tease. He stepped up to the stall's counter and it wasn't long until one of the master weavers turned her attention to him – face bright with a smile even before recognizing him.

"Did you like it dear?"

"May I just have my stuff, please?" F'lix mustered as much politeness as he could into the words – yet they still came out half-growling.

"Darling, it is important to me to hear the opinion on my work. That robe was particularly interesting to make. Those shades are very dark though hon, you look like a ghost, how about one in lighter colors?" Even as she merrily spoke she moved to gather a few items from beneath the counter, folding them neatly over her arm.

"No. Just – please – " F'lix held out his arms, palms up in an obvious gesture to receive the clothing.

Tsking, the aged woman shook her head. "You don't even want to try on the shirt to make sure it fits properly?"

"No–" F'lix snapped, but she merely shot him another smile; utterly immune to any venom in his glares and brisk words.

"This is a gather dear try to smile and have some fun."

The muscle jumped again as he gritted his teeth. He wasn't angry at her, just.. powerless. They both had him a right blushing mess when convincing him to get a robe made for the gather. He had gotten to pick the colors at least – which had been a process much like pulling teeth. Taking his measurements and asking how he wanted this, how he wanted that -- and that had just been for the robe. The other items had him out right stuttering. So embarrassing. He wanted a drink. Now.

She held out the the items and held back a chuckled as F'lix rushed to take them, throwing them over his own arm and hugging them close to his chest - using the wide sleeves to cover the clothing. Muttering irritably, F'lix didn't even glance at the white figure while heading off in the direction of the lake. "I need to pack this with Saboth."

[Requiem]

The jerk brought a flicker of concern to the man's face that F'lix would never see, his hands stealing back into his pockets, studying the younger rider's face in confusion. He wasn't sure what he'd done, but clearly F'lix was upset by something. The older bluerider dismissed it for the simple reason that there was no sense in dwelling when the ex-Bendenite was breezing through the crowd like there was a fire lit under his hindquarters. Tch. Surely he wasn't offended at F'ur's teasing quip. (The man was perfectly willing to pay, but F'lix had offered and he was just being himself. Not commenting on something like that would have been entirely out of character.)

Drifting after him and feeling just a little lost...given there was a certain separation between them now as a result of F'lix's irritation and F'ur's general confusion...the man watched the older woman with some interest. She had a good deal of personality, didn't she? Edging forward while the exchange continued, he got close enough to peer over F'lix's shoulder at what was going on. He'd clearly been trying to get rid of him, after all, and that in itself was enough to spark F'ur's curiosity.

At the trace of an amused smile from the woman, he wriggled his fingers in a wave at her, putting his finger silently to the bone mask where his lips should have been. F'ur went up on his tiptoes. He could almost...bugger. F'lix had hid the material, and all he'd caught was the slightest of glimpses.

"Nh." His hands went out instinctively, gripping the younger man's shoulders. Been standing a bit too close, it seemed. Though really it was F'lix's hurry that had produced the mild collision, the other bluerider moving quicker than F'ur had expected. He didn't remove his hands right away, glancing toward the old woman, who seemed to be inordinately interested in the exchange. Silly old biddy. Reminded him of a doting - and decidedly annoying - grandmother. "Saboth, then. Slow it down a bit, eh? You're like to run a man over."

He released F'lix, making a show of patting himself down to make sure there was nothing missing, the tilt of his head decidedly teasing. His brow had risen, as well, though it couldn't be seen with the mask. Apparently satisfied that F'lix hadn't picked his pockets, the older man set out along the edge of the crowd, setting a deliberate pace. Yes, it was an effort to slow the other man down, too. Agitated just a little?

"Seemed to like you well enough. Holding out on me? I wouldn't peg you as the sweet young gentleman type."

[rii]

Oblivious to any hidden intentions, F'lix paused under the press of F'ur's hands. To him it was a reminder to do exactly as the ex-Fortian suggested. Slow down. Calm down. Closing his eyes, F'lix let his chin dip down to nearly touch against chest. Stupid. He should have just picked up the items when alone. He was such a twit. Allowing his emotions to get stirred up; all because he was embarrassed. F'lix didn't do well with feeling awkward and edgy, it quickly translated to anger because that he could properly express.

The hands were gone, and golden eyes slitted open to regard the skeleton. A quick smirk, disappearing as soon as it appeared. His own hands had been a bit too preoccupied with the clothes to do anything that F'ur's actions implied. Checking for missing items or new slashes, who could say. F'lix lightly shrugged to the overly worried display. He wasn't that sneaky – golden eyes suddenly narrowed with the thought – but F'ur could be.

The younger rider waited until F'ur moved to walk ahead, taking the moment to press a hand against the front of his robe to ensure that both items were still present. Satisfied, F'lix turned to follow after the white figure. He narrowly dodged around a drunk patron, the stumbler knocking against the hat resting along F'lix's back. The strap slid firmly against his neck, drawing out a particularly venomous glare from the bluerider.

With a silent snarl, F'lix pulled the hat on to avoid any repeating events. He let it cant down to obscure a good majority of his face from view. His lips were set in a mild frown as he came up alongside the ex-Fortian. "Hn," F'lix grunted as his eyes flicked over.. only to be hindered by the hat.. and not as if he could see the other's face anyway. "Guess I can't hide it any longer. Deep down inside I'm a charming young lad that old women can't help but fuss over."

Yeah, such a person would buy gifts for other people. Definitely not him. "I've been leading you on all this time with the growling and biting.." Again the heavy, dead pan, sarcasm came out when he was feeling uncomfortable. He glanced at the thinning crowd and made a subtle gesture toward a particular direction – a bit of a walk, but it would take them to Saboth in the end.

As they passed the outer stalls, F'lix took a long look over his shoulder, the peaked hat helping to mask his motions. Done just to assure himself they really didn't have a tail. "What will you do with me now, knowing such a truth?"

[Requiem]

Inordinately pleased he was. The slight, natural swagger to the man's gait was just that little bit more pronounced, one of his subtle tells, of which F'ur had a few. Not that most people paid attention enough to notice - not even some of the closest to F'ur over the turns. Most people were ever so predictable; they saw only what they expected to see. F'lix didn't tend to be one of those. His pleasure hinged on the change in the younger bluerider, though.

Was F'lix comfortable? Not by a longshot. He wouldn't have been able to tell, before they got involved with one another - F'lix's manner with F'ur tended to be more relaxed than his general manner, anyway. But knowing what the man was like when he was truly comfortable made it all too obvious that he never really was when they weren't completely...alone.

Still, he liked his small victories. And he liked these conversations...it was hard to find people of any real wit anymore. Shame, that. A snarking F'lix by his side was beginning to feel familiar and right. So much so that he was considering an unprecedented move. Considering it? No, he'd decided on it, actually, but finding the correct timing was proving difficult. Of course, now that he wasn't running with snot noses anymore...

Glancing down at the man now shielded from view by F'ur's own hat, he reached over and flicked his arm lightly. "What is there to do with charming, young lads but to dress them up as their mothers used to in their gather finery, set them in a chair at the center of everything and charge admission simply for a look?" He fell into step precisely with F'lix, a subconscious habit of his. "Just the little menace," he added, the statement obscure enough for any but F'lix who might overhear.

[rii]

F'lix made a motion with his arm in response to the flick, but whatever he intended to do – he thought better of it and readjusted the clothes instead. Those gloves would come off, in due time, F'lix would see to that. "Doesn't sound very profitable."

Again the hat's brim hindered his glance. With a slight hunkering of shoulders, F'lix resigned to hide under the accessory. It bothered him in a way, to have either of their faces covered from view. His own body language cloaked with the robe. F'lix didn't speak well in words, so to have the lack thereof.. it felt to him as if he was missing a large portion of the conversation.

The shadow of the hat cloaked the rest of his features, and F'lix made do with using the peripheral sight of F'ur as a guide. "I assumed as much." He responded to last comment, deciding not to tact on the fact that it made him twitchy regardless of the unreliable source. Paranoid enough that if he didn't acknowledge a possible threat.. it would prove to be his last day.

"I'm sure there are more things you could do with a charming young man than watch him try to accomplish killing people with a mere look if you did set him out as a spectacle to behold. I dare say he might start with trying to fix you with such a lethal glare.." As they passed the last of the stalls and gather, F'lix turned his eyes forward to try and spot his dragon's faded hide. Curiously he touched at their bond; their connection normally a thick silence. In response he saw Saboth lift his head in the distance – right at the lake's shore, how typical of his water loving blue.

The slight hesitation as he contacted Saboth showed in his extended pause between words. "..Alas, I guess I best drop this guise I've shouldered for so long. From here on out it shall be charming smiles and.. " Bother. Unable to think of other traits, F'lix pulled one of his arms free of the clothes and made a smooth, dismissing wave of his arm to demonstrate that inner gentleman.

Picking up in pace, F'lix approached his quiet blue – of who regarded F'ur a moment before rumbling. The meaning of which loss to all accept his rider. Saboth laid his head down in the grass behind F'lix. It was a protective curling, one that F'lix didn't take much notice to as he fought with the bindings of the packs strapped to the blue. Not the easiest of tasks while still trying to keep everything out of view.

[Requiem]

F'ur snorted at F'lix's assertion. No, he was pretty sure it would be profitable enough, simply because F'lix was easy on the eyes, and exotic enough to breed curiosity among these southerners. Plus people just loved bearing witness to others' discomfort. It was like a general favorite pasttime of the species or something. The older man, at least, found the guarded glares of the younger quite amusing - when he could see them - though that likely had a lot to do with the fact that he knew how to make them go away. Such an expressive person, the kitten was.

Though he understood where F'lix had been going with the abbreviated statement, F'ur couldn't resist teasing him a little. "Charming smiles and..." he echoed quietly, the laughter in his voice palpable. "Lethal looks?" Oh yes, he was being evil, but F'lix couldn't be too bothered by it, considering he kept on coming back. Then again, it could be argued that the ex-Bendenite was a glutton for punishment.

It did not escape his notice in the slightest that Saboth had more or less formed a protective ring around his rider, shielding the majority of the younger bluerider from F'ur. Trying to keep him from seeing what F'lix had, or was the blue still wary of him? Kind of silly to get protective of the kitten here and now when, if F'ur truly meant the man any harm - ludicrous in the extreme - he had ample opportunity where it would be much less dangerous for himself.

Never one to be put off, he leaned against Saboth's neck, folding his arms and letting his head rest on them. "You're right, though. There are many other, better things I can think of to do with a certain charming young man," he stated lightly. "He dances quite well, you know. If we hadn't been in the middle of a crowd..." He punctuated the comment with a dramatic sigh.

Looked like F'lix was nearly done. Well then. Straightening, he drifted around Saboth's head, removing the hat from F'lix with a swiftness that should have gotten the cord tangled, but F'ur was careful not to do so. The kitten had a thing about his neck, he did. Twirling it once between his fingers, he let the cord slide down to his elbow, removing his mask and brushing the back of his fingers lightly across F'lix's cheek in the same motion. A brow lifted, teasing smile playing across his lips. "Are we done playing 'hide the clothes from F'ur' yet?"

[rii]

How annoying. Saboth's eyes drooped half closed. He was tempted to shove the man over, or throw him in the lake, but the simple fact that it would make His upset curbed the urges. That and idea of Inocenth touching F'lix in return did not strike the blue as a favorable idea. Such an arrogant man. Why did his have to be fond of this one (in truth Saboth approved of no one). The blue knew that he would be next to powerless when F'ur decided to hurt his. As always, done out of his reach. He also knew he was utterly incapable of preventing the inevitable. No matter how much he disapproved of the man, His didn't pay heed to the gentle reminders. The lying man would prove to be the same as any other..

Enough.

Saboth coiled inward on his calm fury, closing his eyes and returning to ignoring the world around him. Not even a tail flick to betray his disdain for the Fortian. F'lix didn't let the thoughts dwell – refusing to let his mind go off in the downward spiral. With a bit of struggle he managed to get the pack open and carefully folded and put the clothes and other packages inside. As he worked an eyebrow rose, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips in response to F'ur's words.

His fingers finished off the ties before he turn to face F'ur – a personal twist of a charming smiling – subtle, sly and close lipped – firmly in place. His eyes were narrowed and brimming with amusement. The expression decidedly playful with more than a touch challenge present. Ignoring the comment directed toward him about hiding clothes (those were not the only things F'lix wanted out of sight) F'lix caught the other man's wrist. His fingers momentarily slipping under the sleeve to touch skin. Affectionate almost, until he curled those same fingers under the end of the glove and roughly peeled it off.

As much as F'lix was tempted to bring that bared hand back to his face he merely released it in favor of pushing off of Saboth and into F'ur – full contact to force the older man back a step, if he didn't prove to be overly stubborn. "There's no crowd here." Another small, pressing step into the older man. "Maybe you should ask him for another dance – if you're truly haunted by that if."

He leaned in close so that F'ur's jawline was near enough for a nip. The younger rider hovered, lips slightly apart to make it obvious he was tempted to do just that. Golden eyes dipped purposely down to the line of the ex-Fortian's neck before returning – teasing – to F'ur's gaze. "I think this smile goes quite well with lethal looks." He purred, emphasizing the last word to hint that he wasn't referring to his repertoire of glares. It was the whole deal. Young, small, pretty – so easy to underestimate his ability. So easy to open the flesh with a blade when a man was too distracted with a pretty face. What could be so dangerous about something so harmless in appearance. Lethal looks indeed. "Such a charming, young man.. "

[Requiem]

The smile brought out one of F'ur's own, though he did glance questioningly at F'lix when the younger man peeled off the glove so briskly. He shrugged mildly and brought the other hand up to his mouth, pulling at the second glove when F'lix stepped into him. F'ur yielded backwards, amusement flickering across his face and his free arm circling the other bluerider's waist, keeping him pulled up against him. He finished tugging the second glove off, tucking it into his sash.

"Maybe I should," he agreed quietly. "Although I don't know how much more dancing my clothes can take. They seem to be headed toward shredded the longer I dance with him." Kitten has claws. "Unless you had a different dance in mind?" A slight smirk at that, one that faded, his eyes half-lidding as he watched F'lix's face. He didn't bother to suppress the small shiver, arm tightening around F'lix's waist.

His fingers found F'lix's jaw, thumb passing briefly over the man's lips. "Fatal attraction," he commented dryly, the smirk back on his face, "doesn't always go just one way." The hand traced lingeringly up the line of his jaw, into his hair, pulling back just enough to tilt the mouth. He made the kiss slow, ending it with a nip on F'lix's lower lip that was harder than most would have liked, but still didn't draw blood. His hands settled on the younger man's hips and he stepped back, keeping a small distance between them.

"You make it hard to concentrate, kitten," he stated softly, the reproach in his voice playful, even if it was mostly serious. "I wanted to ask you, but it was never the right time. We've been seeing each other for what? About five months now?" He counted from the day after Terror's hatching, when F'lix came and found his...fort. He'd never asked anyone this before, and noted with some personal amusement the strange, almost nervous feeling in his stomach. F'ur searched F'lix's eyes for a moment, as if he could somehow know the man's response by doing so before he even asked.

"What I'd like to do with the...charmer...is have him come live with me," he stated finally, the usual suggestion of laughter in his face absent.

[rii]

Pleased, very pleased. F'lix's original aim had been to simply get them away from Saboth; if only by a small distance. The blue may not speak his feelings out loud but F'lix could still feel them hovering ominously like a dark rain cloud over head. That aside, the younger rider quietly reveled in the other benefits of the situation. Both gloves off, up close with is favored person – and F'lix couldn't deny he thoroughly enjoyed the effect he could have on the older man. His own pleasure revolved around how much F'ur was enjoying himself.

"Maybe if you ask nicely he'll put the claws away," He spoke softly – whispered, actually, considering their close proximity. The use of knives had been more due to the crowd, doing something in plain sight yet so well masked no one knew any better – to take their dance from the crowd's entertainment to something more personal. Sentimental, even (of course, not to a normal person). Again that sly smile appeared at the suggestion of a different dance. His head canted inquiringly to one side, wondering exactly what idea had enter F'ur's mind; or, rather, knowing but wanting to hear it all the same.

Once upon a time F'lix use to go still at the faintest touch of another's hand in his hair. F'ur had nearly erased that reaction completely in the time they had spent together. There was no flinching, no flicker of fear in those golden eyes. Just parted lips, closing eyes and an arm curling around F'ur's back. F'lix lips twitched in a small grin at the end. The force behind the bite was like a gauge telling him just how much he had grabbed F'ur's attention.

The following words only served to perk F'lix mood even further. Another of his intentions had been to distract F'ur so the man wouldn't pester him any further about the clothes. Oh the kitten was practically purring in delight. The bluerider leaned forward, not fighting to close the distance since F'ur made a point to hold him away, but F'lix made sure to put pressure against those hands to silently voice he wanted to be close. Yet, the more F'lix listened, the more his expression slowly shifted to... thoughtful. The smile fading and general expression becoming more guarded to hide the sudden wash of unease caused solely by F'ur's serious tone. That couldn't bode well, they had been playfully teasing each other a moment ago.

Ask him something? A thread of worry assaulted F'lix and his mind instantly tried to gather the worse of possibilities to avoid being utterly devastated if one of the imagined scenarios came true. Been together five months? Was that the question? F'lix lips moved but didn't speak – what? He didn't understand. Was five months suppose to be important? Was that a long time? He didn't know, he was new to most of the general knowledge concerning relationships. Was it too long? It didn't seem that long. Altough two of those months had been the longest he had ever experienced, in truth, due to the salamandyrs keeping them with hands more or less politely to themselves.

Fingers picked at the back of F'ur's shirt as he began to stress over the fact he didn't understand what F'ur was trying to ask – thoughts could move so quickly in the span of a single moment. When the final .. question.. came, F'lix openly stared. Live with F'ur? Like.. live in his weyr.. sleep there every night instead of every few days? Did that mean moving his stuff there.. ? F'ur couldn't possibly want to spend that much time with him. F'lix had once been told that familiarity breeds contempt – the very memory enough to stab at his chest – The last thing he wanted was F'ur to get.. bored.. of him.

I will not share a ledge with Snarly. Saboth informed them both.

The sudden interjection kicked F'lix's mind back into gear. He blinked rapidly and flicked a quick glance at his dragon. Seemed Saboth had a better idea – a simplified understanding – of the situation than his overly broodish rider. Oh – oh – F'ur was probably expecting a reply. F'lix gazed thoughtfully over the F'ur's face, raising a hand to run fingers through the other's dark hair.

"He's never been asked that before." Third person still going strong. F'lix purposely ignored that it had been more of a statement than actual question. Willing to overlook that detail in the light of the current topic. He braved a smile – trying to refuse to let his mind worry if maybe the question was a trick one – "He'd be a fool to say no."

Or maybe vica versa. F'lix didn't know, but he did like the idea of living with F'ur. Scared, he privately admitted. What if F'ur really didn't want him to be there all the time? – what if this was a trick just to see if F'lix was overly clingy? – too attached to him? F'lix couldn't stop his fingers from rubbing a pinch of F'ur's shirt between the tips. Again he pressed against the hands holding his hips. He wanted to be close, please? Make his nervous jitters leave, please.

[Requiem]

The picking at the back of his shirt was a nervous action that only managed to build F'ur's mostly unacknowledged nerves up into something he very nearly had to admit. Bother. His fingers dug into the man's hips subconsciously. The bluerider's head jerked toward Saboth, eyes narrowing in reaction at the distinctly unfamiliar presence in his mind. Dragons in general didn't like to speak to any humans but Theirs, normally. What was perhaps less common was F'ur's strong aversion to having another dragon's voice in his head. He was fine with general broadcasts, but another dragon talking specifically to him always put F'ur just a bit on edge. Possibly cause it usually meant something dire was going down.

In this cause F'lix's blue apparently just felt the need to express his dislike for Inocenth. No surprise there. F'ur was pretty sure there wasn't a dragon that liked Inocenth, and the blue preferred it that way.

The hand in his hair brought his attention back to F'lix, and the butterflies back into his gut. His first response didn't sound terribly promising, and the look that had last been on the younger man's face didn't do much to convince F'ur otherwise on that score. He waited, keeping any trace of unease or disappointment from his face. The dark eyes merely continued to watch F'lix seriously, waiting - hoping - for something more than simply 'he's never been asked that before.'

Strange. It was the answer he'd been hoping for, but he didn't quite register it right away, having expected a different one. The pressure against his hands spurred him into action, F'ur pulling F'lix close at the same time that the bluerider pressed forward, deliberately throwing the younger man off balance. He grunted at the weight that collapsed against him, smirking as his hands moved around to grip F'lix's rump and keep them tight. He nipped the other bluerider's neck, growling softly. "And he's not a fool, is he?"

One hand left of F'lix's rear, tracing up his spine until it cupped the back of his head, and F'ur attacked the man's mouth passionately...until F'lix's lips were swollen under his attentions. He pulled back enough to admire that, letting his forehead fall to rest against F'lix's. "Thank you, kitten," he murmured. F'ur nipped the tip of his nose playfully. "I've never asked anyone before, either." Two of the four others he'd claimed at Fort he might have - under different circumstances - and it was true that part of the reason he hadn't asked anyone was that it would have been more than just inconvenient to do so in the north, but F'lix was still something - different. He spoke a unique language, one that few people, even those raised with the wars, spoke.

"We can always just...not tell anyone. Keep the two weyrs, use one for storage or something. Then Saboth and Inocenth can stay apart. That's probably better." Inocenth was not a friendly dragon. He wouldn't do anything too terrible - or physical - to Saboth out of respect for His, but that didn't mean he wouldn't attempt to torture the other blue in other ways. It seemed that Inocenth was a bit - jealous - of the attention being diverted from him, both by Terror and the kitten. He wasn't likely to take this new development terribly well.

[rii]

"No.." Yes. He was a fool. An utter fool. F'lix had only time enough to breath the reply to the rhetorical question before speech was no longer possible. It all had come unexpectedly. F'lix anticipated maybe a hug or something akin to a pat on the head for giving a suitable answer. F'ur coming on so strongly – while sparking a few electrical surges of pleasure through his nerves – struck F'lix as a release of tension; damned up behind mental walls and now flooding out in single wash of relief. It made F'lix feel more comfortable to think he was not the only one nervous over the question (albeit for entirely different reasons). He found the idea serious and worthy of a nervous flutter or two.

"Nn," F'lix recoiled back at the nip, shooting F'ur a harmless glare as he lifted a hand to wipe the end of his nose. He had been comfortable there too, with his forehead against the older man's; something calming about that particular position. The seemingly hostile expression quickly softened into inquiring curiosity upon being thanked. "My pleasure." An uncertain lift in his voice as his mind continued to whirl with what it would mean to live together. "But are you sure?"

Shards. F'lix felt his face heat up – he had not meant to let the question slip out. At least it had been one of the more mild ones. Still, the weak tone of voice and show of insecurity make F'lix face instantly shift into a growl. "I mean I want to, but I don't want to.. to .. " Crowd him; in a difference sense since their bodies were so far press together at the moment that only the different colors, white and black, separated their individual shapes. If F'lix was around all the time, surely F'ur would get bored all that much faster. F'lix's eyes closed half-way and dropped to watch his fingers pick at the shirt collar. F'ur made him happy, was it wrong for him to want to deny wanting to move in just so he could hopefully drag things out between them a while longer. He didn't want to lose F'ur..

Why do you do this, Mine? A touch of ice to usually calm tone. F'lix eyes narrowed, sliding off to the corners but his head not turning to fully regard his blue. Saboth dug his claws in the soil, but more or less remained lounging lazily on the shore.

Would it kill you for once to be happy for me? It kills me to watch you get hurt, and I am powerless to stop it. Worse yet that you go willingly into this. He's different. Different yet the same. He's not – I'm not the one who first made the comparisons. F'lix visibly cringed. How long was /he/ nice? .. a turn And it has only been five months with this one. How much longer will you continue with this? He lies, they all lie. He's not. Yes, because you think so clearly when around him. I was young back then. F'ur isn't anything like that. Because Inocenth is how he is because his bonded is any different. I've seen what he does. I've shown you what he's done. So I tire of these excuses. I love you Mine, but why – why?

F'lix didn't respond, and in turn Saboth whirled up onto all fours; his tail lashing angrily at the water. He pushed off and with a quick pump of his long wings he was in the sky. His ire put into the effort it took to climb higher, higher.. and just like that, the bond between the two returned to silence. Damaged. Their link was either opened or closed. It took an effort (not a big one) to be constantly connected.

So much for the idea of going back to the Weyr. At least Saboth hadn't slipped into the water instead, that might have ruined the items in the pack. Small blessing, that. The blue really just had his best interests in mind. Really. Forgetting what he had been trying to say before, F'lix did his best to push it all aside. "Did you still want to eat? Have a little more to celebrate about now, hm?"

[Requiem]

Was he sure? He looked at F'lix incredulously, the joy dipping back down into something that was more like...resignation. So then. The kitten wasn't at all certain after all, was he? F'ur didn't want to make him uncomfortable - and he certainly didn't want F'lix agreeing just because he felt he had to. If it was too soon, they could wait, right? F'ur didn't think it was too soon, but...he had a better idea of what worked and what didn't. He knew that unless something very strange and significant happened, this was going somewhere, and would likely last. Or maybe he was just completely infatuated. The truth was, he'd never been so fascinated by a partner before. He loved just watching F'lix. Listening to him. Dancing, in multiple definitions of the word. He felt more content than...ever, really. And yes, he wanted him all to himself as often as possible. Maybe he was blinded.

His head tilted to one side curiously, in silent encouragement to continue, but F'lix became distracted. By Saboth, clearly. Was he still going on about not wanting to be near Inocenth? The expression on F'lix's face didn't seem to indicate a particularly pleasant conversation, and neither did the clawing motions from the blue. F'ur found himself snugging the younger man tighter against him in a gesture that could only be called possessive. Whatever had the dragonpair so intense, however, seemed to keep F'lix from noticing - though F'ur wasn't attempting to distract him so he didn't mind. He just was not about to let the man go simply because Saboth was throwing a fit.

And a fit it most definitely was. The blue exploded into the air, and F'ur was fairly sure that if he didn't have F'lix right up against him, Saboth wouldn't be making any special attempts to keep from knocking him flat on his ass. "I take it he doesn't approve," the older man commented dryly. Stating the obvious, in an attempt to relieve tension. Whatever it was, F'lix seemed bothered.

"I always want to eat," F'ur responded, it was more of a dismissive statement than an affirmative, particularly considering he didn't let F'lix go. It didn't seem to matter to him that they no longer had a blue dragon masking them from the curious. His hand found F'lix's chin, and he frowned down at him. "Do we? F'lix, if you're not comfortable with it, I don't want you moving in just because you think I'll be upset or something if you say no. I want you there, but I'm willing to wait until you're ready to make that step, too." Said with the supreme confidence of someone who was utterly certain that this would be the case.

"What is it that you don't want to do?" Because if it was something simple that was hanging F'lix up, F'ur would much rather remove it. Yes, he was willing to wait, but that didn't mean he wouldn't prefer to have his kitten at hand now.