How wonderful life is while you're in the world

[leitstern]

Where: Heliodor.
When: Four months into reconstruction.
Summary: Little moments of comfort.

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Heady Days

[leitstern]

[Jasper closes his eyes for a moment to better focus on his reading. Words fade and pulse before his eyes, forcing him to close pages and rest his mind. It is difficult to muster up the energy to stir from his place of rest. A collection of silk pillows, stuffed with feathers and down, bolster his head and keep him content. One arm holds him immobile, fingers of a broad hand spread across his stomach. He drifts out of consciousness but the fingers of another begin stroking his hair; slightly brushing his ear before combing through his fringe. Two deep breaths and he's reminding himself he isn't supported by cushions at all.

He feels knees and legs shift beneath him, the hand on his stomach stroking in circles. The fingers combing his fringe leave him soothed and settled, only to begin stroking the crown of his head, prompting him to crack open both eyes. The first thing he sees is the patterned ceiling. The last thing he hears is the crackling of the fire.

Gingerly, he rebalances his book against his legs. It wobbles and falls one way as he moves; collapsing his right knee he balances it against his left. Then he directs his eyes up to the right and watches Hendrik watching him.]

[standvastig]

[The key to all of this was keeping calm. Fortunately for Hendrik, keeping calm around Jasper has grown steadily easier again after the rather nerve-wracking first few days of their new relationship.

He'd first seen Jasper starting to sink to one side while they read on his chaise, spending the evening relaxing in each other's company. Easing an arm around him was almost an unconscious reaction at that point and, when Jasper did not complain, he carefully guided him down. That was perhaps the boldest part of the entire situation -- getting that far.

Playing with his friend's hair comes easily, if simply because it's right there and it's a clear point of comfort and pride for him. Reaching to stroke his stomach, though...

Well. That was just whimsy. And a moment of absolutely no fear.

They continue like that, the weather increasingly starting to cool and requiring a fire in the hearth into the evening. It makes it all the more reason to share a bit of body heat.]

Falling asleep?

[leitstern]

[Eyes flicker down and close once more. Jasper feels himself sinking further into the chaise, into Hendrik's comfortable lap. Breath tickles the delicate skin on his forehead, forcing him to fidget and focus, lulling him into silence. The gentle rise and fall of his stomach is softly resisted - weighed down by a palm whose fingers stretch and spread. He thinks about them a great deal, every point of contact a mental tease.

One of his arms untangles and lifts over his friend's; opening his book and turning the page. There is a smile on his face, a certain amount of fun in being contradictory and contrary.]

Only so much as you are reading, friend.

[He massages the corner of the page between thumb and forefinger. There is a warmth in this relationship more passionate than the fire. It relaxes him and keeps his eyes closed.]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik doesn't quite pause in what he's doing at Jasper's comment, but there is a subtle slowing in his fingers as he thinks on what was said.]

It is admittedly difficult to do something like that right now. But there are other ways to enjoy a pleasant evening.

[His fingers, thick and callused as they are, offer little finesse as he curls the tips of Jasper's fringe towards his ear, intending to tuck them behind it.]

[leitstern]

Are there, now?

[Jasper opens his eyes and watches Hendrik striving to fix his hair. His touch is hardly graceful, a butterfingers scooping up strands, but the attempt is sound and sees him utter no criticism. It is rewarded with compliance; no turning of his head at the last second.]

Then why not share them?

[standvastig]

[He hums at the questions asked in short order, smiling faintly as he moves his hand to some of the loose tresses towards the back of Jasper's head. His hand follows the them down to his friend's exposed neck, testing how light he can manage a caress.]

Truthfully, I thought I was. But perhaps you are already familiar with this? At least on a ... theoretical level.

[leitstern]

[Fingers wander down and he twists his neck, turning his face and curling his shoulder. His posture seems defiant but he clearly remains comfortable enough to lie still - snug on a bed of roses - and to not complain.]

Not entirely, I dare say, but you are working at it so earnestly that I certainly will be.

[standvastig]

Mm. It is ... well, I suppose it is a common idea to pose in stories I have read. The hero of the story resting in the lap of their childhood friend or beloved and reminiscing. A quiet moment in between exciting battles and quests.

[Though he had never imagined himself in the role of the lady in said books, it was easy enough to accept in a situation like this.]

It is usually an outdoor scene, though.

[leitstern]

[Childhood playmates. Beloved friends. Though slight by anyone's standards, there is a change in Jasper's demeanour. His thoughtful regard for his friend's words spreads across his face. He settles in introspection and his brow furrows. Without their history of being torn apart what would have been?

After a few moments, he resettles his head.]

I imagine you will usher me outside once the weather improves in a day or two, then?

[The first observation? Completely ignored. He is nobody to regard as a hero.]

Sunny Afternoon

[leitstern]

[There are no places with better views than the ridges and hills south of the city. From the sycamore trees and sweet peas, to the coneflowers dotted within tall grass blanketing the land, one can see nature thriving as they walk. Galloping hooves clobber through pasture, pressing the grass into the earth.

Jasper worries about none of it - his impromptu race with his friend more important - and in a second considers what lies ahead. Rolling meadows and rising hills. His smiling opponent who looks in a pleasant mood. The flowering oak in the distance they're bolting towards. He squeezes his mare with his calves and falls upon him swiftly, falling in step next to Obsidian before cutting past in a straight line. He knows his mare prefers lingering behind and bolting at the last second, and so tries blocking the way ahead by keeping in Hendrik's lane.

His voice carries back.]

You are slow, old boy.

[Is he talking to Hendrik or his horse?]

[standvastig]

[It's been a good few weeks now since Hendrik's managed some time outside to properly ride Obsidian, and it shows in the stallion's enthusiasm taking to the dirt paths beyond the walls of the city.

It's no wonder he's game to a race with Jasper's much younger mare. Hooves beating against the hard earth as strong legs blow through spindly bushes and wildflowers.

Hendrik snorts at the comment called back to him, unsurprised that Obsidian also reacts and charges forth. But though he is a powerful horse, he is also an older horse, and his speed flags in the face of another sprint.

Hendrik gives his horse a firm pat before petting his neck, smiling at Jasper.]

A fine race. We shall have to have another sometime.

[leitstern]

[Jasper and his mare stand together on the ridge, looking towards the afternoon sun. Memories tickle the thoughts at the front of his mind; sitting before the oak tree as boys and fooling around. Better years, better times. It is difficult to miss the introspective look on his face, even as he dismounts his horse.

She stands there in silence, white as his mare of old. His hands clench by his sides before he shakes his shirt, clearing himself of sweat and kicked-up earth.]

Of course. I shall have no peace otherwise.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik follows Jasper in dismounting, again petting Obsidian's neck before starting to lead him the rest of the way up to the oak tree. Part of him is surprised that the tree remains in spite of the chaos that had wracked the region with the gathered army of monsters between the ruins of Heliodor and the Last Bastion.

But mostly he is glad -- relieved that some part of their shared childhood remains intact.

There are scars to the wood as he walks closer, showing the tree had survived what was likely a large fire that razed the grass and brush around it. The vegetation around seems young, possibly in its first year or two of growth.

He stops, feeling Obsidian pull at his reins, and looks back at the horse. Obsidian flicks his ears at him, and Hendrik sighs before releasing him. The horse immediately walks off to one side to start eating at a thicker bunch of grass away from the tree, leaving Hendrik to walk the rest of the way alone.]

Come now, you enjoyed it as well. Your taunts make that obvious.

[leitstern]

[The fact Obsidian veers off makes no difference to Jasper - who laughs at his obstinance while guiding his mare over thick roots and solid rocks. He closes his eyes for a moment and listens to the sound of hooves and feet traipsing through the fresh grass. Hendrik's resound somewhere behind; his friendly banter a reminder they were not always close. The oak stands as a tantamount reminder of the destruction that had rained down before things could regrow.

He thinks about this a great many times as he parks his beast upon the ridge and leaves her to munch some virgin grass. It was a destruction he was responsible for, and now the signs are there only when one knows where to look. Nature almost culpable in covering over his crimes. His voice still carries some of its earlier confidence though it sounds more subdued.]

As you wish to tell me. I thought they were words of encouragement.

[standvastig]

[Reaching the ridge takes awhile longer on foot, but Hendrik is up to the task after the exhilaration of the brief race. It also allows him to enjoy the breeze that stirs the leaves of the tree and the plants around the area.]

Obsidian may beg to differ.

[He finishes making his way to join Jasper, standing beside him and following his gaze.]

You are thinking about more than the race, I presume?

[He's hoping his friend is in the mood to volunteer information rather than Hendrik having to ask more specific questions.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper hardly responds to the refreshing breeze. It registers in his thoughts but he remains distracted by the rolling countryside. His brows twitch slightly at the question, the serious topic demanding his attention. Perhaps because he is in a thoughtful mood he responds.]

I am wondering about my old horse, I must admit.

[He doesn't continue for a second, finding it hard to remember her. Fondness he would have felt before, before, well...]

One of these days I might stand here and remember more than being so cruel as to leave her to die.

[standvastig]

[Ah. The tense of look of concentration had tipped him off that Jasper was in fact not relaxing (as was the purpose of their trip), leading to his question. But now...]

Do you remember what you were thinking of at that time?

[The question comes with a little bit of curiosity, but he also hopes to know that it wasn't a conscious decision on Jasper's part.]

Hendrik's Birthday

[leitstern]

[September goes the same way as August. One of them enquiring how the other wishes to celebrate - their answers hard going because neither of them enjoy lazy afternoons. Hendrik, stern and tactiturn as ever, had taken some coaxing. His preferred methods for which range from soft encouragement to impatiently putting his friend on the spot. He crosses his arms and drops his overnight bag by his ankles, reclining calmly against the door.

Hendrik had closed it moments ago. He had opened it with a funny, innocent smile brightening his face. At first, it had been awkward to accept, sleeping in the same room, not as comrades or companions but lovers. It had been difficult to imagine sharing the same bed. The fact he has managed to come this far boils down to admiring the man - and knowing strange situations cease being unfamiliar.

The thought Hendrik has made an effort also brings him peace.]

How do you like wearing proper clothes past eight? Feels different, does it not?

[He had expected Hendrik to make an effort. Greeting him in his boxers would sure have made the atmosphere uncomfortably hot.]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik is a man of simple desires. He doesn't ask for much, and rarely has ideas of what he may want when the questions comes his way. So when questions about his birthday come around, he has no immediate answer. It's truly a surprise he manages to put together an idea in a timely manner.

So here they are. It's already evening, and he can't help but think it's just a little strange that Jasper has to pack a bag to sleep across the hall from his own bedroom. But there's also a tiny part of him that takes some delight in the secrecy, able to enjoy something with Jasper that others are not privy to in any way.

That's what keeps him smiling in spite of the awkwardness of Jasper's teasing. Wearing a loose white shirt and dark bottoms is definitely a change over his usual "attire" for sleep.]

Quite different. But it is not a bothersome change.

[With the door shut behind them, Hendrik leans down to briefly kiss his best friend.]

I, ah... I am grateful you did not make too much of my request.

[leitstern]

[Jasper leans back and braces himself with one hand against the door. The universe itself closes in, pressuring from above, pressing against him with love and tenderness. One of his eyes begins to close. The other follows. Both arms raise when his hands search for Hendrik's arms - dropping at the last second to nervously smooth his own trousers. White silk bottoms that cut close to the leg. A shirt cut from the same cloth rustles as he shifts his weight between his feet.

When he looks up at Hendrik, he feels his entire body stiffen. The look on his face soon changes; from a rabbit caught in the light to a wolf looking at game.]

I was tempted, I must admit. I have always loved watching you sweat.

[He stands there for several moments with a reluctance to share how many times he's watched such things.]

[standvastig]

Have you? I always presumed you disliked it, with your much more fastidious ... composure.

[Hendrik's smile dips into the slightly apologetic, both for the assumption and struggles with wording. He turns his attention to Jasper's bag, which he picks up to carry closer to his bed space.

Though his room does not often look messy, thanks to the maids' diligence, he's taken a few extra steps in preparation for the evening. Flowers at the short lounge table, new sheets on the bed, a conspicuously arranged set of weapons in the corner closest to his desk.]

[leitstern]

Come Hendrik, you know I appreciate hard work.

[For the first time since stepping foot inside, Jasper peeks and peeps at every sight and sound, coming away from the door. There is a curiosity about him that is deeper than sharing close quarters with a friend. He meanders around Hendrik, nosily investigating his living space, driven by curiosity to approach the flowers. Dipping too close he retreats back, flicking pollen from his nose.

Fresh linen. Polished weapons. Both handled with care. His own presence handled with care. He slides his hands across his stomach and positions them at his hips.]

Upon my word, I have never witnessed you graft harder.

[Does he approve? Yes.]

[standvastig]

[While Jasper inspects his room, Hendrik places the bag on the end of the bed. He doesn't know what's in it (if he had to guess, probably a brush?), but it doesn't seem completely out of place where he's placed it.

And then he's joining Jasper in the center of the room, lips twitching at the corners at the comment.]

Graft? Is it a crime to clean up in preparation for company?

[It's the flowers, isn't it? A little too much.]

[leitstern]

[One step closer and the two of them are no longer standing within arm's length. Jasper's fingers pick at the hem of Hendrik's shirt, inspecting it for thickness. They wait before releasing, rising to smooth it before retreating when they press against a firm stomach. His next move is to hurriedly smooth down his friend's shoulders.

He holds his breath and pauses for a moment - and tips his head back to stare up, eye to eye.]

No - but for you it is suspicious to be sure!

[His own lips are twitching, a smile arising before he's swallowing it to hide his amusement.]

[standvastig]

[The shirt Hendrik wears is loose without being flimsy, sturdy without being too thick for a particularly warm night. He watches with a curious eye as Jasper touches his shirt and then presses against his body with the thin layer of clothing as a barrier. The movements are a little too quick to be languid, too firm to be teasing.

So he's soon reaching for his friend's hands, loosely holding them with thumbs on the knuckles and thick fingers cupping underneath.]

It is fine to touch. You seem somewhat--

[Nervous? Not quite that bad.]

--unsure.