Aeonian [Legolas]

22

Viridis immersed himself in the silence as he washed and dressed, bracing himself for that something he always felt, the same something he could never forget in a million years. It felt like safety, it felt like home as yet- it felt like something else entirely.

When he stepped out into the main room feeling cleaner than he had in months, it was to find Legolas gazing at the Mori Twins. Viridis felt bare without them but he didn't find himself itching to reach for them either. There was no threat in this place, that much Viridis did know.

The prince had relieved himself of the confining travel clothes and protective armor of thin garments that looked nothing more than the average tunic. They laid meticulously folded on the corner of Viridis' old bed and Viridis eyed the pile for little more than a second. But that second was just long enough to see the ring of latchkeys placed delicately within the confines of the second outermost pocket, just barely glinting against the yellow-toned light that illuminated the room.

"Feeling better?" The Prince said, speaking as he pulled his gaze away from the blades.

"Much," Viridis said though he had told a lie. If he were to speak the truth, he would have confessed the feelings of suffocation that had washed over him in the second it took him to relive the life he could have lived if he had not left.

Legolas nodded mutedly and paced toward him, gesturing for the other Elf to sit on a chair bestowed before a writing desk with odd scratches of feathered pens etched onto its surface. Viridis sat without another word and let Legolas touch that of which was utmost sacred to him. His hair, silk and clean wove expertly through Legolas' fingertips as he worked, the silence that followed far from suffocating. It was almost welcome. Viridis felt he could breathe and for a striking moment, he realized it was the first time he had felt such peace.

Braiding was an intimate form of bonding; a sacred act practiced by long-term partners or those who wished to show deeper means of connection. But as Viridis sat still and let Legolas braid, he felt it only resembled something acutely normal and familiar, like it was nothing more than a conversation passing between them through ways that went beyond just words.

It was a simple thank you when Legolas had finished after some time, amber hair drawn back in intricate braids so beautifully subtle they looked like they were crafted by the finest talisman alive. Elvish-tipped ears stood out against the side of his head and Viridis could feel the air brush against them, almost as if welcoming him home.

A simple press of lips to the blond's temple and Viridis was pulling away, bidding the prince a good night's rest as he stood back, hand clutched at his side as he watched the door close between the two forgotten friends once more.

A sigh escaped Viridis' lips the moment he could no longer hear retreating footsteps and it was like a mask was slipping. Not off, but back on. He had let himself become too distracted with Legolas; had let himself indulge in the feelings he had buried so long ago. And if he were to fight a dragon, then all-consuming thoughts of blue eyes and warm smiles were not going to help.

A single key slipped from a closed palm and in between delicate fingertips, the edges of the crafted material rubbing finely against calloused tips. A kiss to the temple and a wandering hand and the key had slipped off easily from its ring buried within the outer pocket that Legolas had shed when the night had just started.

Viridis wondered briefly if the Prince would notice its absence-- wondered even more if he would do anything if he did and if, after all of that, he had planted the chain in the open on purpose.

Viridis rid his mind of the questions as he strode over to the large wood-crafted door, tucking the key into his pocket and hovering his hand over the door handle-- his other, over the table the Mori Twins had been poised on.