Uneasy Alliance (A Roleslaying with Roman story)

The Feelings

"I think he'd look good in blue, what do you think?"

"I don't know, you're better at this kind of stuff than I am."

"Yeah, but you know what he likes better."

"Doesn't mean he has good taste."

"What are you talking about? He looks amazing!"

Roman and Youngblood continued to bicker over what clothes to get for Noise as Roman flitted between the racks and stands, like a bird trying to find the perfect materials to build its nest.

"I think I'm gonna go with a silver and light blue combination. It'll really bring out his eye and compliment all the... you know.. purple." He turned to Youngblood and waved his hand in front of his own face in a circular motion before taking a pale blue tunic off of one of the hangers and putting it over his arm. Youngblood gave the room a sweeping glance before doing a double-take and uncrossing his arms. He strode across the store, stopping in front of a shoe shelf.

"Hey, Roman?" he called over his shoulder, keeping his eyes on the masterpieces he had found.

"Yeah?"

"Come here and look at this."

Roman groaned and flopped his head back. He put the thick, midnight blue doublet that he had been looking at back on its hanger and walked over to Youngblood, who was crouched beside the fanciest, most regal-looking pair of boots he had ever seen.  The boots were made with deep black fabric that had deep, intricate blue patterns of all shades crawling up all the way to where the knees of the person wearing them would be. Sliver, white, and black rhinestones were speckled throughout the waves of blue, making the patterns look like the night sky. Metallic silver laces were delicately woven up the fronts, tied into neat, symmetrical bows. The toe boxes of the boots had a thin, slightly darker and shinier covering that slimmed to three points that framed the flat part of the boot. The top of the boots had a similar triangular pattern, forming a frame that reached higher than the knees. The soles were thick and authoritative, with an intricate, ripple-like pattern on the bottom.

Roman managed a low whistle, astounded by the sight. Youngblood nodded in agreement and a grin broke out on his face. "Noise is going to love these."

Roman knelt down and looked at the price scrawled onto a small piece of paper attached to one of the boots. He hissed between his teeth and cringed slightly. "We can afford it, but it'll be a stretch."

Youngblood shook his head dismissively. "It's fine. We can find a job over the winter if we really need money."

Roman smiled and nodded. "Well that's it then. I've got everything else set up. Multiple outfits for any kind of weather, as well as something to wear when we need to do laundry."

Youngblood nodded as well and picked up the boots, going up with Roman to the checkout.

Noise was awake and seemed to be in much better shape when the two arrived. He greeted them with a smile and tilted his head curiously at the bag tucked in Youngblood's arm. Youngblood smiled fondly and sat on the edge of the cot beside Noise. Noise's reaction when he saw what they had gotten him was nothing like what they expected. They thought they were going to get a small, bashful smile hidden behind his hair, but instead, the tiefling squealed quietly when he laid his eyes on the spoils that the boys had brought him, and pulled them both into a tight hug. He pulled away and beamed at them, thanking them over and over before slowly getting up to change. Youngblood smiled softly and watched him. It was just like the old days.

Noise was able to walk now, but he was still unsteady on his feet, and he walked with a pronounced limp. Youngblood finally took pity on the poor creature and went over to help him. He brought Noise's arm up over his shoulder and led him over to the bathroom door. Noise mumbled his thanks in embarrassment and went in.

Roman lit up as Noise stepped out, wearing his new clothes. He had been correct, Noise looked absolutely stunning in blue. Youngblood felt a strange fluttering sensation in his chest as he stepped back to get a full view of Noise, a feeling he had long since forgotten. The simplicity and looseness of the outfit, especially the shirt, reminded Youngblood strongly of how Noise used to dress before the two had been separated. They hadn't given him the boots yet, as they were waiting for him to be able to walk stably before they gave them to him, but Youngblood could tell that they would make him absolutely glow. The buzzing feeling in Youngblood's chest wasn't helped by the fact that Roman was radiating awe beside him.

"You look amazing, Noise!" Roman squealed, moving forwards to pull Noise into a tight hug. Youngblood chuckled and walked over to ruffle Noise's hair. Noise squeaked and tried to push them off, giggling and squirming.

"I've got to agree with you, Youngblood," Roman mused thoughtfully, stepping back and looking Noise up and down, "What was it you said?  'The sooner we get him out of those clothes, the better'?"

Noise looked up at Youngblood with raised eyebrows. Youngblood's face flushed. "You know that's not what I meant.." he mumbled.

Noise grinned slyly. "Do I?"

He leaned over and rested against Youngblood's arm, a teasing glint in his eye. Youngblood smiled back and swept Noise off his feet in one strong, fluid motion, winning another surprised squeak from the tiefling. Youngblood carried Noise back over to his cot and set him down gently. He looked up at Roman to see the human trying to strike up a conversation with his gaze.

Should we tell him?

No, not yet.

How long do you think it'll take for him to heal?

I don't know, but he seems a lot better now...

Noise turned over onto his side and started to mess with his own hair, trying to curl it around his fingers. Youngblood watched him out of the corner of his eye, losing all interest in the nonverbal conversation he was having with Roman. Roman noticed, of course, and, completely clueless, blurted out, "Why are you staring at Noise?"

Youngblood recoiled and tore his gaze away from Noise quickly, silently cursing Roman for bringing attention to it. He could feel Noise staring at him, but didn't give him the opportunity to say anything. "..I'm going out for some air.."

Youngblood stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets after pulling his hood up to hide the sides of his face as he turned. He walked out and leaned against the wall outside. It had snowed for the first time the night before, and the ground was covered in a thin white powder. The cold, crisp air stung at Youngblood's nose as he took a deep breath. The snow crunched below his feet as he walked towards the forest on the outskirts of the town. Half of the trees were still had some of their bright oranges and yellows, but the forest was slowly transitioning to fit the cold emptiness of the season.

As he walked into the woods, Youngblood suddenly felt a slight unease and looked around cautiously. A biting chill ran down his spine, much more gripping than the cold around him. He felt eyes on him and drew his sword as a warning. When nothing happened, Youngblood slowly and cautiously sheathed his sword and leaned back against a tree. He started to hum to himself, creating a thin cloud of blue smoke that casted a comfortable warmth over him. He closed his eyes and let it set in, taking in the peace and calm of the forest.