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Candles were nearly puddles of wax in the small hut. Ogrim stopped scraping at the bones of one of his and Mato’s catches to fiddle with the candle holder.
“It’s nearly lights out, dear.” Ogrim placed down the carcass in the way Mato taught him. It wasn’t urgent that he finish putting it together, the decay was at a point where it was just a pile of bones. The smell or mess was a worry for Mato no longer. Never was for Ogrim.
What was a worry for Ogrim was Mato attempting to teach himself something new. He would swing his nail and kept looking down at his footing with frustration as he corrected it minutely.
This wasn’t a bad thing. The bad thing was Mato would always dive into trying something new and keep trying for hours upon hours until he gets it consistently.
Mato didn’t acknowledge Ogrim pointing out the state of the candles, continuing to mock swing at the air.
Ogrim wasn’t sure what technique he was working at. He’s held a nail before, once or twice. At least, he attempted to. They were honestly quite difficult if you asked him.
Ogrim blew out the candle and stood up.
Mato spun the nail in his hand and swung it again. He shifted his stance and swung again. He was startled out of his bubble when Ogrim’s claws wrapped around him. One rested on his shoulder and the other lowered his nail.
Ogrim leaned in and spoke softly. “It’s time to sleep.”
Mato pulled back a bit, blinking in surprise. “Already? Oh, but I almost have it!” He bemoaned his progress. He mentally chastised himself for working slowly.
“I think I will stay up a bit later, I am so scarily close to getting this down!”
Ogrim knew Mato always had that eye bag under his eyes no matter how rested he was but he couldn’t help but look at them when taking that in.
“I think it would be in your best interest to take a rest on this for a while, yes?”
“Well, yes, but-”
Ogrim gently touched his claw to his face, shushing Mato.
“I know you are close. However, you will still be close when you awaken. Your skill will not vanish!” Ogrim tapped his forehead, trying to cram the common sense in. Mato sighed and he put his nail down with a short clink.
“You’re right.” Mato hugged Ogrim back. They shared a brief touch of the forehead. “Go sleep in your burrow tonight. I need some time to wind down, if that's alright with you.” Mato said when they pulled apart, holding each other hand in claw.
“That's quite alright. Rest well.” Ogrim nodded, letting go of Mato. He was about to make his leave, but he took not two steps before turning Mato’s head back towards him for an extra kiss.
“I love you.”
“I love you more! Rest well too..” Mato smiled sleepily at him. Ogrim chuckled in a way that always warmed Mato’s heart as he left the hut.
Mato sighed as the hut slowly lost the spark and fell into a somnolent quiet. He yawned as he sank to the floor, crossing his legs. He bowed his head and tried to clear his mind.
He breathed deeply letting the darkness around him become comfortable.
Relax...sleep...relax…
“Maybe I need to use my other hand to get the swing right.”
He shook his head, frustrated at himself again. Clear your mind, Mato. Clear it and rest. Clear it and get into bed.
Sleep...relax...
“Mmmghhh...but I can get it now! I can get it tonight!”
His hands left his sides and cradled his head. He sighed and opened his eyes. He looked up at the glass letting the natural light in. It was the only light left in the hut as all the candles were burnt out.
He rubbed between his eyes, head turning to his nail. He picked it up again.
“Three more tries then I’ll sleep.”
He took his stance and swung. He swung again. Adjust the footing. Swung again.
Again.
..One more time. Just once more!
---
Ogrim slept soundly in his burrow. The cliffs were much more dry than the waterways so it was a strange place to build his habitat in. Hard, but rewarding as it slowly sunk deeper into the cliffs. He wished deeply it was less thin but that changed each day.
His snoring and muttering names of the past and present slowly faded as he was eased awake with time. He stretched his legs and claws, the pile of dung he rested upon smoothing out. He stared at the ceiling, unconsciously fiddling with the ground.
“Time to get going. Time to get up and have a new day. Let’s get up now post-haste!”
He kept staring at the ceiling for a moment, blinking slowly. He sat up lazily, clicking a bit.
He stretched once more, humming loudly. “Come to life, Ogrim, c’mon.” He encouraged his tired brain. He toyed with the dung, sculpting it out of old habit.
Sparring with Mato after a nice breakfast together always got him going! Ogrim smiled a bit at the thought. Mato had a special way of making sparring fun and enriching and he doesn't even have to dribble himself! That's some dang fun sparring in it of itself but Mato made it all the more better!
Who knew this man with his comforting presence, uproarious laughter to match Ogrim's, and general approachable attitude despite being surrounded by death would make this old knight's heart soar?
He looked down at his claws and saw a half finished statue resembling Mato forming within them. He blushed a bit, chuckling at himself.
“You soft old fool..” He made fun of himself, picking up the statue and moving it aside. He stood up, stretching once more and left the burrow. He made sure to flick himself clean before going far.
Mato kept an extra full bucket of water at the door for him to wash up a bit with and whatever he didn't use for hydration was used to make his burrow hospitable. Ogrim always made sure to take it to the burrow, even when Mato had to call for his memory to be jogged. So he was already feeling much more refreshed after splashing that over his armor and face.
Food and jovial combat would only make the day that much better! Ogrim was buzzing with excitement as he made his way up the cliffs to Mato’s hut. The wind hardly deterred his jubilance as he quickly made his way down the thin corridor that led into the rooms.
He expected to wake Mato up as per their routine, but when he excitedly pulled the curtain away he saw the nailmaster sitting on the floor.
“Hello Mato!” He called, voice naturally projecting across the entire room in an instant.
Mato’s posture was a touch off in a way that concerned Ogrim a bit. He wasn’t meditating. Ogrim looked to the side and saw he was still holding his nail.
“Oh-ho, you were getting an early training start, huh?”
Mato let out a long hum. A long, guilty hum. That tipped Ogrim off even harder.
“How long have you been awake, beloved?” He asked, keeping his voice loud and clear but with a soft inflection.
Mato’s guilty hum grew longer.
“Mato, how long have you been awake?” His voice was a touch louder and scolding, but not cruel.
Mato let go of the nail and put his head in his hands. His guilty hum became a disappointed moan.
“Nailmaster Mato: Have you not slept at all trying to get that technique?!” Ogrim took a step forward, feeling anger born of extreme care and concern.
“Nooo…” Mato admitted with a sickly, tired groan. Ogrim couldn't help but let out a loud sigh and couldn't stop himself from asking, “Did you even get it?”
“Noooo….i didn’t….” Before Ogrim could continue, Mato beat him to it. “I didn’t get it. I don’t get anything!” Mato gripped his headband, loosening it significantly. Ogrim watched this outburst in stunned silence.
“You know, I just don’t- I don't understand!” Mato said, flopping his arms down and turning to Ogrim. He moved and sat on his legs, grabbing his nail to hold it out. He looked incredibly angry, but only with himself.
“Nothing can just come to me, you know? I can’t just learn it, I have to study for hours upon days upon eons and that's just if it ever decides to click! Why can’t it just click!” Mato tossed the nail on the ground, not caring about how loud it clattered. He put his hand on the floor for a moment, contemplative. He curled into himself, holding the loose headband. As fast as his anger boiled over it subsided.
“...Why am I slow…?” Mato covered his eyes, letting out a sigh. Ogrim was sitting at his side in an instant, claws wrapped around him. “Oh-ho...no...Mato...You are not slow..”
Mato didn’t uncover his face, merely mumbling, “...yes i am…” Ogrim’s claws ran across his back, petting the back of his head.
“You’re tired and burnt out, my love. Your dedication and drive are so strong but you must be kinder to yourself…” Ogrim gave Mato a squeeze and rubbed their horns together. If Mato wasn’t interested in being kind towards himself, Ogrim would show it in spades.
“I take it you haven’t eaten during your fervid training session, hm?”
Mato was silent, but he shook his head. Ogrim hated seeing him so tired but he knew this was one thing fixed with time.
“I think there's some meat and mushrooms leftover from our last hunt. I will gladly warm it for us.” Ogrim gave him one extra squeeze before standing.
He went over to the huts cooking nook and took his time starting the fire. He never needed flame in the waterways. He could eat all of this raw and be just fine.
Mato, however, cannot eat raw food in excess so despite the fact it was slightly difficult with his claws the food will be cooked.
Mato tiredly watched Ogrim nudge around firewood, getting small flames started. “Can...do you got that..?”
Ogrim grabbed Mato’s pan and looked at him. “Mato, I have fought many a gruesome battle and led charges in the frontlines. I can start a fire, tear up some mushrooms and toss meat in a pan.” He highlighted his point by putting the pan on top of the fire.
Mato yawned a bit, too tired to argue with the cross beetle.
Ogrim opened a bin and pulled out wrapped vengefly Mato had cut into cubes the day before. Perfect! Ogrim hummed to himself as he slapped the meat into the pan and literally tore apart the mushrooms with his claws. The caps were squished but it all sizzled in the pan the same. While that cooked, Ogrim used the fire to light their candles. Their time and rhythm were already a bit messed up but teetering off a system was no cause to throw the whole thing out.
“I assume you’re too tired for a spar so today we will stay inside. After we eat, you can get some sleep.” Ogrim gave the meat and veggies a toss. Vengefly tended to cook very fast given the meat was so small and thin. Mato hummed, putting his head in one hand.
“No. I shouldn’t.”
“ Nailmaster, If you think I’ll allow you to keep torturing yourself with-”
“No, No...No, I’m done for right now, I’m just-” Mato yawned again. “-if i go to sleep now my entire schedule will be backwards. Complete opposite of yours. I have to stay up to-” He blinked a bit, shaking his head. “I have to keep awake ‘til you sleep so I do not sleep too long.”
“Hmmm...dear, I do see your logic and I understand it! However, you should really get some rest regardless...Even just laying down and not sleeping will make you feel so much better.” Ogrim gave him a look of concern as he was grabbing two wooden bowls.
Mato shook his head. “I will try to keep awake and if I start to fail, then I will lay down.” Mato waved his hand but it was cut off by Ogrim using both claws to plop the bowl of warm meat into them.
Mato looked into the bowl and saw the charred meat didn’t look half bad for what it was.
“..Thank you.” He said, putting the bowl on the ground. He removed his wrist armor to slide off his glove. Ogrim sat next to him, leaning on him a bit. They ate quietly. Mato slowly picked at the meat with his fingers while Ogrim ate like he was drinking soup. Safe to say Ogrim’s food vanished. He slid his bowl away and had some thinking to do in regards to his partner's physical and mental health.
Mato was rather torpid, eating one little bit at a time. Ogrim decided to attempt to convince him a bit more, and if it didn't work he'd just let the brick wall be. “Are you sure you don’t want to lay down for a bit? I won’t permit you to sleep for too long, I promise!”
Mato removed his hand from under his mask and shook his head again. “You keep your promises well but I won’t take the chance. Thank you, though.”
“..Alright.” Ogrim nodded, not thrilled about these answers. “What would you like to do to keep you awake?” The exception in that statement was left unsaid but very clear.
“I’m...not sure.” Mato sighed, attempting to not yawn again. “I do not have much energy for anything. I suppose I could watch you finish putting your piece together and talk…” He tapped the side of his bowl, looking at the food left at the bottom. He took one more handful of food and put his glove back on. He put his wrist cuff on and yawned again.
“Well, I guess we can do that, but hear me when I say rest will find you soon!” Ogrim stood up and wondered how he could make Mato more comfortable without straight up throwing him into bed.
He could do that and he wouldn't lie if he said it didn’t cross his mind. He resisted this and opted to bring his work in progress to the floor with Mato. He delicately placed the bones on the floor, and had another idea. He went to Mato’s bed and gathered all the pillows Mato collected into his claws.
Ogrim was a crafter by nature. He tunneled and sculpted and enjoyed every bit of it. Right now, he was sculpting comfort for his love by stacking the pillows behind him to said love’s amusement. Mato gave him a small sad chuckle when Ogrim sat down looking rather pleased with himself.
Ogrim bent over the pile of bones and studied them. This passion was Mato’s but after assisting him with it Ogrim found he rather enjoyed the puzzle.
“So…” Ogrim picked up the skull and turned it over. “Do you have anything in particular you wish to speak about..?”
Mato was staring away, sunk a bit into the pillows. He took a couple seconds to process Ogrim’s question.
“Oh- uh…” Mato gave his face a couple of pats and sat straighter. Mato looked around for a moment. He tried to find something in the room to fuel his sluggish mind.
He had no stories about the floor or ceiling.
He didn’t wish to continue talking about the nail. The thought filled him with the lingering frustration that his fatigue stamped away.
His gaze stopped on the bones Ogrim was messing with.
“I...still remember my first kill I kept up here.” He pointed at Ogrim’s project.
“Go on.” Ogrim said, trying to fit its ribcage back together. It cracked under the pressure but he didn't care that much. Sometimes boyfriends don't sleep and rib cages crack.
Usually this prompted Mato to launch into an excited story about his adventures and achievements but Mato wasn’t much himself today, was he?
Mato grabbed the sides of his cloak, pulling them together like they were a blanket and spoke softly. He mumbled about how he had just moved in and a wild beast from the wastes was blocking the entrance to the cave in which this hut would be constructed.
“Mmm...what’s the word that’s like…” Mato thought for a moment, leaning his back against Ogrim’s large shoulder. Ogrim placed the skull down and put his claws in his lap to listen. (He got no progress done on the model. Most he could do was listen to Mato.)
“..like...rocks falling? Rock slip?...mmm...” Mato closed his eyes for a moment. He took a moment to open them again and toyed with the pillows trying to think.
“Rock slide?” Ogrim supplied.
“Yes!” Mato pointed to him without turning.
“I was...worried it would cause a rock slide, and...crush me and-” Mato yawned, eyes closing again. He was forgetting the story.
“It didn’t, obviously.” Mato’s eyes stayed closed. He tried to press further into Ogrim’s shoulder. Ogrim turned a bit, letting Mato have his entire shoulder and way to his chest if he wanted. Mato shuffled slightly, getting comfortable. “I..hm. I slayed it...i’m..” Mato’s head lulled a bit, but he tried to keep it up.
“I don’t know where it is, heh…” Mato's voice softly left the room.
“Maybe we can find it together soon, do you think?” Ogrim chuckled a bit. Mato didn’t answer.
“Mato? Do you think we can find it?” Ogrim looked at him and saw his head bowed. Head bowed, wrapped in his cloak like it was a blanket, eyes shut.
“Mato?”
Ogrim was answered with a snore and he had to try very hard to not immediately ruin this with a hearty laugh.
Ogrim turned fully and took Mato into his claws. The snoring bug melted into them, easing Ogrim’s worried heart.
He leaned in to whisper (best he could) to him. “I hope this rest leaves you feeling emboldened and washes you of all your worries. I wish for you to awaken forgetful of all your woes and for you to see your progress is enough as is.”
Mato pushed into him again, making Ogrim squeeze him close. Mato was given a small kiss on the head.
Out of curiosity, Ogrim turned his head to the candle to see how far Mato made it. “Not even halfway...” Ogrim laughed a bit. He was just happy to see Mato sleep.
He rubbed Mato’s shoulder a little bit in their hug. “ Maybe I should move him to his bed…”
The moment this thought popped into Ogrim’s head Mato’s arms left his cloak and wrapped around one of his claws like he was a living doll.
Ogrim realized quickly he was trapped and was to never move again until Mato wakes. He looked at Mato’s content face and listened to the snores.
You know what? He could live with that.