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The Spire by Fire was buzzing with energy tonight it seemed. The music was thumping, laughter spilling from its patrons amongst the heavy chatter, and the booze was flowing freely. It was just what the group needed to wind down after the exhausting battle they’d faced earlier today.
‘Well, I don’t know about you but that was some of the most fucked up shit I’ve seen in my life’, Ashton slammed their tankard on the table, ‘And trust me I’ve seen plenty of shit’.
‘Well now, I don’t know if fucked up is the phrase I would use but it was certainly interesting’, FCG said as he rocked slightly on his wheel.
‘No I agree, that was pretty fucked up’, Fearne looked up from the snowdrops and lilies in her new keepsake, ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’.
‘Me neither and I’d like to know what the hell Dugger was up to’, Imogen rubbed her temples, ‘But that’s a job for tomorrow I think, after we’ve recovered from the beating we got’.
Laudna patted her friend on the arm in sympathy, ‘Yes, I can still feel the remnants of that ghastly poison in me and my dear, no offence, but you look awful’.
Imogen gave a small laugh, ‘I feel awful, those Shadecreeper’s were no joke’.
‘Indeed, they packed quite the punch for them being so easily killed’, Dorian leaned forward, drink in hand, ‘Still, we saw them off eventually’.
‘In no small part thanks to you. That kill against Dugger was amazing’, Ashton clapped Dorian hard on the back as his blue cheeks turned slightly purple.
‘It was a team effort’, Dorian protested, ‘I just finished off everyone’s hard work’.
‘No need to be modest Dorian, it was pretty spectacular’, Laudna grinned.
‘I agree, it was mighty impressive’, Imogen tipped her drink to Dorian, ‘And it makes me glad you’re here fighting with us’.
Dorian blushed harder, ‘Please it was nothing, I’m just glad we were able to avenge Bertrand’.
‘Me too’, FCG beamed, ‘And I’m sure Mr Bell is happy to know his murderer was brought to justice’.
‘I’ll drink to that’, Ashton raised their tankard, ‘To bringing bastards to justice’.
The group raised their own tankards with a cheer, before starting to talk amongst themselves. Dorian was still taking his chug when he felt a hand brush against his knee. Peering down he saw Orym, who tilted his head to the door in invitation before quietly slipping out of his seat. Dorian smiled and set his tankard down. Waiting a few minutes he eventually set off, saying something about grabbing another drink. As he left he saw Fearne’s discerning eyes on him, but from her slight smile he knew she’d cover for them.
Stepping out front Dorian took a deep breath, enjoying the cool air on his skin. The stars were just coming out, the two moons peeking out from behind low clouds.
‘I thought you’d forgotten I was out here’, Orym’s voice came from off to the side. Dorian looked over to see him leaning against the wall, fiddling with the dagger they’d recovered.
‘Never’, Dorian held out a hand, ‘Want to take a walk?’.
Orym chuckled, ‘I mean I was the one who invited you out here but sure’.
Sticking the dagger back in his boot he kicked off the wall, grabbing Dorian’s hand as he did so. As their fingers laced together they started to walk out to the edge of the spire. The streets were busy, but as they got further out the crowds started to thin. Soon, they were one of just a few wandering the night streets, keeping to themselves as they chatted.
‘You know you were rather quiet in there’, Dorian said casually, ‘Like more than usual’.
‘It’s not like my input was needed, everyone pretty much said what I was thinking’, Orym shrugged, ‘Besides, I was too busy enjoying my ale’.
‘It was good ale’, Dorian agreed, ‘Do you think the near death experiences make it taste better, cause I’m sure it wasn’t that good two days ago?’.
Orym laughed, ‘Maybe, I’ve never really thought about it’.
‘Well with this group I’m sure we’ll find out if my hypothesis is true soon enough’, Dorian sighed through a chuckle, ‘I thought we were living dangerously when we were with Opal and Dariax, but this…’.
‘I know what you mean’, Orym shook his head, ‘I’m used to danger but this is something new’.
‘Speaking of danger, I was glad to see you sticking to your promise back there’, Dorian squeezed Orym’s hand with a smile, ‘I saw you let Ashton carry the burden a bit more’.
Orym rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, ‘I mean I still got pretty wrecked, but I made a promise to you, and I intend to keep it as best I can’.
‘Well it’s appreciated’, Dorian swung round as the bridge to the other spire came into view, ‘Now are you going to kiss me or do I have to do everything myself?’.
Orym chuckled, ‘If you’re fine getting your clothes covered in mud’.
Dorian glanced down at his blood-soaked tunic, raising an eyebrow to Orym, ‘I’m sure I’ll manage’.
Orym laughed and activated his boots, springing up to wrap his arms round Dorian’s neck as he leant in with a passionate kiss. Dorian responded in kind, the two lost in each other completely. Eventually they separated, breathing heavily.
Dropping down with a lazy smile Orym patted the back of Dorian’s thigh, ‘That was a good kiss blue boy’.
Dorian groaned, ‘I thought we’d gone over this, ‘blue boy’ is such a lame nickname. Can’t you come up with something else?’.
‘Hey, I never claimed to be good at nicknames’, Orym called over his shoulder as he walked over to a nearby wall, jumping up to get a seat, ‘Besides, I don’t use it that often so is it that big a deal?’.
Dorian ran a hand through his hair, though he couldn’t help but laugh, ‘I suppose, but it’s not good for my growing reputation as a great bard to have such a dumb nickname’.
‘Well when you’re with me I see the man not the bard, and that man is called blue boy’, Orym patted a spot next to him, ‘Now, let’s just enjoy some more time together before we inevitably have to go back’.
Shaking his head Dorian sat down, placing an arm round Orym to bring him to his side. For a while they sat together talking about everything and nothing. Once the skies cleared, Dorian began to show Orym the constellations and tell the stories about them that he’d grown up on. The worries and concerns of the past few days faded away as they just focused on each other. Right now in this moment, they were just two men in love enjoying each other’s company.
Sooner than he would have liked, Dorian felt Orym shimmy out from under his arm.
‘I hate to say it, but we should probably head back’, Orym yawned, ‘We both need to heal up, and our bed is calling to me’.
Dorian looked up at the moon with a sigh, ‘You’re right, as usual’.
Orym gave him a sly wink as he grabbed his hand, ‘It’s why you love me right?’.
Dorian laughed as he got to his feet, ‘I’d say it’s one of your more annoying features actually’.
‘Well, guess that’s something for me to work on then’.
‘So you plan to be more wrong?’, Dorian cocked an amused eyebrow.
‘Oh, well…’, Orym stuttered as he realised what he’d said, Dorian laughing as a blush started to creep over Orym’s cheeks.
‘Don’t worry about it, I love you and the fact that your instincts are so good’, Dorian leaned down and planted a kiss on his cheek, ‘Now let’s go back’.
Hand in hand once more they winded their way back to the inn. The journey was quick as the streets had now emptied of people, and the cold night air hastened their footsteps. As the inn came into view, Orym tugged at Dorian’s hand.
‘What is it Orym?’, Dorian looked down with concern to see Orym looking at him fondly.
‘I haven’t said it yet, but I need you to know how proud I was of you when you took down Dugger’, Orym said softly, ‘You were truly magnificent, and more than avenged Mr Bell’.
Dorian blushed and fiddled with the loop on the scimitar by his side, ‘That means a lot Orym, thank you’.
‘Just keep being your spectacular self and we’ll be fine’, Orym grinned before dragging Dorian to the door.
As they made their way up the stairs, Dorian couldn’t help but feel his heart lift a bit. Things might still be complicated, but he could always rely on Orym and that made everything feel just that tiny bit easier. As Orym got to the landing he turned round to see Dorian halfway up.
‘You coming?’, Orym cocked his head.
‘Yep, always’.
Dorian ran up the rest of the stairs and the two made their way to their room, shutting the door behind them.