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Firstfall, 9:30 Dragon
"How can anyone possibly stand this cold?" Zevran grumbled, shivering under the pelt draped over his shoulders, blowing flakes of snow away from his face. "How can you stand it?"
"I'm just used to it by now." Eirian replied, leaning away from his frigid companion to peer up the trail. "The tower tended to get really cold, and we just had to cope."
Zevran huffed, "Well I am certainly not used to it. It-" he sneezed, his nose beginning to flare red "It never snows in the north. It hardly so much as chills, save for wind and rain. Quite the nasty combination."
"Sounds nice." the mage sighed, almost longingly. "Unfortunately we still have a ways to go before we either finally reach the top, or have to stop for the night."
Zevran gave an over-dramatic groan, burying his face in Eirian's shoulder, almost nuzzling him, if only to keep his nose from freezing.
"How did you cope, if I may ask?"
Eirian grinned, placing an arm around Zevran and pulling him aside to the edge of the trail.
"Give me your hands. I'll show you."
He took a deep breath, clutching Zevran's hands gently in his own.
Soon enough, a soft heat spread across them, and Zevran could finally feel his fingers again.
"It was a trick my brothers and I figured out, basically readying some energy for fire magic but not casting anything."
Zevran laughed in delight and relief “I have to commend them on their resourcefulness.”
"Oh, I doubt we were the first to come up with it, but it's certainly convenient." Eirian mused. "Especially since the only other way to keep the unclothed parts of us warm were these ugly cowls that clearly weren't made with elves in mind." He scoffed, gesturing to his ears and grimacing at the memory.
Zevran smiled, a flirtatious glint in his eye. "I'm sure you would have looked handsome in one either way."
Warmth spread across Eirian's cheeks, and the heat from his hands slightly grew.
"I'm not sure about that, most of them were really gaudy," he said through a small, awkward laugh. He tried to avoid Zevran's gaze, hide his flustered state, but couldn't bring himself to look away.
He relented. He took a breath, and relaxed. "...But thank you."
A quiet moment was spent as they warmed themselves, until Eirian broke the comfortable silence.
“…We should probably catch up with the others now."
Zevran raised an eyebrow, “And be rid of this warmth, and the fantastic view?”
Eirian's blush renewed, before he took the pelt from Zevran's back and draped it around the both of them, and led him back up the trail.
"Hopefully you can stop complaining now." He teased, squeezing Zevran's hand "You have me, some warm furs, and a nice pair of new boots to keep you warm."
Zevran gave a soft smile as he leaned in closer to the blushing mage.
"Indeed I do"
Drakonis, 9:31 Dragon
"Eirian?"
The mage had wandered off into the woods around camp, and Zevran had found him sitting in a bed of wildflowers. His eyes lit up when he saw his lover approach.
"I was hoping you'd find me here." Eirian chirped, patting the grass beside him. As soon as Zevran joined him, the assassin found himself caught in a warm embrace, Eirian taking the chance to tuck a flower behind the rogue's ear.
Zevran let out a soft laugh "Are you enjoying yourself, my wildflower?"
Eirian nodded, leaning on Zevran's shoulder. "It's my first springtime since leaving the Circle." He sighed, gazing wistfully up at the sky through the trees, twirling a flower stem between his fingers. "I wanted to enjoy it a bit before… you know."
Zevran gently cupped his Warden's cheek, hoping a kiss would wipe away his apprehension.
He smiled in satisfaction as the joyful light returned to Eirian's eyes as they parted.
"No need to worry, my sweet." He whispered “Once you have charmed the dwarves into lending their army to our cause, you can return to the flowers, fresh air, and sunlight."
"I'm not worried." He replied, taking Zevran's hand "I'm mostly excited, I'm just a little disappointed. I'd rather not miss any of the season."
He leaned up to kiss his rogue again, softly nuzzling his nose. "Care to enjoy this with me?" He whispered.
Zevran sighed fondly “How can I refuse?"
Zevran let his mind wander as Eirian sat behind him, carefully weaving flowers into his braids. The perfect base for a flower crown, the mage had called them.
As his eyes wandered and his thoughts drifted, his attention was caught by a few bees dancing around the edge of the bed, drawn to the flowers.
He was amused by their behavior, and soon began to notice something.
Small. Lively. Honey. Sweet. Flowers. Dangerous despite their size.
Eirian.
"Finished!" Eirian chimed, hugging Zevran around his shoulders, snapping him from his trance.
Zevran leaned back into the embrace, gently brushing his fingers along the flowers in his hair.
“Feeling better, querido?”
Eirian nodded, though a hint of disappointment remained on his face.
Zevran turned to face him, cupping his cheek and tracing his thumb along his tattoos to soothe him "There will be plenty of springtimes to come, my honeybee."
"Honeybee? That's a new one."
Zevran froze as he realized what he had said. A very rare emotion crossed his face. Embarrassment, along with a light blush.
Eirian giggled, laying his head on his shoulder and gazing lovingly into his eyes "Is it because of the flowers?"
Zevran sheepishly turned his gaze away "Somewhat…" he murmured.
"I like it," Eirian whispered, squeezing his love tight and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, my peach."
Zevran sighed as he gave in, returning the embrace. "Of course, honeybee."