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Throndir had pushed the package across the table to him, and so naturally, politely, Red Jack opens it.
It’s a kimono. The fabric is silky smooth, but too lightweight for normal wear and snow falls outside, collecting on the windowsill. He laughs because he isn’t sure what else to do about it, “A little cold for something like this, don’t you think?”
Throndir averts his eyes even as he mirrors Jack’s laugh, “It’s meant for bed, and I thought,” lilac blooms across his cheeks, nose, the tips of his ears. Red Jack watches his face while he speaks, voice cracking, “I know you run hot, so I thought,”
“You’re right, I do run hot. '' Red Jack stares at Throndir until he looks back. When their eyes meet and Red Jack is satisfied by Throndir’s ability to hold his gaze, he says, “It’s a very nice gift, thank you Throndir”
“You’re welcome, I,” he takes a deep breath, and lets out “You deserve soft things, Red Jack” like a sigh. He sounds very tired, and it makes Red Jack tired, too.
“Deserve is an interesting word choice, Throndir. Do you worry that I might sleep on a stone slab for some sort of penance? I do not believe myself unworthy of comfort.”
Throndir’s blush disappears remarkably fast, his frustration instantly palpable in the air between them. This must have been simmering for some time, to boil over so fast, “It’s not about worthiness, Jack, it’s about pride” he looks away again, scowling without direction, “You act like you don’t have needs, you -“
“Of course I have needs, Throndir, and they’re well met here most days. My children are healthy, I have not lost much, compared to most.”
“Maybe - I don’t know if that’s true, but even if it is, you deserve more than just having your basic needs met. you deserve to have soft things - to be soft, sometimes.”
This gives him pause. Red Jack consciously relaxes some of the muscles in his face, “I’m sorry if i’ve been harsh with you, Throndir. I know you’ve taken on a great deal of responsibility-“
“This isn’t about me! I-”
Red Jack stops him with a hand over his. Throndir’s hands are so small that two of them fit within one of Jack’s. He squeezes and Throndir goes still - not tense but deflated. The warmth in Red Jack’s voice comes naturally this time when he continues, “Please don’t misunderstand me. I see the gift for what it is, and appreciate the sentiment. I also appreciate the difficulty you’ve gone through to find something my size,” he laughs, loud, releasing Throndir to lean back in his chair and pull the kimono from its box.
The fabric slides through his fingers as he holds it up to the light coming in through the tall thin window of the castle wall. Despite how thin it is, the fabric is completely opaque. A dark blue that shines, reflecting back the red of his skin and the cool yellow of the star stuff that lights the sky in lieu of a proper sun. It’s beautiful, he thinks.
“It’s beautiful,” says Red Jack, “I’d like to thank you”
Throndir’s blush is back and he stumbles over his words in haste, “No, no you don’t have to - you already said thanks, that’s enough”
“Nonsense!” Red Jack stands and lays the kimono gently over the back of his chair. He begins to untie his belt and catches what might be a gasp from Throndir. When Jack’s robe falls open at his sides he looks up to see Throndir turned away, a hand blocking his sight, flushed a lovely shade of purple. He folds his robe and places it on the table, exchanging it for his gift, which he pulls on with a sigh, the fabric is smooth and cool against his skin.
Throndir is still looking away when Red Jack has finished dressing. Jack laughs, “You’re safe to look now, my friend.” he smooths his hands down his sides, enjoying the feel of it, and watches as Throndir cautiously peeks through his fingers before turning back.
“You have to warn people before doing something like that!” Throndir exclaims, still purple-hued in his embarrassment.
“Did you not wish to see me, Throndir?”
“No, I, I just wanted to give it to you, I didn’t, I don’t need to see it”
“Ah, my apologies for misunderstanding, then.”
“No! I, um” Throndir swallows and absently scratches at his cheek, dropping his hand to his throat and tugging at his beard, “You look great.”
“Feels good, too” Red Jack walks around the table to stand beside Throndir’s chair, “Do you want to touch?”
Throndir can’t get any darker but he appears to try, swallowing and craning his neck to look up at Jack, “I- no, that’s ok. I felt it when I found it, you know, and when I was packing it up..” he trails off as Red Jack takes his hand and moves it to his thigh, pressing until Throndir’s palm lays flat against him.
“Yes, but it feels different over skin, see how it moves” Red Jack grins and shows Throndir, flexing his muscles so he can feel the fabric sliding over his skin. The other man gasps as Red Jack guides him higher, to his hip, “There, see? you’ve given me a wonderful gift! Thank you, Throndir. But I wonder if I could bother you for something more?”
Throndir stares up at him with wide eyes for a long moment, frozen, before answering, “Sure, anything.” His tiny fingers flex, just enough pressure that Jack can feel it.
Red Jack hums appreciatively before dropping down to a knee so that he’s eye level with the elf, “There’s one soft thing that I don’t deserve, but I should like to have it anyway.” He cups Throndir’s cheek and his hand is so large in comparison that it practically cradles his entire head, “May I kiss you, Throndir?”
Throndir goes very still, like a rabbit trying not to be seen, but Red Jack sees him. Jack smiles, patient, and waits until eventually Throndir’s nods, very slowly.
Red Jack leans in and presses a kiss to Throndir’s cheek; his beard is rough but his skin is soft. Jack hums again, and stays close, speaking into Throndir’s long thin ear, “Thank you.” he shivers and Red Jack laughs, standing and walking to his cupboard, “Would you join me for dinner, Throndir? I don’t have much squirreled away up here but I don’t feel like going to the hall, and I’d appreciate your company.”
“Yeah,” Throndir’s nervous laugh makes Red Jack’s heart swell, “Yes! I’d like that”