Work Text:
Dockson has always talked about the home he wants to have one day.
Even before he’d gone and fallen in love with Kelsier, the man consistently had ideas of what he wanted his home to be like. He spoke of them wistfully— after all, Dox never expected any of it to become real.
Neither of them had ever planned to grow old.
Yet, by some miracle, they have. Kelsier was written into Dockson’s future a long time ago, and now they live together in the house Dox always dreamed of.
Against all odds, Kell’s dream has come true too. It was Mare’s dream at first— for the land to be green again, with flowers growing underfoot— but Kelsier took it for his when she died. Now he and Dockson have a garden to honour her, and Kell tends to it every day, now that neither of them have much to do.
When he was younger, Kelsier always dreaded a life like this— settling down in one place, with all the responsibilities that come with owning a home— but now, the tranquillity of this life is something he can’t live without.
His body isn’t what it once used to be either. Kelsier still loves flying through the night air, but his hair has finally started to go grey, there are new lines on his face, and he’s finding the Allomantic effort far more taxing than he once did.
Somehow, he doesn’t mind.
Somehow, for the first time in his entire life, he’s actually happy. No ups and downs. Just… content.
He’s still laying in bed, barely conscious, as he thinks of these things. Dockson is, as usual, already awake and making himself busy around the house— some nights the man doesn’t sleep at all, but this morning Dox seems quite lively when he finds Kelsier awake and stretching in bed.
“Good morning, Kell,” he speaks fondly. Dockson has changed over the years as well— his hair is almost completely grey, and his sleeve is tied over the arm he lost fighting the koloss a long time ago.
“G’morning, Dox,” Kelsier slurs, voice heavy with sleep. “What time is it?”
Dockson gives him an amused smile. “Almost noon. So, your usual wake-up time.”
“And how long have you been awake?” Kelsier crosses his arms. “Don’t act like you get up much earlier than I do.”
“Actually, I woke up pretty early in the morning.”
“Oh.”
They grin at one another, and Kelsier is immediately reminded of how damn much he loves this man.
Dockson clears his throat. “I was wondering if I could ask for your help with something.”
“What is it?”
“I bought a hammock, and I want to put it up, but I can’t exactly do it on my own.” He gestures to his missing arm with a grin.
Kelsier remembers when Dockson could only look at that arm with pain in his eyes. Now it’s just another part of his life that he can joke about.
He snorts. “When the hell did you manage to get a hammock?”
“This morning, Kell. While you were snoring in bed.”
“I was not snoring.”
“Oh, yes, you were. Quite loudly.”
Kelsier rolls his eyes at him as he pulls on his shirt. “You have no proof. How do I know you’re not making this up?”
“You’ll just have to take my word for it, I suppose.”
Kell hauls himself to his feet with a groan. “All right. Where are we putting up this hammock of yours?”
“I was thinking in the backyard, between the two trees.” He smiles. “It’s the perfect spot for one.”
“Excellent! What are we waiting for, then?” Kell stops for a moment to brush his fingers against Dockson’s cheek as he walks out the door.
“Kell.”
Kelsier turns around. “What?”
“You haven’t eaten breakfast.” Dox frowns. “You can’t assemble a hammock on an empty stomach.”
Kelsier rolls his eyes. “I’ve done worse without breakfast.”
Dockson points to the bread and cheese laying out on their kitchen counter. “Eat.”
“Fine,” Kelsier grumbles, trying to sound annoyed.
Judging by Dockson’s soft smile, he knows how much Kell appreciates it.
He’s munching on some bread— it’s surprisingly good— when Dox nuzzles into him from behind, wrapping an arm around him. “You look handsome today.”
Kell leans into the embrace. “You say that every morning.”
“Well, you’re handsome every morning.”
“I just thought you’d be used to my looks by now,” Kelsier grins.
“Never. Not yet, at least.” Dockson begins to trace Kell’s scars— the one on his arms— and Kelsier grins wider. They used to be such a source of pain, but it’s been years since they’ve burned, though he still sometimes scratches at them.
Dockson was so happy when Kelsier no longer jumped at somebody touching his arms.
“So,” Kelsier mumbles, shoving the rest of his food into his mouth unceremoniously. “Hammock?”
Dockson steps away, and Kell immediately misses his warmth. “Hammock,” he affirms. “Everything’s already outside.”
It’s a beautiful day. A part of Kelsier still hasn’t quite gotten used to the soft green grass and the bright blue sky— not a single speck of ash can be seen floating through the air, and everything looks so vibrant compared to the long-ago dreariness of the land.
By now, he can look outside without getting distracted for several minutes.
By now, the warm summer breeze feels like just another part of life, but he still shuts his eyes and stops for a moment to feel it on his face.
“Enjoying the weather?” Dockson teases.
Kelsier opens his eyes. “Yes,” he says with a grin. “It still doesn’t feel quite real.”
“I know.” Dox grabs the hammock off the ground. “I get that feeling too.”
Kelsier gives Dockson a soft kiss before grabbing a strap and looping it around one of the trees. They work at it for a few minutes in near silence, mostly exchanging glances and soft smiles, until the hammock has successfully been hung up.
Kell slumps immediately into it without testing to see if it’s sturdy.
Thankfully, it is, but Dockson still gives him an exasperated look before settling into the hammock beside him. “It could’ve fallen, you know.”
“I know,” Kelsier grins. “What’s life without a few risks?”
Dox rolls his eyes. “Right. The risk of sitting in a hammock.” Despite the annoyance in his voice, he scoots closer and pulls Kell close.
They go silent, and it takes Kelsier actually being in the hammock to realise that they’ve set it up perfectly overlooking Mare’s garden. He curls up against Dockson, who is idly swinging the hammock with a leg, and watches the flowers sway in the gentle breeze.
“Kell?” Dox eventually says.
“Hmm?”
“You know, I never really thought this would happen.”
“What?”
“Everything. All of this.” Dockson puts an arm around Kelsier’s shoulder. “Actually buying a house. Growing old with you. I thought… I didn’t even think we’d make it past your ridiculous Lord Ruler plan.”
“Yeah,” Kelsier sighs. “I never planned for this. I’m not sure I know what to do from now on.” He rests his head on Dockson’s chest. “I feel old, but I still have… what, a few decades before this is all over?”
“Ideally,” Dox jokes.
“Ideally,” Kelsier confirms with a chuckle. “I’m rather talented at making a mess of things.”
Dockson’s voice goes quiet. “We’re both still here.” Kell can feel the rumble of his words in his chest. “I think you did well enough.”
They go quiet for another few minutes until Kelsier picks up his head and runs his fingers along Dox’s cheek.
There’s a newer scar there, going all the way up the side of his face, also from the koloss attack. Dockson thought it was ugly at first. Now, after some time and a lot of reassurance from Kelsier, it’s simply another part of his life.
Just like these new lines around his eyes, Kelsier thinks fondly, tracing them with care.
Dox chuckles. “Enamoured by my face, as usual?”
“It’s difficult not to be.” Kelsier doesn’t move his fingers from Dockson’s cheek; the man has rougher skin now, with a few more spots along his cheeks.
It’s the most beautiful thing Kelsier has ever seen.
He presses a kiss to Dockson’s lips, lingering for a moment, and takes the man’s face in his hands as he pulls away. “You know, I’m so glad I got to grow old with you.”
Dox smiles. “We’re not even that old yet.”
Kelsier runs a hand through Dockson’s greying hair. “No, but we’re both older than we ever thought we’d be. I think that counts for something.”
“You might be right about that.”
“I always am, Dox,” Kelsier scoffs as he lays back down against the man’s chest.
He can hear the amusement in Dockson’s voice as he speaks. “Apologies. I forgot about that.”
The two of them snuggle in the hammock, arms around one another, for a long while. They watch the birds flit through the air, listening to the leaves moving in the breeze, and Kell can’t help but feel that this is perfection. This— laying in a hammock with the love of his life and watching the sun move through the sky for hours— is so much better than anywhere else he’s imagined himself ending up.
Kelsier never thought he would become a quiet man, but perhaps it is time.
After a lengthy silence, Dox interrupts the hush they’ve fallen into with a few soft words. “I should probably make lunch.”
“No,” Kell murmurs into his chest. “Stay a little while longer.”
Dockson nods and presses a kiss to Kelsier’s forehead.
“You know something, Dox?” He whispers.
“What?”
“I really, really can’t wait to get old with you.”