Work Text:
Telamon was always considered a bit more selfish for an administrator. Being a bit more godly than others; he found himself often using his powers for things a bit more indulgent. You see; he created a sort of…sanctuary for himself. It would be a sort of “worshiping grounds,” but… Telamon hardly let anyone in, aside from Brighteyes, of course… and a few close admin friends.
Sprinkled with trees and bright foliage, statues, fountains, you name it. The area was full with nature; a lush forest. (I dont wanna put more effort into describing scenery, sorry. Use yo imagination)
Telamon walked slowly down a rocky path, trailing one hand softly along trees (which were quite low, forming a sort of arch,) lining the pathway as he passed by. His steps careful as the rocks grew more sparse, slowly lining down to a clearing. Bushes, foliage, trees. It all abruptly cleared for a fresh hotspring. Telamon lets out a sigh of relief, smiling softly to himself as he steps around the edge, finding a decently sized rock to sit on.
Once sat, Telamon brought his hands up to his head, tipping off his hood. The brown, feathered wings on each side of his head stretched out as he rolled his neck back to stretch. He relaxed once more, and began slowly taking off his outer robes, setting them folded neatly to the side. Now left in an ornate floor length skirt, and a simple overshirt, he sat quietly, taking in the surroundings.
He felt at ease, there was no need to rush. Telamon slowly dipped his feet into the water, testing the temperature. Perfectly hot, not yet scorching.
Some time passed, and he had decided to fully strip now, standing up and calmly slipping off the skirt, and began to rid of any undergarments afterwards (along with simple layers under his clothes.)
As Telamon undressed, he heard some rustling, though stayed calm. Slowly, he turns his head back, folding his clothing on the rock.
“Telamon hears you, Harbinger of Doom. You know you can’t sneak up on Telamon.” He speaks in a soft tone, smiling. It always looked a bit…eerie, but thats how Telamon always looked. He was strange, sure…but friendly once you knew him.
With a sigh, MrDoombringer emerged from the same path Telamon came from, ducking under the arc of trees, clearly not suited for his height… He looked at the other man, raising an eyebrow.
“You know that wasn’t my intention.”
“Telamon knows.” He retorted, turning away once more as he moved to the edge of the hot spring, looking around. “You’re here to scold him.”
Doombringer looked a bit more confused, possibly slightly frustrated. It was as if Telamon was two steps ahead of everyone, predicting what they’d do, what they’d say… It got to Doombringer easily, but he decided to brush it off the best he could and pay no mind.
“You’d be correct. You know *Boss will get on your ass again if you don’t go—”
Telamon cut him off, shaking his head. “Doom, relax..! Telamon already has it covered.” No.. no he doesn’t.
“And besides, Telamon is sure that Builderman would excuse him taking respite in this place just this once. Doombringer is too tense.”
Doombringer tried to speak again; to chide Telamon, but to no avail. He found it useless to argue with someone so unreasonable. Telamon seemed pleased.
The avian-like man stretched his arms a little, doing simple movements— before finally deciding to dip into the hot spring water. He let out a sigh of relief, any tension or ache from his muscles immediately relaxing as the water enveloped him. Telamon sprawls his arms out behind him, relaxing onto the rocks. He turns his head to face Doom.
“You should join Telamon.”
Doombringer furrowed his brow, looking surprised. “...What? That’s unprofessional!—”
“Join me. You work all night. No wonder you are always so indignant. You are overworked.”
“Why must I repeat myself? It’s my duty to-”
“Telamon knows, Doom. The Banlands are secure, nobody is going to escape in the blink of an eye.”
“Quit cutting me off.”
“...”
Doombringer’s hand slipped under his bucket, rubbing his eyes in frustration. He thought to speak one more time, but the words simply slipped his mind, allowing more time for Telamon to blather on again.
“Telamon doesn’t think he should have to repeat himself. He has made his point, no? He doesn't have to give evidence to back up how tired you are. Come have a break with Telamon.”
So much for not having to repeat yourself with how much you say your own damn name, Doom thought. He’d never say that out loud, not with Telamon’s quick wit to tease him. He hated how pitying the other man sounded. He knew what he was doing.
Though…The other man had a point. Doombringer hadn’t given himself proper time to relax in months. He could probably use a soak in the hot spring. He finally obliged, though not without frustration. Stepping forward, he examined the hotspring, looking at Telamon.
“Good,” Telamon spoke, grinning as he watched Doombringer step down into the water. Slowly he continued to step in deeper, adjusting to the temperature. “Take off your bucket. It’ll tarnish in the water.” The avian added.
“I’m not planning to bring my head into the water. Don’t think I’m taking this off.” Doom retorted, keeping a hand on his bucket briefly. He lifted his chin up, bringing the same hand down to undo his shirt collar, removing it alongside his tie. (he has no shirt its literally just the collar. Hes all fuzz)
Telamon lifted his hand up, offering to take it. He set the accessory to the side, on top of his robes, still neatly folded on the rock. He turned around again, seeing now that Doombringer had finally rested in the water across from Telamon, leaning against a rock that was deeper in the water, rather than just on the edge.
“There you go, Doom. Isn’t that much better?” Telamon murmured softly, though there was an obvious tone of something almost teasing. Sort of an “I told you so.”
Doombringer simply grunted in response, bringing one leg up, bending it to rest his foot on the base of the rock he sat on, an arm sprawled back, nearly mirroring Telamon’s own.
“I suppose it isn’t so bad, but I still have work on my mind.”
“It’ll pass over eventually.”
The two simply sat in silence, soaking in the hot water. Telamon though, sat up slightly, water trickling off the feathers that lined his forearms. He looked at his reflection; thinking, and outstretching the wings on his head. Telamon hummed, bringing a hand up as he began to preen them slightly, though struggling a little to see himself with the ripples of the water.
He looked up at Doombringer. “Telamon wants you to help him.” He spoke bluntly, standing up slowly from the water, stretching his back wings, shaking them off a little. The water trickled off. (hydrophobia :) )
Doombringer raised an eyebrow, and he watched as Telamon came over, sitting somewhat next to him, though facing away. He leaned back a little, looking back at Doom.
“Telamon’s feathers are a mess. I’d like you to preen them for me. Be gentle.”
Doom sputtered, “Buh–I-??” He lifted his hands up in surrender. “I don’t know how to do that! Was this your entire plan?”
“No. …Maybe. Don’t worry about it…you’ll find it out in due time, Telamon is sure of it. Just start adjusting them a little.” Telamon grinned, outstretching the small wings on his head. Even he didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Telamon will tend to his arms. If you do good enough, maybe Telamon’ll make you do the rest, hm? His actual wings, perchance?”
Doombringer sighed in defeat, shoulders slumping. He was at a loss for words. He might as well…
He brought his hands up briefly to Telamon's shoulders, examining the feathers on his head… He didn’t really see any problem with how they looked. They seemed fine. Doom gently moved a hand to Telamon’s head wing, poking the feathers awkwardly in an attempt to make them look good.
“I don’t bother to make myself look neat, I don’t see why you trust me with this.”
Telamon just chuckled in response at first, before giving a speaking after a long pause.
“You think I bother with mine own appearance? Telamon just thinks this is fun.”
Doom only sighed. He could never understand the logistics of Telamon.
…
More time had passed, and Doom had to eventually admit; he liked the…intimacy of the event. He enjoyed the hot spring…And of course; Telamon teased him for it... But he agreed, he had fun.
“Telamon thinks you should come here again.” He offered now out of the hot spring, slowly patting himself dry with a cloth, offering one to Doom.
Doombringer took it, quietly scrubbing his fur dry the best he could, letting out a hum. “Perhaps I should when I’m not so busy..”
“Hah, that's amusing. Telamon supposes we’ll meet here again in the next few decades.”
“Oh, please. I’m sure I can free up some time sooner than that.”
“Telamon will keep your word for it. Don’t disappoint him.” He spoke almost sultry, slowly slipping on his clothing again now that he was dry enough.
Doombringer pursed his lips with a curt nod, tossing the soaked towel to Telamon, who caught it in his own hands. Glaring at Telamon for the tone of his voice. “...Don’t do that.”
Telamon only gave a shrug, his face returning to his classic mischievous grin. “Ahhhh, do what?”
Doombringer only glared.