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The tavern at Kindling was loud, warm, and thick with the scent of roasted meats, assorted food, and a wide variety of drinks.
At the tables all around Legs, the dragon riders were in high spirits, celebrating a successful battle and enjoying one of the few times they were all able to meet-up together. Which, of course, led to more of its fair share of shenanigans and arguments (especially with the presence of liquor and multiple forms of magic).
However, Legs was no longer able to focus on the chaos happening around him.
Instead, his attention was solely on his completely, utterly obliterated boyfriend.
Legs had always known Scott was an extreme lightweight. Not just from the hectic Graduation Ball, but the random times they'd all drank together in the past. Legs didn't mind. He enjoyed the adorable things Scott would say or do in this state, often assigning himself to corral Scott's absurd antics with the help of the rest of the crew.
However, this was the first time that Legs and Scott had gone out to drink since they'd started dating.
And... well...
Legs was completely unprepared for the new reality of an affectionate, clingy, and flirty drunk Scott Boralith.
"Leeeegggggsss..." Scott repeated in a whine, his voice a soft, breathless drawl as he leaned his entire weight against the mechanic's side. "Legsss...?"
Scott's face was completely red and flushed, but there was something even more beautiful and affecting than usual about his hazy, out-of-it look. His pretty lilac eyes squinted at Legs, as if trying to figure out a puzzle.
In the past, whenever they were drinking near each other, Legs had made a strict, deliberate habit to avoid looking too closely at Scott like this. It had been a very necessary tactic of survival.
Back then, Legs had been desperately pressing down the beginnings of what he was certain would be another failed crush forming in his chest. Looking too long at a soft, unguarded Scott had felt like playing with fire, so he'd always focused on the tavern floor, his drink, or someone's loud storytelling – anything to keep his stupid, hopeless heart in check.
But now?
Now they were actually together. Both sides had mutually confessed, confirming that they somehow shared the same romantic and devoted feelings for one another. Legs still pinched himself sometimes to confirm this wasn't some sort of illusion, hallucination, or yet another hopeless dream.
And yet, despite Legs's constantly fearing that this was all some sort of cruel joke – he knew Scott would never do such a thing, but a lifetime of worthlessness didn't go away overnight – he'd somehow come to mostly accept that this was real.
Scott was real.
Really his boyfriend, lover, and so many other things he could spend the next century listing off.
As a result... Legs had every right to stare at him now, right?
To gaze upon his beautiful and gorgeous partner for as long as he wanted. He'd been given that sole and exclusive privilege by Scott Boralith himself, so even if Legs didn't feel like a fumbling and barely functioning inventor like him deserved such an honor, it felt like a waste not to thoroughly utilize this new benefit.
And yet... looking at the drunk Ice Mage now, Legs realized this was infinitely more dangerous than the past.
Before their confessions, Legs had at least possessed some level of denial. An emotional shield to protect himself from falling too deeply or making even more of a lovestruck fool out of himself (even if said shield had been full of cracks and gradually widening dents).
But now, post-confession, and enough time for their relationship to settle to the point that Legs was (mostly) no longer expecting Scott to suddenly break up with him... all of his extensively built walls and emotional fortifications had been dismantled and torn down by a certain Ice Mage.
As a result, Legs found himself utterly and hopelessly defenseless against Scott in this state.
Every soft blink of those pretty lilac eyes...
Every sleepy tilt of Scott's head and insistence to be even closer to Legs than before...
Every heavy, affectionate, and even heated gaze...
It all stripped away whatever remaining composure Legs had left.
Oh boy.
"Y-Yeah, Scott?" Legs finally answered, his own cheeks slightly warm from a bottle of ale. He cleared his throat, struggling to swallow down his swirling feelings and be heard over the chaos of the tavern. He was pretty sure AJ was doing an unadvised headstand above a keg with various people cheering her on and using magic to make it more 'interesting' or something, but she'd be fine. Meanwhile, Legs couldn't say the same for himself. "You okay?"
"M'too warm," Scott mumbled. With clumsy, uncoordinated fingers, he began tugging at the top buttons of his shirt. He popped one open, then another, letting the fabric part to reveal a teasing collarbone and pale skin beneath. "Too hot."
Definitely too hot, Legs agreed, staring at the very rarely uncovered skin. Way too hot.
Legs swallowed, struggling to reboot his short-circuiting mind. It was normal for Scott to shed a few layers while drunk, but it took a few moments, and a few more buttons, for Legs to realize that Scott was preparing to completely unbutton and take off his shirt.
"W-whoa, whoa!" Legs stammered, frantically grabbing Scott's wrists to stop the impromptu striptease. "L-Let's keep the shirt on, bud. It know it's Kindling, but it's not that warm."
"But it is," Scott whined, leaning even closer into Legs's space.
The Ice Mage pouted, a ridiculously soft, seductive expression that Legs had never seen on the usually composed and controlled man. But instead of shrugging Legs's grip off, Scott adjusted his hands so that they were now holding Legs's. He squinted at the blue-stained palms, as if studying them extensively for the secrets of the universe.
Legs throat went even dryer. "U-Uh, Scott–"
"Your hands are so pretty," Scott murmured abruptly, giving a goofy smile as he began to caress Legs' s palms. It was even more affecting since Scott had long since taken off his gloves, the rare skin-to-skin absolutely driving the inventor absolutely insane. "So smart. They've built so many amaaaaaaazing things!"
"W-What?" Legs breathed out, unsure if he was more affected by Scott's words or touch. "Uh, you sure you aren't looking at your own hands, bud? Mine aren't... nearly as pretty as yours."
The Iron Mage gave a self-conscious chuckle, gesturing down to the blue chemical stains and the many scars he'd gained over the years of his 'childhood' with Olsted, chaotic experiments, building inventions, being a dragon rider, and fighting enemies. Scott had his fair share of scars as well, but not nearly as many given the way his ice could shield him.
(Not to mention that every part of Scott Boralith was utterly beautiful and breathtaking. That had been undeniably true even before Legs had realized his developing feelings for the Ice Mage.)
"See?" Legs snorted, stomach twisting as he tried to ignore the physical reminders of how utterly broken and failure-prone he was. "I look more like a splatter painting than human at this point."
"I like them," Scott said resolutely, still not giving up on his journey of tracing every bit of his skin. More shivers went up Legs's spine, but it had nothing to do with the cold touch. "Each mark tells me something about you." His eyelashes fluttered slowly, lilac gaze slowly moving back up to look at Legs – gaze as intense as the moon. "And I love learning about you."
"O-Oh?" Legs managed to stammer out, swallowing hard. He could hear his heart pounding all the way from his chest to his ears. "G-Good to know! I, uh, love learning about you too!"
Scott gave an absolutely beautiful smile to that, which did not help Legs get his heartrate under control at all. But that was fine. He would happily pass out if it meant keeping that look on his beloved's face.
"You're so perfect," Scott whispered, looking completely lovestruck. It only worsened when he finally released one of Legs's hands, only to reach up and gently pet the blue streak in Legs's hair and place the other hand securely on Legs's waist. "So handsome. Look at you. Absolutely takes my breath away every time I see you. Especially when we're flying in the sky together. I love seeing your pretty blue streak blowing in the wind. Makes you even more gorgeous."
Legs's face erupted into a furious, burning blush. If he couldn't see Pyro arguing with Ambear to the side – something about decorations – he would swear that he'd been set on fire right now.
But, nope!
Nothing to blame but his own silly heart!
(And, maybe, a certain obliviously perfect Ice Mage.)
"I-I, uh, what?" Legs blinked rapidly, wondering if he'd already passed out and was dreaming right now. This definitely seemed like some of the fantasies he'd had, both before and after they'd started dating. "Scott, no, you're, I'm not– you're clearly the gorgeous one here, bud."
"No!" Scott's bottom lip jutted out into an even heavier, dramatic pout. "No denying it. Not allowed."
Before Legs could respond, Scott let go of his blue-streaked hair to once again grabs Legs's hands. He lifted them in his own. Legs almost lost all the air in his lungs as the Ice Mage placed a soft kiss against every blue-stained and scar-covered knuckle, making Legs hide a whimper the higher the kisses got on his inner wrist and arm.
"Every part of you is so handsome, Legs," Scott whispered, looking up at him with a heavy lilac gaze. "Not just how you look, but your mind and soul. You're a complete genius, my Magnet. A total mastermind who's saved us and the dragons so many times with your brilliance. You make the most fantastic, unbelievable inventions that always makes my head spin. You're so brave and have achieved the impossible countless times. You're so kind, gentle, and loving... caring so, so much about everyone, even complete strangers, and keep forgiving us all despite all that you've been through and reasons you deserve to be angry at everyone..."
Legs stared, completely speechless.
This... was this really what Scott thought about him?
Sure, Scott had said things like this before, even before they'd started dating, but to hear it all laid out like this... Legs didn't have the words.
"Honestly...?" Scott sighed deeply, lifting Legs's hand to lean his cheek into it. The temperature difference was even more overt with how flushed and warm Legs felt right now. "You are so out of my league. It's one thing to trust me as your ally, but to accept my feelings? I still can't believe it. I feel like I'm dreaming most of the time." The Ice Mage sighed happily, rubbing his face into Legs's palm. "I'm such a lucky man."
...WHAT?
Legs was so flabbergasted that his jaw literally dropped.
Out of HIS league? Legs repeated mentally, really wondering if he was hallucinating now. What, what is he talking about? If anything, Scott is the one absolutely out of my league! He's the most powerful mage among us, loyal and kind beyond a doubt, provides invaluable support and leadership both on and off the battlefield, and is undeniably the most attractive person in this room even without my bias!
Legs swallowed, something unbelievably soft and tender rising in his chest.
I'm just a nobody who got lucky to survive this long. But Scott... he is... he's everything. Someone who has always deserved everything. If I could spend the rest of my life showing him that, giving Scott even a fraction of the things he deserves... it would be well worth it.
But before Legs could even begin to explain this – though he wasn't so sure how successful he'd be with his own flustered, slightly tipsy, and naturally tongue-tied nature, the overwhelming depth of his always growing feelings, and Scott's inebriated state – Scott spoke again.
"M'too warm," Scott repeated, pouting again. To Legs's secret disappointment, he let go of Legs's hands. But that disappointment quickly disappeared as the Ice Mage began tugging again at the remaining buttons of his shirt. "Need some more air–"
"N-No you don't, buddy!" Legs said quickly, grabbing Scott's hands again. "I, uh, can give you one of the ice packs that you made for me!"
However, to access his backpack, Legs would need his hands... which were both very occupied at the moment to keep the Ice Mage from stripping.
A conundrum to be sure.
Across the table, Ambear and Pyro had finally noticed Legs's predicament. They snickered at them, making no move whatsoever to actually help the Iron Mage.
"Awww, man, let Scott cut loose!" Pyro said with a teasing grin. "I'm more worried about you malfunctioning, Legs! Your face is redder than Cindy's scales, and I don't think you can blame it on my alcohol. Don't think I haven't noticed the way you've barely drank tonight. Enjoying your new position as Scott's favorite handler, are we?"
"Oh, leave the lovebirds alone!" Ambear scolded, though her grin was utterly wicked as she leaned forward eagerly, watching her favorite couple intently as her wings fluttered excitedly behind her.
Legs huffed. Given that Ambear had been very influential in getting Scott and Legs together, and did an extensive amount to help Scott figure out his sexuality and crush in the first place, Legs found he couldn’t be too upset at her smug grin.
(Or at least that's what he tried to tell himself.)
"Though... I do agree with Pyro, Legs," Ambear continued teasingly, really straining Legs's willpower to honor his previous statement to not get too exasperated at her. "You're looking a bit... flustered? A little red, but I'm sure Scott thinks it looks dashing with all the blue–"
"Shut up, you two!" Legs hissed, trying to be the responsible boyfriend and keep Scott from exposing way more of his body than most of the Dragon Riders had ever seen before. He turned back to the Ice Mage, giving into the urge to plead. "Scott, babe, please. Keep the shirt on? For me?"
Scott's movements slowed. He was still pouting, but he slowly removed his fingers from the buttons, much to Legs's extreme relief.
However, that relief was short-lived as Scott moved even closer into Legs's space. He leaned down, his cool lips brushing against the sensitive edge of Legs's earlobe. His breath was so cold against the inventor's burning skin, sending tingles across his body.
"I guess I can keep my shirt on if you really want..." Scott whispered, voice dropping into a low, seductive murmur that made Legs turn into a statute. "But you have to make it up to me. Okay... big boy?"
Before Legs could have a complete meltdown from the words, Scott slid his lips down and pressed a heavy, lingering kiss straight into the crook of Legs' neck. He nipped at the skin, completely unbothered by the fact that they were still in public.
With all their friends watching them.
"ALRIGHT!" Legs squeaked, darting backwards. He ignored Scott's pout, breathing hard as he tried to ignore the too-pleasant tingling sting now present on his neck. "TIME TO GO!"
Legs bolted to his feet, wrapping a firm, supportive arm around Scott's waist to hoist him up. Even with his boyfriend being quite a bit taller, his training as a dragon rider fortunately made the task manageable enough.
Scott let out a soft whine of complaint, but he obediently got to his feet, leaning heavily against the shorter man. He snuggled into Legs, acting more like a clingy octopus and someone actually trying to walk.
"Ooooh, taking Scott upstairs already?" Shelby hollered over the roar of the tavern, throwing a crumpled napkin at them while the rest of the riders dissolved into whistling and catcalls. "And here I thought that you two were too shy and all that!"
Legs flushed, ignoring the clapping and teasing comments as he began to steer a stumbling Scot towards the back stairs leading to the tavern's guest rooms. On the way up, he caught Pyro's eye from across the bar.
Pyro's playful smirk still remained, but there was a protective, sharp warning in his eyes.
Take care of him, the fiery eyes commanded.
Legs gave a firm, serious nod in return. While Legs and Pyro's relationship had become even more complex and... interesting since Legs had started dating Scott, he knew the Fire Mage genuinely trusted him with his childhood best friend. It was an honor and meant more than Legs could ever say.
(That said, Legs kind of wished the other members of the Elemental Quartet didn't take so much glee in giving him increasingly complex shovel talks.)
(He had a feeling it was less from the worry of Legs hurting Scott, and more from how much fun they had coming up with new ideas and threats. And since they were Scott's closest friends and family, and some of his closest friends and family, Legs had no choice but to endure every bizarre, mortifying, and terrifyingly random talk.)
The hallway upstairs was blissfully quiet compared to the roaring, rider-filled room below. However, Legs practically had to drag Scott down the corridor, the Ice Mage continuously distracted by paintings, the way the flooring was laid out, and most difficult of all, touching every part of Legs he could.
"You're so strong," Scott murmured, lilac eyes dazzling bright with awe. "I'm so happy I can lean on you without crushing you. I don't want to crush you. I really, really, really like you."
"A-And I really like you too, Scott," Legs replied, feeling slightly calmer now that they were relatively alone. However, Scott's words and wandering hands were definitely trying to drive out what little sanity remained in his brain. "B-But how about we lean on into the guest room here?"
Juggling the Ice Mage in his hands, Legs somehow managed to open the door and lead Scott inside. He closed the door with his leg before guiding his drunk boyfriend over to the edge of the mattress. Moving slow, he gently laid the fellow mage down onto the soft blankets.
"Okay, there we go..." Legs exhaled, breathing a sigh of relief. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. It wasn't from the temperature or exertion, but the sheer nerves and emotions he'd experienced in the last hour. "Let's get your boots off and then you can sleep this off–"
But as Legs reached down to untie Scott's boots, the Ice Mage's hands suddenly shot out, firmly locking around his wrists. With a sudden burst of strength, Scott yanked Legs forward, sending the smaller engineer tumbling directly onto the bed with him.
"W-Whoa!" Legs gasped, his hands catching his own weight so that he was directly above Scott. He froze, staring down with his face only inches away from the other man. "U-Uhhhh, I–"
But before Legs could even begin to come up with coherent words to say, Scott wrapped both arms tightly around Legs' torso, pulling the inventor firmly down into him. He buried his face right back into Legs's neck, giving a content sigh. He held on like a koala, tangling their legs together without any sign of releasing his boyfriend.
"No leaving," Scott muttered petulantly, digging his icy nose into Legs's skin and uncaring of the way Legs gasped as a result. "Only sleeping if you stay. Cuddle time, my Compass."
Legs laid there, completely paralyzed. Then, he slowly let himself relax, taking in the scent of winter, faint pine, and ice cream rolling off Scott. It mixed with the lingering smell of burning wood from below and lingering traces of alcohol.
"O-Okay," Legs agreed, using his iron magic to pull off his boots (he'd placed iron into all of his clothing for different reasons, but it was convenient in times like this where Scott used Legs as his favorite teddy bear). It took a bit more maneuvering and coaxing, but he managed to get Scott to kick off his boots as well. "We... we can cuddle, Snowflake. For as long as you like."
"Yaaaay," Scott cheered contently, snuggling in even tighter. "You're the best boyfriend ever, Legs."
A soft, helpless smile filled Legs's lips. He carefully untangled one arm, wrapping it over Scott's shoulder to pull the Ice Mage just a little bit closer.
"Not possible," Legs whispered, completely struck by how deeply in love he was with this ridiculous and beautiful man. "Because I'm looking at the best boyfriend in the whole world right now."
Legs never thought he'd ever have something like this. Never thought he'd be worthy or find someone willing to care about a clumsy engineer like him in this way.
It was still so strange... to know that he could have this. That he could be this close to someone, to Scott, and not have to move away. To not have to second guess his every action. To just... enjoy and relish in their closeness and shared contentment.
But now that he had a love like this... he'd do his best to treasure it forever. From the big, life-saving moments to the little quiet moments like this.
It was all so, so, so precious to him.
Scott murmured something, but it was incomprehensible as the Ice Mage visibly drifted off to sleep. Soon, soft rhythmic breaths filled the space, the taller man looking entirely at peace now that he had his favorite anchor in his arms.
Legs chuckled, closing his tired eyes as his heartbeat slowly evened out. He surrendered himself to slumber, relishing the feel of his favorite cool and comfy pillow beneath him and sound of Scott's lightly thumping heartbeat below his ear.
Maybe a drunk Scott was a bit of a handful... but Legs wouldn't miss any of these moments for the world.