Lyer & Aluraios | Welcome
Ebony hair flowed in a cascade of waves down the navy blue silk tunic to sweep the embroidered hem hanging loosely on Lyer Rewtren's slim body. He released the intricate silver clip that bound it in a complex knot at his nape and shook his head, luxuriating in its weight and closed his eyes in relief and freedom. After rolling his shoulders to rid the feel of phantom wings, he stood still for a few seconds, forcing himself to let his taut defenses relax in the darkened room.
"Sensualist."
Lyer turned a tired grin to the body sprawled on the Wooden Key Inn's hard couch at the low chuckle. "And that's a complaint?" The body sat up, the swath of white covering him manifesting into a cloak of hair that swept the couch arms and trailed to the floor as he propped himself up on one elbow, letting his gaze rake over the new arrival in approval as an unspoken reply.
Dark eyes and hawk-gold met at the apex of the gaze and Lyer held then broke the silent communion to stretch as he closed his eyes, sighing as the tension drained away. "And that's the end of that visit to my kin."
"Last time I looked your 'kin' were throwing you out of Ghovan and disowning you. And do you have to look so cat-like?"
"Last time they weren't under attack and in need of knowledge of my protection spells." As he spoke, studiously forcing his naturally predatorial walk into something more human, he reached the dresser where he tipped an array of silver clips onto the bare unvarnished wood. "And this time they at least acknowledged my human magic in order to gain that protection."
Lyer fingered a knot-work filigree piece, glancing up at the cracked mirror as a whisper of motion announced Aluraios unfolding his long legs, clad in soft beige leather, from under the cream wool tunic on his perch and moving towards him. "And why you bother protecting them I have no idea." His fine-boned hand stretched out to tease the clasp away from Lyer as his hand flipped it open. "And unless you're planning on going out again in that form, you don't need to do your hair up." He ran his hand up and onto Lyer's shoulder, and the creases in his usually smooth forehead were proof that he'd noticed the tension in it. "You don't need it pulled in one of your authoritarian styles and creating more tension."
Lyer gently shrugged the offending arm away and picked up the fallen clasp to quickly and loosely clip some loose strands behind his ear, before reaching for a soft cream velvet silk-lined pouch tumbled among the silver. "You may enjoy hair in your face, I don't." He swept his hand up under the flowing darkness and brushed it over the high cheekbones behind him, letting his finger caress the fine lines before fumbling open the pouch one handed.
Aluraios reached forward to help and drew out the single simple clasp inside, the silver entwined symbol of a moon and sun bright in the dark room as he smoothed out the whole length. "I enjoy your hair. What's the occasion?"
"I've been away for a week, and you haven't even said welcome back. I was rather hoping you'd get the hint."
The elegant hands stilled their teasing massage on Lyer's shoulders as he caught the flash of hurt in the mirrored eyes. "Oh, Goddess!" he winced, burying his face in the soft mass of jet black swiftly, and rubbed his face against the other's neck. "Welcome back, Lyer, welcome back, love," he whispered, lifting his face to meet Lyer's eyes in the mirror as he lifted the almost-forgotten clasp to slide it in, and smooth the strands of white that fell to mingle with the black. He caressed them gently as he turned the unresisting body round to face him. "I've missed you," he looked ashamed and wry for a moment, and took the other man in his arms. "I found some rather interesting history books that mentioned, well, you, and I was curious to learn more about the enigma I've gotten involved with. I'm sorry, I'm..."
Lyer's eyes lit with curiosity, which was repressed swiftly, he placed a single finger over Aluraios's lips, smiling softly at the explanation. "If you're that interested, we can do story-time." Before the other could reply he replaced the finger with his lips as they whispered, "Later. Definitely later. I've missed you too."
© Clare Selley 2009
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