TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

It was a gorgeous summer day, one of the last ones they'd have before autumn crept in. The sun was shining brightly but underneath the trees it was just the right temperature. The sunlight reflected off the rich blue water and the steam rose up invitingly. Aureus had laid out a deer pelt like a picnic blanket with rabbit, grouse and turkey spread out upon it. He had also set out the clay bowl he'd been working on. Kali and Griff had been guarding the spread and when he arrived the grinned at him, Kali shooting him a wink before they disappeared into the brush to give the duo privacy.

"Here we are! If you're hungry feel free to tuck in. I uh, I also made you something." He padded over to the bowl feeling heat rise to his cheeks. "I made you another bowl."

Eliphas tried very hard to center himself as he walked close beside Aureus, and hopefully talk some sense into himself. They’d only just met. They were practically strangers, but the all too handsome sand furred wolf ignited a flame beneath the Klein's skin. Maybe it was his lineage that made him so susceptible to good looking individuals, or maybe there was something real there that wanted to grow. He focused on carrying his own supplies when the pair arrived at their intended destination, dual toned eyes fell on the picnic and a grin leapt to his pink lips. Aureus had obviously put thought into their day together and Eliphas felt a thrill race through his body.

Eliphas slowed to take in the scene as Aureus moved forward to an item after offering lunch. Eliphas tilted his head curiously and his eyes widened in surprise as he was offered a gift. His heart swelled and warmth filled him as he stepped forward to admire the bowl. ”You shouldn’t have.” Was all he could say as real proof of his place in Aureus’s thoughts were made obvious. He was sure his heart skipped a beat. ”It’s beautiful. We can enjoy some tea in it together.” He said shyly as he looked to his snowy owl Merlin. The bird offered his fire starting supplies and Eli got to work on a fire. ”I’ve been practicing.” He spoke softly as he averted his gaze bashfully.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus felt heat rush to his cheeks as he thought of the two of them drinking from the same bowl. "I'd really like that and I'm glad you like the gift." He'd been working on his bowl making and he only hoped to get better and better as time went on. Eliphas started to work on a fire and as he turned away shyly Aureus felt himself wanting to wrap the smaller man in an embrace right there on the spot but he just kept second guessing himself.

Aureus padded over to Eliphas, carrying a few larger sticks in his mouth which he set down. "I'd love to help. How has life been in your pack so far? We're finally getting back on our feet it feels like." The volcano had caused such a mess, everything had felt so unstable for so long. He was generally curious how things had been going for Eliphas' pack. Also the question bought him some time as he tried to figure out how to out to ask about Eliphas' sexuality. He supposed maybe he should just out himself. But how to do it?

Eliphas had never gotten so much attention from anyone, even his brother Killian or sister Diana. No one had ever made him gifts like Aureus did. No one had ever taken such a keen interest in him before, especially not a handsome face like the Abraxas man. From the short time he’d been around him Eli could admire his obvious strength and rugged good looks. He tried not to think about how it would feel to be wrapped in the warrior’s arms. Eliphas focused on his firemaking, not forgetting that Aureus hadn’t denied sharing a bowl of tea.

Even more, the tall man appeared beside Eliphas with supplies for a fire and he offered to help. Eliphas felt his stomach bubble with nervous excitement. How did Aureus manage to do this to him? He was a magician, he was supposed to have control over his emotions. The sand furred man brought all kinds of new feelings within the albino Klein. Eli tried to remind himself they were near strangers but he couldn’t help his thoughts jumping to the future. Did Aureus feel the same? Did he struggle with the butterflies in his belly like Eliphas did? When they were apart Eli couldn’t help but think about him. Now that they were together his thoughts were consumed.

”Please do,” he said easily and gestured for Aureus to arrange his kindling and branches. ”Well…” he started after the question was asked. ”I’m going to leave the Armada.” He admitted, he wasn’t ashamed. He’d already told Sirius that he didn’t feel like he fit within the ranks. He wanted to follow his father’s foot steps. ”I want to find a place of my own. To take care of the woods and focus on my work without prying eyes.” To be a hermit.. Once the thought had excited him, but as his dual gaze shifted back to Aureus’s face he knew he didn’t want to be alone.

”I’m glad to hear your pack has been doing well.” He lost his confidence and lowered his features to the fire once more as his cheeks grew red. He was going to turn into a cherry if he spent much more time with his attractive friend. The bones of the fire were nearly done now, they’d have warm water for tea soon.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus carefully arranged the sticks and twigs he had gathered, following Eliphas' pattern. His stomach was shivering with a tumult of emotions. He was nervous, anxious, excited. He focused on what he was doing, eager to please the svelte, pale man. His ears flicked up as Eliphas mentioned that he was going to leave the Armada. Aureus looked up to meet the other's eyes and excitement won out over all other emotions, but there was also a touch of worry. Winter was not a good time to choose to be a lone wolf.

He opened his mouth, his words failing to come for a moment. He cleared his throat. "I'm proud of you for following your dreams but I have to say, Eliphas, I'm worried about you with winter coming on. You know, if you wanted you'd be more than welcome to come live with me in Aerie. I'm sure my brother would welcome you. We only have one healer right now who is eager to learn and we have a forest to." He was gathering steam, excitement evident in his voice. "There's a ravine that cuts through the center of the forest and I'm sure the pack would be interested in taking care of it so that it yields herbs for healing and prey to sustain us." His den was over by the lake but he was already planning on moving it to the ravine now.

"Eliphas… I… I miss you when we're not together."

Eliphas hid it well, but his paws were shaking as he built the base of the fire. Aureus was so close as he helped to arrange the kindling and sticks. Eliphas felt his face flush more than once as the tall warrior brushed him lightly. He focused on his task and explaining his actions before taking up the tools Merlin offered and clumsily struck the items together to create sparks. He didn’t have great aim, and it took him a long moment to get the hang of striking the piece in his mouth to the rock in his paws.

Aureus spoke while Eli’s mouth was full, but his dual toned eyes shyly met those of the Abraxas. He tried to focus on the new sparks at the fire and blew gently on them to ignite the cattail fluff beneath. With a few well placed breaths the fire took life and Eliphas returned his gaze to the sandy furred man. He hardly knew what to think, here he was unable to stop thinking about him, wondering if he had any clue how he made him feel inside. The fluttering nervousness, the timid attraction, and the deep warm feelings of a bond. Eliphas trusted Aures despite the short time they’d known each other. It was easy with such a handsome smiling face.

Still, Eliphas had his reservations until Aureus confessed how much he was missed while they were apart. Mismatched ears fell to his skull and his lips pulled back into a bashful grin. He could hardly believe his ears, and felt like he needed a moment to breathe. This was happening so fast, but he wanted to take a leap. ”I should get the tea on.” He said softly, unable to move as he lost himself in Aureus’s bright blue gaze. Instead of making a move for his pack Eli took in a steadying breath. ”You really missed me?” He asked in a whisper, unable in that moment to think about the future.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus felt his face flush and right after the words were out of his mouth he wondered if he'd maybe overstepped his bounds. Two forces were in conflict within him. One wanted to just straight out ask Eliphas to date him and the other half wanted to take it slower and avoid spooking the other man.

Eliphas got the fire going and Aureus moved back a bit as the smoke started to rise from it. He instinctively moved around the fire to sit closer to Eliphas. Eli met his gaze and Aureus felt a shiver down his back. He nodded. "Yea, I really did." His heart was racing, his stomach fluttering. "Eliphas, what would you think about being more than friends?"

The albino Klein fumbled as he tried to prepare their tea to share as Aureus shifted closer to him. Eliphas struggled with the feelings inside of him, but as they warred he felt himself lean closer to the side of throwing caution to the wind. How would he know if he didn’t jump in? What was the worst that might happen? Would living so close to Aureus be a bad thing? He knew that he wanted to be closer, to feel for himself the strength of his arms and the safety of his presence. The gentle brush of lips against his…

He blinked dual colored gems as the sand furred warrior met his gaze, he assured Eliphas that he’d missed him and after a moment of hesitation went on. His name on Aureus’s lips made a shiver run down his spine but the words he spoke caught his breath. Had he been holding anything he would have dropped it. ”I… I think I’d like that.” Eliphas spoke hesitantly, his normally eloquent words stuttered out with nerves and excitement. He couldn’t deny his attraction, especially now.

”I feel safe with you, Aureus.” He trusted the chocolate marked Abraxas, with his secrets and now he’d offer up his own heart. Hesitantly and softly Eliphas leaned against Aureus, pressing his shoulder against him as he leaned his head into the man’s strong neck. ”It’s nice being close to you.” The tea was forgotten as he was overwhelmed with the sudden change of dynamic.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

When Eli's eyes met his Aureus just wanted to wrap his arms around the smaller man and pull him into a deep embrace but he held himself back. He didn't want to push to fast to far and to be perfectly honest he wasn't sure he could move even if he wanted to. Every fiber of his being was alert and anticipating Eliphas' answer. He felt like he was standing on a razor's edge, waiting to know his fate. He felt so vulnerable in that moment letting Eliphas hold his fate in his paws like this. Aureus tried to tell himself it wouldn't be a big deal if Eliphas said no. He'd carry on… some how…

"I… I think I’d like that."

In that moment the world started turning again. Aureus exhaled, noticeably relaxing as a wide grin spread across his face. He couldn't even bring himself to speak, he was so utterly elated that the words simply didn't exist to describe his joy. Eliphas moved closer, his shoulder and head leaning into Aureus. His body tingled with delight and he gently leaned into Eliphas, but not so hard that he might topple the other. He shifted his balance slightly and moved to try and reach his arm around Eliphas and pull the other into a half embrace.

"I agree, I like this." He reached out to lick Eliphas' cheek.

Eliphas pressed his smaller frame into Aureus as he shifted. Strong golden arms wrapped around thin ivory shoulders and gave Eli a shiver down his spine. At the same time Aureus made him feel warm all over, but especially where they touched. He’d attempted a potion of bliss before, but nothing could compare to how he felt here in these moments. ‘Complete’ was a good start, even if everything was so new. His heart felt right.

He smiled, a true smile played on his pale features. What he didn’t expect was the giggle that escaped him as Aureus kissed his cheek. He felt his face grow flush, but in a good way. He was excited to explore these new flutters of emotions with his sandy prince. ”I’ve never kissed before.” The alabaster Klein confessed softly as his dual toned gaze looked up to find Aureus’s bright gaze. He was thrilled inside, but also uncertain of himself. He was eager to know Aureus, but also timid as he ventured into the unknown.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus felt his heart fluter as Eliphas giggled. By Abraxas, that was a beautiful sound! So light and melodic. Come to think of it he was feeling much better than he ever had since his father's death. Heck, maybe even before that. In truth he couldn't remember feeling so contented. It was strange to think he might care for someone even more than his family and yet here he was. He knew he was supposed to be a god and Eliphas just a mortal, but in that moment he'd happily trade his godhood if it meant spending the rest of his life with Eliphas.

”I’ve never kissed before.”

Aureus swallowed as his face flushed. He grinned gently at the smaller man, locking his eyes with the other, looking away just for a moment as he spoke. "I uh… I haven't either." How did one even kiss? He had a general idea of how it was done. Aureus leaned down, closing his eyes as he got close, figuring he'd just go for it. Even if it was a disaster it was worth a shot. They had to start somewhere.