Chapter Text
Moonlight picks up after the third ring, lifting the star shaped orb on their bedside table into her palm.
She yawns groggily, rubbing her eye because who on earth could be calling at this time?
Sea Fairy stirs from next to her, long hair braided down to her waist and shirt discarded somewhere on the floor. She arches a brow questioningly and Moonlight replies with a shrug.
“Hello?”
“Uh, hey Moonlight!” Fire Spirit sounds unsure- something very un- Fire Spirit like. “I hope it's not too early at the City Of Wizards. I just uh…needed to ask you something.”
“Fire Spirit, I've already told you I'm a lesbian.” Sea Fairy sits up hastily, scowling at the star in her hands.
“It's not about that! I just…need advice…and I thought since you already have a girl n’ shit, you might be able to help me out here?”
She yawns, leaning against Sea Fairy’s shoulder and pressing her temple to her skin. “I can try.”
“Okay, so there's this guy-”
He's cut short by the pair of them bursting into laughter, Sea Fairy hastily covering her mouth because she's the more considerate one between the two of them.
“Wow.”
“I- I’m sorry, dear, it's just so ironic!” Moonlight snickers quietly. “But yes, yes, as you were saying.”
“So there's this guy.” Fire Spirit begins irritably. “And we had this thing going on for a little over a year, but it wasn't anything serious. He…had a crush on me and so we decided to break it off, but now-”
“You're in love with Wind Archer!” Moonlight suddenly bursts excitedly. “That's why you were looking for him at the ball!”
The line goes quiet. “Are ya gonna let me finish or not?”
A laugh. “Sorry, sorry, as you were saying...”
“I want to show him that I care for him. And that I'm serious about wanting to…do something about it. But I'm scared it's too late now.”
“Aw, that's so sad.” A pause. “Oh right! Okay, so what you will need to do is open your heart to him. Be emotional! Break down those fiery barriers!”
“Yeah, no thanks, anything else I can do?”
“Fire Spirit.” Sea Fairy begins quietly, taking the star from Moonlight. “If you aren't able to show him your truest emotions, then you're not ready to pursue him. Pride is an obstacle- you need to overcome it.”
“But…” Fire Spirit suddenly sounds a little vulnerable. “What if it's too late now?”
“There's only one way you can find out, dear.” Moonlight hums, fondly kissing Sea Fairy's cheek. “Be brave! You're the Guardian Of Fire itself! It's not like this is the worst you've faced.”
“Debatable.” A heavy sigh. “But thanks. I'll…try.”
Sea Fairy smiles. “Sometimes, that's all we can do.”
___________
Wind Archer likes to bake.
It's not a conventional activity for how little free time he has sometimes, but when the forest is protected by Millennial Tree's presence, he can easily take an evening to unwind.
And so, he decides to bake muffins.
Since he can't really eat meat without throwing his entire training routine off balance, sweet things like this really help with this lack of nutritional variety. And he'll even throw in some chocolate chips in there because he's tired of everything right now.
So here is is- wearing and old shirt with a large bowl in his hands.
Wind Archer sighs softly as he pours the chocolate batter into the little muffin molds.
At that moment, a bird lands on the windowsill right above the kitchen counter and whistles softly. It sounds…distressed?
“What's wrong, little one?” Wind Archer sets the bowl down and hastily walks over to pick the little blue creature up in his palms. It twitters in reply, flapping its wings rapidly. “Commotion? In the forest?”
He furrows his brows, setting it on his shoulder and hurting to his front door, by which his bow is propped against the wall. “We should hurry if…”
Wind Archer's eyes catch the little white flowers littered on his porch. In front of him leading to the forest is two columns of those very flowers making a path.
He tilts his head, puzzled. Are these…dragon lilies?
The bird tweets softly, tugging at a strand of his hair to rush him.
“Ow! Yes, yes, let's hurry.” He begins following the path, keeping his bow draw as they head into the heart of the forest.
The path stretches on, eliminating any sign that it could be set up by any of the forest creatures. And the only person he knows even knows of these lilies is…
He tiptoes closer to the empty patch of the forest the lilies are leading to and gasps softly.
A picnic blanket. There's a picnic waiting for…
The bird takes off into on of the trees just as someone emerged from the opposite side of the blanket with another load of those flowers in his arms.
Fire Spirit drops them when he spots Wind Archer standing there with his weapon, looking to him, then back at the picnic blanket.
The fire elemental looks thoroughly caught off guard. “You're…not supposed to be here yet.”
“Yet?” Wind Archer furrows his brows. “Were you planning on calling me at all?”
“Well, yeah. I had a whole speech prepared, I was supposed to knock on your door and blindfold you.” Fire Spirit explains, knowing full well how off putting it sounds.
Suddenly, Wind Archer understands. He gently sets his weapon on the grass, blushing a little. “Well. Out with it.”
“I can't!” Fire Spirit panics, hastily picking up the flowers and setting them on the grass all around the blanket. “I need to set the mood.”
“And what's the “mood”, exactly?”
“Romance.” Fire Spirit replies, taking his time to light up every lily until there's a faint warmth to the area around them. “And later, we're gonna go for a walk and you'll be all like “Jee, Fire Spirit, it really is cold out here.” And then I'll give you my jacket and you'll blush and be all cute about it.”
Suddenly, Wind Archer sees why he was made at all. Not to protect the forest. Not to protect Millennial Tree. But to torment Fire Spirit.
“You're not wearing a jacket.” He comments, leaning against the nearest tree with his arms folded.
“Well yeah, I didn't even get to get dressed yet. Fuckin’ birds always gotta spread the gossip.” He glowers up at the trees before frowning back at him. “I guess the surprise ain't a surprise anymore.”
“It's not.” He assures him.
Fire Spirit sighs again, slowly stepping towards him. “Didn't even get to rehearse my lines.”
“Oh so there are lines, are there?” He quirks a brow, amused. “Well, I'm waiting.”
“Um…Wind Archer.” Fire Spirit, looks down at his hands awkwardly. “You probably hate me right now.”
“Mm.”
“And you probably don't want to talk. But I was wondering if you'd be willing to…go on a date with me. Just a quick one.”
“A quick one?” He pretends to ponder it for a moment. “Well, I suppose I wasn't doing anything just now.”
His heart melts a little at the genuine joy that lights up Fire Spirit's face. “So that's a yes?”
Huh. A year ago, he was the one waiting starry eyed for an answer and now…
Wind Archer smiles a little. “As friends, of course.”
The fire elemental’s smile dims a little. No, a lot. That’s for telling him that his body chose him and making Wind Archer feel like he had a chance.
“You’re really gonna put me through the ringer here, huh.” Fire Spirit begins leading them towards the blanket with a moody frown.
“It’s what you deserve.” He hums as they sit down. Between them is a picnic basket, which Fire Spirit hastily picks up before he can lift up the flap.
Wind Archer arches a brow. Fire Spirit grins sheepishly.
“I wanted to be the one showing you all the stuff I made.” He explains hurriedly before setting it down in front of him and picking out the items.
Then, he pauses again and glares at Wind Archer. “What's a guy gotta go to get a drum roll round here?”
He rolls his eyes, albeit affectionately, and behind tapping his lap with his hands for a round of the world's most unenthusiastic applause.
Fire Spirit sighs as if deciding that he'll take what he can get and takes out the first plastic box and lifting the lid to show off a neat row of rice balls.
“So this Onigiri. Uh, not the fish kind, it has pickled plum inside of it.” He clarifies and teaches for another. “This is hummus and there's some naan here too. I know, Japanese-Arab fusion is a wild combo, but I already made the hummus before I realized that Japanese food is full…of plenty…”
Fire Spirit trails off at Wind Archer's stricken expression. “What's wrong? If you're not a fan of either of these things, we can ditch this place and go to-”
“You can cook.” Wind Archer begins, picking up the first platter. “And you…someone who eats as much awful junk food as he can…cooked for me.”
“Well duh, picnic food is always home cooked stuff, isn't it?”
But Wind Archer shakes his head. “You went out of your way to cook vegan food…just for me. While you were using me to get yourself off a year ago.”
“Whoa, okay, low blow!” Fire Spirit glares at him like what he said is a personal offence. “First off, I've always known how to cook, I'm just lazy. Second off, I never used you! The whole time we were hooking up, you never said you liked me!”
“You said you knew.” He scoffs, rolling his eyes.
“Well, yeah, I found out when I walked into your house the same day and saw you walking around in my clothes.”
“I sent them back.”
“Yeah, after they started smelling like flowers and grass and…” Fire Spirit trails off and shakes his head. “My point it is, I didn't like you back then. But…I do now.”
“Nothing has changed.” He replies bitterly. “The worlds haven't collided. Dark Enchantress didn't revive herself. What on earth could have possibly made you change your mind?”
“I don't know, Wind!” Fire Spirit finally looks angry, voice almost shaking. “I don't know anything about how I feel! All I know is that, sometimes, I feel things and, others, I don't. I barely even have friends that aren't you!”
“But-” Fire Spirit pretends not to hear him.
“I don't know why I am the way I am.” He takes a breath and speaks quieter, looking away. “I'm…weird with feelings. I deflect. I get angry. But…I like this.”
A pause. “This?”
He doesn't even realize his fist is clenched by his side until Fire Spirit takes it, gently carding his fingers through Wind Archer's own. “This.”
Oh.
“I don't know what it is.” Fire Spirit begins again slowly, voice raw with the emotions he refuses to let Wind Archer see. “But everything inside me screams at me to kiss you every time we're together.”
Wind Archer squeezes Fire Spirit’s hand. “Try your luck.”
The fire elemental is caught off guard by it. He looks back at him, cheeks tinged red and, slowly leans in until Wind Archer can feel his breath against his lips. Hands cup his cheeks, thumbs circling his skin in a gentle motion.
Then, Wind Archer raises a finger and puts it over Fire Spirit's lips, stopping just before he can part his lips.
And that's for breaking his heart.
“Unlucky?” He asks. They're still so close, Fire Spirit's hand is hovering right over his thigh.
“Yeah.” He breathes, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. “Think I should try again?”
And Fire Spirit is truly addicting this way- all sweet and quiet and desperate for him to…love him.
But part of him fears it. He doesn't want to be used again. He doesn't want to be part of an experiment to see what sticks. He knows Fire Spirit wants something more, now that they've come back to each other. And yet…
“Fire Spirit.” He says as if it pains him. Because it does. “I can't.”
“Why not?” His voice is rushed, desperate.
“I just…I don't want to lose myself again. And I just…I can't risk you hurting me again either.” He whispers, their lips still just inches away from meeting. “Not when I just found out how to live without you being my only reason to.”
“Wind, please.” Fire Spirit cups his face gently. “I- I'll do whatever it takes. Whatever you want me to.”
“And that why I can't say yes.” His heart aches with every word that he allows past his lips. “We can't love each other if it hurts us, Fire Spirit.”
“I don't care if it hurts.” It's a shaky whisper. “Just let me have you.”
“No.”- ‘ I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you’- “If it only destroys us, then it isn't love worth chasing.”
Fire Spirit swallows deeply, his hands slipping down to Wind Archer's shoulders. “Then let me have one thing. And I'll…I'll leave.”
“What is it?”
“One last kiss. Just one.” He begs- begs- Wind Archer. “And nothing else.”
And Wind Archer is nothing if not his.
And because he is weak and pitiful, he kisses him with everything he has. With all the love in his heart and the fear of losing himself and all the emotions he makes him feel, Wind Archer kisses Fire Spirit.
And then he pulls away, his lips being chased immediately until the fire elemental realizes and lets him go.
“Wind?”
“Yeah?”
“D’you think we can ever…y'know…be together?” It sounds so genuine that it feels like innocence.
“I don't know.” He answers truthfully, wiping his damp eyes. “I guess we'll have to…”
“Find out.” Fire Spirit nods slowly. “Okay…That's not awful.”
A pause, Wind Archer staring at him in disbelief. “Fire Spirit, I'm not asking you to wait for me.”
The fire elemental smiles softly, eyes filled with a warmth he could chase for the rest of his life. “Would you hate it if I did?”
“No.” Wind Archer decides, resting his head against his shoulder. “No, I wouldn't.”
And for the second time in his life, Wind Archer lets Fire Spirit go. This time, with him underneath his touch, begging for him to love him again.
__________
3 Years Later:
Moonlight and Sea Fairy’s wedding is beautiful.
The way the stars and the sea glitter together could not compare to anything else. And standing here at the quiet little ceremony at the seaside with just a few close friends here to witness it, Wind Archer feels an odd, yet equally deep sense of contentment.
He’s wearing a suit for the occasion, sitting in the front row next to Millennial Tree, who is all but teary eyed upon seeing this moment. To him, it's not just a simple betrothal, but two of his chosen elementals finding enough love within each other to spend immortality with one another.
And Wind Archer supposes he understands.
It must be something beautiful- a love so deep, it defies all challenges. All obstacles pitted in front of it.
His eyes drift across the aisle to the Second row of chairs. Fire Spirit and Stormbringer are sitting together, likely gossiping about something he doesn't care enough about to keep up with. The fire elemental is wearing a suit as well, hair a little longer than it was three years ago, though barely noticeable by anyone who isn't paying attention.
He looks nice.
As if sensing him staring, Fire Spirit turns his head in the middle of a sentence and smiles warmly, eyes crinkling like they do whenever he looks at him. Just him.
He returns it and they watch each other for a moment longer until the music that the small band is playing swells and they're forced to tear their eyes away from each other.
Sea Fairy, dressed in a silky gown with her hair flowing down to her waist, walks down the aisle first until the wedding march begins and Wind Archer swears the stars go a little dimmer when Moonlight begins drifting towards her in turn.
Her gown is much more extravagant with a long train flowing behind her. Her dark hair glitters like the stars, the curls more pronounced than ever and an unabashed smile on her face.
They both look beautiful.
The ceremony is simple and sweet. They exchange their vows almost tearily and share a brief kiss before everyone bursts into polite applause, save for Stormbringer and Fire Spirit, who hoot loudly and cheer them on.
Seated behind them, Frost Queen raises her fingers to her temple and shakes her head and Sherbet, right next to her, laughs along sheepishly.
It's a fitting ceremony for them.
Later, their chairs have been moved to the sides and the band is playing a more upbeat tune. Sea Fairy and Moonlight have occupied the dance floor and the rest of them watch their first dance before Stormbringer, dressed to the nines in a suit, grabs Frost Queen's arm.
“Care to dance, grandma?” She chides, grinning cockily.
Wind Archer feels his jaw drop before he shuts it again.
“Excuse you, I do not dance.” Frost Queen replies coldly, scowling down at the (much) shorter woman.
“Aw come on, I know ya got some groove in ya, lady.” She cajoles her towards the dance floor. “Can't have your apprentice thinking you're all stiff, ain't that right, Sherbet?”
The boy panics under her gaze and pretends not to hear, hastily looking away. Frost Queen looks near murderous, but what's more alarming is that she doesn't kill Stormbringer and instead lets her drag her away.
Wind Archer gapes a little, looking towards Millennial Tree, realizing he won't find his matched wavelength with him and his eyes try to find Fire Spirit.
He doesn't need to look for long.
“Well, she said she'd do it.” He comments from where he's been standing next to him, it seems. “Never doubted her for a sec.”
“It's a good thing she's immortal. You can't label it as a death wish this way.” He comments, frowning a little.
A hand slots itself onto the small of his back. Fire Spirit leans in until his lips just brush against his ear. “You know…I've been told I'm a pretty good dancer.”
“By who? You've been eyeing me up for the last three years.” He counters, arching a brow.
“Why do you gotta ruin all my romantic shit?” Fire Spirit pouts, meeting Wind Archer's over his shoulder.
Wind Archer tilts his head playfully. “Aw, did I hurt your feelings?”
A grin. “Yeah, I guess you're gonna have to make up for it.”
“Do I?”
“A dance.” Fire Spirit holds out his hand and Wind Archer takes it without a second of hesitation, allowing himself to be pulled to the dance floor.
Under the stars, Fire Spirit is really something to look at. His hair pushed back, eyes glinting mischievously as he grins down at Wind Archer. Part of him never stopped wishing he was his alone to admire.
“Ever danced with anyone before?” Fire Spirit asks quietly.
“No.” He answers truthfully, allowing Fire Spirit to take his hands and bring them up to his shoulders so he can knot them behind his neck. “You get to be my first.”
“Lucky you, huh?” He teases, pulling Wind Archer closer by his waist. “I get to be your first dance. Not a lot of people get to say that the elemental fire himself swept them off their feet, ya know.”
“I can’t think of a person who would, so I guess you’re right.” He teases, following the rhythm Fire Spirit sets for them- a simple back and forth that he's obviously keeping so that Wind Archer can keep up with him. “See, now watch my feet…”
“Aw, and here I was hoping I'd be able to watch you instead.” He looks up briefly, the teasing clearly flustering Fire Spirit more than he lets on, rolling his eyes dramatically.
“You always this much of a flirt?” He asks, arching a brow.
“Only with you.” Wind Archer answers truthfully.
A smile fights its way to Fire Spirit's face as he spins them around slowly. “Ya better be.”
Wind Archer's eyes drift past him briefly to Sea Fairy and Moonlight. They're not dancing anymore, only cradling one another's face in their hands, foreheads pressed together.
He smiles. “I’m happy for them.”
“Me too. Even though Moonlight was a pain about that dress, I tell ya.” Fire Spirit scoffs.
“Do you ever wonder what it's like?” Wind Archer tilts his head up to the sea of stars above them as if one of the glowing specs will give him an answer. “You know…that kind of love- being soulmates and wanting to do everything to be together.”
“No.” Fire Spirit answers followed by a brief pause as he spins him around before pulling him back into his arms. His eyes practically glow as they meet him. “I already know what it's like.”
Wind Archer melts a little, a hand moving up to cradle his cheek. “What's it like?”
“Awful, really.” Fire Spirit deadpans, tilting his face so his lips press into Wind Archer’s palm. “You end up confused for the most part and end up doing some really…dumb shit.”
A snort. “Don’t I know it.”
“But it also teaches you something new.” He continues, voice dropping a little lower. He speaks slowly, as if measuring each word. “Ya know, I’ve never had to wait in my life for…anything, really. Everything I wanted, I took so I’d never be alone. And yet…I think I’m good on waiting a little longer…just for him.”
“And what if he didn’t want you to wait anymore?” Wind Archer takes Fire Spirit’s hand from his waist and tangles their fingers together.
Immediately, Fire Spirit snaps his eyes up to his own, as if asking him if he’s really asking him. Wind Archer only waits for his reply.
“Then…I think I’d propose to him right here.”
“Good grief, do not.” He stops their movements, mortified.
“Okay, first off, I was kidding.” Fire Spirit frowns down at him moodily. “Second, you love me, okay? So fuck you.”
“And you just decided that yourself?”
“You just said-”
“I didn’t say I loved you.” Wind Archer holds his hands up defensively. “I was honestly planning on letting you down slowly.”
He waits for the jab Fire Spirit will counter with and is met with stunned, hurt silence. Fire Spirit watches him quietly as if his heart is shattering rught there.
Oh boy, it takes a lot not to laugh.
“Fire Spirit, I’m joking.” He hastily takes his face in his hands, biting back a smile. “I do…want you.”
Relief, a hand moving up to one of his. “Oh, yeah, okay.”
Wind Archer takes a breath. “I would be…honored if-”
“Let me take you out to dinner.” Fire Spirit blurts before he can finish. “I’ll treat you to something nice. Uhm…and we can go back to my place and watch a movie…or something.”
Wind Archer has fought in a war, has spent his whole life protecting the guardian of life, itself, and a has trained himself to be able to protect, not just the forest, but nature itself.
And yet, he giggles like an idiot when Fire Spirit asks him out on the date. A real date without any lewd insinuations to accompany it.
Because he, for some miracle of a reason, loves him. He loves him.
“Yes.” Wind Archer almost breathes. “That sounds…wonderful.”
“Okay, yeah, yeah…” They share a laugh about the ridiculousness of it all. “Actually, is it okay if I-”
Wind Archer crashes their lips together before he can finish with enough force that he needs to put his hand behind Fire Spirit’s back to prevent him from falling over. Forgive him, he’s a lovesick idiot when he wants to be.
Then, he realizes they're on the dance floor of someone else's wedding and yanks himself away, hastily looking around.
It seems as though everyone has a life.
Stormbringer is teasing Frost Queen about something, an arm around her shoulders as she tries to walk away. The married couple are still occupied with one another and Millennial Tree seems to be talking to some of the other guests.
Except, however, Sherbet is staring right at them, mouth agape. Wind Archer mimics a zipping motion with his fingers over his lips and the boy nods hastily, looking away.
Then, he turns back to a shell shocked Fire Spirit and furrows his brows in surprise. “What?”
“That was our first kiss in three years.” He whispers, a hand nursing his cheek.
“Oh.” He blinks. Has it really been that long? “Well…I hope you…enjoyed it.”
A snort. “Cornball.”
“You're so mature.” Wind Archer rolls his eyes, then takes Fire Spirit's hands in his own.
The fire elemental squeezes them in turn. And presses his lips to the gemstone engraved into his forehead.
“Wanna get out of here?” Fire Spirit asks quietly.
It's probably an awful thing to do from a moral standpoint. No one would notice them gone (except maybe Sherbet, who is definitely staring again). And with all the elementals together on such a close proximity, there will be no danger even trying to threaten them.
“Yes.” Wind Archer smiles. “Where were you thinking?”
“Hm…I've got a pretty sweet garden back at my place.” Then he leans in to whisper. “And you look real pretty with dragon lilies in your hair.”
He blushes because he's an idiot. “Fine…your place it is.”
Wind Archer can't quite believe it.
Is it really that kind of love? Is it really all his?
He presses his head against Fire Spirit's shoulder. He presses his own back in turn.
It really might be.
___________
“And you'll be here first thing tomorrow, correct?” Frost Queen’s icy voice drips through the small communication device, crackling with every pause.
“Yes, ma'am.” Wind Archer shivers as if he can feel her coldness from all the way here.
“Then it is done.” And finally, the little gust of wind in his hall dissipates.
His head falls back against the sheets, soft exhales leaving him and his chest rising and falling rapidly with every one of them.
A whimper. “M-More.”
There's no reply, Fire Spirit eagerly quickening the ministrations of his tongue between his folds and pulling him closer by his thighs. He shudders, the grip on them stopping Wind Archer from flinching away.
Fire Spirit only stops to press a kiss to one of his thighs, a sweet action to accompany the fact that he just lied his way into an uninterrupted day of this- lying in bed with nothing to pull them away from each other.
Wind Archer feels the invisible elastic band around his chest grow tighter, laying sprawled in the sheets. He moans softly, a hand snaking down to Fire Spirit's hair and fingernails digging into his scalp as he controls the movement of his mouth over his cunt.
The Fire Elemental groans, eyes fluttering shut as Wind Archer's release hits him, lapping up the mess he makes of himself eagerly until he's had just too much of it.
Their breaths are heavy, echoing around the empty room.
Fire Spirit sits up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he fixes Wind Archer with a ravenous grin.
“Again.”
He lifts a hand to yank him down to himself, keeping their lips from just grazing for a second. “Again.”
And Fire Spirit is putty in his hands, delving into his mouth hungrily as his hands attempt to take his shirt off without tearing it apart. Wind Archer rakes his fingers down his scalp to his lower back.
“Let me ride you?”
“Fuck- You can't just say shit like that, Wind.” Fire Spirit laughs, but lets him switch their places and climb on top of him with a triumphant smile.
“Give me my scarf.” Wind Archer instructs him and, since Fire Spirit is so sweet and compliant when Wind Archer lets him have him this early, he scrambles to pick it up from their bedside table and hand it to him.
Wind Archer takes it, leans down to peck Fire Spirit’s cheek and begins tying his wrists to the headboard.
Fire Spirit blinks dumbly, cheeks turning a deep shade of red. “Uh…”
“Mm?” He rubs his eyes and tests the knot keeping them bound. “Is it too tight?”
“No, you're just hot.” Fire Spirit blurts, eyes wide as they watch Wind Archer smile a little.
“Duly noted.” He hums, tugging off his shorts and sinking down on his cock slowly.
Fire Spirit hissing, throwing his head back against the headboard when Wind Archer doesn't waste a moment to begin rolling his hips in a slow, savoring motion.
“Y-You’re eager today, huh?” Fire Spirit huffs out a laugh, clearly having trouble with the binds keeping him from toying with Wind Archer.
He opens his mouth to snap at him and then, because the world has personal vendetta against him getting thoroughly fucked, his doorbell rings.
“Wind Archer, shoot the do-”
“I'm not shooting the door.” He huffs, sliding off of Fire Spirit’s dick with a hiss and leaning over him to untie his scarf.
“Your pecs look great from this angle.”
“I'll leave you here for the rest of the day.” He snaps, pinching his cheek as he sits up. Fire Spirit takes his hand before he can stand up.
“Don't go.” He pulls him into his chest. “Let's say we didn't hear the doorbell.”
“The electricity was out.” He laughs, kissing his cheek fondly.
“There was an earthquake so we weren't home.” Fire Spirit kissing every freckle dusted across his cheeks. “Come on, angel. What happened to lazying around for once?”
Wind Archer kisses his forehead. “Just two minutes, okay? And then in all yours.”
“Better be.” A pout before Fire Spirit finally lets him go.
Wind Archer stands up, throwing on an old shirt and Fire Spirit's shorts before hurrying to his front door. He opens it, thoroughly pissed until he sees the man at the door.
“Millennial Tree. S-Sir.” The Guardian of Life beams warmly at him, a small wooden box in hand.
“Ah, my apologies for the inconvenience, my boy. But I heard you were unwell today and decided to drop off some herbs to help you feel better.” He hums, drifting past him into the cottage.
He's never telling a lie again.
“Th- Thank you very much, sir.” He stutters, rushing forward to grab the box. “But there's no need-”
“Nonsense! I used to take care of you all the time when you were just a little sproutling.” He hums fondly, patting Wind Archer’s head before a voice sounds through the house.
“Wind? Is everything okay, angel?” Fire Spirit's voice is groggy with sleep, a little worried.
Wind Archer winces when Millennial Tree’s lips part a little in surprise, shutting his eyes. “I…”
“Well…Stormbringer did raise her suspicion a few meetings ago…I suppose I owe her quite a hefty amount of money.” He hums thoughtfully.
“You're not…upset?” Wind Archer begins, slowly looking up at the older man.
“Goodness, no!” Millennial Tree laughs easily before taking Wind Archer's hands. “Tell me, my boy. Is he good to you? As good as he can be?”
A small smile that only grows the longer he thinks about it. “He is. He's very kind when he wants to be. And he helps me tend to the flowers. And he tries to hide it, but he loves me a lot.”
“That's all I can ask for.” Millennial Tree smiles and hugs him. Wind Archer sighs in relief and returns it until- “Ah, good morning Fire Spirit! You're looking well.”
“Ohhh, hey- uh, old man!” Fire Spirit's voice is unnaturally high. When Wind Archer turns, he's relieved to see he had the decency to put on a shirt, smiling artificially up at Millennial Tree. “What brings you to our- his neck of the woods!”
“Oh, just checking in.” He hums, waving him off. “I should be headed home anyways.”
Fire Spirit knots his hands together awkwardly and looks down with nothing left to say.
“Have a good day, my dear lovebirds!” Millennial Tree singsongs, drifting back towards the door before pausing. “Oh, Fire Spirit?”
“Uh- yes?” He jolts, standing straighter.
“It takes a lot to upset the Guardian of Life.” Millennial Tree stares in his signature pleasant tone. “But if my protector gets his heart broken, you may be able to witness such a rare occasion!”
With those words, Millennial Tree is out the door, leaving them to stare.
“By god, that guy is horrifying.” He shudders, turning to Wind Archer. “Uh…he knows.”
Wind Archer takes his arm and leads them to the bedroom. “Yeah.”
“And that's…okay?” He presses on, allowing Wind Archer to push him onto the bed and cling to him like a Koala until he lays down.
“Yeah.”
Fire Spirit nods slowly, wrapping his arms around him. “Okay…yeah. We can tell people.”
“Oh, did you want to keep things private?” He asks, running a hand through his lover's hair.
“No…but I thought you did. Since, ya know, it's not really a good look to be seen with each other when…”
He breaks off at Wind Archer's laughter. “You're cute when you're insecure.”
“Way to prey on my weaknesses." Fire Spirit pouts, nuzzling into his neck.
Ever since moving in together (partially- Fire Spirit just loves his dragon lilies and refuses to give them to someone else to care for. Apparently, that's not how they do things there), Wind Archer has found that dragons must be like gigantic cats. Fire Spirit nests when he's feeling tense, spending all day in bed in a pile of Wind Archer's clothes. Whenever Wind Archer is in the shower too long, he'll camp outside and attack him with kisses as soon as he steps out. And perhaps most catlike of all, he always needs to have his head on his lap at all times when they're together.
During his heats, when Fire Spirit isn't busy ploughing him into the mattress while begging him to have kids with him, he keeps Wind Archer in his arms, crooning softly under his touch and watching him through hooded, dazed eyes.
And Wind Archer can never seem to get enough of him, no matter how long they're together.
Fire Spirit snaps him out of his thoughts when he runs his hands up and down his sides, slipping them underneath his shirt.
That's another thing about him- he loves feeling Wind Archer's skin and kissing him all over like he is now, paying extra attention to the scars underneath his chest.
“Fire Spirit?”
“Mm?”
“Will you ever grow tired of me?” He asks, watching him worship every inch of him with an almost stubborn persistence.
“No.” Fire Spirit answers in a heartbeat. “Never.”
It's a question he fears he has asked too many times. Though, recently, he's found himself asking it just because he likes hearing the same answer over and over again.
It's ridiculous really.
Things like this are so…trivial compared to his purpose. And yet they find themselves chasing something so human despite them being something else entirely.
Wind Archer watches Fire Spirit sit up and absently begins fixing the sheets. That's not a habit he had when he moved here, but he adopted it because he knows how much it irritates Wind Archer.
And maybe that's enough of a reason to keep loving.
This is the part where he says that he loves Fire Spirit.
But by the way he lays down next to him, making sure to avoid tugging Wind Archer's hair, he's sure that he already knows.
And when he kisses Fife Spirit's cheese just briefly and watches his whole face light up, he knows he loves him too.