Humbly Surprised

This felt all too perfect to be real.  Noreat never thought he would wake up next to Zephyr ever again.  And yet, here he was, lying in bed with his long lost lover, as if nothing had happened.  There was no way this was real.  The King curled his fingers against Zephyr's weathered skin.  The old man mumbled something and shifted in Noreat's grasp.  Noreat could feel him as Zephyr moved his face against his chest, his prickly beard tickling his chest.  An airy, almost cautious laugh eased out of Noreat.  Dream Zephyr didn't have a scraggly messy beard.  He always looked the same as when the two first met.  Dream Zephyr was also never this thin, nor did he have bandages around his stomach.  This was real.

"Zephyr wake up," Noreat whispered in his lover's ear.

A small part of Noreat knew he should let Zephyr sleep.  He knew that the older man was injured and unhealthy and he needed to rest.  But the young King hadn't seen Zephyr in so long…they could just lie here together, awake and talking, and that would still constitute as rest for Zephyr, right?  Zephyr grumbled again, perhaps murmuring in his common tongue, and then picked his face out of Noreat's chest.

"I'm awake," he said groggily.

Even if Zephyr was still half asleep, the lazy warm smile on his lips reassured Noreat that waking his lover was a good decision.  Now that Zephyr was awake Noreat didn't know what he wanted.  He hadn't exactly planned ahead.  Well, since he was awake, best give the old man a reward.  Noreat wrapped a hand around Zephyr's cheek and held him still for a soft good-morning, thank the Great God and Goddess you are really here, kiss.

"Good morning to you too," Zephyr breathed.

The King smiled and kissed the old man's cheek once more.  He had missed kissing him in the morning.  Zephyr was far more subdued in the morning.  This was the first good morning either had experienced in a while.  Noreat's fingers ran across the jagged scar running down Zephyr's right shoulder.  He traced the outline of the rough line running down his shoulder, wondering what caused such an injury.

"You never told me what happened to your back," Noreat said gently.

The old man sighed tiredly and shook his head.  "You will think I am mad."

"I promise I will not."

"You say that now," he chuckled.

Noreat pulled Zephyr's face close to his and pressed their foreheads together.

"I promise, Zephyr."

Now that he had Zephyr back Noreat was determined to learn everything about Zephyr that he didn't know before.  Sure, he would have Zephyr forever now, but he had to make sure he knew his lover.  He wouldn't demand everything right this second; that would be far too much for the older man.  But Noreat felt that Zephyr could talk about this one scar.  The old man sighed as he shifted in Noreat's grasp.

"I jumped off a cliff," he murmured.

…That was not the response Noreat had been expecting.  He thought that the jagged line torn into Zephyr's back was a battle scar—it looked like a battle scar!

"What were you doing jumping off a cliff?  Were you…"

"Suicidal?  Hardly.  I was trying to have fun," chuckled the older man.

"Jumping off a dangerously high cliff seemed like a fun idea to you?"

"To my seventeen year old self, sure."

"Zephyr, when I was seventeen I could think of a number of fun physical activities that did not include probable bodily harm!"

The older man chuckled and ran his hand up and down Noreat's back.  "I'm sure you could, love."

Noreat smirked as an excited shiver followed behind Zephyr's callused, warm fingertips.

"But I have not tried to jump off any cliffs since that incident.  It was fun when I was younger and thought to push my air elementalism, but after falling a number of feet and slamming into the canyon wall…I decided to push myself through non-lethal means," Zephyr finished.

"Good.  I will not have you needlessly endangering yourself."

"As you wish."

That earned the old man a kiss in Noreat's book, so he pulled the older man's lips to his.  Zephyr, obviously, did not object and pressed deeper into the kiss.  There was no way to quantify how much Noreat had missed mornings like these.

Suddenly Zephyr made a soft protesting sound.  While lost in their kiss, Noreat's hand had slid down his lover's body and accidentally rested on Zephyr's wound.  Noreat automatically recoiled his hand.

"I'm sorry," the King whispered.

Zephyr clasped a hand over the bandaged wound.  "It's fine."

Perhaps it was, but Noreat couldn't help but feel his insides twist as he watched Zephyr control his expression as he massaged the injured area.  Noreat didn't want to imagine how much the stab wound hurt.

"How did you get that one?"  The King wondered softly.

Zephyr shut his eyes and rested his cheek against Noreat's collarbone.

"After we left Shi'ish'kanil,"

"The tree in the mountains," Noreat was trying to recall the complicated thing that was Shi'ish'kanil that Zephyr had valiantly tried to explain last night.

"Yes, that.  After we left there we were crossing the land bridge back into Geofek when the pirates picked us up.  Apparently Geofek was, of course, not safe.  Instead I was hauled onto the ship and taken to Moszou."

"Where the Lady shapeshifter is…someone of political importance?"

"Sort of?  I am not sure what her role in the settlement truly is.  She was not the leader, but she was no commoner, and many people went to her for advice…" Zephyr sighed.  "Her occupation was never properly explained to me.  The others were under the impression that Moszou was safe, thinking that Seriyaru would not be so foolish as to attack a city of shapeshifters," the bite to Zephyr's tone said differently.

"The snake attacked Moszou while you were within," Noreat frowned.

"Not surprisingly.  Other than being a monstrous bastard, Seriyaru is relentless and efficient.  During the attack I was…overwhelmed, fighting too many people at once.  I couldn't guard all sides and without armor… One of them was behind me and I didn't realize it."

Noreat didn't enjoy seeing Zephyr's mood shift from happy to melancholy.  The King wrapped his arms around his lover's shoulders and hugged him.  He brushed his lips against Zephyr's temple.

"My poor Gryphon King," sighed Noreat.

"I am not king anymore either," Zephyr mumbled.

"Technically no one has taken your throne.  By all accounts you are still the rightful King," Noreat attempted to be optimistic.

The older man laughed dryly.  

"You know full well that I am not returning to Geofek anytime soon—not that I am complaining.  But the closest I can get to king now would be consort to the king…" though his tone was quiet, maybe somewhat sad, Zephyr smiled.  "Again, not that I am complaining."

Noreat flashed Zephyr the warmest smile he could though he didn't feel much of the emotion behind the expression.  His love had lost everything to be here, and while Noreat knew that this hurt Zephyr, he was not about to let him leave.  Noreat had waited for far too long to have Zephyr back, and he was not going to release him anytime soon.  Even if he was sad over losing everything…

"Love, let go of me for just a moment," Noreat requested.

The older man shifted slightly, looking a bit confused, but let go of Noreat.  The King moved over to the side of the bed and reached under it.  Zephyr's hands rested warmly on Noreat's hips to keep him from falling face-first into the dirt floor beneath the portable bed.

"What are you doing?" Zephyr wondered.

To keep this a surprise, Noreat let a whispery chuckle escape his lungs and refused to answer the question.  After feeling about over the edge of the bed for a few minutes his fingertips finally skimmed the smooth, cool wood of the Noreat's ornate box.  He could just imagine the thin lines his fingers would have made in the dust that he had let settle on it.  The King snatched up the precious piece of wood and pulled it onto the bed between him and Zephyr.  The older man raised a silvered eyebrow to the box.  No doubt it looked like anything else Noreat would own.  For a small box, it was ornately decorated with gold leaf with designs of mountains and River Creatures embossed into the metal.  Except for the fine layer of dust the box, was in perfect condition.

At first, Noreat smiled at the box, but a moment later he felt his heartstrings being tugged by an invisible hand.  He had never told Zephyr about his box, never told his love how he had kept so many small things that had once belonged to the older man.  He couldn't just give the box to Zephyr.  One of Zephyr's older, callused, warm and rough hands reached for the box.  Noreat snatched up the box and pulled it into his chest.
"Wait," he said quietly.

Zephyr automatically recoiled his hand.

"This…I need to explain this," the younger King said carefully as he set the box back down.  "You must understand, Zephyr, I did not think that I would ever see you again."

Noreat's fingers begged to fidget.  They knew they were not allowed to fidget, they were never allowed to wander aimlessly, and especially not when he was talking.  Instead, he put his fingers and hands to the task of gently brushing the dust from his box.

"After such a long time of no communication I thought you were dead," the King admitted.

Through the corner of his eyes Noreat saw Zephyr wince as if struck.  Noreat ripped his icy eyes from the box and gave his fingers and hands a new directive.  The wrapped around Zephyr's jaws and pulled the older man's face into Noreat's chest.

"I'm sorry," the older man murmured.

"Don't be," Noreat nuzzled the top of Zephyr's head.  "I thought I would be burying you today, Zephyr.  I was convinced that you were dead, that Iridesia had come to tell about some terrible battle you had died in, and that I would never hold nor speak to you like this ever again.  Trust me when I say that there truly are no words that are adequate enough to describe how simply happy I am that you are alive—that I was proven wrong."

Zephyr chuckled into Noreat's collarbone.  The younger man couldn't help but echo the sound.  Noreat had never been so happy to be wrong in his life.  On any other occasion he would hate being wrong, and he would deny the fact that someone told him otherwise.  Outside of this tent he would never admit that he thought Zephyr was dead.  Outside of this tent he would tell anyone who asked that he knew his lover would never die, that Zephyr would always come back to them, and he would lie perfectly with a sweet smile on his lips like he always did.  But inside this tent he could only be honest.  Inside this tent Zephyr was locked in Noreat's embrace and after all their time apart Noreat wouldn't dare defile this moment with his beloved.  Zephyr stirred and Noreat released him, but not before stealing a kiss to those lips he loved and missed so terribly.

His slender, pale fingers slipped into the box.  Sitting on top of the neatly folded letters was what Noreat had been looking for.  Even though it had been sitting in this box for months the metal was still cool and pristine.  Perhaps Noreat should have polished it before leaving for the Gate, but Noreat had honestly believed he would be burning this item today, not giving it back to its rightful owner.
"Close your eyes," the younger man instructed.
Zephyr's dark almond eyes shut on command.


A familiar weight was placed atop of Zephyr's head.  He knew the item automatically, he had worn it for so many years it would be shameful if he didn't.  It was shameful that it felt so alien atop his head.  It had been so long since he had last felt it that part of him believed it didn't fit properly.  He shouldn't be wearing it one little voice said.  That voice was quickly stuffed into a bag and hauled away while another voice shouted joyously.  Zephyr sat up abruptly and ran his fingers along the sides of the object.  A second later he pulled it off his head.

"My crown…?"  He said quietly, squinting at the old piece of gold.

Yes, that is what the object was.  It was his crown, the crown every King of the Faulkes line had worn.  It was a bit dusty, perhaps from being stuffed in a box for months, but it still managed to shimmer in the pale morning light.  It looked so happy to be out of the box and back in the fresh air.  Zephyr felt his lips twitch and turn upwards into the shape of a smile.

"Iridesia sent it some time ago, when she first put the bloodseals on the Gate.  When I first received it, at the time, I believed that she had done some harm to you and sent me the crown to ensure I did not go to Entity.  Though now I can see it was a warning to keep both of us safe…" Noreat's voice became very soft as he trailed off, perhaps not entirely willing to admit that Iridesia was better than he originally believed.

"And you have kept this all this time?  What else is in that box?"  Zephyr turned the small box around so he could see the contents hidden within.

Sitting inside the box was the letters Zephyr had sent Noreat and a Messenger's collar charm.  Noreat's fingers dragged down the side of Zephyr's weathered face.  The old man made a soft, bittersweet whimpering sound and shut his eyes.

"I thought…because you were dead that I would have to bury you.  But here we burn our dead and I knew I would not be given your body…I was going to burn all of these in place of you.  I am sorry, Zephyr," the younger man's voice was quiet and remorseful.  "I was losing my self without you.  I could not smile nor function while I worried for you.  I just wanted…to create some semblance of closure."

The older man whimpered again, straining to keep his eyes shut because they felt hot and wet.  His hands would have shook if they were not preoccupied with holding his crown.  Through the corner of his eye Zephyr saw his lover shiver and his expression fall.  A second later Noreat's warm slender hands wrapped around his cheeks.

"Why are you upset?  What did I do wrong?"  The younger man whimpered.

Zephyr shook his head and leaned into Noreat for a kiss.  He set his crown down in Noreat's box in order to free his hands, which he then wrapped around Noreat's sides.

"You did nothing wrong," whispered the older man when their lips separated.  "I am…humbly surprised," his voice betrayed him and cracked as he spoke.

To hide the few clear tears that fell from his eyes, Zephyr buried his face in the side of Noreat's neck.  Distressed and confused as to why Zephyr was so emotional, Noreat wrapped his arms around the older man's shoulders.

"If you are not upset then why are you crying?"

"Because I'm happy," chuckled the older man as squeezed Noreat into him.  "I did not think you would keep the letters.  After all this time I was terrified that you had moved on.  A year is such a long time to wait for one person, I didn't know if you would have that caliber of patience.  I didn't know if…if you would deem me worth the wait."

"Of course you're worth the wait," Noreat snapped.  "After how long it took me to convince you to give me a chance I would not simply throw you away.  I told you I loved you, I did not say those words merely for show, Zephyr."

One of Zephyr's old laughs seeped out of him.  "I did not realize I was so painfully frustrating."

Encouraged by Zephyr's mood shift, Noreat grinned and kissed the side of Zephyr's face.

"Painfully frustrating is the correct term.  Almost maddening even, but that is of no consequence now.  I have you forever, and while you're here in Dwal I will still consider you the Gryphon King."

Zephyr shook his head slightly.  He wasn't a King…but he wouldn't stop Noreat from calling him such.  Calling him 'consort' would make him sound like a courtesan, and Zephyr was no such professional.  Noreat probably wouldn't allow him to sell his bedroom services either (not that Zephyr even wanted to!)  The older man sighed and finally calmed his rushing emotions.  Noreat seemed to sense he was calmer and ran his fingers through Zephyr's hair.

"Are you feeling better now?"

The older man nodded.  "Yes…thank you, love.  For everything."

The younger King smiled and kissed Zephyr once more.  A couple of minutes later the two decided it was best they get moving for the day.  They couldn't stay here in the woods forever.  Besides, without a battle to fight the soldiers would get antsy.  The two got up and dressed for the day.  Noreat's servants came in to outfit him in new, clean garments while Zephyr pulled on his clothes from yesterday.  They were worn and dirty, but at least they were clothes.  His shirt had a few orange hairs on it and he sighed grumpily.  Crystal must have stolen his clothing while he was sleeping again.  Damn crazy fox woman.

Once they were dressed Noreat secured one of Zephyr's arms in his grasp and they set out for the day.  Tien and Damien flanked the two nobles (even though Zephyr felt more like a commoner now than ever) as they walked.  Zephyr kept Noreat's ornate box tucked under his other arm.  Maybe he would try wearing the crown again later, but for right now he was happy enough with Noreat at his side.