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Cold was nothing new to the group, yet much had changed. They were setting up camp for the first time since they had escaped from that awful lighthouse. Taishen still trembled when he thought about it, though he tried to pass it off as just the cold running through him. No one seemed to call him out on it, which he was grateful for. For now, he would focus on setting up the campfire. They wanted to save as many of Skrimm’s bonfires as possible, not knowing what the future held for them.
Taishen pressed a gentle, hopefully comforting hand to Skrimm’s back. They exchanged a few words, both still out of it a bit. He could tell that Skrimm and Barnabos were being a bit more gentle with him. They had told them that they had attacked that hooded figure in the cave, but they hadn’t known that they were attacking Taishen. In truth, Taishen hadn’t known what was going on either and instead only came back to consciousness when Jornir was healing him.
Once he was done speaking to Skrimm, he sat himself down near the flame, setting up his teapot. He needed something to warm his body and clear his mind. Too much had happened within such a short time frame. He still hadn’t fully processed and come to terms with what had happened to the city of ogres, what he had done.
He felt a presence next to him and the comforting sight of Jornir greeted him.
“Are you alright, Taishen?” The man asked, his deep voice helping to ground Taishen, even if neither acknowledged it.
“As I can be, I think,” he said with a small nod. He attempted to steady his shaking hand enough to bring his tea to his lips. “Would you like some?”
“I would appreciate some tea, yes,” he replied as he sat down fully. He pulled a blanket from his pack and spread it across both of them. Taishen reciprocated the act of kindness with a hot cup of warming tea.
“How are you doing, Jornir?”
The man didn’t answer at first, instead sipping at his tea. His good eye, which was on the side that Taishen could see, seemed in thought. ”I am okay, all things considered. I have seen many things in my long life in Avantris, but I have not experienced anything like that place. It was concerning, and I am glad we are free.” In unison, they both eyed Skrimm, who was leaning against Barnabos. That place had taken a lot from the goblin.
“There has been a lot going on. I must admit, I am concerned for you. You are a good man, and I want to know how you are faring after everything.” He placed a gentle hand on Taishen’s shoulder, who leaned into the touch.
“I do admit that it has been very trying lately,” he smiled halfheartedly. ”I can’t shake the feelings from, well, everything. First, with the ship, and then the madness of the lighthouse.”
“Do you still hold guilt?”
He nodded quietly. ”It’s hard not to. I sent away that- that brain. I caused the ship to land where it did, killing-“ he caught himself, his voice breaking. He bowed his head, fighting back the tears that had appeared suddenly in his eyes. He felt Jornir’s hand take his own.
“I am sorry to say this, but it was inevitable. The way the ship crashed, had that brain been killed or sent away, it was going to crash into the city.” This caused Taishen’s head to look up at him, slightly in shock. “There was nothing we would have been able to do in order to save it. Do not let the guilt consume you.”
Taishen’s shoulders dropped as he tucked himself more into Jornir’s embrace. The feelings within himself had been tougher to hide, especially after the waterfall and the fight with the Herald of Fear. That had been when he realized how much he had come to care for Jornir, and slowly he had been allowing himself small moments of respite with the man. The firbolg, in turn, seemed to at least reciprocate these small actions, and even now wrapped his arm around Taishen, gently rubbing his fingers in a soothing motion on his shoulder.
“I am sorry for all of the hardships that have occurred.”
”I’m not,” Taishen said softly, surprising himself. “Things have been hard, yes. I can’t say that I haven’t suffered a lot, even in these last few days. But I am grateful for the lessons they have taught me. And while this adventure is not where I thought I would end up when I left Jade Shell village, I don’t think I would change anything.”
Jornir hummed softly against him. “Fate is a funny thing, sometimes. I do not pretend to know what it has in store, but I am appreciative of where it has brought me.” He leaned in close, his breath tickling Taishen’s ear. “I am glad fate has brought you to me.”
Warmth blossomed across the dragonborn’s scaled face. He attempted to hide behind his cup of tea. Glancing around, it seemed no one else had heard what was said. Skrimm had fallen asleep against Barnabos’s side, who had one arm around him and the other holding his pipe as he smoked and stared at the flame. Queenie seemed to be moving to bed as well, deciding to take hers and Skrimm’s bedrolls to cover them both as she tucked herself at the goblin’s side for warmth.
It was Taishen’s turn to speak softly. “Fu Zhao has blessed me in more than one way. First, with these powers, and then to bless me with meeting you.” They looked at each other. Jornir’s hand came up, brushing back a loose strand of hair behind Taishen’s horn.
“We should attempt some sleep.”
“You’re probably right.” He looked over to the triton across the way. “Are you taking the first watch, Barnabos?”
“Aye. I’ll be staying up a bit. You get yer rest, Mr. Jornir and Mr. Fireblossom.” He sat back a bit more. “I’ll wake Miss March for the next watch. Which of you would like to be woken for the third and forth watches?”
”She can choose.”
”I’ll let her know. Apologies, but I’ve a feeling Mr. Stabbaskotch has had a harder time, and I think he should get a full night’s rest.”
“I agree, thank you for looking after him.”
He nodded, allowing Taishen and Jornir to adjust their sleeping arrangement. They were laying on the ground, the larger man laying so that his body would take the brunt of the cold wind, one of his arms wrapped around Taishen, who was curled up against his chest. Every touch of Jornir against him set his scales on fire.
“I have been alive for a very long time. Never have I met someone like you, Taishen Fireblossom. I do not have what you would call experience when it comes to romance.”
A soft chuckle escaped Taishen. “I don’t know if you realize this, but I grew up on a very sheltered island. I’m not experienced either.” He pressed in closer. “But I don’t need much, either. Even just this is enough for me. All I need is you, Jornir.”
The two held onto each other tightly. Taishen was reminded again of when they had fallen from that waterfall after the fight with the Herald of Fear, how they had tried so desperately to cling to each other, trying to protect each other in what they thought were their last moments. He cared deeply for this man. He wanted to protect him for as long as he could, and he could feel that same want of protection back towards him with everything that Jornir did. Fate had tethered their lives together, wound the strings together tightly, meaning that to separate them would take the snip of scissors. And Taishen hoped they could at least be away from Drakkar and be back to living somewhat normal lives before that would happen, likely to him much sooner than Jornir. The thought made him sad, that one day Jornir would be without him once more. He cuddled closer, attempting to rid the thought from his mind as he attempted to settle down for sleep.
He heard Jornir murmur something softly as he was drifting off, and felt a warmth from deep within him blossom across his body. He didn’t process what was said, but his body understood. And for now, it would suffice. He would be happy with just this moment and nothing more because it meant that this moment did matter. He knew Jornir did everything with intention, so to be held this closely and be whispered things that were swallowed by the wind and cold, it meant everything to Taishen. And he would treasure it close to his heart.