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Last Breath	By : kalla Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 5528 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: World of Warcraft, Azeroth and the concept of Blood Elves and Trolls within the universe are not mine. No money is made from this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
Full Disclaimer:

World of Warcraft is not mine, nor are the concepts of Trolls and Blood Elves within the World of Warcraft setting. The Setting of Azeroth is not mine.
Tshion, my Blood Elf Paladin, IS mine.

Jelah, the Troll Mage, belongs to my boyfriend and is used with permission.

Part of this story is/has been Role-Played in game and out.
The title is inspired by Evanescence, "My Last Breath".

The chapter titles are inspired by The Last Dance, "Once Beautiful".

I claim neither song to be my own.
This work is purely for archival/entertainment, and no money is being made from it.
Thank you for reading!

Warning: This chapter contains Incest.
IX. Interlude – Run Away and Hide
Tshion pulled the cloak around him more closely as he once again sat on Selarcis – in dragon form – as they flew over the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. He had no idea where he was being taken, but he suspected he'd be gone more than a few hours, as he was advised to pack a change of clothing, and some traveling supplies – and his combat gear. His bag sat between his legs, where he could keep a hand on it, while keeping a grip on Selarcis' back.
“Where are we going, anyway?”
Selarcis chuckled slightly. “You’ll see soon enough,” he said in a low tone.
Just after an hour of flight, they found themselves at Setting Sun Garrison. Selarcis landed softly just by the front gate.
Tshion blinked as they landed. "This is why you wanted me to bring my combat gear," he said softly. He slid off the dragon's back carefully before retrieving his bag and shouldering it. "Isn't it?"
Selarcis tucked the vial into his shirt. "Yes, it is. Here we will train in a way they would not even dare think of back at the Academy. Remember all the times you wanted to kick the guy in the teeth because he called a violation due to 'no breaking legs!'? Well, here, there are healers that can mend that in a few minutes. Here we will get you ready for whatever we must face." he sighed slightly. "By the way, I'm going to kick your ass. No hard feelings, just be prepared for it." He smiled sweetly at Tshion.
Tshion grinned. "I do remember." He eyed Selarcis up for a moment. "I think you look enough like Bachi that I could give you a good fight. 'Don't draw blood, that's foremost to always remember.' To the lowest hells with that. If someone's coming at me trying to kill me, I want them to bleed. Preferably -all- of their blood."
Selarcis scoffed and began to walk toward the camp. "I helped train that man! The only reason he is in that position now is because I wasn't responsible for looking after you and had to go and fight..." he blinked a few times before glancing back at the other paladin. "Right... We will need to do some talking before we begin here. Let’s get our things put away, then meet me in the tavern up the road."
Tshion stopped moving, taken aback. "I... all right. Should I change now, or after?" he asked, looking at the blonde with a bit of apprehension.
Selarcis sighed and pondered for a moment. "Make sure your armor is ready to go afterward. But do change into something more comfortable.”
Tshion nodded. "That I can do." He started walking again, saying nothing, but still watching Selarcis curiously. He began to suspect some ulterior motive to getting him away from Jelah for a while, other than for the break he suggested.
Selarcis nodded and began walking as well. They arrived at the barracks with their things as a very toned and shirtless pandaren male came up to them. "Ahh, back so soon Sel? Now, who is this? You..." the pandaren bowed slightly. "You must be Tshion! Welcome to Setting Sun Garrison, I am, Yumi Goldenpaw, one of the master trainers here." He smiled as he reached out his hands to take the paladins' things.
Tshion's face went blank for a moment before he remembered his manners and bowed back. "I am honored, Master Goldenpaw." He was a bit surprised by the offer, but with a sharp reminder to himself that for once, he was not in charge of everything, gave his satchel to the pandaren with another bow.
Yumi took the bags. "I'll show you to your rooms." He hurried down the hall toward the back of the barracks.
Selarcis smiled, then followed the pandaren.
Tshion blinked again, looking rather shocked. He'd never been to the Garrison, he and Jelah not having had the chance to do so on their travels. "How.. How did he know who I am? I'm no stranger to many of the Pandaren, but I've – we've never been here." He looked at Selarcis, suspiciously.
Selarcis chuckled slightly. "I'll explain everything at the tavern." He stopped outside one of the curtained off rooms.
Yumi gestured to one on the left. "This one will be for you, Selarcis." he then gestured to the room directly across, "This one will be for you, Tshion." He bowed again before turning and heading back to the front.
Narrowing his eyes at the other paladin, Tshion nodded. "All right. I'll see you in a moment then," he said quietly, ducking into "his" room.
Though it was sparse, the room looked very comfortable. A bed lay against one wall, a small table beside it with an armchair, and a small storage chest in the corner. The opposite wall was taken up by an armor stand and a weapon rack, as well as several hooks. His pack lay on the bed. He opened it and began pulling things out, still wondering to himself how they were enchanted to hold more than they looked like they could, particularly things that were patently too large to fit – like his armor.
He hung the armor on the stand and racked a two-handed blade, a one-handed blade and his shield, all which had been expertly repaired and restored by the engineers in residence at the Shrine of Two Moons. He changed into loose pants and shirt that would serve later as cushioning for his armor – his padded gambeson having been entirely destroyed during the battle with Hellscream. He left his boots under the table, and slid on a pair of sandals.
He set the pack aside in the chair by the table, and then left the little cell, looking around a bit for his companion.
Selarcis strolled out of his room in a very plain white shirt with blood red trim and baggy pants. "Go to the tavern, I'll meet you there once I've found out the plans of the Garrison for the day." He smiled sweetly to Tshion.
Tshion nodded, adjusting his dark blue shirt slightly before heading back towards the exit. Once outside, it took him a moment to gain his bearings, having seen the tavern from the sky, but not from the ground. By the time he reached said tavern, however, he wished he had chosen pants that were closer to the color of the grounds; the bottom hems were brown with dust. He patted them absently so the black was visible again as he waited for Selarcis.
Selarcis entered the tavern after about half an hour. A moment of looking around found the auburn-haired paladin and Sel strolled over to him. "Sorry about that," he said wiping a bit of blood off his cheek, "Had to spar for the information I wanted... crazy pandaren." he said with a chuckle as he sat at a table next to them. "Want any food or drink before we start?"
Tshion stared at the other paladin, wondering if perhaps being crazy came about eventually, and wondered if this was his fate. "I.. Um." His stomach answered for him, and he suddenly realized he hadn't eaten since the last time he had brought something to Jelah... Or did he eat then? Perhaps it was last night. He colored slightly. "I think it might be a good idea," he said quietly, hoping that the other man wasn't going to judge him.
Selarcis nodded and waved to one of the bar maids. "Give us a round of the dumplings and a few mushan ribs... make that three racks." He smiled at Tshion before settling completely into his chair. "So, start now, or after the food is here?" He places his hands one over the other onto the table.
Tshion settled himself self-consciously. "I suppose we could start now, unless you'd rather wait," he said cautiously. He was beginning, for the first time, to feel slightly uncomfortable.
"All right," said Selarcis. "Well, I'm your brother, not just of the Light, but by blood. The reason you're only finding out now is because we've been apart from the time you were... four, perhaps five." He looked into the other paladin's eyes.
Tshion lifted one long eyebrow, staring at Selarcis for several long moments, waiting for him to laugh. His eyebrow lowered, slowly, and his look went from slight amusement to shock, then to disbelief. "I.. what? You're -what-?"
"Born and raised in the same house as you were, granted, many years later. But yes, we are brothers by family." Selarcis slowly leaned back into his chair. "All of this is going to be quite hard to take in, so just let me know if you need time to process it all.”
Tshion shook his head. "I – I never had a brother," he said slowly. "I had a sister, at least for a few days, but..." His head was already beginning to ache. If Selarcis thought this was a restful way to decompress from caring for Jelah, the man was nuts...
"Well, you do..." He pondered for a moment. "Sister...? What do you mean sister?!" Both of his hands were now fists on the table.
Tshion closed his eyes and swallowed. "She died, a few days after she was born. There was something wrong with her heart, the Healer said," he said quietly. "I..." He bit his lip for a moment, then went on, "If the Sunwell had been restored by then, there might have been some chance, but..."
Selarcis uncurled his hands and sighed deeply. "Well, that was something I wasn't expecting." He closed his eyes for a moment before sighing again. "That would explain why I didn't know of her."
Tshion narrowed his eyes slightly. "You... You're dead serious, aren't you?" His eyes searched Selarcis' face, hunting for the resemblance under the scars and lines, darkness in the roots of his hair perhaps... There must be something to tell him the truth.
Selarcis sighed irritably. "Why would I lie to you? You've been through enough over the past few weeks. I brought you out here to say that you finally have an ally that will understand you very well." His expression softened slightly. "If I put it your way, then yes, I am dead serious."
Tshion ran a hand over his face. "I.. I don't think you would. I just... I thought my family was dead, or at least missing. When Father disappeared and Mother died while he was gone... losing a nameless sister... now I come to find out that I've had a brother all these years who I never even knew -about-, let alone knew? It's not like ... I mean it's only been..." Unable to continue, the paladin shook his head.
Selarcis nodded slightly, "Alright, let it take some time to soak that all in... We will clear things up after some food?" He smiled a bit at the thought of Pandaren dumplings.
Tshion nodded, slowly, still searching the other paladin's face. "All right." /I have a brother.../ "I... I feel like I have to ask... how long have... I mean I didn't know about you – how did you know about me? You mentioned knowing me when I was little, but that was at least a few hundred years ago..."
Selarcis pondered for a moment, "As soon as I saw you here on Pandaria, I knew it was you. I was looking for the right time to tell you, but, with preparations starting for the attack on Orgrimmar, I didn't want you to have to worry losing more than a brother-in-arms." He smiled a bit. "And when I saw you with Jelah... by the Light! He is a fine one, even for a troll! You really did good picking that one up, I'm a bit... jealous honestly." he said still smiling.
Tshion coughed, then blushed. "I understand why you didn't say something sooner then. As for Jelah... that... I didn't pick him up. He picked me up. Rather literally."
Selarcis chuckled. "You'll have to tell me how that went, all I know is that it happened in Dalaran and something about tiny portals." He eyed the other Paladin for a moment, grinning.
Tshion's ears went red. "Well," he squeaked, then cleared his throat. "It actually started in Icecrown. Or before, I'm not entirely sure. I met him on the way to Northrend, but just in passing. Long story short, he saved my life."
Selarcis grinned widely. "Oh please young brother, there was more than life saving going on. You may want to talk to your mate about his gossiping habits." He gave a wink as he closed his eyes into a delightful smirk.
Tshion groaned and buried his head in his arms. A muffled "Why me?" emerged from somewhere between his elbows. He lifted his head slightly. "Yes.. there was more than that, but not originally..."
He ran his hands over his face and back into his hair, tugging a few locks from the band holding it at the back of his head and giving him a bit of a wild look. "All right, you want details? I got sloppy. I almost had my head caved in. Jelah stepped in and stopped it. He helped me up. So therefore, -he- picked -me- up." His eyes unfocused for a moment. "We didn't even know each other's names, but we fought side by side, back to back for weeks up there." He looked back down at Selarcis. "Nothing really happened between us until we met again in Dalaran, purely by accident, a few weeks after the first waves against the Citadel failed."
"And the rest is behind you... and him..." Selarcis said, continuing to smirk. "I'm glad, just think if I had to deal with Noz up there, beside me!" He shuddered at the thought.
Tshion winced. "He's not -bad-... He just lacks experience." Color returned to his cheeks. "And yes.. it is behind us. It's hard to think about, sometimes, just how long we've spent together." He eyed Selarcis for a moment. "You said you were a bit jealous. Why?"
Selarcis chuckled. "Well, I've been with quite a few people, men and women. He seems like he could do some damage – in a good way."
Tshion's blush darkened. "Yes... Well, he can, in the right circumstances. He does have some rather interesting methods... talents..." He stared into space, and shivered.
Selarcis' eye widened slightly. "You have got to tell me when we are in a more private setting later on. With that face, it is way too good not to share," he grinned at his brother.
Tshion blinked, then stared at Selarcis. "I... You... Please tell me my brother isn't as lecherous as..." He shut his mouth quickly, his ears all but turning purple.
Selarcis smiled. "Come now, baby brother! Don't be like that, I can assure you that I won't be too nosy." He glanced over to the wok on the other end of the square room. "Ah, everything is coming to together now, you'll love it!"
Tshion returned the smile. "Why do I not believe you, somehow?" He turned to follow his brother's glance. "I hope so. I have to admit while the cooks at the Monastery are good, much of the food meant to aid in healing is a bit on the bland side. Jelah will be jealous."
Selarcis nodded, "Yes it is; we will have to being him back some of the dumplings, I'll keep the healers 'busy'." He grinned wickedly at his brother.
Tshion blinked, then blushed again. "Why do I get the idea that you're not happy if I'm not the color of Silvermoon's tabard?" He coughed. "He will appreciate that, greatly." He was starting to get the feeling that a "private" conversation with his brother would be interesting, even as he continued to get used to the fact that this man who he had called "brother" most of the time he'd known him was more than a brother in arms, or of the Light. The tips of his ears went red at the idea of some of the -other- thoughts he'd had, especially when Jelah...
... They were both out to see his head explode. He knew it...
The food arrived before Selarcis could answer. Two platters plied to the tipping point with food. One of the platters had assorted dumplings of varying palm sizes. The other had five to six full sides of mushan ribs, still steaming.
Tshion's eyes widened slightly. /He can't really expect us to eat all that.../ "Oh," he said quietly, very clearly shocked.
Selarcis handed the female pandaren a small bag filled with gold coins and bowed slightly. "Thank you." The hostess bowed and walked away. Sel turned to Tshion. "Well, dig in. I'm sure we will have to take some of this back to the barracks for the others." He smiled and took a bite out of one of the dumplings and squeed. "Red belly mandarin! Yes!"
Tshion shook his head to clear it. "I was about to say... there's no way we could possibly eat all this..." He did pick up a dumpling, and sniffed at it, then nibbled at it. He grinned and bit into it with more enthusiasm when it proved to be filled with shrimp and crab. His eyes closed in pleasure as he chewed.
Selarcis popped another dumpling into his mouth. "So!" he said through a solid mass of cheek and food before swallowing. "Honestly, what do you think of your older brother so far? Crazy? Sexy? Down right will almost screw anything?" he grinned at the other paladin.
Tshion nearly snorted a bit of the bite he had just taken out his nose. He managed not to, then managed to chew and swallow before coughing. When he was able to speak, he managed, "Murderous!" A moment later, he managed to get himself under control again, and he leveled a glare at the older man, his cheeks reddening as he processed the entire question. "I... I'm not sure I'm informed enough to say more than 'crazy', since you certainly are that." He smiled slightly. "But as for the rest, just because you turn out to be my brother doesn't mean my attitude is going to change. You've always been a good friend and adviser to me. Now I know why you took it upon yourself to be so."
Selarcis peered at the blush mid-sentence. "More than just being your brother, I can assure you. It may have had something to do with you rivaling my looks... just maybe..."
The other paladin snorted softly, picking up another dumpling. "Hardly," he said, taking slow breaths to drain the color in his cheeks, and failing miserably. "You could look at someone, lift an eyebrow and have them in your bed that night."
Selarcis ponders the words of his brother for a moment. "Really?" He produced a look at Tshion. "This one?" he smiled mockingly at his brother before chuckling. "Look, we both have the same mother and father, and I can assure you they were after each other for more than their brains. So don't sell yourself short."
Tshion paused with his dumpling halfway to his mouth, and the tips of his ears went red again. He looked away quickly, suddenly finding a mark on the table -very- interesting. "It may just be," he said, trying not to look up again, "that I'm not as... refined?" He shrugged. "I admit I'm a vain creature, but if it comes down to living or looking pretty, I'll take living." This was most evident, as his hair was still sticking up oddly from where he'd run his hands through the top of it, some locks hanging loose, some sticking up, partially held by the band at the back of his head.
Selarcis nodded. "Try letting your hair down, before I cut the band off during our sparring." He smiled victoriously at the Elf across from him.
Tshion looked slightly taken aback, and despite his determination not to look at the other paladin, looked up at him. His brow furrowed for a moment, then he stuck his dumpling in his mouth, and reached up to pull the tie. His hair tumbled around his shoulders and face, slightly kinked from being up in the band, and tangled from earlier. He swept it over his shoulders to fall down his back before taking the dumpling, biting it at the same time. "Better?" he said, thickly around the mouthful of ... fish?
Selarcis gasped dramatically. "My, the beast can learn! I thought I would never see the day that one such as myself could bring myself to train such an oaf." He cocked his hand in a dismissive way and looked skyward.
Tshion chuckled. "I'm not an oaf!" he protested, trying to pout through his laughter. "Er – wait. Should I instead be fawning and being all like..." He widened his eyes and clasped his hands together, giving Selarcis a soppy, worshiping, reverent look. "Please, Master, please teach me everything you know!"
Selarcis took a bite out of a dumpling before stopping and staring at Tshion with a bit of food hanging from his mouth. He cocked his head before sucking the dangling strings in and swallowing. "Look, if you're going to start that crap, I'm going to start throwing these,” He looked dementedly at the dumplings, "magnificent little bits of light... AT YOUR BIG HEAD!" he flung a bit of pastry at his brother and grinned.
Tshion unclasped his hands as his brother spoke, and his hand lifted and caught the bit of pastry without any of the rest of his body moving. He handed it back to his brother, grinning. "You missed, brother dear."
Selarcis plucked the bit from Tshion's hand, threw his head back, and dropped it into his mouth. "There!" he resettled himself. "Like it never even happened."
Tshion smiled, and picked up another dumpling, one darker than some of the others. He pulled at the pastry a bit to look at the filling. His eyebrows went up again when he discovered mushrooms and other vegetables. He bit into this one a little more enthusiastically. These things were as good as the little pastry things Briyanna made, only larger. "That's good," he said, looking up again, proud that he could keep most of the blush from his face. "As good food is never a weapon, unless cornered by a hungry animal." He eyed Selarcis suspiciously. "I'm not a hungry animal.. am I?"
Selarcis held up a finger. "Not yet!" he smiled. "All right, now we get to it. What do you want to know? And, how can I get the information I want out of you?" he tilted his head slightly.
"Everything," Tshion answered at once. "I know ... nothing. I didn't even know you existed until today, as far as being my brother was concerned. Anything you want to tell me about from, well, I was born?" He smiled. "As for how you can get the information? It depends on the question. Some questions I may answer at once, some I may not."
"Well to start, when mom popped you out, and for about a week after, you had wrinkles that made you look like father when he was angry." Selarcis smiled has he bit into another dumpling. "Also," he swallowed, "I pretended to drop you out the second story window and into a pile of leather. Mother nearly took my head off..." He sighed and took another bite.
Tshion, who had been poking at the dumpling in his hand and wondering what was in it by the way it moved, stuck his finger through it, and getting red bean paste all over his hands. "You dropped me out of window?" He tilted his head in disbelief. "How old were you?"
Selarcis sighed. "Well, it was only a bag of flour... I didn't have the nerve the top 'the new bundle of joy' out the window. I just wanted to scare Mom and Dad a bit... also, I don't want to say." He coughed slightly.
"In other words, old enough to know better." Tshion grinned. "I imagine I was a pain in your ass while I had you? I remember nothing before I turned at least sixty.. if even back that far."
Selarcis nodded, "That pretty much sums it up. You were a lot better than I was as a child. You respect that fire was hot, sharp things hurt, and that no, you can't go poking the Hawkstriders in the ass." He sighed again. I was gone before you turned three, sadly. Dad wanted me to go and 'hone' all of my skills early... thank the Sun I did."
Tshion shook himself out of his shock, and began to absently lick the finger that poked through the dumpling in his hand. "You didn't seriously poke a Hawkstrider when it couldn't see where you were... What did you do with a sharp thing that you didn't figure out – I mean, you certainly know which end of the sword to hold and which end goes into your opponent, and I'm pretty sure I've seen you astride a 'strider at least once..."
Selarcis coughed "I may or may have not tried many times to balance the tip of my training blade on my... finger... more than a few dozen times. Also, that hawk had it coming! It stole my sugar bread ball!" He looked down at the platters for a moment before cutting off a rib and biting into it. "So... do you blame yourself for what happened to your boy-toy?" he stared at him with a serious look.
Tshion rolled his eyes. "Yes... Well. I did know better than to do that." He pondered the question for a moment, then sighed. "I do." He absently nibbled at the dumpling in his hand. "I should have been able to get Hellscream's attention back before he managed to hit him." He pulled the dumpling apart, without noticing. "I saw it in his eyes, the night before. He... he knew something, Sel. I think he was planning this earlier than he lets on."
Selarcis nodded, "Well, you didn't cause it. He deliberately hit him where my blade cut into his neck. I didn't realize what he was going to do until Jelah was in the air. Neither of us were going to get him to look back at us, and I know neither of us had the time or energy to cast anything. From what I saw, Jelah didn't plan for the size of his hand. He didn't think Garrosh's hand would have enough mass to send him that fast toward the wall." he looked sincerely at his brother.
Tshion looked down at the dumpling and let out a mirthless chuckle. "I didn't see more than a flash by my side, and then the pyroblast. By the time I looked up, Hellscream's arm was already moving, and I was doing my best to stop it." He shook his head. "That doesn't explain the look in his eyes the night before though. Resigned. Knowing. I still say I should have seen it, and I probably should have watched for him to try something like that."
"And if you had we would both be dead. Think about this for a moment, one wrong move because you thought that Jelah was going to do something stupid before he did it, and Hellscream would have lopped off you head. What happened was, based on calculation, the best possible outcome of the attack. I know it feels as though you didn't do enough to save him, but he never was going to be lost for long. Yes he died, for a few moments, but he came back to you..." the blonde trailed off and bit into a chunk of meat.
"I know that, deep down, I know that, but still. That's why he said he did it – to keep my focus on Hellscream, and keep his focus away from everyone else." Tshion sighed and started trying to salvage the dumpling in his hands, knowing that he should eat, but losing his appetite. "I suppose," he said after a few moments, "I feel as though I owe him for saving my life. I'd had visions, after I'd met him, and before battling Hellscream." He picked at a bit of the paste on his hands. "That I had to do something. Stop something from happening. After... after what happened, the place in my mind where that vision stayed just screamed... Failure." He shrugged, giving up on trying to be dignified, and began licking at the bean paste on his hands.
Selarcis pointed at the dumpling. "Eat, all of it," he said though a mouth full of food. "Look," he swallowed. "It wasn't screaming failure, it was screaming that you did it. Jelah lives to this day." He took another bite and slowly chewed it. "Without the motivation that was you being in his life, he would have done more to kill Hellscream than to just distract him long enough for us to finish him." He sighed. "I was the one who helped him perfect the mixture of agony to mageroyal. He needed, and needs, you."
Tshion managed to finish the half-smushed dumpling, staring at the table, lost in thought. "You've... known him much longer than I realized," he said quietly. "If... If you helped him with that mixture... you knew him before he even knew my name." He closed his eyes, slowly. "And I know. I need him just as much. I just ... I know better than to let something like that distract me from my duty. And I did. I'm sorry."
Selarcis rolled his eyes. "Our duty is biased, I should know..." he trailed off again. "D-Don't blame yourself; it doesn't help recover from what happened. Just look at the bright side, Jelah is recovering quicker than expected, you now know that I'm your old, prettier, and much more toned brother." he pondered for a moment. "Oh, yeah, and there is this,” he reached into his shirt and pulled out a small locket. He tugged on it and the leather strap snapped off. "This is from Mother, she didn't want it to be lost." He held out a silver and gold swirl locket with crystal hinges.
Tshion winced. "I suppose you're right. Then again, he is a troll, and they are famed for their regeneration. And no, you're not old. Prettier, more toned," he blushed slightly again, dropping his eyes again, "I will agree with." He looked up again, at the locket. "That..." he narrowed his eyes, his brain clearly sorting through memories. "I.. I remember that." He looked up at Selarcis. "You saw her before she... she vanished?"
Selarcis nodded. "I was wounded and in the med-tent in the Bazaar. She laid it down on the chest before picking up my double edged long sword that dad forged me... and went to hold the gate..." he looked down at the table for a long moment as his hand started to shake slightly.
Tshion's breath caught. Without a second thought, his hand darted out and took Selarcis' shaking one. "I'm sorry I asked this now, and not later. This is not the time or place for such things."
Selarcis ran his free hand across his face. "I never told anyone before, I thought I had lost everyone, like you did." He sighed but looked up and smiled. "Any time and place is okay to have an emotional break down!"
Tshion colored slightly, then smiled back, remembering back to the morning after in Dalaran, where one moment Jelah had been upset... and suddenly glowed with happiness. "I disagree," he said quietly. "But still. We have each other now, and that's something more than we did, right?" His eyes dropped to where his hand was, and pulled it back, blushing nearly to the tips of his ears again.
Selarcis nodded slightly. "That is true. Take the locket, it is your turn to carry it." He smiled at Tshion. "You'll need to find your own strap for it. I don't suggest metal, it can be rather uncomfortable."
Tshion takes the locket with trembling fingers, grateful for a reason to have let go of the other paladin's hand. "I think I have an idea for it," he says quietly. He tucked it carefully into a pocket of his pants, where he wouldn't forget it. "Thank you."
Selarcis nodded. "I've yet to find out the key for it. I'm guessing it's a word, phrase, or sound. But I can't seem to figure it out." He sighed deeply. "Maybe your boy can see how it works?"
Tshion shrugged. "He might be able to. I have a feeling, knowing Mother, it will unlock only if the two of us do something at the same time, requiring whoever wound up with it to find the other. She was a bit on the melodramatic side, never the practical."
Selarcis chuckled slightly. "That is very true. Dad would have left a note on the back: 'the thing I call your mother when she is not around' or something." He smiled.
Tshion rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm not even sure that he was serious when he... well." He looked up at Selarcis. "It doesn't feel like they've been gone very long, but..."
Selarcis smirked. "He was... a character..." he trailed off for a moment. "How much more can you eat?" he asked eying the mountain of still steaming food.
Tshion frowned slightly. "We-ell, if we stop depressing ourselves," He prodded at the partial rack of ribs surprised at how much they gave in. One eyebrow raised slightly, and he reached for the knife.
Selarcis picked up the rib on his plate bit into it. He chewed for a moment. "True, so, let us finish and get back to the Garrison."
Tshion nodded, running the knife between two ribs. "Are you planning on just running me around the ring or did you have something specific in mind?"
Selarcis shook his head "Nothing like that, just us being thrown into a ring and have about fifteen or so pandaren after us." He smiled at Tshion.
Tshion blinked at his brother around a bite of rib. "Eh?" he asked, his eyes widening.
Selarcis grinned. "You'll see." He bit off the last piece of meat off the rib in his hand and nodded. "I need to speak with a few longtime friends before I head to the barracks. Don't wait up on me." He smiled and stood. "Also, don't worry about taking any of this to them, I'll get it." Selarcis nodded, then walked toward a doorway in the back of the tavern.
Tshion blinked a bit, watching the other paladin go, and nibbled on his ribs thoughtfully, letting the past hour or so sink in. Somehow, he was getting the feeling that "a few hours" was meant to lure him away. "A day or two" seemed more appropriate for all that the older man was throwing at him now.
Unsure of what to do once he finished his meal, he looked around toward the door Selarcis had taken, then finally shrugged, palmed a dumpling, and stood up. If he was going to survive after eating as much as he had, he was going to need to stretch. He may as well get started on it now.
Selarcis walked into the hall of the barracks and quickly ducked into his room. "Tshion?" He called to the cell across from him. The sound of plate armor hurriedly being put on came from his room.
Tshion's voice floated out, sounding slightly strained. "Here."
Selarcis stopped for a moment, his mind faltered at the noise coming from Tshion's room. "Are you ready to see what I was talking about?" He finished placing his shoulder guards and walked across the hall to peer into his brother's room.
Tshion, armorless, was against the wall beside the armor rack, one foot tucked against his crotch, the other slightly out in front of him, standing on one hand, the other out to the side, breathing deeply, eyes closed.
The tucked foot lifted, slowly, as the other foot lifted, and they swapped positions. The paladin leaned to swap his hands with the same motion, miraculously not falling over in the process.
Selarcis stared at his brother with an open mouth. /Damn... he's good... he's really.../ He shook his head and propped himself against the frame of the door, waiting for Tshion to finish.
Holding the pose for another moment, Tshion's body remained still. Both legs extended, slowly, and he shifted so he was firmly grounded on both hands. His legs lowered as one to pause, parallel to the floor. A few heartbeats later, he was fluidly getting to his feet, standing facing the wall, and allowing his blood to return to where it belonged.
"I'm sorry," he said, hands gathering his hair to toss over his shoulders. "You'd said something... what was it?" He reached for his armor, and with the speed of practiced fingers, began strapping it on.
Selarcis smiled. "My my, now I know who the flexible one is," he blushed slightly. "When you are ready, meet me out in the ring. I want to show you what we are going to be doing before heading back tonight." Selarcis turned at once and headed for the gate entrance.
Tshion blushed, but could only pray Selarcis didn't see the reddening in the tips of his ears. He belted on his sword, grabbed his shield, and was still adjusting his gloves and gauntlets as he caught up with his brother.
Selarcis smiled as he saw his brother approach. "Good, Yumi Goldenpaw and the other just finished with the feast preparations." He strolled toward a dirt ring lined with small wooden poles. Over by a small grouping of medical tents was erected the banquet the two paladins had ordered earlier. Steam came from the smaller of the tents, indicating more food was to come.
When they got to the ring Selarcis sighed. "Yumi Goldenpaw will be giving us a show, something he himself came up with, and then we will be performing after him." He grinned and nodded at his younger brother.
CLANG-Thunk.
The shield hit the ground as Tshion stared at his brother, fingers pausing in their adjustment of a shoulder strap. "We... what?"
Selarcis nodded again. "You'll see, don't worry! I'm not going to make you dance today."
Tshion reached down to retrieve his shield, brushing dust from it absently. "Dance? What are you... What are you planning to do to me?"
Selarcis grinned. "All the things I've wanted to do to a brother. And I've had many centuries to think of a list." Just then Yumi came down the path and hailed the two Elves.
"Greetings! Are you ready for a fantastic show?" he bowed as he stood within lunging distance of the two.
Selarcis nodded at the pandaren and then looked at Tshion.
Tshion swallowed. "I ... hope so?" He looked between Yumi and Selarcis, shaking hair out of his face. /Ugh.. as soon as he's not looking I'm putting it back up!/
Selarcis turned back to Yumi, who nodded and headed toward the center of the ring.
A loud gong sounded from the gathering of tents just up the path. A swam of fifteen or so pandaren rushed the elder in the center of the ring. Sounds of tearing cloth, muffled firsts hitting fur, and grunts of shock and pain came from the center of the ring. The assailing pandaren were being brushed aside like meager insects or children.
Selarcis grinned again as he saw, one by one, Yumi flung his opponents away from him.
Tshion's eyes grew wide as he watched. This reminded him of the Rumpus at the Tian Monastery, and he grinned. He and Jelah made it through that. This shouldn't be too different.
After about five or so minutes none of the fifteen pandaren assailants stood, for fear of being struck again. Yumi had a smug look on his face as he wiped his brow. "Ahh, now see young ones; ignoring lessons of the past will come back on you when you least expect them to do so.” He smiled at the two paladins and gestured towards the center of the ring. "Your turn." The pandaren sauntered out of the ring and sat on a small grassy bump overlooking the two. A moment passed and the trainees got to their feet and staggered for the medical tents up the path.
Selarcis chuckled slightly and turned to Tshion. "Wow, that was great, don't you think?"
Tshion's eye twitched slightly. "I... That was certainly impressive, yes." He looked at his brother, grumbling as he shook hair out of his face again. "Perhaps I should have opted for a training sword though.. I only brought live steel..."
Selarcis shook his head. "No, you were meant to bring your blade. This is going to be a fight for our lives, so to speak." He drew his blade out and gestured at a woman next to a gong. "Once we are in, she will hit it twice, then we will fight. Try not to impale through the chest... but make sure they don't get back up quickly." He stood at the edge of the ring and looked at his brother.
Tshion swallowed, adjusted his shield's balance, adjusted the arm strap, then drew his blade. "No fatal blows, but don't hesitate to draw blood," he repeated back, shaking his hair back again.
Selarcis nodded "Well, fatal blows are not that fatal here. Do as you would normally do. Just know that no one will die." He strolled into the center of the ring and motioned Tshion to come to his side.
Tshion swallowed again, took a deep breath, and made a final adjustment to his helm before moving to join his brother in the center of the ring. He rolled his shoulders, then set his feet so if the intent was surprise, he wouldn't go down at once. "If you say so," he said quietly. "I'll have to trust you since you've obviously done this before."
Selarcis nodded. "Bow to her when you are completely ready for a fight, and try not to hit me." He sighed deeply and visibly relaxed all of his muscles. The blonde then bowed, hefted his shield, and readied himself.
Tshion nodded, then bowed, returning to his stance and hoping he was ready for anything. He raised his blade and forced his eyes to be alert for any movement.
Two rings of the gong echoed throughout the Garrison, then the low thundering sound of pandaren paws came from the tents. Only ten ran down the path toward the two paladins, but these pandaren were not trainees, they were either victors of the ring, or, masters among the Shado-Pan. They quickly formed a half ring around the Elves and took stance.
Selarcis eyed an agile female just to his left. “Watch the girl, she’s cocky," he muttered to Tshion with a quick nod of his head toward her.
Tshion narrowed his eyes. "Right," he said, adjusting his sword grip. His eyes scanned the semi-circle, and waited for one of them to charge him. His heart began to beat a little faster in anticipation. It had been a while since he got to spar with someone else, let alone like this. It would be nice to have someone come at him not intent on slaughter for a change.
Yumi stood and smiled. "Do not kill, but, be forceful in your intent. Strike with fury but also strike with compassion." He bowed to the elves. "Begin!" The pandaren said as he sat back down with a thud.
Selarcis' eyes fixated on a shadow barreling toward him, he struck for the legs. There was a grunt, the sound of something hitting the dirt hard, a low moan and the sound of the blonde hissing. /She's a fast little bitch./ The eager female had jumped at her chance to get revenge on the outsider that bested her. She had come closer this time, but still failed, again, to defeat him.
Tshion's eyes darted to the shadow heading for Selarcis, then focused back in front of him. Another of the group moved, then another. Both heading for him. /Guess it doesn't pay to be "new blood",/ he thought as he darted forward to meet the first one, ducking a punch, and rolling to sweep one leg out to knock the first, a burly looking male, to the ground, then turning to focus on the second one, a lithe female who looked as though she'd been through a few scuffles in her time.
He swept his blade, aiming for her ankles, but she avoided the blade and kicked out at his shoulder. Biting back a curse, he rolled backward enough to kick at her midsection. With a soft "oof", she jumped back, softening the blow, and remained on her feet.
The male had gotten to his feet by then, and they both rushed him as he rolled and scrambled to his feet. Unwilling to use his blade, though he had been told to, he raised his shield and blocked a punch, then used the reverse momentum to shove the male back again.
Realizing too late he had left his side open, he felt the female's kick that knocked him sideways. He swept his blade out again, and the grunt told him he'd connected – but with who? The blood trail told him it was the female, who hadn't backed off quickly enough.
Taking the chance, he opened his hand just enough to fling a Light-created shield at her to force her back further. It bounced from her to the male, and he set his feet as they came at him again. He saw another of the pandaren run forward, and he prayed that this one, a large male who could easily crush him, hadn't scented his weakness, and instead was heading for his brother. Shifting his grip on his sword, he lunged, sweeping it across the two already coming at him again, aiming low, half of him terrified of causing too much damage.
Selarcis pivoted at once and lunged with his shield toward the pandaren. The shield connected and a cracking sound came from the pandaren's chest. Selarcis quickly took a step back and swung his blade to cut deep in the side of his opponent. As his blade was about to connect he closed his eyes. A massive hammer of pure Light manifested and dropped swiftly onto the pandaren.
Selarcis turned to see the female he had first struck on her feet and heading for his brother. He turned swiftly and threw a hammer at the ground before her. The Hammer arced heavenly lightning that struck her in the chest and she growled in agony. A warm rejuvenating energy came from the hammer as well.
Tshion rolled to the side and into the lightning surrounding Selarcis' Hammer. He braced on one knee and swiped again catching the second female in the arc. He raised his hand and threw a Hammer of his own to the ground as he leapt up to his feet and jumped backwards – into another pandaren. He turned to see two more heading at him in addition to the one he just knocked over.
Swearing, he bolted back toward the pair of hammers still arcing lightning on the ground, and flung his hand out to one of the original two he had been fighting, a smaller Light-hammer landing on her head.
He was being swarmed, and he knew it. Panic began to rise in his chest and he fought it down, trying to keep his "enemies" in front of him.
One of them grabbed his leg, and instinct brought his blade slicing across the offending arm. He heard the cry as the hand was yanked back, and he used the momentum of the swing to slash at another. He turned, slashing everything in reach, low once again. He felt the blade connect twice, and he brought his shield up to repel something flying toward him on his right.
Another blow connected with his unprotected left side and he felt the air whoosh out of his lungs. He gasped, dropping the shield so it wouldn't happen again.
/I must look such a fool,/ he thought, dismally as he rolled backwards again, trying to get some distance. He flung another Light-shield, and another hammer on someone's head. His eyes were starting to blur, and his head was starting to ache from the lack of air he could pull into his lungs. He turned again to feel sharp pain in his side. His breast plate was dented just enough to scrape him in a place his gambeson would have protected him.
He lunged to avoid chafing the area, only to realize he was in serious trouble. /They know I'm weak.../ He was also too proud to call for help – yet. He dove into a roll to gain some distance, then flung lances of Light into the area surrounding him. He heard snarls and sharp cries, and knew he'd managed to hit at least a few.
Selarcis turned at once to see the horde descending on Tshion. He quickly charged the biggest of the pandaren that was attempting to hit Tshion's flank. He felt a sharp pain wash over his leg as he connected with the assailant. "Bitch!" he cried as he felt the siting of nails biting into his calf. He toppled over onto the male he had struck with his shield.
Selarcis shifted slightly and kicked hard against the shoulder of the female that had clawed him. He felt the grip on his leg fall away as the female rolled backward. Just then, the blonde found himself being held down by the pandaren he had collided with. The paladin heard a cracking sound and he managed to get his sword to pierce the forearm of the male.
Tshion leapt backwards again, throwing another shield of Light as he landed. He felt the kick to his right side land on his hip and heard the ominous crack that followed. His head turned, and he shook it to get his hair out of the way. It was all the opening the female to his right needed. He saw her fist and managed to turn his head enough so it connected with the top of his head and not his face. He overbalanced and fell backwards, landing hard on his back. He swiped wildly with his blade as he landed, catching the offending female in the side. He rolled again, and stopped abruptly to sharp pain on his left. He glanced down as he knocked one of the males back with his shield. /Shit./ He didn't have time to heal the wound; not that it would matter with the way his armor was raking along his side.
He leaned again, flinging down another lighting arcing hammer, and rolling into it – and into a kick to his chest.
Pride be fucked.
"Sel!" The call came out as a croak, even as he kicked out at the male who had kicked him. /I'm better than this. I know better than this. I've handled more than-/ A kick came somewhere from his left, driving his bent armor plate into his side further. He summoned what was left of his strength and called on the Light for Healing – it was his only chance.
Selarcis wriggled the blade free from the pandaren's flesh and used the pummel to bash his kidney. The pandaren roared in pain and let the paladin free. He quickly staggered to his feet and gasped, trying to catch his breath. Turning toward his brother, his mind acted. He hurled his shield at three of the assailants and a hammer at a fourth, then dashed across the ring and dived into an on-coming kick meant for Tshion. The kick connected with his chest and his breast plate creaked under the blow. He hit the ground and slid for a few feet before letting out a moan of agony. His leg arched high in an attempt to strike the male in the leg missed. His heavy foot connected with a crawling pandaren's jaw. One of the ones hit by the shield had been knocked out cold and hit the ground with a thud.
Tshion recognized the blur that was his brother, and that he bought enough time for the spell to work. He scrambled to his feet, staggering as the dented armor split his side anew. He felt dizzy, but wasn't about to let his brother fall for saving him. He flung out a hand to send a shield into three of the remaining assailants, and bent to retrieve his sword. He shook his head, and dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. Realizing what had happened, he flung another hammer into the ground beside him, then began throwing any offensive magic he could at the remaining four. If he got back up, he would only hit the ground again.
Daringly, he reached for his blade, and swung again as two of them came at him. He pulled his shield tightly against his left side, and kept the arm stiff. He bashed the pommel of his sword into one of the pandaren's feet, hearing bones crack under the needle-force blow. He looked up. Three left...
Selarcis closed his eyes and completely relaxed. His hands began to glow and suddenly, everything went numb. He sighed and got to his feet. Looking at Tshion, he saw both pandaren roll to avoid the slashes. Selarcis rushed over and his shield shone brightly before crushing the last standing female pandaren's face as she was coming out of her roll. "One more!" he cried as he turned toward the final pandaren standing.
The remaining pandaren smirked and took a stance a few feet away from Tshion. "Your friend here seems a bit weak," he said slightly out of breath.
Selarcis cringed as the pain started coming back. "He is my brother; my kin and blood. He is not weak. He could best me if given the chance."
"Ah," the pandaren chuckled. "So then, you, the mighty Selarcis, are the weak one! How did you ever attain the title of ring master?" he spat on the ground.
Tshion draw the deepest breath he could, gritted his teeth against the pain, and let the pandaren talk. /Spit at my brother will you?/ He lunged forward, screaming as his armor tore his side open, and wrapped both hands around the pandaren's ankle, his shield digging into the pandaren's knee. He yanked as hard as he could, pulling the larger warrior down. He tried to call out to Selarcis, telling him to finish the last one off, but all he did was cough. He tasted copper, and reached out a hand to stop his fall before he fell face-first in the dirt of the ring, hair covering his eyes again.
Selarcis rushed forward and sank the blade deep into the pandaren's shoulder and stuck it into the ground. "See what happens, beast, when one gives into pride. My brother learned what you seem to have forgotten." He twisted the blade back and forth before striking the pommel with his fist.
The gong sounded and Yumi stood. "Healers to the ring! Bring the potions and herbs to the tents." He began to saunter over to one of the smaller tents.
Dozens of healers swarmed the ring with stretchers and windwool bandages. One by one the combatants were whisked away toward the largest of the tents.
Selarcis placed a foot onto the pandaren's shoulder and tugged on the blade which came free with a slurping pop. He cleaned his blade on the fallen pandaren's tabard, sheathed it, then turned toward Tshion and helped him onto an awaiting stretcher. "Don't worry, we'll get that rib out in a few minutes, and you won't even have the scar to scare Jelah with." He smiled and patted Tshion on the cheek.
Tshion turned his head to look at Selarcis, but his hair was in the way. He opened his mouth to speak, but only managed to cough up blood. He closed his eyes instead, and let himself be carried off.
Selarcis' brow furrowed and he looked toward the other end of the stretcher. "First, we get the rib out of his lung, then stitch the side. I'll take care of the rest. Work for you?" he asked the male pandaren who nodded in acknowledgment as he lifted his end of the stretcher.
After a moment of walking they reached the med-tent. Carefully, they settled Tshion down on a padded table and Selarcis began removing his brother's armor. When he got to his breast plate Selarcis gasped. "You didn't! Why weren't you wearing a gambeson – or some other padding more than plain linen? Damn it, why didn't I notice earlier?" He quickly went to work, stripping the ruined shirt from Tshion's chest, then numbing the area so the pandaren could work on easing the rib out of Tshion's lung and cleaning the area. "Tshion, Light help me, I could smack you for this... I had spares!" After he was satisfied with Tshion's internal injuries, he let the pandaren stitch the wound closed. He began rubbing a Green Tea and Snow Lily cream across the stitches, his fingers glowing slightly to heal the flesh beneath the threads. “You had only to ask.”
Tshion turned his head weakly, knowing he needed to stay awake. "Di'n't... s'pect... t'need... it..." His voice rasped and gurgled slightly from the fluid still in his lung, and he looked up at his brother. His eyes dimmed a little, and were full of guilt. "'M s-s'rry..."
Selarcis leaned over and rested his hand on Tshion's head. "This is not the time to be sorry, brother." He smiled and gently ran his fingers lightly through the auburn hair.
Tshion closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. "When-" he stopped talking abruptly, starting to cough. He tried to sit up as the fit got worse.
Selarcis quickly placed a hand under Tshion's back. "We need to get the fluid out of his lung; do you have anything on hand to stop his reaction?" He looked at the pandaren who scanned the room for a long moment.
"Yes!" exclaimed the male pandaren. He knelt down in front of a small set of drawers and began rifling through them. The red pandaren plucked a vial from the back of the top drawer. "Liquid Lotus," he stood and handed it to Selarcis, "two drops on the tongue."
Selarcis took the tiny bottle in his free hand and flipped the silver latch open with his thumb. "Relax brother, this will clear most of it." He held it ready for Tshion's tongue.
Tshion's hands curled into fists as he managed to force his body to stop coughing just long enough to stick his tongue out at his brother. /Finally, a time I can stick my tongue out at someone and not get punished for it.../
Selarcis ginned. "I'll smack you for sticking your tongue out at me later." He nodded and dripped the drops on to Tshion's dry and cracked tongue.
Tshion made a half-snort, half-groan noise in response, which was all he could do with his tongue sticking out, and trying to not cough at the same time. He pulled his tongue back in and tried to swallow, and managed with difficulty. The coughing fit subsided, but his breath still rattled. He slumped forward, cringed and leaned back again, trying to find some position that didn't cause pain.
Selarcis frowned slightly. "Try laying completely back; almost arching. It should be healing over soon." He removed his hand from his brother's back and grabbed his hand.
Tshion shook his head, knowing better than to speak, now. The hand that wasn't in Selarcis' reached up and touched his chest, then his throat.
Selarcis nodded. "Not now, but when the fluid is cleared." He reached with his free hand under the wooden table and retrieved a small pouch. "Brother I need you to swallow one more thing. This will help with the pain, trust me." He took a mageroyal leaf out of the pouch.
Tshion lifted an eyebrow at Selarcis in a look that clearly said "you can't be serious". He bit back another cough and hissed at the pain it caused. /Deal with the pain, or be frustrated...?/
Selarcis looked at his assistant for a moment. "Could you give us some time to chat?" He said in a calm but authoritative tone.
The pandaren nodded and quickly left the tent, making sure the curtain was drawn shut.
Selarcis held the leaf in front of Tshion. “Don’t worry, you’ll be taken care of.” He smiled genuinely.
Tshion made another noise, and closed his eyes, taking several moments to consider. He knew enough that it would kill the pain long enough for it to heal. He also knew what mageroyal's side effects were. A single leaf, undiluted was enough to numb the pain on anything but a death wound, but.. even a single leaf, undiluted...
Tshion turned his head just enough to give his brother a very long, measuring look. He shifted slightly, once again feeling slightly uncomfortable in the other man's gaze. He drew a breath, and winced as he fought not to cough. His eyes darted to his hand in his brother's, at the barely visible stitches under his arm, and took a quick assessment of himself, then closed his eyes again and, hating himself, nodded, defeated.
Selarcis placed the leaf on the tip of Tshion's tongue. "Don't worry, brother.” He said sweetly.
Without opening his eyes, Tshion bit down. The taste was much sharper than any sweetened tea or alchemical potion, and he worked the leaf between his teeth to drain it before swallowing it, once again fighting the urge to cough. His breathing came a little easier after a moment, and slowly, he leaned forward just enough to keep the odd urge to cough at bay. /I'm going to regret this. Horribly./ He made a soft noise of relief when the pain stopped, and his shoulders relaxed.
Selarcis tossed the stem of the leaf to the ground and peered at his brother. "Water, tea, or something sweeter?" He said with a calm and soothing tone as his hand rested on Tshion's shoulder.
Tshion cracked an eye open, and coughed pointedly, gurgling as he drew in another breath. He took a deeper breath and coughed up some of the blood from his lung. His next breath was easier. He didn't dare talk. Yet.
Selarcis smiled. "I'm not trying to drown you, it is for when you are able. Do you want a book or something to try and take your mind off of the blood seeping into your lungs?" He took a wooden chair from the corner of the room and placed it on the side of the table and sat down with a slight thunk as he relaxed into it.
Tshion returned the smile, weakly, and shook his head to Selarcis' offer. He coughed again, and the gurgling lessened. He reached out a hand to his brother. "Talk to me instead?" he murmured, repressing another cough.
Selarcis grinned, but nodded sincerely. "Well, you had a bit of a block head when you were born. I wanted to put a crate on you to keep it that way. Then, with this block head brother, I would join the Darkmoon fair and have you be my twice a night 'magnificent Sin’dor-Block Head!'... Mother smacked me for even thinking such a thing." He peered at Tshion for a few moments.
Tshion stared at his brother, his eyes narrowing. "You... hated me," he whispered.
Selarcis shook his head. "I didn't hate you, just saw a chance at making some money. Ah, the things I dreamed about when I was a kid... thank the Sun none of them worked..."
Tshion turned his head, and stared at the ceiling of the tent, "tried to-" he stopped abruptly. He sat up, his hand flapping at Selarcis, the other lifting to his mouth as he coughed again, rather wetly. Selarcis quickly handed Tshion a towel and used his foot to scoot a bucket closer to his reach.
Tshion clutched the towel to his mouth and hacked sharply, gagged, then coughed several times, each drier than the last. He shuddered sharply for a moment, then drew a deep breath, and slumped forward, clearly dizzy. After several long moments, the brunette pulled the towel away from his mouth; a large part of it covered in blood.
He sat there, pulling huge gulps of air into his lungs, coughed once more, and then sighed. "Oh -Light- that's so much better..."
Selarcis smiled. "Good, once you feel ready, let’s get you back to your room." He looked at the brunette for a moment. "You did very well out there today, and given the fact that you almost blacked out to get that bastard on the ground for me, I must thank you."
Tshion toyed with the towel in his hands, his eyes focused on nothing. "You saved me first, Sel. I should be thanking you. I only did what was right..." He looked up at the curtains around them. "Besides, he seemed more focused on mocking you, and had the gall to spit at you. I wasn't letting that go..."
Selarics waved his hand dismissively. "Don't blame yourself Tshion. Just let it be."
Tshion snorted softly, then turned as though to get up, and thought better of it. "I didn't think being able to breathe would make me dizzy..."
Selarcis nodded. "Welcome to breathing fully. Also, this will implant the knowledge of how to better handle that kind of damage. Just remember, if you have one lung left, you can still win." He patted Tshion on the shoulder before standing. "At least you didn't scream this time. The last time you took your first full breath you screamed at me..." He quickly looked away from his brother, fearing being glared at.
Tshion leveled a glare at his brother's head, then grinned, tossing the towel at Selarcis' hair. "I think we could both use a bath after that. You can't be comfortable, and I'm sure you've got no end of aches – you may not have been ripped open, but I saw you get kicked no few times out there." He very cautiously got to his feet, his boots clanking loudly on the ground. "Please tell me they have a place here where we might be able to soak?" He winced at the soft pleading in his voice. Then again, he still ached, and his legs reminded him of that fact very quickly.
Selarcis cringed as he pulled the sticky towel off of his head. "Yes... I do believe they have a nice, private, bath house at the back of the barracks... You will also know that I get to scrub the dirt off your back." he sighed and dropped the towel onto the table. "Come, I'll lead."
Tshion sighed in relief. "Thank the Light." He turned to follow his brother, smirking at the back of his head. "They're not going to think I stabbed you or something, are they?
Selarcis shook his head slightly. "No, not in the least." He continued up the pathway toward the barracks. Inside the torches were lit and the smell of hot spring water wafted in the air. Once by their respective rooms, Selarcis stopped and turned to Tshion. "Bring causal wear, brother. After our bath we will be attending the feast."
Tshion nodded, and ducked into his room, gratefully stripping off the remainder of his armor and racking it. He hoped that his breastplate and his shoulder guards wouldn't be too difficult to repair as he racked his scabbard and dug in his satchel for another change of clothing: loose brown pants and an emerald green shirt, and soft brown boots. He dug through the satchel again, stacking a few books on the table by his bed and finally finding his pouch of bathing supplies. He bundled his things in his arm, trying not to let much of the clothing touch his skin or the sweat-soaked pants he still wore, and padded back out to look for his brother.
Selarcis reappeared his room and nodded at Tshion. "Right then. This way." He turned and walked briskly down the hall. Bumps on his skin formed; clearly he had a chill, though from what was not obvious. Tshion lifted an eyebrow at his brother's attire of ... well it -looked- like a loincloth. He wondered if Selarcis spent too much time with the orcs again.
They passed through a large doorway and into a forked room. "Men on your left, women right." Selarcis turned and walked into the left doorway, leaving his brother to follow. Tshion followed the blonde and blinked at the fork, but continued following to the left.
Around a sharp corner it opened up onto a large chamber with a chest deep rectangular pool in the center. On the left side of the room were doors to more private cleaning areas. Selarcis turned and smiled at his brother. "First wash up, then come and soak. I'll make sure the water is not too scalding for the wound."
Tshion paused just past the doorway, shocked at the size of the chamber and its setup. "Ah... O-okay." He smiled back, then headed off to wash.
The smaller area contained nothing more than a slightly slanted floor leading to a drain, several pails of water, and a curved stool. Used to the pandaren way of bathing – though in smaller, more private settings, Tshion stripped his pants off, carefully stowed his clothing out of the way, and he and his mesh bag settled down on the stool.
The water wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either. Tshion shivered as he drenched himself, and shuddered as the tiled floor washed pinkish brown with the blood from his skin. Ignoring the darkening of it the more he rubbed his cloth-covered bar of terocone and wild steelbloom soap across his skin, he let his mind wander a touch.
So far Tshion had a rather distracting day; finding out Selarcis was his brother was a bit of a shock, getting himself roughed up by pandaren was another, and now... He swallowed. He'd avoided mageroyal in any form since volunteering to stay and care for Jelah at the Monastery, as his desire for the troll had never lessened, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause pain or damage, a care he knew Jelah would toss out the window in favor of a good round of sex. Or five.
Tshion grinned to himself. Jelah wouldn't care about it being a Monastery, or that he was hurt after. The near misses had been enough when he dared kiss the troll. Oh, but those rare moments were delightful and just not enough...
He shuddered, and muttered a curse as he looked down. He pulled his mind back to the here and now as he finished washing and dumped a colder bucked of water over himself before reaching back in his bag for conditioner-lotion for his hair. He worked it into his hair quickly and tested the water in the remaining buckets. The third rinse was the from the coldest one in the room, and though he shivered, it did the trick. There was -no- way he could face the rest of that soaking room – or his brother – with a very obvious erection. He'd sooner drown himself.
Towels were in niche-shelves at about shoulder height, and he pulled one down to pat his auburn hair dry, then braided it, tying and tucking it to stay out of the soaking pool and secured it firmly, then gathered his things, and his dignity, and headed back out to the larger room, holding his clothing and bag in one hand, the other holding a towel around his waist.
Selarcis unlatched the solid wooden door and stepped out into the large soaking room. The blue and white towel, twice normal size, brushed lightly along the tiled floor as he tenderly walked over to Tshion. His right arm was filled with neatly folded clothes while a small pouch sat on top of the pile. "All clean, brother? Behind the ears, up the backside, down the front side?" He cocked his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
Tshion blinked, opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, and sputtered, "Of course I... are you suggesting... I... I'm not even..." He leveled a -look- at his brother and rolled his eyes. "Yes. I'll have you know I even managed my back without tearing out a single stitch."
Selarcis put on a look of over-enjoyment. "My my! You have grown to be such a clean, well groomed, and proper man of the Sin'dorei! I am grateful that I have someone such as yourself to call my kinsman!" He grinned wickedly at Tshion before turning and placing his things onto the edge of the pool.
Tshion closed his eyes for a moment, begging the Light to give him the strength to deal with his brother's antics, and for the self-control to -not- shove him into the pool and drown him.
Pushing away murderous thoughts about his brother, Tshion moved to the edge of the pool and set down his own clothing, then eyed the pool. Cautiously, he leaned to dip his toes in. Hot, but not -too- hot, just enough to warm and relax. In other words, perfect. He hesitated, then turned his back to his brother, removed his towel, folded it, and set it by his clothing, then eased into the pool, careful again not to pull stitches as he did so.
Selarcis turned towards his brother and removed his towel. After a moment of 'stretching' he tossed the towel on the ground over his brother's and hopped into the pool. A small wave rushed toward Tshion.
Tshion felt the wave hit his back, and turned around, eying his brother. "Careful! My hair is still full of conditioning lotion; I'd rather not think about the consequences of getting that into the soaking pool." He grinned. "I know it would probably be good for pandaren fur, but I don't think it would be appreciated, all the same."
Selarcis sighed. "That is true... Oh well, next time we are both naked and in a big body of water, I'll make certain to have Markana conjure up a tidal wave, just for you." He smiled and placed his arms back against the edge of the pool. "So, tell me what you know about Jelah." He glanced at the auburn-haired elf next to him.
Tshion cautiously settled, not trusting Selarcis to be still. He let his arms relax to his sides, and leaned back, letting the hot water work its way into his muscles. "We'll see about that," he grinned.
"What do I know about him?" He frowned after a moment. "It depends. He is very quick-minded, as you know, and his tactical mind is much more sound than I'd give most mages credit for."
He tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "I know he's studied in more places than I even know exist, and that those studies have diminished his accent." He closed his eyes. "He's ... mischievous. Very mischievous. Not necessarily a prankster, but close to." He smiled. "Kind, very sweet, generous to a fault, affectionate..."
He turned his head to look at Selarcis. "You knew him better, before I got to know him well. What do you know?"
Selarcis smiled. "You pretty much have him all figured out... Except for one thing." He relaxed fully against the tile and continued smiling.
Tshion lifted an eyebrow. "One thing? I doubt there's only one thing."
Selarcis shrugged slightly. "Of that, I'm not sure. But I do know of one thing." He closed his eyes and kicked his feet gently to float on his back.
Tshion dropped his eyes and quickly looked away as Selarcis' body lifted. "What's that?" he asked, curiously, keeping his mind -firmly- on the conversation.
Selarcis bobbed the lower half of his body just below the surface of the water. "Well, if I told you, that would ruin your special moment with him!" He kicked a bit faster, maintaining his waist mere finger widths below.
Tshion turned his head again, his cheeks darkening. "Special moment? We've... er... kind of... already done just about everything you can think of, and probably some you haven't." He snapped his mouth shut, turned his head to the other side, and dropped his eyes. The tips of his ears went red, as did the back of his neck.
Selarcis grinned at the ceiling. "Brother, dear, you will know of it when it comes to you! I can think of many more 'special moments' that you are thinking of, but I know of something that doesn't fall into That category." He turned slightly to see the red creeping up Tshion's neck. "You really do get hot easily. I didn't believe him... guess I lost the bet."
Tshion's neck cracked as he whipped his head around. "You lost what?!" He cleared his throat. "O-okay, you have my attention now, and it's going to have me climbing the walls." He didn't want to say "what in the name of the Nether do you know that I haven't learned in over four years?", but the words were on the tip of his tongue, which he bit to keep from asking the question.
Selarcis released himself from the side of the pool and stood slightly crouched to keep his chest submerged. "Brother you will learn in time! It's not my place to tell you this kind of thing. Also, yes, we had a little wager about the effects of mageroyal on you. I see now, and have a feeling that if I get any closer, I'd feel that I was wrong. The blush is spreading like a fire in the desert." He tilted his head slightly and looked at his brother.
Tshion dropped his gaze and turned his head, staring at the water level in front of him for a moment before closing his eyes, but he couldn't stop the blush from darkening. /Notnownotnownotnownotnow.../ "It's... not just the mageroyal," he whispered. "There are a lot of factors." He wrestled with his body and managed to cool most of the blush and keep any more obvious effects from becoming evident, but he could feel the tingling sparks of the beginnings of arousal along his nerves.
Selarcis waded closer to Tshion. "I understand. It's been a very rough and long past few weeks." He swiftly moved to stand firmly in front of his brother and placed his hands on Tshion's shoulders. "You just need to relax a bit." He gestured to the empty room. "Close your eyes, and let me work as a healer..." he said softly.
Tshion winced slightly as the hands touched his shoulders. His eyes closed tightly and kept his arms rigid. /Relax? Oh, Light you have -no idea- what you're asking.../ Automatically, it seemed, his shoulders tensed. The past weeks threatened to crash down on him, and several reactions flashed through and were ruthlessly repressed: hysterics, violence, and worse.
"I'll... try," he answered, keeping his voice as casual as he could. He turned on the ledge, his legs on the ledge in front of him, and forced his shoulders to relax a trifle, but kept himself under control.
Selarcis moved to settle behind Tshion and adjusted his hands to press his thumbs into Tshion's shoulders. "That is all I can ask of you, Tshion." His hands began to glow slightly and emanate a small amount of warmth. "Try recalling some of the things Jelah did to relax you. Maybe I can try and replicate them."
Tshion drew a very deep, very slow breath. As Selarcis' thumbs dug into his shoulders, his back and shoulders began to relax. "Most of what he did has no place here, I'm afraid," he said lightly. He instead thought back to his training, and his breathing slowed to the pattern he used while stretching, when he had the time to do so before a combat situation.
Selarcis continued rubbing. "Ah, well, that is a shame." He moved his hands down to his shoulder blades. "Did he cook anything that helped relax you?"
Tshion's eyes relaxed a little. "He did something with fish. I'm not sure what, but it was lovely." He twisted a bit, repositioning himself so Selarcis didn't have to reach so much, now that his body was cooler. He could feel tension beginning to drain from his back, legs, shoulders and neck, and his head began to droop as a result.
Selarcis' ears perked slightly. "Fish, now that I can do." He slid his hands further down Tshion's back.
Tshion smiled slightly. "You can cook? I... I didn't expect that. I'm a disaster in the kitchen. Lily kicked me out when I tried to help... and set the kitchen on fire."
Selarcis smiled, although he knew Tshion could not see. "In time, it takes a lot of practice."
"Mm.." Tshion slumped slightly further forward, as the heat of the water and his brother's ministrations began relaxing him fully. Without the tension, however, his mind was freer to wander, and his body could give in to other things, which started to become evident. The fact that he was being touched, especially so gently, didn't help Tshion in the least.
Selarcis began to rub the small of Tshion's back. "Everything alright, Tshion?" He almost whispered.
"Mm-hm, whatever you're doing seems to be working," Tshion answered quietly. A muscle under Selarcis' hands jumped, rippled into solid tension, then relaxed again.
Selarcis quickly moved his hands up to Tshion's waist. "How do you feel about Jelah?" he asked calmly.
Tshion's eyes opened. "How do I feel about him?" He lifted his head and turned it slightly. "I would have thought that would be obvious, considering my reaction a few weeks ago."
Selarcis chuckled slightly. "Yes, but I want you to describe it to me. I want to know -what- you feel, not how." He returned his hands to Tshion's shoulders.
Tshion blinked. "What I feel? What do you mean?"
Selarcis sighed. "Sparks, explosions, pounding heart, sweat on the hands, anything like that? Painfully throbbing cock?" He grinned quietly to himself about the last one.
The muscles under Selarcis' hands tightened at once. "Sel!" Tshion squawked. His blush returned at once. He took a few moments to calm his initial reaction, but his shoulders (and back) remained tense. "I..." He paused again. "I think there were sparks from the very beginning," he said slowly, cautiously. "When I found him in Dalaran... I don't remember. I was busy being relieved and thrilled that he still lived." He paused again. "I guess I can say all of the above, depending on the situation," he said at last, trying, and failing, to force himself to relax again.
Selarcis patted his brother’s shoulders. "Well, that is a good start. Maybe some food will help calm you down as well." He released Tshion and stood next to him; his back was toward the nearest edge.
/Calm me down?/ Tshion finally moved, and the shifting water brought several things to his attention in rapid succession: the water was still hot against his skin, his muscles protested the movement and the heat, and he was very obviously, and rather painfully aroused. He groaned, irritated, and quickly stifled it. /Oh, Light.. he knows. He must know./ Panic rose and he ruthlessly shoved it down.
Without thinking, he spoke. "Food is probably a good idea. Having nothing but that mageroyal in my system isn't helping."
Selarcis tilted his head for a moment and peered at Tshion. "That is true, let us stay here for a bit longer... Some parts of me are still stiff." He gently lowered himself down until his chin rested on the water.
Tshion blinked, then turned, slowly, to look at his brother. "Why," he said softly, "do I get the feeling you're not talking about your back?"
Selarcis shifted slightly and kicked his feet. His waist quickly rose above the water to show a flaccid cock. "My feet are not doing well in my current boots. I think I need Noz to redo them for me." He stopped kicking and slowly settled back down onto his feet.
Tshion relaxed, visibly. "I could do something about that," he offered. "I have learned quite a few things from Jelah; that is one of them." He turned and tucked up one foot on the ledge, and offered his hands.
Selarcis peered at him for a moment. "Thank you, brother!" He adjusted to give the other paladin more comfort before raising his legs.
Tshion chuckled softly. "Once again, it's only fair," he said quietly. "You are far more talented in far more ways than I. If I can do something, I gladly offer it." He pulled one of Selarcis' feet – the one closest to the rest of the pool, into his hands, and gently pressed his thumbs into the flesh of the ball of his foot. "Just let me know if I press to hard or too lightly – feet are tricky, fickle creatures."
Selarcis smiled and relaxed. "You won't do any damage, trust me. After kicking that female in the shoulder; I would be surprised if I didn't break something."
Tshion paused. "Why didn't you get the Healers to look at you?!" He glared for several moments, but his hands picked up where they left off.
Selarcis shrugged halfheartedly. "It is not causing me too much pain, and what you are doing only reaffirms my guess that it is just muscle pain." He lifted one arm to rest on the tiled edge of the pool and leaned on it. "Weren't you a healer at one time?"
Tshion laughed softly. "Me? Healer? No. My connection to the Light, despite the recent... changes... to the Sunwell, is very weak." He shifted his hands to run his palm down the center of Selarcis' foot, gently, then adding pressure with each stroke. "I'm a fighter, and always have been."
Selarcis shifted to look at Tshion. "There is nothing wrong with your connection to the light. Perhaps a lack of attunement. When we have the house finished, we will go and visit the Sunwell."
Tshion's hands paused for a few seconds. He lifted them slightly to hide their shaking, under the pretense of shifting angles to work more on the top of the foot and the fleshy bit between the toes. "Okay," he said in a very quiet, not -quite- fearful voice.
Selarcis smiled. "Good! We will also bring Jelah. He might get a kick out of watching you ogle over the restoration attempts." He sighed and shifted. "I think we need some food. What do you say?"
Tshion chuckled. "Once I'm done with your other foot." He took a deep breath as he pulled the other foot onto his thigh and began working. "He might. He might also wind up thinking I'm weak if I get a memory surge."
Selarcis nodded. "Well you are really fantastic with your hands... I guess I can't say no to the other one."
Tshion blushed slightly. "Well, thank you. It's good to know I'm good at something other than fighting." He worked his thumbs down Selarcis' foot, just as carefully and slowly as he had the other. "And you can thank Jelah for teaching me. You want a hand massage after writing for hours on end, scribing glyphs for the vault, or taking notes or maps? He's unbelievable."
Selarcis scoffed for a moment. "So he did learn! I'll have to see if he came up with any more techniques..." His eyes slightly glazed over in imagination.
Tshion blinked, his hands pausing. "W-well..." He blushed and looked down at Selarcis' foot determinedly. "He... he is amazing with his hands in many ways. Many of them are rather unexpected, much like the first time he worked on my hands." He paused, his blush cooling slightly. "Sometimes I wonder if he should have been a mage or a Healer. Some of it may be what he picked up in his studies, but I suspect some of it has to do with his troll heritage, much like we all know at least rudimentary Arcane magics by birth, and orcs instinctively can fight and hunt. I'm sure you've seen some of the things he can do with a bit of metal and a few gems."
Selarcis grinned. "He had crazy ideas... Like one for a very effective lubricant from a combination of fish oil and arcane powder. I think he was also going to add some crushed mageroyal, but I don't think that would be too great." He slightly moaned at Tshion hit a very tense spot. "Right there, Tshion." He blurted out.
"That would explain quite a few things," Tshion muttered. He didn't jump at the sudden exclamation, and he had to fight down his reaction to the tone. "Here?" he asked instead, pressing his thumb against the spot again, his brow furrowing a bit in concentration as he felt for the knot.
Selarcis' hands gently clenched into first as Tshion worked the knot. "Yes..." He whispered as his face contorted slightly.
Tshion's breath hitched slightly, but he spoke to cover it. "If your boots are the cause of this..." He dug into the knot a bit harder, invoking a bit of his tiny Healing skill as he worked; one thumb dug into the knot, the other smoothed the muscle around it to dissipate the tension and push it elsewhere to lessen. "Come on," he murmured, softly, the knot being one of the worst he'd ever dealt with. Finally, it seemed to be loosening, but he couldn't tell properly anymore.
Selarcis groaned as the knot broke apart. "There..." He said. "It's been a long time since I've felt something other than stiffness and pain in the foot. Thank you." He shifted slightly again; trying to keep his balance.
Tshion worked his thumbs outward, moving the tension out, and away before running his palm down the center again, and back up to the ball of the foot. He drew his hands away. "You're welcome." He eyed the other paladin. "Make sure you get your boots redone – a cramp there could mean you hit the ground and make yourself an easy target."
Selarcis smiled and swam forward sharply and pulled Tshion in for a tight hug. The brunette froze, torn between hugging his brother back and pushing him away. His arms lifted halfway, awkwardly freezing there. After a few seconds, he returned the hug, and his muscles relaxed again.
Selarcis squeezed him tight for a moment then let go. "I wish I had found you sooner than I did Tshion. I feel a different kind of connection with you; I rather like it." He grinned and turned toward the edge of the pool, readying to get out.
Tshion blinked at the squeeze, but was relieved when Selarcis let go; his body was starting to tingle in a threatening way. To hide this he stepped up onto the ledge with one leg. "A... different kind of connection?" he asked. He felt nothing out of the ordinary, apart from the fact that this morning, he would have said he was rather attracted to the blonde despite having Jelah, and feeling rather guilty about it, and now...
Selarcis used his arms to hop up onto the edge. "Yes, I can't quite explain it, but there is something...” he trailed off. “Come on, let us get going. We might miss all the food if we don't."
Tshion shook off his confusion long enough to pick up Selarcis' towel and toss it to him before retrieving his own so he could dry off and dress.
Selarcis had been entirely wrong about missing the food – there seemed to be no end of it! Apart from the ribs and dumplings, there were rolls of grain and fish, vegetables, spring rolls in delicate pastry, tureens of soups, and several different brews from across Pandaria.
Tshion was introduced to not only some of the combatants they'd faced earlier, but many of the trainers, and he found he could learn to like this place, and vowed to himself to bring Jelah here. He could just see the mage dancing around a ring of fighters, delicately setting them on fire in strategic places with his tiny portals, giggling all the while.
He found he was able to forget his earlier discomfort, at least for a little while, until he found himself nodding over a steamed sweet red bean mochi bun. He was reminded that his day had begun before dawn. He looked around as he polished off the bun and found Selarcis had vanished into the crowd. His eyes scanned the area to find the glint of the blonde's hair.
Selarcis smiled at Yumi. "Yes, I know how that is. Some of the trainees back at Silvermoon could barely keep up against a berserker's quick blows! I couldn't help but laugh a little." He rolled his neck and in turning it, caught Tshion out of the corner of his eye. He smiled, and lifted his hand slightly to wave in a slight shooing motion, then turned back to Yumi.
Tshion smiled slightly, and begged the pardon of the group he was talking with, all of whom had seen his actions in the ring earlier. None of them were upset in the slightest, and wished him a good night and pleasant rest.
Tshion made his way back to the barracks and picked his way through it to find the bathrooms again, and then his room. Once there, he found his shoulder guards and breastplate racked with the rest of his armor, good as new. He smiled as he draped his clothing across the back of the chair and dug in his bag again for the silk pants and sleeveless shirt he slept in. Once he was changed and his hair loosely tied back at the nape of his neck, he debated whether to leave the lantern burning, and decided to do so, just in case Selarcis wasn't tired and wanted to talk when he returned. He penned a quick note to wake him if he'd fallen asleep, and laid it on the table in prominent view among the books he'd stacked there earlier.
He crawled into the bed and shifted so he wasn't laying on his stitches, and, thanking the Light that the mageroyal seemed to have either left his system, or had at least stopped pestering him. /Thank goodness for the easily digested foods here.../ was his last thought before he fell into a doze.
Selarcis was only partway down the hall toward the bedrooms when he heard a familiar snoring. He grinned and peered into Tshion's room. A quick glance caught the note, and he moved into the room to read it. He smiled, looked at his brother, then looked at the table again. Among the dark leather, a single softly faded blue tome stood out. /The book! I knew he would leave it out./ He crept around the table to the stack of books and grabbed the troll-skin-blue journal. He reclined gently into the armchair beside the table and began to read.
The soft creak of the armchair did nothing to disturb the brunette's sleep, though Tshion did snort once, turned over, whimpered, turned again and lay on his stomach, one foot dangling off the bed. The snoring did not resume.
After an hour or so Selarcis grinned and closed the book. He placed it down next to the pile and coughed softly.
Tshion didn't seem to hear the cough, but made a soft noise in his sleep. He turned over again, settling on his back, his -other- foot dangling off the bed. Instead of settling quietly, however, he seemed restless; perhaps in dreaming.
Selarcis sighed, rolled his eyes, then stood. "Tshion." He said calmly and moved next to the bed. "Tshion, I've something to ask of you." He peered at the mass of blanket and paladin.
Tshion made a noise that was clearly a response, though he didn't seem to wake.
Selarcis tugged at the covers until they came free. "Tshio-" He paused and peered down with a grin on his face. "Tshion, we need to have a little talk."
Tshion reached blindly down for the missing blanket, and instead found Selarcis. His eyes snapped open. "We what?"
Selarcis nodded. "I've done some thinking, and I want your input," he began but waited for Tshion to wake a bit.
"Nngh?" Tshion shifted further against the wall, carefully avoiding laying on his stitched side. His brain was a bit fuzzy, but not with sleep, though he couldn't tell the difference – yet. He sat up slightly. "On?"
Selarcis crouched on the side of the bed. "Tshion, Jelah has told me fantastic stories about you over the years. He has kept me up to date on every special thing you have done for him, to him, with him. Jelah has become so motivated by your relationship with him, and a new, more powerful fire burns within him. I've known him for many years, he has never been with anyone else. He tried to get as close to some others, but it never worked out like you have. I want to thank you for being there for him when he needed it most." He reached down and patted his shoulder.
Tshion blinked, staring at Selarcis like his head was on fire. /How ... how the hell do I respond to that?/ His head tilted slightly. "No thanks needed," he said, his voice gaining steadiness as he spoke, "He has done more for me than he may have told you. After-" he paused, swallowing hard, "after Aurelian disappeared, I felt lost. I realized over time that even though I swore I loved her... She never invoked the same depth of, well, anything that Jelah has. I won't go so far as to say he's my reason for living, but I can't imagine a world without him in it."
"He is your reason to fight..." Selarcis blurted without even thinking. He grinned slightly and watched Tshion.
Tshion's face went blank. His eyes darted to the table and he noticed the books had been shifted. He went very red, but nodded. After a moment, he said, "So you know." He dropped his eyes to his lap, and the blush shot up to the tips of his ears. "You know everything."
Selarcis placed both hand on Tshion's shoulders and squeezed. "Tshion, I worry about your current state. You need another release while Jelah is... recovering." He stared at where his eyes would be if he were looking at Selarcis.
Tshion looked up, eyes wide with shock. "I'll be fine," he said quickly.
Selarcis shook his head. "Tshion, I'm a healer. Don't think you can hide such things from me." He leaned in a little closer.
Tshion sighed. "I'm not trying to hide it. I will be fine." /Or at least I will be once he stops calling attention to it.../
Selarcis peered at him. "I don't think so, not given what Jelah has told me. Also, given your current state, I can't really believe you. I know it's been many weeks since you were last with Jelah." He leaned back a bit, but kept his hands on Tshion's shoulders.
Tshion raised an eyebrow. "My current state will fade, regardless of how long it's been," he protested. "What has Jelah told you?" He watched Selarcis carefully.
Selarcis smiled. "Many things Tshion. Mostly of how much you mean to him." He let go of Tshion's shoulders and rest them on the edge of the bed.
Tshion relaxed slightly, and he picked at a spot on his shirt, not knowing what else to say.
Selarcis looked at Tshion for a moment before speaking. "He wants to know how you really feel about him, Tshion. He knows you love him, but he wants to hear it." He turned and walked slowly over to the armchair before settling in it. "I would also like to know what you thought of me before this morning. I don't want to guess incorrectly."
Tshion sighed. "I'm... I'm horrible with words, Sel. I'm a fighter, not a poet, not a Bard, not even a great speaker." He tucked his legs in a little closer, though it was obvious he was blushing; his ears were nearly purple. "Saying what I thought of you may do more damage than I care to think about," he whispered.
Selarcis shook his head. "Nothing will do damage. That I can promise you. You don't need to be anything but yourself to say three words, brother." He leaned forward in the chair and stared at Tshion.
Tshion sighed, softly. "Then I will..." /If, that is, he still wants to hear them.../ He pulled his legs toward his chest, folding himself a bit smaller. "You want the truth?" He closed his eyes. "Before what you told me... earlier... I was rather attracted to you. I was a little afraid to come out here with you because of it – and its possibilities, but after this afternoon..."
Selarcis smirked for a moment. "Don't think that he won't want you after we return, Tshion." He pondered for a moment. "Jelah... has given me permission to aid you in any way, if needed." He blushed slightly as he stared hard at the brunette.
Tshion looked up, his eyes wide, his blush gone as the color drained from his face. "He... he what?" he whispered. "I couldn't -do- that to him..."
Selarcis waved his hand dismissively. "He understands that you are in worse shape than he is. You've been blaming yourself ever since he rushed Garrosh. It will eat away at you if you don't let it go." A small fire seemed to burn in Selarcis' eyes.
Tshion was silent for several moments, his eyes blank, clearly in the middle of some internal struggle. He wouldn't be in the shape he was in now if he'd refused the mageroyal, but breathing was far more important to him. Color returned to his features and darkened again. "I can't," he whispered, willing the other paladin to understand why. "Once his leg has healed enough that he can get home again..."
Selarcis sighed. "There is still the problem of you blaming yourself for what happened! Tshion, I know you don't feel right for thinking of it that way, but I have to make perfectly clear that if it will help for the short term, I need you to at least consider it." He sat back and relaxed into the chair.
Tshion ran his eyes across his brother's body without thinking. His eyes closed and he murmured something to himself that looked suspiciously like "Light help me". His eyes gave him away before they closed – the want, the need, the self-hatred for even thinking about it...
His body was winning the war; the last few weeks were crashing down on him harder now than earlier when he'd managed to force it away. Now, having been just awakened from dreams he would never speak of, he didn't have the strength to force it down again. Especially now that Selarcis had been flirting with him all day, and even more especially now that he had pure, undiluted mageroyal coursing through him. Even with his legs tucked where they were near his chest, he couldn't disguise the other signs of intense, painful arousal, especially not to a Healer.
Selarcis peered at him for a moment. "Tshion... If you want me to, I could get him on a crystal. If you want to talk to him before making any decisions." He reached into a pant pocket and pulled out a small crimson crystal.
Tshion considered the words for a moment, and shook his head. He wasn't about to let Jelah see him like this and know the reason -why-. The offer spoke more truths about Selarcis' words than he could have gotten from even Jelah. "Does he know... who you are?" he asked instead, quietly.
Selarcis nodded. "Yes. He knows we are kin." He smiled shyly.
Tshion's legs shifted as he uncurled a trifle. His eyes opened again. "And you – what... how do you..." he was unable to finish the question, but he hoped Selarcis understood.
Selarcis nodded. "It's going to take some getting used to, but I think it will be for the best." He leaned forward and glanced at the floor.
"Without the Healer speaking?" Tshion asked, softly, "do -you-... want to do this?"
Selarcis looked up and grinned. "Your hands are wonderful... but, more plainly, yes." He stood at once and walked over to the side of the bed and knelt down.
Tshion's calm cracked. His legs shifted again as he uncurled and leaned forward slightly so he could search his brother's eyes. "You're.. certain," he said again, burying his hands in bedding to hide their shaking.
Selarcis nodded. "Yes Tshion, I am. If it will help you, then I will gladly." He gently settled himself on the bed next to Tshion. He then wrapped his arm around his brother's back and pulled him closer.
Tshion snapped. The last of his control melted away and before the older paladin could so much as blink, the younger had his arms around him and was kissing him so fiercely it was a shock to his system.
Selarcis' other arm lifted, and instead of guiding the other, he allowed Tshion to lead, more out of curiosity than anything else.
Tshion's hands tugged at Selarcis' shirt without breaking the kiss, and he was pulling his brother under him, one leg between Selarcis'. The blonde, however, slid his hands between them and pushed Tshion back a little, breaking the kiss.
“Hang on,” Selarcis hissed, disentangling himself just long enough to pull his shirt off and fling it to one side. He managed to get his pants off, and Tshion's, and they went the same way; they'd find them later. Eventually.
It was obvious Tshion was impatient, but he knew how important it was to not have clothing in the way, especially with how he felt. The more Selarcis touched him, the hotter he was getting. A tiny part of his brain decided this price was never going to be worth the few hours of no pain.
As he pinned Selarcis beneath him again, his arm hit the table; there was a soft “clink”. The crystal had fallen over. Tshion missed the flash of light, his mouth too busy investigating Selarcis' ear and throat, but the older paladin had seen, and he grinned and waved slightly at it.
Selarcis let Tshion explore for a few moments, while carefully keeping Tshion's cock from coming into contact with him for very long. If this was happening, it was happening properly, and not in fits of desperation, no matter how tightly wound Tshion was. If Selarcis had to admit it, he might have admitted the mageroyal was overkill. He'd dealt with his share of desperate arousal, but Tshion had to take a prize there. No wonder he was so well fitted to Jelah.
The older paladin pushed Tshion back a bit, twisted his leg and ankle around Tshion's, and put the younger paladin on his back. Carefully keeping Tshion from touching himself, and keeping himself from touching Tshion, he explored his brother's skin, the scars, the muscles jumping beneath the skin, the definition of muscle that twisted and flexed under his fingers and lips and tongue.
No matter how much Tshion squirmed beneath him, Selarcis kept him pinned with hands and ankles, carefully suspending himself as he worked. No matter how many times Tshion pleaded, Selarcis took his time.
At least until Tshion made a strangled noise and arched upwards. Selarcis dropped a hand and prevented disaster by tugging gently on Tshion's balls, drawing them downward, and smiling slightly at the string of curses his brother flung at him.
Selarcis reached for his pants... and realized they were somewhere across the room in the pool of darkness where the light of the single lantern didn't reach. There was another flash of light and a familiar chuckle. Selarcis looked up and found a jar on the corner of the table, and then heard a female's voice start to say something and then silence again.
“What was that?”
“Shh.”
For a moment, neither Tshion nor Selarcis moved. “Must have been someone outside,” Selarcis said finally, his head turned, grinning at the crystal's light.
He retrieved the jar and distracted Tshion by biting his ear softly. “Be patient a moment.” He got the jar open and quickly started working the cool substance along Tshion's cleft, moving the jar to the table, and pinning one of Tshion's wrists to the bed.
Tshion hissed, knowing that sensation well. Very well. /Did they -plan- this?!/ He arched into the touches, and lifted his knees, spreading his legs so Selarcis had more space to work. He heard his brother chuckle as a finger slid across the tight ring of muscle, then circled it slowly.
Tshion tried to arch upward into the touch, trying to get Selarcis to -do- something instead of just teasing him, but to no avail; Selarcis' hand moved with him. Finally, after what seemed like hours to Tshion, but moments to Selarcis, the older paladin slid the tip of a finger in.
Selarcis, however, was not prepared for the noise that Tshion made, the arch that his brother was capable of, or the muscles that -pulled- his finger further in. The older paladin moaned softly, and gently began tugging at the muscle before adding a second finger to the mix.
Tshion couldn't keep himself still. He also couldn't keep quiet. His body trembled and his bit down on his own hand, his aching loins screaming for release, to be touched, something, anything. The hand that was not in his mouth was still trapped under his brother's, and he didn't dare free either one. Selarcis was moving far too slow, and the only thing keeping him from ordering his brother to get on with it – loudly, was the hand between his teeth. Tiny keening moans escaped, and it was perhaps those that encouraged Selarcis to add a third finger.
The moan that escaped the brunette convinced Selarcis that Tshion was beyond ready. He withdrew his fingers, wrenching another moan from his brother. The blonde dipped his fingers into the jar once again and made certain Tshion was well-coated before applying a liberal amount to his own cock, which had turned an interesting shade of red-violet while he'd ignored it. He was slightly surprised to find it weeping pre-come, unprepared for the effect his own brother had on him.
Selarcis shifted Tshion's legs to either side of his, and wasn't altogether surprised when one of them draped over his shoulder. He settled himself on his knees, and wriggled closer until the tip was pressed against Tshion's entrance. He pressed forwards, slowly, leaning over and drawing Tshion's hand away from his mouth to press his lips against the younger paladin's instead, muffling the tormented moan that emerged as he slid in, inch by agonizing inch.
Tshion pulled back, breaking the kiss long enough to hiss, “Stop teasing me, Sel. If Jelah can't break me, you can't. For Sun's sake, -get on with it-!”
He got what he asked for. Selarcis, despite his better judgment, hilted himself at once, shocked to hear Tshion's hiss of “yesss”. There was a moment of angle adjustment, and Selarcis found himself thrusting much harder, much faster, than he intended. His arms slid around Tshion's back, and he found Tshion's nails dragging down his own.
Selarcis wrestled himself back under control; one of them had to stay focused, and Tshion was too far gone, if the slickness against his abdomen was an indication. He could feel Tshion's pulse, hot and fast against his skin, and though the older paladin slowed down, it didn't deter the younger. He was close. Too close, and Selarcis knew he couldn't stop his brother's progress.
Tshion was tighter than he counted on, and the spiral in progress was faster than he expected. He felt dizzy, like he had with no other. His control faltered, then crumbled faster than he could grasp it. He felt Tshion's teeth biting into his shoulder, felt the shuddering, the noises his brother couldn't keep back, and he found himself biting at Tshion's neck.
It was too fast, too good, and Selarcis felt the telltale signs – the sudden tightening, the throbbing, the swell and...
“Tshion~” His brother's name fell past his lips, whispered, desperate as he felt the surge of heat between them, and he was falling, unable to stop as Tshion's muscles locked around him, inner walls pulsing in time with every twitch of his cock. Selarcis' mind went blank as he spent himself in his brother's wake, harder and more intense than he'd ever remembered in the past.
As the haze cleared, Selarcis found himself smiling down at his brother, his shoulder aching. Tshion's eyes were closed, his breathing slowing, lips parted slightly.
But it was obvious the younger paladin was far from done. His hips rocked slightly as he moved against Selarcis' abdomen, still iron-hard. Selarcis leaned back and Tshion moaned softly as cool air brushed over his arousal.
Selarcis slowly, carefully withdrew from his brother, still slightly in shock. His hand moved to grip Tshion gently as he shifted to one side, stroking languidly as his brother recovered.
As Tshion's eyes opened, Selarcis could see the smoldering need there rekindle. “Let's finish this off, shall we?” Selarcis murmured. The need turned to molten and undisguised lust. Selarcis chuckled and reached for the jar again, applying it to his brother with soft, teasing fingertips.
Tshion's eyes closed again and he moaned, darkly as the teasing fingertips lifted away. When they opened again, they were rewarded with the sight of his brother working his fingers against his own entrance, stretching himself with practiced ease. A sound of desperate longing escaped him, making Selarcis look up, his own eyes glowing slightly brighter than normal, heated with want.
The older paladin drew his hand away, then carefully pulled his brother over him as he turned to lay on his back. His arms curled around Tshion's back and pulled him closer. “Fuck me,” he whispered against Tshion's ear, “like you do him. No control. No holding back. Release it all, Tshion. Let it go.”
Tshion shook his head, moving slowly and deliberately to get them both comfortable again.
“What are you shaking your head to?” Selarcis whispered. Tshion ignored the question as he lined himself up. “Tshion. Answer me.” Tshion ran his hands down Selarcis' sides, drawing an involuntary gasp. “Tshion,” he tried again, but still, the younger paladin ignored him, choosing instead to pull not one of his brother’s legs over a shoulder, but both. “I'm going to lock up if you don't answer me.”
“You don't want me without control,” Tshion whispered back.
Selarcis lifted a hand and moved Tshion's head enough so he could look at him. He found Tshion's eyes and held them for a moment. “No. Control.”
Tshion made a noise that was almost a whimper, almost a sob. “You don't want me to do that.”
Selarcis glanced to the side for a few seconds, in the direction of the crystal. When he turned back to look at Tshion again, he sighed, leaned up, and kissed him. “All right then.” He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, looking Tshion in the eyes again.
“Damn it, Selarcis...” Tshion found that he couldn't look away. He also found his mind racing with everything that had happened since the day before the battle. His hands tightened on Selarcis' hips, and he ran his hands upward along the underside of the older paladin's thighs, and was rewarded with his mind suddenly being fuzzy again... but that might have been due to the fact that Selarcis was biting his lip hard enough to bleed, and making a soft squeaking noise.
Tshion lifted an eyebrow and ran his hands along the spots they just occupied until –
“Nnnrk!”
Tshion smirked, and rubbed the spot he found along the back of Selarcis' left thigh. His eyes slid back to Selarcis' face, which had turned an interesting shade of pink. “Last chance to change your mind, Sel.”
Selarcis shook his head. “No control, Tshion.” He smiled to himself when he saw Tshion's nod, and settled himself to be taken.
He didn't expect the next move. He couldn't have started to anticipate.
Tshion leaned forward, catching Selarcis' knees against his shoulders and lifted him slightly as he nudged forward, slowly, evenly until he was completely buried in his brother's heat. Tshion's hands dragged gently along Selarcis' thighs and curled firmly in the space between hip and buttock that he could get a good grip on, and only then did Selarcis realize he was in trouble.
Selarcis knew those hands would leave bruises. He could see the tension in Tshion's abs before his brother moved. He saw the eyes glaze over, and … his brother was a talker?
Words, admissions began the tirade of quiet words, and his tone could have melted the walls. “... could never admit it; I'm mated to someone and refuse to give that up but oh Light there were nights I couldn't stop thinking about what this would have been like but I would never...”
Selarcis found his hands curling into fists along Tshion's back. His brother hadn't stopped moving, his words whispered now; the guilt, the worry, “...I never should have looked away, but I had to, I had to know what he was doing to make sure he wouldn't get himself killed and he did anyway and I nearly killed you in the process...”
Tshion was leaning further forward now, his legs slightly apart and Selarcis realized he was suspended. He also realized that made him rather hotter than he was used to. His abs, still damp from Tshion's first release, were slicked with his own pre-come. Tshion's voice did things, even though the words were far from what he would call “sexy”, the voice, the tone, the fact that Tshion was fucking him -to- those words, and the worse the words were, the harder his brothers thrusts came.
Selarcis realized also that Tshion was holding back; he could feel the exertion it took. He let Tshion lead; as long as those words flowed, there was some good being done.
The words slowed and stopped, and Tshion paused, tracing his hands along Selarcis' thighs. Selarcis looked up at him to find Tshion looking back. Tshion's eyes were roaming down his brother's body, as though committing it to memory. His hands paused and he grinned.
That grin made Selarcis shiver. One of his legs slipped, and he realized Tshion had slid it off his shoulder. The angle changed, and Selarcis lifted his hand to his mouth to stop the cry from escaping. Tshion began to move, slowly, as he repositioned his brother's leg around his hip, twisting his own body to the side very slightly. One arm and hand supported Selarcis' leg, teasing it from hip to knee. The other hand curled around Selarcis' cock, and began palming it, slowly, in time with his own thrusts.
“You wanted no control, did you not?” Tshion asked, softly. Selarcis could only nod at him, still in shock at the position he found himself in. “Good,” he whispered softly, “because I don't have much left.” He reached down to encourage Selarcis to lean up. “Lean forward. Arms around me.” He smiled when his brother looked at him as though he was crazy. “Trust me, Sel.” He aided his brother in leaning up, and without moving his hand from the blonde's cock, wrapped the other arm around his back.
Selarcis found himself entirely suspended now, but realized that he could counter his brother's thrusts this way. “You told me to fuck you like I do him,” Tshion whispered against his ear. “I am – before I lose everything...” Selarcis realized his voice was strained, and with a brief glance along Tshion's body with a Healer's gaze, saw the strain he was under.
/Oh Light this is going to be a bit more intense for him than I thought. That mageroyal was a bad ide-/ “Ah!” Tshion had jerked his hips upward, and chuckled at the cry he managed to force out of his brother. Selarcis' look of shock only fanned the flame.
Tshion's free hand slid down his brother's back and around to his thigh. “Rock from here,” he managed to gasp out.
Selarcis moved, experimentally as Tshion’s hand moved back upwards to support him. It was shockingly simple, though his leg felt odd, contorted as it was. He moved again, and this time Tshion rocked his hips upward to meet him. /Oh, this is…/ It took them a moment to find a rhythm, but when they did, Selarcis had to admit that it hit all the right places, and the tiny sounds coming from his brother – and himself – were too delicious to ignore.
Tshion’s nails digging into his back were a nice bonus.
Selarcis found it difficult to keep up as Tshion started moving faster, and he leaned forward and bit Tshion’s ear to bring his brother back to ground. Tshion leaned forward, gently dropping Selarcis back onto the bed and shifting his legs forward as he lowered himself onto his heels. The hand that had been around the older paladin’s back slid out from under him, and found Selarcis’ wrist. Without warning, that wrist was pinned tightly against the bed.
Selarcis gasped, his eyes opening and finding Tshion looking at him from above him, eyes hooded and glazed. If anyone – including Jelah – had told him what his brother was like in bed, he would have told them they were high, or drugged, or dreaming. At least, he would have before now. His eyes widened as the hand between them began to move in interesting ways, not remaining straight, but twisting so Tshion’s palm wasn’t always against the underside of his shaft, so his fingertips weren’t the only thing pressing against the head. He shuddered when the pad of his thumb brushed across the slit at the tip, then pressed it for a moment and released it. /What did Jelah -teach- him?!/
It was several moments before Tshion began to move again, but Selarcis realized he had been still before he moved. There were no deliberate shifts, no drops to change the angle. Tshion’s concentration was on his hand, and his eyes hot on his brother’s.
At the sound of his brother’s voice, Selarcis very nearly knew what a loss of control felt like. “Can’t… keep this up, Sel.” Tshion’s voice wasn’t quite pleading, but there was a desperation in it that Selarcis had never heard from any of his bedmates, ever. Tshion’s hand kept up its odd movements as he continued, “can’t keep it back…”
Selarcis was shocked to find himself answering aloud the question in his mind: “Why are you trying?”
Tshion squeezed him lightly. “Not done,” he whispered. Selarcis opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by a swift kiss. “Want to feel – you,” Tshion hissed in his ear, “want to -know- how you feel, want to know what you feel, want to know you wanted this, want this.”
The older paladin’s free hand slid down Tshion’s arm to still his wrist. “This isn’t about me.”
Tshion shook him off. “Making it about us both.” Selarcis twitched under his hand, and the hand against his wrist moved to wrap around his shoulder instead, pulling him closer for a moment. Tshion shook the arm off gently as he leaned back, dropping his eyes, watching his own hand – or rather, the turgid flesh beneath it.
/Notfairnotfair…/ Selarcis’ mind protested. He was close, and had been denying that fact since he first found himself suspended over Tshion’s shoulders.
…And Tshion knew it, judging by the way his hand dropped to brush against his brother’s balls, feather touches that made their ache plain. “Tshion…” he warned, his eyes widening. The feather touch moved upward along his shaft, and were worse than if Tshion had squeezed him. “Tshion,” he said again, a little more forcefully. Tshion’s fingers danced over the shaft in a slow upward motion, and Selarcis knew he had to do something, anything to stop it. His arm tightened against Tshion’s hand, and his free hand flew back to his brother’s wrist. Tshion’s arm tightened, but his fingers continued to dance; it was no use trying to pull his arm away.
Selarcis arched, trying to find some way to get out from under his brother’s touch, before it was too late. Words drifted to his ears, and he stilled in shock. “Don’t deny me this, Sel. I know you’re right there. You can’t fight me forever.” The moment of shock allowed Tshion to work his way up the shaft further. “I want to watch you as you lose it, Sel.” The words were barest breath. “I promise,” he continued, “I promise you I’ll let go once you do – but don’t deny me this.”
Selarcis hand dropped from Tshion’s wrist and twisted itself, like its twin, into the bedding. The words, the touches, the slow movement within him, the sight of his brother’s eyes flicking between his face and his cock, waiting, straining with all he was worth to stop the flood of everything to do -this- to his own brother…
The dance of Tshion’s fingers brushed against the sensitive spot just under Selarcis’ head, and the older paladin barely managed to grate out Tshion’s name before his world crashed around him. Shock, unbelievable pleasure, release, relief, and something sweeter, deeper than anything he’d ever felt in his life descended and threw him into the air, and he was nothing but dancing sparks as Tshion’s hand caught the flood and kept it from going too far.
Not that Selarcis knew.
Or cared.
The first thing he registered as he came back down, panting, was that Tshion was looking at him with slight surprise, and a shy smile. The second thing he noticed was that he was also looking at his own hand, dripping. The third was that Tshion was still moving.
Tshion’s hand lowered and he pressed it against the edge of the bed as he leaned down. “Thank you, brother; for everything,” he whispered against Selarcis’ ear.
Selarcis opened his mouth, but found his words cut off by a kiss, and Tshion’s movements began to intensify; slow and languid became fast and deliberate became sharp and desperate.
Tshion moaned, then turned his head to bite Selarcis’ shoulder again, making his brother gasp in shock. His arms were free, and he wrapped them around Tshion’s shoulders, turning his head to press feather kisses to whatever skin was in his reach. Tshion was shivering with need, as though the sharp thrusts weren’t enough after denying for so long.
Tshion kept his mouth where it was, knowing that if he didn’t he’d wake the entire Garrison. The tiny desperate noises weren’t enough and too much at the same time. He felt Selarcis tighten around him, could feel the rhythmic pull of his muscles as he was encouraged, but it wasn’t enough and it was too much, and his body screamed. He bit down hard on Selarcis’ shoulder and tasted copper, though he couldn’t register it as his body finally responded, the heat building to breaking point as he slid his arms under Selarcis and pulled him upward against him, helpless to stop his muscles from locking, the tightening between his thighs and finally – finally…
Selarcis gasped again, in shock, again. /This is getting to become habit…/ He could feel his brother’s heat, this time within, and felt it escaping down along his cleft. If he hadn’t already been spent, he probably would have come again, just from that sensation alone. He could feel every pulse, every twitch, every individual eruption, and couldn’t believe his brother was capable of…
Then again, mageroyal, combined with weeks of celibacy in the company of one’s lover, with added emotional turmoil and physical shock could do many things.
Tshion collapsed against him, his head lifting just enough to pull his mouth away from his brother’s shoulder, with a small moan. His spent cock slid out, too over-lubricated to remain where it was.
Selarcis took over, gently maneuvering his brother’s body with both legs and feet so he could slide an arm around and under him to hold him close, his body twisting to lay partially on his side so his other arm could drape over him. He waited for Tshion’s breathing to calm, running his fingertips over the stitches in his side.
- 8
- 9
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Last Breath