Getting Settled (open)

[missing]

E'rra turned his head at the 'hot' comment to cover his embarrassment. He usually thought of scholarly as being old or boring. He didn't really see Garrett looking over at him, his cheeks red.

"Well, even though my clothing doesn't look like it, I do enjoy color," to him his art collection was another private thing that he didn't really share with anyone. Usually if he ever had partners in the past he wouldn't bring them here, or if he did he certainly never bothered to turn the glows so they could see the room like he did, "You know... you are more than welcome here any time you'd like, even if I'm not around. It will probably take a good deal of time to get everything and... well... I like having you near," even if it was a bit like torture at the moment, it was certainly the kind he could get used to.

E'rra blinked in surprise, up until that point Garrett hadn't initiated any of the kisses so he was taken aback by the adorable one that had just happened. He wrapped his arms tightly around Garrett again, the muscles of his arms tensing as he gave him a quick squeeze, "If you did I'd have to track you down somehow and find you again. I think you may be ruining me."

He chuckled at the sigh, "Telgar, for a good bit of that beating Z'mer off with whatever I could find."

[lyonza]

Garrett waved his hand to indicate the whole room. “Anybody who doesn’t think that need to see this room, but I’m not willing to share it with any of them, so they must just believe what they want to.” He almost protestsed when E’rra told him he could come by the weyr whenever he wanted. “I will love that, thank you. I like being near you,” he said. He made a promise to himself to ask first before just dropping in like he owned the place.

He didn’t see the look of surprise on E’rra’s face since he had already turned back again, but the tightening of strong arms around him was more than welcome. “If you keep squeezing me like that I’m going to have a cracked rib soon,” he said with a little laugh. “I’m not complaining, just pointing out practicalities.”

He captured E’rra’s hands in his again, twining their fingers together. “I will never leave. Unless you tell me to,” he said softly. “Well, then lets ruin each other,” he said and then snorted. “That made more sense in my head,” he giggled.

“Ah, Z’mer. I like him, despite his annoying habits. He makes me laugh. And I don’t blame him for trying his luck with you all the time.” He turned a little so he was half-draped over E’rra, still in his embrace but it was a bit easier to see him. “You like him too, as a friend.”

[missing]

E'rra shook his head, "Never," the idea of hurting Garrett, even in such a way as hugging was stomach turning to E'rra. He wasn't so foolish as to tell himself that it was impossible that he could ever hurt him, but it seemed impossible that he would ever want to, "I plan on doing everything in my power to keep from ever hurting you," a rather devious grin crossed his face that Garrett couldn't see, "Maybe I should be more reserved with my hugs from now on..."

"Well, I don't want you to. I'm more than happy to stay right here," he nearly choked with laughter when Garrett said they should ruin each other, "Actually I quite like the idea, although I don't think you meant it the way I took it unfortunately." His tone was light and teasing, "You should make less sense more often, it will keep life interesting. In fact I think you should start saying whatever comes to mind." He was serious about that last part, though his tone was still light. He wanted very much to hear anything Garrett had to say, learn everything he could about him.

"Yes he has quite a few annoying habits, like kissing me at a celebration where I know no one except him," he sighed, "He knows I hate that, but yes, he is a friend and I do enjoy his company. Please don't tell him I said that though or else he'll be truly insufferable."

[lyonza]

He understood what E’rra meant. “Me neither,” he said, he would never want to hurt him, but knew it could happen, matter what. He suspected E’rra had the same thought – they were kind quiet at the same time. He smiled then. “You took the words out of my mouth,” he said. Garrett slapped E’rra’s arm. “Don’t you dare!” he said fervently. “I like your hugs just fine. More than fine. I want hugs every day.”

Garrett sighed with happiness. “I can live with that, just staying right here.” He looked up, having a good view of E’rra’s chin, “Well, I think I know what you meant and it seems you got the idea of what I was trying to say. Let’s just say, I don’t think anybody else will be good enough for me.” He arched an eyebrow. “You really want me to say whatever comes to mind?” He snorted. “You are in for some very random conversations, mister.”

He chuckled. “That is is our Z’mer. Annoying, but adorable in his own kind of way. And I won’t breathe a word – he’s got an inflated sense of importance already. I’d hate to have to hurt him if he tries his luck with you.” He stifled a yawn. “Sorry,” he said. “I had trouble sleeping last night,” he muttered. “I was up reading and didn’t want to put the scroll down. That was the trouble. Not putting the damned scroll down.”

[missing]

E'rra tried his best to act confused and hurt by the slap, but only managed to laugh, "Careful, you dare me and I might do it," he chuckled at the 'just fine' comment, "Every day? How often? Only once? If that's the case then I'm a bit ahead of my quota and you're not due for one for another few days." He spoke as serious as the grave, but inside he was laughing so hard that Novath had to tell him to hush so he could sleep.

E'rra looked down at the movement to see Garrett looking up at him, he smiled and kissed his forehead, "Hm... I think you're exaggerating but thank you. It makes me hopeful for my chances of being able to hold on to you for as long as possible," he looked down at Garrett his face deathly serious, "I'm well aware, and I want to hear every single one of them."

"Well there are no scrolls to keep you up tonight, and you're staying here so I can make sure of that... and possibly for other more selfish reasons," he sat up and was about to move off the bed, but he hesitated and looked back at Garrett. He smiled and leaned down to press a deep kiss to his lips. E'rra pulled away, lips still close enough that his next words caused them to brush against Garrett's ever so slightly, "Just making sure I hadn't just woken up." He sat up and swung off the bed to cover the glows.

He hesitated again, looking back at the bed. He didn't usually wear wherhide to bed, but pants-less was almost certainly a bad idea. He turned to rummage through his dresser, and managed to find some old pair of torn cloth pants that he kept around for swimming, "Did you want something more comfortable to sleep in?" He loosened the curtains on the bed so he could change into them with some privacy, almost certain that if saw Garrett watching him change it would lead down a road that involved neither of them clothed. He quickly changed before poking his head inside the curtains, his grin wasn't visible in the dark but it could be heard in his voice, "So I'm going to set up a bed on the floor for myself then... You can have the bed, and I'll be right here."

[lyonza]

“I won’t dare you, I might not like the outcome,” he muttered more to himself that replying. “And I want as many hugs as you are willing to give – I want to build up a supply for when I might have to be away on weyr business for more than one day and then I won’t be getting any,” he said earnestly. “As many hugs as you want to, no matter where.”

Garrett just smiled. “I don’t think I’m exaggerating, but that’s just my opinion on the matter. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend time with than you.” He grinned. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but right now I’m not going to sound off on all kinds of things that flash through my mind. My only thoughts are about you right now.”

He nodded. “No scrolls, I’m all yours.” He frowned a little at the hesitation and leaned into the kiss when it happened. “Nope, no dream at all.” He caressed E’rra’s cheek and pouted when he moved about the room, turning out the glows. “I don’t usually sleep in leathers, so yes, please.” He wondered what was going on when the curtains came down and then heard noises that had to be from the other man changing. He grinned when E’rra poked his head through the curtains and took the pants that was offered. “A wise idea, or we’d not sleep at all,” he said as he started wiggling out of his pants, daring E’rra to watch.

He pouted. “If you sleep on the floor now, then that is where you will sleep all the time,” he said with a mock scowl. “Get yourself in this bed, mister.”

[missing]

He sighed at the mention of being away on weyr business, such were the duties of a weyrwoman though, even if you were a man. As a blackrider he'd probably have more than his share of duties as well, patrols and such, especially once thread fell. He gave Garrett another squeeze and smiled, "I think extra hugs will only make me miss you more whenever we're apart, but I can promise to make up for it each time you or I return." He still wasn't comfortable with the idea of public displays of affection, strange for someone weyrbred, but there it was. Still, he doubted he'd even notice anyone else with Garrett.

E'rra started chuckling again, "And what exactly are you thinking about where I'm concerned my dear?"

E'rra leaned a bit into the caress before he pulled away. He laughed, "I could always remove them for you..." he immediately regretted the joke as the image of what he'd said in jest popped into his head. He somehow managed to suppress the groan as he handed Garrett the pants through the curtain, "Here..." He wanted very much to peek inside when he heard the sounds of Garrett changing, but there was no way he could handle that right now, just the sounds of it was enough to drive him mad. The blackrider leaned back against a post, his head tilting back against the wood as his eyes adjusted to the dark and he tried to focus on the stone of the ceiling. He was unable to tune out the 'not sleep at all bit' and swore mentally, wondering to himself if the man behind those curtains had any idea how insane he was driving him. Maybe he should go for a swim in the lake, it was undoubtedly freezing this time of year.

"Really? Do you think you'd be able to leave me out here every time?" he raised an eyebrow, doubting it very much as he climbed into the bed, pulling the covers up over both of them before reaching for Garrett again. He kept a bit more distance between the two of them than he had before in an attempt to keep his desires hidden better, but still draped an arm across the other man.

[lyonza]

Garrett only nodded at the sigh. “You know it’s a reality of our positions within the weyr, so I’ll take all the hugs I can get, when I can get them.” He knew that E’rra wasn’t all that big on public displays of affection, but he was sure that in time it would become a natural thing for him. He wanted everybody to know that they were together and didn’t care who saw or knew.

He smiled. “Well, I’m thinking of how I can map out your skin, all the places you like to be touched, where kisses will bring you the most pleasure… shall I continue?” He knew what his words’ effect would be, but he said it regardless.

Garrett just grinned. “Any time you’re ready for it,” he replied. He knew that it would lead to all kind of things that they wanted, but weren’t quite ready for just yet for fear of moving too fast with something this new. He took the pants and changed quickly, smiling at the thought of wearing something that E’rra had worn before him.

“I can be quite heartless if I so wish, my dear blackrider,” he said with a mock scowl, yet he scootched over a bit from the middle of the bed to make room for E’rra. He turned to face E’rra, frowning at the distance between them. He was as aroused as E’rra, yet he snuggled closer, twining their legs together as he buried his nose in the crook of the other man’s neck. “I know we both want this as much as the other, but right now I’m content to lie in your arms all night long,” he murmured into E’rra skin.

[missing]

"Ah, well..." shard it he really wanted to say yes, but that would be a very bad idea. Or would it be a good one? No... no, bad idea, don't think that. He looked at Garrett suspiciously, "Somehow I get the feeling that you said that on purpose... but maybe that talk would be better kept for later."

He groaned, "I really should keep my mouth shut, you do seem to love torturing me." If they kept his up E'rra would be jumping Garrett in a matter of minutes. He sighed, mumbling under his breath, "I think I'm loosing my grip on the belt..." He heard the rustling inside stop and figured Garrett was done changing. He reached in and took the greyrider's own pants and folded them to set on the dresser before turning back to the bed.

"I think I'm finding that out already, but perhaps I've brought most of those comments on myself," he really should know better. His eyes were better adjusted to the dark now and he saw the frown on Garrett's lips, and was about to ask what was wrong when the other man snuggled close to him and he felt the evidence of his bed mate's desire as well. He breathed in sharply as Garrett nuzzled into his neck, well... he'd already found one spot it seemed, or was that just the effect Garrett had on him? At any rate it was too late now to change it, and he didn't really want to. He wrapped his arms around Garrett and held him close, "... I am definitely loosing my grip on the belt first I think. Still... I may be able to survive the night, for you..."

[lyonza]

Garrett smiled innocently, watching the warring thoughts play out across E’rra’s face. “You asked,” he said before grinning. “Definitely the best idea to have that talk at a later stage.” He was starting to question his resolve not to rush things, because he really wanted to explore every inch of E’rra’s body, learning all there was to learn about the man.

“Only the delicious kind of torture, my love,” he said. He heard E’rra mutter something to himself about a belt and losing grip and it took him a moment to grasp the meaning. “You and me both,” he said to himself. “You and me both.” He waited while E’rra took his pants away and smiled when he got onto the bed.

“I’ll only be heartless if you deserve it, and right now you don’t deserve it. Here I am, invading your bed and then I go all beastly on you too,” he said, making out E’rra’s features in the darkness. He wriggled around a bit to get comfortable, his arm slung about E’rra’s waist and his hand rubbing gently up and down his back. “What belt are you losing?” Garrett murmured as the lack of sleep started getting to him and he cracked an enormous yawn. “Sorry, I must be more tired than I thought,” he said as he planted a soft kiss in E’rra’s neck. He really should stop rubbing the other man’s back, since it was so easy for his hand to go lower and that would be anything but what they had sort of agreed to.

[missing]

E'rra sighed, he really didn't want Garrett to stop any of this. So it must be the delicious kind of torture. The only problems was that he didn't think his own body quite realized that it was not going to be allowed to partake in temptation tonight. Just as he previously had thought he would, E'rra very much regretted at the moment telling Garrett that they should go slow. But then, he was still more than worth it.

"My body seems to think you're being rather heartless right now, but it hasn't been complaining yet..." again though his body thought something was going to... Oh by the first egg he really needed to stop wiggling like that... He felt Garrett's hand on his back, which jarred him out of his new found torture and into a completely new one. When Garrett asked about the belt his answer came out shaky and his speech halting," I... it's a game where... you loop a belt around... anything but usually some part of the bed and hold on... and the other person tries... to make the other let go... through more desirable means..."

He'd had the distinct impression he was playing the control game long before they came to the bedroom, but since their arrival he was fairly certain he was loosing, and that was a game he never lost. Of course, he really couldn't remember a time he'd wanted someone this bad before. He nodded when Garrett mentioned sleep, not trusting himself to answer out loud at the moment. When he felt the other man's lips at his neck he utterly failed at keeping the moan that passed his lips from escaping. His head fought to clear itself, finding it a difficult task with Garrett's hands still rubbing along his back, "Garrett... love... I'm very sorry but you need to stop or you'll make me have to go down to Lake Clarity and take the coldest swim I've ever had in my life."

[lyonza]

“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to get comfortable, not leading you further into temptation.” Garrett was starting to wonder if this wasn’t a mistake. Not that he wanted to leave, but he was questioning his intelligence, self-control and sanity. He definitely didn’t think it was a mistake to get involved with E’rra but this was starting to get to him, he didn’t know how the other man was coping at all. He listened as E’rra explained about the belt and giggle. “I thought you meant losing grip on your riding belt and then falling because the straps wouldn’t hold or something like that.” He made a note for some future time when they would be playing that game for sure.

Garrett never knew he was so handsy when in someone’s bed, but then again, he hadn’t really been in somone’s bed until now. He definitely was enjoying it and he was sure E’rra had to be in complete and utter torture because of him. He immediately stopped moving his hand when E’rra spoke. He shivered just thinking about the lake and he really didn’t want that for E’rra. “I’ll stop,” which he did immediately. “It just felt so natural to do, I didn’t think. I’m sorry.” He pondered moving away but his body refused to listen to him. “Will it be easier if I turned over and you just hold me like earlier?” He made himself a mental not to wiggle at all if they were changing to that position. He yawned again. “I don’t know if I steal all the covers in the night – we’ll find out .”

[missing]

"You don't have to apologize, as I said, my body definitely doesn't mind. Of course, that is probably the problem," he chuckled and ran fingers back through Garrett's hair and watched the worry flicker across his face, which instantly sobered his own urges somewhat. He hugged Garrett, using the hand in his hair to hold him gently in place in case as he pressed another kiss to his forehead, "Don't worry, my desire to make sure nothing comes between us will always outweigh my physical desires." If what Garrett said was true, he'd really only been emotionally and physically involved during mating flights, and if he gave in right now it would make this just another physical escapade. There's no way he'd be gone in the morning, but he wanted to prove to Garrett that he'd be there even without the physical attraction. E'rra sighed, so far he was doing a fairly poor job of that. He smiled at the riding straps comment, "A very good analogy for how I am feeling right now but unfortunately nothing quite so tame."

He smiled reassuringly at Garrett, "Stop apologizing for everything, I don't want you to have to apologize or feel guilty for anything that happens between us," he tilted Garret's head up with his hand, close enough to kiss him, but refrained somehow and instead just looked him in the eyes, "You're staying exactly you are right now, and in the future, when I'm not acting like an untried weyrbrat I would like it very much if you would do everything you were just doing as often as you will allow me to enjoy those actions."

"I should let you sleep," E'rra chuckled and hugged him close, "I'm worse than the scroll it seems. If you manage to steal the covers from me I'll just have to hold you closer for warmth."

[lyonza]

He snorted. “Shards, my body doesn’t mind either which is the problem all along.” He made a sound of contentment in his throat as E’rra ran a hand through his hair, which helped still his doubts. He reveled in the hug bestowed on him and murmured, “The same goes for me. I’d rather walk away than hurt you on purpose.” But the very act of walking away would hurt even more he suspected. He gave a shaky laugh. “I’m with you on that one. But I guess if we get through this night, then we can deal with just about anything,” not mentioning the upcoming mating flight – that involvement with someone else didn’t count.

Garrett nodded. “I don’t feel guilty, but I don’t want you to be all tied in knots because you want to act and can’t because I’m not really ready because I don’t want it to be purely physical. Though the more I think about it, the more I know its not just physical anymore.” As he spoke he knew it to be true. No matter what happened, his heart was E’rra’s to take or reject. He looked into E’rra’s eyes and smiled. “Oh, I can definitely do that, my beautiful blackrider. You’re going to understand the meaning of being teased when I’m done with you. Which I won’t be for a very long time.”

Garrett chuckled as well. “You’re better entertainment than a scroll,” he said. “And prettier and more fun and much nicer to hold.” He smiled in the darkness. “You can hold me close, regardless of the fact that I may steal the covers.”

[missing]

He smiled, "I do love those sounds you make..." He tensed at the mention of walking away, "The only way I'm letting you go at this point is if you legitimately don't wish to be around me anymore," he didn't think he could stand it if Garrett left now, and it would probably take every ounce of his bond with Novath to keep him sane. He nodded, "Tonight is probably one of the better moments in my life... even with the behaving."

"I don't want that either, so don't blame yourself," he rubbed his thumb across Garrett's chin keeping it raised with his index finger curled underneath. The pad of his thumb brushed lightly across the other man's lower lip and E'rra smiled, committing the feel of it to memory, "You do realize... that I have more than a few tricks of my own up my sleeve don't you?" He leaned forward as if to kiss him, hovering tortuously close as if daring Garrett do do something about it. When he spoke he stayed right there, "And I intend to pay you back for tonight many... many... times over."

"I already told you, it's dashing, not pretty," he took one of Garrett's hands in his and brought it to his lips for a kiss, "You forgot warmer, something I intend to hold against you all night. Now you're tired, you should sleep."