A few scholar Elves wearing the same dark blue that Elluin did passed, some were carrying bubbling vials, others with their long noses buried in books, others whispering words Gray couldn't understand to each other. Scholars were naturally curious, which could come across as prying, but because these Elves lived together for so many centuries, it wasn't hard to pay their own mind in situations like this one.
A soft hand touched Gray's face, stopping it from moving around so much. Elluin smiled kindly, but his eyes were a little worried. "We're almost there, okay? You can look around later when the others are asleep around sunhigh. I live near the back of the cave closest to the library, too, so we can do some reading when you finish resting." Elluin turned back to face Voron, who was still striding at his normal pace and not stopping for the others behind him. At the guard's extended pace, they made it back to Elluin's home. It was right next to one of the larger buildings that pressed and supported the ceiling, and his home was supported by two of the pillars extending upwards. The walls were mottled and brown, just like the other homes, except the other homes had plants or some sort of decoration to make them stand out. The only thing Elluin's had was a sign with his name on it.
"Okay, you may make your way inside. I will keep an eye on the house, but otherwise we will not disturb his rest." Voron leaned against one of the pillars and crossed his long arms, looking down his nose at the Human.
"Right, yes. Sorry." Gray reached his hand up and pressed a kiss to the back of Elluin's hand before redirecting his gaze lower and tugging the hood closer around his face. He was excited to know that there would be a library nearby as it'd been all too long since he'd gotten his hands on an actual book, reading only maps and signs for the past few years of his travels.
He quickened his pace once again to keep up, coming to an abrupt halt when Voron stopped. Glancing up slightly, he laid his eyes on the home in front of him. It seemed a bit plain in decoration when it was compared to the others, but it was just as gorgeous with the tall architecture and pillars reaching high. "It's lovely," he murmured. He was sure he would be able to appreciate it better once he wasn't absolutely exhausted, but even now, with his muddled brain, he could process the sheer beauty of it all.
He gave Voron an appreciative smile. "Thank you." He hadn't expected to get along with the Elf at first, but he could see them perhaps being friends now. Then again, he was just doing his job. Gray being Gray though, decided to attempt and befriend him later anyway. He followed Elluin into the home, allowing them to lead.
Elluin pushed open the little wooden door and ducked his way inside. The house was much bigger than how it appeared to be on the outside, and it opened up into a warm kitchen and wooded walls to keep in the heat made by the burning wood stove with a shag rug made of animal pelts. The other room had a long bed with fluffy white sheets and a pillow filled with feathers. Books and books and books were a grabbing point of the house, and they decorated the corners, counters, the table, and there were a couple on the bed. Papers and writing utensils also littered here and there, with written pieces, drawings, and maps hung up on his walls.
"Well, I have some water, and I have some food if you'd like to eat before you sleep." Elluin closed the door behind Gray as he entered, and the Elf settled down into one of his chairs with a smile. "I didn't really expect you to come, so you'll have to excuse the mess." He laughed, tilting his head as he looked underneath the hood of the other. "And it's safe now. Just you and me. No one's gonna be looking through my windows."
Gray walked through the door without issue, somewhat baffled that they had to duck slightly. Looking around, he smiled. The home looked exactly like he would imagine Elluin's living space to look, from the books scattered on every surface to the drawings on the walls. "I've been living outdoors for the past few years, you think I mind some papers lying around?" He laughed, slipping off his shoes by the door to avoid tracking dirt and mud all over the nice rugs and flooring. Stepping onto the soft shag rug, he exhaled in comfort. He hadn't felt anything as soft as it in years, and he just gazed down at it for a moment.
"Some water would be nice," he hummed, looking back up. Even seeing Elluin again brought a smile to his lips, especially when he was this close. Gray slipped the hood down with a chuckle, shifting forward to embrace his lover once again. As tired as he was, he didn't want to sleep. He didn't want to look away for a split second, worried about what might happen while he was resting. He knew he needed it, but he didn't want to open his eyes again to find himself back in the depths of the humid forests. He clung to Elluin tightly, never wanting to let go or look away again.
Elluin watched Gray with that same smile on his face, his eyes softening as he removed his hood. The Elf rose and pulled it off completely for him, and embraced him back tightly, pulling him against their chest.
"There are a few places near here you can wash up, too. I can always bring you to the bathhouse when no one's around and have Voron guard it for us." Elluin looked down at the Human, releasing him from his hug. "You traveled such a long way to find me. It's honestly the most I can do for you, my love." He took the Human's hand again and pulled him over to the counters, where he pulled out a wooden mug and filled it in a small bucket full of water.
"Here, it's fresh. One of the Elves nearby are messing with water spells so we have plenty of water in this area." Elluin giggled softly, sounding like a tinkle of a bell as he led Gray to his seat and pushing him down gently.
"Thank you. I feel absolutely disgusting," Gray said with a chuckle. He'd been living in dirt for years though, so he supposed it made sense to desperately want to truly bathe. He took the mug without question and sipped the water, careful not to drink it all too fast. He obediently sat down at the prompting, a soft smile ever-present on his face. He could swear that he'd never tire of Elluin's laughter.
Once he'd finished the mug of water, he set it on the table gently and looked back up at the beauty in front of him. "I can still hardly believe I found you," he sighed. "I was so ridiculously worried about everything, scared myself out of my mind." As nerve-wracking as the thoughts he had had been in the moment, looking back on them now was rather entertaining. "Just… c'mere?" He held his arms open hopefully, just wanting to hold Elluin more than anything.
Elluin laughed with him, grabbing a chair and pulling it over so he could sit next to Gray, and taking his offer with the hug, tilting his head down onto the slick head of the Human.
"I can't believe you found me either. If I knew you were alive I would have tried to find you, but… I- thank you so much for looking for me for so long." Seeing Gray was so relieving, and it filled Elluin with a type of infallible energy that would never go away. His heart pounded and his cheeks were flushed bright as he hugged who he knew for sure was the lost and presumed dead king.
"It's just incredible, like… I'm so happy to see you again." His tears started to flow again, and he rubbed them away with soft sniffles. "I don't ever want to let you go again."
Gray immediately curled into them, closing his eyes lightly. "It wasn't your fault. Even if you had gone to look for me, I would've been out looking for you by then anyway, and then we would've both just been constantly chasing each other around the forest." He laughed, his own tears coming back when he realized that Elluin was crying again.
"Then just don't let me go. I'm not going anywhere ever again, I promise. It's the two of us, yeah?" Pulling back slightly, Gray cupped Elluin's face in his hands and leaned their foreheads together. "I found you." He repeated with lovestruck, happy laughter, almost in awe. Gods, he was so ecstatic.
"Yeah, yeah, just you and me again." Elluin sniffled, holding back a sob with a deep inhale, his lips open a little. "You're alive, I'm so happy to see you– Gods… This is so much better than anything I've ever experienced, Gray, I'm so happy." Their hands moved down onto Gray's arms as his tears flooded, shaking his head a little in his hands. "I can't be this emotional, but I'm s- I missed you so much. I'm just saying the same thing." He laughed, shaking his head again with another sharp inhale. "I don't want to stay here, though, you and I should go home together. I don't want you to be in danger."
Despite Gray being a "lost king" of sorts, Humans and Elves were still at war. There was always a war though, since Gray and Elluin had met. The rise of their kingdom had helped momentarily with peace, and it was essentially a safe place for those who didn't want to be involved. It fell and those who fled their countries and other elves were crushed by the angry surrounding states.
"I missed you so terribly much too, love." Gray laughed with him, running his hands down over Elluin's neck and shoulders before coming back up and gently wiping away his tears. "I'm afraid there's not much of a home for us to go back to." He sighed softly. "I haven't heard anything for possibly a year or so now. I have to assume that it's just ruins now." There was clear sorrow in his words. Gray had loved his kingdom, uniting all the peoples inside the walls of the kingdom, keeping them safe, warm and fed. He had been good at it, too, a kind and just ruler.
"I didn't know how to save it without you," he murmured. "But… I don't know if there's anything left to save now." When he set out to find Elluin, he hadn't expected it to take as long as it had. He'd left the kingdom in shambles, leaving those that had survived to fend for themselves while he was away. Of course, the few members of his council had survived and looked after everyone at first, but it wasn't long until they'd fallen as well.
"We will rebuild it, Gray, my love," Elluin said with clear determination in his voice. "You and I were able to connect so many people under our rule, and you're still alive, and you've found me. You've sacrificed so much for our people, and you deserve to be a glorious king again." He kept crying, but his pupils dilated in his burning passion as he looked at Gray. "I've never been happier than when I was under your rule. I want everyone to feel that." Elluin squeezed his arms between his long fingers, tilting his head into them with a slow, deep inhale, breathing in the musky smell of the Human. Yeah, he was dirty and wet from rain, but that scent brought back so much he hadn't realized he forgot. "I'll do whatever it takes to help restore your kingdom. I know people need someone neutral like we were. We can help so much, just like we did earlier. I want to go back. I want what we had before, but better. Stronger." His burning passion overrode any tears of happiness that welled up, despite his quiet sniffling. He could put his energy into a better, stronger emotion to convince himself and Gray that what he was saying was true.
(hi I like love their chemistry and we just made them off of a whim??? A few details I planned to have like the Elf stuff but I adore this RP that's all thanks)
(same?? i've never had two random characters have such good vibes together right off the bat, wth. already cried over these two tbh)
Gray nodded, shakily at first but growing more sure of himself. "…Okay." He gave a sobby laugh, shifting slightly to press a soft kiss to Elluin's temple. "We'll do it together. Always." He twined their fingers together once again, squeezing gently. He'd absolutely loved ruling his kingdom before, but he'd recognized that something felt like it was missing ever since he'd fallen in love with Elluin. He wanted more than what they'd had before everything. He wanted them to do it all together this time. Truly together.
"Our kingdom, maybe? I- I want you by my side for all of it. I need you with me if I'm going to do this. We can figure out the fine details and everything later, but I just know that I need you." He cracked a smile through his tears. "I never want to be away from you again. I love you so, so much. I want to spend the rest of forever with you." He swallowed hard. "When we get back… once we've built everything back up… please marry me, El."
(agyhjn I rarely cry but I'm so emotionally invested like I love this?? It's so fun to write too just ahah lmao. I'm glad you're having fun! ^D^)
Elluin nodded along with him, giggling his tinkly laugh when it was needed, but his eyes went wide at the proposition, his eyebrows shooting up as it sunk in. "Marry you? I- of course, Gray. I'd love to marry you." He gave a slow laugh of his own, squeezing his hands tightly. "I will always be by your side, in your– I'm sorry– our kingdom." His smile returned through the shock, and he laughed slowly. "I love that, I love how that sounds. You and me will do amazing things as kings together." He leaned forward and pushed his head into Gray's, a smile still splitting his face. His cheeks were starting to ache based on how much he was smiling. Elluin felt like he was falling in love all over again with the Human.
They had truly met by chance, while Elluin was passing through town. They met in a library in his kingdom, and they had made a conversation together due to Elluin being Elven, and Gray of course being the king. Their conversation had sucked Elluin in, and just encaptured him like no other Human had before. He couldn't stop thinking about him, and that was still true. Gray had never truly left him and his conscious.
Gray couldn't help but take a moment and think of all the things that could be theirs. Their kingdom, their home, their bed, their rings. It was cheesy, but the two of them could finally have it all together and the idea kept a wide grin on his face.
He'd always been enthralled by Elluin since the day they met. He thought at first it had been because he was like no Elf he'd ever met before, and that was somewhat the truth in the end. He hadn't met anyone like Elluin before, and he doubted he ever would. No one would ever be able to compare in his eyes. Nothing would ever evoke the same feeling as when he finally laid eyes on them again after all this time. The pure joy and the love that cascaded over him at just catching his eye was unbelievable. He felt like anything was possible when he was with Elluin. Like everything, no matter how bad, would be okay in the end. He never wanted to go without the adoration he felt for his lover ever again. His fiancé. "I can't wait," he hummed.
Elluin never really understood the idea of marriage among Humans– such a thing didn't really exist within their Elven culture. There were intense commitments such as the one he and Gray had exhibited together between Elves, and Elluin could link Humans just wanting… physical proof of it.
"I can't wait either, Gray. You look extremely excited." He giggled softly, his eyes sparkling after his bought of passion. "We'll rule together, just like we did earlier. Except this time, I'll be a king." Elluin tilted his head, thinking about it himself. He hadn't really considered such a thing before about rulership, but he did have plenty of time to consider on their journey back and while Gray got his rest. Elluin did know that Humans shared rings, last names, and other things like possessions. It was certainly an interesting thought to the Elf, in fact one that made him smile and rosy. "I'm also glad you think I'm good enough to be your husband in the future. As far as I know it's a big commitment, yes?" His eyes rounded a little, his high cheeks dusted in red. "I'm truly honored we can celebrate our love in… both of our cultures. I think it will be beautiful. Of course, more than it already is."
He chuckled, glancing away with a soft flush on his cheeks. "Well, it's an exciting thing. It's a fancier and more important title, too; husband. …Oh my gods, you're going to be my husband." He devolved into happy giggles. He felt so damn lucky.
Once he'd gotten ahold of himself and tuned down his excitement for the times to come, he exhaled deeply. "Hm? Ah, yes. It's absolutely monumental in a Human relationship. There are so many complicated celebrations for it, but smaller ones are just as beautiful in my opinion." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the tip of Elluin's nose. "We don't need anything big if you don't want it. It's just a way to celebrate how in love we are. Make it official- carve it into stone, if you will." He hummed softly, contemplatively. "I'd like to learn more about Elven culture, I think. Specifically how you celebrate, um… romantic relationships?"
He hadn't really learned much over the years he knew Elluin, most of their cultural conversations being about Human customs, which he hadn't minded at all, but he was curious now. Of course he knew things from books he'd read, but they'd all been written by Humans, and as sad as it was, any number of the things he'd read could be a bigoted, prejudiced opinion of the author. He just wanted to learn more about Elluin's culture from them, he supposed. That would always be better than a book.
Most Human books described Elves as self-centered and not very capable of harboring love for anyone but themselves. Elluin knew of this blemish in their society, and Elves were quite self-centered, but they were possible of showing intense amounts of love. Elluin showed Gray that much.
"Well, how I've seen it is that two Elves will go somewhere private to speak to the other and recite what you Humans call 'vows', I suppose. Only the leaves and the trees bare witness to their testimonies to each other, and whatever God those Elves may believe in will witness it as well. Often gifts are given from the community, and some Elves if they like exchange gifts with each other. I've seen Scholars swap their thesis on different things in an open ceremony once a few moons ago." Elluin shrugged. "I think however way suits you best would be wonderful. If it excites you, and it means a lot to you, then I will absolutely do it. To set it in stone, despite my feelings for you being very apparent." He laughed softly, but leaned forward to steal a kiss. "We can talk about it in more detail later, though, my love. We should get some rest."
Gray listened intently. "That sounds beautiful," he murmured, and he meant it. The idea of standing with Elluin under the leaves and confessing his love in fancy terminology and words once again sounded like a dream.
"You're right, as always. We'll think about it later." As small of a detail as it was, the 'we' in Elluin's statement instead of a 'you' brought him immense comfort. Gray wasn't ready to leave his side just yet, conscious or not. He'd gone so long on his own that he didn't think he could handle being left on his own again. Not this soon, at least, and especially while asleep. He didn't trust his sleeping mind to keep his dreams peaceful. "I should change if I'm going to sit on your nice furniture, though," he observed with a small chortle. His old, ragged clothes were covered in dirt, not to mention still slightly damp and cold.
"Ah, my furniture is no where as nice, nor as important to me as you and you comfort are. You may strip naked to sleep if you want, and I can give you some clothes that are small on me if you so desire." Elluin rose from his chair, running his fingers through Gray's hair again. "I don't mind if you sleep with nothing, though. It will be quite warm with the two of us in bed." The Elf crossed his home anyway, approaching a tiny dresser in the other room, pulling out a long set of silken white robes. "I could cut them down to size if you so wish, as well." His brown eyes returned to Gray's with a smile, holding them out a little. "I don't wear these, though, so they won't be as nice as my robe." He laughed as he removed his cloak and draped it across a large, teetering stack of books that somehow stayed steady.
"That's sweet, but I really wouldn't like to get mud all over your things." He closed his eyes for a moment, sighing happily as their long, thin fingers ran through his hair. He couldn't wait to climb into a real bed for the first time in years. The one Elluin had was sure to be bigger and roomier to accommodate Elven height, not to mention comfier. That last part was a guess, but Elves seemed like they'd have the coziest beds.
"Mhm, of course you'd suggest I sleep naked." Gray raised an eyebrow, smiling up at him teasingly. He followed to the dresser, glancing through the array of clothes that all seemed much too big for him. "If you have anything small on you, I'll take that, I think. If not, then you'll just get lucky I suppose." It surprised him, almost, how easily they'd fallen back into their natural rhythm. He'd somewhat expected there to be a lingering sense of awkwardness in the air, but everything was just as smooth as he remembered.
"Hm… I don't have traditional Human garb, and most of this stuff are just backups on what I sleep in, you know?" Elluin didn't look worried or upset anymore, just relaxed and happy as he talked to his lover. "I'll just close the blinds and you can decide if you want me to cut something down for you." He crossed his house again in another few strides, closing the blinds on a small few windows he had. The blinds were white like the rest of his room, but they closed out any light that had managed to get into the house. In the half-dark, Gray could see the lanky figure of his fiance cross the house and lean down into his bed with a slow sigh.
"Dionga had woken me up from a nap when he came to tell me about your arrival. I thought he was pranking me so I did take my time getting ready and flicking up the blinds. I'm glad he was telling the truth." He chuckled softly to himself as he pulled his sheets up around himself for the second time that day.
Gray didn't completely understand how robes were comfortable and practical for everyday wear. He found them to be anxiety-inducing, always worried about them coming undone in unideal situations- not to mention that it was harder to move in them. They did have a more ethereal feel to them, though, so that could possibly be the draw there. He supposed it didn't matter too much if they were being slept in, though. "You don't have to cut up your clothes for me, love. If it really comes down to it, I'll wear oversized clothes. They're comfy that way, I don't mind." Thumbing through the items of clothing and trying not to get distracted by how soft they were in comparison to his, he tugged out a few robes that seemed a bit smaller in comparison to the others. Glancing over to get an opinion, he smiled fondly at the sight of Elluin already climbing into bed. Deciding that it didn't matter too much, he selected the smallest of the robes he'd pulled out, draping it over the back of a chair and beginning to undress. "Where should I put my clothes?"
"I don't mind if I have to later on, Gray. I can always find some clothes for you later to sleep in." Elluin stretched out as Gray got dressed, giving him that privacy and stretching his lanky limbs out slowly. "Mmm and you can put your clothes anywhere. I'll end up washing those at some point if you want to keep traveling in them on our way back." He tilted his head back to Gray when he finished his stretch, opening the sheets invitingly with one of his long arms. He was more excited than he was willing to admit to cuddle up with the Human again. He missed the constant warmth, waking up next to him after a bad nightmare and smiling at the sleepy face… One of the memories Elluin treasured was when Gray was asleep after a long day of arguing, and Elluin was just able to drink in those peaceful features of the sleeping king. How intimately truthful and trusting sleeping with someone was.
“Alright, if you say so.” He made quick work of stripping out of his clothes, neatly folding them and setting them on the chair he’d laid the robe across. He slipped on the soft, purple-y robe, and almost sighed audibly. It was so nice. Sure Elluin had said that he doubted they would be the same level of comfort as his own, but the softness of the one that Gray had slipped on was all he’d expected and more, especially compared to the stiff clothes he’d taken off.
Thoroughly ready to get some rest, he slipped under the sheets with Elluin. He melted into the soft fabrics immediately, the sheets and mattress a luxury he had greatly missed over his travels. He nuzzled as close as he could to his fiancé, his eyes fluttering shut easily. “I love you,” he murmured softly, falling asleep nearly ridiculously quick.
Elluin smiled as he watched the other approach the bed and sink into it. Elves usually made their beds with soft leaves and pelts that were hunted, most unlike how Humans made mattresses. Most Elves, however, like Elluin preferred to wrap their mattresses with silk so the hard textures of the fur wouldn't disturb their rest.
So as the pair wrapped their arms around each other and cuddled up to get ready for bed, it was quite comfortable between the smooth textures of the sheets, and the robes they both were wearing. Elluin pressed a kiss to Gray's forehead gently before mumbling back: "I love you too, my king." He took a few more moments to fall asleep, watching Gray slip into that peacefulness and reminiscing about everything he had forgotten over the years. The warm memories, accompanied with a smile, sent Elluin into a sleepy, warm comatose.
