forum With light comes dark. (OxO)

Started September 18, 2023 by @Eli-the-transboi group

tune

Niko's brain short circuits. He just met this man, but seeing such a beautiful man be so gentle with a big, venomous snake was the cutest thing he'd seen in his life. He had the most internal gay panic known to gays ever

Aragorn smiles down at the snake. “I bet you cause so much trouble. Don’t you? Yes.” He grins, gently petting him. “Are you spoiled? Hm?” They seemed so relaxed as they pet and spoke to the snake, as if this was his life purpose. He seemed so happy. Hell, he probably was. He himself couldn’t tell though…he’d never felt happiness as far as he could remember.

After a while, Aragorn playfully boops the snake again. “Such a cuddle bug.” They whisper, smiling.

Niko's gay panic subsides just slightly, but he simply watches. This was so cute to him "I still can't believe he ate my shoe" he said, laughing a bit. "He's a good boy though" he said, smiling.

He looked out the window. It was getting late. "Are you hungry?"

Aragorn snickers softly, “Oh…he’s a shoe eater.” He gently taps the top of Reginold’s head. “Cheeky little thing.” They then looks up at Niko and nod. “Yes please…I haven’t eaten in a while…” they admit. He hadn’t gotten a chance to…and that was probably why he was so weak.

“I’ll take anything.”

"What do you like? I can make some Rarebit if you'd like." He said, walking to the kitchen, but keeping a good ear out for their reply. "Don't worry. Here, you'll eat regularly" he said, smiling even though Aragorn couldn't see him

Aragorn smiles warmly. “Anything will do.” He says softly. “I haven’t eaten in a week…and I’m not picky.” He chuckles softly, closing his eyes as he gently pets Reginald. “Oh…did Reginald eat as well?” He opens his eyes. Of course he’d circle back to the snake…he did that with almost every animal, reptile, you name it.

"He ate two really fat birds yesterday. He should be good until tomorrow morning." He replied, thinking it was so cute that Aragorn always came back to Reginald. "You really need to eat more. If you get hungry at all, just get something from the kitchen. If you are not comfortable with that, ask me and I'll feed you. You don't have to want for anything here. Especially not food. " He said, cooking, yet focused on their conversation

Aragorn blinks, “Wait- really?” He seemed so surprised…like this was the first time in his life he didn’t have to worry about food. Where his next meal was going to be. They felt…odd. They then smile warmly in gratitude. “Thank you…you are very kind.” He says softly. “I guess I got lucky when I was transported here.” He laughs softly, looking down at Reginald.

Nikolaia lets out a humored breath. "Of course. I guess it's just my nature as a doctor. Helping people" He brought out three plates. One in each of his hands, and one balanced on his left arm. He handed Aragorn the plate in his right hand, put the plate on his arm on the floor next to them, and set the plate in his right hand on the table. "Sorry, he has to get up for a second," Niko said to Aragorn before once again, clicking his tongue like a cat owner, and speaking to Reginald "Reggie honey. You gotta eat" He then turned his attention back to Aragorn as Reginald slithered off the couch and to the plate Niko had set down. "I know I said he just ate, but I still like to give him a little something, even if it's just a bit of meat. I always put multivitamins in his food so he gets all his nutrients"

Aragorn smiles as he watches the snake slighter off. They then take the plate offered, thanking Niko and looking up at him. A grateful look gleamed in his eye as he smiled warmly. Somehow, he had forgotten about his pain, only paying attention to his surroundings. “It’s no problem. And thank you so much…” He murmurs, trying to sit up slightly. It caused a lot of pain, but he managed to get himself propped up enough to eat his food comfortably.

It didn’t take long before Aragorn started eating. They ate quickly. Too quickly. As if someone…anyone could snatch the plate up at any time. It only took a couple of minutes before his plate was completely empty. He looked up at Niko and smiled at him. “Thank you…”

"Aragorn. Slow down. It's okay" He smiled sadly. He found it so upsetting that he had all the implications of past abuse. He was glad that he seemed to be enjoying the food though. "Do you want some more?" He asked in response. He got up and gently took the plate, leaving his own food completely uneaten on the table. He also took the completely empty plate from Reggie.

Aragorn blinked as he was asked if he wanted more food. He looked dumbfounded. He’s never been asked that before. They take a long while to process this before hesitantly nodding. “Y-yes please. If you don’t mine. M-my apologies.” he quickly said, trying to avoid any snap back for his decision.

Usually, if he was even offered food, he’d have to deny it. If he did accept it, it showed weakness. The one time he did accept it, he had to quickly apologize before he was slapped. “Starvation is weakness” A familiar voice rang in his head. “If you show weakness…you will be killed.” Aragorn shuddered at the memory.

"Aragorn. Do not ever apologize to me for accepting an offer" He said sternly, yet gently. "Now, before I go into the kitchen, what do you want to drink? I've got milk, juice, water, and tea. pigwch eich gwenwyn"

Aragorn clears his throat, then he smiles slightly. “Anything will do. Thank you.” He nods in appreciation. They then slowly close their eyes, trying to let a sudden burst of pain subside. He hated pain…but there was nothing this poor man could do.

A few moments later, Nikolaia came back in with a plate full of food and a large mug of warm tea. "It's Devil's Claw tea. It won't completely erase the pain, but it should help it subside a bit, as for the food, it's just more Rarebit" He handed Aragorn the food and sat down.

Aragorn smiles brightly and gladly takes them both. “Thank you…you have no idea how much I appreciate this…” he murmurs, trying his best to eat slower this time. Though no matter how hard he tried, he ended up finishing his plate within five minutes.

"Are you full? I want to make sure you eat all you want" he said, still having not touched his plate once since he set it down. "Make sure not to move too much for the next, I'd say…" he looked at his watch "30 minutes. You have to leave time for the tea time to work" He pet Reggie as the snake started slithering back towards Aragorn. "He likes you a lot."

Aragorn nods and smiles. “I’m full…thank you so much…” He looked so grateful, his iced blue eyes shining. For the first time since he could remember…he felt…hope. After a moment, they nod again, “Alright…I’m…really tired anyway…” He looks down at Reggie and smiles brightly. “He does? Awww…”

After a moment, Aragorn glances up at Niko’s plate. “Are you ok? You haven’t eaten anything…” They frown slightly, seeming worried.

"I'm fine. I always make food for myself, out of habit, but usually just end up eating snacks throughout the day." He said, getting up and taking his plate to the kitchen. He then walked up behind the couch and gently touched Reggie's head while the snake was on Aragorn's lap. "Goodnight bud. Goodnight Aragorn" he said, walking into the hall and out of view.

He entered his room and looked at his dresser. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he noticed a picture he kept there. It was of his late husband. He picked up the photo and traced his finger along the picture. "Dw i'n dy garu di Sion. Rwy'n colli chi ac mae'n ddrwg gen I."

(Awwwwww)

Aragorn looked worried, but he decided not to press on. They just smiled softly at Niko, nodding. “Good night…thank you.” He looks down at Reggie and gently pets him as they doze off. After a moment, he couldn’t help but overhear Niko speak in Welsh. He frowns softly as he listens, then sighs. Don’t get into that poor man’s business… he thought to himself. Though…Aragorn just couldn’t help but worry. They understood what loss felt like…and from those words…

Aragorn blinks and shakes his head, trying to clear their thoughts. Just save it for tomorrow. He sighs and closes his eyes, sleepily tracing his fingers along the top of Reggie’s head. He was so incredibly tired…hopefully he’d be able to sleep tonight. If anything…they hoped they wouldn’t wake this kind man up with his nightmares. Aragorn debated on whether to even let himself sleep. Sadly, he would lose the battle eventually and fall into a deep sleep.

His nightmares didn’t take long before they plagued Aragorns mind with terrifying images. Death, gore, loss…then suddenly, images of the cult finding him came to mind. Those evil creatures taking Niko…killing him just like the rest. Aragorn started screaming and thrashing in his sleep, his heart pounding in their chest. “No!” He cried, trembling with fear.

Niko jumped out of bed, hearing Aragorn's screams. He rushed to the man's side and crouched beside him, gently shaking him yet trying to steady his thrashing. He not only wanted to help him, but he didn't want him to further injure himself. "Aragorn," he said once the man stopped his turning. He held the man's head close to him, like a mother comforting a child. "Shhh. It's alright. Hush fy annwyl. Bydd popeth yn iawn, oherwydd yfory bydd golau" He quickly switched from speaking to singing, and from english to welsh "Bydd hi'n dywyll o bryd i'w gilydd, ond cofiwch gadw fy ngeiriau. Oherwydd pan fyddwch chi'n deffro bydd yr haul yn tywynnu"

Aragorn gasped, his eyes opening. He quickly looked around, then noticed that Niko was holding him…singing. They blink as they looked up at this man. They still looked panicked, but now…confused as well. He wasn’t used to this. Though…something about this calmed him. Aragorn shuddered and hid his face in Niko’s shoulder, trembling. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean to…” He whimpers, tears starting to stream down his cheeks. He felt so bad for waking Niko up. He didn’t deserve to have to deal with Aragorn’s problems.

"Hey. Don't apologize. Please. This is not your fault. I was awake, you were having nightmares. It's okay. He then spoke more of the song stroking Aragorn's hair gently. "Pan fyddwch yn deffro, gwrandewch ar fy ngeiriau, oherwydd nid yw'r byd yn greulon fel y bu. Mae yna angenfilod, yn sicr ddigon, ond byddwch chi'n ymladd, ac yn ennill" He continued holding the man, stroking his hair and whispering calming nothings. "It's alright. I won't ask you to talk about it, but I will comfort you." He opted to let Aragorn go should he want to pull away. He wasn't bothered by this at all
'The nature of Doctors is a funny thing' he thought. 'I care for people out of no where, simply because they are people, and they are hurting'

Aragorn’s breathing slowed, and so did his heart. Soon, he had calmed down. They let Niko hold them, secretly enjoying the feeling of being held…being cared for. He hadn’t had physical affection from anyone for years now…and to be honest…he was touch starved. Aragorn’s eyes slowly closed as he leaned into Niko, relaxing ever so slightly. One could feel his muscles slowly relax as he dozed off, now half asleep. They were so tired…so exhausted from running…from fighting.

After a while, Aragorn murmurs softly under his breath. “Thank you…”

Niko held him, sitting on the couch slowly so as not to wake him. He listened to Aragorn's breathing. Listened to it slow. He felt his heart rate slow and his muscles relax. "Mae'n iawn nawr. Cwsg yn dda, fy annwyl" He said, softly, stroking his hair and letting him sleep.
Niko, however, did not sleep. He continued holding the man, not once moving from his spot. He was deep in thought by the time morning came. He saw the sunlight as it began filtering through his windows, giving off a warm, comforting glow in his plant-filled forest home. He smiled. It had been a while since he had anyone to care for. He had moved far away from the populated towns a while back. His husband had built this home when they had first gotten married, as a gift. Sion had said 'I want you and our children to always have a safe place to return to' and it had persuaded Niko to stay here once Sion had passed. To keep his memory close

Aragorn looked so peaceful as he slept. He held onto Niko as if he were the only thing keeping them from floating away. As the light shown onto him, it made his pale hair and skin seem to glow. This seemed to calm Aragorn even more, making them seem so happy…peaceful. Safe. He honestly looked adorable. The exact opposite of intimidating.

Aragorn slept until 10 that day, too exhausted to even move in his sleep. The poor guy hadn’t got an ounce of good sleep in over 30 years. It’s been so long. It was no wonder his body took this perfect time to rest and absorb as much sunlight as it could. Once Aragorn woke up, he yawned and rubbed his eyes, sitting up. His pain had subsided a good amount, but it was still there.

A soft grunt escaped Aragorns lips as he sat up and looked around. He then looked out the window and blinks. “Oh…how long…”

Niko hadn't moved since he sat down the previous night. The man gave a pleased smile when Aragorn sat up. "Good morning. It's 10 in the afternoon. How did you sleep?" He asked, stretching his arms, which, also, hadn't been moved in hours.