Chapter 6 : Lingering Afternoons
After the heavy conversation after breakfast Ryn decided it was a good time to practice his magic, with the added bonus of giving Iggy and Albrund some space. It was becoming more apparent he was going to need to improve, after the last couple outings he was beginning to feel his skills were lacking despite marked improvement when it came to wickets. He also tucked a mental note away to ask Albrund about his wicket apartment. If he was able to get Hestia from the castle that would give them a solid option on housing.
He was also, not blind. Albrund and Iggy had become much closer. Albrund had taken a liking to Iggy from the moment they arrived, he was fairly certain that's the only reason Albrund had agreed to any of this. That had been blatant after they were attacked by the Mooncasters, Albrund had been beside himself when Iggy was attacked. Truth be told he was more worried for the Bloodcaster than Iggy.
This morning's breakfast was amazing but also, he knew who it was really for. Albrund suddenly had an interest in sitting on the couch with Iggy in close proximity. They leaned on each other, smiled more, and he had caught them both staring at the other, just little changes. It didn't bother him, honestly with everything he's heard from them about their lives, he was happy for them. They both need someone but it did make him feel a bit like a third wheel. As much as he cared about them both, it also made him feel better that they had each other, once he had Hestia he could leave knowing they would both be ok.
Inside the house Albrund had taken Iggy to his room in the basement. Iggy was in awe of how bright and beautiful it was compared to the upper house. Beautifully polished marble inlaid floors, swirls and flourishes done in burgundy, black, and cream stretched across the space.
Masterfully carved book cases that had to be from Mooncaster craftsmen, crammed with books of all descriptions. Multiple workspaces scattered with half finished papers, tapestries, and couches made the space functional and almost cozy. Then his eyes came to the arches draped in the finest burgundy velvet and beyond them a set of caskets. The sight of the caskets made his blood chill, while he realized Bloodcasters sometimes slept in caskets, to see them sitting there like another couch was unnerving.
Albrund sensed his trepidation and guided him to the darker chamber. "This is where I sleep. Well, when I sleep." Iggy glanced around the exquisitely decorated chamber. A large brazier for light and heat sat in the middle of the room. The walls were heavily carved but hidden behind more art. A pair of overstuffed armchairs sat waiting to cradle inhabitants through countless hours of reading or brooding, given Albrund's nature. Iggy continued to take in the palatial surroundings, he finally spoke "No wonder the rest of the house looks like you never step foot in it."
The Bloodcaster chuckled, "Yeah, I really don't spend much time anywhere but the parlor. This is mainly where I live, really the house is too big, and too quiet. Come on, I brought you down here to relax."
They took a seat on the couch, which wasn't as comfortable as the one upstairs. Iggy wrapped his arms around the Bloodcaster who relaxed into his arms.
They spread across the couch intertwined, chatting about the renovations Albrund had made to the room. Eventually Iggy dozed off on the Bloodcaster's chest. Albrund was content just to lay there holding him, listening to the beat of his heart, the rise and fall of his chest and basking in his delicious warmth.
It had been a long while since Albrund had let someone this close, he still had a fear of allowing it but Iggy had ignored that entirely. Part of him wanted to wrap Iggy up and protect him, to hold him until the end of the universe. Then again part of him wanted to sink his fangs into the man's soft neck. To taste him, to let his blood coat his tongue, the taste of sweat and copper ... Albrund stopped his wandering mind *no, no, no, we are not entertaining that.* He took a large breath and sighed. Iggy's silky dark curls framed his face, scars criss-crossed across his skin telling the story of his life, some large some barely visible. Iggy was a masterpiece.
Albrund watched him sleep, the light flutter of eyelids, *What are you dreaming of?* he wondered. A small smile crept across Iggy's face, his fingers lightly gripping, pulling the Bloodcaster impossibly tighter. Albrund didn't want this to end, he'd be happy to spend the rest of his days snuggled here holding him. This was the most comfortable he had been in ... well as long as he could remember.
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Poses: Thank you to: @natalia-auditore (Magical Fighter), @samssims (React Look Up, Wandless Magic), @herecirmsims (magical singing, 1908), @saramaro (Loveseat_Dame), iloon (Couch Diaries), @adakasay (Cuddling_scenting+Bite),
