#anicent

Brushing themself off, Praxithius wandered forward, catching up to the warder cautiously. "Sorry, I just wanted to see you off. You've been gone so much lately. I hear rumors of the creations they keep down there. When I don't hear from you I fear the worst..."

Erichthonius crossed his arms. "I am the son of Athena and Lahabreha was the one who taught me to shackle. How has that not reassured you in all this time?"

"Because she died..."

The warder winced then looked away, fists balling tight until feeling Praxithius pull one of his hands up and into their chest. "I forget how that weighs on you," the hooded figure apologized.

Erichthonius pulled his hand free then gently threw back his soft-spoken companion's hood, letting their pink bangs flick forward to brush his masked cheek. The warder smiled softly, brushing Praxithius's hair back before lowering their mask, revealing his scared, crystal-blue eyes and freckles. "I think it might be best if we did not have the same person tend to our hair. If you weren't as pale as snow some might mistake us for brothers," he mused, voice softening a bit as the other's worry had subdued his earlier annoyance at being pursued.

Praxithius frowned then rested his palm over the back of the warder's hand, eyes closing as he enjoyed the warmth of his touch. Erichthonius brushed his thumb along his love's freckles then leaned down to steal a kiss. "I cannot be late," he mumbled, face darkening with embarrassment as his ruby eyes scanned the area.

His love kissed him back then, stepping closer. "Just a bit longer. What if something were to happen?"

"Nothing will happen," the warder repeated flatly, gently squeezing the other's cheek before letting go.

Praxithius frowned then lightly clutched at the front of the other's robes, sapphire eyes wide. "Once more..."

Indulging the other Ancient, he rolled his eyes then led them to the shade of a high-rooted tree. Backing Praxithius into the bark he tilted his chin up and kissed him again, much slower and more deliberate, in hopes of satiating his love, and perhaps himself. The shorter male cooed softly, returning tugging on the front of the warder's robes, keeping him close as the embrace lingered. Erichthonius feeling himself slipping into overindulgence soon pulled back, watching the other's crimson face pant and look upon him with a greater need than he had time to fulfill.

"Praxithius, I must go do my duty."

"...for the Star? Surely your father won't miss you an hour more."

Erichthonius lurched back, feeling the heat within him shift from tenderness to rage. "Don't call him that. I don't want to hear of it, even as a joke," he lashed out.

Praxithius recoiled, holding themselves a not as they looked away. "Apologies."

The red-haired ancient exhaled hard through his nose, trying to stifle the rage within, as to not take it out on his love.

"I'm going to go. I'll send word when I'm on respite next," he growled, turning to go.

"Wait...Eric!"

The warder paused at hearing the call of his sweetened name. "I have to go," he repeated.

"I have something for you. Please," Praxithius pleaded, rummaging through his robes before pulling out a pair of chains, one silver, and one gold, with the former having a pocket chronometer and the latter a golden cross. "I had three made for us. If you take the gold piece and fix it into the silver..."

In his hand, Praxithius laid the chronometer flat then inserted the golden cross on top, it into a fitting slot that caused it open. Within, a little version of Elpis spun about and played a little tune. After letting it cycle through a rotation, Erichthonius closed it in the other's palm. "That was very pretty but my chains are heavy as it is.

The freckled Ancient huffed then put the golden chain into Erichthonius's hand. "It's two pieces, you'll take the key and I'll keep the other half."

"Fine," the warder answered, tying the chain to his belt. "Er, thank you...Wait, I actually have that thing I promised you."

Rummaging in his own robes, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it over. "It's that thing I was trying to describe last time. I'm apparently in as bad an artist though as a wordsmith. Now I'm leaving, for real this time," he huffed, giving his love one last kiss before hurrying onward.