#demonsofwrath

You're all so nosy

For much of the afternoon, Curufin had been gaazing out the window, watching the swaying branches and the leaves flutter about in the wind, but more than that, watching a figure that had seemingly invited himself into the family. What was once merely curiosity had grown into a full on fascination with his newest, and in Curufin’s mind, as he was last to join the family, youngest brother, a fascination that Caranthir evidently did not appreciate nearly as much.

“Okay,” he answered, though still appeared reluctant to leave the sofa he knelt upon. Just what was that hulking beast doing in the pouring rain? Was Manwë displeased with him? Celegorm’s reluctance to entertain many of Curufin’s questions only heightened his interest, and even now he was blind to Caranthir’s displeasure.

Eventually, he peeled his gaze away, and trotted to where his brother had set up the chessboard. “Why not?” Curufin sat down with the black pieces in front of him, sometning he insisted on doing ever since he saw the board. “Maybe we should tell him to come inside. I don’t think he understands that you’re meant to be inside when it’s raining. Do you think he knows what an umbrella is? Maybe he’s trying to find a big leaf as an umbrella. I’m sure that’s what he did in the forest.”

"Surprise! I made you a totally normal cake. Bet you're dying to dig in," he said wiggling his shoulders. 

@demonsofwrath

Lin looked way up at Rog smiling too widely about his cake prank, and it had her smiling too widely about him smiling too widely. Her cheeks ached.

"Oh! What a totally normal surprise!" she agreed, accepting the treat and setting it down to give it a sniff-sniff curiously. The best part about Rog's cake pranks was they went two ways: either the cake was indeed totally normal and the prank was she was made to assume it wouldn't be, OR the cake was totally normal but a different (excellent) flavor than it looked like. Like a brown cake that was vanilla, or a white cake that was chocolatey.

Could go either way.

�� -puts the Best Kid up on the roof away from butt pats nopenopenope-

He swirled the wine in his glass and looked sidelong at Rog, a smile blossoming on his face as he sat back, turning to properly face him.

“Heard anything?” he asked, his expression one of surprise as he tried to pretend that he didn’t know exactly what Rog was getting at, which might have worked better before the several glasses of strong drink he’d been plied with had him unable to contain his grin. He caught the eye of those across the room and shook his head very lightly so as to at least give them a few moments alone to talk.

Maybe I should start with Dearest Lin? My Star? Owner of One Fine Ass? Whatever the case the envelope will be addressed to Lindethiel to spare Laure and Ethele.

I haven’t written a letter in a while and since I can’t visit as often as I’d like right now I thought this way we could at least talk. I’m missing you so much, fourteen hours is a long time. I suppose even longer than that by the time this letter reaches you.

Do I sound too formal? I feel formal. Maybe it’s because I can’t see the way you’d be smiling at me when I mentioned your Fine Ass, sparkly and a little crinkley. Did I ever tell you how much I love your crinkles? Around your eyes and nose and the corners of your smile. I see it and I

I wish I wasn’t working. I’ll get done as soon as I can and never take another job that will keep me from you.

I’m enclosing a note for Laure and Ethele, please pass it along

Fun Ancient Fact: Thongs used to be very popular everyday wear. But we got carried away with embellishments and needed more room, so the first pants were birthed

All my love, Rog

___

Enclosed note

Laure, Ethele, be a lamb and go shirtless around the house in my stead, thank you, Rog

She hadn’t expected any letters for her, so when she was handed an envelope she was curiously delighted. To see it was from Rog just made her heart skip, and she took her letter to scurry back to her quarters for reading. They hadn’t really been the Write-Each-Other-Letters sort of lovers, but that just made it all the more exciting.

Curled into a ball in a chair, she began to read. Her smile burst into a breathy laugh at the titles, and quieted into a broad grin that fourteen hours should be a long time. (Nevermind that it was.) Her cheeks warmed and her smile widened once more at his description of her smile, at how even apart he knew her well enough to know where she’d smile, to be able to describe her smile (and with such love). 

Lifting one hand to her mouth, she read on, laughing again at his Fun Ancient Fact.

Lindethiel stirred from her seat and set aside the note for Laure and Ehtele (she’d deliver it later), she shuffled around to find some stationary and cleared away a little space to write back. 

Rog--

She stopped and chewed on her lip. What should she say? Formal letter writing rose up instinctively but that felt cold. What would she say to him if he was here right now?

Hey big guy. I miss your pecs. The rest of you, too, but nobody else has pecs like yours, and I feel like I'm in withdrawal. I'm surrounded by so many belly buttons here. I hope whatever you're doing pays well; you should demand extra payment due to emotional distress. Are you eating well? Enough cookies every day, a glass of milk to dunk them in? 

Questions about your Fun Ancient Fact: did you only wear thongs and nothing else? Do you think we could do that and just claim we're honoring the ancient ways? Did anyone consider tassels of dangling embellishments instead of adding more fabric?

Laure would judge me for wearing the same thing every day, but I think I will keep wearing the sweater you gave me every evening. It's not quite as good as having you here, but I feel like I can almost still feel your warmth in the wool, kind of like a faded hug. Would you like me to send you one of my sweaters in return? 

Missing you,

your Dearest Lin, your star, Owner of One Fine Ass

Rog’s ears perked up at another CLANK, smiling still as he walked over to join her on the ground. They had known each other for some weeks now and he thought it was acceptable to sit close beside her. Although maybe this was too close, he could feel warmth from her arm on his like the heat of the forge while he worked.

“‘Just you’, you’re better than a cow,” he said blushing hearing the words himself. Although he had been all ready to pet a cow and there were some crusty rolls bulging out of one of his pockets, he’d rather sit with Lin. “You smell better for one and you probably won’t try to eat my toes either. I hope.”

And then he noticed the dress. Clothing didn’t usually catch his attention, but he’d never seen Lin like this. She somehow looked smaller but like a girl in painting, sitting under a tree in the afternoon sun. For a moment he just looked, his mouth open as though to say something.

A compliment? Were they good enough friends where he could say something like that?

Instead he blurted out, “Were you composing a song?”

She smiled even brighter at his words, swaying just a bit toward him. He was warm, but not like sunlight that could sting, he was soft warmth like a bonfire. Her eyes dropped pointedly to look at his feet and she snorted a laugh, leaning nearer like she was considering her options at a buffet table. A witty retort was on the tip of her tongue as she looked back up to his face, only to freeze at his expression. 

This dress had been dumb. Lalwen had suggested she might like to try wearing one without need for a 'fancy party' first, and she'd decided maybe it would feel more normal if she sat with her bell. But now Rog was here, and looking at her, and she couldn't tell if he thought it was a good look or not. So she gave another panicked CLANK just as he also blurted out a question, and it took her a moment to register his words.