Firelight
Private ESS gift for @numbersoftoday, who lamented missing the sign-ups and I’m a sucker for more Esca goodness.
Sorter than what I prefer but I conveyed all that I felt I needed too... Dilandau x Chesta in a tavern.
Dilandau sat alone by the fire, wine half-forgotten in his glass as his eyes were captivated by the swirling flames.
He hated spending nights in the inns and taverns of other countries. He much preferred the cold comforts of the Vione. Hated the openness of the dining rooms, hated the coarseness of the sheets on the small beds. Hated strangers all around him, hated that he couldn’t raise his sword to drive them away.
Hated that his Dragonslayers enjoyed the minor shore leave, even if they were still on assignment.
His hand fell to the pummel of his sword when his senses alerted him to a nearing presence but he removed it when he found it to be Chesta.
The short Dragonslayer stood not-quite behind and to the side of his commander, waiting a moment until Dilandau turned his head and acknowledged him. Their eyes did not actually meet, red eyes were still focused on the fire. Eventually Chesta came around the bench and sat next to the red-clad soldier.
Dilandau usually became pensive when they spent significant time off the Vione and it was usually Chesta who kept the ornery commander in check.
They sat next to each other for an extended period of time, Chesta watching the way the firelight played across Dilandau’s pale skin. Occasionally the older soldier would take a sip of his wine, his eyes never straying from the dancing flame. After a while Chesta slid his hand across the space between them and clasped Dilandau’s empty one.
The commander allowed his subordinate to twine their fingers together and returned the slightest of squeezes.
Relationships were banned in the army but the entire Dragonslayer squad turned a blind eye when it kept their commander from burning down the current village they were in.
Despite their brightly colored armor, they rarely actually attracted attention when the rest of the tavern was mostly drunk and they did nothing to draw that attention.
The slight turn towards him of the silvery head was all the permission given. Chesta leaned over and slipped his hand around Dilandau’s neck, then tilted his head up and placed his mouth over pale lips. Their eyes closed and expertly Dilandau set his wine cup on the nearby table. Small hands slipped into silver locks and Chesta tasted the wine on Dilandau’s lips.
After a moment he pulled away. “Come to bed sir, it's late.”
Dilandau hummed a non-committed response, grasped his wine cup and downed the dark liquid, replacing the cup onto the table when finished.
Chesta stood and carefully pulled Dilandau towards him.
The tall soldier stood, slipping his hand around the shorter man’s neck, and bent down for another kiss.
Eagerly Chesta went up onto his toes to accommodate their height differences and tilted his head.
When Dilandau finally pulled away, Chesta tugged on his arm; “Let’s go upstairs sir, I’ll show you where your room is.”
The firelight played across the pale skin of the commander and Chesta had to contain his gasp of appreciation.
Dilandau compliantly followed the short Dragonslayer up the steps, down the hall, and into the room.
It was another quiet night.
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3080 words
