#thymo

Thyme didn’t answer, he just looked at his shack standing rigid, his whole body seemed to emanate dread.

Momo squeezed his hand. “Thyme?” he called.

“I haven’t been here in months” said Thyme. “It’s going to be very, very dirty. Uh-” he cleared his throat, “it’s not like I cleaned it much when I came here, either.”

Momo shrugged, “It’s okay”

Thyme turned to him, his voice incredulous. “You like to live in cleanliness” he said, “you clean your house everyday-”

“Thyme, it’s okay.”

“You change your sheets everyday-”

“--It really is okay.”

“And you take two baths a day. More if you’re upset about something.”

Momo let go of his hand and laughed. “Fine! I am so going to clean this place!” he admitted. “I hate wearing boots and I love walking around my house with my bare feet and I love feeling the fresh clean floor under my feet yes I am cleaning this whole place.”

“I knew it!” Thyme pointed a finger at him, laughing too. “I totally did not believe you when you equipped five mops and told me they were ‘your weapon of choice’.”

“They are my weapon of choice.”

They both laughed.

Momo hugged Thyme’s middle and kissed his cheek. “I like it.”

*

Thyme cannot remember when was the last time his shack was so full with noise. The rustling of leaves as the broom pushed them out the shack, the “clank” of his old cooking pots as they were rearranged and now held from one of the wooden walls. The sound of hammers as new shelves were being fixed to other walls and a new front door.

Momo’s singing.

He would mop the floor and shake his butt to his own songs, spin around holding his mop like he would a dancing partner. Thyme watched with appreciation, until he dropped his broom and took Momo’s hips, had him turn to him and pressed their chests together.

“Dance with me instead” offered Thyme.

“You don’t like dancing” Momo laughed.

“Oh I do.”

Thyme kissed Momo’s cheek, then his jaw and lower, to his neck. Momo had always been ticklish, but a good suck over his pulse always had him shiver a little. Especially if accompanied by Thyme’s hands squeezing his butt.

Cackling, Momo tried to push him away playfully. “What you want to do is not dancing.”

“It is a form of dancing” Thyme said, “and I am really good at it.”

“You are” Momo laughed and patted Thyme’s shoulders until he was let go. “But I have to shower first and I won’t shower until I finish cleaning-- as a reward.”

“I thought your reward would be to have sex with me” teased Thyme.

Momo turned back and leaned down to pick up his mop, purposefully sticking out his butt knowing Thyme would appreciate the show.

A low hiss let him know that Thyme indeed was.

“That is also my reward” said Momo.

*

After a long day, dinner and a good bath, they finally readied to sleep.

“A clean house is a happy house” said Momo cheerfully. If Thyme could roll both his eyes, he would.

“How do we sleep?” asked Momo.

“Well uh-” Thyme coughed, “usually I just throw some sheets at the floor near the fireplace.”

Momo gave him a look, Thyme just looked at everywhere but his lover.

“We just washed all the sheets and they’re hanging outside” Momo said.

“And the bear pelts?”

“Also put to clean” Momo said with no guilt, then walked to where his bags where and started looking around. “I brought clean sheets. And pillows.”

Thyme crossed his arms, and chuckled. “You have an issue.”

Momo didn’t listen, returned with the items, and the sight of them made Thyme gasp.

“It’s the soft purple sheets” he breathed.

“Your favorite sheets!”

Thyme never thought, in his life, that he’d have favorite sheets one day. But then again he never thought either, that he’d fall in love again. Or that of all people, he’d fall for a loud, baby faced person who somehow also shared his goddesses sent, terrible fate as chosen hero. And more importantly, he never thought that he’d trust someone enough to have them in this place.

The moment they lied on the floor atop the soft purple sheet- the moment Thyme’s face hit the pillow, he fell asleep. 

*

Cleaning the house again the next day was easier, there was barely anything to fix. It went much more quickly- although they wasted enough time teasing until Momo finally admitted that he indeed, had an issue with dirtiness.

Then came clearing outside, cutting the grass, fixing the cooking pot and cleaning the old ashes from where once were bonfires.

“My stays in this place are always uneventful” confessed Thyme as they outside on the grass, for lunch break. “It’s quiet and lonely, here. I come when I need it- but sometimes, especially if I stay here for a long time, I forget how to make myself leave this place.”

Momo put his spoon of curry back in his plate, and placed a hand on Thyme’s thigh. Thyme turned to him with a smile.

“Once I ventured out and found a korok, but I guess I looked way too gloomy and shaggy because it ran away from me” said Thyme.

Momo blinked, and his hand went straight to his mouth and his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“He tripped over a twig and fell face first, wrinkled his little mask” continued Thyme.

“Aw, a baby” said Momo, voice muffled behind his mouth.

“And then he cried.”

“Awwww, a baby!”

“I laughed so hard” Thyme chuckled.

“Thyme!” but Momo was laughing, too.

“Guess I was isolated for way too long because it shouldn't be that funny right?” Thyme’s voice shook with amusement. “I laughed until my stomach hurt, I laughed for days. I would remember about it and laugh- I am laughing right now.”

“Please tell me you helped him?”

“Yes... but I was still laughing stupid, which of course could only further his humiliation, making him cry all the more- and making me laugh all the more.”

Momo had to leave his food on the grass to dry his cheeks and eyes, cackling. He then grabbed Thyme by the collar of his shirt and kissed his lips.

“You’re horrible” he teased against their kiss.

“He sounded like a very annoying squeaky toy” said Thyme, and gave his lover a playful peck.

 *

 Night fell- while the forest was so thick daylight barely passed through, it managed to get much darker when the sun set. They were tired enough.

Thyme eyed his handiwork- their improvised bed. Clean bear pelts and sheets spread on the floor, right before the fireplace, oh they would sleep very warm and comfortable today. Or not sleep, Thyme wouldn’t mind that either.

He turned to see his lover stand before the windows.

“Faeries came” said Momo softly, then turned to him with wonder in his eyes. “They really do follow you everywhere.”

Thyme chuckled. “Close the window, don’t let them in tonight.”

“But--” Momo was about to protest when something in the way Thyme said that stopped him. He closed the window and walked towards his beloved. “Do they come inside sometimes?”

Thyme nodded. He could already sense Momo’s amusement and his lips twitched upwards.

“Do they sleep with you?” asked Momo.

“Sometimes.”

Momo gasped, “that is so cute.”

Thyme shrugged, and took Momo by the hips, pulling him close. “I know what you’re thinking” he said, “We can’t let them in to sleep tonight.”

Momo pouted and wrapped his arms around Thyme’s neck. “And I know what you’re thinking.” He could feel hands sliding down to his butt, and then some soft, playful gropes.

“It’s okay” Thyme allowed himself to pinch a buttcheek and chuckled at Momo’s little whine. “We can feed them breadcrumbs tomorrow.”

“We can do that?” Momo asked with a trembling voice. “They eat breadcrumbs?”

“We are not letting them in tonight.” repeated Thyme, rubbing his lips to Momo’s chin.“We can’t let my fairy wives know of our affair.”

Momo laughed. “So I am your mistress?”

“The homewrecker, yes” Thyme kissed his face, as Momo’s laughter grew loud. “Lie with me.”

Momo was still chuckling, let Thyme put him in bed, take off his clothes and lie atop him to kiss his face and neck, while scarred calloused hands caressed his sides with a tickling touch. Laughter turned into sighs and moans, the pats on Thyme’s back became scratches. They were both panting when Thyme pulled away for just a second to admire his lover below, and he saw beauty.

The dying fire on the chimney provided enough light for him to see. Momo’s skin under the light looked more delectable and welcoming than usual. His flushed, smiling face, his blue eyes filled with adoration as he looked up at Thyme, and reminded Thyme that he was oh so loved.

Thyme realized then why suddenly this shack felt so cozy now, and homely. He’d probably feel lonely and sad even in their lovely hut in Lurelin, if Momo wasn’t there.

As Momo cupped his face and brushed his hair away with his fingers, Thyme realized that his real home was a person.

And that was a scary thought.

“Are you okay?” asked Momo, his smile growing tender as his fingers traced the lower part the his scar that crossed his right eye.

Thyme’s voice shook as he said, softly. “I love you.” And he leaned down and kissed his lover, before Momo could reply and say it back. He already knew how Momo felt- and a tug on his heart warned him that if he heard it right then, he would cry.

They made love over and over, until Thyme forgot his fears and his own name.

 ***

 It would still happen. Perhaps not as often, but it would still happen.

Thyme hoped it wouldn’t, because it was unfair. He was happy now, he had so much love, and friends. He ate well, he slept well. He rode his horse and sparred with Digger, hunted with Laurent. Watch Momo cook.

He was supposed to be happy.

But as frustrated as he felt with himself, he knew that just wasn’t the way things worked. His hands would itch and food tasted the way the color gray looked. He would space out from conversations that he was even interested in, his mind would wander away from Momo’s voice, to emptiness.

Everything would feel numb, even Momo’s touch, a pinch on his chin to raise his head.

“Do you need to leave?”

Momo already knew, like he never expected for this to cease all that easily. There was only patience in his voice- no hurt or accusations, nothing Thyme’s mind could cling to in order to feel guilty, so he could say-

“I’m so sorry, Momo.”

It came out regardless.

Momo shook his head, and smiled. “There’s nothing to apologize for.” He kissed his cheek and took his hand and they walked back to their hut. It might not be so good to miss dinner at Bitters and Digger’s house without letting them know, but Momo would charm his way out of it- the way Digger taught him, himself.

They took a bath together- the second one of the day, because Momo liked sleeping fresh and clean and Thyme started to get used to it.

And then they went to bed.

By early morning, Thyme was ready to leave. Momo gave him a bag of vegetables, fruit and prepared meals for him, the weight of all this food felt reassuring on his back.

He stood there by the front door, and sighed.

“What is it?” Momo asked, placing a soft hand on Thyme’s back, who sighed again.

I don’t know, is what Thyme did not say. It wasn’t like he wanted to leave, he just felt he couldn’t stay.

Since Thyme didn’t answer, they both stood quiet for a minute, until Momo let out a small “Oh!” and went away to look for something.

Thyme turned just in time to see him return, hands hiding behind his back.

“It’s dangerous to go alone” said Momo, smiling. “Take this.”

And he gave Thyme a mop.

Thyme said nothing for another hot minute and then, he laughed. Hard. Bent forward to cackle loudly even though it wasn’t that funny- even though he was pissed off at himself and leaving Momo was killing him. Even though the tears that stung his eyes weren’t of laughter. Goddesses, was he thankful for his long bangs that covered his face.

Momo chuckled softly and pressed the mop to Thyme’s chest, and kissed his jaw. “You’re going to be okay.”

Thyme nodded, took the mop with a small smile and a sniffle. His voice came out thankful, it cracked a little when he said, “I’ll come back soon.”

Momo stood up on tiptoes to press a kiss to the corner of his lips. “You will.”

Thyme knew he would.

Momo indeed came out naked, but Thyme couldn’t indulge in the view at all, when Momo’s face showed no emotion. His skin glowed softly, and Thyme recognized it instantly.

“You don't have to” he said.

But Momo didn’t answer, didn’t listen. He slowly walked towards his lover and pressed a soft hand to his chest, pushing him onto the bed.  Thyme’s breath hitched, and he closed his eyes shut tight as he braced himself for what was to come.

He felt it then, Momo’s weight on the bed, could feel him hover above his own body and then his soft lips pressed to his own.

He knew this sensation too well- Momo’s energy was fresh at the first contact, then warm as it spread all under the skin of his face, into his skull. When Momo’s hand touched his arm, Thyme felt goosebumps.

Thyme felt his eyes wet as tender pleasure and relief overcame his senses and forced his body to relax and melt under Momo’s healing touch.

When Momo finally laid completely a top him, the sensation was the same- fresh at first, warm as it spread to his flesh and under his skin, through his bones, into his veins.

If the situation were any different, his body would’ve reacted to Momo’s charm in a much more intimate way. But Thyme was tired and sad and a little scared and his body was overwhelmed with Momo’s energy. It just couldn’t be.

When Momo rolled off of him, Thyme knew he wouldn’t be able to move. His entire body felt like dead weight and it took all of his strength to just turn his head to the side and meet Momo’s naked back.

He couldn’t speak, either.

Thyme slept for two days.

On the third day, Thyme woke up to Momo’s voice talking outside to a neighbor. But by the time he got out the bed and dressed, Momo was already inside the house, and he was quiet again.

Momo greeted him with a sparkling wide eyes, opened his mouth but made not a single sound. Then closed it again and he looked away, his face blank again.

Thyme sighed, and let it be.

They cooked in silence, together.

They bathed in silence as well, but Momo approached him with soap in his hands and curious eyes. Thyme gave him a small smile, and let Momo wash his beard.

His reward came when Momo took his hand and lead him to the bed, and he watched how his skin glowed again, droplets of water on his back sparkled as Thyme indulged to watch his beloved’s body.

And then he was pushed onto the bed, and he closed his eyes as the healing session started again.

Momo had a large breakfast the next day- to recover all the energy he poured over his entire body in order to heal Thyme’s. Thyme found his appetite was back as well and on the fifth day they went grocery shopping.

He heard Momo’s voice for the first time since he arrived- to talk to the fishermen and look for trade. They never spoke to each other.

On the sixth day Momo washed Thyme’s beard for the last time, and then shaved it.

He then dropped a small peck on Thyme’s chin and for the first time since they met, Momo smiled.

That night, Thyme couldn’t take it anymore. He fought through the weight of Momo’s energy to raise a heavy hand and bury it into the smaller man’s hair. He opened his mouth with a groan and kissed Momo back, his tongue reaching inside for a taste he missed so badly. He missed Momo so much.

But he froze the moment he felt Momo’s body tense up against his.

He pulled his hand away slowly, and let Momo roll off of him again.

He didn’t sleep that night, and watched Momo’s back shake for hours, until it stopped.

Thyme rose with the sun on the seventh day, dressed up, and made breakfast.

Momo greeted him with a tired smile and dull eyes, and then sat to eat.

Thyme sat by his side, and put a hand on Momo’s, keeping him from picking the fish with his fork.

“You are mad at me” Thyme said.  

Momo looked at him, eyes wide in shock, but soon he regained his composure and Thyme felt Momo’s hand relax under his own.

“I don’t really know anymore” Momo said softly.

Thyme felt a lump on his throat, as he let out a soft, pleading, “I’m sorry.”

Momo shook his head. “I never experienced this with someone.”

Thyme’s voice shook a little. “I know, I’m sorry” he said, “Momo I’m so sorry.”

“No, don’t talk.”

Momo moved his hand away from Thyme’s, picked on a vegetable with his fork. He then rose it to Thyme’s face and pressed it to his lips until Thyme opened his mouth and took it.

“I’ll speak until you finish that bite” Momo said.

Thyme nodded, and began to chew very, very slowly.

Momo sighed.

“When you decided to leave- I thought it was the best for you, because you know yourself better, because I thought it’d take only a day or two. Even if it hurt, of course I let you go” Momo said. “I missed you a lot, you didn’t even send a letter- I thought I made a mistake. That I should’ve insisted you to stay- you left for three months, Thyme” Momo choked, “at some point-- at some point I even dared to think that you left because I couldn’t provide enough for you. Because I wasn’t enough for you.”

Thyme shook his head and brought his hands to cup Momo’s face, wet with tears. The food in his mouth was chewed beyond comfort and ready to be swallowed, but he kept it on his tongue and waited.

“Maybe I was too loud and annoying?” Momo let out a sniffle and closed his eyes, pushing more tears down his face. “Maybe I was too dense and hurt you sometimes? I didn’t know- I couldn’t tell and I was scared because I never cared for someone the way I cared for you.”

“I missed you, I love you” Momo pressed a kiss on Thyme’s palm. “When you left, it broke my heart.” He sobbed, “When you came back to me all weak and sick and told me you were a mess without me, it also broke my heart.”

Thyme then swallowed his food and pulled Momo’s face in for a hard kiss. He was a little too rough and eager, driving Momo to the edge of his seat- but shorter man decided in a quick move to sit on Thyme’s lap instead. Momo wrapped both his arms around Thyme’s neck as the kiss deepened, and they both tasted breakfast.

Momo pulled away to brush Thyme’s hair away from his face so he could see it and kiss it.  Thyme pressed blind desperate kisses to wherever he could reach of Momo’s face and neck.

“I missed you, I love you” whispered Thyme. “When I see you cry for me, it breaks my heart.”

Momo let out a shaky, breathless laugh and kissed the scare across Thyme’s eye. Then the bridge of his nose, then his lips again.  

“Forgive me” whispered Thyme against their kiss, “talk to me again.”

Momo sniffled, nodded his head and whispered back. “I liked your beard” he confessed.

Thyme smiled, nuzzled him. “Then why did you shave it?”

“Because I was petty.”

Finally, Thyme laughed and his own tears fell as relief sank on his soul. “So you were mad at me.”

“Next time you leave me for so long without a word, and come back ill like that” Momo warned, teasing, “I’ll shave your entire head.”

Chuckling, Thyme pressed a kiss on Momo’s chest.