It was over, all those years of pain Mercer had caused were finally over, his body left to rot in the flooded room of those ruins, soul no doubt damned courtesy of Nocturnal herself somewhere deep in the evergloom. Skeleton key returned, Gallus's spirit avenged and set to rest, Sol almost didn't know what to do now that it was all over. Sure, they still had work to do in regards to bringing the Thieves Guild back to its former glory, but could one really blame him for wanting to take a moment to breathe now that he could?
Taking over Mercer's old room down in the ratways, all of that man's belongings had been either sold, distributed amongst the members, or tossed into the canal before Sol had even wiped the bastard's blood off his blade, the newly outed half-Lupine now left standing in the middle of the near empty room in quiet disbelief. This...was his room now. He was set to be leader of the Guild even after his secret had been revealed. No one even really cared, the most reaction being the passing of betted coin between hands when he'd told them all that no, he wasn't a werewolf, nor was he dating one, the playful jokes amongst the other members apparently believed to have at least a bit of weight between what few of them there were. He...didn't have to hide anymore, not from the people he'd come to call family, that ring he'd worn for so many years able to sit snuggly in his pocket when amongst the friendly faces of the Flagon. That didn't mean he stopped wearing it though, it still nessecary for discretion when out above ground doing guild work, of course, but he finally had a home he could exist in as himself without fear again.
A family, a purpose, the ability to live out in the open, and yet none of it managed to mean as much to him than what he had with Alain. He would have been satisfied keeping every bit of his old life so long as he got to keep the company of his fellow thief, the fact that he had not just him, but all of what he now did the only proof he needed that Nocturnal's luck had returned to the world.
Having removed his Nightingale armor for the night and cast the pieces away to one of two armor stands by the door, the long day having been spent with Brynjolf learning the ins and outs of Guild leadership, Sol could feel the weight of his troubles lift, only to be replaced with the heaviness of fatigue. It wasn't nearly as suffocating, though, no matter how tired he felt, especially since this wasn't a new life he would have to face alone. The others wouldn't let him fail, wouldn't let him fall to self doubt, but not a single member of the Guild could offer him the comfort Alain brought with him just by stepping into the room.
The door had hardly even closed behind the other man before Sol was on him, large, yet so very gentle hands to hold his face in warm palms as a hard kiss was pressed to his lips. All the tension of the troubles of the past were felt leaving him in that kiss, Sol feeling his body relax in a tired contentment as he all but melted into his companion's arms.
Pulling away once lungs began to demand air, Sol busied himself with pressing nuzzle filled kisses along Alain's jaw and neck, a playful nip to be given once forced to pause at the hem of his shirt. "Hi..." Breathed out in a giggle before pressing another kiss to the other's lips, warm hands shifted to hold Alain's hips as he rested their foreheads together.
"I...know there's a lot going on, that there will be for a while as we get things back in order, and that means we might not get to see eachother much inbetween jobs, so I...got you something." Pulling away just as much as needed to maneuver, Sol reached a hand into an inner pocket of his under armor, only to pull out a pair of rings held out in his palm. They were a simple silver band, one set with a gem the same yellow as Sol's eyes, and the other a gem to match Alain's.
"When we were out working to get Gallus's journal decoded, I came across an enchantment amongst the work of the wizard I'd...borrowed the translation guide from, it talking about a theory on how to enchant an item with a detect life spell, meant to be used for undercover soliders and the like to keep a silent track on where they were and if they were still alive. I um...figured out the rest of the formula that hadn't been worked out yet, and I...put it into these rings." Face red and eyes cast nervously to the side, it was hard to believe this was the same man that was set to run then entire Thieves Guild of Skyrim with how flustered he was.
"You know how I get when you're gone for too long, and after what happened with Mercer...I don't want you to ever have to wonder if I'm alive ever again." Slowly taking Alain's left hand in his, the yellow gem ring was settled onto the man's ring finger a moment later, once it was clear he wasn't going to pull away. "This way, you won't have to wonder, and neither will I." It wasn't something Sol was going to deny, the love in his eyes as he smiled at Alain, there a gentle bolt of warmth to be felt emit from the rings as Sol settled his own into place, the link between them to be felt so long as they both wore their respective half.
After Solâs disappearance, reappearance, Mercerâs betrayal, Karliahâs return, the revelations that the Nightingales were real, becoming one, and watching Mercer die by Solâs hand, it was a wonder to Alain that the half lupine didnât collapse on the spot after being made the leader of the guild. Then again, if it were anyone else, Alain wouldnât have even half of the faith in them as he had in Sol, then again no one in Tamriel could be half as precious in Alainâs eyes, not after everything they went through and not when seeing Sol so relaxed with what was essentially their family in the flagon.Â
Though, as much as he loved to spend time with the others, right now, none of them were who Alain wanted to see. Sol was, especially after their time apart and the scare that Alain only now had time to fully recover from.Â
Out of his armor and dressed in something tight but casual, he heads to Solâs new room. Hands on him the second he stepped in, Alain canât be bothered to hold back the soft moan that leaves him the second Solâs lips meet his, hands going up to tangle in Solâs hair, just behind those cute ears that he loved so much and was so excited to get to see more often.Â
Whining as they had to part, Alainâs complaints canât last long as Sol continues to pepper his neck and most importantly the mark of their bond with affection. That affection is enough to earn him a very content dhampir that stared lovingly in Solâs eyes as his hands move down to rest on strong shoulders. âHey, yourself, love.âÂ
It was hard to believe that it had only been a few days ago that he thought heâd never have this again, never have Sol again. When Mercer came back to the guild alone, he had been beside himself with grief, heading to Snow Veil Sanctum to find Sol himself, to at least bury the man that he loved if he had to. He had toâŚ. He had to know, and the second he saw that ring, saw the arrow, he knew what was going on, and abandoning the actual job he had, he headed straight back to Riften just to punch Mercer as hard as he could, only stopping at one hit because of Brynjolf.Â
But that was the past, recent as it may be. Right now, all Alain could bring himself to care about was the man in front of him as he took in every word. It was true. Even without being one of the people managing the guild, he would hardly have any time to rest with the amount of jobs that were coming in, both from Maven and other members of Skyrimâs underworld, and as loathe as Alain was to be away from Sol, he was eager to get a hand into as many pockets as he could now that they were blessed once more with the luck of Nocturnal.Â
Reluctantly letting Sol move away from him, Alain canât control the gasp that leaves him as Sol takes out the rings. His hand trembled slightly as Sol took it and slipped the ring on, his eyes not leaving the other ring as the rush of warmth from the enchantment filled him and brought color to his pale cheeks.Â
For a moment, Alain tries to speak, mouth opening as he tries to form the words, but for once, his silver tongue is failing him as the sheer weight of this gesture, the sheer amount of love and affection he felt for the other man stealing his words as he instead takes his loverâs face in his hands, thumbs stroking his cheeks for a second before he presses his lips to Solâs in a firm kiss, pressing his body against his, only parting when he needs to to breathe after a long long moment of only that kiss. Panting, softly, his lips move down to kiss at Solâs jaw, lips ghosting over marks that he left behind during the âtreatsâ that Sol let him take from time to time.Â
âI⌠I love them, Solveig.â An understatement. It was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given him, the only gift a lover had ever given him other than their blood. âI love it so muchâŚâ Kissing the bite mark, he nuzzles the spot gently, hands not leaving Solâs. âOther than returning here alive⌠this is the greatest gift you have ever given me, thank you.â for making me yours.