Doing a bit of a writing exercise here! focused on descriptions! Using our dear old Fable characters as the characters I'm writing from-
(Aax!:)
As Aax crept down the wooden staircase, a waft of chilly air met them. The breeze ruffled their hair, blowing strands very softly in different directions. A few steps down, and the comforting sound of trickling water could be heard. A small smile crept across his face as he took a deep breath, absorbing the familiarity of this cave environment he was stepping into. A board creaked as he made his way onto the bridge, settling against the rough wooden railings to peer at the stream of water below.
Also below, was a bench. And that bench was perfect. Wool blankets were draped over the wood, colored to each person they represented. He couldn't help but smile at that; Rae had organized them, like he always did with everything else. It was endearing. Eventually, Aax trailed down the stairs, dragging his hand across the cold and damp stone wall, his fingers bumping up an down over the grooves and patches of moss. The moss at the bottom made a slight crunching sound almost reminiscent of snow when he stepped off the stairway. The humid yet cold air of cave was stronger down here, next to the winding stream.
He took his spot on the bench, sitting in the little magenta square of fabric, curling their legs up and getting cozy, just looking out onto the flowing water, which was dotted with different plants. The reflection of glowberries, the large dripleaves, the lilypads. It was all perfect. It felt like home. And it was built by a person who felt like home- and that made it all the better.
(Rae!: )
The clacking of his boots and slightly heavy breaths filled the air as he twirled his way down the winding stairs. The rest of the silence was filled by a quiet melodic hum, recalling the notes of a song he remembered from long ago, although he neglected to remember exactly where it was from. His book of notes tapped against his thigh with every step, swinging back and forth. With a few more turns, he felt the cold cave air rustle his cape. The smell reminded him of his partner, Aax; who was also the man who he'd decorated this for... well, one of them, at least. The cold air was almost refreshing after being cooped up in his study all evening; it banished the growing indifference from his mind. Best of all, it felt easier to breath.
His boots were not loud, but they weren't exactly what one would call quiet, either. As he made his way across the bridge, he heard a soothing, calm voice ask, "Rae?". The scientist jumped a bit- he hadn't expected anyone to be down here. Usually Aax was at the dock, and Caspian in his workshop. Both would return at night, Caspian's shirt stained by grease and hair as tangled as when he first awoke; and Aax's hands smelling of fish. He had grown used to the smell of fish, along with the lingering taste of rotten flesh. It didn't bother him anymore- in fact, it reminded him of Aax, and that was good enough for him. That didn't mean he'd eat rotten flesh of his own choice, though.
"Aax?" he chirped back warily, peering around the corner of the post. Warm black eyes stared into his, half obscured by small red glasses. A sharp-toothed smile spread across the olm's face, and Rae quickened his pace down the stairs, barely noticing the increase in humidity and chill, as well as the growing noise of the stream flowing through the area. His fisherman rose to greet him, wrapping his cold arms around the taller man's torso. Rae brushed the mop of white hair away for a moment to place a quick kiss on the smaller man's forehead, wrapping his own arms around the other's shoulders.
"Come sit!" Aax chirped, pulling away and leading Rae by the hand to the bench, patting the seat with a soft laugh.
"We've not gotten to sit for a while, have we?" Rae asked, crawling up onto the bench. Aax shook their head, nestling into his side and taking one of Rae's hands in his two, playing with his ink-stained fingers and comparing the differences in the size.
"We can fix that now, though!" Aax assured, looking up to meet Rae's now green eyes. "so, baby, what've you been studying?"