#iyslwin

[rprambles]

GW2 - Traditions

"Iys, look up!"

Iyslwin didn't quite sigh as he looked up from his book. Taerryn leaned on the arm of his chair, one hand holding a sprig of greenery above his head. "It's mistletoe!" she announced brightly.

Iyslwin turned back to his book.

"Iys, you silly, you're supposed to kiss me."

"I'm not kissing you because of a dumb Wintersday tradition, Tae."

A moment of quiet passed. He didn't have to glance over to know she was pouting a little.

"What if I ask nicely?"

"No?"

"What if I ask nicely without the mistletoe?"

He bit back the urge to smirk at that. "I'd consider it."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the mistletoe bounce across the floor. He looked over at her; now resting her head on her hands, she smiled back. "Will you kiss me, Iys?"

Iyslwin held her gaze for a moment. Then with a long-suffering sigh he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. A gentle kiss that hardly lasted for more than a moment, but Tae still beamed and squirmed happily when he pulled away. "Thank you!"

"Mhmm." Iyslwin shook his head as he returned to his book.

[rprambles]

♮

Taerryn shuffled through her covers, frowning when she only found blankets. "Any luck, Adder?" A soft whine came from beneath the cot and she frowned. "Well, it couldn't have gotten up and walked away, it's a shirt."

"Looking for this?"

She turned to see Iyslwin in the entryway, her hoodie held out in one hand. "Yes! Thank you, Iys!"

"Your peacock had it."

Taerryn put her hands on her hips. "His name is Feathers and you know it."

Iyslwin's smirk faded quickly, the knot of gnarled bark at her shoulder catching his gaze. As his eyes followed the thin scar down the center of her chest to the crude crescent mark there it occurred to Taerryn that Iyslwin had never seen her scars from the attack.

She took his hand in hers and laid it over the knot that had first grabbed his attention. He froze for a second, uncertainty plain on his face. She smiled and cupped his face. "I'm alright, Iys. Thanks to you."

"To Cerys, you mean," he argued, voice lacking its usual bite. He smoothed his thumb over the rough bark, brow furrowing as his eyes darkened. "It's not going to happen again."

"I know." Taerryn stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. To her surprise, he wrapped an arm around her middle, holding her against him. He didn't meet her gaze, still focused on her scar. She didn't argue, simply laying her head on his chest and embracing him as well.

[rprambles]

Tae/Iys for shits and giggles, again whatever you feel like

- First impression of each other? Was it love at first sight?

For Tae it was. She's had a crush on Iys from the second she saw him and he grudgingly put up with her adoration. Eventually she grew on him.

- What annoys them the most about their partner? Would they change it if they could?

Tae often gets exasperated with Iys's rough attitude, but wouldn't want him to change, because then he wouldn't be Iys. Iys wishes Tae would think things through for a change.

- Do they discuss big issues? Religion? Marriage? Children? Death?

Yes, they do. Tae's naivety shows in these conversations often, but she also brings interesting insight. Iys keeps the conversations within the bounds of reality.

- Do they celebrate holidays? Anniversaries?

Tae does, and drags Iys along for the 'fun'.

- Do they keep secrets? Lie? Cheat?

Tae does occasionally commit a lie of omission, usually when she thinks the truth will just upset Iys badly. Iys keeps his past to himself, but otherwise is honest with Tae.

- What does their home look like? Their room?

Currently they live on a beach in Caledon. They share a sizable tent with two cots and their few possessions scattered around.

- Do they share any interests or hobbies?

They both have an interest in alchemy and herbal medicines. Iys has more experience with it and tutors Tae.

- Does their work ever interfere with the relationship?

Iys's work with the Priory often calls him away for weeks at a time. Tae misses him, but tries not to mention it as she knows he's doing important work.

- Any doubts about the relationship?

They both have doubts to an extent, Iys feeling that Tae could definitely do better than him. Tae's general self-doubt makes her want to be the best friend possible to Iys, to thank him in a way for sticking with her.

- How do their friends feel about their relationship? Their families?

Ava has no idea how Tae can stand Iys for more than an hour at a time.

- Do they ever get into trouble? Is it serious, or are they just mischievous?

Tae's always getting into messes. Iys has no idea how she does it and it makes him worry.

- What kind of presents do they get each other? Do they only do it on special occasions?

Tae's always making Iys cookies and treats for when he's away. Iys occasionally gets her things, usually items that help her take care of herself and keep safe.

- Do they bring out the best in each other, or the worst? Do they have a fatal flaw?

For the most part they bring out the best. Tae brings out Iys' protective streak and Iys inspires Tae to be stronger.

- Do they let each other get away with things that would normally bother them?

Iys lets Tae get away with so much crap XD Tae tolerates more rudeness and grouching from Iys than anyone else.

[rprambles]

"Why are you so angry?"

"Angrier than usual, anyway," Tae added, propping her chin on her hands. "Is it because you’re up late?"

Iys rubbed his eyes wearily; he looked as if he hadn’t slept well in days. “Wait for it.”

She tilted her head, but waited obediently. A few minutes later a drunken chorus drifted through the street below the balcony. Tae peered over the railing. “Oh, sailors! They’re quite drunk, aren’t they? Have they been doing this every night?”

Iys didn’t respond and she looked up to see him grabbing his staff and headed for the stairs. “Where are you going?”

"I’m going to go set them on fire."

Tae gawked at him. “Iys, you can’t do that!”

Iys gave a thin smile. “Watch me.”