I love this scene so much because Callum has also lost a lot due to tension between the elves and humans. But all he cares about in the moment is comforting Rayla.
A Ruthari fic based pre-show. adventure. friendship. bad-assery. fluff. angst. romance. and of course, Ruthari. What else could you need?
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From the Start
Previous Chapter
Pre-warning for a little bit of Language and a little bit of kissy kissy
The shadowed figure in the doorway stalked towards him, Ethari took a step backwards, the back of his legs hitting his workbench. He was trapped. He glanced around, but the only doors in and out of the workshop were behind the figure. He took a deep breath, readying himself to scream or yell or cause a ruckus but stopped dead still when the figure’s face came into view from the dim glow from the forge. It was Runaan and he had a most determined look on his face. Ethari faltered in his movements, but Runaan kept moving until he was right in front of him, that piercing gaze holding Ethari captive.
“Did you mean it?” He asked, almost growled.
“Mean what?” Ethari asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Runaan’s hand came up to cup Ethari’s cheek, fingers gently tracing along his tattoos.
“Is there more where that came from? I made it back.” His eyebrow raised, almost cockily as he smiled at Ethari.
Ethari could barely hold a coherent thought let alone speak right now, with Runaan’s fingertips tracing his skin so gently. He just nodded and closed his eyes as Runaan surged forward and kissed him hungrily. It was everything Ethari had hoped for and his arms came up to grasp Runaan tighter as he returned the kiss, grasping fistfuls of tunic, never wanting to let him go again.
Runaan seemed to mirror the sentiment as his other hand came up until he was cradling Ethari’s face in his hands, thumbs gently tracing along his cheekbones, fingers tangling at the edges of his hair. One hand moved to cup the back of his head, the other wrapped around him, drawing him impossibly closer, fingertips grazing just under Ethari’s top and leaving trails of burning sensations anywhere skin met skin. Ethari was lost in Runaan. He never wanted to return to reality, wanting to live forever drinking from Runaan’s lips, breathing in his presence.
A single lingering concern broke through the haze and Ethari pulled back, gasping for air. Runaan’s lips simply moved from his own to his chin, his jaw, his neck. Ethari’s hand went to the back of Runaan’s head, cradling it as he struggled for a moment of rational thought.
“The others?” He managed to breath out.
“Safe and sound.” Runaan said into his neck. He kissed Ethari again and Ethari melted against him, all thought leaving him except the elf kissing him.
***
“I’ll have you know that your little stunt drove me crazy.” Runaan said hours later as they lay comfortably together.
“Crazy good I hope.” Ethari said, playing with a strand of Runaan’s hair.
Runaan leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Crazy crazy. I was hopeless on this mission. The team leader was so disappointed in me. All this buildup and I didn’t even kill anyone.”
“You didn’t?”
“Nope, too distracted by a certain elf.” Runaan gently tapped Ethari’s nose. “I couldn’t stop thinking about him.”
Ethari was quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. He absently traced the tattoos on Runaan’s shoulder until Runaan leaned up on one elbow.
“You went quiet.” He remarked.
“I guess I just don’t understand. I’m not complaining, at all, I just don’t understand.”
“I don’t even know if I can articulate it.” Runaan said.
Ethari nodded, staring up at the roof. He didn’t expect there to be a reason. Sometimes feelings were funny that way. It was enough that they had made it to this point. There was a moment of contented silence before Runaan spoke again.
“You saw me at my lowest, and you were kind, and dependable, and incredibly smart, and funny, and hot as hell.” Runaan leaned down and planted a kiss on Ethari’s shoulder.
Ethari turned shining eyes on Runaan. “I… don’t even know what to say.” He whispered.
“What about you?” Runaan asked.
“What about me?”
“What was… how… did you,” Ethari smiled as Runaan stumbled over his words. Seeing the smile Runaan huffed indignantly, motioning for Ethari to speak.
“I never thought someone like you would even notice me.” Ethari admitted, reaching out to cup Runaan’s face.
“Someone like me?” Runaan nuzzled into the touch.
“Talented, popular, smart, handsome, top on every elf’s wish list.”
Runaan let out a self-conscious chuckle, reaching up to take Ethari’s hand in his own.
“For a long time you didn’t I suppose.”
Runaan looked distressed. He opened his mouth as though to protest but Ethari kept talking.
“It’s fine, I’ve always kind of hung back, not wanted to be the centre of attention. I definitely noticed you, had a crush on you for the longest time, before I even knew you properly.” Ethari paused. “And then when I did, I guess I just saw through the mask. That’s when it really hit me I think.”
“The mask?” Runaan frowned.
“The ‘everything’s ok and I’ve got things figured out’ mask.”
The frown deepened. “You fell for me because I’m actually a disaster?” He clarified.
Ethari laughed. “I mean when you put it that way…”
Runaan leaned over him and smiled. “I think you should stop talking now.”
Ethari smiled back. “I think you should make me.”
Runaan didn’t bother replying and Ethari closed his eyes as Runaan’s lips met his once more.
***
Tiadrin and Lain were waiting for Runaan by the training fields. Lain sitting on a huge tree root with Tiadrin tucked between his legs. He was bent over her shoulder.
“See if you curl your fingers like this,” Lain’s hand curled Tiadrin’s fingers, and then straightened her thumb. “And then I do one too, and then we join them together like this,” he touched their fingertips together. “It makes a heart. See?”
“Uuuugh” Tiadrin let out a long groan, her head falling back against his chest. “You are such a hopeless fucking dork. I love you.”
Lain stiffened behind her, quickly turning her to face him. “You what?” He asked, searching her eyes.
Tiadrin blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out, but now that she had, she wasn’t taking it back. She met Lain’s gaze, sure and steady. She shrugged.
“You heard me.” She said with a shy smile. Lain slid off the root and drew her closer.
“I’d like to hear it again,” He whispered, lips hovering over hers.
“I love you, you dork.” Tiadrin said, closing her eyes.
“I love you too.” His lips descended on hers, arms wrapping her in a tight embrace.
“Ahem.”
Runaan’s voice drew them apart and Lain shot him a dirty look over his shoulder as he released Tiadrin.
“Oh you finally ready for training,” he groused.
“Sorry, I uh- overslept.” Runaan shrugged.
“Oh. My. God!” A huge grin split Tiadrin’s face as she took in Runaan’s appearance. Very well put together but wearing the same tunic as the day before. And were his lips a bit pinker than usual?
Runaan frowned at her. “What?”
Tiadrin just smiled smugly. “Shall we go then?” She asked innocently.
“By all means,” Runaan indicated for her to lead the way.
They spent the morning running drills and exercises, sinking into the practiced familiarity of the movements. Movements that carried extra weight after their last assignment. Still they practiced until they could do the movements in their sleep. Until defence was second nature, and attacking quick as an asp was first. A few hours into the sparring Tiadrin whispered to Runaan.
“Someone’s got a visitor,” she winked and glanced towards the end of the field, where Ethari was watching them. “He’s not here to see me.” She said, grinning.
Runaan rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile as he quickly and confidently took her down until she yielded. “Who knew having your boyfriend here would be so… motivating.” She grumbled, pushing his sword away from her.
Runaan said nothing, just swung again with the practice swords. She parried easily.
“What’s that? No denial?”
“Why would I deny it?”
Tiadrin’s shriek paused all training as every eye on the field turned towards her. She had flung her arms around Runaan, who had turned the colour of a moonberry and was awkwardly hugging her back.
Lain rushed over. “Is everything ok?” He asked, worriedly.
“Yes. fine.” Runaan said. Tiadrin dropped and turned to Lain, a brilliant smile on her face.
“Runaan has some most excellent news. ETHARI!” She turned and waved him over. Ethari cautiously made his way to them. Tiadrin, finally noting that she had drawn a crowd waved the onlookers away.
“As you were folks, nothing to see here.” Several raised eyebrows, smirks, and even chuckles were heard as the assassins returned to their sparring. Ethari reached them in short order.
“Nice of you to come watch us practice,” Tiadrin said meaningfully.
“Ha, yeah I hadn’t been in a while and I-”
“She knows we’re together,” Runaan said, interrupting him and taking his hand. Tiadrin couldn’t help an excited squeal as they interlocked their fingers. Ethari blushed and smiled, his whole face glowing with happiness.
“Finally!” Lain said, reaching out to hug them both.
Tiadrin hugged Ethari fiercely and reached out to punch Runaan in the shoulder.
“If you hurt him I will hunt you down and murder you in your sleep.”
“Tiadrin,” Ethari said, a warning tone in his voice. He had no doubts that she would, but didn’t really want that kind of tension in their group.
“No no, I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Runaan nodded to Tiadrin.
“It’s about bloody time.” She said. Runaan just raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean by that? How long have you known?” Runaan shot an accusatory look at Lain.
“She’s talking about me,” Ethari said, tugging on his hand and pulling Runaan’s glare away from Lain. Runaan softened.
“Oh, of course.”
“I mean, I was talking about both of you,” Tiadrin said, drawing Runaan’s attention once more. She shrugged off the cautioning hand Lain put on her shoulder. “It’s difficult to tell, but once you get to know that Runaan’s ‘I’m into him’ face is only very slightly different to his ‘I hate this’ face and figure out the difference, it was clear as day.”
Runaan turned red and scratched the back of his neck, seemingly uncomfortable with Tiadrin’s discerning eye.
“Well, we should give you two a minute. Not too long though Runaan or you’ll be running laps. You know how Usten gets.” With that Tiadrin and Lain walked away. They hadn’t gone too far before Tiadrin turned around and made an obscene gesture, throwing them an exaggerated wink before turning back and returning to sparring. Runaan and Ethari were left at the end of the training field. Runaan turned to face Ethari, shrugging helplessly.
“I know she means a lot to you, but if a terrible accident were to happen and she somehow lost the ability to-”
Ethari grinned and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek, stopping Runaan mid-sentence. He wasn’t worried about Runaan and Tiadrin fighting, because he knew that Runaan respected and valued Tiadrin, and also because even if things did get a little heated, Tiadrin was more than capable of handling herself. It was, however interesting and somewhat satisfying to see the calming effect a simple kiss had on Runaan. Ethari squeezed his hand gently before letting go.
“I should let you get back to it.” He said softly.
“I’ll see you tonight?” Runaan asked.
“Count on it.” Ethari said, smiling as Runaan leant in to give him a soft kiss. Then another. Then another.
Laughing, Ethari finally pushed him away. “Off with you and train.” He said. Runaan kissed him one more time and then jogged back onto the training field. Ethari settled on the edge of the field and pulled out his sketchbook. It was a glorious day after all, it would be a shame to waste it by staying inside.
AN: Thanks to all for taking this crazy ride with me! I’m about to start uni again for the semester so I’m going to have to leave this one here for now. I do have some more plot ideas but have no idea when I’ll be able to post, so I’m officially calling Hiatus for now. Definitely let me know if you want more though. Thanks to everyone who has liked, reblogged, and commented and encouraged this fic! Y’all turned it into what it is today.
