#ryner saga

[ipatrichor]

The Twin Blades

A mercenary duo defending villages on the outskirts of the Jorgen Empire against attacks from the north, comprised of husbands Cole and Atticus Ryner. They became experts at fighting demon-possesed berserkers, and kept fighting for years, seemingly unstoppable no matter the odds. Eventually their luck ran out, and Atticus was possessed himself. The couple was unwillingly separated, and in the five years since there's been no sign of either.

[ipatrichor]

"I hate math," Atticus scowls, haphazardly running a hand through his hair.

Cole bites back an amused smile. After sitting through so many rants on the same subject, the way Atticus starts to look like a disgruntled cat when he complains is endearing enough that amusement far outweighs annoyance.

"It makes no sense!" He gestures wildly. With the ease of long practice, Cole leans to the side to avoid getting smacked. "There are all these nonsense rules, and they all have exceptions but follow no internal logic so there's no way to tell whether a rule applies or not!"

Cole pats him on the shoulder in commiseration, cutting to the heart of the matter. "Did you get another B in math?"

Atticus groans, slumping to rest his head on the desk. "It's so bullshit, Cole."

"Mhm."

"I study so hard!*

"You do."

"I have an A in everything else!"

"You do."

"It just doesn't make sense..." He turns to the side, looking up at Cole with an adorable pout.

...Adorable? Cole blinks, nearly forgetting to respond. The thought catches him off guard, sneaking in out of nowhere. Does he... think his friend is adorable?

Huh.

Huh.

"I'll study with you?" He offers, shoving that away to examine probably never. It's only after he's made the offer that he realizes it probably won't be helpful- his math grades are even worse. He can't help but flush a little embarrassed, but it's too late to take it back now.

Atticus lifts his head, eyebrows lifting slightly. There's a moment of surprised silence, and then his whole face lights up in a delighted smile.

"You'd do that? Thanks!"

Cole can feel his heart skip a beat, and inwardly curses the dark green blush he's sure is painted across his face.

"No problem," He manages, only a bit stiffly. "We'll figure it out together."

Atticus's smile turns distinctly fond in a way that leaves Cole unable to tear his gaze away, and he leans over to lightly bump shoulders.

"Yeah. Together."