Happy Birthday, Mr Bluerider

Writers: Leigh M-F., Paula
Date Posted: 30th July 2015

Characters: Im're, Lokkun
Description: A small, quiet celebration. That's the best kind.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 7

It was just a clay bowl, but there was a reason Lokkun had taken it from storage. For one, it was a gorgeous dark shade of blue that seemed to glow, decorated with a lovely pattern of crests and swirls in a lighter blue. For another, it seemed nearly everyone had an assortments of bits, bobs, and oddiments that needed to be contained in one place for the sake of organization and finding exactly what you needed at the right time. Thirdly, it was Im're's birthday, and Lokkun wanted to give him something. So he wrapped the bowl in a plain kerchief after his shift was over, and sent Pegas with a scrap of hide to find Im're. The message read "I heard it was your birthingday, so I have a present for you. Can you meet me? - Lokkun."

The reply was scribbled at the back of Lokkun's message: "Come to my weyr after drills. I have wine. I"

His weyr? Lokkun hadn't yet been to Im're's weyr. And wine too? His heart rate and his imagination took off at the same time, and persisted in not settling down as he spruced up and went to find Im're's living area at the appropriate time.

"Hey, Lokkun," Im're came to greet him at the entrance. He smiled at the healer.

The apprentice smiled back shyly. "Happy birthingday, Im're," he said, holding out the wrapped bowl. "I hope you like your present."

"Of course I like, it's from you," Im're replied while showing him in. "And it can't be worse than knit woolen socks my mother sent me. I mean wool socks, in River Bluff Weyr's climate? When would I wear them?" he was chatting bit nervously. After all, Lokkun was in his weyr for the first time.

Lokkun laughed. "You haven't even seen it yet," he teased, looking around the weyr. It was cozy and homey. He liked it already. "But you can use the socks even in this climate. The next time you need to go between, you could wear them. So your mother being motherly was quite useful." He smiled at Im're again, pleased with his logic.

"Good point at that. She also sent scarf and wher-hide gloves that I will definently wear when riding," Im're replied. He unwrapped his gift and lifted the bowl up in the air to inspect it. The crafter in him appreaciated the quality of the craftmanship and the artistry of it. "It's lovely, thank you," he said with sincere tone.

The apprentice blushed. "You're welcome," he said, shuffling a booted foot. "I hope it comes in handy."

"I'm sure it does," Im're replied and placed it on his small table next to the gifts from his family. He was suddenly feeling as nervous as Lokkun seemed to be. His heart bounded and his mouth felt dry. Was today the day when they took their relationship one step further? "Ehm, wine?"

Lokkun's imagination ran off with him again. He firmly hauled it back. "I'd love some. Where did you put it? I'll serve." Im're shouldn't have to, since it was his birthday.

"There," Im're pointed a book case against the wall. His weyr was small and didn't have much furniture. It was still cozy and the bluerider did have an eye for furnishing. Probably as part of his woodcraft-training.

The healer picked up two goblets and the bottle in question. "Oh, is this one of those rosé wines? My mother used to love these," he remarked, uncorking the bottle. "I can't remember if I ever tried one, though. Probably because the majority of them were pink. Silly, huh?" He poured out an appropriate measure in each goblet, set the bottle aside, and handed one serving to Im're. "To you on your birthingday," he toasted, having a drink. "Oh, that's nice," he said in surprise, not realizing some drops lingered on his lips.

"Thank you," Im're said and lifted his goblet before taking a sip. He noticed the drops on Lokkun's lips and his eyes lingered on them. He wanted to lick them away.

"You're welcome." Lokkun had another drink and sat close to Im're. "What else do you like to do on your birthdays? I tend to work through mine. Actually," he added sheepishly, "I did that when I was a shepherd, too."

"I like to celebrate it with my friends," Im're replied. He carefully inched even closer and placed his free hand behind Lokkun's shoulders.

Lokkun practically glowed. The redhead's touch made him feel safe and appreciated, so he moved close enough that their biceps brushed. "Well, if you want to celebrate, I don't have to be back at work especially early tomorrow," he offered, and then blushed as he realized how that sounded. But then again.... he found he didn't really mind how it sounded.

"Well, now, don't give me any ideas," Im're said slowly, his hand moving to play with Lokkun's hair.

The healer briefly wondered if Im're didn't like the idea, but the fingers in his hair suggested otherwise. Didn't it? "Do you have early drills tomorrow?" he asked hesitantly.

"No, they start at the tenth candlemark, thank Faranth," Im're replied. He leaned to kiss but hesitated just before their lips met. He was not some suave, seductive bluerider. He was young, shy, holdbred bluerider who wasn't always so comfortable with himself.

Lokkun was far from suave or seductive or confident himself. Yet at the moment, that didn't matter in the least. He adored Im're, felt good and happy around him, wanted to be with him for as long as possible. So for once, he gathered his courage and did what he should have done with his lost friends: He tilted his head up and kissed Im're gently.

The physical response was like jamming his finger into a power generator. Lokkun was actually shocked at how good it felt, how one small kiss made his blood sing and his mind spin madly. He liked it. He liked it a _lot_.

Now that the first barrier was broken, Im're felt more bolder. He moved his hand to cup Lokkun's face and kissed him _properly_.

Lokkun barely remembered to put his wine down before wrapping his arms around Im're's shoulders to return the kiss in a big way. It was really too bad birthdays couldn't happen more often, because this was a marvelous way to celebrate. But then, they did have plenty of time, so they could enjoy themselves.

There were worse ways to celebrate a birthday, Im're thought.

Last updated on the August 6th 2015

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Happy Birthday, Mr Bluerider