Awkward Nuts

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 15th August 2024
Series: Bronze and Blue Entwined

Characters: K'mai, I'serin, I'lon
Description: I'serin attempts to make up for being awkward and fails
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 19 of Turn 11

K'mai

I'serin

Notes:
~~~~~~~

"Don't bore me with talk about that so-called 'mystery spice' they use at Sunstone Hold," I'lon remarked to K'mai, cutting in tone but mirth twinkling in his gold-ringed-blue eyes. "I've heard plenty about it. It's just a colored red spice."

The two blueriders were at the latest Cyan Wing party, chatting up over drinks (or tea in I'lon's case) in the corner. Though no longer officially in Cyan, I'lon still managed to secure invites to social events. Their current topic of conversation was interesting foods found at other places.

"_You_ were the one who asked," K'mai said.

"I assumed that you were going to tell me something that I didn't know," I'lon chuckled. His gaze shifted as he caught sight of something across the room. He made a curious sound. "An unexpected guest," he purred, nodding his chin towards a certain bronzerider who was quietly but obviously looking for someone.

K'mai sighed. "Poor I'serin. I scared him off last time."

I'lon's eyebrow arched curiously. "Did you now? How so?"

"I flirted too much. Of course I wasn't serious." K'mai took a drink. "I know what that shiny bronze hide means."

"Untouchable, usually," I'lon remarked. Both riders watched as I'serin's eyes swept the room and then, surprisingly, landed on K'mai. As he approached, I'lon chuckled softly, "It seems as though you're about to get a second chance at scaring him off."

K'mai watched I'serin curiously, giving him a pleasant smile.

The bronzerider stopped somewhat stiffly in front of the two. There was something in his hands, a small box. He nodded to each rider, saying "I'lon" to one and "K'mai" to the other but there was definitely a different, softer tone used on the latter. "If I may...have a quick word with you, K'mai?" he asked.

"Of course." K'mai's eyes drifted to the box. He was definitely interested now.

I'serin's eyes flickered to I'lon, who smirked. "I'll leave you two to your _fun_," the bluerider purred as he left the conversation.

The bronzerider watched I'lon leave with a guarded expression but then returned his gaze to K'mai. "I..." he started to say and then he stopped awkwardly. He handed over the little box. "I thought you might enjoy these," he explained.

The box contained frosted nuts. K'mai opened his mouth, closed it, and then decided to just plunge on. "I do enjoy putting nuts in my mouth sometimes. Thank you."

I'serin caught the innuendo immediately. Heat rushed through him, embarrassment and attraction flushing his cheeks. "I..." he stammered, then stopped. He should have seen this. He should have guessed. Stupid. Dense! Suppressing his emotions, he focused on _why_ he had brought K'mai a gift. "The anniversary of River Bluff is tomorrow. And I...felt poorly for how I left our last conversation."

That knocked the wind right out of K'mai's sails. "Oh, right." River Bluff . . . "I should apologize too. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I had a few drinks in me and got a little too playful."

The problem wasn't you, was what I'serin wanted to say. But he didn't. "No harm done," he offered as a compromise. Boldly, he covered K'mai's hands with his own around the box, both offering comfort and allowing himself just that small amount of touch. "I hope that you enjoy them," he said before taking his hands away. He took a step back, intending to leave.

"This is really thoughtful, I mean it." K'mai said. "If you want to talk about River Bluff, I'm here for you. Or if you need a distraction, I can help with that too." He smiled, but his eyes held shadows and there was no hint of flirting.

Knowing full well where distractions might lead, even though K'mai didn't seem like he was flirting just then, I'serin smiled politely. "I appreciate that. Truly. But I will let you enjoy the party." His gaze flickered towards I'lon, who was talking with another rider but looking curiously their way. "I've interrupted your fun enough," I'serin noted. "Be well, K'mai." He gave the bluerider a little bow of his head and exited.

K'mai watched him go.

"Curious," I'lon purred, coming up behind him. "And what did our bronzerider friend want?"

"To give me some nuts." K'mai chuckled as he showed I'lon the box.

I'lon made an assessing sound. "Well," he said, "at least these are edible."

Last updated on the August 29th 2024

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