Until Noon

The hours were counted, but in a fair order that left room for comfortable improvement for the work to be done. It had been a myriad of days for Thaladrius since he'd begun working on this curious project out in the woods to the west of Eversong, a place that remained surprisingly desolate from the neighboring sanctums further up north. Along the grass rested much of his armor as well as his trusted bow and quiver. He was holding on a rope, the other end secured to a branch far out in the distance. He pulled it to keep it taught, the thoughtful expression murmuring numbers quietly as he took calculated steps in a measured manner that brought him closer to another tree. All around him, the eyes of nature watched the curious Captain work. He settled the rope perfectly to yet another branch. He shifted a log and rolled it with a grunt along the ground until he was satisfied with its position. At one point, he was straddling a branch far up in the canopies, letting himself hang upside down as he fixed a wooden board, carefully painting targets to match the numerous ones that could be seen shimmering in the sunlight of the morning. When his boots touched ground again, he raked a hand through his hair and breathed out. Caring very little for the condition of his perspiring form, he began to put on his armor again and gathered his bow before glancing over a shoulder at his finished work. He was exhausted, there was no denying that, but the sheer anticipation that he felt gave him just enough energy to grin and make his way back home. He'd left him a letter on this morning, two simple words, one moment to be called for them to be standing before one another once again.

As he neared their cabin, he paused to look at the home, smiling broadly as he pulled the door open to go inside. Everything remained undisturbed. Even the kettle he had left was still resting on the counter, but the plum was missing now. His ear twitched as he heard movement upstairs, the familiar sound of cloth brushing against skin making him smile further. He settled his bow in its rightful place. His footsteps echoed across the cabin as he made his way up the stairs to their loft. Laying there bathed in the afternoon light was a sight he'd been grateful for having every morning now for two years. He sat by his side and brought a hand across Alekiah, grinning as he recognized the shirt he was wearing. “It's big on you,” he pointed out, feeling a little silly for stating the obvious. Regardless, it brought out that same grin out of the courier that he could marvel at for the rest of his days. Slowly, he sat up and pressed his forehead against Thaladrius's own, the scent of the forest and his sweat seeming to be all he wanted to breathe. “I know,” the courier said, one hand already gripping the front of the Captain's armor. “It looks better on you, anyway,” he teased lightly before kissing him warmly. He wanted to tell him about his work. He wanted to show him the thought that he put into their training as well as their future, but as he pulled Alekiah to lay over his lap so that he could continue kissing him amidst their shared laughter, he settled on the joy of the moment, on the one that the sun bathed within that silent cabin their called 'Home'.