New Wing, New Opportunities [Hiko/T'lyron]

[Zen]

S'fin :: Green Rusath

S’fin had been in the middle of cleaning up Rau’s side of the weyr a bit when Rusath stirred from her stone couch. Rau was well enough to return to his own bed, but Pallath was still in the dragon infirmary and Rau tended to spend most of his time down there with her, falling asleep between her paws or under her Wing when no one noticed, despite the healers’ best efforts to keep him sleeping in a proper bed. S’fin couldn’t blame him. But from what Rau said, Pallath should be able to return to light duty in the Queen’s Wing by turn’s end.

Doriath’s would like to see you, Rusath intruded on his thoughts and the phrasing made S’fin’s heart skip a bit, He does? Rusath rumbled, Do not get too excited, fool of mine. It did not sound like it would be for the reason you are hoping. S’fin flushed a bit, his response somewhat petulant, And just what am I hoping for? You don’t know. She rumbled again, resting her head back on her paws. Are you going to tell me what it’s for then? Perhaps I shall just let you find out when you get there, she replied passively, closing her eyes as if she meant to sleep. “Rusyyyy!” Rusath. Do not whine. Go now, your cleaning can wait.

With a huff, he turned away from the green and once he was out the door he couldn’t help but wonder what T’lyron might want to see him about if it wasn’t…. He shook his head. Just friend things, probably. They were friends. He slapped his hands on his cheeks lightly, twice for good measure, Get a grip, S’fin. He felt Rusath’s amusement, And you get out of my head if you’re going to keep secrets. Fortunately T’lyron’s weyr was not far from his own, and they were both lucky enough to have caverns access to make for an easy walk. At his door, he paused. He ought to knock, right? After all, T’lyron didn’t have a weyr to himself. He knocked, announced himself, and waited until he heard the invitation to come inside before he opened the door. “Ah, hey! So… Rusy was being a bit of a tailfork… um… was there a specific reason you wanted to see me? Not that you have to have one. I like just spending time with you-” Shells. He cut himself off before he could blather on any further, coughing lightly and rubbing at the back of his neck self consciously, a sheepish sort of grin on his face, “Should… probably just let you talk.”

Hiko

[Hiko]

Well, that was… a surprise, T’lyron thought as he rubbed the back of his neck. He sat alone in his weyr, F’mol still out of the quarters. He didn’t love the idea of approaching either man about the job offer, but at least by doing it separately, they couldn’t gang up and laugh him out of the weyr.
He knew there was every possibility F’mol would say no, but his denial wouldn’t change anything but T’lyron’s pick for a wingsecond. They would still go on about their days without much difference.

S’fin, though - what if he said no? What if he thought the promotion was because of some sort of fondness T’lyron had? Doriath snorted, first within his rider’s mind, then aloud.
I admit, you could have chosen any number of bronzes or browns for the role. But if you are going to commit to this green rider as your second, then stand firm in it. You picked him because of what you saw in him, not because you enjoy his company. Tell him that.

T’lyron frowned at the bronze beast. Did he have to feel so smug when he knew he was right?

A knock at the door caused T’lyron to snap his head toward the sound, further complicating the tension in his neck. He winced, and with one hand rubbing at the crook where the shoulder met the neckline, he opened the door with the other.
“Come on in, S’fin. Rusath didn’t tell you? I, uh.” A flush began to creep over the bridge of his nose and he dropped his hand from his own neck, realizing they were essentially mirroring each other in the action. He laughed softly and walked over to the little table that was already quickly being covered by list rosters and fall charts and pulled out a seat for S’fin before taking one for himself.
“So, uh. A’zael promoted me. I’m going to be a wingleader.” Tlyron shook his head gently, as if still in disbelief. He picked up a list and flapped it at S’fin in a playful gesture. “I’ve spent most of the afternoon going over riders. He wants me to let him know before the next class graduates, who I want in my wing.”
Setting the page back down, he tapped at it, noting the empty slots where he still needed to write in his picks for wingseconds. “What are your thoughts?”

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

Following T’lyron further into his weyr, he smiled softly at the pulled out chair. Little gestures were not lost on S’fin. He took the offered seat, glancing at all the things T’lyron had laid out on the table before he announced his promotion. His gaze snapped back to T’lyron and a grin spread across his face, “He did? You are? Congratulations! That’s great! Is… isn’t it?” T’lyron didn’t seem to really like being in the spotlight. He’d made it rather clear he liked his privacy. Being one of Mavros’s few Wingleaders was probably going to make him a more popular man about the Weyr.

He tilted his head slightly at the list flapping at him and laughed lightly, “So that’s what all this mess is then?” Glancing back at the hides he had spread over the table, he looked back up in surprise when he was asked his opinion on the matter. “My… thoughts on what? I’m sure you’ll make a great Wingleader. Azzy definitely made a good choice,” he smiled easily, and then considered everything for a moment, “Oh, is that why you wanted me to come by? I’d be happy to fly in your Wing, T’lyron.”

He couldn’t imagine what else the man might be asking his opinion on, and though it might be a tad presumptuous to think he had invited him here to personally ask him to be in his Wing, they were friends, and he probably wanted to share the news of his promotion too. S’fin had been flying in Azzy’s Wing since he’d come to Mavros, had been there for his little brother when he could, offering advice whenever it was sought out, and sometimes when it wasn’t. But A’zael had settled into his role… didn’t seem to need him as much anymore. He was still a bit hurt that his brother hadn’t told him about the timing it mission. Maybe a change would be good.

Hiko

[Hiko]

T’lyron shrugged uneasily. He knew it was a good thing, the promotion, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t quite worthy of it. Even with all of A’zael’s praise, it still felt hollow, as if he didn’t actually deserve the position, or that someone might find him lacking once he started.
“I, I don’t know. I suppose it is? It’s the natural progression, right? Moving from wingsecond to wingleader. I just don’t relish the idea of so much attention on me.”

Lightly, he scratched at his forehead, completely at a loss as hot to best ask S’fin. He was a beacon of brightness in all of T’lyron’s darkened thoughts, though, and when the green rider said he would be happy to fly under him, T’lyron choked out a laugh. It was now or never.

“I think you’re more pleased about this than I am, S’fin. And I’m glad you have faith in me. But, on that note… Would you still be happy to fly with me, if I said I wanted you as my second? One of my seconds, I mean? I plan on asking F’mol to be the other one. And it’s not just because you’re-” T’lyron raised his hands, as if one might soothe a scared herdbeast (though it was hard to imagine S’fin as terrified of anything) and quickly added, “You’re a good person. You’re a good listener. A good rider. I - I want there to be an open channel between the colors, and I thought with you as one of my wingseconds, I could have that.”

He lowered his hands and set them at the table, sighing. “You’re so much more emotionally… intelligent than I am. I need that. I need you.”

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

S’fin let a coy little smirk pull at his lips as he leaned forward on the table a bit, one hand under his chin, and he couldn’t help teasing the man, “If you didn’t want attention you shouldn’t have gone and Impressed a bronze.” Then he leaned back, as if to show how relaxed he was because his life was so much easier, grinning, “Everyone ignores greenriders. We can get away with so much more.” He laughed and shook his head, “Some part of you must want it, or you would have said no, mm? You ought to tap in to that part of you and own it. Be proud of the recognition. You definitely deserve it. Mavros is not so lacking in bronzeriders that you were simply the only option available. Honestly. Perhaps Doriath can share a little of his pride with you.” He enjoyed the light teasing. T’lyron was so unlike all the bronzeriders he’d ever interacted with at Southern, and he appreciated the man’s humility, but he still ought to take some pride in himself.

He couldn’t help but laugh when T’lyron pointed out that he seemed happier about this than the bronzerider was, but his mind sort of went blank when T’lyron dropped that he wanted him as one of his seconds. That wasn’t… he was joking right? The first silly thought that went through his head was that there was no way he could be a wingsecond because he was just a greenrider, but almost instantly Rau was there in his head, punching him in the arm. Rau…. Oh, what if the same thing happened to him? What if someone…. Azzy had told him his suspicions because it was Rau that had been hurt, and then promptly told him to keep it to himself, as per the terms of his duel. But S’fin thought the Weyr ought to know. Shouldn’t they? Sure, there wasn’t really any proof, but… if Azzy thought K’rin had done it…. Then again, where those he cared about were involved, Azzy did have a tendency to lose his head. Maybe it wasn’t true, maybe it had just been an accident, and maybe Azzy had been looking for someone to blame. S’fin didn’t know. He hadn’t seen it happen.

He rubbed one hand over his face as he considered this. Had T’lyron told Azzy he wanted him as a second? Had Azzy agreed, after what had happened to Rau? And why-

”I need you.”

His mind went blank again and he felt… warm, at the words, before he blinked at the man several times and chided himself. Not like that. This crush of his was so distracting. But when was the last time anyone had said they needed him? It wasn’t something he was used to hearing, in any capacity. It was… it was nice to hear, no matter how T’lyron meant it. “Shells, T’lyron… how can I say no to that?” he murmured, meeting the man’s eyes as his heart beat a little faster.

He looked down at his hands, now clasped on the table before him, “I… I don’t really know anything about being a wingsecond. I never thought… I mean, it didn’t seem like knowing would ever matter…. I don’t know how good I’ll be, but I’ll try. If that’s… if that’s really what you want.” He looked back up then, still hesitant, because he had never imagined anyone wanting him as their second. Internalized inferiority for his being a greenrider coupled with the rejection he’d faced from bronzeriders made this seem… like it wasn’t real. Like T’lyron would start laughing at him at any moment for believing he really meant it, even though he knew T’lyron would never do that. At least, he didn’t think so. He was different.

Hiko

[Hiko]

He hadn’t expected the little grin S’fin had given him, or the gentle ribbing. The bronze rider tugged at his collar, his skin feeling hot, first at the little flirts, then at the sincere compliments. He wasn’t wrong - there were plenty of bronze or brown riders to pick for the leading of a wing, and he’d been singled out - he had been desirable. He still had no real belief that he was the best for the job, but he’d taken it, been thankful, and had yet to regret the decision, even if he was afraid of ruining it all.

T’lyron shook his head and smiled, grateful that the green rider hadn’t simply laughed in his face and walked out without so much a second thought. He seemed to really consider it, too, as the bronze rider watched the emotions play out over S’fin’s features. When S’fin said yes, though, T’lyron let out a sigh of relief, realizing only then that he’d been holding his breath in anticipation of the answer. But the tone S’fin offered in return was tender, and when he met the green rider’s eyes, his mouth was dry and he once more, if fleetingly, forgot to breathe.

When S’fin looked away, down to his hands, T’lyron wanted nothing more than to grab at them, to reassure him that he was certain in his choice. He hesitated, however, wondering if it wouldn’t be taken poorly, and only finally made the move after the green rider met his gaze once more. Reaching for S’fin’s hand, he squeezed it gently and offered the man a lopsided grin.

“I can’t imagine anyone else in the role, S’fin. I just - I don’t want you thinking I’m asking you out of bias. I really, honestly think you’ll be a good second. It’s what I really want - as long as you do, too.” He cleared his throat and released the green rider’s hand from his own. He looked away, feeling more like an awkward teenager than a leader of anything.

“Just, don’t say yes on my account,” he added, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

He appreciated the reassurance as T’lyron squeezed his hand. He didn’t normally need reassurance… normally he was the one offering it. But he was a bit out of his depth here. He may be unsure about taking on the role, but he thought if he was ever going to do so, T’lyron would be the best Wingleader to serve under. They may not have known each other for very long, but clearly T’lyron placed a lot of trust in him if he wanted him as his second. Though, when the man brought up bias, he couldn’t help but chuckle, teasing again.

“Oh, what sort of bias would that be?” he raised a brow and didn’t do a very good job of hiding a grin. Shells, but he would have to get a handle on flirting with his Wingleader in public. That had obviously not been a problem while his Wingleader was his brother, but now? That might be a bit dangerous. He was so used to being open about who he was and T’lyron was very not. If they were going to be spending even more time together… he’d have to remember that. Not to mention how that would look in front of a Wing. Like bias.

He shook his head and laughed, “You know, T’lyron, for someone that doesn’t like attention, you’re certainly making a very attention grabbing move here, choosing a greenrider for your second…. Then again I suppose maybe the attention would be more on me…. Ah! So that’s your plan! Well, I don’t mind attention. Not used to it, but I certainly don’t mind it.” He grinned, still teasing, and reached back for the bronzerider’s hand, “In all seriousness… I appreciate the faith you have in me, and that… well… it’s nice to hear that you’re needed, on occasion…. I like to go where I’m needed, and if you’re the one that needs me most right now then… I’m all yours.”

He flushed a bit at how that came out, wondered if he shouldn’t pull his hand back as he was trying to talk about the matter at hand and not let his crush on the man run away with him, but… instead he kept it in place. He meant what he said, no matter how T’lyron might interpret it.

Hiko

[Hiko]

The flirting would have to stay under the table if T’lyron hoped to get anything done, he thought, returning the green rider’s grin. The memory of that soft, sweet kiss shared after Rusath’s flight flashed through his mind and he cleared his throat.
Bias, indeed.
“The sort that might undermine a position of authority,” he said stiffly, before reminding himself to relax. “You know I’m not - that no one - shells.”

He offered a scoffing laugh at his own expense. “I won’t lie, the idea of you stealing some of that public attention away from me is appealing. But you’re not wrong. It will garner speculation. I’m of a similar mind to that brother of yours, though, and we need to at least try and move the Weyr forward, rather than stick to the hidebound notions of the past.”

And did that include him? Did that apply to his own preferences? There was still too much internalized guilt for him to say whether or not he would ever feel comfortable enough in being so open about himself. As a defense mechanism, he had grown to like his privacy, and even still, had few friends. Out of those, S’fin remained the only one that knew that aspect of his life. It wasn’t fair, of course, to make the green rider be the secret-keeper to his wants and wishes, nor did T’lyron feel terribly good at being the reason S’fin might change his own actions in the public eye.

He was about to run a hand through his hair in frustration with himself, when S’fin caught it. The green rider’s words brought color to the bridge of T’lyron’s nose and cheekbones, and despite himself, he considered what might lay in those final words of, I’m all yours. He caught himself staring at S’fin’s lips, wondering if they still tasted the same as that day, wondering if-

That was wrong, though. He shouldn’t - couldn’t - shouldn’t think about someone he’d just asked to work directly under him in such a way. Had he made a mistake in asking him to be his second? No, S’fin was a good man, and it was equally unfair to blame attraction for not seeing the man rise in rank.

He snorted and looked over to the entrance of the weyr. F’mol would still be some hours before returning. Another man might have taken S’fin up on that promise. Another man might tell T’lyron he was wasting precious time with his uncertainty.
Another man would lock that door, Doriath offered unhelpfully.

“Can we - that is, we should probably not, uhm. Flirt. Openly. In front of the wing.” He could already taste the leather of his boot. “Not that I don’t want to! I, uh.”
T’lyron winced. “I’m just not very good at this speaking thing, am I? Look, I enjoy being around you. Those little flirts and smiles and - shells. They get under my skin, and I wish I could say it was in a bad way. But I’m sitting here, trying to offer you a promotion, and all I keep thinking about is kissing you.”
His face was utterly red now, and he felt stifled in heat. Still, he didn’t let go of the other man’s hand. “I want you. In the wing. As my second. But when you say things like, “I’m all yours,” it makes it difficult to think. I like thinking.”

Let no one ever tell you that you aren’t a master of the spoken word, my heart.
I’m going to jump off the cliffside, when we’re done here.
Just don’t let anyone see you. Can’t spoil public opinion.

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

He was so easy to fluster. Perhaps he should stop. They were trying to have a serious conversation. S’fin was beginning to feel a bit guilty for his flirting. He just got so little chance to do so, having to be careful with what he said and how he acted with T’lyron in public, which was difficult for him when he was so used to simply being himself. But he wanted to respect the man’s wishes for his privacy concerning his preferences. It wasn’t up to him to make such things known. He sincerely hoped T’lyron might reach a point in his life where he was comfortable being himself, openly and unapologetically… but he knew T’lyron faced different challenges than he did as well. As a bronzerider and now a soon to be Wingleader, he would be even more in the public eye. And if T’lyron wanted to make him his wingsecond and either of them were open about being attracted to the other, it was not difficult to imagine where the gossip and rumors would turn. S’fin cared very little what others thought of him, but for T’lyron’s sake….

The bronzerider stumbled through an explanation of what his flirting was apparently doing to him, and why they should not be open about it, and S’fin sighed, giving T’lyron’s hand a quick, gentle squeeze before reluctantly taking it back, where he forced both hands to his lap to remove any further temptation to reach across the table and touch him. Though he couldn’t help but smile at the fact that the thought of kissing him was apparently a very distracting thought for the bronzerider. He let out a soft laugh, “I know, T’lyron…. It would hardly look good if I let my mouth have free reign in public, if I’m to be your second. Though it may seem difficult to believe at the moment, I do possess self control.” He sighed again, “I’m sorry. I think I’ve been having too much fun at your expense when I should be focused on the reason you called me here. It’s… a lot harder to control myself when we’re alone, it seems.” He gave another sheepish grin, cleared his throat, and though he couldn’t quite resist still being a bit playful about it, he set back to assuring the man that he would not flirt with him in public, “You can be assured, sir, that I shall be professional in a public setting.” He couldn’t promise the same in a private one, however. “I look forward to working with you, T’lyron. I’m happy to be able to assist you in your new role. Even if… I might not be that much assistance at first. I’ll do my best to learn quickly.”

He drew in a long breath, studying T’lyron for a moment and considering all the things he had said, “Would you… prefer if we kept things… well… platonic? I’m…,” he gave a short laugh, “Clearly we both feel some attraction, but… that doesn’t mean we need to act on it. I don’t want to complicate our relationship - our friendship, or our working relationship going forward, if… if you think it would be too difficult to manage. As much as I enjoy flirting with you,” he smiled softly, clasping his hands a bit tighter in his lap as the desire to reach out came to him again, “I want to help you be a good Wingleader. I don’t want anything between us to make it more difficult for you. I understand you face certain challenges and expectations as a bronzerider and… I just don’t want you to end up regretting… me, in your life. I am perfectly happy to be your friend, and your second, and to leave it at that. If it will be easier for you.” Maybe not perfectly happy, but he would rather be his friend than nothing at all.

Hiko

[Hiko]

“Control is… Control is good,” the bronze rider murmured, his face still flushed, though relieved that they could return to talking business.
“You’ll do fine in the role, I’m sure of it. I’ll want your opinions on everything - F’mol’s too, of course, but…”

T’lyron scratched at his scalp, not knowing what to say, or even really what he wanted. He liked the flirtation. He liked feeling wanted, desirable. He couldn’t fathom what S’fin saw in him or why he might be attracted, but he certainly didn’t want it to stop. But…
He sighed.
There was so much to consider. As a wingleader, eyes would constantly be on him. With S’fin as his second, even more so. How would the Weyr react - how would his wing react - if he were to not only be open about his preferences, but to show a clear interest in a second? One that he himself hand-picked as a subordinate?

It was unfair. It would look like nepotism if he were forward about it at the beginning, but it could easily be perceived as an abuse of power should he be caught in something later - assuming, that was, S’fin even had an interest past idle flirting. But keeping things platonic? No, T’lyron hardly wanted that at all! But even there, there was issue. He could hardly ask S'fin to remain quiet about his part in a relationship, but would that mean T'lyron would then be required to come out for the sake of that? Anything else would feel like a lie, wouldn't it?

The talk of regret felt like a slap in the face, and T’lyron immediately stood, the chair scraping against the floor in the sudden movement. He walked over to S’fin’s side, and without thinking, leaned over the green rider and planted his hands on the armrests of the other man's chair.
“No one, do you hear me, no one could regret having you in their lives. Least of all me.”

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

T’lyron still seemed a bit flustered, and when the man grew quiet S’fin could only imagine he was thinking over his offer to keep things platonic. It was a bit disappointing to imagine him preferring things that way, but this could become so complicated so quickly, with both their promotions, working together…. Perhaps he should have refused the position. It would have kept things simpler between them, that was for sure. But he’d already agreed and he didn’t want to take it back just because he enjoyed flirting with the man. He had never needed to care what the general public might think of him, because there was no real reason for the general public to care, but now, he couldn’t help but consider what might be said. He didn’t think anyone would make any connection between him and T’lyron, they’d never done anything in the open that would lead to such ideas. But he was still the Weyrleader’s brother, a Weyrleader that had named a greenrider as his second already, and he sighed as he imagined that some might think A’zael had influenced T’lyron’s choice.

The sudden scrape of T’lyron’s chair on the stone had him looking up as the bronzerider moved closer and leaned over him. Most people would probably lean away at the sudden invasion of their personal space, but S’fin had never really had a sense for such things. He was still surprised, his eyes widening slightly at the firm reassurance T’lyron offered. His face softened slightly and he let out a soft laugh as his fingers reached up to brush over T’lyron’s cheek before he’d even thought about the action, his voice quiet, “You’re sweet, T’lyron… but that isn’t exactly the experience I’ve had with bronzeriders.” He glanced away shortly, because he hadn’t exactly meant to say that, his hand falling back to his lap.

It had only been a handful of times, but there was a reason he no longer sought the company of bronzeriders. It was easier that way. After all, look how complicated this was getting? His weyrlinghood crush had been repulsed by him and their friendship had ended horribly. The number of times Rusy had been caught by a bronze had led to the man fleeing his side as soon as he was able, leaving him to attempt to find more agreeable company so that he could wash away that feeling of disgust by being with someone that actually wanted him. The general dismissal bronzeriders back at Southern tended to treat him with left much to be desired. After his brother, T’lyron was the first good experience he’d ever had, getting close to a bronzerider. He was terrified of ruining it.

He took a deep breath and his hands came to rest over T’lyron’s where the man still leaned over him, forcing his gaze back up, “You haven’t answered my question, T’lyron. What do you want from me? Not as your second… just… just as me. I’ll follow your rules, I just need to know what they are.” There was a sort of pleading note in his voice, because he just wanted to make this work, however T’lyron wanted it.

Hiko

[Hiko]

Had S’fin recoiled from T’lyron’s actions, the bronze rider might have found a nice deep hole and buried himself in it. The sudden flash of embarrassment from realizing what he’d done was nearly enough to send him into a jumble of red-faced stuttering. Instead, S’fin had lightly touched at his cheek, almost as if he thought T’lyron would run for the hills.

It wasn’t his last thought, but that was hardly S’fin’s fault.

He relaxed his grip at the armrests and put a small amount of space between them. Rather than fully backing away, he crouched before the green rider, leaning arms on thighs as he looked up. He could only imagine - no, that wasn’t truthful. He knew how most bronze riders were like with the men who rode green. You could be told a million times in weyrling training that when the dragon decided, the rider complied, but in practice? No red-blooded, utterly masculine, alpha-brained bronze rider allowed themselves to stay long in the company of another man.

He swallowed, hating a part of himself for being a part of the problem. Wasn’t he just as in the fault for the sort of treatment S’fin must have received in the past? By hiding who he was, he was only furthering the stereotype that a bronze rider attempted to live up to.

Snorting at himself, he shook his head and, when S’fin looked back his way, he couldn’t help but meet the other man’s gaze once more. What followed from the green rider, that near-begging tone, nearly broke any resolve T'lyron still had.

“I…” he started, not quite sure himself what he wanted to say, but only what he wanted to convey. He offered an apologetic smile. “I like being with you. You’re gentle, you - shells. I want to get to know you better, S’fin. I want to see if this is just some silly attraction, or if there’s something more. But I don’t want anyone to think you didn’t deserve the promotion, because I stand by that decision, regardless. I just… I’m afraid? I don’t know if I’m ready to be as open about myself as you are, but I don’t want to make you feel hidden away, or some secret that I’m ashamed of, either.”

A soft laugh escaped his lips. He really was terrible at this. “I’m a mess at this, aren’t I?”

Zen

[Zen]

S'fin

T’lyron gave him back some space and S’fin folded his hands in his lap, feeling some amount of anxiety as he waited for the bronzerider’s response. He wished he hadn’t said that… he hadn’t meant to insinuate that T’lyron was anything like those he’d had… less than ideal experiences with. But it would be lying to say he didn’t have some worries because of those experiences. That one day something would happen that would cause T’lyron to wish he’d never entertained the fact that they could be anything more than a Wingleader and a subordinate.

The other man’s voice drew his gaze back, though he still seemed hesitant. He listened to his entire explanation before he realized he’d been holding his breath and let it out in a soft rush. He laughed softly at T’lyron’s final statement and shook his head, “No… it’s not simple. You’re doing your best.” He leaned forward slightly, bringing him closer to T’lyron again, a small smile pulling at his lips as he rolled the other man’s words over in his mind, “I’d like to see if this… we… could be… something as well. But I understand where you’re coming from. I do….”

He didn’t particularly like the idea of hiding their relationship, were they to try to have one, but he also didn’t want to force T’lyron out into the open with his preferences if he wasn’t ready. Their circumstances were not the same. He drew in a long breath and let it out, “I understand you need time still. Especially now. You’ll be a new Wingleader and I wouldn’t want anything to… to make settling into your new role any harder.” He bit his lip lightly, searching the man’s face, “So maybe, if you’d rather wait to explore this, or… I… I wouldn’t mind being… being discreet for a while. Until you’re ready.”

A short laugh escaped him, “I mean… it isn’t as though my being your second won’t give us a good excuse to spend plenty of time together, right? Nothing suspicious about that.” He shook his head and met his eyes again, “I’m willing to work around these… complications... if you’re willing to try this with me. I just want you to be sure… and I don’t want any of this to ruin our friendship, even if any part of it doesn’t work out. Can we do that? Because I’d much rather be your friend than nothing at all, T’lyron.”

Hiko

[Hiko]

T’lyron bobbled on the balls of his feet as he remained crouched, weighing his options. S’fin was offering him choices; he could wait, see how the mantle of Wingleader felt, then possibly ease into something in the future, once he was established.
It wasn’t nothing.
Another man might’ve looked to that long-term future, promised the green rider something, and then reconsidered how he felt when the time came.

T’lyron didn’t know if he would call that smart or heartless, but he knew that he couldn’t do that to S’fin. It would be just one more potential bruising from a bronze rider, and T’lyron hated the idea of ever being the cause of that man’s doubts.

He leaned forward and rose, using the armrests as a balancing aid in the motion. Quickly enough, he closed the distance between them, and without much more thought, placed a light kiss on the other man’s lips. It was gentle, softer than he’d intended, and he broke it just as quickly. Without moving from that position, he answered, his words the only thing between them.

“I’m willing to try, S’fin. As long as you’re willing to let me come out in my own time. But I want this, even if it ends up in flames.”

Zen