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inaris-mage-of-storms · 10 months

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(Warning for suggestive content/conversation.)

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There was a moment, lying there under his blankets and the weight of his worries, when Scott wondered if Jimmy would notice if he didn't get out of bed today.

It had been a while since Scott had even slept in his own room. Sleeping in Jimmy's bed, all he had to do on the days he didn't want to move was nuzzle into Jimmy with a noise of complaint, and the canary happily stopped trying to get out of bed in favor of holding Scott close. Now, though, he was alone. He was alone and that familiar fog was swirling through his head and making his chest ache and his skin cold and when had he started crying?

"This is so stupid," mumbled Scott into his pillow. Fwhip was back and Jimmy was happy and Scott...Scott was angry. He was angry at himself, because Jimmy was happy, and instead of being happy for him, Scott was feeling sorry for himself and contemplating staying in bed just so he could - what? Test if Jimmy would still come to him when Fwhip was right there? How petty.

Jimmy didn't deserve that. Scott buried his face deeper into his pillow and screamed, dragging it out until he was out of breath. His frustration faded with the last of the sound, and at least Scott knew he had a reason besides selfishness to stay in bed, because as the wave of emotions passed he felt exhausted.

But if Scott didn't get out of bed today, then Jimmy would worry. No matter how long it took him to notice, he would notice eventually and he would worry, because he was Jimmy, and Scott sometimes wondered how such a big heart could fit inside such a small bird. He sighed, took a moment to gather his strength, and stood up.

It took him a while to decide what to make for breakfast, because as he stared at the pantry Scott realized he had a lot of questions. What did Fwhip like for breakfast? He assumed there would be some overlap with what Jimmy liked, but how many of Jimmy's meals over the last winter were routine and how many were an opportunity to eat something he perhaps didn't get as often when Fwhip was around? Would Jimmy even want breakfast today, or would he be in Fwhip's bed all day? Their bath was long over, judging by the giggles Scott had heard from behind Fwhip's door on his way to the kitchen, and for all he knew, neither of them would be emerging for some time.

Scott would be surprised if they did, to be honest. He knew he certainly wouldn't be interested in something as mundane as food, if he had just returned from five months without Jimmy beside him.

Then again, in their brief time together Scott had gotten the impression that Fwhip wasn't the sort to let Jimmy skip meals. Jimmy's well-being was important to him. Scott didn't know if Fwhip's desire for Jimmy to take care of himself would win out against Jimmy's desire for attention any time soon, but meals could be reheated. He gathered what he needed and began preparing breakfast for three, just in case.

Lost in his own thoughts and the sound of sausages sizzling in the pan, Scott didn't notice the footsteps behind him until there were hands on his waist and lips against his neck. "Gosh, sorry," said Jimmy with a grin when Scott jumped. "You're not normally so easy to sneak up on."

"Got carried away letting my mind wander, I guess," said Scott, and he was sure his smile was convincing, but the way Jimmy studied him made him question the stability of his facade.

"Want me to set the table?" asked Jimmy instead of whatever questions he really had, and Scott loved him for it, and as they moved around one another in the kitchen it almost felt like every other morning they'd shared over the last few months.

Almost. He could feel Fwhip's eyes on him as the goblin helped Jimmy arrange dishes. Jimmy took the food to the table and began serving as everyone sat down, and Fwhip's ears perked up in interest. "This smells incredible," he said, eagerly reaching for the potatoes. "Is that fresh rosemary? This early in the season?"

"I planted some herbs in the garden cave I built for Scott," said Jimmy, looking as pleased by Fwhip's delight as he had been by Scott's delight at finding that particular corner of the grotto. "He can work some real magic in the kitchen, let me tell you! I can't wait to see what he'll be able to do once the first harvest comes in."

Scott ducked his head to hide a smile at Jimmy's praise, even as he felt his ears betray the warmth he felt. He found some reassurance, too, in Jimmy's clear assumption that Scott would still be around to share meals with them later in the year. But he also felt Fwhip's thoughtful gaze on him again, and some of his own certainty faded.

Over the next week Fwhip and Jimmy settled back into the routines they were used to, but Scott found it difficult to calibrate his new normal. He had gone from a frivolous, cavalier life of adventure and thievery, to several tedious years of strictly structured work, to a few decadent months of domesticity alone with a man he was enamored with. Now his canary was gone more and more, spending time with Fwhip or working with the farmers on the surface. Scott tried to busy himself with crafting or reading or cooking, but over and over he found himself turning to say something to Jimmy only to find no one there, or absently reaching for Jimmy's hand only to find empty air.

When Jimmy was around, he was as free with his affections as ever, twining his fingers with Scott's or kissing him softly or laying across Scott's lap and blanketing them both with his wings. Fwhip didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest - he even whistled teasingly when he walked in on Jimmy and Scott on the couch with Jimmy making it very clear that he wanted the elf's attention, and laughed when Scott turned bright red. But without direct confirmation of what was expected of him, Scott's fears and insecurities got the better of him, and he decided the best way to calm his nerves would be to simply ask.

Jimmy was on the surface, and Fwhip was in his study, and Scott was in front of his mirror wondering about the best way to present himself. He could go to Fwhip in the plain, simple clothing he'd been given when Fwhip first brought him to the house. He was only a prisoner, after all, and would be showing up of his own accord, without waiting for the king to summon him. Contrite and demure could be the way to go. On the other hand...Scott looked at his colorful coat, then at himself in the mirror again.

Fwhip liked to collect pretty things.

Scott pulled on his boots and his coat and tied his silk sash around his waist. He retrieved his jewelry from where it lay tucked in his bag, sliding rings on his fingers, cuffs and earrings on his ears, and bracelets onto his wrist. He checked another pocket of the bag and smiled, glad he had asked Jimmy to replace his long-expired makeup after all, and took the time to carefully accent his features with practiced movements.

Scott stepped back, regarded himself in the mirror, and smiled. He might not feel like himself most days anymore, but right now he certainly looked like the silver-tongued rogue who was used to charming his way into whatever he wanted.

He placed his hat on his head at a jaunty angle, and with a final glance in the mirror his only regret was its lack of feather. Making a mental note to find a new one soon and taking a moment to savor the feeling of renewed confidence, Scott went to Fwhip's quarters and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Fwhip called out. Scott took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and walked into the room with his head held high.

Fwhip was pacing around, pouring over designs for some contraption or another, and occasionally stopped at his desk to make notations and calculations in the margins. Scott knelt before him and rested his hands in his lap, but instead of bowing his head he watched the king's every movement. Fwhip glanced up from his blueprints, then back down at them, then snapped his head back up to stare at Scott. Scott kept his expression as neutral as possible, but inwardly he smirked at the double-take.

"Uh. Good morning, Scott," said Fwhip, setting his papers on the desk slowly. "What brings you here?"

"Good morning, your highness." Scott did bow his head briefly in greeting, but raised his eyes again right away to meet Fwhip's eyes with a steady gaze. "I hope I'm not being presumptive by coming to see you, but I'm uncertain about some things and hoped you might provide some clarity."

"No, not at all. You're welcome to come speak with me whenever you wish," said Fwhip. "Uncertain about what?"

"You brought me here to be a companion to Jimmy in your absence," said Scott. "But now you're home, and even when you're busy he has his own duties to keep him occupied."

Fwhip was sharp, and Scott watched the contemplation in his eyes as he put together what Scott was asking and why. "And now you're wondering what I plan to do with you," he surmised. "That's a good question." He stepped closer, watching Scott with a smirk playing on his lips. "You're right, Jimmy has plenty to keep him occupied now, and I can do whatever I want with you. I could send you back to the mines if I wanted. Or maybe I'll keep you safe in the cage for the last few months, just to make sure you don't run away after all."

Scott couldn't stop his flinch at the thought, and Fwhip's smirk faded. "That was - even as a joke, that was out of line. I'm sorry."

"It's - it's okay," managed Scott. His heart was pounding so hard that he wondered if Fwhip could hear it, and he took a deep breath. Fwhip was only teasing him, and if he ever did seriously consider it, Scott knew Jimmy would have plenty to say on the matter. Never again, Jimmy had whispered reassuringly in his ear after more than one nightmare. You'll never have to go through that again. I promise.

Scott took another deep breath, relaxed the hands he hadn't realized he had clenched tightly, and let the tension fade away from his expression. It was a harmless comment about something that would never happen - especially if his plan worked out. Fwhip had brought him to the house in the first place because he'd had a use for him. Scott knew the best way to stay where he wanted to stay was to convince the king that, even if his original task had run its course, it was still worthwhile to keep him around.

He hadn't spent much time with Fwhip directly, but every time he had, there was something intriguing in the air between them and something enticing in Fwhip's gaze. Scott was good at sniffing out the possibilities in the way people looked at him, and he was good at twisting those possibilities in his favor, and he took a gamble now on the possibility he was confident lay in the way Fwhip looked at him.

"As you pointed out, you do have the power to do whatever you want with me. But I like it here." Scott dropped his chin ever so slightly, not enough to break eye contact but enough that he was looking up at Fwhip through his lashes. "Tell me, your highness," he said in a softer voice that purred with an unspoken proposal, "what would you ask of me, to earn the privilege of remaining here by your side?"

He could tell he was catching Fwhip's interest, and it was time to make a final move before leaving the decision up to Fwhip. Slowly, deliberately, Scott licked his lips and caught his bottom lip between his teeth before letting it go. Fwhip hardly breathed as he watched every movement, and Scott gave him a coy smile. He waited, watching Fwhip's mind whirl with the possibilities, and leaned into the touch when Fwhip took the last step forward and cupped his fingers under Scott's chin.

"That's a very bold offer," said Fwhip in a low voice.

"Offer? I'm sure I don't know what you mean," said Scott with a playful smile, and Fwhip's eyes glittered with amusement. "Like I said, I only wish to know what I can do to earn a place in your household. It's entirely up to you what to do with me."

"Is that so?" Fwhip leaned closer, and Scott's heart was pounding again, for a different reason this time. It wasn't even deliberate when his breath hitched and his lips parted, but he still took satisfaction in watching Fwhip's pupils expand at the sight. "Then what should I do with you, I wonder?"

"Anything you like," breathed Scott, and he wasn't certain anymore that his performance was still a performance. He trusted Fwhip, he realized, because he was a good man. He trusted Fwhip because Jimmy trusted Fwhip, and Scott trusted Jimmy. And with those layers of trust in place, the thought of willingly giving in to the power Fwhip had over him was making him lightheaded.

Scott hadn't sought an audience with Fwhip expecting to discover something new about himself, but he wasn't terribly interested in introspection at the moment. He was far more interested in the feel of Fwhip's hand on the back of his neck and Fwhip's mouth moving against his, and when Fwhip pulled back from the kiss Scott leaned after him with a whine of protest he didn't realize he made until Fwhip laughed.

"As much as it pains me to say, I have a deadline I need to meet," said Fwhip against Scott's ear. "We can talk about this more after dinner."

"I look forward to it," murmured Scott. Fwhip kissed him again before stepping back. Scott got to his feet and left the room, and even as the door shut behind him he imagined he could still feel the king's heated gaze on his back. He wondered if the evening's promised audience would be one on one, or if Fwhip wanted Jimmy involved in the conversation - and didn't that idea bring up possibilities that Scott absolutely wasn't going to consider at the moment, because if he did then he was surely going to lose the capability to think altogether.

Either way, Scott returned to his room with the satisfaction of having his doubts assuaged. There were seven months left on Scott's sentence, and as he looked upon the last short stretch of his imprisonment, he was certain now that it would fly by.

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#empiresshipping #flower husbands #fwhimmy #scwhip #canary in the gold mine au #file: storm writes things

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