Morhien covered Tyelp’s hand with his own, comforted more than he could say by that simple touch. “No, though I wish you could. I think- I think they’d like you. You’re kind down to the bones, and you have such fire.... they’d’ve loved you.” the wood-elf sighed, memories aching like an old wound. “I’m the only one who came back... I couldn’t bear to remain in Mandos any more. Too still, too unchanging. I wasn’t ready, when I died; maybe I came back too soon. Missed the world too much. But I- if they choose to return, before Arda remade, I’d like you to meet my clan. If only so they might know the generous elf who saved their foolish youngest... who made him happy for the first time in years.”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“Hmm? Oh. A bit- I was born a few years before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, though I don’t remember too much of that time. Just that almost half of the clan went to fight alongside the Noldor armies, and a bare handful returned- and then we never stayed anywhere too long. After the Nirnaeth, Grandmother decided we’d lost enough to the wars, and took us east so we stayed well out of it until the Valar finally got off their high-and-mighty arses to finish what should never have begun.” Morhien handed the mixed ingredients to Tyelp, leaning on the counter to watch him work. “I’m not sure if I’d call what we did in the first age ‘living’ so much as ‘not-getting-killed-yet’. Most of my life before I- before I died, when there was something to live for, was in the Second Age... and from what I heard after, I managed to miss all the -ahem- important parts. Not sure if that’s a bad thing, really. Probably would have done something foolish, once Sauron revealed himself and war started up again in earnest- found some truly dire end. But by the time that started I was at least a century gone. In the end I got to reunite with my clan, for a while... I was just about the last of us. Took longest to die.” Morhien gave a rueful grin. “Got to finally meet my father- actually meet, not a child’s recollection. He died in the Nirnaeth. I- it was good, to know that I wasn’t a disappointment like I feared, because I was not a mighty warrior like he had been.”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“As you command, treasure.” Morhien couldn’t resist a quick kiss on Tyelp’s cheek, smiling at his lover. He could spend all day kissing Tyelpë.  He combined the ingredients in the bowl like Tyelp showed him, mixing it all together- surprised to find he was humming to himself, an old tune from the first age. He hadn’t felt at ease enough to do that since- well, since he’d last had a home. Strange, that Tyelpë should bring that same comfort with him.

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien chuckled, kissing the tip of Tyelp’s nose. “Pancakes. You were suggesting ways I could be helpful.”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“If you’d like.” Morhien wasn’t entirely sure how kissing would be helpful but damned if he’d turn down the invitation. Stepping close the wood-elf slid a hand into Tyelpe’s hair and drew his noldo in, soft at first and then more passionate, nipping gently at Tyelp’s lip before drawing back to breathe. “like this?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien half-shrugged. “Crush them up and mix them with potting soil, mostly. Eggshells work good as fertilizer. Also ‘keeps the soil aerated’ whatever that means- I grew some plants but more as a hobby, I don’t know how it all works. I know mint liked eggshells, back when I had the space for a small herb garden. Probably likes eggshells even more now it’s in a pot on the windowsill.” The mint plant hadn’t precisely thrived in the years since he’d been driven out of his home but Morhien had done what he could- and the plant, by it’s own will or the blessing of Yavanna, was far too stubborn to give up; much like the elf who tended it.  Morhien tossed the shells in a gentle underhand, right into the bin. “What else can I do to help, treasure?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien nodded. “Like scrambled eggs, but without the pepper.” Don’t get shell in the bowl, don’t whisk so vigorously egg spills everywhere. He hopped up onto a barstool and started cracking and whisking eggs. “What you want done with the shells, sweetheart?” 

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“Any way besides burnt. Blueberries are nice, though. But you don’t have to. Don’t want to put you out of your way or anything.” If he was’t careful Morhien may well get used to regular meals and Tyelpe’s kind indulgence. Not that any of it was bad, just... can’t let himself get too comfortable or when something inevitably throws a wrench into all the pleasantness he won’t be able to adjust back. More pressingly, Morhien didn’t want to be a burden- the less difficult he made everything for Tyelpe, the longer Tyelp would want him nearby. “I. I’m not very good in the kitchen but if you tell me what to do, I could help?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Oh. Morhien had rather forgot ‘breakfast’ was a thing people did. “If you’d like. I was just thinking, y’know, over faster. I guess breakfast is something you do normally though. Wouldn’t want to stop that. I’m just not used to it. Do... do you have pancakes?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Kissing Tyelpe was always so good- like liquid sunshine infused directly into his blood. “You make me happy, treasure, you make me so happy...” he held the beautiful ear cuff as delicately as he would a baby bird. “Thank you- for this, and everything. I- thank you.” Morhien hugged Tyelpe close for a minute, before stepping back and looking around for his shoes. “Shall we?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien gasped, cradling the ear-cuff in his hands. He was no craftsman but even a simple elf like Morhien could see the care and craftsmanship that went into the piece- Tyelp had even given it tiny tiny scales! “are you sure, treasure? this is gorgeous-” he finally tore his eyes away from the sparkling dragon- he could swear there was a sparkle of intelligence in those gemstone eyes- and saw Tyelpe, getting the breath knocked out of him for the second time. “You’re gorgeous”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“Make those yourself, too, treasure?” Morhien stared at the gorgeous jewellery- he was tempted. Sorely tempted. But- “I don’t have piercings, sweetheart. I can’t wear them. And where I live- lived- it’ll attract the hungry sort of attention...” he sighed with longing and shook his head. “Maybe another time?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“soft...” he trailed his fingers over the clothes before trying them on, turning around out of habit more than any need for privacy. As expected they hung a little looser on him than they’d’ve on Tyelpe, but Morhien hardly minded. And the shirt was a nice green, too- vibrant, but not too bright or eye-catching. A single fold at the cuff of each pant-leg was enough to stop him tripping over anything. Morhien was about to turn back around when a dark grey sweater caught his eye. Impulsively he put it on, leaving the front open. “What do you think?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien shook himself out of his daze. “I. I like green. Green is nice. Safe. Warm is good, and... covered, is good. I’m afraid I’m not quite so daring as you, treasure.” Indeed, years of being sort-of on the run leant themselves to blending in as much as possible. Rarely did Morhien bare more than his hands and face to the world- when he was ‘working’ even less. But perhaps it might be nice not to be... so especially thorough, in keeping his skin hidden away? The wood-elf leaned into Tyelpe’s warmth next to him, almost without thinking. “Nothing too restrictive, I need to be able to move... just something simple?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

ooooh he could feel his face burning- “Thank you. It’s just- you know, naked, in- um- in public is- bad, and-” damn it to Eru why was he getting tongue-tied about this??? “I’ll just- get to it, then.” Morhien slid out of the bed, quickly collecting his underthings before poking about in Tyelpe’s closet, which for some reason felt just as intimate (if not moreso?) than sleeping together. They were close enough in size, Tyelp a little longer in the leg and broader across the shoulders and chest then Morhien could ever hope to be, plenty of strength in those arms from the forge- and isn’t that an attractive thought?- and of course Tyelp stood just a few inches taller. But that shouldn’t make finding something that’d fit himself that hard, would it? Apparently yes- or rather, the sheer volume of items in Tyelp’s closet would. Morhien let out a startled noise, jaw dropping at the multitude of fabrics and cuts and colours. “I- um- help?”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

“OK. The other thing is, I- um. I didn’t expect to stay the night, or, well-” Morhien makes a vague shrug-like gesture, “anything of last night, really. So I didn’t exactly pack spare clothes?” He really didn’t want to go walking about in broad daylight in his ‘work clothes’. 

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear

Morhien hesitated a moment, nerves and shame flickering through his thoughts- then he nodded. “It would be faster. The sooner I never need to see that place again the better. I just- it- it’s a rough neighbourhood. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable, or put you out of your way. And I’m sure there’s more important things in your life than me.”

Thief Part 4: The Morning After

Morhien was slow to wake- comfy bed and soft sheets and warmth and the steady heartbeat beneath his ear such a pleasant way to wake- wait. Where was he? Startled, the ex-thief jolted back to wakefulness, rising just enough to take in the vaguely-familiar surroundings, much more spacious and elegant than anywhere Morhien frequented- and Tyelperinqar. Oh. That explained it. Memories of the previous night drifted through the lifting fog of sleep, and Morhien felt his cheeks heating up.  Rather than try and get up, the wood elf snuggled back down under the covers and wound himself around Tyelpe again. The Noldo looked so peaceful, so content- all his cares forgotten for just a little while. It would be shame to wake him. @tyelp-with-a-spear