Chapter Text
Ellion blinked against the light of the midday sun burning into his eyes. Being down in the Underdark for months at a time had its consequences and he could already feel a headache come on. Yet at the same time he felt his body relax beneath the warm rays of the sun and the chirping of sparrows provided an unusual but welcome greeting. He pulled his hood deeper into his face and made his way over to the path where Aurë was bouncing on her feet impatiently. The young tiefling beamed up at him with her row of perfect white baby fangs, eyes shining like rubies in the light.
“Tell me again why I agreed to this?” “Because I asked you very nicely,” she replied sweetly, taking hold of his hand and eagerly marching on towards Reithwin Town. Ellion bit down a sigh. Yes, she had asked very politely and gods knew he had trouble denying the quiet girl anything. But more so, her father had all but threatened to drag him out of his workshop himself if he didn’t take a break soon. Ellion had been managing just fine before Ikaryas showed up, thank you very much! Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t quite managed to make that point clear through the splitting headache, Astarion grinning at him from behind his partner’s shoulder and the excited gasp Aurë had let out at the prospect of spending the time with her favourite uncle. If he had known saving the girl’s life would have him end up as a babysitter a few years down the line…who was he kidding, he would have changed nothing.
“I know you’re annoyed that you don’t get to work right now,” Aurë’s voice piped up from where she was still clinging to his hand, “but if you take a break, you won’t be as tired anymore. And you’ll work better if you stop falling asleep at your desk, right?” He kept forgetting how perceptive the little girl was. Where she got that from he had no idea, lords knew it wasn’t her fathers. He squeezed her hand in silent response and a hesitant smile formed on her face. “Besides, you’ll get to talk to a bunch of other druids and I finally get to introduce you to Halsin!” He smiled back down at her again, her mood considerably lifted now that he wasn’t openly brooding anymore. “Good points, Aurë.” She nodded before she turned back to the road, humming to herself and leaving the elf to stir in his thoughts once more.
He couldn’t recall when he had last stayed in a village for this long. Never, if his memory served him. The most contact he had lately had been Ikaryas and his family and even then, he never stayed in Baldur’s Gate for longer than a few days. Contact with his patients was kept as short as he could, much preferring the quiet and isolation of his own study. A month in Reithwin surrounded by families and especially other druids may honestly bring him to his limits. Gods, this girl had no idea what he was enduring for her. The only silver lining would be to see her happy. The village was one of the few places Aurë had found herself friends and getting out of the city was as healthy for her as for anyone. Ikaryas had been worried about her exercise which was the only reason they took the trek from his house to Reithwin in the first place. Being closer to nature would not only help her health but her studies and as her primary instructor on the matter Ellion was eager to see how her magic had progressed ever since their last lesson. He was, if significantly less so, curious to meet Halsin. He’d heard a lot about the man and as far as he understood, it was the archdruid’s merit that had set Aurë onto the path of druidhood in the first place. She clearly adored the elf and had been unreasonably excited to introduce the two of them. Ellion had a natural distrust towards anyone, but for his niece’s sake he would be civil, at least.
They managed a large part of the trek before the sun settled and forced them to make camp for the night. Aurë stayed antsy throughout the whole evening, quietly going on about all the other children she couldn’t wait to see again and the woods she couldn’t wait to explore. Ellion quietly followed along, both warmed and amused by her unusually outgoing behaviour. He couldn’t recall ever seeing her this…childish and the sight soothed a far deeper worry within him. There was a reason why he wouldn’t have taken the trip for anyone else and seeing his niece so carefree already made all the dread worth it. They settled down early on Aurë’s insistence to make the time pass faster and woke with the first rays of the sun.
By the time the sun rose to its peak Ellion had to wonder why Ikaryas had been so concerned about her health, as Aurë played along the path in front of him, balancing along the scattered logs and stones. The man was worrying again, though Ellion couldn’t blame him. With a start as rough as hers, regular check-ups wouldn’t hurt…perhaps something to implement this month— a scream tore him from his musings and he looked up, a spell on his lips before he recognized the nature of the sound. Aurë smiled back at him, excitedly pointing at the houses that had appeared around the bend and it took only a nod from him for her to go tearing down the road. The sight burned into his heart and he didn’t bother hiding the smile that slipped onto his lips at the sound of her laughter as she called out for her friends.
Before long he had made it to the border of the town at his own pace, eyes roaming the small homes and gardens with distant interest. It was certainly a quaint place, peaceful and quiet in the rising heat of noon. As he neared what he assumed to be the centre of town a small weight came crashing into him, Ellion quickly adjusting his stance before his niece toppled into the dirt. “Found your friends yet?” She nodded and looked back at the gaggle of children peeking around the corner. “How about we get rid of our pack first and then you can go cause chaos to your hearts content, yes?” The girl fought with herself, eagerness to go play slowly overwhelming her usual politeness. “…can you just take my pack with you? Please?” Wasn’t she adorable. “Darling, I don’t even know where we are supposed to be staying.”
“I could show you,” sounded a voice from behind them and Aurë gasped out a little “Halsin!” before unlatching from him, rushing to hug her godfather.
Ellion turned to greet the elf— and good gods above. He swore he could feel his heart stop. Stood before him was an absolute mountain of a man, bare arms and tight tunic forming an impressive wall of muscles that could easily block out the sun. Despite his own significant height, the elf was still a good head taller than Ellion and twice as broad. “Ellion, I presume? You may call me Halsin, it is a pleasure to finally meet you!” Oh no. The voice was strong but not loud, holding a softness which left Ellion’s ribs constricting around his lungs and his head spinning. Distantly, he felt himself utter a confirmation and reach out to shake his hand. The grasp was strong and warm and Ellion didn’t know if he even had the capacity to blush but right now was not the moment to find out!
When he finally escaped from the stupor of his mind he thankfully noticed his expression to be exactly where he left it, a cordial smile quickly slipping on as he took back the reigns from his racing heart. “The pleasure is all mine. You said you could show me to our lodgings?” Halsin smiled down at him and Ellion reigned in his mind before his brain got any funny ideas again. “Of course. You will be staying at my house so Aurë should have no problems finding us later.” He brushed another hand through her hair before she rushed off, that soft smile still on his lips. Meanwhile, Ellion did his best to get a hold of his wild heart.
Oh, the gods really had it out for him now.
-
Ellion was pacing in the little cottage at the outskirts of town that Halsin had claimed as his. The elf had excused himself quickly but had promised to stop by soon to show Ellion around. The rational part of his brain told him to unpack and fix himself up so he wouldn’t be taken by complete surprise when Halsin showed up but he was too busy trying to drown out the screaming of the other half to pay proper attention.
Those feelings back in town had been…bothersome. Not unpleasant, mind you, which was entirely part of the issue. He did not have reactions like that! It was one of the small mercies afforded to him by the gods, to be able to ignore the more primitive demands of his body and focus on what was important. He never had to deal with this sort of sensation before and as much as it had mortified him, the warmth at least was not entirely unfamiliar. It seemed similar to the one he got with his new family…except not. The inability to pin down what had happened earlier was getting to him and Ellion couldn’t tell if the heat creeping into his chest was due to the frustration or due to the memories sneaking back into his mind. He quickly waved the pictures away, resolutely returning to unpacking.
Somewhere between aggressively unfolding and re-folding his blouses he stubbornly declared a solution. He found Halsin attractive, fine. Nothing weird about it, setting aside the fact that attraction had never made him feel like that. But he had been attracted to people before and he had dealt with it just fine then.
Granted, that attraction had lasted about a night and disappeared by the time he did from their beds but since that wasn’t an option here, he’d simply have to ignore it. Easy enough. Ellion had somewhat made a living off of not running his mouth, if he couldn’t keep his mouth shut about a silly little crush he wouldn’t be standing anymore. The dizziness and the pictures that had invited themselves into his mind could prove a problem but he had simply been surprised, they wouldn’t give him any more trouble. This was fine.
This was not fine.
Night had fallen over Reithwin Town and Ellion was getting frustrated. Whatever this little fancy of his mind was, it better end quick or so help him. He could not spend the next few days ogling this druid like some desperate bar wrench. He wasn’t Ikaryas for gods’ sake. Turned out his hypothesis had been wrong. Partially at least, the dizziness had left and his legs had been returned to their usual state of firmness. But his mind had been so busy distracting him with absurd fantasies that he struggled to follow the conversations at the communal dinner and his eyes kept wandering towards Halsin’s throat whenever he laughed, watching the muscles dance beneath his skin— no. Stop.
He splashed some more water on his face before his mind could drift back to that view. He was currently bend over the washbowl by the well in the back garden, surrounded by young oaks and berry bushes, with cool, clear water dripping off of him. A serene scene, weren’t it for the rushing of his mind. Another splash of water and he could finally feel the heat of his skin recede when he pressed a hand against his chest. Even breaths filled the quiet of the night and he concentrated on the sound of the night birds in the trees, the warm breeze rushing through the leaves, on the feeling of the rough stone of the well beneath his palm and the steady knocking of his heart against his ribcage. Everything was alright. There laid worth in every discovery. He did not understand this new emotion yet but he would. Or he would let it fade away, whichever option offered itself first. He was Ellion Soleil-Szarr, by the gods, a little physical craving would not get the best of his mind!
By the time he stepped away from the well the water had dried on his skin and he slipped his tunic back on, pulling loose the leather strap that had held together his hair. The tranquility of that morning returned to him, steadying his hand as he pushed open the cottage door. Aurë would be in bed by now, having been given the unoccupied bedroom while Ellion’s bed had been set up in the primary room of the cottage. The whole house consisted only of the main room with a fireplace and small cooking and dining space, a small room which housed Halsin’s bed and a separate guest bedroom. It was clear the druid did not waste much time in the cabin, preferring to spent his time outside and within his community. Still, the little dwelling was well-cared for and the bed Ellion had been given rivalled his own in softness.
It was this bed he had meant to reach, thoughts already with his journal, though he was unclear yet on what he intended to write. He didn’t get as far however, stopped dead in his tracks by the view of a shirtless Halsin. The other man hadn’t noticed him yet and Ellion quietly stepped in and made his way over to the bed, steps as fluid and silent as ever. His heart, treacherous thing that it was, started to pick up speed again but his mind remained calm and so he allowed himself a little peek. Not that there was much hidden beneath the vest Halsin had worn earlier but being able to see the muscles tense minuscule with every motion and watching the fat rolls fold along the curve of his body when he bent down was a treat Ellion certainly wouldn’t deny himself.
He sunk down on his mattress and finally Halsin turned to him. “Welcome back.” Just how long had he been outside? “How did you find the food?” “Delicious. Though I must confess the company was rather…overwhelming.” Halsin chuckled, mirth shining in his eyes. “Oh yes, Aurë had mentioned that you live on your own. I’m sure you are not used to such wild company.” Just how much had Aurë been talking about him before they came here? “It will take some adjusting, certainly, but I am hopeful that it will not derive this visit of any enjoyment.” Halsin nodded, looking almost relieved. A beat of silence passed between them before Ellion cleared his throat and wished a good rest before burying himself beneath his thin blanket. He laid still, trapped with his thoughts, until Halsin retreated to his own bed.