[Belth doesn't pull away; he just leans into Eithan if he's allowed. Even with all his weight against the fire mage, he can't be more than a hundred and change.]
Sorry... sorry. It hit me all at once, I suppose.
[He breathes out as he tries to steady himself. He doesn't want to show this kind of weakness to anyone, but Eithan knows. Eithan knows everything.
[ Of course he's allowed - and Eithan catches him, helps him regain his balance. And he's just about to say something teasingly snarky about saying sorry so much, but then Belth's hugging him, and--
... well. It's far too easy a thing to wrap his arms around the elf in return, and keeping his damn mouth shut. For now! Teasing comes later, when he knows Belth can keep up. Obviously. ]
[Belth lingers a little longer in the hug than is polite, perhaps, but he is tired and cold, and Eithan runs warm. He's familiar and soft and he's solid, which is more than he can say about most of his other friends. Hiro, Ino, Tadashi, they're all gone.
After a minute or two, he straightens, but he doesn't detach just yet.]
I think... I am going to take a very long nap after all of this.
[ Snrk! ] Sounds like a damn good plan, if you ask me.
[ If the hug is "too long," Eithan doesn't notice. Or care. At all. Even when Belth straightens, he lets his hands rest on his shoulders - probably lingering longer than is strictly necessary too, but whatever. Things are shaky for the fleet right now, and he's downright relieved to know that Belth is okay -- or, well, will be.
For a split second, it kind of hits him that... he's not sure what he'd do if Belth hadn't been okay. ... But he's refusing to dwell on that. ]
Think you need more than usual? I mean - just in case? Nothin' that'll put either of us in danger, obviously. But. Yeah.
[Belthazar is done with the what-ifs. He's only thinking about right now, and right now he knows if he collapses, things are going to be Very Bad for everyone involved... mostly him, really, for having to put up with the coddling he'll get. He's definitely in the red, and that's not going to change until they finish up here.
Still, being with Eithan is a relief and a balm for his heart. He leans his head into one of the hands on his shoulder.]
Only if you have the energy to give. I can help with repairs if I enchant things, but I just don't have the mana for it right now.
[ Right - thinking about right now. That's what he should be doing. The sooner Belthazar gets his mana, the sooner he'll be all right again.
He reaches into his pocket with his free hand to pull out the crystal, holds it up between the two of them, with a small smile. ]
Nah, we'll fix that. Don't worry. I've got enough energy to give a little more.
[ Is he gonna overdo it? Probably a little. Does he care? No.
... He's reluctant to completely separate himself from Belth just yet, but he does need to pour his mana into the crystal, after all. So, he compromises - one hand stays on Belth's shoulder, and he takes only a half a step away in order to concentrate. A steady stream of red energy courses over him - down his arm, over his fingertips, and into the crystal. ]
It should keep me going for a while. [He's just glad Eithan had the capacity for conjuring, or else this would be awful. His eyes flutter closed as Eithan's presence lights up with mana. There's an instinctive pull and Belth ignores it, even though the pain increases as a result.
He can stand it. He's gone through much, much worse.]
[ He doesn't mean to make anything harder for Belth, but he knows it'll be over with soon.
The crystal in his hand begins to glow with that same red energy - faint at first, but the more mana that Eithan pours into it, the stronger it glows... until it's far brighter than the stream. His own eyes slide closed, but he keeps going until he feels like he absolutely can't.
And then, that red-shining crystal is pushed into Belth's hands. ]
[He doesn't resist this time. He takes the crystal with a sigh of relief. The glow diminishes a little, but not completely, as the elf takes only what he needs to stave off the pain and exhaustion. He won't forget this-- and he won't take it for granted. The mana gem goes into his tunic afterward.
Now that he's taken care of, he can focus on Eithan properly.]
I feel so revived. Thank you.
[He's so grateful he places his cool hands on Eithan's cheeks, smiling, so he sees it.]
[ Eithan's never been one to need much of a personal bubble anyway. He even sometimes forgets that others even have them. Add that to the fact that he's just tired himself out? Yeah, he's not at all shying away from Belth's touch. Cool hands meet warm, flushed cheeks, and he opens his eyes, finally.
He does see that smile. And, he thinks -- he's pretty sure he'd set burn worlds to protect that smile.
Flamebrain... he snorts, manages a lopsided little grin with just the right amount of feigned ego~ ]
Somehow I doubt that. [Belthazar can tell Eithan's bluffing, but he isn't going to, say, force him to run a race. His smile shifts to one of concern, and he touches his own collar, then begins to unbutton it so his neck is more exposed.]
You must be hurting after giving up that much mana. Come on.
[His hair is a bit ridiculous, he knows, so he gathers it around and pulls it to the other shoulder.]
[ It's reaction enough, and he grins all the more. But that drops when Belth starts shifting around, unbuttoning his shirt, and moving all of that hair of his to one side. ... Ah. He bites his lip, thinking it over.
Because he's not wrong - he is hurting, but more just exhausted than anything else...
Still, he shakes his head. ]
Nah, that's no fair. You didn't hurt me, and that? [ His eyes flick down to the side of Belth's neck, then back up. ] Will hurt. You know.
[ djfkasl He huffs, too, pushes his hair out of his eyes as he bites his lip again. It's not like he's trying to coddle him or anything, but that doesn't mean he wants to hurt him. But, since Belth clearly isn't taking no for an answer... ]
Okay. Yeah. I'd... seriously appreciate it. ... Thank you.
[ Beat. ] Y'know, I used to carry hair ribbons for my sister 'cause she'd always forget 'em, should I start doin' that for you?
[ Give him one last moment to be a little shit, eyes shining a little with mischief and all.
No, actually, full permission is given to smack him. ]
[That remark gets a blush. He isn't sure why his face is getting hot, but it is. He knows he's easy to rile up anyway. He's self-aware enough for that.]
[ So strong! Eithan shoves his fist away with a hand. ]
Fine, fine... No need for crazy threats, man.
[ But he appreciates it, too. It's good to know that despite everything that just happened, they're both okay. It's a relief.
He takes a quick, deep breath as he pushes closer. ]
Seriously. Thank you, Belth.
[ The only reason he doesn't hesitate is that he knows Belth would probably notice and get onto him about treating him like he's made of glass. (Which he isn't - Eithan knows this. Goddess, does he know this, Belth's strength is so much more than he gives himself credit for.) He bites him, just as before, and drinks. ]
[Belthazar is more prepared this time. As before, Eithan dips in and drinks. As before, the elf doesn't scream or struggle or even let on that he's in pain save for his expression. When it's over he sways a little, but he doesn't collapse; he clings to the front of Eithan's shirt and focuses on his breathing.]
[ Eithan doesn't mind the clinging - he's just glad Belth isn't falling over. He only just got all of that mana back after all, so Eithan would've felt horrible if he'd somehow messed that up.
Just like last time, he presses his fingers over the bite. His other hand goes back to Belth's shoulder, and he smiles. ]
[His thick lashes flutter as he tries to keep himself steady. He's probably not going to feel well for another hour or two, as before, but at least he's not passing out.]
This attack could have ended up so much worse. We were lucky. Too lucky.
[ Yeah, Eithan can tell how unsteady he still is - so he'll just gently start trying to get him to sit on the floor, like last time. And of course, he'll sit right beside him - all the better to be leaned against! ]
Yeah, luck in the form of those other guys showin' up. You know, also out of nowhere. Geez. Honestly? This whole day was fuckin' nuts, start to finish...
[He doesn't struggle. Eithan's arms feel like the only safe thing in the universe right now, so Belth isn't shy about leaning on him, even resting his head on the other mage's shoulder.]
I wonder what they want. Surely they want something...
[ Even when he moves his hand away from Belth's neck, his arms all to easily settle around him - in a way that somehow just seems to make sense. Like he doesn't even need to think about it. ... Of course, if he did think about it, he might actually notice the faint tint of red in his own cheeks, but... well, Eithan never claimed to be a thinker. ]
Obviously they don't want us dead... But what the hell could we have that they'd want? Somethin' on the ships? Some kinda knowledge?
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Whoa, hey -- careful.
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Sorry... sorry. It hit me all at once, I suppose.
[He breathes out as he tries to steady himself. He doesn't want to show this kind of weakness to anyone, but Eithan knows. Eithan knows everything.
Fuck it, have a hug.]
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... well. It's far too easy a thing to wrap his arms around the elf in return, and keeping his damn mouth shut. For now! Teasing comes later, when he knows Belth can keep up. Obviously. ]
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After a minute or two, he straightens, but he doesn't detach just yet.]
I think... I am going to take a very long nap after all of this.
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[ If the hug is "too long," Eithan doesn't notice. Or care. At all. Even when Belth straightens, he lets his hands rest on his shoulders - probably lingering longer than is strictly necessary too, but whatever. Things are shaky for the fleet right now, and he's downright relieved to know that Belth is okay -- or, well, will be.
For a split second, it kind of hits him that... he's not sure what he'd do if Belth hadn't been okay. ... But he's refusing to dwell on that. ]
Think you need more than usual? I mean - just in case? Nothin' that'll put either of us in danger, obviously. But. Yeah.
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Still, being with Eithan is a relief and a balm for his heart. He leans his head into one of the hands on his shoulder.]
Only if you have the energy to give. I can help with repairs if I enchant things, but I just don't have the mana for it right now.
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He reaches into his pocket with his free hand to pull out the crystal, holds it up between the two of them, with a small smile. ]
Nah, we'll fix that. Don't worry. I've got enough energy to give a little more.
[ Is he gonna overdo it? Probably a little. Does he care? No.
... He's reluctant to completely separate himself from Belth just yet, but he does need to pour his mana into the crystal, after all. So, he compromises - one hand stays on Belth's shoulder, and he takes only a half a step away in order to concentrate. A steady stream of red energy courses over him - down his arm, over his fingertips, and into the crystal. ]
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He can stand it. He's gone through much, much worse.]
Thank you... I'd be dead without your help.
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[ He doesn't mean to make anything harder for Belth, but he knows it'll be over with soon.
The crystal in his hand begins to glow with that same red energy - faint at first, but the more mana that Eithan pours into it, the stronger it glows... until it's far brighter than the stream. His own eyes slide closed, but he keeps going until he feels like he absolutely can't.
And then, that red-shining crystal is pushed into Belth's hands. ]
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Now that he's taken care of, he can focus on Eithan properly.]
I feel so revived. Thank you.
[He's so grateful he places his cool hands on Eithan's cheeks, smiling, so he sees it.]
You went a little overboard though, flamebrain.
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He does see that smile. And, he thinks -- he's pretty sure he'd set burn worlds to protect that smile.
Flamebrain... he snorts, manages a lopsided little grin with just the right amount of feigned ego~ ]
Psht. I'm fine. Totally. Could run a race, even.
[ Bluffing to get a reaction? Absolutely. ]
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You must be hurting after giving up that much mana. Come on.
[His hair is a bit ridiculous, he knows, so he gathers it around and pulls it to the other shoulder.]
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Because he's not wrong - he is hurting, but more just exhausted than anything else...
Still, he shakes his head. ]
Nah, that's no fair. You didn't hurt me, and that? [ His eyes flick down to the side of Belth's neck, then back up. ] Will hurt. You know.
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It only really hurts for a moment. You're acting like we haven't done this before.
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[ djfkasl He huffs, too, pushes his hair out of his eyes as he bites his lip again. It's not like he's trying to coddle him or anything, but that doesn't mean he wants to hurt him. But, since Belth clearly isn't taking no for an answer... ]
Okay. Yeah. I'd... seriously appreciate it. ... Thank you.
[ Beat. ] Y'know, I used to carry hair ribbons for my sister 'cause she'd always forget 'em, should I start doin' that for you?
[ Give him one last moment to be a little shit, eyes shining a little with mischief and all.
No, actually, full permission is given to smack him. ]
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I-I'll tie you up and teach you some manners!
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Also, that blush is cute.]Hey now, I was bein' nice! Tryin' to be helpful! You can't tie me up for that.
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More like being an ass.
[It's said with some exasperation, but nothing truly honest. He appreciates the lighthearted conversation after the scare that was the raider attack.]
Now do the thing or else I'll shove my hand in your mouth until you gag on it.
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Fine, fine... No need for crazy threats, man.
[ But he appreciates it, too. It's good to know that despite everything that just happened, they're both okay. It's a relief.
He takes a quick, deep breath as he pushes closer. ]
Seriously. Thank you, Belth.
[ The only reason he doesn't hesitate is that he knows Belth would probably notice and get onto him about treating him like he's made of glass. (Which he isn't - Eithan knows this. Goddess, does he know this, Belth's strength is so much more than he gives himself credit for.) He bites him, just as before, and drinks. ]
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Fair is fair, [he murmurs.]
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Just like last time, he presses his fingers over the bite. His other hand goes back to Belth's shoulder, and he smiles. ]
Yeah, fair's fair.
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This attack could have ended up so much worse. We were lucky. Too lucky.
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Yeah, luck in the form of those other guys showin' up. You know, also out of nowhere. Geez. Honestly? This whole day was fuckin' nuts, start to finish...
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I wonder what they want. Surely they want something...
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Obviously they don't want us dead... But what the hell could we have that they'd want? Somethin' on the ships? Some kinda knowledge?