Chapter II:
The next day, I revisited the tavern near closing time. Aran-Ei instantly spotted me and waved cheerfully before disappearing into another room. He re-emerged with a coffee and sweet roll in tow and set the plate down on my table, adding "This one's on me, sir-uh, I mean... Zaerek. It's the least I can do to thank you for last night. It means a lot to have a good friend in this new place." "More than just a friend, I hope.", I added, winking. He giggled in response. "Give me just a few minutes and I'll be right with you."
By the time I had finished my meal, he returned and sat, greeting me with a nervous smile. "Hey... You said you might want to be more than friends?" I nodded. "Well, I hope I'm not being too forward, but… how about another date? I'm free now." He looked away nervously, but I placed an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "Sounds great. In fact, I know just the place."
We left Solitude and took a short walk down to the sawmill, where we sat by the riverside. "This is lovely", Aran said, taking in a deep breath of the cool night air. "You know, I never get to stop and enjoy the outdoors like this, especially at night. I just wouldn't feel safe. But with you..." He squeezed my hand. "Got a big, strong argonian mage to protect you?" I flexed my arm jokingly, which got a giggle out of him. We spent much of that night exchanging stories, of our past adventures as thieves, run-ins with the law and random escapades in Skyrim.
As it got late, I could feel a chill in the air and noticed Aran-Ei starting to shiver. Fortunately, there was still an old campfire nearby. I got up and Aran watched as I gathered some dry brush and sticks from nearby and tossed them on old fire pit. Rubbing my hands together first, I cupped them over the debris and sprayed a steady burst of flames, quickly igniting it as if by torch. Aran cheered, "Hey, that's a neat trick!" With our chilly problem solved, I leaned back on the soft riverbank to stare up at the starry night sky.
Aran-Ei curled up close against me, resting his head on my chest and I sighed, feeling a warm, tingling sensation in my chest. I idly stroked his horns and ran my fingers through his head-feathers. "Mmm," he mewled, "Better be careful, Zaerek. Keep this up and I might just fall for you." I wrapped an arm around him, pressing myself against him even more. "Well, maybe I'd like that."
…
"Ah, shit," he began, "it must be getting really late." He gestured at the moon, sinking in the sky as tinges of orange peeked over the opposite horizon. "It will be dawn soon. I guess we can't be caught just sleeping out here when the miller comes in the morning," he sighed, "...as much as I'd love to, believe me." "No worries." I propped myself up on my elbows. "Here, I'll walk you back." I kicked some dirt onto the fire and we headed back.
We walked back to Solitude, trying to ignore any disapproving stares. Lizards had it hard enough in Skyrim, but for some reason, romance among us was particularly unsavory to the warmbloods. When we reached the tavern door, Aran turned to me with a warm smile. "Hey, I really enjoyed tonight," he said softly, "and I'm getting off early tomorr- ...Well, I guess it's today now. But maybe I'll see you around 5?" "Mmm, I'm sure you will." We stood there just gazing into each other's eyes and found our muzzles drawing closer. I gave him a brief, loving kiss on his soft, emerald lips, to which he visibly swooned, clutching his chest. "See you later, Aran," I added and walked away, leaving him speechless.
