They returned to Umber's quiet abode by mid-afternoon. Merry sunbeams passed through the wide open window and a breeze barely stirred the curtains. While his room was nowhere near as chaotic as Flame's, it still wasn't perfectly clean. He had forgotten to make his bed that morning with all the excitement of meeting Flame for the date. It looked even messier next to Sora's tidy nest, with her scrolls stacked meticulously on the night-stand next to it. Luckily he had at least cleaned up the sitting last night before bed.
As soon as they entered Umber offered Flame one of the floor cushions to sit on while he prepared the tea. "Ready for your first tea experience?" Umber asked with a grin as he went over to the shelves where the tea-pot was stored.
"I guess it depends on what you're going to make me drink," Flame answered, eyeing the tea-pot like it was full of poison. Umber rolled his eyes as he took out the pot and set it on the counter. Next he went to get the tea. Standing on his talon tips and stretching his body upward he reached the top cup-board and sifted through bags upon bags of tea. They had labels on them but that didn't help him all that much. Instead he relied on smell. He had come to recognize teas by their unique fragrance and, although he didn't want to brag, could distinguish a caffeinated and decaf chai just by smell.
Quickly he sniffed out the bags he wanted, setting them on the shelving below until he had a selection of five. "I don't understand why you hate tea so much," Umber chatted while shutting the cupboard doors.
As he climbed down he noticed Flame's gaze lingering on his form, grazing along the arch of torso, his eyes burning with unspeakable temptation. The SkyWing's gaze flicked up to meet Umber's and he quickly looked away, blushing furiously at having been caught.
The MudWing had to steady himself on the shelving as a dizzy wave hit him. No one had ever looked at him like that before. It was exhilarating.
"U-um, so why do you think tea is so horrible?" Umber tried calmed the fluttering in his stomach with conversation. He opened one of the bags and took out the little scoop inside used to measure serving sizes. "What traumatic dragonet-hood experience did you have to make you hate it so much?"
Flame shrugged, his blush fading. "I think it was because of this SandWing who was part of the Talons of Peace while I was growing up. He always had a flask with him and every time I asked him what was in it he said it was tea. So one day when he wasn't looking I took a sip." The SkyWing shuddered. "It was awful! It burned going down, like drinking lava or something. And it smelled horrible."
The MudWing paused what he was doing and slowly looked back at Flame, trying to hide his giggles. "Uh...Flame?"
Luckily Umber didn't need to finish the sentence as realization dawned on the SkyWing's face. "That...wasn't tea I drank, was it?"
"No, I don't think it was."
Both of them burst out in laughter, neither stopping until they were clutching their sides in agony at the stitches. After they caught their breath Umber went outside quickly to get some water from the pump and returned in haste. He had already bound the loose tea into thin fabric liners, folding them up into a little tea filled ball which he then plopped into each cup.
Using his fire-breath he boiled the water and poured it into the two waiting mugs. Steam rolled off the edges like a bubbling cauldron, and using a spoon he gently stirred the tea balls around until the water became tinted light green.
"Alright, ready to question everything you know about tea?" Umber passed the handle-less cup to Flame who took several cautionary sniffs of the liquid in front of him. The SkyWing paused and narrowed his eyes before performing a few more quick sniffles.
"This just smells like peppermint," he noted, seeming confused.
"Well yeah, it's peppermint tea." Umber set his cup down on the table to let it steep. "It's good for digestions."
As Umber sat down on the adjacent floor pillow he heard the crackling of paper beneath his wing. Inhaling sharply he remembered what it was. Crocodile spit! I forgot to give Flame his gift.
He had been hoping to give it to Flame sometime while they were in town, maybe while they were eating or just walking around. He didn't want to make a big fuss about it.
It wasn't even that great. Sure, he had worked hard on it with Sora and Jet but now he was nothing but jitters thinking about Flame's reaction. Would he like it? Would he just pretend to like it and secretly think its dumb?
"Everything alright? You got quiet all of a sudden," Flame spoke in between taking itty bitty sips of his steaming drink. Each time he would dart his tongue out of his mouth several times like a snake, his brow creased in intense concentration as if trying to detect something malicious.
Umber couldn't help but chuckle. "Would you relax? It's tea, not poison."
"You can't prove that," the SkyWing insisted, taking another sip. An instant later Umber heard him yelp as he quickly set his cup down and began fanning it mouth. "OW. DA HOT." His sad tongue was hanging limply from his mouth. It had a red burn mark over the top, making the taste buds pop up in irritation.
Umber winced. "Do you want me to get you some cool water?"
Carefully Flame put his tongue away, rolling it around in his mouth to test its sensitivity. "Nah, I think I'm okay," he paused, grimacing. "I burn my tongue all the time. I'll just walk it off."
The MudWing scrunched his face in confusion, the tips of his mouth tilting up in amusement. "I didn't know that was something you could walk off."
Flame shifted in his seat, leaning back and flashing Umber a suave smile. "When you're as tough as I am you can."
"Suuuuuuuure," Umber humoured, taking his own cup off the table. He blew on it gently, scattering the ebbing steam and took a bracing sip. The gift beneath his wing suddenly became uncomfortable. It pushed against his wing membrane awkwardly, begging to be removed.
He set his cup down, taking a breath. Just give it to him! He won't hate it. Do it now!
Umber reached beneath his wing, pulling the scroll out from the little satchel strapped along his side. Flame immediately sat up straight when he saw it, his eyes glowing with anticipation.
"Is that what I think it is?" he whispered. His excitement was both endearing and nerve-racking.
"I hope you like it."
Flame carefully accepted the scroll, turning it around in his talons before opening it. "Did you buy this?" he asked, running his talons along the parchment.
"Erm, no, I made it." Umber blushed at Flame's impressed nod.
The SkyWing slowly opened it up and froze, a small gasp parting his lips and widening his eyes. "It's a graphicoll!" He beamed, an unhindered and joyful smile pulling at his mouth. In an instant he looked almost like a dragonet again, eyes sparkling with wonder and a smile so bright Umber thought he would never need the sun again.
"I drew the pictures and thought of the story myself," Umber admitted. "Jet and Sora helped me write the dialogue."
Umber wasn't an artist. His dragons looked like wobbly lizards with bread loaves for wings. The faces were always crooked and he had coloured outside the lines a lot. This had no effect on Flame as he scanned the parchment with glee, his eyes darting back and forth at the pictures.
Finally he paused, his smile widening further. "Is this me?" he asked, turning the parchment around and pointing to a character with red scales, orange eyes and a scar over his muzzle.
"Maaaaaaaybe," Umber neither agreed nor disagreed. Flame playfully narrowed his eyes in suspicion before looking at the graphicoll again and letting out a snort.
"Wait, is that Ibis?" The villain he pointed to was a SandWing draped in a black cloak and drawn with very angry eyebrows that did indeed show a large resemblance to Flame's old rival. Umber only shrugged but let out a sly smirk.
"You'll just have to read the story and find out," he teased just as another wave of worry tossed over him. Umber shuffled his talons. "So...do you like it?"
Flame turned to Umber with a stunned expression as if shocked he would even ask such a question. "Of course I love it! Umber, this is incredible. No one's ever gotten me a gift like this – I don't even know – I'm just –" He set the graphicoll down and approached Umber.
The MudWing prepared himself for a hug or perhaps a heartfelt 'thank you' and was taken completely by surprise as Flame leaned forward to connect their mouths in a passionate kiss. Umber's whole body ignited as Flame reach up to stroke along Umber's jaw with his thumb, moving in synchronization with the rhythm of his mouth as they continued to kiss.
Hypnotized by the warmth and taste Umber let himself relax, closing his eyes and feeling each of Flame's soft scales message his lips. Utter bliss enveloped each sense leaving no room for doubts or worries. Just this single moment captured in taste and warmth. When Flame finally pulled away both were breathing hard, a little dazed, and flushed from cheek to chest.
"Thank you," Flame finally gasped out and it took a second for Umber to realize he was thanking him for the graphicoll.
"Yeah – I mean, anytime – no problem. I'm glad you liked it. I know it's not as good as your other graphicolls and it might have some tea stains on it and I guess I shouldn't have mentioned the tea stains..."
"Shut up and kiss me," Flame demanded, putting a stop to Umber's disorientated rambling. The MudWing smiled and leaned in for another bout of affection just as the door slid open. Flame and Umber froze in place as Jet tumbled in carrying several enormous bags that nearly covered every part of her body. As she passed through the entrance her shoulder hit the frame and the dragoness, the bags, and all the contents within fell to the floor in one disastrous heap.
"Be careful!" Sora exclaimed too late. Jet only released a pathetic groan, remaining on the ground surrounded by what looked like...art supplies? Sora entered as well, carrying fewer bags and carefully stepping over Jet's tail. When she saw Umber her eyes lit but then quickly looked to the floor, a red blush spreading over her face.
At first Umber didn't understand her reaction, until he realized he and Flame were still embraced rather tightly. Quickly they jumped apart, but their eyes kept gravitating together and they would share a small smile.
"I, uh, didn't think you guys would be here," Sora spoke up while digging Jet out from under the heap of paint brushes and sculpting clay. "What happened to your date in town?"
Abruptly Jet shot her head up, fixing Flame with a fierce stare. "You better not have messed up that plan!" she growled.
"Hey, I didn't mess it up!" Flame returned. "If you want someone to yell at then go find Ochre."
Jet tilted her head. "Who?"
"Anyway," Umber butt in. "What's with all the art supplies? Are you guys doing a project?"
"Actually this is for the art center," Sora explained and helped Jet to her feet. "Apparently the Healing Center got more funding for artistic stuff so Zephyr sent Jet out this morning to buy more supplies and I went with her!" The females smiled at each other affectionately. They certainly were spending a lot of time together...
"We were going to sort them here but...maybe we should do it another time." Sora glanced again between Flame and Umber, a knowing smirk painting her face. "Come on Jet, let's go to the garden."
The SkyWing female snorted. "What!? But we need to get this stuff sorted by-" Her complaint was cut of my Sora who gave her a nudge in the side, tilting her head towards Flame and Umber in an obvious signal. Jet paused for a moment, brow furrowed until her expression relaxed into realization. "Oooooh. Right. Yes, we should leave." She winked at Umber who returned it with an awkward smile.
The two females hurried out the door. Sora turned around to give Umber a thumbs-up. "We won't be back for a while so...have fun!"
Umber sent a silent thank you to his sister as she slid the door shut behind her, leaving the males alone again.
A nervous excitement coursed through Umber's stomach. He shuffled his talons bashfully. "So...what should we do now?"
"Hmmm." Flame tapped his chin in thought and turned his gaze back to the table where the tea and gift were still sitting. A smile formed on his face. He grabbed Umber's talon, dragged him to the table to snatch the graphicoll and then lead them towards the bed.
The SkyWing fluffed up the pillows, propping them up against the wall as back support before flopping on the mattress with graphicoll in talon. He patted the small space next to him, indicating for Umber to join him. Shyly the MudWing crawled in bed, nestling up beside the SkyWing. It was a tight fit to have them both in bed, forcing them to cuddle even closer.
Umber's stomach gave a nervous lurch, wondering what they were about to do. He sighed in relief as Flame opened the graphicoll, holding it in such a way so that both of them could see the pictures.
"Let's read the graphicoll you made me, I want to see if this dragon that looks like me gets to punch that dragon that looks like Ibis."
For the remainder of the afternoon the boys cuddled in bed, drinking various teas (Flame enjoyed all of them) while Flame narrated the adventure within the scroll. A permanent grin was plastered on the SkyWing's face. His eyes sparkled with joy and gratitude and he read Umber's story, laughing at all of the corny jokes and actually letting out a triumphant cry when the Ibis look-a-like was defeated. Before they knew it the sun had set and soon enough they were distracted from their reading by a gentle knock on the door. Slowly it opened and Sora peeked her head in.
"Hello? Umber? Flame? Are you still in here?" her soft voice called.
"Are they smooching?" Umber heard the loud whisper of Jet from behind his sister.
Quickly Flame and Umber got out of bed, Flame's lingering warmth clung to his scales as he approached he door, sliding it all the way open.
"Sora! You're back already?"
His sister blinked in confusion and Jet snorted. "Already?" she repeated. "Umber it's been, like, five hours."
He blushed and turned back to look at Flame who was lighting more candles. "Oh. Huh, it didn't feel that long," he admitted meekly.
Sora covered her mouth to hide her giggles while sharing a knowing glance with Jet. This only made Umber's blush deepen.
"Well I'm sorry to say the fun time is over," Jet ordered, motioning to the art supplies still thrown all over the floor. "We need to get this stuff sorted before tomorrow or my mother will kill me...well maybe not kill me but she'll be annoyed which, I assure you, can be just as bad."
"Then why didn't you take this stuff back to your house?" Flame finally spoke up. He picked up a packet of water colors, glanced at it, and then threw it back on the pile. "Don't you want to keep this stuff in a more official place or something?"
Jet huffed. "You try carrying sixty pounds of supplies around the mountain! Sora's place was closer. Besides, how were we supposed to know you two would be in here smooching up a storm?"
Flame choked out an awkward cough while Umber tried to hold back a smile. "Uh, well, shut up," Flame intelligently answered.
Umber felt a gentle nuzzle on his shoulder and he turned to see Sora's warm eyes. "Sorry to ruin your date. If you really wanted to be alone I'm sure I could convince Jet to take this stuff somewhere else," she offered, ignoring Jet's sharp glare. Umber hesitated. He did want to spend more time with Flame but he already felt kind of bad for making them leave in the first place.
"No no, it's fine! It's pretty late anyway...maybe I should take Flame back to his room."
An orange wing flopped over him as Flame come up behind him. "Yeah, I don't want to stick around with these weirdos." He tilted his head towards the two females.
Umber laughed and shoved Flame's wing off. "Hey, that's my sister you're talking about!"
Flame nodded in apology towards Sora. "Sorry, just that weirdo then." He pointed a talon at Jet. The female turned around from where she had been stacking the supplies into piles and hissed at Flame before returning to her sorting.
Sora and Umber laughed at their friends' antics. Maybe someday the two SkyWing's would grow to like each other.
Once Flame was sure he had everything, which was really just the gift Umber gave them, they made ready to leave. "I'll be back soon!" Umber promised to Sora as he sat outside the door. To his surprise Sora hummed skeptically.
"Mmhmm, OK. Just...you don't have to rush back if you don't want to. I'll be fine here with Jet." She patted his shoulder, seemingly hinting at something Umber couldn't quite grasp. Why would she tell him not to rush back? Was she expecting him to stay out?
His questions remained unspoken as Flame impatiently tugged at his wing to leave. Waving farewell to his sister Umber fell in beside the SkyWing as they made their way across the grounds.
As they passed through the empty halls Umber was reminded of the previous night where he and Flame had walked this same path, shyly brushing their wings together and sending brisk glances at each other.
Tonight they were bolder. Flame had his wing wrapped around Umber, pulling him close as they walked. It was a little awkward and Umber kept stepping on Flame's feet, but the boys only laughed every time it happened.
Wherever his scales met Flame's a wonderful warmth and joy bubbled through. It soaked deep into his bones and coursed through his blood. The feeling was spectacular. He never wanted it to end. He didn't want this night to end.
To think, Umber had been terrified of Flame when he first met him...but now...
Umber let out a shallow laugh. But now I'm falling in love with him.
"What's so funny?" Flame asked, his tender gaze meeting Umber's.
Umber shoved the SkyWing with his shoulder. "Oh nothing – I was just thinking about how handsome you are and that I'm glad we went on a date."
Flame's furious blushing and shy smile melted Umber into mush. Slowly they wound their tails together in silent affection.
When they reached Flame's room he unlocked the door and sat at the entrance looking anxious and shuffling his talons. "So, um, thanks for going on a date with me..." Flame murmured, his tail still entwined with Umber's.
"Anytime," the MudWing answered with a smile. Alright, Flame is back safe and sound, time to head back now, the MudWing thought, but his body refused to listen. Instead it remained planted before Flame's door as if tethered to the SkyWing's body. "I, uh, should go now," he finally said, hoping that maybe speaking it aloud would make him move.
"Wait ..." Flame reached out to grab Umber's talons, even though Umber still hadn't made any motion to leave yet. "Did you want to maybe...come inside?"
"Uh..." Umber's heart was pounding in his throat. YES, his everything screamed but a second later the more reasonable side of his brain reminded him it was getting late. "I need to get back...to Sora and...I have a lot of stuff I need to do before bed." Even as he spoke it the pathetic excuse tasted false and empty in his mouth. The crestfallen look that spread over Flame's face didn't help.
"Oh. OK." Flame released Umber's talons and the MudWing almost reached out to connect them again. "I understand if you want to get back to your sister, you haven't seen her all day," he continued.
"Yeah," Umber nodded. "Yeah. My sister...I should leave. I'll see you tomorrow-"
"C-can I give you a kiss? Before you leave?" Flame abruptly asked, leaning forward with anxious eyes. Umber's breath hitched in his throat and that moment of hesitation must have frightened Flame for the SkyWing backed off, rubbing his neck embarrassed. "Uh, we don't have to if you don't want. I was just hoping – I mean, I understand if you didn't want to-"
Umber didn't even think; he merely let his instincts take control as he grabbed Flame's face and pulled him into a kiss. Flame showed no hesitation. As soon as they connected he reacted immediately by wrapping Umber in his wings and pulling them together, deepening the kiss.
Sparks danced across Umber's vision and along his scales, igniting an insatiable heat throughout his body. He wanted – no – needed more. When the males finally pulled themselves apart they were panting.
From the hungry look in Flame's eyes Umber knew the SkyWing was feeling the same way. Flame swallowed hard before speaking, his voice a husky whisper. "Are you sure you don't want to come in?" His breathing was coming out in shallow gasps. "I know we promised not to get into anything serious but...maybe just for tonight we could make an exception?" He leaned in to nuzzle Umber's nose tenderly.
The only thing Umber could think of was the warmth of Flame's scales and the way the SkyWing's voice made him shiver. Smiling gently Umber nodded before following Flame inside, the door sliding firmly shut behind them.
Author's Note:
Looks like Umber is going to get that reward ;3 And don't worry, everything Flame and Umber are about to do does not require a mature rating :P (Just smooching)