For one, nightfall came with the speed of Hermes, while for the other it creeped on him like a snail. Owain had been in his tent since dinner ending, constantly moving, changing from sitting on his bed to a chair to the grass and then pacing back and forth, all the while trying figure how to start this conversation he knew he'd be having, how to keep it going and what to say if Inigo refused to talk to him again. He had been thinking for so long now that he hadn't noticed just how nervous he was, biting his nails and fidgeting with his hair.
Inigo on the other hand had hardly made any progress with his plans, and to top it off, it had started raining as he made his way back to camp. Practice made perfect but now it was a matter of second thoughts at the last minute. The mercenary's walk back to Owain's tent was a heavy one, his body sore and his mind in a storm. Was this even the proper time anymore? Would Owain appreciate it and understand it all. Maybe it really would have just been better to explain what he had been doing this whole time, scrap the idea and start over if Owain realized his mistakes.
He could feel the Owain on the other side of the tent flap and judging the by the heavy aura around the place, and Owain knew Inigo was just outside, too. Neither of them were prepared for this., but Inigo also needed to get out of the rain. With a final gulp and a deep breath, he stepped inside to see Owain standing up and starring directly at him, watching him. "Erh…h-hello," he said nervously, frozen right at the entryway, the tent flap closing behind him. his hair was dark and now hanging down in front of his face due to the water absorbed, and his clothes soaked, clinging to his skin now.
"Hi…" Owain had already locked up his thoughts and lost the key. His first thought was how he wanted to give Inigo a moment to change clothes, but he also didn't want to give any opportunity for this to be avoided either. He had no idea where to even begin now but he couldn't just stand there and stare, and leave all the talking up to Inigo. The blonde groaned and rubbed the back of his neck before clearing his throat. "Erh, so Inigo would you be so brave to tell me what adventure has brought you here?" he asked, bring volume and flare back into his voice.
"Please drop the character act, Owain," Inigo pleaded softly, seeing right through the other's actions. "Let's just talk like adults…" He stepped further in, sat down on the cot, and just starred at Owain for a moment. Everything he had planned wasn't going to work now. The mood was too heavy. He could feel Owain's sense of unease and distrust, as both of them were fed up with each other and they hadn't even said much yet. With a deep breath, Inigo opened his mouth again.
"Do you think this is a bad idea?" Owain blurted out Inigo could speak. "I mean…what we have…maybe this…wasn't something we should be doing," he finally admitted, bitterly while clenching his fists over his knees where is sat.
"Wh-what?" Inigo asked, caught heavily off guard. "O-Owain, no! Look, I…I know we haven't had a great start but just…listen." Inigo took another breath to try and keep himself calm. He kept telling himself to keep from panicking. With just one wrong thing was said he was sure it'd spell the end it all…before anything had even begun. "Owain…I'm sorry. I guess I should have been honest from the start but now it hardly matters."
"What do you mean 'it hardly matters?' What have you been doing all this time, sneaking off that you couldn't tell me?" Owain snapped. "I've been worried about you; for your safety and because…" his voice trailed off, though he didn't need to finish his sentence. The look on Inigo's face gave away that he understood where it was going.
"I was…trying to prepare something for you, Owain!" Inigo hissed back, feeling his anger becoming harder to contain. "But it doesn't matter now, Owain! If you had just trusted me like I asked then everything would have been fine! Let me guess, you thought I was off in town, flirting at a bar or whatever, weren't you?" Inigo's eyes burned with rage, though his voice remained stern yet collected. He expected this to happen, was certain of what was going on in Owain's head now. How could he not after knowing him for so long? Inigo knew he couldn't blame the other.
The swordmaster leaned up in shock but quickly recovered his nerves as he shook his head. "Maybe I wouldn't think that if you…if you…" his voice trailed off again. In truth that was one of his worries and he knew he couldn't deny it. Anyone would have thought the same thing and Inigo himself was willing to admit it. "Yeah…but that's not everything! I was-"
The dancer didn't even wait for Owain to finish. "You were worried that something bad would have happened to me, yeah you told me last night!" Inigo just stared at the other, growing more agitated by the minute while the other sat in silence. It was out in the open now and as long as he had the upper hand he knew he had to keep going, get every tiny issue out, but he couldn't snap like this anymore. The look on Owain's face said it all. His eyes were wide, in shock, like a puppy's who knew he had done wrong. Inigo was going too far, acting too aggressive. "Owain," he began softly after a deep breath, "I don't blame you for thinking all this but we can't continue like this either. I want you to trust me and if we don't have trust then we shouldn't be in a relationship to begin with."
Owain was silent, surprised to be hearing this from Inigo of all people. "I…" He could barely get a word out, now, too shocked to know where to begin.
"Please…don't just sit there, Owain," he sighed as he crossed his arms and hung his head. "Tell me what you're thinking. Tell me what you're worried about," Inigo's voice grew weak, almost like he was begging.
"I just…I'm sorry," he finally forced out, almost choking as he stood up. "This whole time I've been worried about how this would work and now I don't even know what to call it anymore." The last few words stung as they left his mouth and tasted like regret. "I thought you'd still be running around chasing skirts and I'd just keep having to pull you out of trouble, acting like a hero or something so I…" his voice trailed off until he couldn't bring himself to say anything more, and so he sat back down.
A moment of silence dragged out for what felt like an eon for the both of them until finally Inigo stood up and walked forward. He placed a hand on Owain's shoulder gently and sighed. "No…it's alright. I…I know I can't blame you, Owain," he said softly, peer down at the other. "I know; that's the reputation I've built up and it's what you and anyone else would expect of me. I've caused a lot of trouble, but…if I'm with you then please believe when I say I'm going to be as loyal as I can to you." The dancer hesitated before kneeling down on one knee beside the other.
Owain shook his head before finally looking over to Inigo. His face was solemn, yet disgraced. "I…I suppose I should learn to trust you more, but I also won't stop worrying immediately," he said softly while folding his arms. "What…what do you propose we do about this?"
Inigo just chuckled and grinned. "Owain, we keep trying until we both learn to do this properly!" He leaned over and lightly pressed his lips to Owain's forehead, earning a pair of blushing cheeks. His skin tasted of sweat and dirt, yet brought a small sense of ease to him as he placed his hand in Owain's lap before facing him again. "I'll promise to try and be more open and honest with you if you'll promise to try and trust me more. Fair?"
Silence captivated Owain for a moment, but he was smiling back, nonetheless. With a soft sigh, he finally nodded his head. "Very well then, my companion," he said triumphantly, jumping back into character. "Your wager is here by accepted! I shall prove to be the most valiant in my efforts, I assure you!" With that, Owain arose once more, pulling Inigo to his feet with him. "Now, Inigo, prepare yourself for…" he paused, only to pull Inigo into a sudden embrace. One arm went around his waist and up his back, while the other held Inigo by his head. His fingers laced between his hair which was still wet from the rain, and had a fresh scent to it all now. "…affection that transcends words," he whispered into his lover's ear.
Inigo groaned at first, being caught off guard by Owain's sudden actions, but quickly adapted. The attention was well received, putting a wide smile on his face. "I thought you'd never demand that," he joked as he pulled his head back to look into Owain's face. He leaned in quickly and connected their lips without any doubt, now and could feel Owain pressing back. The swordmaster's hands trailed across his back, tugging at Inigo's wet tunic until finally he reached the other's belt.
Owain broke their kiss to catch his breath as he fondled with the other's clothing in a terrible attempt to undress him. "You…must be freezing," he said, concerned. "Just get out of your wet clothes already so you don't get sick!" Finally, he undid Inigo's belt and then quickly moved his hands up to undo the tunic's buttons.
"Oh, are you sure that's what you're aiming for?" Inigo teased as he took hold of Owain's hands and smirked at the other. Owain froze up, blushing. "If I'm getting naked then you're going to have to share your body heat with me," he joked as he placed one hand along the strap on Owian's coat. "I actually am really cold," he admitted, feeling his knees begin to shake. "So, mister hero, I hope you're ready for your biggest challenge yet!"
He blinked, for once not sure how to react with Inigo playing along with him, but he found it to be a pleasant change of pace. Owain let out a might laugh before he began to undress his own coat and with seconds he was down to his loin cloth. "There is not a challenge I will not accept from you, Inigo," he declared before continuing to assist Inigo. "I shall keep you warmer than Elfire this evening!"
Inigo just chuckled as he let his pants drop and then pulled off his gloves and tunic. The dancer pulled Owain back into a hug as he stepped back and fell onto their cot. "Get the blankets," he ordered with a kiss to Owain's cheek. He watched ad the swormaster got up to quickly pull the sheets over them both, trapping all their heat. Inigo's icy fingers then teased the other as the brushed across Owain's skin, caressing his sides and toying with him as he cupped his bum with the other climbing on top of him.
"Oh, claiming the treasures of the world, are you?" Owain hissed into Inigo's ear with a grin.
"I'll claim whatever I want from you, Owain," he teased back before kissing the other's cheek again.
"HA! Well then, perhaps it's time I give you what you asked for!"
After that, there were no words; only passion.
His lover's skin was cool, yet smooth from the hydration the rain had granted him, and his body quickly warming back up under the cover of their shared cot. Owain watch Inigo resting beside him, already asleep. Could feel the other's soft breath on his face, and feel his nose lightly poking at his own with smile across Inigo's face. He was at peace, without a shadow of a doubt in Owain's mind. As he began to shut his own eyes, feeling sleep take hold him, Owain leaned in one last time and claimed the other's lips. "I promise, Inigo, we're going to make this work," he whispered.