This story has been edited to comply with ffnet's rules. If you want the unedited version check out my AO3 (my pen name is the same: AnxieteaAndCake)
It was very hard for Gav to concentrate on what Otto was saying with Clive making eyes at him from across the room. He had just returned from being out in the field and been immediately waylaid by Otto, who insisted on debriefing him on the goings on in the Hideaway. They sat at a table in the pub and Gav tried to listen, he really did, but his gaze kept drifting over to where Clive was leaning nonchalantly on the wall by the orchestrion. It had been over a month since all of them: himself, Clive, Jill, and Joshua had been at the Hideaway together and it had been close to three weeks since he and Clive had time to do anything other than say a quick hello and maybe sneak in a quicker kiss as they passed each other at the docks. One was always leaving while the other returned… until today. Finally, they had the rest of the evening and most of tomorrow before Clive would be off again the following afternoon.
"-And that about wraps it up." Otto said as he stood from his chair. "You got any questions?"
"Uh, no. Thanks, Otto."
Gav was relieved that the older man had nothing planet shattering to say, he'd only taken in half of what he'd said. As Otto went on his merry way Clive straightened up and walked around behind Gav.
"Dinner with Jill and my brother and then later, finally, some time for us?" He asked, giving Gav's shoulders a squeeze, making his stomach do a pleasant flip.
"Sounds good."
And it was good. Gav really missed this: being around his lover and his friends. Jill kept them on the edge of their seats, telling them how she and Cole had snuck Marleigh and the other surviving women out of an Ironblood camp and brought them to the Hideaway. Joshua had them all laughing as he told them a story of how, as kids, he and Clive had snuck down to the castle kitchens in the middle of the night to steal a pie, then tried to make one themselves when they couldn't find one to pilfer. Torgal circled around them while they talked, receiving dinner scraps and pets from everyone. Maeve sent over a few pitchers of ale, but Gav kept his drinking to a minimum. He actually wanted to remember his night with Clive.
The sun had long set and a hush fell over the Hideaway before Jill slid her half empty tankard away with a soft hiccup.
"I believe that's enough for me tonight." She said, yawning as she pushed away from the table and stood up.
Joshua stifled his own yawn behind one hand as he rose after her. "I suppose I should get some rest as well."
Joshua and Jill raised their hands in a parting wave. Gav was raising his in return when he felt Clive's lips brush his ear.
"I am going to devour you."
Gav didn't know if it was possible to blush with your entire body, but it sure felt like he was doing just that as Clive rumbled quietly into his ear, casually returning Jill and his brother's wave as though he'd said not a thing. Then with a soft swish of his cloak Clive was up and gone, leaving Gav feeling a bit like he'd been bowled over by Garuda's wind. Torgal whined, worried, and bumped his head against the blonde's leg.
"I'm all right, boy." He said with a chuckle, scratching the wolf behind the ears. "Come on, let's get you to Charon, you'll be wanting to bunk with her if you want to get any sleep tonight."
He got Torgal settled in the little quarters Charon had behind her shop and walked to the chambers he now shared with Clive. When he entered, Clive was already stripped to nothing but his trousers, lighting the plethora of candles around the room. Gav took a moment to admire the view before removing his own shirt, casting it aside as he shut the door and turned to close the lock. It had barely slid into place when he felt Clive move up behind him. For a man so big he could move right quick and quiet when he wanted to. It was one of the first things about the other man that had impressed him, in fact. Clive hummed softly, pinning gently him against the door, one large hand curling about Gav's hip, the other tilting his chin back. Kisses and sharp little nips of teeth were laid across Gav's shoulders and up his neck.
(edited section)
Afterward Gav scampered back to bed, goose prickles forming on his flesh in the chilly air. Clive lingered at one of his chests, rummaging around briefly.
"I have something for you."
He crossed the room and settled in Gav's lap, one knee on either side of the man's hips. He held up his gift, Gav's keen eye taking in minute details quickly. It was a ring on a sturdy chain and though they were made of the same dark, almost black, metal they hadn't been made together. The ring had been forged first, it was much older than the chain, which Clive probably had forged when he realized the ring would be too big for Gav's fingers. Curious, Gav held one hand up and Clive placed the trinket in his palm. The blonde's breath seemed to stop when he turned the ring and saw the glint of rubies, the Rosarian design.
"Is this…"
"After the Ironblood sacked the castle the Undying searched its corpse. They didn't find much, just a few small, overlooked things. Joshua has a pendant that belong to our father and this?" He held it up by the chain, smiling. "I don't know whose ring this is, I never saw it on my father's hand. Maybe it was to be a gift for Joshua or myself when we came of age. Or perhaps it was a gift from my Uncle Byron or a nobleman that my father thought too extravagant but didn't have the heart to turn down. Possibly it didn't belong to him at all. I chose this ring from the items the Undying offered because it was a piece of my home."
"Clive," Gav sounded faint. "I can't take this. It's important to you—"
Clive sharply shook his head, but the hands that came up to cup Gav's face were gentle. "You are important to me, Gav. Which is why I want you to have this, a little piece of me when I'm away."
Gav nodded and Clive unclasped the chain. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to the blonde's lips as he relatched the clasp at the back of his neck.
"It looks good on you." Clive murmured.
Gav was silent, but Clive could see the answer, the love, on the other man's face.
He smiled and kissed Gav again. "Come on, we should at least get some sleep or Tarja will be after our hides."
He lay down and Gav curled against his back, arms wrapping around his chest. The ring felt cool against his skin but warmed quickly between them. Gav smiled as he closed his eye, hoping tomorrow would take its time arriving.