Chapter 15: Twilight's Embrace

It was perhaps half an hour later when Aeryn finally stood up, stretching to ease the ache in his back from being hunched over for so long. The sun, now high above, was beating down on him, and he turned his face upwards, letting the harsh heat sear his skin. It reminded him of home—the merciless sun, the boiling sand that made up most of the landscape, and how even the air itself seemed to shimmer with heat.

Satisfied with his bounty of lavender, Aeryn looked down at the basket, pleased that he had even managed to collect some budding plants to replant back home. He turned and began the gentle climb up the hill toward where Eirik lay peacefully slumbering beneath the shade of the willow tree. His lord husband looked serene, his strong frame softened by sleep, as the horses grazed nearby.

Aeryn approached Marsa first, securing the basket to her saddle. He smiled softly and offered her a bit of the lavender nectar, which she eagerly licked from his palm. Then he gathered a bit more nectar and walked over to Gauroth. The great stallion was an imposing creature, and though Aeryn wouldn't admit it aloud, he still felt a little intimidated by the horse's sheer size and power. But with a steady hand, he reached out, offering the sweet nectar. Gauroth sniffed cautiously, trotted forward, and licked at his hand before turning away, uninterested, to graze once more.

"Posh one, aren't you?" Aeryn muttered under his breath with a chuckle.

He turned back to Eirik, who still lay soundly asleep, and for a moment, Aeryn just stood there, watching his husband. Eirik was a man of immense power and presence, yet in sleep, he looked so peaceful, almost vulnerable. Aeryn didn't want to disturb that peace. He quietly sat down beside him, his shoulder lightly brushing against Eirik's as he took in the sounds of the forest and the gentle rustle of the lavender fields below.

The tiredness crept in slowly. His body ached from the day's work, and he found himself leaning a bit closer to Eirik, the warmth and security of his presence drawing him in. After a while, Aeryn hesitated, then finally gave in to the comforting thought. He rested his head gently on Eirik's broad shoulder, the steady rise and fall of his husband's breath lulling him into a sense of safety he hadn't felt in a long time.

Without realizing it, Aeryn drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

It was a while later when Eirik stirred from his slumber. The sky had deepened, the once bright afternoon now giving way to twilight. The air had cooled, and the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lavender field. He blinked, slowly waking, his senses coming alive to the soft sounds of the evening. His hand shifted, and he felt the weight resting against his shoulder—Aeryn's head, peaceful and still as he slept.

Eirik's lips curled into a soft smile as he looked down at his sleeping husband. He carefully adjusted his posture so as not to wake Aeryn, his large hand coming up to gently brush away a few stray strands of hair from Aeryn's face. There was something about this moment, quiet and intimate, that tugged at Eirik's heart. For all the chaos and responsibility in their lives, moments like this, where it was just the two of them, felt like a refuge.

The field, now bathed in the soft glow of dusk, seemed almost otherworldly. The purple of the lavender stretched on in waves, turning darker as the night approached. But Eirik's gaze stayed on Aeryn, taking in the delicate rise and fall of his chest, the way his lips parted slightly in sleep, and how the lines of worry and responsibility faded from his features in these quiet moments.

As the sky darkened further, Eirik felt a flicker of protectiveness stir deep within him. He carefully moved his arm around Aeryn, pulling him slightly closer. He couldn't help but wonder how long Aeryn had been feeling so burdened. The worries about his homeland, the strain of waiting for news, the uncertainty—it all weighed on him more than he let on. And Eirik hated seeing him troubled.

"I'll keep you safe," Eirik whispered softly, the promise almost carried away by the cool evening breeze. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Aeryn's head, his lips brushing against his soft hair.

But the night was creeping in quickly now, and they couldn't stay out here much longer. Reluctantly, Eirik shifted, gently nudging Aeryn awake. "Aeryn… it's getting dark."

Aeryn stirred, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he blinked, still dazed from sleep, before realizing where he was. He sat up, a little startled but then smiled up at Eirik, his face glowing softly in the fading light. "I must've fallen asleep," he mumbled.

Eirik chuckled softly. "You did. We should head back before the night overtakes us."

Aeryn nodded, stretching a little before standing. Eirik rose to his feet as well, towering over him as they both looked out over the lavender field one last time. The world had grown dim, and the night air had turned cool, but the feeling of peace lingered between them as they gathered the horses and prepared to head home.