Berrod was the first to stir, as usual. He felt the soft sheets beneath him, the cozy, warm, somewhat musky air of the room about him, and the weight of assorted limbs upon his bare body. The Highlander was in the midst of quite the tangle; one that he knew he would not be able to extract himself from unless he woke one of the others – particularly Sarij, whose heavy arm was locked around his waist. Berrod’s head was also captured by the cleave of his chest. It was pushed sideways two ilms every time the Sea Wolf breathed. Given that the red-headed Highlander was on his back in the dim before dawn, he could not tell whether the hand that cradled his scruffy jaw was Caleb’s or Caden’s – he suspected the one on his stomach was Caleb’s, for he knew the Agron enjoyed resting it there. Berrod took a deep breath that spread his chest then exhaled. His prison of lovers afforded him time to think – something he both dreaded and was grateful for.
Perhaps it had been serendipity that Caleb had found him mulling things over outside of the Pugilist’s guild in Ul’Dah. That line of thought was reinforced when Sarij happened upon them both not too long afterward. Berrod had been sitting on a bench, thinking desperately on how to move forward with what he wanted to do, as opposed to what he felt he had to do. When Caleb approached him he decided to ask advice of the man, against the dissenting roar of his pride.  “I wanna start teachin’ an’ trainin’ more. Almost full time,â€He’d disclosed, “But if I do that, I’ll be bringin’ less money in the household. In fact, I’ll probably be losin’ more gil than makin’, fer the first few moons.â€
Caleb, having been the kind man he was, had gently reminded Berrod that the household wasn’t hurting for money, and that the other three would be happy to help support him. Even remembering the way he smiled, and how ready the man was to help him achieve his goal – the redhead momentarily surfaced from the recollection and felt his face grow hot. He lifted his one available hand – the other was firmly trapped under the nearer of the Agrons – to rub at his nose and forehead. There was never any mistaking what love felt like when it came to those three, and every reminder was as much torture as it was joy. Once he had finished his squirming, the Highlander returned to his train of thought.
Caleb’s answer had riled instant protest – Berrod did not want to be the only one in the house without a substantial income, even for a while. Despite himself, he expressed to Caleb that he felt that he wouldn’t be much of a man if he didn’t put his equal part into the household’s finances. Fortunately for Caleb, Sarij had happened upon them, and was able to help the Agron get Berrod to understand that it was alright for him to lean on them.
Again he became aware of his face heating – but instead of rubbing it, he simply exhaled. Almost two years bonded, more than three years together, and he still struggled with the prospect of allowing himself to depend on them entirely for a time. He knew progress with that stubborn bit of his personality would be slow, but this was maddening.
In the end he had relented, and allowed himself to rely on them. Together they sat at that bench for almost a bell to simply discuss things that came to mind, at the forefront of which was the starlight celebrations. Berrod personally despised the season; he much preferred the customs of Winter’s Knell – even if he had to travel to snowy climes to build his own Father Frost. Caleb however, was in love with the Starlight celebration, and so Berrod resolved not to let his own grumpy view on it douse the Agron’s flame (originally he had conspired to hide the Starlight decorations, but aside from him being the obvious culprit, his adoration for Caleb won him over).
Another prime topic was the camping trip they had kept putting off. It had been far too long since their last one; those trips had always proven to be bonding experiences that traversed simple conversations or activities in a city. It would be the first time Sarij joined them as well, so Berrod had been adamant that they get that going as soon as possible.
After the talk  they  had traveled back home, where Caleb and Sarij arranged dinner. Caden arrived home from work only a tenth-bell later, and joined Berrod in the bath. At the table they rehashed everything for Caden, and solidified plans to go camping – at last, after moons of delay. Cleaning, decorating (Berrod tried not to look as aghast as he felt) and lounging followed, and when Sarij and Caleb had their bath, Berrod took the trio upstairs to express his appreciation in the most enthusiastic manner he knew how. So did it lead to their current tangle; a symphony of light snores, warm skin and the weight of draped limbs.
Sunlight began to stream in through the spaces in the curtains – the redhead had missed his opportunity for some training before dawn. Nevertheless, as it illuminated the men he loved and the cover of security they provided him with, he was willing to let that pass, just for today. The future was bright, after all, and in their embrace, he had the time and comfort to finish thinking on exactly what he needed to do.
Perhaps it had been serendipity that Caleb had found him mulling things over outside of the Pugilist’s guild in Ul’Dah. That line of thought was reinforced when Sarij happened upon them both not too long afterward. Berrod had been sitting on a bench, thinking desperately on how to move forward with what he wanted to do, as opposed to what he felt he had to do. When Caleb approached him he decided to ask advice of the man, against the dissenting roar of his pride.  “I wanna start teachin’ an’ trainin’ more. Almost full time,â€He’d disclosed, “But if I do that, I’ll be bringin’ less money in the household. In fact, I’ll probably be losin’ more gil than makin’, fer the first few moons.â€
Caleb, having been the kind man he was, had gently reminded Berrod that the household wasn’t hurting for money, and that the other three would be happy to help support him. Even remembering the way he smiled, and how ready the man was to help him achieve his goal – the redhead momentarily surfaced from the recollection and felt his face grow hot. He lifted his one available hand – the other was firmly trapped under the nearer of the Agrons – to rub at his nose and forehead. There was never any mistaking what love felt like when it came to those three, and every reminder was as much torture as it was joy. Once he had finished his squirming, the Highlander returned to his train of thought.
Caleb’s answer had riled instant protest – Berrod did not want to be the only one in the house without a substantial income, even for a while. Despite himself, he expressed to Caleb that he felt that he wouldn’t be much of a man if he didn’t put his equal part into the household’s finances. Fortunately for Caleb, Sarij had happened upon them, and was able to help the Agron get Berrod to understand that it was alright for him to lean on them.
Again he became aware of his face heating – but instead of rubbing it, he simply exhaled. Almost two years bonded, more than three years together, and he still struggled with the prospect of allowing himself to depend on them entirely for a time. He knew progress with that stubborn bit of his personality would be slow, but this was maddening.
In the end he had relented, and allowed himself to rely on them. Together they sat at that bench for almost a bell to simply discuss things that came to mind, at the forefront of which was the starlight celebrations. Berrod personally despised the season; he much preferred the customs of Winter’s Knell – even if he had to travel to snowy climes to build his own Father Frost. Caleb however, was in love with the Starlight celebration, and so Berrod resolved not to let his own grumpy view on it douse the Agron’s flame (originally he had conspired to hide the Starlight decorations, but aside from him being the obvious culprit, his adoration for Caleb won him over).
Another prime topic was the camping trip they had kept putting off. It had been far too long since their last one; those trips had always proven to be bonding experiences that traversed simple conversations or activities in a city. It would be the first time Sarij joined them as well, so Berrod had been adamant that they get that going as soon as possible.
After the talk  they  had traveled back home, where Caleb and Sarij arranged dinner. Caden arrived home from work only a tenth-bell later, and joined Berrod in the bath. At the table they rehashed everything for Caden, and solidified plans to go camping – at last, after moons of delay. Cleaning, decorating (Berrod tried not to look as aghast as he felt) and lounging followed, and when Sarij and Caleb had their bath, Berrod took the trio upstairs to express his appreciation in the most enthusiastic manner he knew how. So did it lead to their current tangle; a symphony of light snores, warm skin and the weight of draped limbs.
Sunlight began to stream in through the spaces in the curtains – the redhead had missed his opportunity for some training before dawn. Nevertheless, as it illuminated the men he loved and the cover of security they provided him with, he was willing to let that pass, just for today. The future was bright, after all, and in their embrace, he had the time and comfort to finish thinking on exactly what he needed to do.