As crisp autumn winds settle over the forest, the change of the seasons is made official by brightly-hued leaves of red, yellow, and orange. The once verdant foliage gently flutters to the ground, turning the forest floor into a colorful mosaic as woodland creatures scurry with haste, bracing themselves for the inevitable cold months ahead.

Eben enjoys the beauty of the season as he similarly works to prepare himself and Adder for the coming winter; harvesting the last of the crops, gathering firewood, and preserving their perishable foods.

It's a lot to do alone, but Eben doesn't mind it. It was hard to dislike the work when you got to end your day with a warm bed, good food, and pleasant company. That was more than any criminal could ask for in this world.

Besides preparing for winter, the half-elf was also preoccupied with managing the needs of an injured gorgon.

Thankfully, Adder was recuperating remarkably well. The slash on his face had faded away, leaving behind a barely noticeable scar, while the other wounds were scabbing over nicely.

However, the injury on his chest was still proving to be an issue. Due to the infection and the depth of the wound, the gorgon had to move slowly and carefully not to injure himself further.

As a result, Eben also cooked the gorgon's meals, assisted him around the cave, and helped him maintain his hygiene. Essentially, Eben was acting as Adder's live-in nurse until the gorgon's wounds had healed.

The half-elf stares into the fire, mind wandering as he contemplates his friend's long road to recovery. The gorgon had endured so much and Eben couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had put Adder into that situation by running like a coward. If he'd stayed and asked what had really happened to Helia, his friend wouldn't have been near as damaged now.

Shaking his head to dispel negative thoughts about the past, Eben refocused on the present. He turned his attention to the cauldron of water simmering on the fire. With a gentle stir, the scent of lavender, rose, and lemongrass filled the cave. It was a calming aroma, one that he hoped would soothe Adder's weary body.

"Are you ready, Adder?"

Adder is curled by the fireside, toying with his hair. "Almost... thank you for helping me with this, Eben."

Eben lifts the large pot by the handles, heaving it over to sit by Adder's spot on the ground. "No problem. Let me just clean up first then I'll do you, okay?"

A flush rises to Adder's cheeks. "You're going to bathe? Right here?"

Eben chuckles as he disrobes. "I can wait until later if it makes you uncomfortable, but it's not like you can see me."

"No, it's okay." Adder concedes, "It's just that even though I can't see you, just knowing you're naked it— it makes me a tad flustered."

Eben can't the small chuckle escapes Eben's lips as he dips the rag into the pot of soapy water. This gorgon was so ridiculous. "Are you embarrassed? Don't worry, I'll be quick."

True to his word, Eben quickly suds up and rinses his hair before using the cloth to scrub his body. Just a few beats later he's pink and clean, ready to do the same for the gorgon.

"Okay, you ready? Eben asks.

"Yes."

Grabbing a fresh rag, Eben dips it in the cauldron and squeezes the hot water over top of the gorgon's head. Adder sighs as the warmth loosens his muscles and washes away grime.

The half-elf uncorks a bottle of soapwort-infused water, pouring a generous amount onto ebony locks.

"Close your eyes, this stuff stings" Eben warns.

Adder laughs as Eben starts massaging the fragrant liquid into his hair. "I don't think I can close them any more than I already have."

Eben huffs. "You know what I mean. Shush."

Once the liquid has been thoroughly incorporated into the gorgon's hair, Eben begins to massage it into a foamy lather. As he works, the half-elf marvels at the irony of this situation. Despite his fearsome appearance and deadly abilities, the gorgon was just as vulnerable and in need of care as any other creature.

Gripping the pitcher, Eben rinses out the suds, carefully avoiding the ears poking out of the gorgon's curtain of black hair. Suddenly, a loud sneeze echoes through the cave, jolting Eben out of his thoughts.

"Gods bless you. You're not getting cold, are you?"

Adder sniffs, rubbing at his nose. "I'm okay. You can continue."

Eben does just that, dipping the rag into the cauldron again and dragging it down the front of Adder's chest, being extra careful around the jagged wound. As the cloth wanders further southward, Eben attempts to be quick and impersonal. This situation was probably mortifying for the gorgon. There was no need to be insensitive.

However, Adder's misgivings seem to dissipate with the rising steam, melting under the gentle touches.

The sight of the gorgon relaxed and happy flusters Eben, but as he studies the green-gold reflections of Adder's scales, his eyes trail up to something that causes an even bigger commotion inside him.

Eben smirks salaciously, hands caressing damp skin. "You must be healing well if you're that raring to go."

Adder flushes realizing the condition he's in. The gorgon pulls a blanket over his shame, face red. "I'm sorry, I know it's inappropriate..."

The half-elf's heart gives a little skip as he sees the embarrassed expression on the gorgon's face. There was just something incredibly endearing about his friend worrying so much about Eben's non-existent propriety.

"I didn't mean to make you feel embarrassed, Adder. You don't have to be self-conscious about this kind of thing. Do you want me to help you out?"

"Are you, ah, proposing we do what we did last time?

Eben hums. "Not quite, that's too vigorous while you're still recovering. But we can do something just as fun. What do you say?"

"Yes, please."

"Lie back then."

The gorgon does as instructed as Eben pulls the blanket off Adder, heart thumping with anticipation. He relishes the shudder that wracks his friend's frame as Eben takes him in hand, stroking the gorgon loosely.

Eben lets out a soft exhale as his other hand continues to caress Adder's scales, marveling at how unexpectedly soft they are.

The flickering light of the fire dances across them, mesmerizing in its beauty. As he watches, Eben can't help but feel grateful for the chance to witness such an unusual sight.

A quiet moan pulls him from his reverie, causing Eben to glance up at Adder. The gorgon has brought his hands to his eyes, covering them completely.

Eben lets out a little laugh at the action, slowing. "Why are you doing that?"

The gorgon bucks his hips, seeking friction. "Because I lost my blindfold..."

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"You're afraid you'll hurt me?"

The tip of Adder's tail thumps on the blankets. "Yes. I want to see you so bad..."

Eben tightens his grip, speeding up as he ignores his own growing excitement. "You know what I look like, don't you? You can't imagine it?"

Adder groans, claws digging furrows into the stone floor. "I don't know what color your eyes are..."

Eben laughs at the sentimental idea. "Out of all my sexy traits, you want to look at my eyes? They're hazel. Like gold and green mixed together."

"It sounds beautiful, Eben."

Eben rolls his eyes at the sappy compliment, smiling. He leans down to leave a kiss on the black scales, enjoying how Adder twitches in his hand at the touch.

"It's a fairly common eye color, nothing special."

"No, you're special" Adder gasps breathily, "Very special."

Eben grins maliciously as he abruptly pauses his stroking, causing the gorgon to whimper and growl at the loss.

"I'm sure you tell that to all your partners." Eben jests.

The joke flies right over Adder's head. "No, I've never done this with anyone else. You're the only one I want..."

Eben's heart thuds at the confession. Clearly, the gorgon is speaking nonsense, lost in his pleasure...

The half-elf resumes stroking, setting a brutal pace as he attempts to quiet the gorgon before he says more things that set Eben's heart racing.

"Ah! Eben!"

The gorgon tenses, snarling and moaning as he reaches his peak. Eben maintains the same speed as Adder twitches and writhes, enjoying the sound and sight of the gorgon losing his sense of reality.

"Ahh, ah, stop please."

Eben relinquishes his grip. "You wanna talk about beautiful? Now that was beautiful."

Adder shivers as Eben wets the rag one more time and cleans up the mess they just made. The gorgon pushes up from his position on the ground.

"It's nothing compared to how you look... let me return the favor, Eben."

The half-elf frowns. "You're injured, Adder. You don't have to do anything for me."

Adder seems to deflate at the rejection. "You don't want to?"

Eben grabs a linen cloth as he scoots toward Adder's head. He ruffles the wet locks, attempting to dry them quickly. "It's not about that. I did it because I wanted to make you feel good, not so you would do something for me."

"Oh," Adder smiles shyly. "Okay. I just feel a little selfish when you are doing so much for me lately."

Eben finishes drying Adder's hair, grabbing a nearby comb. Gently, he pulls the comb's teeth through Adder's silky black hair. "I got myself into this position because I was selfish, Adder. I don't exactly want to be cursed, but I can think of worse things than taking care of a friend for a little while."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Eben."

Once Adder's hair is completely detangled, Eben helps the gorgon put his bottoms back on, and re-wrapping his wounds before dressing.

Stretching his body languidly, the half-elf walks to the kitchen and starts looking through their collection of dried herbs.

"Do you want some chamomile tea, Adder?"

Adder nods. "Yes, please."

Eben grabs the white flowers, tossing them into two cups before deciding to add some spearmint and dried citrus rinds. He fills the kettle, sets it on the woodfire stove, and waits for the water to boil.

As soon as the kettle is whistling, he pours hot water over the herbal teas, adding a generous amount of honey to both cups.

The half-elf brings the cups over to Adder, who is now comfortably curled up in his mountain of furs and blankets. He smiles as the cup is handed to him, thanking Eben as he sips the warm tea.

As the half-elf drinks, he contemplates what just occurred. It was pleasurable, that's for sure. Though he's a bit surprised in himself that he initiated something like that with a friend.

Eben usually preferred to only engage intimately with strangers or people he was soon to part with. It made things easier to keep his distance from people he couldn't trust.

Adder was different though. Eben could feel the trust in the gorgon growing by the day, each kind word and sweet smile cementing it further.

Besides, Adder had never gotten to experience this kind of intimacy. Eben smirks into his cup. Adder would leave Nǣdre Tor skilled and ready for any partner if he had any say.

As the half-elf sips the dregs of his tea, he's hit with a wave of drowsiness. He yawns loudly into his palm, feeling the day's labors finally catch up to him.

"Will you be going to bed soon?"

Eben nods, blearily rubbing his eyes. "Yeah. Feel like I've been running from chimeras all day."

"Is your room staying warm enough at night?"

"For the most part, yeah. Why?"

Adder traces a claw over the rim of his cup. "Well, I was just going to suggest that you could stay in here tonight if you're not staying warm enough..."

"Ah well..."

Eben rubs his neck, flushing. Somehow he'd imagined the gorgon wanted to be left alone after doing the deed. But of course, this soft reptile was probably one of those people who'd feel abandoned if their partner left after intimacy.

"I guess it does stay pretty toasty in here with the fire."

Adder swishes his tail, transparently happy at the news. "It does, doesn't it?"

After their tea is had, the two of them snuggle into Adder's pile of furs and blankets and say their goodnights. Eben watches the flames from the fire dance on stone walls as he waits for sleep to take him.

It's quite strange, he thinks, how content he is at this moment. He knows he should be more focused on how things will all go wrong sooner or later, but he can't bring himself to care when he feels so sated and safe.

He's just about to drift off to sleep when there's a shuffle from Adder behind him. He feels the gorgon's hand brush against his back lightly as the gorgon adjusts his position.

As it remains there unmoving, Eben focuses on the amount of warmth radiating from the small area of contact.

Goosebumps raise on his arms as the gorgon gets a little bolder, hand coming to cup the half-elf's shoulder.

"Eben, are you awake?"

Of course, he can't help the rush of blood south as the gorgon speaks directly into his ear. Eben shudders, trying to resist palming himself. "I am, Adder. What do you need?"

The hand rises to Eben's arm, softly tracing circles into the half-elf's skin. "Are you sure you don't want me to return the favor? I really wouldn't mind."

Eben groans. This damned gorgon just won't allow himself to be selfish for once, would he?

Eben scoots himself backward until Adder's warm frame is flush against his back. "You don't need to do anything, just hold me while I take care of myself."

"Okay," Adder agrees, hands embracing him from behind "Anything you want, Eben."

The deep rumble of the gorgon's voice makes Eben twitch and groan. "Ah— but if you could... please just talk to me..."

There's a pause before the gorgon continues. "What should I talk about?"

Eben sighs breathily as he finally allows his hand to cup himself through the thin material of his pants. "I don't care, anything."

"I... I had a dream about you, the other day."

Oh, Eben liked where this was going.

"Oh yeah?"

He feels Adder nod behind him, causing the gorgon's lips to caress Eben's ear.

"Yes. it was springtime, and we were in the garden together."

"What were we doing?"

Adder hums, making Eben feel like he was vibrating. "We were having a picnic."

Eben giggles as he slips his pants off. He knew that he'd said anything, but he hadn't expected such a wholesome scene to be painted in his mind. "We were just picnicking?"

"Yes. I brought you an apple and we were sharing it."

"That sounds nice—"

The half-elf gives a breathy gasp as soft lips caress the back of his neck.

"Eben, I'm sorry, was that too much?"

"Ah, no, it's nice."

Eben's body sings as another kiss is placed on his skin.

The gorgon continues. "You were worried about eating the apple, but I was excited to know what it would taste like. So I promised you I would take the first bite."

Eben's body tingles as the sensation of Adder's hands and voice sends his mind into a pleasant haze. He grips himself tighter, enthralled.

"Logic in dreams is always funny, isn't it?" Eben sighs, "What happened next?

"Ah, it's a little embarrassing..."

Eben bit his lip imagining how Adder's dream might've progressed. He speeds up, bucking as he pictures it in his head.

What did Adder dream of?

Did the gorgon dream of Eben grabbing those horns and having his way?

Maybe Adder pictured gripping Eben's hair and pushing the half-elf to kneel.

Or most exciting, perhaps the gorgon had dreamed of pinning Eben face down and taking him right there.

Mind completely lost to these tantalizing ideas, Eben speeds his pace up, delirious now from the tight tunnel of his hand.

"You don't—" Eben shudders "—you don't have to tell me If it's embarrassing."

Eben gives a shivery sigh as a clawed hand carefully caresses up and down his torso, his mind vaguely registering that the gorgon was mimicking the half-elf's moves from earlier.

"No it's okay, I'll continue. You were still wary of the apple so I..."

The gorgon hesitates for just a moment before speaking once more.

"I kissed you, so you could taste it too."

Eben grits his teeth, reaching up to grab a clawed hand with his own.

He probably should be disappointed that Adder's dream is so tame, but somehow the innocent desires of the gorgon fuel the flames of his desire even more. It causes his mind to race as his body begins to reach its peak.

Did anyone in the village know how Adder longed for any kind touch, word, or action?

Have any of them ever imagined that the gorgon curls up in his bed wishing somebody would lay beside him?

Could any of them fathom the fact that the monster they cower from dreams of sharing the spring with someone?

"Eben, I want to see. Will you close your eyes?"

Eben throws his arm over his face as his body seizes. "Fuck! Adder!

Adder holds Eben, stroking his skin soothingly as the half-elf slowly is released from the grips of his lust.

"Gods." Eben pants, "Did you see that, Adder?"

"No" the gorgon pouts, "I wasn't sure if you closed your eyes."

Eben laughs. "You'll get another chance, perverted reptile."

"Wha— pervert?! As if you have room to talk!" Adder chides.

Eben reaches behind himself, hand coming to graze a horn. "Okay, you can call me the pervert, but it's a fact you're a horny serpent."

Adder bats away Eben's hand, snuggling closer to the elf. "That joke did not land. I think you are delirious from a lack of rest."

Eben snorted at the gorgon's bluntness, but nonetheless closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him into its comforting coils.

As he drifts off, his mind supplies him with hazy-soft dreams of a sun-kissed spring day, soft lips, and the taste of crisp apples.

But his peaceful rest was not to last.

As always, any semblance of safety was torn away from Eben as the ominous sound of church bells reverberates through his mind.