I Jumped So High, I Touched the Clouds

Writers: Aaron, Duskdog
Date Posted: 21st September 2024
Series: Lemhask in Love

Characters: H'lem, Tannock
Description: Tannock is more clever than Lemhask. Shocker.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 28 of Turn 11

It had been a gross and stormy month. But that had not stopped Lemhask. For months, he had spent every waking moment possible with Tannock. And while he had never been brave enough to make explicit just why he wanted to be with him, he was simply not clever enough to be very clandestine about it.

So today, on this suddenly beautiful day, it was once again very obvious to anyone who was paying attention just how his face broke into a goofy smile when he saw Tannock and how simply being with the boy took his breath away and how every time Lemhask asked to spend time with him, he asked in that same way he had the first time they raced off together...

Would you like to...? With me?

"Hey." Lemhask's face lit up. There he was. "It's... The sun's out. You wanna go... climbing or something? With me?"

At first, Tannock hadn't been sure. How can you just assume to know someone else's mind and motivations, after all? But there came a point where he couldn't really deny it any longer. Lemhask certainly seemed to have a thing for him. Like, a romantic thing. And while it was flattering, he'd wondered how long it would last. It wasn't that he didn't have any faith in the other boy, or in his feelings, exactly... just... that's not how it's supposed to be at their age, right? These things burn bright but don't last -- and that's okay, because that's just how it's supposed to be. Part of growing up, he supposed.

But it certainly hadn't burned out yet. And Tannock had to admit that he didn't really want it to. The question was... when to say something about it?

"Sure!" he answered brightly. "I don't know how much of a climber I am, but it sounds fun! Have you done it before?"

Tannock's brightness always made Lemhask smile. It was like... the sun coming back out after it had been raining for a week.

"I love to climb stuff." Nevermind that he liked to be up high because it made up for being so much shorter than his brothers. "There's trees and rocks... mostly rocks."

"Rocks are nice. There are some really pretty ones. It's strange, isn't it, how different they can be? I hear they're different in different types of terrain, and different depths." Truthfully, Tannock hadn't thought too much about it before, but now that the thought had occurred to him, it _was_ pretty fascinating. Though not as fascinating as Lemhask, himself. "Do you ever... go climbing with anyone _else_?"

Lemhask smiled like a doofus all the while listening to Tannock speak. He was so smart. He knew about rocks and stuff. But then his heart took off to the races. He did not want Tannock to think he was... playing the field or something.

"I- I... I have, before. But right now, I really like doing stuff... with you."

"I like doing stuff with you, too," Tannock replied. "I'm glad you invited me. We always have a good time." Was now the best time to ask? Would it ruin their nice day if he did? Maybe best to just... get it out there.

"Hey," he continued, a little more hesitantly. He'd never really done this sort of thing before. "Is it okay if I ask you something? Something... sort of personal?"

Lemhask was certain that Tannock would be able to hear his chest thumping. Of course, he hoped he knew what he was going to ask...

"O-of course. You can always... you know, ask me anything."

"Are you... that is..." Tannock swallowed, then smiled, gathering his thoughts. "Apologies. I've never actually been in this situation before, and I'm not quite sure how to say it. I know I don't always read things correctly, and I don't want to accidentally hurt or insult you if I'm wrong, so please don't take it the wrong way if I am, but... do you _like_ me? As more than a friend, I mean? Because if you do, that's wonderful, but if you don't, I understand and oh dear, I would have put my foot in my mouth then, wouldn't I?"

Lemhask nodded furiously, but it took him a moment to gather his own thoughts. ‘If you do, that's wonderful.’

"I do!" he blurted. "A lot. A lot, a lot. Does that mean you like me, too? Can I hug you? I really want to hug you."

"I think I do," Tannock replied, a pink tinge working its way across his cheeks. "I don't think I've ever been quite so glad for someone to invite me places, anyway. And... I didn't realize how good it would make me feel for you to say 'yes' just now, until you did. Is this how it's supposed to feel? I don't know. But I like it." And he took the initiative to hug Lemhask, since he'd already expressed his want. It felt like a nice first step.

Lemhask was not sure he had ever been so happy. If this was not how it was supposed to feel, he could not imagine anything that could possibly be better.

"I like it, too." He clung tightly to Tannock. This was everything he had imagined, and he did not want to do anything to mess it up.

"And I want to keep making you feel that way. I... I've never done this before, so... I don't want to make it weird or, or scare you away, but I just... This is... I think this is the best day of my life."

"It won't be weird. We'll just... figure it out together, as we go," Tannock suggested brightly. "If I get scared or if you get scared, we'll talk it out, and it'll be okay."

This boy really was perfect.

"It'll be okay," echoed Lemhask. He squeezed Tannock one more time and then let him go. "Wanna climb something with me?" He grinned.

Tannock grinned back. "Absolutely!"

Last updated on the September 21st 2024

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I Jumped So High, I Touched the Clouds