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Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 23rd July 2025
Series: Bronze and Blue Entwined

Characters: K'mai, I'serin
Description: I'serin gets K'mai a gift
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik, N'kevyn

K'mai

I'serin

Notes:
~*~

I'serin ran his fingers over the fabric. It had a soft but durable weave to it, almost exactly the same shade as Sebeth. Along the cuffs and other hemlines was embroidery of numerous colors: white, sky blue, forest green, and a singular line of bronze. It was not as glamorous as the gift K'mai had given him but it was something in return. Something visible. I'serin believed that K'mai would appreciate the thought and symbolism.

He carefully tucked the tunic into its wrapping again. K'mai would be arriving soon, unless I'serin missed his mealtime guess. He went back to his desk to continue jotting down notes while he waited.

A few minutes later there was a brief knock and K'mai came in carrying a tray of food. "Don't scold me, the healers said I should start using my arm more." The tray was balanced on the undersides of his arms, away from most of the scoring.

I'serin schooled his scowl as he got up to take the tray. "Though you should not overdo it," he reminded the bluerider gently, though the tray was not heavy at all. As I'serin began unloading the tray of food, he decided that waiting until later on in the conversation would only allow for his nerves to rile themselves up. "There is something for you. On the desk," he directed K'mai.

"Is it you?" K'mai teased. Then his eyes lit when he saw the wrapping. "A present?" He hurried over and unwrapped it, letting out a small gasp when he saw the fabric -- midnight blue. As he unfolded the tunic, he noticed the details, other other touches of color. "Oh, I'serin, this is gorgeous." Then he saw the line of bronze, breathing a soft sound of awe as his finger traced it. "It's us, woven together."

It was the way he said those four words that caused warm flutters in I'serin's chest. Habit demanded that he trap those feelings, set them under scrutiny before discarding them for one reason or another, but I'serin carefully pushed habit to the corners of his mind and let those little flutters fill their little space. "I...did not want to copy the gift you gave me but I did want you to have something material from me. Something that was not glazed nuts."

K'mai laughed. "Those are for apologies. This is . . ." He ran his fingers over the soft fabric again. "I want to wear this all the time." I'serin's gift against his skin, like a secret caress. The thought made his heart beat faster.

"And dirty it during Threadfall?" I'serin joked lightly. He took a seat and began putting together bites of his meal.

"Maybe I'll save it for a Hatching." No one else would know what it meant, but that was okay. K'mai finally set the tunic down on the desk. "Can I kiss you? I know you don't like that in your office." But I'serin had kissed him after K'mai gave him the leather cuff.

The Weyrleader of Dragonsfall Weyr stilled. Swallowed. Pushed aside panic crowding at the edges of his mind. "Yes," he eeked out, certain that his tone did not hide his emotions but hoping that K'mai would understand that he was trying.

"Just a quick one." K'mai cupped his cheek. "I'll thank you properly later." Then he kissed I'serin, a press of lips lasting no more than a few heartbeats. It was still enough to get I'serin's heart hammering in more than one way.

The bronzerider licked his lips nervously as K'mai stepped back. One day, he promised himself quietly. One day he would not be so frightened. "It would go well at a Hatching," he remarked in a weak tone, like he was trying to compartmentalize nerves and thoughts into neat little spaces while also talking. "There...should be one coming up."

"There'll be plenty of occasions to show this off." K'mai wished he could show I'serin off, have the man on his arm as they mingled with other guests. Maybe someday.

Hearing K'mai say that caused equal parts warmth and worry within I'serin, who decided to lean into the former rather than the latter. "Are you hungry?" he asked of the bluerider.

"Oh, right. Food." K'mai smiled. "You gave me a wonderful distraction. I brought lunch for both of us again. Eating in your office is surprisingly fun. Must be the company." He winked.

"Must be," the bronzerider agreed with a sparkle to his hazel eyes. "Now, tell me the latest Weyr news." But before K'mai could answer, I'serin held up a restraining hand. "Unless it is more rumors about you with two bronzeriders."

"I still haven't managed that." K'mai gave him a teasing look. "How do you feel about N'vanik?"

The bite that was heading to the bronzerider's mouth halted. "Please do not," he practically begged. "N'vanik is my..." Peer? Colleague? No, those words seemed too formal. Acquaintance was too distant. Mentor was also not correct. Confidante? No. Friend? That now seemed the closest though still a bit awkward for I'serin to grasp. "He is my friend."

"Sorry, I was just joking." Though K'mai was definitely going to think about that later when he was alone.

"Incorrigible flirt," I'serin said, adding patient endearment to his tone. He knew he was going to be sharing K'mai with other riders but was learning that there were certain riders he felt uncomfortable sharing K'mai with. He would have to unpack why later.

"How about N'kevyn?" K'mai bit his lip, barely holding back a laugh. I'serin let out another dramatic groan.

"Well, I figure those two are our best bet. Do you have someone in mind?" K'mai asked, eyes bright with amusement.

I'serin shot K'mai a patiently exasperated look. "Have you grown bored in my bed already?" he teased.

"No, but that's not a reason to limit the possibilities." K'mai winked. "Consider all the wonderful new options another man joining us would bring."

Or new reasons for panic attacks.

"Let us focus on 'us' first please?" I'serin lightly begged. He was still getting used to the idea of being with K'mai and it being accepted.

K'mai's gaze softened and he took I'serin's hand, bringing it to his mouth for a kiss. "You're more than I ever could have dreamed."

Mollified, I'serin repeated the gesture. "And you bring an unforeseen light to my life."

"We're so lucky." Warmth filled K'mai and he felt so light he thought he might float away. Then he smiled and looked down at his plate. "I suppose we really should eat." Although what he really wanted was to kiss I'serin more firmly, to hold him close, to murmur words of affection in his ear.

"We should, else my next meeting will arrive and I will stare longingly at cold food for the rest of the afternoon," I'serin answered.

Last updated on the July 29th 2025

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