03.01.10 - Not You

Location: Halyard Main Street

Characters Involved: Tameus, Micah

Micah has been spending a bit more time in Halyard, lately, so it's no surprise he's on Main Street, just strolling along. His paws are tucked in his pockets and his shoulders are hunched against the chill of the air.

Tameus heads onto Main Street from the direction of the not-so-nice part of town. His stump of a wrist is tucked into his jacket, and his head is a little ducked against the wind that comes down the street toward him, kicking up some snow - so he doesn't see Mike right away.

Micah eventually wanders over to the edge of the street and sinks down onto a crate, wrapping his jacket tighter around himself. He's probably on his way to the tavern, in a round-about sort of way. Just takin' a breather, first. He glances up and down the street and that's when he spots Tam. His ear flickers and he half-rises, looking a little uncertain.

Who knows, maybe that's where Tam's headed too. He spots Mike and pauses in his steps, looking down along the street toward the other buck for a moment before resuming. The older buck comes toward his friend with a bit of a smile showing on his muzzle. "Hey."

Micah stands up the rest of the way, meeting Tam a bit towards halfway. He manages a small grin, even. "... Hey. How are ya?" His shoulders hunch a bit more. S'cold, no doubt.

".. better. 'm better," Tam responds, though his smile is a little strained. His muzzle still bears the fading signs of having been beat up, his whiskers scruffy and bent. He steps up to Mike, curling his good arm around the smaller buck in a light hug. "How're y', then?"

Micah's arms come around Tam in a return hug. He breathes a quiet sigh of relief. "M'good. But... you're okay? Everythin's okay?"

"'m okay," Tam reassures the younger, and after a moment he brings his other arm around to join the first in the hug. He ducks his head to rest his muzzle for a moment on top of Mike's, exhaling a warm breath into the chilled air. His bandaged stump, partially hidden by his sleeve, rests at the small of Mike's back. "Haven' seen y' 'round.."

"... Been around," Mike murmurs. He nuzzles briefly at Tam's shoulder and then goes to separate. "Ya wanna... go home? Back t'Sala?"

"Been 'round where?" Tam coaxes with a soft tease in his voice. He cups his hand to the back of Mike's head, just briefly, then lets go with a nod. "Yeah, le's do that. Been kind'a avoidin' th' place.." More like the people.

Micah's muzzle twists in a very faint smirk. "... Just around. Avoidin' folks, I guess." It's like their the same person! He catches Tam's paw, then, the remaining whole one.

"Not me, I hope," Tam replies lowly, lacing his fingers through Mike's after a moment. He gives the smaller buck a bit of a tug, heading down the street none too quickly.

Micah shakes his head in answer to this question, letting himself be guided along. He drags his feet just a little, with a small grin. He missed Tam, and all. "Nah. Not you."

Tameus lets the space between them increase as Mike drags his feet, but they stay connected by their clasped hands. The buck looks back over his shoulder at the younger with a tender expression, and chuffs at him, "'m sorry if I worried y', darlin'.."

Micah's ear folds back and his expression softens a bit. He gives Tam's paw a little squeeze. "... Yeah. S'okay. S'not your fault. Jus' wish I coulda... helped ya." Sigh.

Tameus pauses his steps for just a moment, and pulls the smaller buck in closer. "Y' did," he whispers, muzzle bumping against Mike's cheek. "Y' were in m' thoughts. 's all I needed t' get through it."

Micah's eyes close and he turns his muzzle just a little bit, not quite into the kiss. What with being in public and all. "... M'just glad yer okay," he mumbles.

".. Mike," Tam huffs, eyes shut for a moment, then coming open, scanning his face. "It doesn' bother y', does it?" From his tone, 'bother' maybe doesn't convey exactly what he's asking.

Micah's head jerks... back and forth. And his head ducks a bit. "... Just. Makes me sad for ya, 'n' angry... 'n' m'just. M'sorry, Tam," he mutters.

Tameus ducks his head as well, and rests it on top of Mike's muzzle, nose and lips brushing there for a moment. "Nothin' t' be done f' it, 's there, love? So don' be angry, an' don' be sad f' me either... I c'n get on wit'out a hand jus' fine, I think..."

"You can. I'll help ya," Mike mutters. And finally glances back up. He gives a tug on Tam's paw, then. "... c'mon, though. S'gettin' late."

Tameus goes with the tug without protest, happy to stay near the other buck. ".. Keita tol' me t' get a hook," he says with a brief grin. "Said th' does'll all think 'm hot stuff that way... y' think so?"

Micah loses half a step and... quirks a brow. He glances back... and is torn between grinning and scowling. He settles for a nose wrinkle. "... I don' care what the 'ell the does think." Tsk. And then the grin is allowed to surface. "... I'd like it."

Tameus's muzzle forms into a broader, slightly playful. He lifts his hand, pulling it - and Mike - in closer to him. He leans so their muzzles are close together, chuffing so a foggy breath moves through the small space between them. ".. yeah? Y' would, huh?"

Micah's muzzle twists a little more and he ducks his head again... nodding. "Yeah... yeah, it'd be really, um. 'Hot stuff', I guess, s'what Kei' said?" he asks uncertainly. Haha. He steals a glance to the side at the other buck, the inner of his ear a little flushed with embarrassment.

Tameus's grin spreads even wider, momentarily a bit goofy. He hugs his handless arm around Mike's back, pulling him into a close hug, and briefly kisses the other buck on the mouth. "Finally 'll match /y'/, then," he mutters.

How risque! Mike presses briefly into the kiss before it ends, and then his eyes glance skittishly about. XD They've moved out of the village by this point, at least. "... Ha, well. You've still got a ways t'go 'fore you match me fer scars, love," Tam replies with an amused snort. He glances to the buck again. "... Like you pretty, anyway." Grin.

"I mean.. match y' f' bein' hot stuff," Tam responds, then tilts his head. He glances up.. then glances down, viewing Mike with his eyes squinted in the dark. The moon is out and luminous, though. "Like y'r scars. Like y' pretty, too.. so good thing y' got both, huh?" And they keep walking.