IC Inbox [Ruby City]

[bythewaves]

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[bythewaves]

[ Maglor sticks his tongue out at him in answer and eyes the pastries happily before reaching for one and offering the other to Maedhros with a smile ]

[castintofire]

{A fond ruffle of black hair. Maedhros nudges his brother over to take a seat, accepting the pastry with a warm smile.}

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor grins back at him and settles next to Maedhros, daring to risk speech again ]

Are you happy here, Nelyo?

[castintofire]

{Maedhros leans against his brother, nibbling contently on the treat.}

I am. It is...peaceful.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor nibbles at first before setting to more enhusiastically - he's hungrier than he thought ]

Good. [ He says in satisfaction ]

I like it when you are happy. Even if [ NOPE NOT SAYING THAT NOPE ]

[castintofire]

{Neither pass unnoticed. Maedhros presses a kiss to his brother's temple.

'Even if'. He doesn't let himself ask for the rest.}

...Will you stay for dinner? Finno would love to see you. There will be more sweets after.

[bythewaves]

[ He licks the crumbs off and leans against Maedhros in turn before nodding ]

If Fingon doesn't mind?

[castintofire]

Why should he mind? He loves you too.

[bythewaves]

I thought you might have wanted a quiet dinner. [ He shrugs shyly ]

[castintofire]

You being with us does not have to change that, little brother.

[bythewaves]

[ Another shy shrug ] I did not want to interrupt.

Also it.. [ NOPE NOT GOING THERE EITHER ]

[castintofire]

{Maedhros gives a playful tug to his brother's hair.}

You interrupt nothing you have not done a thousand times before. Stay with us until nightfall, and I will walk with you back to your little one.

[bythewaves]

He's not mine. [ Softly ] He has a father.

They never are.

[castintofire]

No. {A sigh and Maedhros leans his head against his brother's.}

He has a father. But he also has you.

[bythewaves]

I should not try and claim them, but I love them, Nelyo. And I will never have children of my own.

[castintofire]

Would that I could change that. You are a good guardian, and would be an excellent father. {Had Elrond and Elros not proven that?}

[bythewaves]

I know - you tried, Nelyo. I just. I cannot... I do not...

[ He stops in frustration, not wanting to hurt his brother by saying the words he knows the city is trying to drag out of him - nothing he is sure Maedhros has not already thought or said himself, but he does not want to hurt him again ]

IwasterribleIhurtthemweabandonedthem,Nelyo!

[castintofire]

{Maedhros wraps his brother up in a tight hug, firmly ignoring the pain that flares up.}

And still they loved us. I wish I could keep you from this torment. {There lays guilt; that his own torment fades. Little by little, day by day.}

[bythewaves]

You cannot I do this to myself. [ DAMNIT DAMNIT DAMNIT ]

[castintofire]

I know, little brother. Hush now. {It hurt far more to see Maglor so torn up, so Maedhros starts humming a familiar tune, tucking his brother's head under his chin as he holds him close.}

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor turns into Maedhros' hold and clings, upset by how much of himself he is being forced to reveal, even if only to the person who probably knows him the best. He keeps his mouth shut tight and forces himself to do nothing but listen. ]

[castintofire]

{Maedhros adds words to the silly little song, hoping the childhood song would give his brother even a little comfort. He smooths a hand over hair and back. One song turns into two, the words ended up not mattering so much as to let Maglor know he's not alone, and that he doesn't have to say a word to be loved.}

[bythewaves]

[ Slowly, Maglor relaxes, pressed close to his brother's heart. He is still upset, but he lets himself be soothed as only Maedhros knows how ]

[castintofire]

{Words of love and old joy enter the silly song, fond remembrances of lighter days. Maedhros doesn't think much of himself as a singer, but his brother has never seemed to mind, and it seems to help. So he keeps singing- he'll sing himself hoarse if he needs to. Gentle hands keep stroking over hair and back and he stays put, willing Maglor to continue to calm and settle.}

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor loves his brother's voice - loves especially the earnest care he puts into it for his sake, and the tension unwinds from his shoulders and hands as he relaxes ]

When is dinner?