#(sighs) remember when feroz was still a freeborn territory? yeah me too.

[unsettlingcreature]

The docks were always so busy in the wake of the summits, all manner of people bidding their goodbyes to Anvil and their friends from other nations until the next season came to an end. Zorion had been no different, pulling their sister into a bone-crushing hug before she went back to Urizen, while various other family members darted to and fro on the ship in preparation for their own departure towards Feroz. Zorion happily left them to it; it wasn't as if they'd be much help, much preferring to leave it to the experts. In the meantime, they scoured the docks for any last-minute purchases, flagging down traders and gleefully claiming their remaining wares for themselves. Eventually, a voice called out to them from aboard the ship and they sighed as they realised that officially, the summit had properly come to an end. They wove their way between the crowds, a firm hand on the bag that sagged at their hip and clinked with every step.

As per usual, they were the last aboard the ship while their husband was nowhere to be seen. With a huff, they immediately strode towards the captain's quarters, flinging the door open to find him sat in his chair, boots up on the desk and his tagelmust loose and draped over his face. He didn't even stir as the door banged against the wall besides a quiet grunt and Zorion carefully set their bag on the floor before heading over, shoving Calcifer's feet aside so they could perch there instead. A gloved hand came up to pull the fabric away, revealing a scowl that quickly melted away into a smile.

"Hello, my love," he said, sitting up straight and propping his elbows on the desk as he looked up at them with hooded eyes. "Is there a reason you're interrupting my nap?"

"I can let you get back to sleep," Zorion offered, a hand reaching up to run a hand through Calcifer's dark hair. They watched his eyelids drift shut, his head leaning into the touch. "I'll just keep what's in my bag all to myself. What a shame!"

That got his attention, his lips stretching into a grin. "Intriguing. What have you got?"

Rather than evading as they usually would, Zorion slid off the desk and retrieved one bottle of many from their bag. Calcifer whistled appreciatively as they set the bottle of whiskey in front of them with a triumphant smirk. "Is that...?"

"Yep." They tapped a red-painted nail against the glass. "The good shit from Varushka. I nabbed it off of a troubadour headed east. I don't think she knew that what she had in her hands was liquid gold."

"Her loss," Calcifer said, reaching for the bottle only to have Zorion slide it out of his reach. He rolled his eyes, used to their song and dance. "So what do you want in exchange for it?"

Zorion hemmed and hawed for a few moments, pretending to mull it over. Calcifer crept an arm around their waist, pressing his face into their side.

"I'd be willing to let you have the bottle," they said eventually. "For just one hundred thrones. A very reasonable price, I think."

Calcifer nearly choked at the price, despite the fact that he knew it was just his partner playing about. Instead, he pulled back and huffed a dramatic sigh. "Unfortunately, I'm a couple dozen thrones short. Can't you give me a discount?"

"A discount?" Zorion echoed, putting on the perfect air of offence. "The audacity! Are you sure I didn't secretly marry one of the Grendel?" They prodded at his cheek, grinning when he gently batted their hand away. "Well, I certainly won't part with the bottle for any less than that but I suppose I could negotiate for a quick taste."

"So generous," he drawled, setting his chin on their lap. "What's the price of this taste?"

"A kiss!"

The answer came immediately upon the heel of his question, accompanied by a smug grin. Keeping an arm around their waist, Calcifer pulled himself to his feet, the two of them on eye level with how Zorion sat on his desk. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss against their lips. One of Zorion's arms snaked up his shoulder and to the back of his neck, holding him close while their other hand deftly unscrewed the bottle and lifted the whiskey to their mouth. They took a quick swig before leaning back towards Calcifer, going for a far less chaste kiss as their tongue slipped past his lips. He hummed appreciatively, both at the affection and the sweet yet heady taste of the honey whiskey. Before the kiss could deepen any further, Zorion pulled away.

"I've got more kisses up for trade," he murmured, skimming his nose against their cheek.

He turned his face for a third kiss, only to find the bottle pressed to his lips as the two made eye contact. He used his free hand to cradle the bottom of the bottle, tilting it enough to allow him to take a sip of his own. Unlike Zorion, he didn't pull away from the kiss once the sweetness faded from his tongue, his arm pulling them closer towards him until their bodies were flush against one another. For a time, the whiskey went forgotten until they parted, a self-satisfied smirk painting Zorion's expression.

"Happy?" Calcifer asked, receiving a nod in response. He pressed a kiss to their cheek before leaning back. "So, do I actually get to have a normal drink or is this going to be our whole evening?"

Zorion barked a laugh, bumping their foreheads together. "It depends how lucky you are, I guess."