#threads;hymins

[n0chanxes]

It was quite a rarity, catching the fox guardian still content and quiet. But from the very moment each and every dot connected and memories of that voice, all their gentle warmth trickled back, it was all the guardian could do to simply.. Listen. And listen he did, if he pressed a touch closer with that arm around him, heart warming and racing all at once? He'd never be able to tell for certain.

Hymins gave a soft little, smiling nod at the first question, feeling his own cheeks warm at the sheer sparkle of excitement in the other's eyes. What he wouldn't give to be the cause of that perfect little glimmer.. And while he did listen, indeed he was rather hook on every word, his mind wandered as did his touch. A delicate hand was at that jaw again, head tilting just so, as though a part of him was trying so gently hard to understand.. just how warm simple words could be.

"Perhaps... some water for now? And.. eating after I rest?" A gentle silence had hung over them, and it'd taken seconds of fingers trailing over the other's rosy lips before the Caivnir realized that was because of him. He breathed out a chuckle almost as gentle as the breeze, blue-green eyes finding Namu's once again.

"It's.. not as foreboding as it sounds, I promise. I'm nowhere near death. Not anymore, thanks entirely to you. I just.. I hardly can keep my eyes open long enough for a bite, I think.."

Yet again, so many lovely words, and not a single one of his own. Not for a while at least. For another handful of warm heartbeats, the Caivnir was simply sunstruck. His eyes gave their first flickering glitter in what must've been hours. At words so tender, how could they not?

"That's... what it was" It'd dawned on him in a pink cheeked, smiling little blink and was followed with a gentle smile as the shifter nuzzled just a touch closer. Eyes slipped closed as he took in a selflish little exhale, only to so easily find those eyes again, hand practically able to feel the forest thrumming in the other's chest.

"I'd wondered, before, how I.. knew your voice but couldn't remember your words. But its so clear isn't it?" Slender fingers tapped over the other's chest, his own swelling just a little.

"Its your warmth. The way you spoke to me when you said such soft, safe things. Things that I clung to, even while Altered. It so gently.. brightens every one of your words it.." The Nir paused, only for a tender exhale, and a single, smiling shake of his head. "Its no wonder... why the forst chose such a warm heart to be its guardian. My connection to it is.. still coming back after everything.. But even I can feel how deeply it adores you, Namu"

[n0chanxes]

Words should have... started by now. Indeed, there had been quite a few times in the other's response that should have been the perfect moment to reply, or add something, anything to the conversation. So why was it, then, that at every point, something.. be it in the way the other's eyes warmed, the way those lips twitched wider in a smile or pressed in thought, made it so impossible to conjure anything up? Out in the forest, those quiet, safe moments were when thoughts were the easiest. So how was it that now, in the quiet of the little shelter, resting and almost nestled against the warm safety of the other, that thinking seemed even more difficult?

Even when the sublte question of exactly what Hymnis was came up once more, the world's most gentle touch against his lip banished even those heft worries in a single, gently trembling exhale. Something had conjured up thoughts, words, a response again; the hint of worry that knit the other's brow. Only then did lips part with the intent to at least reply.

"I...I.." A tongue lingered, lathing against his bottom lip, catching the other's thumb ever so slightly in the process. Disregarding the small shiver that tiny taste had given him, Hymins swallowed and nodded ever so slightly, soft turquoise hues watching as his own hand trailed from a strong jaw, only to rest against the other's firm chest, head tilting idly into the touch.

"I will, I promise... Just...I know your heart.. aches when the forest is wounded. I.. I'm very much the same but.." He blinked softly, eyes trailing back up until their gazes could match, "You've healed me today, saved my life.. twice over now.. You have.. such a warm heart...Namu.." He couldn't help it, cooing that name, the way the sound, the feel of it make his own lips pull into a gentle smile, "I hope.. knowing that, feeling the little part of the forest you've already healed.. helps lessen that ache, even a little"

Namu's habit of talking and not really pausing long enough to get answers was almost an ailment, by this point in his life. A genuine issue, especially when he needed answers out of people. A good job, then, that the nature of Hymnis' species or being or existence wasn't a hugely important point right now. It might become important, if the threat came back, but he was never one to pressure people into saying things or revealing things they didn't want to. And so he barely paid it much attention, simply tilting his head a little, right into that touch to his jaw.

There was that odd fluttering again, and a weird rush of warmth, of feeling so... full he couldn't quite explain it. There was no explanation, not truly, only that the other's words, the odd concern, the plea to be careful, it had him both curious, and confused. In truth, he wasn't sure whether the little fox meant him when he referred to the forest's children, or the fae. Or even just another creature entirely.

"The forest is my heart, and my soul, and my spirit. The fae that harmed you have not only broken a rule clearly set by myself and my brethren, but they've harmed the forest in their wake. Branches snapped, trees hit by magics that will need healing too. I can feel it in here..." he tapped his own chest, right over his heart.

"And they also hurt you. By some miracle, you fought off an impossible hex, and you did it with only a few scars to speak of. For whatever reason they wanted you, I imagine it was out of pure greed and that pisses me off more than the rest of it. The world is so giving, so... so willing to give to anyone that needs and asks kindly, but people feel like they can just take and..." he was getting a little heated, so he took a deep breath to try and calm himself a little, "Sorry, I... I will be careful. I promise you that. And I will do my best to avoid harm, but a small amount of harm to ensure the safety of the rest of the forest and its children is a small price to pay." Somewhere along the way, his thumb had started brushing over Hymnis' lip, eyebrows knotted in concern. For him to hurt himself in such ways… why? It was hard to say. But his touch was incredibly soft, and he couldn't seem to stop himself. “You should take care also, little fox…”

[n0chanxes]

Yet again, so many lovely words, and not a single one of his own. Not for a while at least. For another handful of warm heartbeats, the Caivnir was simply sunstruck. His eyes gave their first flickering glitter in what must've been hours. At words so tender, how could they not?

"That's... what it was" It'd dawned on him in a pink cheeked, smiling little blink and was followed with a gentle smile as the shifter nuzzled just a touch closer. Eyes slipped closed as he took in a selflish little exhale, only to so easily find those eyes again, hand practically able to feel the forest thrumming in the other's chest.

"I'd wondered, before, how I.. knew your voice but couldn't remember your words. But its so clear isn't it?" Slender fingers tapped over the other's chest, his own swelling just a little.

"Its your warmth. The way you spoke to me when you said such soft, safe things. Things that I clung to, even while Altered. It so gently.. brightens every one of your words it.." The Nir paused, only for a tender exhale, and a single, smiling shake of his head. "Its no wonder... why the forst chose such a warm heart to be its guardian. My connection to it is.. still coming back after everything.. But even I can feel how deeply it adores you, Namu"

Namu's habit of talking and not really pausing long enough to get answers was almost an ailment, by this point in his life. A genuine issue, especially when he needed answers out of people. A good job, then, that the nature of Hymnis' species or being or existence wasn't a hugely important point right now. It might become important, if the threat came back, but he was never one to pressure people into saying things or revealing things they didn't want to. And so he barely paid it much attention, simply tilting his head a little, right into that touch to his jaw.

There was that odd fluttering again, and a weird rush of warmth, of feeling so... full he couldn't quite explain it. There was no explanation, not truly, only that the other's words, the odd concern, the plea to be careful, it had him both curious, and confused. In truth, he wasn't sure whether the little fox meant him when he referred to the forest's children, or the fae. Or even just another creature entirely.

"The forest is my heart, and my soul, and my spirit. The fae that harmed you have not only broken a rule clearly set by myself and my brethren, but they've harmed the forest in their wake. Branches snapped, trees hit by magics that will need healing too. I can feel it in here..." he tapped his own chest, right over his heart.

"And they also hurt you. By some miracle, you fought off an impossible hex, and you did it with only a few scars to speak of. For whatever reason they wanted you, I imagine it was out of pure greed and that pisses me off more than the rest of it. The world is so giving, so... so willing to give to anyone that needs and asks kindly, but people feel like they can just take and..." he was getting a little heated, so he took a deep breath to try and calm himself a little, "Sorry, I... I will be careful. I promise you that. And I will do my best to avoid harm, but a small amount of harm to ensure the safety of the rest of the forest and its children is a small price to pay." Somewhere along the way, his thumb had started brushing over Hymnis' lip, eyebrows knotted in concern. For him to hurt himself in such ways… why? It was hard to say. But his touch was incredibly soft, and he couldn't seem to stop himself. “You should take care also, little fox…”

[n0chanxes]

..What was it, then? What exactly had the young Guardian so... so... stuck in this moment, in those words and that smile? Was it that scent? So strong and safe? Maybe... Was it the promise to keep him safe and make those whod almost killed him, almost broke so, so many countless rules? Or was it a mix of things? Things from now, things from before the darkness lulled his mind? Memories of those words, so gentle, so flattering but meaningful? Was it looking up at the other from a sturdy shoulder, knowing that those were the eyes that'd been gazing at him, calling him so warm, gentle things? Truly, the Nir would never know.

A small shift in the conversation pulled him mind once more back to the present, a hint of panic in the back of his mind when the other asked rather specifically about...what exactly Hymnis was. Gods above and below, the fox didn't want to lie, not to him. But a lifetime of fear, of letting the wrong words slip, trusting the wrong being held those words back, especially after what he'd just barely lived through..

Thankfully, Namu moved the topic along himself, to one that once again had a warmth pooling in once tepid cheeks. A a touch so careful, so gentle that Alter or not, Hynmis was powerless not to press into it just a little, letting the contact warm and revive a soft smile.

"I... Thank you for..." A soft exhale, and slightly liess greyed blue and hazel eyes took a small moment to truly, fully look around the space, falling so easily back to the other. "Everything.. truly.. I have no doubt their retribution will come just... Just.." Words lingered, knit his brows ever so slightly as his own free hand, similarly a little covered in now dried blood, rose, slender fingertips lingering against the cut of an impressive jaw.

"When you do.. All I ask is that you do so... carefully? I'd hate to see another of the forests' children harmed.."

Namu's head tilted, looking much like a curious animal unsure of quite what was happening. And in a way, he wasn't - but not because of Hymnis. No, he could work that part out well enough with the explanations given, for the most part. What didn't make sense in any way was the fact that the... light fae had been after him? He'd heard that some of the fae tended to break the laws and the rules, go out and hunt creatures for food or for pelt, but they were often swiftly dealt with by whichever guardian was in charge of the area. That was their whole point, after all. But to be using hexes? And something to truly nasty as to drain the other of everything he had, knowing full well it killed most it hit? It made Namu sick to his stomach.

"It wouldn't have been the court, no.." he agreed softly, nodding a little as he turned to create a little strip of woven dried grass to create a bandage for the wound, but immediately stopped when he felt that hand back on his shirt and... Oh. Oh, he did remember...

"I... I found you. You were close to dead, but you're a strong, stubborn little thing," he smiled, warm and as careful as he could be. He didn't want to scare the other off, or spook him, after all. Not after so much progress had been made. Besides, Namu was... lonely. The forest made perfect company, but sometimes having someone to talk to was nice too. "You fought off a hex that most would succumb to in seconds flat. And in a stunning, beautiful fox form. You are... a shifter, I assume?" Again, he was smiling, but his curiosity was quickly winning out against all sense.

And yet, even though his worsd were warm and calm, he had a sneaking suspicion that maybe they weren't enough. And he didn't want to make light of a serious situation by any means. And so a hand, regretfully a little coverd with blood, came up to the other's hair, brushing palm carefully over the strands as reassuringly, as comfortingly, as he could, "I built this place for you... They won't find you. From the outside it just looks like another cliff face, and they wouldn't dare touch something I created, anyway. They know better. Though, apparently they don't if they think it's appropriate or even morally right to hunt an innocent. They won't know what hit them when I get my hands on them, I promise you that."

[n0chanxes]

There it was again. Another little whisper of a hint of a memory spurred on by some soft, tender thing the other had said. It felt almost like a sleeping curse, with the way it relaxed even his most tense muscles, but without that foreboding little bite. It was just... nice. Namu's scent was warm as his voice, safe almost. It wasn't a curse, wasn't a hex... but it was just as confounding. But he listsened in, keyed into the voice, the sound, the scent of the man to keep his mind from that lingering pain, even managing a soft nod at the reassurances.

"I-I..." He swallowed a little, pulling back just slightly, because the wamrth of that scent almost made him not wish to remember what'd led to this moment. He released a now bloody bottom lip, eyes off to the side in thought with a small shake of his head.

"It was.. sudden.. I was foraging, speaking with the forest when.. when they found me. H...Hunted me.." The grip on Namu's shirt returned, with a fearful little tremble as brows knit. "Light fae... not of the court I don't think. I dodged.. wh-what I could from their hexes, their weapons but.." He swallowed, eyes slipping closed as he remembered the pain, the fear, the tumble. A few flowers that'd been sprouted earlier almost bent towards him, as though trying to give him comfort.

"It.. I fell, after too much damager was done and then.... Then..." Brows knit again, eyes blinking back open, only to look up at the other from a broad, safe feeling shoulder. "...You... I... It was you.. who found me, wasn't it? Your... your voice that pulled me through the dark"

For all of Namu's reassurances and the comfort he'd tried to give the other, he knew that nothing would dull this pain completely. No amount of plants or medicinal magics would stop the sting of the needle, not entirely anyway, but he hoped it was enough. Just enough that it was bearable at the very least. A foolish hope, perhaps, because he heard those breaths. Every shaky little noise that slipped free of a tense jaw. He could feel the tension in the other's body where he touched, where he tried to sew as neatly as possible to give the best possible chance that the scar would be minimal.

His words were failing him now. His lips had parted to reassure, to tell Hymnis that it would only be a few more stitches and he'd be done, but that nose pressed to his neck at that exact moment, and he felt the slow shift of relaxation and oh. How that made his heart flutter just that little bit more. Or a lot bit. Truly, Namu didn't know enough about his own anatomy to know whether this was a normal amount of fluttering. It was truly only the fact he knew butterflies couldn't survive inside a body that he knew that, despite it feeling like they were in there, he didn't actually have butterflies in his chest.

"You're doing so well, little fox... Just a couple more, I promise." he finally managed out with a quiet clear of his throat, fingers getting a little too slick with the blood but there was less of it pouring out of the little fox's side now and for Namu, that was a win. He would bandage it up afterwards to really give him his best fighting chance...

He tried to make quicker work of it, though part of him really didn't want that proximity to end. It was so unusual, so strange, and something about the other felt familiar and like... home, almost, in a way he couldn't quite pinpoint. Like the answer was right there on the tip of his tongue but far, far beyond his reach at the same time. "I'll finish off and clear some of this blood, and then we'll get you some water, and I collected some food for you. You should eat something, get some of your strength back up, give yourself a fighting chance with the last of that nasty little hex. Maybe you could... could tell me what happened? What you remember?"

[n0chanxes]

Angular jaw clenched, keen eyes pressed closed, and the Nir held the fabric of the other's shirt just a touch tighter as the stiteches began. But Aside from that, Hymnis managed to remain still. His breaths were even managed, al beit quivering, to try and make the whole process at least a little easier on the other, on Namu. But it... It was difficult, to say the least. Once all of the gently sweet petals had been nibbled on, his swtiched to biting into a slightly dry bottom lip instead. It was.. mostlyy effective in keeping in his sounds. And what did escape were barely more than gently, trilling, pained little whimpers.

A distraction came after a small inhale. A gentle hint of the other's scent, something for his mind to latch onto that wasn't fear, confusion or pain. Hymnis thoughtlessly nuzzled closer, until his nose was nestled against the curve of the otherr's neck. His breaths were still painstakingly managed, but at least now they were tinted, helped by something.

It was odd, the other smelled a little.. familiar? Like the forest in some many general, but specific ways. The creek at sunrise. The meadow next to the light fae palace in the twilight. Newly sprouted saplings covered in morning dew. Each breath came with a million different memories, a million different comforts, enough that the Nir's grip relaxed just a little, trembles becoming just a touch less noticeable.

There were so many questions... So, so many questions. Some more pressing than others, some more important than others too. He didn't dare to think for a moment that he deserved the stranger's - no, Hymnis' life story, what and who he was and how he'd come to be in this part of the forest, but his curiosity coupled with a healthy dose of concern made that particular question louder than the rest. There was just something so unusual about the energy, about the way the forest seemed to rustle around and through him when he closed his eyes, as though it was responding.

He could even have sworn that he heard a whisper on the wind, but he couldn't be sure enough to bring it up. So for now, he took his time a little to give the petals a chance to work, gently placing a few leaves over the wound to not only soak up some of the worst of the blood, but to help numb the area too.

What he hadn't expected was for that forehead to meet his shoulder. He blinked, but he didn't move, or flinch. In fact, he barely reacted outwardly. Inwardly, his heart was beating an unusual, off-kilter rhythm. He'd never quite felt that before, and there was a fleeting moment where he nearly panicked that Hymnis was doing something to him, trying to hurt him maybe? But it didn't hurt. In fact, that off fluttering felt... nice. He smiled to himself, gentle peeling one of the leaves back to get started with the sewing, the silk attached to a thorn so thin and sharp it was just like a human needle and would do the job well. "If it gets too much or you'd like me to stop, tell me. Or just tap me, okay? I'll be as quick and as gentle as I can. Just a little longer."

[n0chanxes]

It must've been the bloodloss. Hymnis had heard his name millions of times by now. The only reason it would sound so different, so pleasant from the other's lips, in the other's low, careful voice, had to have been because of the Nir's sorry state. The warmth that barely flashed over his cheeks was.... currently much harder to explain. But for worse or better, the Caivnir couldn't dwell on that stranges as the other was much, much closer, moving silken red fabrics from the gash at his side.

He had to spare a hint of a smile, the smallest, almost imperceptable tug as slightly dried, slightly pale lips as the other explained such small, little things, things Nini had been born and grew up knowing. But it was... a small comfort, knowing he could be able to stay awake through it all. Little as he was looking forwards to the pain, he needed that promise, needed to know he could keep safe during the process. It was odd though... The closer the other---- Namu. His name was Namu-- The closer Namu was, the more Hymins could see into those eyes, listen to the way his words were so similar to the rustling of summer leaves. That voice alone, coupled with all those thoughtless little assurances had almost been enough to lul the guardian entirely.

Large, still dulled blueish-hazel hues remained on the other for... a handful of seconds too long before a nervous swallow was partnered with a soft nod. The Caivnir entirely unaware of the way a his free hand had grasped at the other's shirt with a gentle, nervous, trembling grip.

Definitely too many words. That much became clear as Namu realised more and more that barely any of it was going in. That didn't mean he'd necessarily stop talking... sometimes, just the sound of a voice was a comfort. Silence could be disconcerting at the best of times. He knew he hated silence. Even days where he was alone all day, he always heard something. The rustle of leaves as the wind danced through them, distant birdsong alight in the air. But he was also very conscious that that wasn't necessarily the same for others...

But that was a minor issue, compared to the other, very prominent one. The blood, the pain on the other's face, the hex still leaving it's lingering effects... "Hymnis," Namu repeated with a small nod, very slowly reaching for him again, making sure that the other could see every movement his hands made, exactly where they were at all times, "A truly lovely name."

His smile was warm, even as his eyes were focused, scanning over what he could see for now. And him scooting closer was definitely a good sign and had him letting out a soft, relieved breath of his own. "Alright, let's see what we're working with, hm?" He offered, still slow in his movements until he was very gently moving the material aside to see the worst of what seemed to be the biggest injury causing trouble to start with.

"It needs to be closed to heal best. I can sew it with spider's silk, and there are various plants that can help dull that pain so you won't feel a thing but still be entirely conscious. Is that something you'd be comfortable with?" His eyes sought out unique ones, his curiosity still very much bubbling away behind it all, but at the forefront was a careful, focused concern.

[n0chanxes]

Perhaps.. it had been a mistake, moving closer. Not for reasons concerning his safety, though, not in particular. It was simply a matter of needing to be acutely aware of everything around him, every sight and sound he could.. And being this close to the other, his voice, his kind eyes and smile, made that very, very difficult. Even now, having been asked a question, one both relatively simple and relatively dire, the Caivnir hardly registered the words, only the lips that spoke them.

It must have just been the bloodloss.

"I..." Hymins blinked back into the moment with a bit of a start and a small shake of his head. Keen, tired eyes had to peel away to look at the various plants, a smile pulling at his lips not unlike the smile one would give an old friend. Eyes slipped closed for a moment to thank the forest, even if its whispers were stiil so painfully hard to grasp, as he took one a few petals from a flower, nibbling carefully at the gently citrus-like petals.

He shifted a little bit closer, and leaned forwards, until his head could rest against a broad shoulder to hopefully give the other a better view of the main woundm even as the one at his wrist begean throbbing. And maybe he clutched just a little closer, eyes screwing shut as he braced himself for the sutures.

Definitely too many words. That much became clear as Namu realised more and more that barely any of it was going in. That didn't mean he'd necessarily stop talking... sometimes, just the sound of a voice was a comfort. Silence could be disconcerting at the best of times. He knew he hated silence. Even days where he was alone all day, he always heard something. The rustle of leaves as the wind danced through them, distant birdsong alight in the air. But he was also very conscious that that wasn't necessarily the same for others...

But that was a minor issue, compared to the other, very prominent one. The blood, the pain on the other's face, the hex still leaving it's lingering effects... "Hymnis," Namu repeated with a small nod, very slowly reaching for him again, making sure that the other could see every movement his hands made, exactly where they were at all times, "A truly lovely name."

His smile was warm, even as his eyes were focused, scanning over what he could see for now. And him scooting closer was definitely a good sign and had him letting out a soft, relieved breath of his own. "Alright, let's see what we're working with, hm?" He offered, still slow in his movements until he was very gently moving the material aside to see the worst of what seemed to be the biggest injury causing trouble to start with.

"It needs to be closed to heal best. I can sew it with spider's silk, and there are various plants that can help dull that pain so you won't feel a thing but still be entirely conscious. Is that something you'd be comfortable with?" His eyes sought out unique ones, his curiosity still very much bubbling away behind it all, but at the forefront was a careful, focused concern.