The soft glow of candlelight flickered across the room, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. Malakai sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully weaving strands of Hiller's hair into a thick, intricate braid.
His fingers moved with practiced ease, his attention fully focused on the task at hand, though a fond smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Hiller sat in front of him, his back to Malakai, eyes half-closed in contentment. The quiet of the evening enveloped them, a serene moment of peace in an otherwise turbulent world.
"You're so meticulous with my hair," Hiller said, breaking the silence, his voice filled with amusement. "One would think you enjoy this more than I do."
"I do," Malakai replied, his voice low and gentle. "There's something calming about it. Besides, it's not just your hair. It's you." He tugged the braid playfully, making Hiller laugh softly. "I could do this forever."
Hiller tilted his head slightly, enough to catch a glimpse of Malakai over his shoulder. His lips curled into a smirk. "Forever? You'd spend eternity braiding my hair?"
"Every last strand," Malakai answered, his gaze meeting Hiller's. There was a warmth in his silver eyes that made Hiller's heart flutter, a tenderness that spoke of years spent together, of a bond that went far deeper than simple affection.
"Well, lucky for you, I have a lot of hair," Hiller teased, shifting so that his long locks spilled into Malakai's lap.
His sliver hair shimmered in the candlelight, cascading down like a waterfall, reaching all the way to the floor.
Malakai paused, admiring the way the light caught each strand, before leaning forward to press a kiss to the top of Hiller's head.
Hiller sighed contentedly, leaning back against Malakai's chest, feeling the warmth of his body seep into his own. "Sometimes I think you love my hair more than me," he joked, though his tone was light and playful.
Malakai chuckled, wrapping his arms around Hiller's waist and pulling him closer. "Impossible," he murmured against Hiller's neck, his breath warm on his skin. "There's nothing about you I don't love."
Hiller's heart skipped a beat, as it often did when Malakai spoke to him like this, with such sincerity and devotion.
Even after all the centuries they'd been together, Malakai's words had a way of making him feel cherished, as if he were the center of Malakai's world. And maybe, in a way, he was.
"You're being sentimental," Hiller teased, turning his head to look up at Malakai. "What's brought this on? Feeling particularly soft today?"
Malakai raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm always soft with you," he said, his voice deepening. His fingers traced idle patterns on Hiller's arm, sending shivers down his spine.
Hiller grinned, his playful mood returning. "You? Soft? I must be imagining things. Weren't you the same person who threw me into the river last week?"
Malakai's laugh rumbled in his chest, shaking both of them. "You deserved that," he said, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Hiller's face. "Besides, you looked cold. I was helping."
"Helping," Hiller repeated with a snort, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You just wanted to see me soaking wet."
Malakai leaned in closer, his breath warm against Hiller's ear. "Maybe," he whispered, his voice laced with mischief.
Hiller's cheeks flushed, though he quickly masked it with a scoff. "You're incorrigible."
"You love it."
"I tolerate it," Hiller corrected, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his words. He turned fully in Malakai's arms, straddling his lap so they were face to face. His hands rested on Malakai's shoulders, and he could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath his palms. "But you're lucky I love you, or else I'd make you braid your own hair."
Malakai's grin widened, his hands coming to rest on Hiller's hips, holding him in place. "I am lucky," he agreed, his tone suddenly softer, more serious. His eyes roamed over Hiller's face, taking in every detail, the curve of his lips, the sparkle in his eyes, the slight flush of his cheeks. "Luckiest man in the supreme realm."
Hiller felt his throat tighten at the intensity of Malakai's gaze, the weight of his words. He had always been the more playful of the two, teasing and lighthearted, while Malakai was steady and grounded. But in moments like these, when Malakai looked at him with such raw emotion, Hiller was reminded of just how deep their connection ran.
"You're being sentimental again," Hiller said softly, though there was no teasing in his voice this time. He cupped Malakai's face in his hands, his thumbs brushing over the stubble on his jaw. "What's gotten into you?"
Malakai's expression softened, and he leaned into Hiller's touch, closing his eyes for a moment. "I don't know," he admitted quietly. "Sometimes I just… I think about how lucky I am to have you, to have this."
Hiller's heart swelled with affection, and he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Malakai's. "I think about that too," he whispered. "More than you know."
They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence, the world outside forgotten. Hiller's hands slid from Malakai's face to his shoulders, then down to his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath his fingertips. Malakai's hands tightened on Hiller's hips, anchoring him in place as their breaths mingled, hearts beating in sync.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" Hiller asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Malakai opened his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Of course I do. You were wearing that ridiculous hat."
Hiller gasped in mock offense, lightly swatting Malakai's chest. "It was not ridiculous! It was fashionable."
"It looked like a bird's nest."
"You're impossible," Hiller muttered, though he was laughing as he said it. "But seriously, do you remember? How we just… clicked? Like we'd known each other forever."
Malakai nodded, his smile fading into something more tender. "I remember. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the one. My soulmate"
Hiller's breath hitched at the sincerity in Malakai's voice, and he felt his heart skip a beat. "I knew too," he whispered, his fingers tightening on Malakai's shirt. "I still know."
Malakai's hands slid up Hiller's back, pulling him closer until their lips were just a breath apart. "I'll always know," he murmured, before closing the distance between them and capturing Hiller's lips in a slow, tender kiss.
The world seemed to melt away in that moment, leaving only the two of them. Hiller's hands slid into Malakai's hair, tugging him closer, deepening the kiss. Malakai responded with equal fervor, his hands roaming over Hiller's back, holding him as if he were something precious, something irreplaceable.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other's. Hiller's eyes were bright with emotion, and he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.
"I love you," he whispered, the words feeling both familiar and brand new every time he said them.
"I love you too," Malakai replied, his voice thick with emotion.
He pressed a kiss to Hiller's forehead, then to the tip of his nose, before finally resting his lips against Hiller's once more.