Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Don’t forget that we’re invited to the Mallister’s tomorrow.” Jayne says, throwing a stern look her husband direction.

Willem merely rolls his eyes. “You keep reminding me for days by now.” He mumbles.

Dissatisfied in her husband’s lack of interest she swivels her head to focus on Davos instead. “And you have to pick your sister up from her riding lessons tomorrow.” She adds decisively. 

Davos’ coughs instantly, his food almost getting stuck in his throat. Hell no. He has by far better things to do than picking his sister up from her stupid riding lessons.

“Forget it.” He hisses rapidly the moment he has forced enough food down his throat to speak again.

Jayne sighs. “We talked about this Davos. You pick Melissa up because we’re already at the Mallister’s when her lesson’s over.”

“I have plans.” Davos protest. It’s true, he has been planning to meet up with Benji to check out this newly opened fries shop and go to the club afterwards for two weeks by now.

“I told you a week ago. Sorry for your plans but it’s not my fault if you keep forgetting.”

Davos says nothing, merely groans and lets his head fall back dramatically. He could swear, he has never heard about any of this.

“Sorry but you have to cancel them.” Jayne says and Davos head snaps up. “Are you mental?” He snaps impulsively before he can think any better of it. This could’ve been a mistake.

Jayne’s expression darkness the instant, but before she has the chance to rebuke Davos, Willem is already on it. “Language Davos!” He barks before continuing in a calmer tone. “Just plan around it.” He suggests. “We’re even driving her down, you merely have to pick her up. Shouldn’t be that hard.”

Davos sighs loudly. Does it even cross his parent’s minds that he could actually have a life himself? Plans things with his mates? But as much as he despises the idea, he can’t really do anything against it. If he just ‘forgets’ Missy at the stable his parents will give him hell on earth so that’s no option. Neither is it to discuss this farther and drag this into eternity. As he knows his parents, they’re both just as stubborn as he is himself. For them, the matter is settled now, no matter Davos’ complains. Also, the only change a further discussion would bring would be his parents getting incredibly annoyed which, in fact wouldn’t be the end of the world but could become a problem for Davos later. It’s always easier to live with relaxed parents instead. So Davos sighs again, crosses his arms in front of his chest, lets his head fall back and rolls his eyes dramatically before he gives in and asks. “When?”

“18:30.” Jayne says while shoving a fork full of food into her mouth.

 “I’ll be there at 19.” He murmurs while showing a fork of food into his mouth as well.

From the corners of his eyes he catches Willem rolling his eyes but decides to keep quiet about it.

Melissa who hasn’t said anything till yet, squeaks in anticipation: “Then you’ll finally meet Aeron.” as her eyes lightening up in joy.

“Yeah, whatever.” Davos shushes her. Despite Melissa’s liking for her riding teacher and rarely ever shutting up about him whenever she gets home from a lesson, Davos couldn’t care less for the lad.

“Be nice.” His mother warns him. “He’s a nice boy and your sister likes him a lot.” Davos merely rolls his eyes at that. Oh, he really does that a lot. But his father isn’t fooling around when it comes to rolling his eyes so loud they can probably still hear him in Japan. So Davos only learned from the best.

“Yes, because he lets her ride a stupid horse every week. She’d like anyone who lets her sit on a horse for an hour.”

The famous, infamous Aeron Bracken who his sister worships like he can cure cancer or some other shit. Davos usually acknowledges her rambling with an ‘aha’ and an eye roll. ‘I want to be as good with horses as Aeron.’ ‘I want to ride as good as Aeron.’ ‘I want to live at a stable as well.’... Sometimes Davos wonders how many more times he can hear the name ‘Aeron’ before he snaps.

“Don’t be such a dick.” Willem muffles between two forks.

Jayne squints by his words. “Willem.” She hisses, nodding at Melissa.

“Right...” He mumbles. Then turns to Melissa and says. “Forget what you just heard.”

Jayne’s jaw opens and closes without a word escaping. Then she rubs her temple before giving Willem her typical ‘seriously?’ look. Davos has already the one at the receiving end of this look far more times than he could possibly count. He does, in fact, likes to see it directed at other people from time to time.

“But Aeron is great, really.” Melissa (or Missy, as Davos calls her from time to time) insists.

“Aha.”

Benji

No clubbing tomorrow Davos types warily under the table. His mother has a strict (and in Davos’ opinion unnecessary) ‘no phones at the dining table policy’. He doesn’t have to wait long for a reply since Benji’s chronically online.

What

Are you mental?

Asked my mother the same. Have to pick up Missy He explains.

Hello?? Parent’s responsibility?

Busy

Fuck you Comes Benji’s prompt reply

Not my fault you prick

So Davos met up with Benji only to get fries and even ordered some to go for Missy. They’re mother has left them a pot of tomato sauce to make themselves spaghetti at home but, seriously? Is there a more boring meal than spaghetti and tomato sauce? So he picked up those stupid fries for Missy and now they’re getting cold on the passenger’s seat. Where the hell is she? Davos told her he’ll be there at 19 and kept his word. But he figured she would be waiting in the entrance, hop in and they could drive off. Now it is 19:15 and no still sign of his sister. He really doesn’t want to go in there? He hasn’t managed to find excuses whenever Missy had asked him to watch her lesson for years only go into that stinky horse stable now. But he has practically no choice if he doesn’t want to waste away in this car.

So Davos lets out a long, deep sigh of annoyance before he opens the door to the driver’s seat of the old family car and is on his feet.

The stable looks all but inviting but Davos still clenches his jaw and opens the door only to find himself in some, dim lighted corridor with massive green lockers at each side. Missy has told him about these things. If Davos remembers correctly they are for saddles and equipment.

“Melissa?” Davos calls out. No answer. “Missy?” He repeats.

The entire stable smells like horse shit but Davos forces himself continue walking.

Another door and he finds himself next to some kind of massive box with a railing as the only separation between him and at least ten horses.

Davos is pretty sure it’s not an actual box considering the size and the fact that there’s one of them. He has seen enough movies to know how there are always many small boxes next to one another (as far as you can trust authenticity of movies).

Davos stops to take a look around and finally, there she is, in between all the horses, Melissa is carrying a bunch of hay. Next to her a bloke that must rather be Davos’ age, carrying at amount least the same, or even more hay. So called bloke is the first to notice him. Davos doesn’t miss the quick frown before he puts on a rather neutral expression.

Before any of them says anything, Missy seems to take notice of Davos as well because she literally, pretty loud says “Davos.” as her face lightens up. Davos can’t help but smile slightly to himself over her little, bright face before his own falls slack again.

Meanwhile the bloke next to her drops his hay into some kind of manger and comes up toward the railing. Getting face to face with Davos.

“Uh- hey,” He says, putting up a polite smile. “I’m Aeron.” He introduces himself.

So that’s the Aeron Bracken his sister worships so much. Davos can see why. He’s handsome. A face Davos definitely won’t forget for a while, like a doll. Davos can’t help but stare.

“Davos.” He practically breathes out. Without thinking Davos reaches out his hand for Aeron to shake without breaking his stare. What the hell? Davos never shakes hands. Not unless necessary. Who even came up with the idea of shaking someone’s hand as a form of greeting? Such a stupid environment. Just saying ‘hello’ isn’t enough? And it certainly wasn’t even intended to shake Aeron’s hand, in no fucking way.

Nevertheless, Aeron seems perplex but takes it regardless. His hand is colder, fingers slimmer but longer than Davos’ own. They’re much softer than Davos would’ve expected. Not that it’s unpleasant, quite the opposite in fact. Before Davos can melt into the sensation, Aeron’s already pulling away again.

“So, you’re Melissa’s brother?” He asks stiff, seemingly trying to hold conversation. Walking toward the

“Yes.” Davos breathes out.

“Are we finished? All hay split into the mangers.” Missy says from beside Aeron. Gods, Davos has totally forgotten about her.

“Mhm?” Aeron mumbles, looking startled as he lifts his eyes from the ground, to look at Missy instead. “Yes, we’re done. Thanks for your help.” He mumbles, still looking absent in thoughts as he opens the door towards the corridor, letting Missy go first before closing it behind him.

“What help?” Davos asks. He can’t tell if it’s actual curiosity or just the wish to hold a conversation with Aeron. Either way he wants the lad to talk with him.

“We fed the horses.” Missy explains before Aeron gets to. But Davos doesn’t spare her any thoughts as he still patiently waits for Aeron’s answer. “Yeah, she helped me feed the horses.” He smiles, slightly nudging Missy in the side.

Oh, he has an adorable smile.

And beautiful eyes, and probably everything else and-- Wait, what did he say? Feeding horses? Davos must have a serious focus problem today.

“And- and- how many meals they get per day?” He blurts out the first thing that comes to his mind. Anything to make Aeron keep talking.

Aeron frowns, then a light, slightly irritated but amused smile gracing his lips. “There on the meadow for most of the day. But get fed hay two times a day, plus some get extra forage.”

“Extra forage for what?” Davos asks dumbly, much too spellbound by Aeron’s explanations to question his own idiocy and how stupid his questions must sound. But whatever Aeron might be thinking, he keeps silent about it and instead keeps explaining everything patiently. Something Davos is, in all honesty, already admiring about him. He knows just how much of an annoying prick he can be from time to time.

“Every horse for different reasons, some are too thin, some get medicines...” Aeron explains, as he simultaneously grabs an empty bucket with each hand. Davos follows him with his eyes as Aeron takes a water skin and kneels down to fill up the empty buckets.

“And-...” Fuck, he can’t think of anything good. “What is that for?”

“For water.” Aeron says flat, not lifting his gaze from the buckets.

“Yeah, of course, but I mean-”Davos really couldn’t do better in making a complete arse of himself. “But for what are you doing this? Like, why are you doing this now?”

“What, like you want me to stop?” Aeron smirks, coaxing an eyebrow as he looks up at Davos from his still kneeling position.

Davos eyes grow wide and he can feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck and spreading all over his face within mere seconds. “What- no- I mean- that’s not what I meant- I-” He stammers out.

Thankfully, before he can embarrass himself any further, Aeron starts chuckling. “I’m just messing with you. I need them to fill up the drinking trough.”

Gods, what a little prick to hold Davos on edge like this. He doesn’t know Aeron, how is he supposed to know if he’s joking or not if he says things so earnest. It’s kind of endearing but still.

This time Davos actually thinks before asking his next question. “Can I- can I help you?”

“I can help as well.” Missy offers.

Aeron looks from Davos over to Missy and says: “You can fill the next bucket Melissa.” He offers before looking back at Davos. “And you could help me carry it.”

Both do as they’re told so Missy starts to fill up the next buckets while Aeron and Davos together carry the full buckets in the box and pour the content into a massive drinking trough.

“What is this called?” Davos asks as they pour the water into the trough together.

Aeron who has been mesmerized by the water slightly shakes his head to bring himself back into reality Then he tilts his head to focus back on Davos. “What is what called?”

“This-- box.”

“It’s a paddock. You see, all horses live in here together and not in separated boxes. They also have the freedom to go out whenever they want and have much more space than they would in boxes.”

“Mhm.”

They pour the next water bucket into the trough when Davos finally gains the opportunity for a better look at Aeron. His hair is braided halfway, but a bunch of strands have found their way out and hang loosely in his face. He looks incredibly focused in what he’s doing. His yellow shirt, not all too yellow anymore but covered in dirt. Something Aeron doesn’t seem to mind all too much.

“We’re done?” Missy asks from outside the paddock, disrupting Davos analysis of the lad.

“Yes.” Aeron says as silence follows him. Davos actually isn’t so sure if he already wants to leave. He’s actually feeling quite good right now.

“So, thanks for the help.” Aeron says, breaking the awkward silence. Damn this really sounds like a ‘bye’. And he’s sure there’s left Davos could help him with? But he doesn’t dare to ask.

“You’re welcome.” Missy smiles. “See you next week.” She waves already halfway through the door.

“See you.” Aeron waves back before his gaze finds its way back at Davos, nodding toward door as a sign for both of them to leave as well. Even reluctant, Davos does as he’s requested to. So both leave the stable, Aeron gives him a quick ‘bye’ and immediately disappears into the, to stable belonging dwelling house.

Pretty man, he thinks as the door shuts close behind him Aeron and he is left outside with Missy.

“Aha.” Davos says for around the fourth time by now. He has made the massive mistake of asking Missy about her lesson and the stable. Just, you know, the usual stuff anyone would ask when trying to show interest in their little sisters hobbies. What she learned during her lesson, he asked about the horses, about Aeron.... Just to have a totally casual and descend conversation while they eat fries, just for that. Not that Davos has ever cared much about Missy’s interests before but there’s a first time for everything he supposes. And hearing about her stupid horses doesn’t sound as bad as it used to right now. He’s an older brother who takes interest in what his sister is doing in her life. So what, sue him?

Apparently the horse she rode is called Lady and belongs to Aeron’s aunt. For some reason she trained to stay seated in the saddle during trotting (sounds stupid), and something called leg yielding. It couldn’t possibly become even more boring. Why did he ask again?

Stupid idea.

“...and then Aeron told me-“

Davos shrieks up immediately, squinting a few times because he actually almost slept in. “Sorry, what did Aeron?” He asks. Davos hasn’t paid attention to any of her talking in a while.

Missy sighs. “As I said, Aeron told me I can help him split up the hay.”

“Mhm.” Davos grunts. Seriously, why would he even care? Just because Aeron might be a bit- okay, far prettier than most people, doesn’t automatically make him more interesting as well. Davos should just go in his room and watch Tiktok or something like that. This would be by far more reasonable and productive than trying to gather useless information’s from his ten year-old sister about a boy he doesn’t even know.

But he doesn’t go up, for some reason Davos says seated. “Why?” He asks instead, it’s like a higher being in play that is forcing him to stay and listen as he wonders what is so special about Aeron to lead Davos into such leading him into such questionable decisions.

“Because I still got time, you came only at nineteen.” Missy reminds him.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Davos shakes his head, his mind still puzzled by the near death boredom prior. “You talked with Aeron about me?” What could she have told him? But then, why would Davos even care about what Aeron thinks of him anyway? Today he has already made an arse of himself enough for a lifetime. So it hardly matters what an almost complete stranger thinks of him, right?

“Why would I do that? I have better things to do, you know. I just told him you’ll pick me up instead of mom and that you’re running later.” Missy snaps. She jumps out of her seat and crosses the kitchen clearly heading towards her room. But before she leaves they hear as click at the door swiftly followed by Jayne’s voice. “We’re back.” She calls out. Her head appears in the doorframe a second later. “We’re earlier than expected. How was your day?” She asks as she pulls out a chair to sit down next to Davos.

Then, a bit more serious, lowering her voice, she asks. “You picked your sister up from her riding lesson?”

Davos rolls his eyes. “Otherwise she wouldn’t be here.”

“Honey, has he been nice to you?” She asks Missy and Davos groans.

“I got us fries, how could I’ve not been nice?” Seriously, does their mother think he’ll leave Missy in a parking lot to die? Just because he is not interested to participate in playing happy family all the time? This woman truly has no siblings at all.

“Thank you.” She smiles, looking oddly relieved to hear.

“Hey.” Willem greets as he enters the kitchen as well. “How was riding lesson?”

“Great.” 

“Awesome. We had a marvellous evening. How ‘bout you Davos?”

“Mhm? Oh, yeah, t’was good.” He says, mindlessly playing with some left over fries.

“And you got fries I see.” Willem says, eyes narrowing in inspection. “Who’s gonna clean that up?”

“Missy.” Davos repeats plain.

“Why me?” The complain comes immediately.

“Because you ate them you stupid fu--.”

“Davos.” Jayne hisses.

“Well. I’m not picking that up.” He says, then gets up without waiting for an reply. He can reckon their reactions anyways. An annoyed look from his mother’s side and eye roll from his father’s. DAvos really doesn’t need that right now.

“You know what, I helped Aeron fed the horses today.” Missy proclaims as Davos is already halfway out the door. The calling of Aeron’s name making him stops dead in his track.

“Fantastic. Next time one of us can pick you up so you won’t have to wait for your brother.” Willem says. He sounds actually cheerful. He’s playing the part of being interested much better than Davos. Frankly, Davos wonders if it’s even a play or if Willem actually cares for whatever Missy has to say.

“Or-” Davos starts as he whirls around. “I pick her up again.”

It’s silent. Jayne squints while Willem tilts his head sideways like it allows him to look right through Davos, both frowning.

“Why?” His mother drawls, suspicion dripping in every vocab.

“Ehm-... why not?” Davos replies, swivelling an eyebrow. “I got time.”

“You want to pick her up?” Jayne repeats incredulous.

“...That’s what I said.” Davos says flatly, eyes darting back and forth between his parents.

“Are you high?” Willem snorts as he tilts his head further. “Listen, if you’re high-... you’re twenty you can do whatever you want just-” Are they serious? Jeez, Davos can’t do one thing in peace without getting accused of some weird bullshit. “Are you the fuck serious? I’m not high! Just because I said I’d pick up-”

But Jayne doesn’t let her son finish before she cuts in harshly. She keeps her composure surprisingly well.  “First of, language. Secondly, we’re just...” She stops, searching for the right words. “Surprised, that’s it. If you want to pick Missy up, go ahead. Just... be on time, alright?”

“Ok.” Davos agrees. He does his hardest to hold back the sarcastic comment already lying on the tip of his tongue.

Then Willem slowly nods. “Then I’ll drop her off and you pick her up later and-” Fuck, Davos didn’t thought of this properly beforehand. Of course, someone has to drop Missy off. Davos can’t say why but the thought of his father getting to see Aeron sickens him. He wants to keep Aeron to himself, as his secret. Something Davos knows is stupid because his parents already know Aeron but still. Davos has already been terrible in sharing. And the last thing he’s willing to is Aeron.

“Or I do both.” He suggests rapidly. Even while Davos still speaks he can sense just how much of a mistake this could’ve been.

The air instantly shifts even further. His parent’s both stare at Davos, then each other and back at Davos, both stunned into speechlessness.

Davos isn’t sure if that has been the best idea anymore. Why does he want to do this again? He could’ve just let his father- no. He can and will be able to do that for fucks sake. Bring Missy for her lesson and pick her back up. Easy. Everyone could do that.

“Okay.” Jayne finally says. She still looks incredibly suspicious. “Have fun. Just... don’t be late and be nice to your sister.” She groans, rubbing her temple.

Davos lets out a small breathe of relieve. That went much easier than expected.

But now he really can’t the resist urge to roll his eyes anymore. He has been holding that back for too long. Like, god forbids he’s just willing to take over one responsibility, ever. At least no further discussion so it’s a win anyway. He should begin to only start arguments whenever his parents are tired and worn out by the day.

“And what is that called?”Davos asks for not nearly the first time today. He’s sure Aeron must already be annoyed as hell but he just smiles politely and answers all his questions patiently, at least acting like they don’t bother him.

Because even though Missy insisted she could walk in herself and Davos just has to drop her off, he decided to follow her into the stable and after minimal sight of Aeron, decided to stay for the entire lesson. That has been simply the most obvious solution. Otherwise he would have to drive down here again to pick her up. So he’s simply saving himself a way. He also gets to see Aeron and annoy him through constantly asking stupid things, which honestly, Davos finds himself to enjoy a lot.

“A dandy brush, it’s for the legs.” Aeron explains patiently, an amuse smile playing on his lips. He doesn’t seem all to bothered, yes, rather grateful for Davos bombardment of questions.

“Why only legs?”

“Because it’s pretty harsh. Too harsh for the torso.”

Davos aches an eyebrow, half in disbelieve as he swivels his head to have a look at the brush Aeron’s now handing him over to feel himself. “Doesn’t seem so hard.”Davos snorts as he brushes over so called dandy brush with his bare hand.

“Horses do not have as much of a thick skin as most think, they’re actually pretty sensible and if I brush your back with it, I’m sure you’d change your mind.”

“Fair point.” Davos says as a bashful smile overcomes him. He enjoys how Aeron finds so much euphoria in explains the simplest things. It’s adorable how passionately he is in what he does.

A moment of silence follows them as Davos meets his eyes so full of joy and his brain goes slack until the only thing present in his minds are three simple words. ‘You’re so pretty’. Which honestly is just the truth, so what? Aeron’s just such an adorable creature with his all his passion and joy and look. Davos has seen tones of blokes before, not all as good looking as Aeron... but some. Yeah, some of them have been great looking as well. So another good looking bloke has nothing deep at all. It’s simply-... something. Something noticeable. The point is, he doesn’t know Aeron yet but he’s good to say that he’s pretty, because it’s a simple observation. That’s it.

“I’m done.” Missy reports from next to her horse, and indeed, the horse is all saddled up and ready for lesson. Davos hasn’t paid attention to her in a good while now, hasn’t even registered- whatever she’s done, getting the horse done for her lesson.

Aeron whirls around so vigorously his hair flies out around his face while Davos still tries to bring his puzzled mind back in order. “Great, then let me check the saddle and we’re good to go.” Aeron rasps.

During the lesson, Davos does not do much besides leaning at the outdoor school railing. Basically a huge arena filled with sand on which Missy’s riding around while Aeron mostly stands in the middle while correcting and showing her different kind of things Davos has no clue about. He’d like to ask Aeron out about it but besides the fact that he doesn’t want to scream above the whole outdoor school, he hardly can interrupt the lesson with his questions, can he?

“Sit out.” Aeron orders, “And strike off the canter.”

At least Davos knows what canter is. He has no clue when it comes to any of the other things Aeron has said during the lesson yet, but at least he knows one word. That’s something right?

He leans further against on the cool iron railing as he watches Aeron repeatedly spinning around himself to watch every of Missy’s movements. The fact that he’s not getting giddy is a wonder to Davos. How Aeron might would look on a horse instead of his sister? He’d like to see Aeron ride a horse. Ride a horse, ride Davos, whatever Aeron prefers.

The fuck. What is wrong with Davos? Why- fuck. His stupid mind never fails surprising him with new mindless shit coming up. Why can’t he think straight for one fucking time in his stupid life?

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Dumb, dumb and stupid.

Him being maybe a bit sexual loaded within the last days is certainly not Aeron’s problem or business. Maybe he just has to find himself someone to shag again. He hasn’t been laid in what feels like forever by now. Overly sexual frustration, that can happen, doesn’t mean he automatically has to shag the next best person crossing his way.

For the rest of the lesson, Davos can hardly focus no more. Why does his brain has to be such a stupid piece of shit? He feels so incredibly uncomfortable all of a sudden, he just wants to fucking leave. Just wants to grab Missy and get the fuck away from that stable. So as soon as lesson’s over, this is, despite Missy’s protests of ‘she could help Aeron feed the horses again’ exactly what he does. He has enough horses, and Aeron, and just- everything for a good while. All of this has simply been such a stupid idea right from the beginning. Him spending time in a fucking stable, hilarious. Something he shouldn’t have done in first place.

He just has to find himself someone to shag and maybe then he’ll stop with this bullshit his mind seems to be on to currently.

The following week Aeron’s sick. Davos doesn’t know exactly. His mother didn’t specify anything, just proclaimed that Missy’s lesson is cancelled due to Aeron having a disease during supper. Apparently his mother has Aeron’s phone number which, if he thinks deeper about it does make total sense but still-. Something about that just doesn’t seem to sit right for Davos.

So it takes two weeks for Davos to be able to see Aeron again and the weeks drag themselves out so much longer than expected. Which is not necessarily due to Aeron but much more caused by his overtime working due to fucking three of his colleagues falling sick at once. Whatsoever, so even though his extremely out tiring past two weeks, he’s still happy to drive Missy on Friday. And honestly, Aeron still does look a bit wrecked, it’s nothing specific he just looks- more flat, downright exhausted like just being awake causes much more difficulty’s to him than to others.

“You’re okay?” Davos asks concerned after Missy got the horse from the paddock but instead of smiling and petting Lady, Aeron starts to leans against a pole for support.

“Yeah, t’was just a small fever, I’m good to go.”

“You don’t look-“

“Just a bit dizzy, will be gone within a few minutes.” Aeron snorts, not looking at Davos at all as he instead starts using a second hand to support himself.

Davos frowns, not feeling quiet the reassurance by Aeron’s answer. “You want me to go get anyone?” He asks, honest worry dripping in his voice.

“Said I’m good.” Aeron snaps.

Jeez, if that isn’t a stubborn bloke. Davos can hardly suppress a dramatic sigh.

“You’re pale.” Missy states and for the first time in his life, Davos’s grateful to have her on his side.

“Okay, give me a minute. Melissa you can already get Lady done for the lesson, I’ll be right back.” He stammers, reeling toward his house and disappearing behind its door without waiting for any answers. And now Davos sighs. Discussing with Aeron, he could just as well decide to discuss with a bloody with a wall instead, may would have the same effect.

Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.

Davos might would think of the entire situation as funny if he wasn’t so seriously concerned.

It doesn’t take Aeron much more but a few minutes till he returns, a bottle of water in his hands as he already looks noticeably better. And Davos can’t do much more but frown. Is he fucking serious right now?

“Took some antihistamine.” Aeron proclaims.

Davos wordlessly rubs his temple, squints his eyes, then stares at Aeron as he blinks a few times.

“Against dizziness.” Aeron specifies, seemingly taking Davos’s lack of answer as lack of understanding instead.

Davos groans. “Yeah- no, I get that just-“ He takes a deep breath in, coaxing his eyebrows as he feels like his very own mother explaining something to a younger version of himself.

“You’re a marvel.” He then breaths out, his eyebrows high as he can’t bring it over himself to be anything but absolutely flabbergasted by Aeron’s stubbornness.

Aeron smiles pointy. “Thank you.” He says as he slightly squints his eyes, moving past Davos and toward the outdoor school for the lesson to begin, his bottle of water still clutched to his sight. As if that will save him. Davos can’t help but drastically rolls his eyes before he follows him.

Stubborn idiot.

The next time he meets Aeron, he looks pretty much like the old one as far as Davos is able to judge. Which is good because even though Davos shouldn’t care so much, he can feels a small burden lifted off his chest.

“So what do you do for living?” Aeron asks casual, leaning against the wall next to Davos as they watch Missy getting her horse done.

“Apprenticeship as carpenter.” Davos snorts. He doesn’t actually like telling people about it. Not because he doesn’t like his job, the people or workplace but because it sounds-... boring. You can hardly ever start an interesting conversation with ‘Oh yeah and I’m do an apprenticeship as carpenter’.

“Mh-hm, sounds like- fun.” Aeron frowns amused, raising an eyebrow like asking if that’s the correct answer.

“I like it,” Davos shrugs. “working with wood is kind of calming you know.”

Aeron already opens his mouth to repeat something before they pretty much get interrupted by a boy Davos swears has never seen before. “Aeron, dad said-“ He starts but immediately silences down as soon as he notices Davos. He looks a bit older than them, maybe a few years, not all too much.

“Oh, Davos that’s my cousin Raylon, Raylon that’s Melissa’s brother Davos.” Aeron warily introduces them.

“Ehm- yeah, hi.” Raylon greets sloppily before turning back to Aeron. “Mom and dad are going to buy new poles for the meadow before shop closes, ask if you need anything else.”

Aeron keep quiet for a moment, before answering. “New treats for Sunny maybe, besides that I’m good.”

“Alright.” Raylon snorts before turning around again. “Bye.” He calls out over his shoulder the very last moment before fully leavs.

“Bye.” Davos calls after him, slightly frowning.

“First impressions are just not his.” Aeron says but honestly Davos couldn’t care less. He’s not all to interested talking about Aeron’s cousin instead of Aeron himself. Like, of course he’d like to find out more about Aeron which does include his family butnot right now. Not if it means talking about anyone else. Something Davos is not all too okay with.

“So you’re living with your cousin?” Davos asks instead, only now weirdly realising that he has never thought about Aeron’s family and how he lives- except for the fact that he’s living at a stable- before. He will hardly do all that by himself like living alone, managing a stable- wait how- how old’s Aeron? He always assumed they’d be the same age but he has never actually been bothered to ask.

“Wait how old are you?” He asks rapidly.

“Mhm,” Aeron raises an eyebrow, his gaze kind of mesmerised on the horse in front of them, watching as Missy picks out her hoof. He slightly shakes his head, coming back to reality and swivelling his head to look at Davos instead. “I’m nineteen and yes, I live with my cousin.”

So only one year younger than Davos, that’s good right?

“And my aunt and uncle.” Aeron adds.

“Why?”

Aeron shrugs. “Dead parents.”

Hells, that was a bomb, but Aeron said is just as casual as others would talk about signing papers or their jobs.

“Oh, sorry ‘bout that.” Davos mumbles, not entirely sure which reaction is the most appropriate.

“Don’t have to. Not your fault, at least I hope so.” Aeron says, biting back a small smile Davos still does catch from the corners of his eyes.

“Yeah, guess I’m not.”

And then it’s silent as both just watch Missy getting Lady done for the lesson, both leaning against the wall in silence.

“You know, Lady’s actually my aunt’s horse.” Aeron says. “I’m just taking her for lessons since she’s the bravest horse we have, got her from an old riding school.”

“Mhm.” Davos mumbles. “And your horse?”

“Don’t actually have one. See, we have fifteen horses here, three are ours. Lady is my aunts, Mila my uncles and Sonny- technically she’s mine but cousins on paper.”  

“On paper?” Davos asks, frowning.

“See my cousin got Sonny when he was-... eight? I’m not sure anymore.”

“Sonny? Isn’t that ore of a boy name?”

“Hold on,” Aeron says, cheeking his phone before looking at Melissa who seems to be ready for her lesson. “You can already go on the outdoor school with Lady. I’ll be there in five minutes.” He says friendly. And honestly, Davos couldn’t care less about what Missy does at the moment. For a moment she looks like she’s going to repeat something before she thankfully decides to just nod her head and leaves alongside Lady.

As soon as she’s gone, Aeron immediately turns his attention back at Davos, talking just like nothing happened at all. “Yeah well as I said he was eight, had his first Nintendo so- you know.” He shrugs, chuckling slightly by the thought.

“But the character is called Sonic.” Davos corrects, chuckling as well as he does try to gesticulate something into the air.

Aeron huffs, raising his hands in defiance. “Don’t tell me, I wasn’t present. We mostly call her Sunny either way.”

Davos enjoys watching Aeron like that. It’s sweet how happy he is by the sheer reminder, how passionate he is about it all, like there’s nothing better in life than this stable and horse. It’s- refreshing and kind of calming to witness.

“You never had your own horse?” Davos asks suspicious.

“I did, but she was old and died when I was fifteen. Since then I’m mostly only taking care of Sunny.”

“And your cousin?”

“He doesn’t care all too much about horses and we just- I don’t know, it’s just some kind of a silent agreement that Sunny’s mine.”

“Wait hold on. I think I’m missing a few fundamental things here.” Davos squints. “Who does the other horses belong to? So you’re uncle and aunt are the ones running the stable? What do you even do besides working here?”

“So first off,” Aeron takes a deep breath in before starting to explain. “The other horses are livery, which mean, they have owners who come to take care and ride their horses but we get paid for lending them a box, or in this case letting them stay on the paddock since the horses have to live somewhere.” Stupid, stupid, stupid. Davos should’ve known that himself. “Yes, my aunt and uncle run the stable, but I’ll take over one day. At the moment I mostly do the lessons and feed the horses in the evenings. Oh, and I study English and history on teaching post.”

Davos honestly doesn’t know what he could possibly repeat. That have been a hell lot of information’s about Aeron, he’s not entirely sure yet on which he wants to lay his focus on first.

“So teaching post?” Davos finally decides to go for.

“Yep.” Aeron snorts, laying focus on letting plop especially the ‘p’.

“So one day you’ll take care that your stupid students do all their homework on time.”

“Yes my future looks bright.” Aeron jokes, shaking his head in amusement. “Oh fuck,” Aeron suddenly curses, his face immediately falling flat as he checks his phone. “We should start the lesson, it’s already past our usual time.”

For a moment Davos simply stares after him as he hurries toward the outdoor school. Hells, Aeron’s really something.

Another time he just stands at the railing, utterly distracted by the mere sight of his fucking sister’s riding instructor. Davos could stare at him for hours, which technically he already does. Well- one hour to be precisely, the exact hour in which Missy has her riding lesson which have grown to become one of Davos’s favourite parts of the week. But what he clearly does enjoy more than only watching Aeron is having his attention. Having Aeron’s eyes on him as he talks and explains things with such a calming voice. Davos enjoys every aspect of hearing his voice, how it sometimes hitches or how earnest he says the most ironic things, it’s hilarious, really.

“Davos?” Aeron calls out from the middle of the arena. “Could you get a mist boy and bring Lady’s droppings into the wheelbarrow right there?” He nods toward a corner of the area in which an already half full with horse shit, wheelbarrow is waiting.

Davos absolutely can, and he does without giving it much of a second thought at all while Aeron simply focuses back at the lesson.

It may sound incredibly stupid and childish and probably everything else but damn, Aeron saw him. Like, saw him, like knew Davos is there and can help and- yeah, that must very much be stupidity talking out of him but it- it just feels good to just -kind of- know he’s not invisible standing at the railing the whole hour. Knowing, Aeron knows he exists, takes notice of him.

It’s not that hard right? It’s not like he’s asking Aeron out on a date. He’s simply planning on offering Aeron to join him and few of his mates at the club tomorrow. He could even bring friends himself if he wants. So nothing special. Like they get along, obviously, and if people get along it usually happens for them to invite each other to- things. Davos doesn’t know just any things, like clubbing. There’s nothing special about it and even if Aeron declines what’s the big deal, right? Maybe he’s just not into clubbing, so a decline doesn’t even necessarily have to do anything with Davos at all. Like they can still be good even if Aeron’s not interested in the offer. There would be no issue at all. Why would there? Still, he can’t help but notice how his hands are kind of damp as he mentally prepares himself.

So lesson’s over and they’d actually be good to go, so this pretty much is his chance. He can do that. He’s absolutely able to do that. Inviting someone you know to an event you attend with friends, people do that all the time. He already did multiple times.

“See you next week.” Aeron waves and now Davos seriously has to act. That’s pretty much his last given chance.

“Wait.” He vigorously whirls back as he and Missy have already been on their way to the car. Aeron just coaxes his eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the suddenness of his action as he waits for Davos to continue. “I was- ehm- wondering if you are interested- only if you are of course- are interested in joining me and a few friends at the club tomorrow.” Davos stammers, squinting his eyes especially during the last part like expecting a blow or anything like that thrown toward him.

Aeron frowns. “Oh.”

Fuck, doesn’t sound like all too good news for Davos.

“I’m not sure if I-“

“You could- you could bring friends as well.” Davos interrupts rapidly, eyes wide as he can feel the immediately panic floating him.  “Sorry I- I interrupted you- I just- you’d not be alone you know?”

“Eh, yes I figured that so far, I’m just not sure if find the time.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah I need to help my uncle setting up new poles for the meadow.”

“It would only be in the evening you know, start at nine, ten p.m.”

“Yeah as I said I need to check.” Aeron declares wryly and Davos is sure his face must betray his try in masking his disappointment right away.

“Okay, ehm- if you know, text me.” He says, trying to muster up as much of his left courage as possible as Aeron wordlessly hands him his phone and he starts to tip in his number.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Aeron assure as Davos hands him his phone back.

“Okay, then just- text me.” Davos breaths out, back on his way to the car before he snaps around for another time. “Even if you decide to not to show up, just text me. So I know I don’t have to wait for you.”

Fucking hell just text me.

“Okay.” Aeron says, again raising his hand in a quick goodbye wave.

Okay, that went- okay, right? At least Aeron didn’t say he’ll definitely not come, he’ll... consider it. It could’ve just been a foul excuse but- it kind of sounded assuring to Davos, so he can only hope for the best. And even if Aeron decides not to show up, he’ll hopefully text him which would be kind of a win either way.

Chapter Text

“Who you’re texting?” Oscar asks from the driver’s seat, curiously mustering Aeron up and down through the interior mirror of his car.

“Davos.” Aeron says, biting back a smile.

“At least now I get why you wanted to go clubbing so spontaneously, so bad.” Hel says, leaning back in their passenger’s seat to gain a better look at Aeron on the back seat.

“What? We just texted where to meet.” Aeron shrugs, trying to sound conveniently convincing.

“You already did for like three times. Other people usually already know after one.” Oscar grins.

Cunt.

Aeron simply throws him a sharp glare as he squints his eyes. “You’re stupid.” He huffs meekly, doing a poor job in trying to hide the fact that he indeed feels kind of busted in this whole matter.

“Let him, the bloke’s in love.” Hel chuckles, playfully slapping their relationships person’s bicep. 

“Am not.” Aeron whines, feeling pretty much like a child, sitting on the backseat of the car, trying to convince his parents for a stop at McDonalds.

“Mh-hm, sure.” Oscar mumbles, but before Aeron gets the chance to deny anything any farther Hel intervenes again. “But you fancy him?” They ask, coaxing their eyebrows as they swivel they’re head back around.

“Oh fuck off, both of you.”

“Come on Aeron, how long have you two been seeing each other?”

“Don’t know, two months.” Aeron admits, feeling very much like sinking further into his seat cushion until he fully vanished into it. Gods, just because he may found has himself to develop a small, really only minimal liking for Davos doesn’t automatically mean he’s in love. Right? They’re good. They’re cool, that’s it.

“What?” Hel squeaks out in bewilderment, maybe a few octaves to loud for the small car. “You’ve been seeing him for two months-

“Almost.” Aeron reminds them.

“You’ve been seeing him for almost two months and only thought of informing us as necessary fucking yesterday evening?”

“Well, technically we weren’t seeing, seeing each other. He just drove his sister to her riding lessons. That’s it.” He shrugs trying to state it as it is. Nothing.

“Sure.” Oscar mumbles, eyes fixed on the street.

“Oh my god will you shut up now?” Aeron hisses as he glares holes in the back of Oscar’s neck. A second person bringing in only stupid side comments is definitely the last thing he needs right now.

“Hey I’m the one who drives. If you got a problem you can bloody walk back home.”

“You wouldn’t.” Aeron hisses jokingly, just glad for the opportunity to swipe to another topic.

“Wanna tempt me?” Oscar asks, raising his eyebrow in falls strand.

But before they can take their quarrelling any farther, they again get disrupted by a shrill- well, it’s not entirely a yell but pretty close. “Parking lot!” Hel squeaks as they warily point at another car driving out a soon to be free parking lot.

“So where is he?” Hel asks as they climb out the car.

“What?” Aeron frowns. Seriously why can’t they just leave him alone with that?

“Fuck Aeron, your boyfriend.” They laugh, nudging him in the side.

Aeron sighs, rolls his eyes and gives them his patented ‘seriously?’ look. “So first of, stop that. He’s not my boyfriend, I don’t fancy him. He just asked me to go clubbing with friends. And his name is Davos, alright? Nothing. else.”

“Jeez Aeron I got it, calm down.” Now it’s on their turn to roll their eyes.

“Okay, boyfriend or not-“ Oscar starts, taking Hel’s hand in his own as he does. Aeron has no idea how they actually became a couple but without having been present he can confidently say that Hel surely did at least nineteen percent of the work. They are together for like three years now which is a long time considering he and Hel are only ninety while Oscar just newly reached his twenty’s a few months ago. It wouldn’t like feel that long if they were all in their thirties or forties but for people who barely made it out school, it’s kind of a long time. But their happy which is good. Aeron thinks it could become really uncomfortable for him if they ever break up. He has been friend with Oscar first, basically since kindergarten, then he found Hel and Aeron immediately got along so well with them that their just as good mates as he and Oscar are now.

“Not!” Aeron insists.

“But we do need to know where to meet him.” Oscar continues, not all to impressed by Aeron’s disruption.

“We meet him-“ He makes heavy eye contact with Hel. “and his friends-“ He says a beat slower as he does not blink while he stares at them during these three simple but important words. “At the entrance.”

“Wow, at the entrance.” Hel rolls their eyes, letting her hands fall heavily to their side. “I would’ve expected something more groundbreaking for this hell long of an intro.”

“You’re annoying.” Aeron sighs.

“I knooow.” Hel repeats, clasping themselves a bit closer to Oscar’s side. And he just grins, pulling their relationship person closer. “You can annoy me later.” He whisper, pressing a kiss to the top of their head. Aeron simply rolls his eyes at the scene. They can get annoyingly sweet from time to time. Aeron can recall only one fight they ever had in the entirely of their relationship, something about one feeling neglected or anything. He doesn’t know exactly anymore. But the fight died down just as quickly as it began so it’s not really worth it spending too many thoughts back at it. The only moments Oscar can get really- let’s say, not all too friendly anymore, is whenever someone miss genders Hel, which Aeron can absolutely understand. Hel just seemed to have made their piece with getting miss gendered from time to time even though they’re never able to fully hide the small disappointment in their eyes. But just because they did, doesn’t mean Oscar or Aeron did. So whenever someone miss genders them, they pretty much make sure to put this person into their place immediately. They more often than not have already left a place such as bar’s because the bartender refused to address Hel correctly, which includes their name and pronounces.

“So where is he?” Hel asks impatiently as they holding out their hands to cover their eyes from the by now almost fully sunken sun.

Aeron just huffs, as if he knows that exactly. Like entrance is entrance right? If he’s not there Aeron can’t help either.

“Relax.” Oscar snorts. “You do realise we’re just trying to annoy you right?”

“Of course.” Aeron says flat, not sparring him much of a glance as he checks his phone if Davos texted about any changes in their plan. But his phone’s empty so Davos has to be somewhere around.

Aeron squints his eyes as he takes a lasting look around until his eyes stay still on a mop of black hair. “There.” He calls, vaguely pointing into Davos’s direction for his mates.

“Wuw, let’s go.” Hel cheers, tugging Oscar behind them by his arm and into the direction Aeron pointed at. And yes, there he is, standing between a bloke and girl with hair just as black. The only exception, and with that already kind of outstanding on itself in their small group is a girl with blonde hair and cigarette between her fingers.

“Hey.” Davos greet, a warm small gracing his lips as he immediately surges himself out his prior conversation as soon as he catches sight of Aeron.

“Hey.” Aeron says casually as he doesn’t really know what to do or say otherwise, a small nervous smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He’s always getting stiff in such situations.

Awkward.

“That are Benji, Sab and Aly.” Davos says warily, pointing at each of them individually as he introduces them.

As Aeron still does nothing except for giving a polite nod toward everyone, Oscar nudges him in his side. “Right, that are Oscar and Hel.” He introduces his friends.

“Hel, like in- hell?” Davos asks, frowning but laughing simultaneously.

“Pretty much so, yes.” They say pretty unimpressed as they pull out and lighten a cigarette themselves, positioning them self next to Sab as the two are the only one’s smoking. Hel generally is the only one in their group who is a permanent and not only smoker by opportunity. Said she got it from her older brother. They’re not practically close with their brothers or family in general so they spend most of their time at Oscar’s.

Davos snorts. “Shit, then how do I know I’m not accidentally summoning you whenever I’m cursing?”

“Guess you won’t.” They say pretty unimpressed as they blow smoke out their nose before going in for a new drag.

“Ignore him,” Sab laughs. “first impressions are not his strong suit.”

Davos simply rolls his eyes before turning back and toward Aeron. “So you made your time?” Davos asks, which pretty much sounds much more like a statement since Aeron’s basically standing right in front of him.

“Yep, decided to pass by for a while.” Aeron says, hands in the pockets of his trousers as he nervously shifts his weight from one leg to the other. It’s nothing in specific making him nervous or causing him discomfort it’s just- he just doesn’t like such moments all too much. The awkward standing around as you try to get into a conversation with people you barely know. Well, he does know Davos at least a bit, or it feels like he already knows him better than he might does but his friends are strangers and he’s not as trusted with this location as his stable so... it’s awkward.

“Guess your uncle set the poles himself then?” Davos smirks.

“Uh-huh? Nah, Raylon helped and I did too for like half an hour.”

“Poles?” Asks Aly, who has been totally silent till yet, curiously.

But before Aeron gets the chance to explain, Oscar decides to take over that responsibility for him. “Aeron lives at a stable.” He explains.

“No shit.” Benji laughs, “at a literal stable?”

“Pretty much so.” Aeron shrugs, he doesn’t fully understands why this is such an interesting topic for people.

“Do you wake up every morning at like six because of a cock and decide to go and milk cows?” He jokes, hardly ducking before Davos lands a slap on the back of his neck.

“Idiot.” He mutters. “A stable, not a barn. Horses and all that.”

“But they can have other animals as well.” Benji murmurs.

“We don’t except for two cats that are mostly in the house since their pretty spoilt.” Aeron grins. Zelda and Link and yes, they again, let Raylon name someone while he has been in a violent gaming phase. But they’re truly the cutest, especially Link enjoys hanging out on Aeron’s bed the most. They’re siblings and they adopted them from the shelter when Aeron was twelve. Link was immediately more attached to Aeron while Zelda always made sure to keep a good distance from everyone for the first few weeks.

“Benji is a deadpan idiot.” Aly laughs. “You can just ignore him as well.”

“Fuck you.” Benji snorts, sticking up both his middle fingers right into her face. Aly, seemingly unimpressed just slaps the away, rolling her eyes and letting out a huff.

“I love cats.” Davos says warily, gracing Aeron half of a smile as he seemingly isn’t sure of what he could possibly say any more than Aeron himself.

“We all do.” Sab interrupts, having finished her cigarette and squeezing the filter shut on the ground. “Shouldn’t we go inside anytime soon?”

“She’s right.” Aly agrees, pressing a small kiss to her lips before taking her hand in her own, tugging her toward the entryway. The rest of them just follows quick behind.

“So you’re a couple?” Aeron asks smiling, already feeling much more comfortable as he walks past the two into the club.

“Yep-“ Sab smiles, but it’s the last thing Aeron understands before the music hits too loud, a smell of sweat and extremely annoyingly bright lights all inclusive.

Aeron squints his eyes, trying to make out where Oscar went, who should actually be right behind him, as a strong arm grabs him, tugging at Aeron’s arm to follow him. Turning around he comes face to face with Davos who mumbles something Aeron can make no sense of.

“What?” He screams over the music. Instead of giving it another try this way, Davos leans over until his lips are on the height of Aeron’s ear. “Let’s get drinks.” He half yells, maybe now a bit too loud for so close at Aeron’s ear now.

“Right.”Aeron yells back. Hells, he hasn’t been clubbing in ages. Maybe he should his friends just lead him through the night so he can relax a bit more.

So Davos leads him toward the bar where the others are already waiting, Benji busy ordering drinks for everyone. A place which happens to be the farthest away from the speakers, which means a place inside where they can talk at least a bit while they drink. Maybe Aeron should’ve eaten more before he came, instead of skipping half the meal in favour to help his uncle a set a pole more. At least his uncle and aunt didn’t noticed since they would’ve absolutely not been okay with that. They’re already telling Aeron he should slow down and take more time for himself, Aeron simply chose to never listen.

Oscar, Aly and Sab are standing right beside him as he can make out some scraps of their conversation over the music. “I’ll be right back.” Aly says as she kisses Sab’s temple, leaving toward- wherever, through the crowd of people on the dance floor.

Aeron’s vision has already gotten blurry as he takes a look around just to find Davos starring at him from over his own conversation with Hel and Benji, a light smile gracing his lips. So Aeron decides to join in right as Hel lets out a squeak he can’t really classify into a specific category.

“You’re all cousins?” They scream and Aeron can’t help but has to laugh. He should really slow down for a while, already at his second drink.

“Sab’s not. See, Benji and I are just- kinda befriended through too many boring family gatherings. And I am good with Sab, so she got to know Aly through me. And now they’re a couple and mostly hang out together which made Aly part of our group.” Davos explains and Aeron can’t do more but let out some more giggles.

“Already pissed love?” Hel asks, throwing their arm around Aeron.

“No, no I’m good.” Aeron insists. Seriously, it’s not that bad yet, he just feels a bit funny and like smiling that’s all.

“He’s such a lightweight.” They declare, tightening their arm around Aeron’s shoulders, pulling him in to some kind of half hug, which Aeron repeats immediately.

“True.” He mumbles.

“Wanna dance?” Davos suggest, looking specifically at Aeron as invitation for him.

So he and Hel let go of one another. “Sure.” He says, warily finishing his drink before grabbing Davos hand to pulling him behind him. Damn, he surely must’ve drunken more than he thought, otherwise he probably wouldn’t be that confident in what he’s doing in a place and with people he’s not familiar with.

Aeron’s practically not the best dancer but it somehow works. Well, Davos doesn’t seem to be either but honestly, who cares in a club? They dance for a while until Aeron seriously has to catch a break. The air’s not the best in here so he has to stay still for a moment to get a bit more oxygen into his lungs, the alcohol making everything swirl.

“You’re good?” Davos asks, a deep frown plastered all over his face as he lays one hand on top Aeron’s shoulder.

Aeron slight nods. “Yes, thanks.” He breaths out, not sure if Davos truly heard him over the music.

Without thinking too deep about it, or maybe due to his momentarily lapse of judgement, he leans forward, slowly starting to hug Davos waist. Like he’s able to keep the world from spinning too fast.

“It’s ok.” Davos says, laying a gentle arm around Aeron. He’s not sure what exactly is ‘ok’ but he decides to not question it any further.

For a while they move to the music like this, Aeron with his arms around Davos torso and the side of his face pressing against Davos’s chest. Whenever Aeron’s world starts to spin faster again, he pretty much automatically tightens his grip around Davos for mere seconds, like he’s the one who could bring it back to halt again. Aeron pretty much enjoys that. Davos’s is warm but not like- too warm, but like comfortable warm.

“Aeron, you’re good?” He makes out Oscar’s behind him moment before he feel a small poke at his back.

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles, slightly lowering his grip and swivelling his head to look at Oscar.

“Listen, Hel’s pretty pissed so maybe we should leave soon.” Oscar calls over the music. As driver he’s the only one from the three not allowed to drink tonight. If it was Aeron instead it would pretty much suck but Oscar seems to be cool with it. He mostly plays taxi for them.

“Huh? Yeah, right, right.” Aeron mumbles slowly starting to detach himself fully from Davos. And the cold that leaves is definitely not comfortable. Not at all. He could crawl right back at where he has been which probably is mostly attributed to the fact that Aeron always gets clingy whenever he’s pissed.

He can’t really tell how much Davos drank during the night since he obviously can hold his drinks much better than Aeron does. But even he must feel them a lot now.

So Aeron slowly starts following Oscar through the crowd, slightly panicking as he doesn’t immediately find Davos behind him. As soon as Davos catches up with them, he grabs his hand, claiming it for himself once more as they continue to follow Oscar outside. He just needs that kind of connection to know Davos’s still there and didn’t just disappear and left Aeron behind. Plus his hand does feel really good to hold. But he could also be just extremely pissed and maybe, slightly touch deprived.

Aeron forgot to text Davos. He has asked Aeron to text when he’s home safe but as soon as he entered his room, he just totally forgot. Just brushed his teeth, changed into his pyjama, forced Link to make space for Aeron since he was basically sprawled out all over his pillow, and immediately slept in.

Davos

Sorry forgot to text, was tired. I’m good

He tips warily before he get up and into the bathroom, pretty much smelling the alcohol. He hates hangovers. They’re like the worst. And even if you don’t have a headache you can still feel the rest alcohol in your veins which pretty much feels like spinning in a carousel for so long that you start to feel kind of dim.

Annoying.

“Tough night?” Amos snorts, pouring fresh coffee into his mug as Aeron prowls into the kitchen. He has no idea how late it actually is, but too early for coming home at... what, like 2 a.m.? Damn, he’s tired, can practically feel how swollen his eyes and sore some of his limbs are. Not an unusual aftermath situation for him after he drank a lot. Still doesn’t change a shit about how crappy he mostly feels.

“Mh-hm.” He mumbles, sitting down at the table without another word.  

“Coffee?” Amos offers, placing the mug in front of Aeron before he even gets to answer.

“Thanks.” He mumbles, slowly taking his first sip. They sit like this for a while, both silently drinking their coffee till Aeron can’t shake the feeling off anymore that his uncle seriously wants to say something. It’s like this unspoken thing in the air that makes Aeron go absolutely mental. It’s uneasy and makes him feel kind of cold- or distant, or both. Either way, Aeron despises it. If someone has to tell him something they should just go on without the back and forth bullshit. “What is it?” He snaps, maybe a bit too harsh but his uncle knows how much he despises these kinds of things. These unspoken words looming around, feeling kind of pressuring on him.

“Ehm- ok listen, Barba and got spontaneously invited for the evening.” He starts, obviously choosing his words quite careful even though Aeron doesn’t really understand why. Not like they’re never off and he takes care of the stable meanwhile. “And?” Aeron asks, coaxing an eyebrow. Since when has that become any issue?

“So could you-“ His uncle stops, looking kind of guilty only for the question itself. “Listen, can feed the horses, maybe the cats, check on Mila and give her meds. And maybe even tidy the stable up a bit?” Amos asks, looking kind of bad about it which honestly feels ironic to Aeron since that’s not really anything new to him.

“Sure.” He shrugs, getting up to grab a bowl and pour cereals into it.

And his uncle immediately lets out a deep sigh of relieve. “Thank you.”

“No big deal.”

“No, seriously, we wouldn’t ask you if we-“

“Said it’s no big deal.” Aeron repeats, smiling assuring at his uncle who still does look kind of-... weird (?) about it, which seriously confuses Aeron.

“Listen, Barba and I- we’re just feeling very bad about it-“

“Why? Doing shit around here all the time. Nothing new.” Aeron shrugs. Seriously, it’s not like he doesn’t want to. He loves being in the stable, taking care of horses, giving his lessons. It’s his passion.

“Exactly.” Amos says. Then pauses. “You should, you know, do more yourself- for yourself. I don’t know, just living your life more.”

Aeron frowns, opening the fridge to find himself some milk to pour into the cereals. “You do realise I wouldn’t do all that if I wouldn’t want to right?”

“Yeah, right-“

“See, I have the stable, uni-“

“Exactly, that’s like a full time job you have. You hardly do anything besides.”

“I do meet up with Oscar and Hel a lot.“

“Besides that, when was the last time you’ve been out besides yesterday.”

“Dunno, but more cause that’s usually not so my thing. Besides, what do you think people my age do the whole day? Hanging in their room, playing video games. You think they’re all out the whole day?”

“No really, see Raylon-“

“Raylon doesn’t care about the stable, he just does what’s necessary. Besides, he’s also spending most in his days in his room so what’s the point?”

Amos groans, running his hand through his hair in an attempt to find the right words. “I’m just saying you should... take yourself back a bit. Spend more time with doing other things, things you care about-“

“I do care about the stable.” Aeron interrupts him.

His uncle just rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“I get it.” Aeron groans. “Slow down and take more time for myself.” To be quite honest, it’s not like Aeron does want to do any less. He just feels at ease at the stable. He even enjoys removing droppings more than not. He can’t really explain it, it simply makes him feel so at ease with himself.

Then his phone busses in his pockets, so he pulls it out to find Davos’s name plopping up on his lock screen.

Davos

Then how did u slept? He writes.

Without thinking about it, Aeron immediate reaction is unlock to his phone and reply without a second thought.

Good, a bit hangover. How are you? He writes and Davos repeats instantaneously.

Me too A second message plops up immediately after. hope you had fun

A smile immediately spreads all over Aeron’s face as he starts furiously starts typing without hesitation. I did

Then he stops for a good minute, starring at his phone as he repeatedly writes and deletes the message again before deciding to send it regardless. Thank you :)

Then Aeron eagerly watches as the little bubble appears and disappears, his heart making a- maybe, only minimal jump as he gets a response.

You’re welcome :)

Aeron smiles, then closes his phone again, only now noticing his uncle’s stare on him. “What?”

“Nothing.” His uncle snorts, taking a loud sip from his coffee. “Just noticed I haven’t asked you about yesterday yet.”

“T’was good.” Aeron pauses, unsure what he can tell his uncle about. “Oscar drove me home.”

“That’s good.” Amos nods. When it comes to getting home at night, his aunt and uncle are always happy whenever a friend can drive him home safely. Always use to say that they’d rather pick Aeron up themselves, than having him stumble around pissed the city in the middle of the night. Something Aeron really appreciates even though he really wouldn’t want them to pick him up this late somewhere. “So you had fun.”

“Yes, Davos, eh-...  introduced us to friend, they’re cool so... we had fun.” Aeron stammers around, still not sure what exactly he could tell his uncle about without getting too specific.

Amos just frowns, looking like he missed out a chapter there even though Aeron tried to stay as general as possible. “Sorry, who’s Davos again?”

Oh.

“Melissa’s brother.” Aeron replies, biting down on his lower lip.

“Mh-hm,” Amos mumbles. He has never actually met Davos before, has no picture to him. Aeron has just mentioned him a few times during supper. Nothing specific, just that he seemingly drives his sister from now on, and that he’s nice. They can chat. Davos’s questions might be a bit weird from time to time but it’s kind of endearing how he tries. Seriously, Aeron loves his, sometimes stupid questions. They never fail to bring a smile on his lips. He likes how Davos laughs or gets nervous out of discomfort over his lack of knowledge about horses. Like, he has to know everything immediately. He enjoys to joke or just mess with him. It’s quite easy to mess with Davos because he always gets so flustered immediately. It’s kind of sweet and funny to watch at the same time. “Yeah, that’s- that’s Davos.” Aeron stammers, feeling to odd need to clarify that once more.

His uncle musters him up and down for a while before he leans back in his chair. “As long as you get along with him.”

“Hey- so ehm... I heard it was your birthday so...” Davos pauses. He’s stammering around like that for good five minutes now. Pretty much the time since he and Missy arrived and she left to get the horse from the paddock. Leaving Davos alone with Aeron. Since then Davos’s seems to be so very obviously in a row with himself. He looks almost bashful which is... rare. “I got this for you.” He finally musters up, half cocking as he wordlessly extends his arm to shove a small carton right against Aeron’s chest.

 “Ehm-“ Aeron replies like a total idiot, his mind not able to catch up with the situation yet. His absolute genius statement about the whole situation is followed by a stiff silence, Davos not able to meet his gaze while he himself wants to do nothing more but meet Davos’s. Like it could uphold the all the answer’s Aeron’s mind is currently searching for so desperately. “Thank you.” He eventually says, slowly lifting his arms to take the carton himself and release Davos still outstretched arm from the burden.

He musters the small carton up and down, there’s nothing all too special about it. It’s brown, like any other casual carton. The only thing he might be able to be call noticeable about it is the fact that hasn’t been closed with adhesive tape but a small yellow ribbon. It all looks pretty improvised. Aeron frowns, his mind still not fully getting it.

“It’s- it’s a gift.” Davos says slowly and so timid Aeron could kick himself in the ass. Why the fuck didn’t he understood this in first place? Like his mind is trying to sabotage him or anything. What else should it be if Davos hands it to him with the words ‘I heard it was your birthday’?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

“Oh.”

Silence. And Aeron knows he has to say something immediately to not get himself further into the shit. “Thank you.” He says, maybe a bit too loud. Davos lifts his eyes to give him a timid smile before his eyes immediately kind of just fall down again. Like it’s exhausting for him just holding them up, meeting Aeron’s gaze.

Without waiting any longer, Aeron carefully starts to open the ribbon, revealing a small horse figure.

“It’s eh- it’s a paint mix.” Davos explains. “The same breed as Sunny. And it has the same fur colour as her and it’s- it’s also a girl.”

Aeron smile immediately grows wide by Davos’s explanation. Damn that’s adorable. Like not the horse itself –which do is cute- but Davos seemingly put a lot of thought into this. Aeron is literally fucking stirred.

“But-“ Davos continues. “There’s something else in it too.” He vaguely points at the box as if there couldn’t be any mistakes in what he means if he wouldn’t. So Aeron pulls a small cube out the carton and the irritation pretty much must be shown on his face because, what is that?

“It’s a fidget cube.”

“Fidget cube?” Aeron repeats.

“Yeah, it eh- it’s against stress you know?”

Aeron wordlessly stares at the thing for a moment till understanding floods him. He has seen that thing before at Hel’s. He has been at their’s one time and they had the same, just not in black but the colour scheme of a non-binary flag. As far as he can remember he even played around with it for a while. These things really are nice.

His entire face lightens up by the memory, finally able to make sense of it. “Oh yes. I know these. Thank you.”

Davos slightly laughs, slightly scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah I just it could be helpful-“ Before Davos is able to finish he gets cut off during his mid sentence as Aeron goes in for a light, slightly awkward hug. Especially since Aeron still has his hands filled with carton and gifts so he can only lay his arms around Davos’s torso, not completely able to hug him fully, while Davos is a bit too catched off guard by the whole situation to do anything the first moment. So they just stand there like the probably biggest fools in the eternity of world, Aeron with his arms half around Davos. He’s sure Oscar and Hel would never let him life that down if they were present. It’s until Davos mind seems to catch up with the situation when he slowly starts embracing Aeron back, yanking him closer.

It’s nice. It feels nice. Davos’s warm and... just... kinda comfortable. And calming. And surprisingly soft for a human being with bones and all that stuff. Maybe Davos has none, can just hold himself up by magic or something like that instead of needing bones for that.

Aeron closes his eyes simply letting himself enjoying the feeling before they separate again.

“So thanks.” Aeron smiles, trying to overshadow how kind of puzzled he still feels by everything that just happened. Like his mind is so desperately trying to make sense where there is none while he simultaneously just feels the strong want to hug Davos again.

“You’re welcome.” Davos smiles sweetly. It’s kind of dreamily to watch.

It takes Aeron a while to catch up with everything again as they, for a while, just silently watch Melissa as she brushes Lady.

One brush, then another and another, and another.

“How do you- how did you even knew my birthday was a few days ago?” Aeron asks curious, blinking a few times as he rips his gaze out the trance he kind of ended up in as he has watched Melissa’s rhythmical movements.

“Oh ehm- my mother told me. I think she texted with your aunt about - dunno- Missy’s lesson’s or something so your aunt just told her.” Davos explains sheepish, again rubbing the back of his neck.

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles. Sounds logical. His aunt has a penchant for over sharing whenever she feel comfortable around someone. Not that Aeron minds.

“Wouldn’t have guessed you to be a July kid.” Davos says. “More like November. I feel like everyone I know is born around November.”

“And you’re born in-?” Aeron asks. He should really write that down, otherwise he’s sure he’ll forget. Dates are not really his thing.

Davos chuckles, taking his time before answering. “November.” He laughs and Aeron can’t help but has to too.

“And now a bit more specific.”

“November 16.”

“Mh-hm,” Aeron mumbles. “I should definitely write that down.”

“So bad with dates?” Davos asks sympathetically but with unmistakable amusement in his voice.

“As if you know all your friends’s birthdays.” He rolls his eyes, more out of joke than actual annoyance.

“True.” Davos admits. “But I do know my cousins’s because we’re all pretty much born during the same time. Aly’s is October 22 and Benji’s... hold on... I think December 11.” He makes a pause. “Oh and Sab’s is February the second.”

Aeron nods impressed. “So you’re like a walking calendar.” He states amused.

“Nah.” Davos waves off. “That’s all I know. Don’t even know my parents’s.”   

“Still, more than I know. I think I’d be lost without my digital calendar sending me reminders.”

“Yeah but me too.” Davos chuckles. It feels kind of calming, soothingly even having Davos like that. With his bright, amused eyes fully on Aeron and only him, as he could bath in Davos’s attention. Like he could master any and everything as long as Davos just keeps on watching him.

“Hey ehm- I just realised I, never asked- and, I mean it’s totally not my place to- so if you don’t want to or feel uncomfortable- you absolutely owe me no explanation- I was just curious-“

“Davos just bloody ask before I smoother you.” Aeron says deadpan serious. He loves messing with Davos like that. And besides, he can already guess his question beforehand. It’s not like he’s never been asked about his parents without his respective being more awkward than himself before.

“Ehm- so, you said you live with your aunt and uncle cuz of dead parents.” Davos stutters, trying to find a good approach into this delicate topic. Aeron nods. He could interrupt and do Davos the favour of saving him from this, for him seemingly uncomfortable stammering but what for? Davos decided to go this path and as told, Aeron likes messing with him. “So if you don’t mind me asking... how did they die?” Davos finishes his detailed try in asking a simple, even though very personal question.

Aeron slightly bites down on the inside of his cheek, having to think of how to start this the best way. He sure as hell has told the story a million times by now but it never stops being kind of awkward. “So...” He starts slowly, still trying to find the right words to start into this. “it’s not like I knew my father, he killed himself before I was born so it wasn’t, you know... all too tragic for me-“

“Hold on, killed himself?” Davos asks, the disbelieve clearly written over his face.

“That’s what my family told me. He had depression and overdosed himself.”

“Fucking hell.” Davos whispers but Aeron simply ignores him. “And my mother died on cancer when I was eight. That was tragic but I’ve already lived with my aunt and uncle for a good year because she couldn’t take care of me anymore even before so I guess that helped me immensely. Also- I truly love living here and I’m glad I can, you know.”

Davos mumble something incomprehensibly. Then, “That’s pretty messed if you ask me.”

“It is.” Aeron gives him a small wobbly smile, like an assuring squeeze after an injection, more meant to calm Davos down than himself. He got used to his respective being more affected than him the first moment. Like he already had plenty of time coping with everything while his opponents mostly look like he has just dropped a bomb or something like that. He knows it’s some kind of a tragic story and it’s not like it doesn’t affect Aeron in any way anymore but he did learn to live with it. It’s not like he constantly carries it around like it’s some kind of permanently heavy burden tugging him down.

“Wow, I’m so sorry for you.”

“I don’t need pity.”

Davos eyes immediately enlarge has he, again, warily tries to explain himself. “What- no- I wasn’t trying to-“

But this time Aeron spares him in interrupting him with a small laughter. “I get it, thanks but, I’m good.”

“Oh.” Davos says flat, then. “Oh you bastard.” He laughs, playfully slapping Aeron, both chuckling.

Aeron’s lazily hanging around in his bed, watching Rick and Morty for the five thousandsd time as his phone vibrates.

Hel

Sup lover boy

Aeron rolls his eyes, only half focusing on his writing as Morty just comes up with new morality issues, telling Rick they can’t eat human spaghetti. Why though? Those aren’t even real humans but aliens, so technically it’s no cannibalism at all.

Don’t call me that He types distracted.

Naw fell out of love again? They reply instantly. The sarcastic fake pity even visible to Aeron through the screen.

Am not

See

Cuz I’m not in love u imbecile He text absently, kind of getting appétit on spaghetti now.

The answer comes instantaneously. Ur annoying sometimes

He rolls his eyes before rolling on his stomach while Rick shows Morty a bunch of corpse’s, the person that killed himself, full of spaghetti.

And you’re not or what? It takes a moment till Hel replies. Aeron half watching the little bubbles appear and disappear, half watching Morty pulling some moral crap and Rick being deadpan annoyed about it, but not surprised the in the slightest.

Am proud of it They text and a second message follow immediately. U got time on Wednesday?

Sure what do you wanna do?

Oscar’s parents are off A second message. Card games and pizza?

Aeron smiles. Even though it’s at Oscar’s he mostly text with Hel, sometimes for both of them since they’re much more chronically online and he doesn’t has to wait for an answer the next hours. Love it

Great Aeron doesn’t know why but instead of just writing one longer text they keep spreading all information’s into many, many small messages.

Great

Come at 6

No wait 5

Oscar’s brother will be here

But he’s cool

Seriously

Yes, Aeron has meet Kermit before many times. He’s two years older and pretty chill. Aeron likes him. Sometimes he used to pick him and Oscar up after school when they were in first grades and Aeron spend a lot of time and their’s while his mother was sick and couldn’t watch over him every day. He has always loved being at the Tully’s.

Ik

Sounds good

Then he closes his phone, focusing back on the episode. Absently starting to pay with the fidget cube Davos gifted him as Morty just starts his own spaghetti business.

Chapter Text

It’s official. Davos is officially utterly in love with his sister’s riding instructor. The only issue: he doesn’t know what to do. Just because Aeron’s nice, doesn’t mean he’s interested at all. Davos would even go as far as calling them friends. Or maybe just acquaintances. Close acquaintances, but still.

It’s kind of exhausting. Not being around Aeron, obviously. There’s hardly anything he would prefer to rather do these days. But waiting to be around Aeron, waiting an entire week for the one and half hour he has. And even during that small period of time, it’s not like he permanently gets to enjoy Aeron’s full attention. No, he has his lesson, so for the majority of the time, he’s busy focusing on teaching instead of Davos. Davos’s is literally gnawing at the edge of Aeron’s attention, savouring every momentarily piece he gets while he gets essentially nowhere even near the romantic department yet.

It’s almost a month since Davos has invited him to the club and since then, they haven’t meet outside the stable anymore. He just gets that fucking one and a half hour every week. It’s like starving, like he can’t get around the week without his little piece of Aeron time any more. He does try texting with him once in a while. Sends him every horse Tiktok he has on his for you page. A rate that has increased a lot within the last weeks, or maybe months. And he quickly found out Aeron answers the fastest within the evenings when he has no uni or unfinished stable duties. Sometimes Davos sends him Tiktok’s during his lunch break. At the beginning he couldn’t help the small tingle of disappointment whenever Aeron didn’t respond within the following minutes. With time he learned that Aeron simply has no time for that during the day. But no matter what, he always answered. Sometimes only hours later, but he still did respond every single time.

“So you fancy him?” Sab asks curious, squinting her eyes as she still tries to fully understand the whole extend of the situation.

“Maybe not fancy him.” Davos tries for a safe pat.

“So you love him?”

“What- no, that’s not-... love is a strong word so-” He denies instantly.

Sab groans, interrupting him before Davos can talk himself fuzzy. “Then what word would you use?”

“I don’t know.” He whines out. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Ok so let’s say you’re in love with him.”Sab suggests, raising an eyebrow in question.

Davos lets out a sharp, long breath. “Alright.” He then nods.

“This much for the obvious.” Aly rolls her eyes, then explains after one puzzled look from Davos’s side. “You’re not subtle love.” She simply says as if that explains literally everything. He groans. Why does she even have to be here? So Davos asks annoyed. “Why are you even here?”

“Because I’m her girlfriend you bloody prick.” Aly snaps, nudging her Sab playfully in the side.

“I didn’t ask you to.” Davos snaps back, already getting annoyed by her presents. He didn’t come to get stupid remarks but serious advices. Serious advices from Benji and Sab.

“Seriously Davos,” Says Sab. “You two,” She points at him and Benji. “are terrible when it comes to things like that. So she’s much more helpful than Benji could ever be.”

“Oh fuck you.” Benji hisses.

Davos rubs his temple. Gods, that will never work out. Davos literally specified he’s the one who wants help. Can’t they get their shit together for one fucking time? It’s genuinely strenuous and he’s here for only like seven minutes by now.

“So you’re in love with Aeron?” Sab starts all over again. Collecting her shit in an attempt to be an actual help to Davos. And Davos slightly winces. He still doesn’t like how the words sound spoken out loud. They might be- okay, they are probably true but that doesn’t mean he enjoys hearing it aloud. But despite that, he nods dutifully, bravely ignoring the small lump in his throat.

“And you think he likes you back?” Sab asks like his personal love-life therapist, slowly and earnest, folding her hands in front of her.

Davos blinks a few times, not fully believing that he actually has to explain that. “You think I would be here if I knew?” He asks rhetorically.

“He definitely fancies you.” Benji throws in, opening a package of wine gums.

“That’s the obvious.” Sab agrees.

“Wait why is that ‘the obvious’?” Davos asks puzzled, not getting rid of the feeling missed something important out. Which is basically impossible since Davos has repeated every even so small interaction with Aeron through and through in his head for the past weeks.

Aly groans slightly. “Clubbing Davos. We’ve been clubbing together.”

“And? That’s over a month ago.”

“Jeez Davos t’was so obvious he fancies you. At least a bit.” Says Aly upon rolling her eyes.

“He was pissed.”

“We were too, and we didn’t decide to hold onto you like you were our saving line.” Benji throws in, a shit eating grin plastered over his face.

“I don’t even know if he’s gay.” Davos insists, still not convinced by the questionable credibility of his friends.

“Love,” Sab leans forward. “He makes a fucking pride flag look straight.”

Davos groans, rubs his temple, rubs his eyes, stares at the ground, at the table, at Benji and finally back at Sab. “Cunt.”

Sab simply chuckles, as does Aly.

“So what would you have me do?” Davos asks after solid five minutes of silence. He’s not one step farther in his need, than when this conversation started and he’s literally going mental soon.

Benji exhales loudly, making a ‘pfff’ noise with his lips. Aly looks like she’s wracking her brain out for a proper idea and Sab opens a can of coke. The lid making a ‘pf’ noise as well.

“You could...” Benji slowly starts. “just tell him.” Then he cracks up from laughing and Davos is literally two seconds away from strangling him with his bare hands. “This is serious.”

“Okay then I have no idea.” Benji whines, obviously not really into the situation at all. But fair enough, Davos has no idea either so he can hardly expect Benji to have one.

“So what are you two usually talking about?” Sab asks who has fully gone over in just gas lighting Benji’s stupid comments.

“My apprenticeship, his uni, the stable...”

“So nothing remotely close to a romantic department yet?”

“Nope.”

“That’s tough.”

“Mh-hm.” Davos and Aly simultaneously agree.

“Have you met outside the stable yet? Except for the one club thing.”Aly asks.

Davos shakes his head.

“Why?” She scrutinises, squinting her eyes as if sensing Davos idiotic behind it.

“Didn’t know how to ask.” Davos admits through pressed teeth’s. “But he seems to be so busy with everything and I didn’t want to pressure him and we’re texting a lot lately.”

“Idiot.” Aly just mumbles as she rubs her temple. Then Sab immediately asks, totally flat. “What’re you texting about?”

“Kind of- everything I guess. I mean nothing romantic. I send him a lot of horse Tiktok’s.”

“And he likes them?”

“He hasn’t complained yet.”

Sab doesn’t have to say anything. The look of pure and utter disbelieve mixed with annoyance is enough for Davos to understand that now is not the moment for this. “I guess so, okay?” He throws his arms in the air, exasperated. Like how is he supposed to know? He can’t read Aeron’s mind. But everything would be a lot easier though if he could.

Focus.

He needs proper ideas now.

“How did you invited him go clubbing then?” Aly asks.

“Dunno, I just... did, somehow.”

“And you can’t just simply do that again?”

Davos scrunches his nose, weighing his options. “I don’t think I can. He’s just-“

“He’s just what?”

“I don’t know, I just wasn’t as nervous back then as I am now.”

“Imbecile.” Benji mutters under his breath. But Davos seriously has much more pressing issues than Benji’s side comments right now.

“So in conclusion, you’re too nervous to ask him out or even invite him to... dunno, cinema. But you also have no idea how to approach the topic more subtle.” Sab repeats the whole situation, her voice sounding oddly disturbed.

“How about you try to make him jealous?” Benji sputters out, shooting up in his chair.

Davos frowns. “I’m not gonna fucking make him jealous.”

“He’s right Benji.” Aly agrees. “That’d be pretty much of an asshole move.”

Benji just murmurs something incomprehensible before folding his arms in front of his chest and leaning back in his chair like an angry child who doesn’t get his second dessert. “Then find something better.” He mutters but no one actually pays any attention to him anymore.

“What about flirting?” Aly suggests.

“I can’t flirt.” Davos whines.

Benji groans exasperated, letting his head fall back.

“Then what do you expect us to do?” Aly asks just equally as exasperated.

What is he expecting them to do? Helping. And no, Davos doesn’t know how, that’s why he’s here.

“Honestly, I’m clueless. You’re a self-saboteur in this.” Says Sab. So Davos groans, lets his face fall in his hands and just groans.

After solid three minutes, his head suddenly shoots up again, pretty much clasping to this last hope. “But how did you two become a thing?” What if he just copies whatever the fuck Aly and Sab did? Because obviously it worked out fantastically for them.

“That was different.” Aly waves off, frowning and nipping at Sab’s coke.

“Why?” Davos whines, practically begging them to just tell him what to do.

“Cuz we weren’t such idiots.”

Davos groans. “But what did you do?”

“Snogged.” Sab answers flatly. Yeah, okay, Davos gets that that might not work for him and Aeron. He can’t just start snogging him out of nowhere. And what if Aeron hates it? Then he’d hate Davos. And then they’d never even talk again and then Davos would have destroyed all the chances he could have had if he had only been smarter. No, Aeron’s too good, too precious for such a risk. He’s someone to worship. And doing practically anything he could be uneasy with is just so out of question. He has to do it the right way. Just that he doesn’t know that special, precious way yet which is incredibly frustrating.

“Look Davos,” Sab says. “I see it this way. You rather wait for a miracle to happen, but the idea of you dying on your stupidity sooner is much higher. Or you pussy the fuck up, get your shit together and make the first step. It’s that simple.”

“Simple for you.” Davos mumbles, feeling pretty scolded by her words.

Aly and Benji chuckle.

“Get. your. shit. together.” Sab repeats insistently.

Davos groans, crouching down in his chair. Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Fuck.

And as mostly his friends aren’t much of a help.

“Hey.” Aeron smiles warmly upon Davos entering the stable.

“Hey.” Davos smiles back. Shit, he has so absolutely no idea what to say or how to start this. Wracking his brain for a proper idea while all his brain focuses on is trying to mesmerize every inch of Aeron’s features.

Jesus that will never work.

Get your shit together.

It’s that simple.

It’s definitely not that fucking simple. Not if he melts like hot butter in a hot frying pan as soon as Aeron even graces him a look. Damn, his emotional life escalated quickly within the last weeks.

“So how’s uni?” He eventually decides to go for. Save path and all that.

“Fine, a few exams but its fine.” Aeron smiles assuring, though he doesn’t look all to assuring at all. More like exhausted. Davos has never been to uni but Sab and Aly both are and from what he hears exam time can be hell.

“Mh-hm.” Davos mumbles, frowning. And of course Aeron just has to notice and comment on it immediately. “What?” He asks, coaxing an eyebrow.

“Nothing, just heard exam time can be exhausting.” Davos says, choosing his words careful.

Aeron nods in agreement. “Yeah but I’m good.” He repeats, still trying to sound as assuring as possible but not entirely managing to convince Davos just yet. He doesn’t know what exactly it is Aeron just... doesn’t look... un-exhausted (?). It might be just a feeling Davos has but he looks kind of more unkempt than usual. His hair is messier and he just looks more fragile. Like he just musters up the energy he has left for the lesson. But it could also just be his own imagination projecting things on Aeron that aren’t there because Davos tends to become a bit overprotective from time to time. It’s probably nothing.

“Mh-hm.” Davos repeats still mustering him up and down. But instead of taking the risk to say anything wrong, Davos decides to not say anything at all. It’s Aeron’s personal business, he has to know what he can take or not. And Davos doesn’t know him well enough, or is close enough with him yet, to get to have any saying in this.

So he’s wracking his brain for another topic to come up with as searching Aeron’s phone starts vibrating. Aeron yanks it out his pocket immediately and starts’ typing furiously, a small but unmistakable smile on his lips.

“Who you’re texting?” Davos asks curious, trying to cover up the small disappointment over Aeron’s shift of attention.

“A friend.” Aeron shrugs, not lifting his gaze from his phone once.

And Davos again doesn’t fully believe him. It’s just a feeling, like before. He just doesn’t like how Aeron smiles down at his phone. Not one bit. It’s kind of too sweet, too soft for a simple friend. His eyes lightening up with a bit too much with euphoria

“A specific friend or?” Davos tries, a sour feeling creeping up his throat. What if Aeron has a boyfriend all this time? What if Sab was wrong and he indeed is straight?

“Nah, just... a friend.”

Davos squints his eyes. That answer took much too long for his liking. And he still does not miss the fact that Aeron still hasn’t looked up from his screen once. What, like his eyes are actually glued to his screen now? Like Aeron can’t go a minute without texting back? Like they haven’t just been in a conversation?

“Oh, a friend sorry. I had no idea.” Davos says so overly cheerful but with such aggressiveness behind that he himself is kind of questioning where this comes from. His friend, the friend Davos doesn’t know, the friend that must surely be nice if he or her or whoever manages to claim Aeron’s attention just so quickly.

His words bringing Aeron to actually lower his phone, his smile vanishing as stares at Davos. “You’re okay?” He asks, frowning.

“No.” Davos says without hesitation. Not thinking about his words twice, or even once. “Obviously I’m not, read the fucking room Aeron.” Aeron’s eyebrows shot up and Davos regrets his words instantly. That went much too far but he just couldn’t stop the words from slipping out. He just... got angry and kind of had to let it out.

“What the hell’s your problem?” Aeron asks. And now it’s too late for Davos to take his words back as new one’s fall out his mouth immediately. “My problem?” He asks through clenched teeth. “Maybe that we’ve just been in the middle of a conversation. That’s my problem.”

“Conversation?” Aeron repeats. “No one has said anything for at least two minutes.”

“Oh ok, yeah, in this case you can just instantly run off to your friend. What, like you can’t go a minute without replying? Must be such a nice friend if that’s the case.” Davos doesn’t like how the words taste in his mouth, not one bit, but he can’t help the still rising and boiling anger in him.

“And you think that’s any of your business? Oh and to your information, yes, he’s nice.” Aeon snaps, his mimic forming into Davos can hardly describe. Something defensive but also kind of irritated, but angry. A look he has never planned to see on Aeron, as never planned to be the reason behind and it kind of turns him on even further.

“Yes it is. If I stand here, trying to talk with you it obviously is my fucking business. But if he’s nice, that explains everything. Then just drop whatever the fuck you were doing and text him- or her- or whoever.” Davos rears back.

“You’re unbelievable.” Aeron hisses defensively. “You think simply being here gives you the right over fucking everything? Like you control me?-“

But Davos doesn’t give him the chance to finish. “I don’t.” He snaps.

“Then stop being a bloody prick who’s acting like it-“ Aeron starts, but Davos is already far too deep into this then to actually give it a stop now. “I’m not acting-“

“No, you just tell me when to be on my phone, and when to text my friends. Do I have to ask your permission the next time first? Or will you be chivalry enough to grand me this right even without? You’re not entitled to have an opinion on fucking everything, Davos. Especially things that don’t involve you.” Aeron yells and damn, he’s mad.

But Davos totally is too, he doesn’t really feel like he has any boundaries left.  “Fuck you.” Davos blurts out. “I’m sure he isn’t even that great. I’m sure he’s just a bloody prick. You shouldn’t even be befriended with him in first place if he can’t wait two minutes for your reply.”

“What. the. Hell. Davos. You really have no filter don’t you? What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re not getting around telling me who I should be befriended with, fuck you!”

That kind of set. Davos has nothing to repeat, can’t really think of anything anymore as he stares at Aeron. He pretty much feels like he’s just received a smack on the side of his head, just with words instead of fists. Then he rears himself up one last time. “No, fuck you.” He hisses, then slams the stable door shut behind him and just leaves. There’s nothing to say anymore, Aeron just pretty clearly told him what he thinks of Davos. He has to get the fuck away from this place.

Fucking shit, fucking shit, FUCKING SHIT.

Davos drums hard onto the wheel of the car as he desperately tries not to scream as well. Gods, what’s wrong with him? Sab was right, he really is a self-saboteur in this.

He’ll tell his mother to pick up Missy as soon as he’s home which he’s planning on heading to instantly. Fuck, he’s such an idiot. He doesn’t even understand why Aeron’s friend riled him up so easily, but he did. And he hates him. Hates how Aeron smiled after receiving a simple message from so called person. Hates how, for a second, he looked like nothing else mattered.

It takes Davos two days to finally text Aeron. Two days, in which he had been permanently tormented by the memory of whatever fucking happened. He had the slight hope that Aeron might would text, but nothing. Why should he? He’s probably still pissed of which Davos could probably understand.

So, after two days of being salty, then calming down, then being salty again, then having a long discussion with himself under the shower, he pulls out his phone and scrolls through his chats to find Aeron’s. He hasn’t really thought about what to text yet. Well obviously that he’s sorry. But he didn’t make any attempt to elaborate his plan any more. He got to know his fucked up brain well enough in the past twenty years to understand a plan probably wouldn’t work out anyway. So he can only write what comes to his mind first.

Aeron

Sorry It’s simple but true, just not enough.

About everything He adds.

Another message. I don’t know why I said all that

It takes around ten minutes for Davos phone to vibrate. He’s at it in a flash. Silently praying as he sees Aeron’s name on his lock screen and opens their chat.

It’s okay

No it’s not actually

I’m still mad

I get it Then he watches the little texting bubble appear and disappear. But before Aeron’s answer comes, he decides to write more himself first. I’m really sorry. You were right t’was none of my business.

He only has to wait a minute for Aeron’s answer. It wasn’t.

Yeah you gonna forgive me? He bides down on his lower lip hard. Then starts to peels off some of its skin in anticipation. And if Aeron doesn’t he only has to himself to blame. He’s such a jealous, needy asshole who keeps banging into people’s privacy.

You’ll leave my friends alone? Aeron asks and Davos can practically hear his curiosity through the screen.

Davos takes a sharp breath through his nose, then lets the air out through his mouth as he hits send. Of course

Then I guess so Is Aeron’s simple reply, but it’s enough for Davos for wanting to cry out. Gods he has never felt more relieved or lighter in his life.

And then because he’s just such an idiot he answers. Thank you

No reply.

The following Friday is kind of awkward. It’s basically Davos standing dumbly around, not sure if he should apologise again or rather not bring the topic up at all, at the beginning.

Then he musters all his courage up, slowly approaching Aeron as he digs around in his pocket as he tries to find what he’s searching for. Then he reaches out to hang it more or less more directly into Aeron’s face. He might should’ve started that one more subtle.

“Huh?” Aeron lets out a baffled sound. “Wine gummies?”

“As apology.” Davos explains.

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles, coaxing an eyebrow as he musters the package up and down, them musters Davos the same. “Thank you but I don’t need your favours.” He politely declines.

“It’s not a favour it’s an apology.”

“Still.”

“You’re stubborn, you know? I’m trying to apologise here.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I do. I’ve been an arse.”

“Yes, you’ve clearly been. Doesn’t mean I want you to buy me stuff.”

Davos sighs dramatically, successfully suppressing the want to roll his eyes. Gods is Aeron’s stubborn, in Davos’s eyes even unreasonable sometimes. “And would it help if I tell I already had it at home, and did not go to extra buy them for you?” Technically he didn’t go just to buy them for Aeron. He went to the supermarket for himself and to buy them for Aeron. So it’s half a lie, half the truth. Davos can live with that.

Aeron doesn’t answer, lets out a long sight as he alternately looks at the package and Davos. Then he bites his lip, clearly weighing his options before he slowly takes the gums from Davos’s hands. Davos breaks out into a grim immediately. “Thank you.” Aeron cuts himself short.

Davos gasps dramatically. “Has that just been sincerity I’ve heard in your voice?” He teases.

Aeron rolls his eyes. “Don’t think too much of it.”

But too late, Davos is already thinking the world of it. Aeron might be stubborn as no one else, but that doesn’t mean Davos can’t be too. And it certainly doesn’t mean he can’t crack the shell at least from time to time.

For the rest of the lesson Davos stands at the railing, mesmerizing every detail in Aeron’s movements he can find, mustering him up and down repeatedly like there’s nothing else too look at besides him. There isn’t, not really. Because where should he be looking at? His sister? A horse? Davos would laugh if he isn’t supposed to keep quiet during the lesson. Aeron can just be totally breath-taking attention stealing.

“Hey.” Davos skilfully starts. He has basically mustered up all his courage the hour he stood at the railing so he can do that. He absolutely can. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. “So I was- wondering if maybe... just if you want of course- you’re free tomorrow?”

“Ehm-“ Is everything Aeron says before it grows quiet for a very long moment. Shit, this is like the worst thing that could’ve happened. Like no answer at all. If he would simply say no, but this? The silence is so dreadful loud, it’s squishing Davos. And Aeron looks so puzzled, like Davos just missed something verily obvious. Like he’s the idiot only for daring to ask such a thing. He can literally feel his courage faltering more and more with every silent second until it disappears fully into wherever it build up in first place.

“You know tomorrow is the stable meet?” Aeron asks slowly like it’s the most basic, common knowledge.

Davos blinks a few times. “The what?”

“Did no one tell you?”

“Ehm no.” Davos clears his throat, then repeats his question as he gets more and more aware of how clearly he had missed out a chapter there. “What?”

“Tomorrow’s stable meeting.” Aeron repeats still looking baffled by even having to explain only that.

“Meeting- like in party?”

“Not exactly. See, we’re in the courtyard and order supper and just-... ok, yeah, it’s kind of a party. Most people from the stable will be there, like most horse owners, and most horses have a riding participation so some of them as well just so everyone at the stable will come together once. And your parents said they’ll come with Melissa so I reckoned you knew and would show up with them.”

“Oh this. Yeah, no, you’re right I’ll- I’ll be there-“

For a moment Aeron just look at him as Davos talks, amusement flickering in his eyes before he decides to step in and stop Davos in his pathetic excuse of a lie. “You have no idea what I’m talking about right?”

Davos opens and closes his mouth, feeling a little flustered by being caught so easily. “Not at all.” He then admits meekly, shaking his head to substantiate his answer further. Why the fuck didn’t his parents tell him? Why does he learn of this only a day prior?

Aeron makes a small sound of amusement, arching his eyebrows before asking. “So you’ll be there?”

“Yes.” Davos answers so fast Aeron look a bit taken aback by the sudden answer.

“Okay, great, so tomorrow then.” Says Aeron.

“Yep, see you tomorrow.” Davos repeats, giving Aeron an awkward good bye wave.

He seriously has to talk a word with his parents of why he didn’t know of this before.

When they arrive at the stable, tables are already set. Nothing fancy just old garden tables, a few strings of light warily hung around the acorn tree in the middle of the courtyard as well as the edges of a few tables. It looks pretty in a simple, not all too pompous way. There are bunches of different beverages on one small table aside, soft drinks and beer as well as just casual water.

Davos can barely take a look around as a woman Davos has never seen but reckons to be Aeron’s aunt already greets them. Well, greet his mom as the two seem to get along quite good. So Davos just continues to let his gaze travel along the courtyard, half analyzing everything new looking, half trying to locate Aeron.

A few people are already present as they’re not the firsts. Not many though, maybe seven? Mainly woman except for Aeron’s cousin and an older man he reckons to be his uncle. Most of them in conversations. But no Aeron.

“And I suppose you’re Davos? Nice to finally put a face to the name. I doubt we’ve ever met in person.” The woman says and Davos can barely look at her fast enough to evoke the impression he has listened even the slightest.

“Er yeah, I’m Davos and you-...”

But the woman simply smiles. “I’m Barba. I’m Aeron’s aunt.” Ha, he knew it!

Davos gives her a polite but very wobbly smile. He’s not the best in social interaction such as meeting new people.  “Hello.” He says, trying to sound casual but with honest politeness. He’s not sure if it worked. He should make an effort for a good first impression, it’s Aeron’s aunt after all.

But it doesn’t seem to matter much after all as she seems to be pretty busy and fastly hurries away again. So Davos sits down on a bench of an empty table, watching as his parents start chatting with a few people and whatever the hell Missy’s doing. She just disappeared into nowhere. It’s boring. It’s not like Davos’s interesting in starting his own conversations and getting to know a bunch of people he has never met or plans on meeting again soon.

It takes like forever until he finally spots sight of Aeron. He comes out the house until half an hour of Davos sitting around, his hair up. Something Davos hasn’t seen yet. He has always seen his hair down, mostly with these two braids connected at the back of his head. It looks pretty though.

So he silently watches as Aeron gets out the house, immediately gets wrapped up in a conversation, then another, then another, then he finally seems to spot sight of Davos as well as he fastly excuses himself out the conversation and immediately strolls over to take his place next to Davos.

“Hey.” He smiles. “How long are you already here?”

“Dunno like half an hour.”

Aeron bites down on his lip, looking guilty. “Sorry, had to shower.”

“No it’s fine. I was sitting here, watching people-... yeah, you’re right it sucked.” Davos chuckles. A motion Aeron immediately mirrors. “Sorry.” He mumbles.

“It’s okay. Next time I can shower with you if you want.” Davos suggests, wiggling his eyebrows. Aeron stares at him, then slaps his bicep, not tight enough to actually hurt though. “Gross.” He states before both laugh.  

“Aeron?” A woman’s voice behind them asks, pulling them out their moment. Aeron turns around, still smiling and Davos immediately feels like the temperature just sunk to a point in which he feels much colder even though it are still clearly over twenty degrease, by Aeron’s shift of attention.

“Davos this is Mary. Mary, Davos.” Aeron introduces them quickly.

“Hey.” Davos smiles politely, not overly interested. She has plain brown hair and might be in her thirties. The woman looks alternatively at Aeron and Davos, obviously confused but with forcedly polite smile on her lips.

“Davos, Mary is Charlie’s owner.”

Davos silently nods in agreement, trying to act like he takes any interest in anyone else here that isn’t Aeron himself. “Mary, Davos’s the brother of one of my riding kids.” A slim, barely visible smirk crossing the woman’s face before she goes back to her neutral polite smile. Davos could pay mind into this but eventually decides it really is not worth it for him.

So they talk. More like Mary and Aeron do as Davos sits beside him. He has zoomed out the conversation pretty much at the beginning and is now fully focused on Aeron’s features as he speaks. The way his face lightens up whenever they approach a topic Aeron has a particular liking for or just how his jaw moves as he opens and closes his mouth repeatedly. It’s enough to stir enough fascination in Davos’s brain to become utterly distracted through the whole evening. Davos could practically crawl right to Aeron’s feet and stay there like a good little dog, that’s how he already feels anyways. Permanently retrievable for all of Aeron’s wants and needs. Clinging to his heels during everything he does, throughout the whole evening. As he talks with people that are complete strangers to Davos, as he eats, as he just sits or stands around in a corner, Davos is right beside him, soaking in everything Aeron does or say like a sponge, taking in every of his movement, mirroring every even so little smile like a reflex. Practically taking no notice of anything or in anyone who isn’t Aeron.

And then Aeron’s just gone. He has told Davos to wait, went over to his aunt and eventually disappeared in the stable. Davos first instinct was to follow him but just like the well trained dog he used to become throughout the evening, he listened to his owners command and stayed. Something that gets progressively harder with every new minute without Aeron’s safe return. Aeron’s gone for pretty long by now and he just can’t help but starts to kind of freak out about it. 

So he gets up to find his parents first since they are the only one’s he actually does know except for Aeron. Finding them is much harder than expected since there are much more people than the last time Davos checked. But he hasn’t really taken notice of anything but Aeron within the last few hours. There are at least thirty people standing around, laughing and chatting. And when Davos finally manages to find his parents, they have no idea where Aeron could be, of course not. So Davos tries finding his uncle, or aunt, or cousin, or whoever but someone who could have an actual idea.

And the first person he finds is Barba who’s in a conversation Davos rudely interrupts with. “Have you seen Aeron?”

Barba blinks a few times, trying to process the suddenness of it all before answering. “He wanted to feed the horses, why?”

“He’s not back yet.” Davos blurts out.

“Oh,” Barba mumbles, checking her wristwatch before looking back at Davos, frowning. “that was forty minutes ago, you’re sure?”

“Yes.” Davos insists. Jeez, what else does he have to do?

The frown on Barba’s faces only deepens by his answer. “I’ll go and check.” She mumbles, the sudden worry in her voice unmistakable.

“No, I’ll do.” Davos repeats warily, pushing his way through the people without giving Barba the chance for an answer.

“Aeron?” He asks soft as he opens the stable door and walks along the corridor. No answer. “Aeron?” He repeat, getting even more worried by the complete silence greeting him. Well, silence for a stable as there are still many noises of horses eating or hoofs one the ground, just none Davos needs to hear right now.

“Aeron.” He breaths out as he finally catches sight of him crouched down against a fall, sitting o the floor with a dazed expression, his face pale and he’s slightly trembling. The sound of his voice brings Aeron to look up and the moment their eyes meet Davos doesn’t care about the ‘no running in the stable’ rule anymore as he’s by Aeron’s side and crouches down in front of him in a heartbeat.

“Fuck Aeron. What happened?” He asks, trying to suppress the rising panic in his voice as he wide eyed stares at the younger boy in front of him.

It’s silent for a while before Aeron slowly lifts his right hand, pointing vaguely into the paddock and a horse. “She-“ Aeron starts quietly, his voice as well as hand trembling. “she- ehm- kicked me- agggaaa-“ He points at the wall.

“Against the wall?” Davos asks, in an attempt to finish Aeron’s sentence for him.

Aeron nods, a small tear rolling down his face followed by another and another. And suddenly they don’t stop, just run freely down his face as he starts sobbing.

“Fuck.” Davos breaths out, immediately cradling Aeron to his chest. “You- fuck, you need an ambulance?”

Aeron shakes his head, still sobbing violently into Davos shoulder.  “No, no- I just-“ he takes a deep breath in. “’m fine, just-... sssshhhoo-“

“Shock?” Davos asks.

“Yes. That I guess.”

“Aeron you forget words.” Davos says forceful, a deep frown on his face as he holds Aeron an arm length away from him, forcing him to look Davos in the eyes. An action he regrets instantly and warily pulls Aeron back as he just lets out another shattering sob.

“Just a- just a-“ Aeron falls silent as he himself seems to realise that it has no use and the word just won’t come to his mind. So he just points at his own head.

“You have a brain concussion?” Davos asks slow, still forcing himself to sound much calmer than he actually is.

“I guess so.” Aeron whispers into, then tightens his hug around Davos to let out another, but this time much quieter sob, followed by a small sniffle into Davos’s shoulder.

“It’s okay.” Davos whispers, cradling Aeron’s head with his hand while pulling him closer with the other. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Aeron nods.

“I was feeding-... you know- and ehm-“

“Hay?”

“Exactly.” Aeron whispers, then, again, point vaguely at one horse but Davos couldn’t tell which one exactly. “When she got in a row with another horse and... aaaacccciiiiiiddddde -“

“Accidentally.”

“Exactly. So she smashed me against the wall.” Aeron finishes.

“Fuck Aeron.” Davos breaths out, pressing the younger boy even closer to him.

“It’s okay. I’m good.” Aeron assures, trying to make his voice sound conveniently convincing while he still trembles in a way Davos has never seen him before. His voice shaking.

“You’re not good.” Davos states.

But what concerns Davos even more is not how his voice trembles, or how pale Aeron is, it’s the fact that instead of denying or trying to assure Davos his well being again, he just lets out another ground breaking sob before he falls back to complete silence.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

That’s not Aeron, that’s not Aeron typical, none of this.

“Let’s get you inside, ‘kay? You should lie down. Anything hurting?” Davos asks, trying to overshadow how short before trembling his own voice is.

Aeron shakes his head.

“Good... good, then let’s get you inside, alright?”

So they get up when suddenly Aeron lets out a sharp hiss. Davos is by his side in a heartbeat. “Fuck, where’s the pain?” He asks, still trying to keep his voice as calm as possible which is getting increasingly more impossible.

“I’m...” Aeron stammer out.

“Aeron where’s the pain?” Davos repeats impatient.

Aeron bites down on his lower lip hard, then cautiously grabs his right shoulder with his left hand.

‘Not in pain’. Liar.

Fuck, fuck, FUCK.

“Okay, don’t worry.” Davos’s says in a quick rush, not sure if this is actually directed at Aeron or more meant to comfort himself. “Well get you inside, you sit down, and we’ll... check everything.”

Aeron simply nods, not seeming to have enough energy left for much more.

When they come out the stable, Amos’s at them in a rush.

“Aeron, what happened?” He asks panicked.

Aeron takes his moment to look at Amos, squints his eyes as if trying to figure out the exact situation he’s in. “I ehm-...” Then he falls back to silence trying to figure out the words when Davos steps in. “He was kicked by a horse.” Davos says impatiently.

“Shit...” Is everything Amos mumbles as he grows pale. “You’re good?”

“Does he look good?” Davos snorts, grabbing Aeron’s good arm protectively. Rude or not, he has no patience for that right now. He just wants to get Aeron inside the house to sit, calm down and rest, feeling assured in his doing as Aeron immediately tugs closer by the new sensation point. “He should rest.”

Amos takes a moment to let his gaze flicker over both of them. “You’re right.” He eventually says, looking totally overwhelmed with the whole situation. So he unlocks the door for them to already go inside while he disappears back at where he came from to find his wife.

As they enter the house, Davos realises he has never actually been in here. It’s old since it belongs to an old stable but not un-modest and furnished rather modern.

So Davos sets Aeron down on one of those high chairs in front of the cooking niche.

“It’s alright. You’re alright, right? I mean, you don’t look alright, but you are alright, right?” Davos asks in a quick rush, meanwhile nearly stopping to breathe. His eyes darting all over Aeron’s features, trying to find any sign of pain.

“Shhh.” Aeron simply shushes him, seemingly overwhelmed by Davos’s bombarding of questions within his current state.

“Okay, okay. Just point at where it hurts.” Davos blurts out. He might be near a panic attack at this point.

So Aeron silently point at the back of his head, then his right shoulder.

“Okay, okay, that’s- okay. You have anything for cooling?”

“Those-... you know- blluuuee things in the fridge.”

So Davos opens the fridge, trying to find one of those cold pads Aeron’s probably talking about while Aeron watches him in total silence, holding his head.

Barba and Amos storm into the kitchen the exact moment Davos finally finds one and closes the fridge again.

“Aeron.” Barba breaths out, as she starts to immediately cup Aeron’s face in her palms, scanning him up and down for any visible injury, wave her fingers through his hair in relief as she can’t find one. “What happened?”

“Charlie... tackkkkllleeddd me agaiiiinnnsssttt the waaalllll.” Aeron says meekly.

“You said she kicked you.” Davos blurts out, the cold pad still in his hand as he watches the whole encounter unfold.

“Shit.” Barba breaths out. “You’re- you’re okay? Anything hurting? Where did she kick you?” She asks in a quick rush.

“No-... no, she didn’t. She tacckkkk-“

“Talked you.” Davos finishes for him, handing Aeron the cold pad.

“Right.” He says pressing the pad against the back of his head.

“What does hurt?” Amos asks who has been pretty silent during the whole encounter till yet.

“Head and shoulder.” Says Aeron.

“Your shoulder?” Barba repeats. Aeron nods.

Barba takes a deep breath in, exhaling loudly trough her nose. “But it’s not broken or anything?”

Aeron shakes his head, still pressing the pad against his head with his good arm while Barba exhales for another time, seemingly trying to cool her nerves down without much visible success. She pretty much looks exactly how Davos feels at the moment.

“Okay, show me your shoulder.” She orders, trying to snatch Aeron’s arm before he pulls it away. “No.” He whines out, wincing by the sudden movement.

“Aeron.” She demands forceful. But all he does is wince again, closing his eyes and shaking his head. “No, I’m- I’m good, I just... sit down and...”

This time it’s Amos who finishes Aeron’s sentence, sharing an equally worried expression with his wife.  “You need to sit down and rest.” Then he adds. “You probably have whiplash.” 

Aeron nods.

They all stand around Aeron for a very long while, Barba and Amos discussion how to handle the situation while Davos just stares at Aeron, watching how he slightly winces here and there whenever they get a bit too noisy for him to handle at the moment. The pad still tightly pressed against his head like a saving line. “Can you...” Aeron eventually breaths out. “Can you just leave?” He asks so meekly, so fragile, it’s honestly gut wrenching.

All three stare at Aeron as he slowly lifts his eyes to look at all of them.

“Were not leaving you alone now.” Amos says.

“Then... can just- can just Davos stay?” Aeron asks careful, a pleading expression as he looks at all of them.

“I can stay.” Davos says, furrowing his eyebrows in question as he as well looks at Barba and Amos.

“But-“ Barba starts.

“It’s too loud.” Aeron whispers. “I have-... headache.”

Barba presses her lips into a thin line, then shares a worried, kind of helpless gaze with her husband.

“But you’ll get us as soon as anything happens?” Amos asks and Davos is not sure if the question’s directed at him or Aeron. But Aeron doesn’t look all too much like answering, so Davos nevertheless does. “Of course.” He nods.

They share a last worried expression, Barba frowning before she says. “Alright, but- you’ll- you’ll get us, and no screen, that will only worsen your headache. And generally nothing too exciting so you can calm down and-“

“They get it.” Amos interrupts calmly, grabbing his wife by the shoulders to make her calm down again. Davos isn’t entirely sure what he’s supposed to get or not but he chooses to stay silent.

“You’ll get us?” Amos repeats scrutinising.

As if Davos hasn’t answered that already.

But instead of giving in the urge to roll his eyes, he nods politely. Aeron doing the same.

“Fine.” Barba eventually, finally, gives in.

So Davos blinks after them, then blinks at the still in his chair cowering Aeron, feeling utterly overwhelmed with the situation. Knowing very well every wrong move could risk his aunt and uncle being at his throat in a heartbeat. So Davos doesn’t really know what to do or say as he just stands there.

“So you want to lie down or-?” Davos eventually asks, frowning.

“Yeah.” Aeron says weakly, but getting up he ends up deciding to rather throw his arms around Davos instead of a pillow or whatever. Davos shushes him, pulling him closer with one arm, while holding his head at the exact same place Aeron had held the pad at before. The patch is still colder than the rest.

“It’s okay.” Davos mumbles, starting to wave his hand through Aeron’s hair in a weak attempt to calm him down. “You’re okay.”

And it actually works as Aeron goes lax against him, mumbling something incomprehensible into Davos shoulder. “My neck’s sore.”

“Mh-hm? You’re neck?” Davos repeats, not sure if he understood correctly.

Aeron nods.

“What, like you want me to massage it?” Davos jokes weakly.

Aeron shakes his head. “No, dunno... just-“ He stops. Davos’s sure his brain isn’t able to form too many in this state.

“Come.” He says, grabbing Aeron’s hand to pull him through the entire room and on the couch. Aeron follows him wordlessly.

“Sit.” Davos orders and Aeron obeys. Then he sits down across from Aeron, their knees pouncing together as he leans forward, reaches over and starts to cradle Aeron’s neck.

“You really don’t-“ But Aeron breaks up, letting out a small sigh as he feels the first stroke. Another sigh as he closes his eyes, leaning forward to go fully lax against Davos’s chest.

It’s not exactly the most comfortable position Davos has ever been in and it’s practically hard to hold himself upright with Aeron’s weight against his front, so he slowly starts sinking back more and more, supporting himself with one arm until he’s gently laid out, Aeron on top of him. It takes Davos a moment to get used to the extra weight on top but when he does, it’s perfect.

“How does your head feel?” Davos asks softly, a small smile plastered on his face he just can’t get rid of, no matter how hard he tries.

“Like-...” Aeron makes a pause to think. “Like those things in the forest. The one’s that grow on the ground and have-... sprinkles?”

“Sprinkles?” Davos repeats amused.

“Yeah- no- you know what I mean.”

“Mh-hm.” Davos mumbles. “Do you mean mushrooms?”

“Exactly just... only like the first half of the word.”

“Mush?”

“Yes. My head feels like mush.”

Davos chuckles, then continues to caress and massage Aeron’s neck as good as he can, earning particular small hums whenever he runs his finger along Aeron’s spine, adding more pressure from time to time.

He couldn’t tell if Aeron’s asleep on top of him or not, he can’t tell if his eyes are still open since his face is hidden in Davos’s neck. He has never experienced Aeron that relaxed. It would be fine with Davos though. He can just sleep while he takes care of him because all he wants right now is to pamper Aeron.

He doesn’t know how long they lay there, nor which time it is as starts to make out noises at the door. One look out the window tells him it’s already dark outside which means it must already be much later than he’d have guessed since it’s still August.

The bunch of voices at the door growing increasingly louder, which fills Davos with the instant panic of them waking Aeron who must hundred present be asleep at this point. Then a head peaks trough the doorframe.

“Hey.” Barba whispers, careful not to startle any of them as she slowly approaches both. Davos, who has been shortly before sleeping in as well, rapidly blinks a few times.

“How are you?” Barba asks quietly.

“Ehm- good. Aeron’s good as well. No issues.”

“I see.” Barba smiles down at her nephew spread all over Davos, his face still hidden in his neck. Davos can feel hot puffs on his skin every time Aeron breaths out.

“Your family wants to leave.” She informs him, sitting down on the small edge of the couch that hasn’t been in taken over by the two yet.

“Oh.” Davos breathes out. Not able to fully suppress the small tingle of disappointment over this new outcome. He has fully forgotten about them till yet.

“Aeron?” He asks softly, trying to gently shake him awake. “You need to get up. I need to go now.”

As answer he receives a soft mumble followed by a grunt and Aeron’s face pressing further into the soft skin of his neck, in an attempt to hide away from everyone around. Adorable.

Davos chuckles, slightly shaking him again. “I’m serious.” He whines. And finally he can feel Aeron’s face de-attaching from him, leaving behind a cold and kind of hollow feeling as his head peaks up for the first time in what must be hours. He rapidly blinks against the light a few times, squinting his eyes in an attempt to sharpen his view.

“You slept in.” Davos notes, earning a huff from Aeron’s perspective. “I need to go.”

“Oh.” Aeron mumbles sleepily, his hair beautifully messy like this.

Chapter Text

Aeron had his first boyfriend when he was sixteen. Noah, a tall, athletic bloke. He had been his first and for a long while, last love. Aeron always knew what he wanted to do and where his priorities lied, at the stable. But for Noah, he has started to question them. Even though he has neglected his duties and horse for Noah, his aunt and uncle have been indulging. Said he is young and has to live his life. Still he could swear he has never been as excited in life as when he finally showed Noah his home. Because even though they’ve been together for two months by that time, they have never actually spent time at Aeron’s. He’s not even sure why, Noah just always seemed strange whenever Aeron mentioned the stable or his horse. That has been another reason of why Aeron neglected both so quick. Whatsoever, Aeron has finally been able to show Noah the place and horse he loves so much and Noah seemed fine.

Aeron has been so happy he could have sworn it has been the best day in his life before Noah suddenly disappeared. He was just gone from one moment to the next. So Aeron ran after him just to find his boyfriend leaving, not willing to talk a word with Aeron anymore. After three tries of getting Noah to talk with him he eventually bursted out how much of a faggot Aeron was for riding horses like a girl and that he doesn’t want to be seen with someone like that. Then he left without turning around once more. Aeron has stood there frozen and at the edge of crying, he didn’t though, only during the nights in his pillow. He has barely ever been this wrecked.

He hasn’t been able to pet Sunny for at least a week because every time he even approached her, he couldn’t shake off the image of Noah and his words flashing up in his mind. Faggot, faggot, faggot. He has so felt disgusting and dirty. Couldn’t bring himself to eat properly for weeks, has cried under the shower and his stomach turned whenever he only even thought of setting a foot into the stable. They have never talked again. Whenever they accidentally saw each other in public spaces, Noah ignored him while Aeron felt like throwing up.

After he finally managed to set foot in the stable again, he started distancing himself in it more from the world. He had his horses that didn’t condemn him and work to keep himself busy.

It took the Bracken over a year to give it a new try, and that despite Noah’s words still lingered in the back of his mind. But not everyone is like Noah, right?

So he started dating Leo and things seemed fine. Leo was fine with spending time at the stable as long as he doesn’t have to touch a horse or sit in dirt, which in recap should’ve been a mental note for Aeron that he has been all but happy to be there, more like he endured it. But Aeron has just been so grateful Leo was there that he didn’t’ questioned it. Also they have mostly been shagging whenever Aeron was done with his duties which has been really distracting.

And one day when Aeron has been cleaning the entire stable for three hours by that time and sweated like hell while Leo leaned against a wall and watched Tiktok’s on his phone, Aeron made the mistake of asking him for help. Leo didn’t answer, he never answered, just grabbed his phone and jacket and left. Aeron didn’t run after him, he knew what it was about either way. So he just continued his work, trying to act as unaffected as possible until he basically broke down while silent tears rolled down his cheeks. Leo has blocked him and they have never spoken again.

After that Aeron has withdrawn himself in the stable even further, took over even more duties and spend time with Sunny as much as he could. In Aeron’s opinion horses are simple the better humans. They don’t judge, instead they are tender and loving.

And now Aeron finds himself at the doorsteps of Davos’s house, hesitating to ring the bell. During the past couple of days every cell in his body has screamed at him to not do this but yet he’s here, because Aeron didn’t listen. Because he’s a weak man, weak for Davos Blackwood.

Davos has texted him the day after his accident. A message Aeron has seen only two days later because his family wanted him to be as less on his phone as possible as well avoiding every other screen for at least three days. The task turned out to be much more difficult than expected, going three full days without Rick and Morty or any other of the shows he likes to watch during the evenings. Davos had asked him if he’d like to come over on Friday because his parents have planned a weekend trip with Melissa and won’t be there. Something Aeron already knew since Jayne has texted his aunt to cancel Melissa’s lesson for the week due to plans. Something which Aeron has actually been incredibly grateful for since he still has to rest much more than usual due to his accident. But what he wouldn’t have expected was an invitation instead.

He shouldn’t have done this.

He shouldn’t have come.

This is a terrible mistake.

He has already allowed Davos to fuck with his brain, he shouldn’t let this go even further than it already went. He can’t fall for Davos, he just can’t. But he did, and Aeron hates it. Hates how willingly he lets Davos lead him into the disaster this will surely turn out to become. He should’ve said no. Should’ve said he has to rest, or come up with any other excuse. Because he can’t do that to himself anymore. He can’t allow Davos to smash his heart into smithereens as well. He knows Davos will, he knows. And he still chose to come. Because he’s a fucking weak man for Davos Blackwood.

So after taking in a deep breath in through his nose, closing his eyes in an attempt to gather his thoughts and finally exhaling throughout his mouth, he rings the bell. It takes practically no time till Aeron hears footsteps’ trampling down the stairs before the door gets ripped open, revealing a tousled Davos.

“Hey.” Aeron says, not sure if he should smile, or how to behave in such a situation. He hasn’t been new at someone’s home for quite a while now and it always has the potential to grow very awkward at the beginning.

“Hey, come in.” Davos invites friendly, taking a step to the side for Aeron to enter. “I thought about ordering Pizza.”

“Sounds good.” Aeron smiles politely, taking off his shoes and following Davos into the living room. It’s not quite as large as Aeron’s but has a much bigger, much more comfortable looking couch with a bunch of pillows at each end, a large coffee table in front of it. The on the wall hanging TV is bigger as at Aeron’s and the whole room appears just much more comfy with the huge white carpet practically taking over the whole floor.

“What pizza would you like?”  

“Mh-hm?” Aeron whirls around, ripping his gaze from his new surroundings. “What?” He asks, slightly shaking his head in an attempt bring his focus back to Davos.

“Sorry about the rush but I’m starving.” He explains sheepish before repeating his question. “You’re pizza?”

“Oh- ehm- no, it’s fine, we can order. I take Margarita.” Aeron says tousled, half his mind still on take in and process his new surroundings.

The pizza arrives half an hour later of awkward conversations and Davos’s new habit of asking Aeron about his injury, making him assuring Davos he’s fine within every fifth minute. It’s kind of endearing but on the same hand getting kind of annoying. Besides that it’s just the usual boring small-talk, getting to know each other bullshit Aeron goes through almost every week with anyone. His uni, the stable, Davos’s apprenticeship,... Aeron thought they were already over that since they’re pretty much familiar by now. But if Davos needs it, fine. He can handle a bit small-talk. It’s not like he never has it, it’s just... not his cup of tea. But it’s okay and Davos really makes him feel more relaxed in his own skin and less uncomfortable than small talks usually make him feel.

Aeron snorts as he opened the first Pizza cartoon. “Wrong pizza, they send Hawaii.” He says, scrunching his nose in disgust. Who the fuck invented pineapple in pizza? Whoever did should be rotting in hell for that.

“No, that’s mine.” Davos contradicts, taking a large step forward to snatch the cartoon away under Aeron’s nose which leads for the Bracken to scrunch it only more.

“You eat pineapple on pizza?” Aeron asks slowly, not able to fully hide his disgust as well as suspicion as he incredulously stares at Davos.

“Mh-hm.” Davos mumbles, searching through the top drawers for a good knife to cut the slices. Eeven though you order pizza in slices, they hardly ever manage to actually cut good enough so you can just start eating without having to cut through the dough a second time, it’s annoying.

“That’s disgusting.” Aeron laughs, not sure himself if he’s being serious or says it more as a joke, a bit of both actually. Because as much as he likes joking and messing with Davos, there’s still serious concern for the Blackwood’s mental health behind it if he’s seriously trying to tell Aeron that pizza coating actually tastes good.

“Hey.” Davos yelps and Aeron just has to chuckle by the way the Blackwood said that. Never in his life had Aeron loved messing with someone as much as with the Blackwood. And it’s so incredibly easy too. He’s practically shoving every opportunity right in Aeron’s face. So how could he not take it?

“No, seriously.” Aeron chuckles. “Who came up with the idea of putting fucking pineapple on pizza?”

“You’re such a hater.” Davos rolls his eyes.

Aeron snorts. “For pineapple on pizza? Always.”

“Bet you haven’t even tried it yet.” Davos accuses, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Of course not.” Aeron yelps. “Look, I like pizza Prosciutto but I don’t like pineapples, so why should I put something I don’t like on something I do?”

“Fair.” Davos nods. “But now I’ll have to force feed you with pineapple pizza.”

“What?” Aeron spites out. Not gonna fucking happen. He’ll not put that brut from hell into his mouth. “Hey stop it.” Aeron complains as Davos starts dotting a slice into his face. “No way I’ll fucking eat that.”

“You’re not getting out of this anymore.” Davos teases with a cheeky grin.

“Fuck you, that shit will not come in contact with my ton-“ Then Aeron starts making a few miserable noises as the pizza indeed touches his tongue. Davos simply used his new found opportunity while Aeron hold his monologue stating exactly what will not be happening as it already did. So Aeron shrieks up, sprinting to the kitchen sink to choke the pizza out again. There’s no way he’s gonna chew that down. There’s a line that will not be crossed.

“Fucking cunt.” Aeron hisses as his mouth is empty again, but it doesn’t help as Davos’s already rolling on the floor from laughter. “Oh shut up.” Aeron groans, rolling his eyes at the scene.

“Jeez, you didn’t die.” Davos says, still smirking.

“No just nearly.” Aeron informs him, not fully able to suppress the hint of a smile crossing his face and disappearing just as fast. 

“I saw that.” Davos laughs, pointing at Aeron like he has just made a great discovery.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Aeron says innocently, coaxing an eyebrow and crossing his arms.

Davos rolls his eyes. “You’re so overdramatic. Bet you didn’t even taste the pineapple before you spat it out again.”

But Aeron chooses to ignore him. Any kind of answer could only lead for him to end up getting force feed with pineapple pizza, that’s far too high of a risk for his own taste. So he simply rolls his eyes, wordlessly sitting back down on the bench in front of the kitchen table and next the Blackwood as both start eating in silence again.

“You know,-“ Davos says between two bites, almost sounding abashed to admit. “I was actually very worried when you didn’t reply.” He says, looking down at his pizza slice instead of meeting Aeron’s gaze as he just blinks at him in confusion, not entirely sure which situation Davos’s referring to exactly. “I mean you didn’t even read my message for almost two days.”

“Oh.” Aeron mumbles, of course, the text that has invited Aeron over. “My family didn’t want me to use any screen. I could hardly even convince them to let me at least watch TV for half an hour per day.”

“Well- I mean, as long as you’re good now- you are good now, right? Because if you’re not you can just say-“

“I’m good.” Aeron interrupts him, suppressing the split urge to roll his eyes. It’s adorable, really, but the Blackwood has asked him about his well being at least six times by now.

“Yeah, no, sorry. Just if you don’t you can always-“ He continues to ramble before Aeron cuts him off. “Davos.”

“Yeah sorry, just- does anything hurt?”

Aeron slightly tilts his head sideways, giving Davos a little smile before taking a deep breath through his nose and opening his mouth, progressing to tell Davos the same thing he already did multiple times at this point. “It’s just my shoulder hurting from time to time whenever I move my arm too quick or lift things too heavy.”

Davos nods through everything. “Yes, I know you told me, sorry, I was just... really, really worried when I found you and I just-... sorry.” Davos mumbles, stumbling over his own words before he breaks up abruptly.

“I’m alright.” Aeron repeats just in case, a glint of amusement in his eyes over Davos being such a mess. He shouldn’t enjoy that as much as he does but he can’t help it.

“I might be a little out of my head at the moment.” Davos mumbles. “Didn’t sleep well.”

“Me neither.” Aeron admits. What he does not admit is the fact that he could barely sleep because his mind wouldn’t stop picturing how he’d be utterly alone with Davos for the first time today, the few hours they spent after the Bracken’s accident, which absolutely sent him into heaven, let out. But utterly and right from the beginning on alone. And in Aeron’s opinion, it’s going pretty well. Just that he’s not sure the ’not falling for the Blackwood’ plan has any significance anymore. But it didn’t actually have one even before the evening if he’s quite honest with himself. He has already lost that battle months ago.

“Any particular reason you couldn’t sleep?” Aeron asks, trying to show interest in the Blackwood’s life.

“Nah, I don’t know I just- had a few rough days.”

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles.

“Anyways, you want a coke?” Davos warily changes the subject, seemingly not wanting to deepen it any further.

“Sure.” Aeron answers, he could really use anything to distract himself right now. But despite Davos’s offer, he doesn’t get up. In fact stays pretty seated for someone who has just suggested getting them cokes.

“Davos?” Aeron asks, repeating his question as Davos still doesn’t answer but rather stares blankly into nowhere, utterly distracted by whatever it is that has catched his attention. Then Davos finally snaps, shaking and turning his head to stare at the Bracken instead. “Sorry.” He rapidly blinks a few times, then looks back at Aeron as a small smile starts playing on his lips. It’s only for a split second before Davos’s eyes start growing wider with something Aeron can’t quite decipher.

“Davos?” Aeron quietly repeats his question before he falls silent, just staring back at the Blackwood, trying not to get too lost in his eyes or the little smirk that is now clearly playing along his lips. It’s mesmerizing, like he’s pulling Aeron into his ban, making him unable to focus on anything besides the Blackwood in front of him.

“Davos?” His voice barely above a breath. But Davos shushes him, moving his head so much closer to the Bracken’s that Aeron’s breathe starts hitching. Davos’s hands coming up to rest on the side of the Bracken’s neck.

“Let me just- I just need-“ Davos whispers but breaks up abruptly, fully buys with just starring at Aeron with his wide, dreamily eyes. Just to be said, his mouth is literally right in front of Aeron. He could just bend over and-

Aeron can’t finish his thoughts because of the new feeling of a pair of soft lips on his own. Just a short brush of the lips, a touch so incredibly innocent that it absolutely has the power to drive Aeron mental. The sensation leaving just as quickly as it came as he stares at the Blackwood with wide eyes, his mouth falling open slightly.

It takes Aeron around three seconds of total silence before he surges forward, his teeth clashing against Davos’s so hard they create a clacking noise as he eagerly starts licking into him without waiting for a response from the older boy. Davos himself almost gets thrown over by the sudden force and supports himself only the last moment before he eagerly starts mirroring Aeron’s movement. Kissing the Bracken back with the same amount of ferocity while Aeron’s hands shoot up to find a place in the Blackwood’s hair.

Then he feels how one hand starts clasping to his hip while another grabs the back of Aeron’s neck, pulling him so incredibly closer as both simultaneously start trying to get up and find themselves a more comfortable standing position.

And the moment they stand, Aeron immediately surges back forward in an attempt to deepen their kiss further, their new standing position allowing both to clasp even closer to the other. So the moment Aeron fiercely pushes into the Blackwood’s mouth while simultaneously trying to pull his face closer and crashing into him with heavy force, Davos starts overbalancing, his back colliding with the kitchen sink. But Aeron doesn’t get the time to be worried because the Blackwood’s hands immediately come up to grabs Aeron’s face, forcing him to open his mouth even wider till a point in which Aeron fears his jaw might dislocate soon. Davos’s tongue feeling like it’s trying to reach every centimetre in Aeron’s mouth. Like the idea of close enough just doesn’t exist for any of them anymore.

“Fuck.” Davos breaths out, trying to catch his breath while Aeron just stands in front of him, eagerly waiting for the Blackwood to do so, so he can reconcile their mouths once more. Davos’s hands still on both sides of the Bracken’s face, cupping his jaw. And the moment Davos looks extensively ready again, Aeron instantly is on him, his tongue and teeth trying to feel and taste as much of the Blackwood as possible. Davos eventually starts walking Aeron backward, their lips still connected as Aeron has absolutely no idea what Davos’s plan is, not that he cares as long as he just keeps on touching him.

“Come.” Davos breaths out as he pulls away, leaving Aeron gasping for more, as he grabs the Bracken’s hand without waiting for the response, practically dragging Aeron up the stairs and into what must be Davos’s own room.

It takes Aeron only a split second to understand before he practically jumps onto the bed, the Blackwood following right away, as he leans over Aeron, and with that pushes him into the silk of the mattress as he starts pulling up the Bracken’s shirt and placing his hands all over Aeron’s torso. The Bracken doing the same, losing no time in pulling up Davos’s shirt in an attempt to get rid of it. The Blackwood doing the rest in hastily pulling it over his head and carelessly throwing it to the side.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty.” Davos breaths out as he leans back down and gives Aeron a long and deep snog. Aeron can practically feel the blush creeping up his neck as he melts even further into Davos’s touch. And his cock must be thinking the same as it starts twitching more and more with every new brush of their tongues before Aeron lets out a small moan into the Blackwood’s mouth.

Davos mumbles something incomprehensible against Aeron’s hot skin before he starts working his way down his neck, biting and sucking and leaving Aeron gasping for more until he reaches the collar of his shirt which forces Davos to put in a stop in order to lift it up and pull it over the Bracken’s head. And Aeron obeys as he lifts his arms instantly, helping the Blackwood as good as he can to undress both of them.

As soon as Aeron’s shirt is thrown to the side, Davos looses no time in leaving small bites and kisses around his entire torso while Aeron leans helplessly into the Blackwood’s touch, his cock almost fully hard by now.

After what feels like forever Davos finally starts to unzip Aeron’s trouser, exposing his erected cock into the cold air. But before Aeron has the chance to feel ashamed about it, Davos is already planting small kisses around the whole area, making it impossible for the Bracken to feel even the slightest tingle of shame.

“Turn around.” Davos whispers and Aeron obeys instantly, turning around only to feel the Blackwood starting to lean over him, pressing kisses against the back of his neck and further down his spine. Aeron shudders. There rarely is anything that upholds the power to turn him into mush as fast the Blackwood’s strokes and kisses against his spine. Then Davos reaches his arse, kissing it a few times as his fingers simultaneously start tracing small circle on his cheeks, adding more and more pressure the closer the Blackwood comes to approaching Aeron’s hole. Building increasingly more pressure before he finally, finally, pushes in his first finger.

Aeron gasps, bucking up his arse trying to deepen the sensation and seeking more pleasure but the Blackwood holds him down firmly, fingering him open in his own speed.

“Fuck.” Aeron mumbles after another unsuccessful attempt in which Davos only strengthened his grip around the Bracken’s back to hold him at his personal desired angle.

“Almost there love.” Davos assures him from behind, leaning over to plant a bunch of kisses over Aeron’s right arse cheek as he slips in another finger. This whole procedure repeats itself one more time until Aeron can hear the cringle of the wrapping as Davos finally puts a condom on, a hand stroking up and down his back, leaving him shuddering and silently begging for the Blackwood to finally fuck him properly.

“You’re ready?” He makes out Davos low voice behind him.

“Fucking hell Davos, fuck me finally.” He hisses, voice commanding put at the same time cracking during the end as he can feel his legs already trembling. The Blackwood lets out an amused huff behind him.

Without another word Davos starts lifting one of the Bracken’s legs higher, gaining himself a better access to his hole before slowly starting to push in. Aeron closes his eyes, just feeling how his arsehole is getting stretched, his hands clasping to the sheets as he can feel Davos’s ragged breathing behind him. Slowly he begins pulling out just to thrust back in, waiting until the Bracken got used to the new fullness before he starts moving faster.

As he goes faster, Davos starts murmuring all kind of gentle praises as he starts leaning over to move a bunch of loose strands out the Bracken’s face while rocking deeper into the boy underneath him. And eventually their shared moans and movements become more and more rhythmical, the friction between them hotter until Aeron’s almost entire body is shaking for the close approaching of an orgasm. Then Davos finally releases him from his waiting and shaking with a deep thrust into him, bringing him over the edge with a loud moan. While Aeron’s still moaning and gasping, Davos starts pulling his head to the side, trying to reach his mouth and kissing Aeron deeply as he comes into the condom as well. Then he practically falls onto Aeron, leaning against his back and tracing circles around Aeron’s arm with none of them saying anything.

They do for around two minutes before Aeron turns over, at least tries to with the Blackwood’s weight on top of him. But Davos understands instantly and gives him space, then falls back onto him as soon as the two face each other. His head leaning against Aeron’s chest as he still tries to catch his raging breathe.

“You did marvellous.” Davos breaths out as Aeron starts wrapping his arms around him, feeling the Blackwood’s bare breathe and touch on his own sweaty skin.

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles, closing his eyes to allow himself falling deeper into the pure and utter feeling of barely past ecstasy and the warm buzzing feeling he gets only by holding Davos like that and knowing he has the Blackwood all for himself. “You too.” He croaks out, voice hoarse.

“I love you, you know?” Davos whispers quietly and Aeron can feel him tensing in his arms as he doesn’t give an immediate answer. Because yes, he does- kind of- love Davos. But he’s not sure if he can admit that yet, hasn’t even fully admitted that to himself yet. What if he says it too fast? What if he was wrong and actually doesn’t? What if he does, but simply not as much as Davos?

“Oh.” He breaths out instead and into the silence of the room.

“You know you don’t have to answer.” Davos says quietly and despite his attempt to sound assuring Aeron can still hear a small crack in his voice.

“Yeah- no- I know, I just wasn’t- I didn’t thought, I-... sorry.” He stammers.

The warmth between disappears in an instant, leaving behind something far more distanced as an uncomfortable silence stretches over before Davos raises his voice once more. “It’s okay.” He croaks out, his voice cracking heavier even through his attempt to sound indifferent toward the whole topic. Aeron feels terrible. But why? He doesn’t owe Davos that. He never said he did, never said anything leading them toward this kind of direction. Never made any promises to Davos. Aeron bites down on his lower lip hard. Why is he the one to feel bad about it now? He literally feels like he has just missed out an important opportunity even through not understanding why. He has literally done nothing.

He has done nothing.

“I should- I should clean that up.” Davos’s voice barely above a whisper. Then he gets up, wordlessly dragging himself to what Aeron suspects to be the bathroom to get rid of the cum on his cock. Aeron’s world crashes down on him.

No, no, no, that can’t be- Aeron wants to yell after him, tell him that he’s sorry but he can’t. His throat feels so dry he doubts he’ll be able to get out a single word.

He has done nothing.

Aeron wakes up without Davos next to him. Despite the ‘after sexual interaction event’ they eventually slept in half cuddled toward one another even though Aeron could clearly feel how far more distant and cautious Davos has become. And he hates it.

So after a while of just lying there, trying to gather his thoughts in an unsuccessful attempt to form a clear opinion on this whole mess of a situation, he decides to get up. He finds Davos as he slurps into the kitchen, sitting at the table and starring into his morning coffee.

“Morning.” He rasps out as he lifts his gaze to look at Aeron, giving him a little, not all too convincing smile.

“Morning.” Aeron replies. He has absolutely no idea what he could possible do. Should he leave? Should he apologise? Act like nothing had happened at all? He isn’t even capable of clearly telling how much the whole situation actually affects Davos, so how should he even approach it? Surely it affects him, but Aeron can’t tell just how much. Maybe Davos doesn’t even want to talk about it.

“Do you want a coffee?” Davos asks, gaze distant as he looks directly at Aeron.

“Uh sure.” Aeron mumbles suddenly wanting to be somewhere entirely else but at the same time has the strong urge to explain himself even though there hardly is anything to explain.

Wordlessly Davos gets up and toward the coffee machine, not sparing Aeron a second glance. And the moment Davos turns and his back is facing Aeron, the words just start falling out the Bracken’s mouth. “I don’t want a relationship.” He suddenly squeaks up. Maybe it has just been the Blackwood’s eyes on him that have hold him back the entire time, maybe he just couldn’t bear the silence in tensed atmosphere anymore.

Slowly Davos turns around, frowning.

“I don’t want a relationship.” Aeron repeats, surer of himself this time. The stunned Blackwood opens his mouth to reply something but Aeron isn’t finished yet. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why. It’s nothing against you, I like- fuck, I want you, but I can’t, okay? I can’t because- because-... I just can’t, I’m sorry.” He can practically feel his heart pounding in his chest as he waits for a reply. He feels breathless and sweaty even without any kind of sport, his throat growing increasingly tighter. Davos just stares at him, frowning and trying to act as indifferent as possible by the Bracken’s words even though Aeron clearly notices how his eyes twitch as well as the cracks in his demeanour.

“Okay.” He says painfully slowly, trying to make sense and keep up with Aeron’s words. He really did spoke fast, but he couldn’t help it. The words just stumbled out his mouth the moment the Blackwood had looked away. “I’m sorry.” Aeron repeats quietly even though he isn’t sure for what exactly he is apologising anymore. Simply everything he guesses.

Davos takes a deep breath in and Aeron can feel himself shrinking under the Blackwood’s gaze. “You don’t have to apologise. I mean if that’s what you’re thinking- what you want, I have to accept that. I mean if you say you don’t want a relationship I guess that’s valid because- maybe you don’t have time for one or- or- I don’t know, but my point is, you don’t have to feel bad- I mean yes, I want one but that doesn’t mean you have to too, right? Besides I think I can be really annoying sometimes, so it’d actually be good for you if we don’t have one. Because you already have a lot of stress and if I stress you out as well, then we’d just both be stressed and it wouldn’t work out and we-“ He stops, Aeron isn’t entirely sure if he has even stopped for a breathe once yet. “we just wouldn’t work out I guess.” He admits, his voice going increasingly quieter with every word.

“It- it’s nothing against you.” Aeron assures him, eyes trained on the ground as he’s not willing to meet the Blackwood’s gaze yet, his heart pounding like it might explode soon, it’s almost painful.

Davos clears his throat. “I get it. You don’t have to justify yourself.” But Aeron absolutely does feel the need to justify himself. He feels like he owes it the Blackwood even though he himself knows is bullshit. “I mean I really didn’t have the best relationships yet.” He laughs nervously, biting down into the meat of his lower lip as he starts choosing his words carefully. “So I guess I just-... don’t want to go through that again.” Another nervous laugh.

“Mh-hm.” Davos mumbles, looking hurt by the Bracken’s explanation. Great, exactly what Aeron tried to prevent. 

“Sorry.” He repeats his words from earlier, then, head down slowly turns around to leave, feeling like he should give Davos his space and just leave for home now.

“Why-“ Davos starts behind him, seemingly trying to gather the right words. “Why didn’t they worked out, your relationships?”

Aeron stops dead in his track, the question catching him pretty much catches off guard. He wouldn’t have expected the Blackwood to be willing to continue this whole awkward encounter. “I... don’t think I want to talk about it.” He admits, a huge lump forming in his throat by the unpleasant memory. He tries gulping it down, blinking the memories away, but all it gets him is an even drier, tighter throat.

“Yeah, of course, sorry, I-“ Davos stops mid sentence, starring at Aeron as his eyes widen in shock. “Are you afraid?” He asks, his eyes widening even more as he stares at Aeron like he has just seen a ghost. Aeron doesn’t answer, can’t answer, the lump in his throat to huge.

“What are you afraid of?” Davos breaths out but everything Aeron is capable of getting out are some indefinable choking noises. He isn’t even sure himself, how is he supposed to explain it to someone else then? Fucking hell, he’S a fucking mess.

“Are you afraid of me?” Davos whispers, voice so incredibly hurt it stings.

“What, no I’m not afraid of you-... of you, you. But-“

“That I’ll hurt you?” Davos whispers, voice scratchy. It’s not a question, not really. It’s more like Davos’s mind trying to set all puzzle pieces together.

“Eh-“ Aeron stammers. He’s not entirely wrong but neither is he right, it- it’s complicated. And he most certainly doesn’t want to discuss that with the Blackwood now. A small part in Aeron’s brain getting angry that the Blackwood managed to get him into thinking about it, that he managed to form Aeron in such a mess of himself. He feels helpless against the memories flying through his brain and if Aeron hates one thing in the world it’s feeling helpless. He’s used to doing most things by himself, never wanted help. But this discussion is just too much as his anger slowly starts to rise and turn against Davos. He doesn’t owe the Blackwood an explanation. He doesn’t owe anyone anything, and the thought only inflaming a sour feeling deep in his gut he can’t get rid of.

“I just don’t want another relationship. Accept it.” Aeron eventually snaps.

Three weeks later Aeron is sitting at the kitchen table after just driving back from uni and now drinking a coffee before he turns to face his upcoming stable duties. Cleaning the paddock. He had a pretty exhausting day and just needs that minute of peace and caffeine and it all started in the morrow with him not being able to catch enough sleep. Then drove to uni just to sit through two boring lessons he didn’t paid any attention to and a full interstate which extended his drive back for thirty minutes.

“Seems like you’re lucky.” Barba says as she makes herself a coffee and sits down next to her nephew.

Aeron squints his eyes. “Why?” He asks slowly and in a bad premonition of what’s probably to come.

Barba tilts her head side way, giving Aeron her patented ‘you know what’ look before saying: “You know if the Blackwood boy and you are together we’re happy for you. But... don’t let him do all the work for you.” She says as she takes a sip of her coffee.

Aeron’s jaw almost drops. Then he springs up from his chair and almost runs into the stable.

“Fucking hell.” Aeron hisses as soon as he catches glimpse of Davos standing in the paddock, cleaning up all horse manure as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

Davos lifts his gaze from his unfinished work to stare at Aeron instead, lowering his pitchfork. “How does it look?” He asks so incredibly relaxed Aeron could practically rip off his head. His anger level rising the instant.

“Fuck you.” Aeron spats. “I told you to stop that.”

“And yet I didn’t listen.” Davos says, taking back his pitchfork to continue as if nothing happened at all.

Aeron’s boiling. He tries to get the Blackwood out the stable for weeks now. But he never stays away for long and just keeps coming back like a moth following a light. He has tried to forget everything that happened at Davos’s. Has tried to forget the Blackwood and just move on with his life which is particular hard if Davos is around all the damn time.

“Who even let you in, in first place?” Aeron asks instead, deciding he’ll not get into the ten thousandth   argumentation of ‘get the fuck out of here’ and ‘stop doing my work’. At least not immediately. And he has never asked before so he’s actually of curious.

“Raylon.” Davos shrugs as he gathers all manure in the wheelbarrow next to him while Aeron stands there with crossed arms.

“And who even showed you what to do in first place?” Aeron asks in suspicion.

“Barba. I think she like me.” Davos bites back a smile Aeron does not fail to catch.

“Mh-hm.” He mutters.

“Is that a yes or no?” Davos grins.

“It was a fuck off.” Aeron spats. This must be around the fourth time he has catched the Blackwood doing his job by now. “I told you I don’t want your help.”

“Yes.” Davos says, again dropping his pitchfork to take a step so incredibly closer to Aeron it’s fucking distracting. “But you also told me you want me.”

Aeron has to focus to not drop his guard by the Blackwood’s words and the new proximity. “I also told you to fuck off around forty times by now.” Aeron snaps. “Oh and also ‘don’t do my stable work’.” He adds.

“Maybe I don’t do it for you.” Davos shrugs, raising an eyebrow in amusement. Bastard.

“No, you just do it when it actually is my turn to clean the paddock. No you totally don’t do it for me.” Aeron rolls his eyes.

“Maybe I do it to help Barba. Not everything is about you Aeron.” Davos grins and Aeron is freshly boiling again. His hands tightening into fists until his nails dig painfully into the flesh of his palms, his jaw pressed firmly together in an attempt to keep all his self control as he starts thinking about many various ways on how to kill the Blackwood, preferably by his bare hands.

Then Aeron closes his eyes, takes a deep breath in and finally hisses through pressed teeth. “Just. fuck. off.”

Davos looks at him for a moment, then sweetly and innocently says ”No.” As he turns back to his, not actually his, work. Aeron groans, then snaps around, vigorously stomping out the stable just to return a minute later. His mind much too chaotic to form an actual plan on how to get rid of the Blackwood as he starts doing what never fails to calm him down, cleaning the paddock.

So they start collecting manure in silence.

Another time Aeron sits on a bunch of hay waiting for the water to boil for Sunny’s mash as the door flies open just to reveal Davos once again. Aeron immediately jumps off the hay. “Fuck off.” He growls before Davos even gets the chance to say anything.

“You’re in such a good mood today.” Davos mutters, doing the exact opposite of what Aeron has just told him as he only approaches closer until he’s standing right in front of the Bracken. “So how much do we have to do today?” He asks so casual as if it’s actually their work and not only Aeron’s and as if Aeron actually wants him here.

So this question, or more the calmness mixed with self-evidence is the final straw for Aeron to snap completely. He has already felt his fuse burning incredibly shorter every time he has found Davos in the stable over the past weeks. So he lets out everything he has been holding back all the past times.

“We?” He repeats in disbelieve. “There’s no fucking we Davos. So stop acting like it. We’re not a thing, fuck, we’re not even friends. So drop whatever the fuck your plan is and just go home.” Aeron explodes, he’s sure he has never screamed that loud in the stable. Why should he? There has never been any reason to till now.

Without giving Davos the chance of a possible reply he starts pushing him against the chest in hope this will finally bring the Blackwood to see reasons again and just fucking leave. “Just. Fuck. off.” He yells, tears threaten to spill out his eyes as the Blackwood barely moves by the attempt but rather stares at Aeron with a, for Aeron indefinable but without doubt something sad in it, gaze.

“Aeron.” Davos starts so incredibly tender it’s frustrating Aeron only more. So he will have none of this as the Bracken talks himself only further into rage. “No.” He yells so loud he almost scares a few horses. “I told you to fuck off. Why can’t you just listen to me? Why can’t you just do this for me?” Another push against Davos chest, then falls silent. It feels liberating to finally get it all out and talked off his chest, like he just got a huge weight lifted off his chest as his final words ring in the silence of the stable.

Davos simply stares at him, Aeron stares back. The Blackwood with something sad in his gaze, Aeron utterly furious.

“Fine.” Davos eventually croaks out. “For you.” He mumbles, then turns and leaves.

Davos doesn’t return for two week, but when he does it’s huge. First he text Aeron, something that didn’t happen in months. Not since Aeron has been over at his. He is lying on his bed, again watching Rick and Morty for the thousandth time as Aeron’s phone starts buzzing next to him.

Davos

Despite this small part in his brain telling him not too, Aeron opens the chat.

I miss you Aeron bravely ignore how his heart makes a flip upon reading the words.

Another message. Can I come over?

No Aeron answer, his soul almost leaving his entire body and leaving behind a sad, little shell of desperation as he types these two letters and hits send. Because the truth is he himself has no actual clue of what he wants or doesn’t. He wants Davos, but at the same time he wants him to be as far away as possible. He wants to touch and feel him but at the same time wants to just roll up in his bed and tell him to fuck off. He doesn’t want Davos lurking around in the stable and doing his duties but at the same time he also doesn’t want Davos to leave. Because even telling him to fuck off is better than not talking to him at all. But Aeron doesn’t want to talk with him, he wants to forget that he has feelings for the Blackwood, especially repeated feelings. Because if they weren’t things would be much easier because then Aeron at least would know what would happen, nothing.

It’s like a spiral of thoughts and feelings Aeron can’t escape. A spiral he wants but at the same time doesn’t want to escape from. He’s not sure if he should scream or cry, or simply both.

Aeron gets to enjoy one other episode in peace before the doorbell rings. It takes exactly two minutes for Amos to open the door and for Davos to appear at Aeron’s doorframe.  Aeron groans by the sight.

“I said no.” The Bracken growls, not making the effort of getting up from the bed or even invite Davos in.

“I read between the lines.” Davos says, stepping into Aeron’s room anyways.

Aeron frowns, slowly lifting himself up from the bed and stopping the episode, sensing this talk could take longer. “There were no lines. It was one word.” He snorts.

“We can stand here and discuss about that the whole day but that’s not what I came for.”

Gods Aeron will surely suffer a headache because of the Blackwood soon.

“Then what did you came for?” Aeron asks, coaxing an eyebrow.

“You.”

Aeron again, bravely ignores the effect the Blackwood’s words have on his heart. “Mh-hm.” He eventually mutters, not able to get out anything else.

“Ok, look. I know you don’t want me here-“

“Then why are you here?” Aeron snaps, warily interrupting him.

“Let me explain. I know you don’t want me here but you also said you want me, which on my clock is a contrary in itself.”

“Mh-hm.” Aeron repeats his former answer.

“For fucks sake, stop that and start giving real answers.” Davos hisses.

“And those would be?” Aeron asks suspicious, coaxing an eyebrow. He would seriously love to hear what the Blackwood sees as fitting answer.

“How should I know? You want me to tell you the answers you should give me?” Davos asks, making an exasperated movement with his hands.

“Since I seemingly give wrong ones, yes, that would be a good start.” Aeron snaps.

“See, that’s exactly how I don’t want think to be between us.”

Aeron coaxes an eyebrow. “What? You telling me my future answers?” He lets out an exasperated little laugh. A poor attempt to change the topic and avoid the topic Aeron knows Davos is here for. He’s not sure if he’s ready for that yet. But on the other hand he can hardly hide in the stable or his room for forever.

“Fucking hell stop it Aeron. I don’t want to fucking fight. I don’t-“ He takes a deep breath through his nose before he continues in a much softer voice. “I don’t want things to be this way.” He says a bit quieter and less quarrelsome but rather conciliating. “You don’t want a relationship with me? Fine, but stop fucking fighting.”

“You want me to stop? After you basically ignored everything I told you? After I told you to fuck off- how many times by now, fifty?”

“I know, I know,” Davos admits. “but look, I tried to help you-“

“With ignoring-“

“No.“ Davos sharply interrupts. “I know what you want to say, but no. You said the stable is important to you and I tried to help you with it, I tried to show you that I can handle that-“

Aeron huffs. “With robbing me off my duties?”

“If this is the only way I’m able to show you, yes. Also, I wasn’t robbing you off your duties, I was helping you.”

“You weren’t.” Aeron says flat.

“I was.” Davos insists. “But put that aside. You don’t have to want a relationship with me. I know I fucked up. I know I said ‘I love you’ too fast but it doesn’t change a thing, at least not when it comes down to the way I feel about you. You don’t have to be my boyfriend or anything you don’t want to but-... don’t act like there is nothing between us, because there is. And if you tell me you want to be friends, fine.”

Aeron lets out another huff. “We weren’t friends.”

Now it’s Davos turn to coax an eyebrow. “Than what have we been?”

Aeron’s mouth opens and closes without a sound escaping it. The Bracken has never actually thought about that. What are- were they exactly? “I don’t know.” Aeron finally admits. He doesn’t like how the words only make him seem like a total idiot.

“See we weren’t friends. We were... more. Just because you don’t want to see it doesn’t mean it has never been there.”

“Davos shut it.” Aeron mutters, his emotions threaten to spill over while Davos unfortunately hits a spot Aeron didn’t even know existed till yet. Don’t say that. He can’t say that. Don’t speak it out and make it real.

“Why?” Davos asks exasperated, almost sounding begging. “But why Aeron? I told you we can be friends, we can be whatever the fuck you want us to be.”

“Fucking hell I said shut it.” Aeron almost yells his hands back to clenching in balls. “You think I want to be your friend? I fucking want you, not your friendship, you.” He yells, not able to focus on what he says at all as his emotions just fall out his mouth in the form of words.

Davos stares at him. His words only know fully sinking in and he can feel himself shrinking under the Blackwood’s gaze. Aeron hates it.

“Then why are you doing this?” Davos breaths out, taking a step closer to Aeron to close the distance between them and carefully reaches out his hand to gently lay it upon Aeron’s bicep who promptly lets his arm twitch up in a childish attempt to get rid of the feeling. But Davos doesn’t let go so Aeron crosses his arms back in front of his chest as if they could hold him together.

“Aeron?” Davos repeats so incredibly tender as he doesn’t reply.

“I don’t know, okay?” Aeron snaps. Well, he wishes he had snapped but his voice much too shaky and vulnerable for that. And Aeron hates this even more. “You don’t know how this is.”

“Like what? Aeron please just tell me.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Aeron says in a pathetic attempt to bring the topic to a drastic cut. But Davos seemingly won’t have this.

“It does Aeron. Whatever it is, it does.” Davos says, tightening his grip sound the Bracken’s arm to give him an assuring little squeeze and with that brings Aeron back into reality. The reality in which he doesn’t want to talk about it, ever.

“I told you I didn’t have good experiences with relationships.”

“You told me, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to be the same.”

Yeah, Aeron thought that too once.

“Aeron, I’m sorry for whatever happened-“

“Don’t.” The Bracken interrupts him. “You shouldn’t be the one apologising.”

“Aeron.” Davos takes a step closer. “I know you will say it’s too early and I can’t know that yet but I love you.”

Dangerous. So incredibly dangerous. And the worst part is, Davos has no clue.

“Don’t.” Aeron hisses, finally slapping Davos hand away and taking a step backward.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. I’m not forcing you into anything. But I love you and I want to be around you. Fuck, even fighting you is better than not being around you at all.”

“Don’t say that.” Aeron breaths out, voice shaky as he tries to keep at least tiny, pathetic bit of his guard up. It’s like he’s clasping to the last, even so tiny straw which also is slowly gliding away from him, leaving him raw and vulnerable.

“Why?” Davos asks quietly as he takes another step toward Aeron, trying to bring his hand back at its former position on Aeron’s bicep.

But this small motion, this small brush of fingers on the Bracken’s arm is enough for his pathetic rest of a guard to fall completely and instantly shatter into millions of tiny, irreparable pieces. Before Aeron can think any better of it, he leans forward capturing Davos’s lips with his own and immediately starts to kiss him like the Blackwood could take all the sorrow off him. Pouring all his hatred, fear and insecurity into the kiss as Davos grabs him as well, mirroring his motions and kisses him back with an equal amount of ferocity.

Aeron can feel a new pair of hands on the back of his head down to the back of his neck, pulling him closer and securing his head in a way he couldn’t possibly break the kiss even if he wanted. His own hands clasping to Davos shoulder as wells as the side of his neck, his fingernails digging hard into the Blackwood’s right shoulder. Davos is the first to push his tongue in, Aeron following swiftly as both try to reach as far into the other’s mouth as possible. The whole kiss is more of an open mouthed collision of tongues, teeth and saliva than an actual lip to lip kiss.

Then Aeron lets himself fall on his bed backward, pulling the Blackwood down along him. Then he starts a clumsy attempt of climbing atop Davos. An actual simple task complicated by Aeron’s refusal of breaking the kiss nor letting the Blackwood’s tongue dominate his own so easily.

Davos moans into the kiss as he grabs both Aeron’s shoulders, pulling him closer until Aeron can basically feel the Blackwood’s erection pressing against his crouch.  Aeron crouches down a bit, leaning further down until their cocks are basically pressed against one another through the fabric of their pants. Both twitching and going increasingly harder by the touch as both, Bracken and Blackwood simultaneously let out a few long moans into the others mouth. Aeron’s hands coming up to grab both sides of Davos’s neck, then immediately travelling down his entire torso as he still doesn’t find a suitable place for them. When he reaches zipper of Davos’s jeans he stats unzipping them, grabbing into his pants without giving it a second thought, feeling the Blackwood’s erected cock only through the thin fabric of his underpants. Davos immediately bucks up his hip, trying to get Aeron into touching him harder. So Aeron starts striking up and down his length before he starts pilling Davos trouser down, his hand gliding into his under pant just to pull it down as well. Davos immediately leans up, pulling on Aeron’s shirt until the Bracken lifts his hands over his head allowing the Blackwood to free him from the as newly found unnecessary piece of clothing.

Aeron must have still lube and condoms somewhere, he just hides them because he’s afraid his aunt might find them otherwise. Not that she would be furious, Aeron’s twenty he can do whatever pleases him, but it would simply be too shameful for him.

He finds both in a box hidden deep in his closet, while Davos does his best to get rid of the rest of his closes. After he pulls out the little box, he does his fastest to get rid of his pants as well. Then starts spreading lube on his fingers before he is back on the bed, kissing Davos deeply as he starts sliding in his first finger. Davos immediate response is pushing his ass up, bucking into Aeron’s finger as he seamlessly adds another one. Aeron can feel his own cock twitching and becoming so incredibly hard by the Blackwood’s moans.

“Fuck.” Davos gasps as Aeron slides in a third finger, stretching and thrusting into the Blackwood. He has never actually been top before but he starts to get a liking for it. Davos desperately trying to cause more friction but Aeron enjoys messing with him, pulling his fingers back whenever the Blackwood bucks up his ass. Like a cat and mouse came.

“You’re the worst.” Davos breathes as Aeron pulls back again.

“Mh-hm, so that means you don’t want me to fuck you anymore?” Aeron asks.

“No.” Davos half moans as Aeron thrusts back into him.

But Aeron is chivalry enough to not push any further. So he releases Davos in order to put on a condom. The Blackwood and he whimpers by the sudden loose.

“You’re so beautiful.” Davos whispers as he, flat on his stomach, watches Aeron spread lube all over his dick. It feels kind of embarrassing to be watched like that but Davos’s words instantly suffocate all his possible shame. Aeron says nothing, just gives him a small smile. Then he positions himself behind the Blackwood as his cock rubs against his ass before he slowly starts to push in.

Davos whimpers, his legs trembling slightly.

In contrary to Davos who can’t shut up to praise Aeron while he fucks him, Aeron is rather silent, his entire focus on fucking the boy underneath him as pleasurable as possible. But Aeron seemingly does wonderful as Davos legs start trembling even more, his moans becoming louder before he reaches his peak. Aeron rides it through, only stopping when he reaches his own orgasm.

Both moan in sync before Aeron falls next to him on the bed.

“You’re okay?” Davos breathes and Aeron nods even though he should probably be the one asking that question.

“Mh-hm.” Aeron mumbles. Then he tries to turns his head so Davos doesn’t see it, but he does.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Davos whispers. Then reaches over to pull Aeron into a tender hug, tracing his fingers along the Bracken’s jaw until they come to rest to cup the side of his face as he slowly lifts Aeron’s head, forcing them into eye contact.

“Nothing.” Aeron breathes out unable to say much more.

“Aeron...”

Davos eventually releasing his face in favour running his hand through Aeron’s hair. Then he leans forward to give him a tender peek on the lips, then right under his eye and his cheek. “What is it?” He asks so soft Aeron could cry out.

“I-“ Aeron starts but his voice hitches so he breaks up again. Then snuggles closer to the Blackwood, half burying his face in Davos’s chest as he says. “But I want to be your boyfriend, I just-“

Davos continues to run his fingers through Aeron’s hair. “I know.”

“Just- please-“ Aeron can’t finish his sentence. Please don’t leave me. Please don’t hurt me. Please help me.

“I know Aeron, I know.”

Aeron looks up to kiss him, then leans his head against the Blackwood’s shoulder. And Davos leans his chin atop Aeron’s head, humming quietly.

“Thank you.” Aeron whispers. As stupid as it might sound it’s the only thing his brain managed to bring up. He doesn’t even know what he’s thanking the Blackwood for exactly.

“Always.” Davos breaths out. Then holds Aeron half an arm length away from him and cradles the side of his face, tilting Aeron’s chin to make him look at him. “I know this is hard for you but I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“Always.” Davos breaths out. Then holds Aeron half an arm length away from him and cradles the side of his face, tilting Aeron’s chin to make him look at him. “I know this is hard for you but I won’t hurt you. I promise.”And Aeron’s shortly before crying.

Then both simultaneously lean forward to kiss the other tender but deep. It’s a promising kiss and to Aeron it feels exactly like that, a sealing to a promise of pact.

Chapter Text

September

“Aeron I don’t know if this is the best ide- ah.“

“Stop being hysterical, she doesn’t do anything.” Aeron laughs as he watches Davos struggling to deal with his first time on horseback. Technically not his first time since his parents once set him on a small pony when he was around the age of five. But when he told Aeron that, he said it doesn’t count.

“I’m going to fall down.” Davos whines as Sunny pulls her head down abruptly, trying to reach the few strands of grass growing at the side of the outdoor school. Davos’ stuck, he has no idea how on earth he’ll convince Sunny to stop eating in favour of walking while he simultaneously is till scared to fall down by every movement he or the horse underneath him do. It’s all so... wobbly.

“With this mindset.” Aeron grins as he comes for Davos safe rescuer.

“Not funny.” Davos pouts.

“It totally is.” Aeron laughs as he grabs Sunny’s reins to pull her away from the grass and lead her into the middle of the outdoor school.

“Ok, ok, enough horse riding for a day.” Davos breathes as he clasps to the saddle as the only thing he can actually hold onto in case of falling. Aeron just laughs his ass off from the ground. “You’re the worst.” Davos pouts as he, with much effort, manages to get down Sunny’s back and lands on the sand of the outdoor school by his feet. Then he takes of the helmet and gives Aeron a quick kiss as he hands it over. “Now I want to see how you hold on up there.” Davos grins as he gives Aeron another peek. In Davos opinion he can never get enough of kissing the Bracken, especially not when he blushes this cute.

Aeron hesitates as he looks at the helmet in his hands. It’s kind of odd Davos has never actually seen Aeron on a horse even though they are together for a bit over a month by now. Davos sleep at Aeron’s at least twice a week and almost every time Aeron loves telling him about the ride outs he had with Sunny or what good of a job she did at the outdoor school while his eyes spark with so much joy every single time. But despite all his joy in telling Davos about his horse, he has never actually seen Aeron on horseback. And it’s not like Davos wouldn’t like to see him up there, it’s almost as if Aeron’s ashamed of it.

Aeron carefully looks at the helmet, then at Davos and finally at Sunny. Davos gives him the most motivating ‘you can do that’ smile he can possibly muster up before Aeron takes a deep breath in, his addams apple rising and falling as he finally sets the helmet atop his head. Then he slowly starts leading Sunny toward the mount block and checks his stirrups. Then he climbs atop the mount block and gives Davos a last uncertain smile before he mounts Sunny, grabbing the reins, his toes in the stirrups while he pushes his heifer down. Only that leg and feet placement has been to exhausting for Davos when Aeron tried to explain and show it to the Blackwood.

The moment Aeron gives Sunny his leg command for her to start walking, he immediately looks so lost in what he’s doing. Davos swears he has never seen him this focused in his life. It’s admirable.

Since Sunny’s already warmed up, it doesn’t take long for Aeron to let her trot as well. It looks downright captivating, the way he repeatedly stands up and back down in the saddle, the way his hands keep being in the exact same place but somehow still move along Sunny’s neck movements. They looks so harmonic, it’s magnificent. And Aeron has his ‘don’t disturb me I’m focused’ look on his face. One he rarely ever has but whenever he does, Davos isn’t sure if he should laugh or be enchanted by the way it looks hilarious in such a sweet way. The way Aeron scrunches his nose, squints his eyes, and looks so tunnelled, like he just forgot everything and everyone around him the moment he sat down in the saddle.

He doesn’t know how Aeron can pull all that off day after day. He has spent ten minutes on horseback and is totally out of breath even though he’s not particular unfit. But what is almost more magnificent than that the mystery around Aeron’s perseverance, is his ass. Because Davos swears it has never looked hotter than in this riding trouser in these moments whenever Aeron’s stands up from the saddle and Davos gains a good look at it. Only the sheer sight turns Davos on a little.

So the moment Sunny’s back in her paddock, Davos is on him. Aeron doesn’t even get time to put the halter away before Davos starts kissing him fiercely.

Before Aeron has any time to protest, Davos tightly grabs him by his shoulders to turns him around. Then instantly gets to his knees until he’s at the same height as the Bracken’s arse. Davos gives his arse a few peeks through the thick fabric off Aeron’s riding trouser before he bites down harder. Aeron won’t be feeling much through the trouser anyway. He has to get rid of it.

“What are you doing?” Aeron breathes from above, voice hitching.

Davos simply smirks up at him. “You know what I’m doing.” He whispers before he takes the waistband of Aeron’s trouser between two fingers, teasing to pull it down with a cheeky grin. Aeron shudders, then takes a sharp breathe, his eyes flutter shut in awaited anticipation. The Blackwood loves the effect he has on him.

The moment Davos tries to unzip Aeron’s trouser, the Bracken’s hand shots down, grabbing Davos working hand and holding it tightly in its track. “Wait.” Aeron breathes. Davos says nothing but stares blankly at Aeron.

“We- we’re in- anyone could-“ He mumbles half lost in the Blackwood’s touch.

But Davos understands, so he basically tosses Aeron over his shoulder in favour to drag him off to the nearest place he knows no one will disturb them which makes the hayloft. He loves how much of a lightweight the Bracken is in comparison to Davos. How his body weight allows Davos to simply manhandle him so easily.

“Fuck.” Aeron hisses as Davos ungracefully throw him back first on a hay bale. But Davos doesn’t mind much, in fact rather ignores him in favour of leaning down and capturing his lips instead as he grabs Aeron’s face by both sides to hold the Bracken firmly in place as he pulls back away and Aeron tries to surge forward in attempt to chase the kiss and press a few hurried pecks against Davos’s lips. It doesn’t work, obviously, and Aeron lets out a whimper. It has no use. So instead of trying any further, the Bracken starts warily unzipping his trouser himself before Davos stops him in his track.

“Wait.” He mumbles and Aeron’s fingers halt in their path immediately. “You have to get up.” He orders.

“You threw me down in the hay.” Aeron admonishes, not willing to move a muscle. This spoiled princess. But Davos is not entirely innocent when it comes to Aeron having become a little brat over the past months, he in fact does everything he can for the Bracken.

“I know love, but now I need you to get up.” Davos coons sweetly, then grabs Aeron’s hand to pull him up just to get back down on his own knees as soon as Aeron’s on his feet. His fingers slip back between the waistband of trouser and his sweet skin Davos craves so much. And this time he actually gets to pull Aeron’s trouser along underpants down, exposing his pink and erected cock into the cool hair of the hayloft. Then Davos turns him again to be faced back with his arse once more, eagerly starting to kiss and bite into Aeron’s arse until there isn’t a single spot left that isn’t covered in bite, teeth and sucking marks. During the entire time Aeron moans and whines pathetically. Davos loves to see how quickly Aeron lets himself fall these days and lets the Blackwood guide him through his pleasure. It took Aeron a while to fully allow himself to and relax fully but the waiting worth a thousand times the price.

Davos takes a moment to admire his marvellous work while Aeron still tries to catch his breath. Then he makes his way down Aeron’s tights and in response the Bracken moans even louder than before. It’s an addicting sound. One Davos could get high from hearing alone. He doesn’t stop until Aeron’s tights are basically fully red. Some part even blue from when he bit down especially hard. But if it hurted -and it surely must have- Aeron has said nothing.

 “You want to lie down?” Davos asks upon the Bracken’s shaky legs, worried he might won’t stand through it if Davos puts his planning into work and can give him a blow job.

Aeron nods a little, eyes closed.

So Davos gently leads him to lie back down, then falls to his knees between Aeron’s spread legs and onto the hay. He presses a few hurried pecks against the Bracken’s panting mouth, then a few along his jaw before he leans back down to kiss the area around his cock before kissing his length up until Davos reaches his tip. His throat rising and falling, saliva gathering in his mouth as he takes him in.

Aeron gasps, grabbing blankly into the air by the sensation.

September

They’re waiting for the water to finally boil so Aeron can feed Sunny her mash and they can go inside and eat themselves. Davos is starving. It has been such an exhausting day for both of them for entirely different reasons. While Aeron is sitting on a hay ball, Davos is standing between his spread legs, massaging and scratching his neck and spine, feeling Aeron go more and more lax against his chest. His free hand is holding his back, tugging him close. Aeron’s head is nestled on the Blackwood’s shoulder, his arms clasped around Davos middle loosely. Still he shudders a little whenever Davos gives his spine a particular hard stroke, then tugs closer every time, seeking the Blackwood’s warmth.

His sweet boy is such a slut for neck scratches.

November

Over the past months Davos has learned many great things. And in conclusion he can simply and unshakably say that first of, Aeron must be the most adorable creature he has ever meet in his entire life. He could easily worship him the entire day without running out of words. It’s like he’s on drugs, a love drug, just that Aeron is his drug and he never wants to stop consuming.

Secondly, that Aeron’s family seemed to have accepted Davos into their own because he keeps receiving more and more tasks in and around the stable. Especially his carpenter abilities are getting asked for more and more. It’s like he lost his guest privileges since he spends most of his time at the Bracken’s house anyways. But he’s fine with that, in fact he rather enjoys putting his skills on display from time to time. So he can not only impress Aeron but his family as well who seems to be totally fond on Davos. Especially Barba who keep acting like he’s one of her children as well. He adores that woman. Still sometimes he misses having more privacy with Aeron alone. They have in Aeron’s room yes, but even in there they usually have to be careful to keep quiet during sex which is- honestly it can get extremely annoying because Davos loves making Aeron scream, to fuck him senseless until his head is full of nothing but Davos and Davos only. But he wouldn’t want his family to hear him scream over another one’s cock either so he understands even though he doesn’t necessarily approves it.

It does has its privileges to live with parents but Davos did not practically moved out just to live with another one’s parent but to be with his boyfriend. His adorable, sweet but also bitchy boyfriend who glares at Davos whenever he calls him one of firsts called.

“Come on Aeron let me hear you.” Davos whines after he gave a particular hard thrust into the Bracken but instead of letting it out freely, Aeron instantly shoved his entire face into his pillow, suffocating his moans till they were barely audible anymore. Today is one of those days in which it takes everything in Davos to keep himself quiet while sex.

“They could hear us.” Aeron hisses back and Davos has to suppress the split urge to roll his eyes. They have waited over an hour for even the last of Aeron’s family members to fall asleep just so they could finally fuck the way they want to. But despite that Aeron still doesn’t dare to be as freely as he is uses to be whenever they have the house for themselves, something that unfortunately is pretty rare and both are getting sick of fucking in the hayloft.

“They’re asleep, please Aeron.” Davos whines. He just wants to hear him, he needs that.

“No.” Aeron hisses. “Just keep quiet and fuck me.” He demands.

Davos growls, he would love to fuck him if it meant getting to hear the Bracken’s sweet noises as well. If it wouldn’t mean airing up the entire room immediately after because the room smells like sex, instead of just lying in bed, being cuddled against one another and simply enjoying the moment.

So Davos groans slightly before he keeps thrusting back into Aeron, just much slower and gentler this time. It’s how neither of them prefers, but it’s the best they can do right now, the only way to assure they won’t get too loud. It’s frustrating.

November

It’s a Sunday, the best Sunday in a while to be precisely because this Sunday means no stable duties. Davos finally gets to have Aeron all for himself without the Bracken worrying about any other things such as feeding horses. Davos hasn’t been in such a good mood for a long while which in recap is probably related to the spliff Hel has handed him a while ago.

The four of them are sitting at Oscar’s, laughing and talking about everything and nothing all the same, the room already a bit foggy from the dust of the spliff’s. Davos barely ever had a better time in his life.

 “So what’s your plan Davos?” Hel asks, suppressing a giggle from their conversation before to ask their question as serious as possible as they nod at Aeron. Hel’s sitting crossed leg on the floor because for some unknown reason they swear it’s more comfortable than the couch.

“My plan?” Davos repeats amused, coaxing an eyebrow as he takes another drag of the spliff between his middle and index finger. “Are you asking me about my intentions?” He giggles.

“Perhaps.” Hel repeats flat, trying to stare Davos down as well as they can in a terrible attempt to intimidate him. Davos slightly swivels his head sideways to look at Aeron through glassy eyes. Even though he’s sitting beside Davos on the couch, he takes practically no notice of what’s going on around him because he’s stuck in a heated conversation with Oscar about different kinds of Lego sets.

“My intention is to fuck him.” Davos declares loudly. Hel squints their eyes but Davos is not sure if it’s because of his answer or the dust in the room. So he simply continues to chant. “Look at him. He’s so pretty, I could fuck him day and night- I mean- just look at him.” He says as if that last statement explains everything. Just look at him, a phrase Davos could use on a daily base. Just look at him. This is like the most fitting description for Aeron he ever used. Because what else is there to say? How can anyone see this beautiful face, stare in those beautiful eyes and not be swooning instantly?

“Gods stop it. I got it, Aeron’s a good fuck.” Hel laughs.

“Not a good one- the best one.” Davos corrects them, while being back at giggling himself.

“Okay the best one.” Hel corrects their sentence, laughing and taking in another drag of their joint. “But what else?”

Just look at him, Davos almost wants to scream but keeps himself under control the last moment. Do they seriously not get it or is this a simple test to see how far Davos is willing to go for the Bracken? Nevertheless the truth behind Hel’s question, Davos goes over in doing his best to summarise his reasoning’s to be with Aeron. 

“He- he’s beautiful.” Davos starts carefully while Hel nods through everything he says. “And intelligent, and sweet, and charming, and caring, and bitchy, definitely bitchy but in a good way- does that make sense?”

Hel nods, a small smile playing on their lips. They know exactly what Davos is talking about.

Reinforced in Hel’s understanding he continues to ramble, because now Davos got a taste and of what it’s like to praise Aeron like that. And now that he got a taste of it he won’t keep quiet anymore. “He’s so pretty I could talk about it for hours- like yesterday he suddenly started to cringle his nose and I didn’t knew what was going on, turned out he just got had to sneeze from the hay- but he sneezed like a kitten. Honestly it was so endearing. And whenever he rides- or simply spends time with Sunny it’s like he instantly forgets everything around him while he gets such a tunnelled gaze. But then he suddenly snaps out if it like he just realised that I’ve been missing in the little world he has just been lost in. So he always uses to come up just to be a bit closer to me. Its like- the best fucking feeling someone has ever made me feel.”

“Understood.” Hel notes. “But why are you doing this to yourself, the living at a stable stuff and all that?” They asks, as suspicion’s dripping with every word. Even through his joint Davos gets how dangerous this question could become for him if he doesn’t answer ‘correctly’. Correctly for whatever Hel might see as a satisfying answer. The stable has always been a huge topic for Aeron, so it’s just naturally that it is for his friends as well.

“It- it’s exhausting from time to time. I mean I practically live there. Like a few weeks ago when we woke up and it was so cosy and I just wanted to keep on kissing Aeron and stay in bed with him but he needed to get up so I did too to help him but- gods was I tired. But it’s not like I don’t enjoy spending my time at the stable and with Aeron’s family and all. And I love spending time with him and I think I can handle it all so-“

Hel nods as they start giggling softly. Davos joins in before he feels a sudden force falling against his side. So Davos swivels his head only to find the Bracken leaning against him and muffling a laugh as he stares up at his boyfriend with wide, glassy eyes.

Davos grins by the sight. “Are you feeling alright?” He asks as he pulls Aeron in his lap.

“I feel marvellous.” Aeron tells him calm but with the hint of a smile on his lips.

Davos leans over to plant a quick, innocent peek on Aeron’s lips. He whines when Davos pulls away. “Me too.” Davos chants and Aeron lets out a quiet hum of agreement as he lays his hands around Davos shoulders and connects them behind the back of his neck, hanging there like a child wanting for his parents to comfort him. So Davos pulls him a bit closer, straddling his own lap for Aeron to feel more comfortable.

“Did you know,” Aeron nuzzles into Davos’ shoulder, “Oscar has Zane’s jet from the second season?”

Davos rapidly blinks a few times in confusion. “What?” He eventually asks, frowning.

“Zane form Ninjago.” Aeron says, sounding personally offended that he even has to explain such things. “You have seen Ninjago right?”

“Eh...”

Aeron slowly lifts his head from Davos’ shoulder, starring at him incredulous. “It’s a kid’s show.” Davos tries to defend himself.

“Yeah exactly, so you should’ve watched it as a child.” Oscar throws in, his head in Hel’s lap as he holds a spliff between his fingers and takes a drag in as he watches Hel from his frog perspective.

“I’m sure I did once.” Davos shrugs.

Seemingly the wrong answer as Oscar gasps. “No, that’s not sufficient. Aeron what are you teaching your boyfriend whenever you’re alone?”

Hel lets out an abrupt laugh as they starts patting their boyfriend’s cheek. “Other things love, entirely other things. Not everyone is such a nerd as you are.” They say gently and with a hint of amusement in their voice. Oscar lets out a little huff before he leans up to press a small peek against Hel’s lips. Davos stifles a laugh, their combination of being in love and constant teasing each other in such a tender way is almost comical.

Aeron cradles a bit further into Davos’ lap, straddling him more as his grip around the boy tightens. “Careful.” Davos complains. “I’m no playground.”

Aeron laughs, his grip not loosening. “Yes you are.” He lets out a hiccup.

“No, no, no, come on, let go.” Davos whines, trying to loosen Aeron’s grip around his neck. He fails miserably, if anything Aeron only moves closer by Davos’ squirming under him. “You’re like a little monkey.” Davos complains and Aeron lets out a short laugh before he hums in agreement.

“You’re a little pest you hear me?” Davos says, failing to sound as earnest as he intended as he has to stifle a laugh, his lips twitching up.

Another hum. “But your pest.” Aeron agrees.

Davos rolls his eyes as he pulls Aeron closer. “My pest.” He agrees.

There’s a short beat of silence before a loud and sharp tone cuts through the entire room. “The fuck.” Davos breathes over the loud music out of Oscar’s phone. “No-“ He hisses as realisation dawns before all, -except for Oscar- start talking at once.  “We’re not going to watch Ninjago now-”

“No, really not-“

“Love-“

Oscar says nothing, just grins like a fool as he ignores all his friends protests.

January

“Aeron I’m like- really bloody freezing.” Davos whimpers as he shakes violently, his teeth clacking. He can barely feel his feet anymore, neither the tip of his nose nor fingers. The temperature has reached minus degrees within the past couple of weeks. Davos isn’t build for this kind of weather. He wears thick gloves but still rubs his hands against one another like an evil fly, the tips his fingers fully numb by now.

“Gods you’re so dramatic.” Aeron rolls his eyes as he takes off his own gloves. Then grabs Davos’ hand to pull his glove off as well and lay his icy hand between his own, squeezing it tightly. Davos promptly melts. It doesn’t work as intended since Aeron’s hand are just as icy but it’s still so cute Davos has to give him a quick thank you kiss for it. Well Davos basically wants to kiss the Bracken boy no matter what he does.

“Thanks but I doubt that’ll help much.” Davos stutters, blowing out a small cloud of fog that quickly drifts off in front of his mouth. As much as he loves the gesture, he’s done, can’t do that anymore. They must be cleaning the paddock for three hours by now. Even Aeron has rosy cheeks and the tip of his nose pink by now, he simply acts like the cold doesn’t bother him at all. Another thing Davos just can’t wrap his mind around, how Aeron can pull that off day after day and seem so casual. How does he not freeze to death right now?

“I told you to go inside.” Aeron notes, frowning but with a soft giggle that immediately creates a whole lot of fog around his faces which drifts off just as fast.

“But I don’t want you to do all the work yourself.” Davos whines but Aeron simply shushes him with a soft smile playing along his lips as he squeezes Davos hand a bit tighter.

“You’re no help right now anyways. Go inside, warm up, I’ll follow in fifteen minutes.” Aeron orders. “I’d prefer my boyfriend not to end up as a popsicle anyways.” He adds before he turns back around to continue with his work. Davos sighs. But despite his guilt about leaving Aeron to all the work, he hurries up to get inside and warm up, his feet almost numb as he drags himself into the house.

As promised it takes Aeron fifteen minutes to follow. Davos is sitting against a heater, desperately trying to warm up his toes for the past eight minutes, as Aeron finally stumbles into the house. The rosiness on his cheeks has spread as well as the redness on the tip of his nose whilst his lips in contrary are barely pink anymore.

“What are you doing?” Aeron asks, shivering.

“Trying to warm my toes for fucking eight minutes by now, they just won’t warm up.” Davos answers. He would get up and embrace the freezing boy but that’s particularly hard with numb feet’s. The rest of his body has already reached a normal temperature again, it are simply his stupid toes that just won’t warm up no matter what Davos does.

It takes Aeron a while to take of his shoes and jacket, to grab a blanket and sit down besides Davos against the heather.

“You’re doing it wrong.” The Bracken mumbles as he holds his fingers against the warm metal, letting out a small relieved sigh by the prospect of being able to feel his fingers again soon.

“Excuse me?” Davos asks appalled. “I’m simply trying to warm my toes. This is no high art or anything.”

“No but-... come on I’ll show you.” Aeron says, getting up and reaching out his hand for Davos to follow.

“And now?” Davos asks suspicious as he stands in the bathroom and in front of the bathtub with crossed arms, his eyebrows in the air.

“Take off your socks.” Aeron orders and Davos obeys instantly, leaning down to take off his socks, the Bracken mirroring his action as he takes off his own as well. “Feet in the bathtub.” Aeron orders and Davos unresistingly does as he’s told.

So he watches as Aeron takes the showerhead and starts letting warm water run over both their pairs of feet. And Davos instantly lets out a pathetic whimper. Gods that feels great. “You’re right, that’s better.” Davos mumbles as he allows himself to simply enjoy the warmth with closed eyes.

“Told you.” Aeron muses in amusement over his boyfriend.

February

Davos is living more at his parents’ house again because even though he tried, spending the entire winter at the stable has been too much for him. He loves Aeron and wants to live with him and spend his free time with him but that is particularly hard if you don’t live with someone. Because Aeron’s schedule for this semester says he mostly has uni whenever Davos is done with work, means they keep missing each other. And whenever Aeron comes home he still has a bunch of stable duties so he can rarely ever go out. Davos keeps helping but they mostly only manage to see each other at weekends. When Davos still slept over at Aeron’s they mostly had time for one other during the evenings, but that’s hardly possible anymore. It’s not like Davos doesn’t sleep at Aeron’s at all, just not so regularly anymore which leads to them not seeing each other as often as they’d both would wish for. It’s annoying the shit out of Davos, the fact that he doesn’t get to see Aeron that much anymore. He hates it in fact. But he can’t help it. He tried but he just can’t live at the stable which would be the easiest conclusion to their problem.

Today is one of those days they kept missing each other and it just keeps frustrating Davos even further. So he’s sitting at the kitchen table, his face buried in his hands and groaning intentionally.

“What’s wrong?” Jayne asks as she walks into the kitchen with an empty cup of coffee.

“Nothing.” Davos says warily, snapping up to look as innocent and unaffected as possible. As if he’ll discuss his love life issue with his mother. Everything has its limits. And this clearly is a boundary he’s not willing to cross, ever. Can’t Davos sit in the kitchen and be depressed for once in his life? Does there always have to be a deeper reason for everything?  

“Something’s going on with Aeron?” She asks, coaxing an eyebrow.

“What- no- why would- my world doesn’t revolve around him. Not everything necessarily needs to have something to do with Aeron.” Davos spats, jumping up from his chair.

Jayne just frowns, starring at her son in a mix of worry and bemusement.

But Davos is clearly having enough of this as he stomps out the kitchen with heavy footsteps, his hands in fists and lips in a thin line. His mother mumbles something but he’s already too far away to understand.

April

Even the most terrible winters find its ends and Davos couldn’t be more grateful for this one. The moment Davos has been sure it has gotten warm enough so no part of his body is in danger to freeze off, he immediately started spending more time at the stable again. He helped Aeron with everything and did his best to bury the gnawing guilt inside of him for letting Aeron alone with everything for this long. Technically he wasn’t alone, he always has his family, but alone in the meaning of ‘without Davos’ help’. Because what kind of boyfriend is Davos if he keeps letting the Bracken do all the work himself?

But that’s not his to worry about because right now everything just seems perfect. Davos woke up pretty early to a sound he can’t quite decipher and now gets to watch Aeron in his sleep. He loves how peaceful the boy looks, like he couldn’t hurt a fly. His face relaxed and his features look even softer than usual. A lose strand of his hair hanging in his face so Davos carefully reaches over to brush it back. By the touch Aeron’s head moves back and forth over the pillow, trying to search for something he can’t find. Then his eyelashes flutter open and he rapidly blinks at Davos a few times.

“Morning.” He mumbles softly, slightly lifting his head as he gently rubs his eyes with his sleeve.

“Morning.” Davos breathes, smiling down at his sleepy boyfriend, Gods he could stare at him forever.

“How late is it?”

“Not sure, something between six and seven.” Davos mumbles, not willing to shift his attention away from Aeron and to his phone to check the exact time. Because what matters is the fact that they still got time left before they have to get up and start their day.

“Good, we still got time.” Aeron mumbles as his head immediately pops back on the pillow and he pulls his blanket tighter up. Davos can’t help but grin like a lovesick fool as he lets out a small hum of agreement. Then he leans down to press a small peek against the Bracken’s temple and Aeron giggles in bemusement.

“What’s so funny heh?” Davos asks, a smile playing along his lips as he leans back down to trace another kiss against the side of the Bracken’s neck. As response Aeron lets out a soft little hum, looking like he’s ready to fall back asleep. Oh, no, no, no, definitely not. So Davos leans down to press a small kiss against the side of the Bracken’s neck.

“Stop it.” Aeron mumbles tiredly but Davos doesn’t miss the hint of bemusement in his voice.

Davos head peeks up. “What? You mean this?” He asks innocently placing another kiss right under the last. He can feel Aeron getting stiff against him, though he says nothing besides letting out a small suppressed hum, his lips parting slightly.

Davos gently kisses his way up Aeron’s neck only forcing in a stop by his ear loop, his breathe against the Bracken’s auricle. Then Aeron wordlessly turns around lazily to catch the Blackwood’s lips in a slow and passionate kiss which Davos immediately melts into like hot butter on a frying pan. He could live in this moment forever.

"You smell like something just died in your mouth." Aeron chuckles as he pulls back away.

"And you think you're breathe is any better?" Davos grins, climbing on top of Aeron and straddling his lap, both his hands on each side of the Bracken’s face. Then Davos leans down in half a push-up to reach Aeron’s lips, both grinning as they reconcile their mouths’ once more. 

“Gods I love you so much.” Davos mumbles against the other’s lips.

It’s silent for a moment before Aeron lets out a quiet, nervous laugh. “I think you just said that for the first time.” He admits, looking flustered. A faint blush on his cheeks and collar.

“I did?” Davos asks. “Fuck Aeron I love you so much, I should’ve told you sooner. I’m sorry. I love you so much don’t ever doubt that, not even for a second.” He chants as he’s still atop of Aeron.

Aeron giggles before he fists the collar of Davos shirt to pull the Blackwood further down, their lips only inches apart and Davos really wants to reach out and kiss them. “I love you too.” Aeron mumbles as he stares up at Davos with his dreamily big doe-eyes.

Now Davos reaches down to kiss him and Aeron immediately responses with an equal amount of eagerness.

April

There it is again, that sound. That sound Davos woke up to every morning for the past weeks. The horses galloping on the meadow at six a.m. due to some automatic gather opening at that time. And Aeron’s room so happens to be aligned so all of it happens right in front of his window. So fifteen horses galloping right in front of Aeron’s window in full speed, it’s a miracle to Davos why Aeron doesn’t wake up as well.

It’s also the worst time because it’s exactly one hour before Davos has to get up himself which means getting back to sleep is barely an option. But he doesn’t want to wake Aeron every morning so he mostly just watches him sleep or checks his phone before he gets up earlier than usual. He is sleep deprived for weeks now. Why didn’t he wake up last year when they became a couple and he started his sleepovers at Aeron’s? He tried getting into bed earlier but can barely ever sleep in before eleven p.m. and Aeron doesn’t either. So now that it’s barely past six, Davos is lying in bed, starring at the ceiling as he hears a soft mumble next to him. “Morning.”

“Morning.” He replies automatically, not shifting his attention to look at Aeron. He just keeps staring blankly at the ceiling in some awake but not actually approachable state. “You’re up earlier than usual.” He notes but no answer just a small nod from Aeron’s side.

“Do you know why I didn’t wake up last year?” Davos asks slow and low as he yawns heavily.

Aeron rapidly blinks a few times, looking at the Blackwood blankly.

“The horses, the meadow. Why didn’t I wake up when they galloped on the meadow last year?”

“Uh, I think they haven’t been on the meadow anymore when we became a couple, you know it was late in the year and the meadow was already closed at that time.” That’s it, Davos last hope that he will ever able to sleep through it, shattered. His hope that if he had managed last year he could again, but no, he didn’t, he never did. “Oh.” Is everything he manages to breathe out.

“You’re good?” Aeron asks, moving a bit closer and gently lays his hand over Davos’ own, the worry palpable even though his tired voice.

“I’m tired.” Davos whines. “I’m so fucking tired.”

Timidly, Aeron nods, then leans his head against Davos’ shoulder carefully.

“’m sorry.” Aeron mumbles softly.

“Not your fault.” Davos breathes, his eyes burning from the lack of sleep.

Chapter Text

Eight months, it took Davos exactly eight months to break his promise and smash Aeron’s heart into smithereens. And the worst part is Aeron just can’t wrap his mind around it. If Davos had just fallen out of love- but no, their entire relationship has just been falling apart. Davos has grown more and more distant and soon he stood in front of Aeron telling him that he can’t support him at the way Aeron him needs to. That he doesn’t want to do this anymore.

Aeron scoffs. This. Like, what does that even mean ‘this’? What is he supposed to make out of it? This could have one or one hundred meanings. Davos hasn’t made himself particularly clear in any way. In fact he couldn’t have been vaguer except for the clear, unmistakable fact that he’s breaking up with Aeron.

He should’ve called it, he should’ve known, in this exact moment his entire world shattered down at him.

“Aeron I-” Davos stammers but breaks up again.

“You made me feel like I could depend on you, that I could count on you whenever needed?”

“I’m sorry, I-” Davos finally chokes out but Aeron doesn’t let him finish, his quick moment of shock turning into anger within a heartbeat. It’s that kind of dangerous anger, the one you can crash out from so easily. And it’s directed not only at the Blackwood for making Aeron fall for him, but also at himself for daring to believe that everything would turn out well. So trusting he was, so naive. All his suppressed fear has just turned into reality and it’s fucking Davos’ fault. He can’t believe it, can’t believe that he could’ve been so blind. “Get out!” He interrupts sharply and at the edge of screaming, he’s getting hysterical now but he could hardly care any less.  

“GET OUT!” Aeron repeats, taking a large step forward to give a hard shove against Davos’ chest. His vision clouded as more rage flares up inside him and paints his vision red with every new exasperated shove against the Blackwood’s chest. Like his anger is the only thing able to keep him up anymore, preventing him from falling apart this instant.

“GET OUT!” He yells, voice ringing back in the hollow corridor of the stable. He keeps on shoving and shoving widly until Davos is left with no choice but to finally back off.

He has barely ever felt this wrecked. He has barely eaten, slept or even showered during the past couple of days, his mind consumed by nothing but Davos. No matter where he goes, no matter what he does, there’s always Davos. Aeron had screamed into his pillow about it, he had cried (despite telling himself that he will not) but it had no use, the image wouldn’t leave him alone. He feels so hollow and used it hurts. Nothing seems to bring him joy no matter how hard he tries to distract himself. Not even Sunny can who usually is Aeron’s best support during emotional situations. His family chose to stay silent about the whole topic, deciding it’s better for everyone to not get involved into Aeron’s love life. In fact, Aeron’s nothing but grateful that they chose to leave him alone and not ask any questions.

“It’s okay.” Hel says soothingly, going through Aeron’s hair with their fingers in an attempt to calm him down while he sobs into their shoulder. He’s shaking violently, a few tear stained strands of his hair clasping to his face. “Let it all out.”

“I trusted him.” Aeron whines, burying his face deeper in Hel’s shoulder as he lets out a wet hiccup immediately followed by a second and another sob, his chest rising and falling heavily.

“I know.” Hel rasps, pulling Aeron into a small one sided hug with their free arm.

“You haven’t given us any details of what exactly happened yet.” Oscar says low and calm. He’s leaning against Aeron’s doorframe, watching the whole scene unfold with crossed arms. Aeron’s head peeks up from the safety of Hel’s arms. Though he doesn’t see much through his tear clouded vision he can witness Hel silently shaking their head and mouthing the word ‘no’ at their relationship person from the corners of his eyes.

“Look, Aeron, we need details so we can figure out how painful his death will be.” Oscar explains, pushing himself up from the wall and taking a few concealing steps toward the sobbing boy.

“No, don’t hurt him, please.” Aeron whines as new tears are forming in his eyes and clouding his vision even further till a point at which he can barely see Oscar in front of him anymore. Gods, he’s so pathetic. This whole situation is so pathetic, but he can’t help it.

“We don’t necessarily have to kill him but we could make him wish we did-“

“No.” Aeron rasps.

“I’m just considering.” Oscar says slowly. “He doesn’t’ need all his fingers, right?”

“No.” Aeron repeats, this time rather pathetic than certain, his voice breaking and his face crumbling as he admits: “I don’t want him to get hurt.” Then he lets out another sob and launches himself back into Hel’s arms.

“Oh Aeron.” Hel breathes as they start rubbing his back.

“Well I want him to get hurt.” Oscar declares loudly. “I want him to beg for mercy and-“

“We all should calm down now.” Hel interrupts warily. “You are not making yourself particular useful right now.” They hiss as they nod from Oscar to the crying boy in their arms.

“So you want me to rub his back as well and sit around will this bastard is walking around freely and probably has the time of his life?”

Aeron’s eyes, already swollen red, only fill with new tears by Oscar’s words and he lets out another, this time louder hiccup.

“Sorry.” Oscar mutters meekly.

“This is not constructive right now.” Hel hisses. “We have to calm him down and then we discuss how we punish Davos.”

“No, for the last time, leave him alone.” Aeron hisses.

“But we-“

“No. Promise.” Aeron demands and both, Hel and Oscar groan intentionally. But despite their reluctance both mutter a quick ‘promise’ and Aeron is please. For the moment. For exactly eight seconds before he realises who he’s protecting by his action and he starts hiccupping again. But Hel reacts immediately, pulling Aeron back into their arms. “Not even a small terror?” They ask meekly.

“No.” Aeron demands determined, letting himself fall to the side and nestle his head in Hel’s lap. Oscar and Hel give each other a disappointed nod before Oscar crouches in front of Aeron while Hel starts to continue with running her fingers through his hair. “Look,” Oscar says as soon as he and Aeron are on the same level. “We’ll leave him alone and whatever you demand but don’t protect him. He doesn’t deserve that.” Oscar says vivid which only causes new tears to form in Aeron’s eyes.

“Oh no, no, no, Aeron stop it, he’s a dick, nothing more-” Oscar starts.

“But he was my dick.” Aeron sobs, letting out a wet hiccup. It’s true, in one way and another, even his friends can’t deny that.

Hel gently shushes him from above, then forces him up and cups his jaw with their hands to swipe a tear away from his cheek. But the only effect it has on Aeron is him literally crumbling into the touch. “Oh you sad little lover boy.” Hel mumbles as Aeron throws himself back into their lap to continue his pity party all over again. He has reached a point at which he doesn’t care how much of a pathetic and humiliating sight he has become anymore. “It’s going to be okay.” They mumble as they continue to let their fingers soothingly run through his hair.

It takes Aeron two weeks to recover to a point at which his friends are able to convince him to go out and get his mind off the Blackwood. And it mostly came into being because Oscar and Hel practically threw him out the bed and dragged him into Oscar’s car. Still, Aeron is honestly pretty grateful for the distraction. He’s slowly getting sick of lying in bed, allowing his mind to get consumed by nothing but Davos all day. It’s not like it has ever been a conscious decision to waste away in bed, he just couldn’t find it in himself to do any more than necessary. And he’s so fucking tired of it.

Barba has, really hesitantly, told Aeron to not think about Davos and just have fun before he left. He certainly wishes it was that easy, that he could just tell his mind to erase Davos from his core memory and never to think about him again. Unfortunately for the Bracken his mind seems to think otherwise.

So he’s sitting at the backseat of Oscar’s car while Hel is constantly checking their phone not really bothering to update them at what keeps their attention this long.

“Aeron what will you drink?” They asks sudden and without lifting their gaze from their phone. Aeron turns slowly, blinking dumbly at them as he has to process the question.

“What I’ll drink- I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it yet, it’s not a groundbreaking decision-“

“Actually, you should think about it now because it’s your first in such a long while that it has to be good.” They let out the ‘and has to be good enough to take your mind off Davos’ which Aeron is incredibly thankful for. Still he knows what she means.  Gods Aeron misses him. And that‘s the worst part about it, that no matter how much he hates and curses Davos, he misses him just the equal amount. And the more he tries to convince himself that it’s not true, the realer it gets. May haps alcohol is really what he needs right now, what will take his mind off the Blackwood and make him feel a bit les miserable at least for one evening.

“Ok fine—I take a lemon drop then.”

“Good choice.” Hel nods.

The club is already in full swing as they enter. And that despite the fact that it’s only shortly after 9pm. Aeron would’ve expected for them to be one of the firsts to arrive and drink a cocktail in peace before the masses turn up. Nonetheless they somehow manage to squeeze their way through the crowd and find themselves three empty chairs at the counter.

While Aeron still has to sort himself, Hel wastes no time on ordering cocktails for all of them.

“Drink.” They instruct the moment Aeron has his cocktail in hand.

Aeron wants to protest, to tell them they got the entire night and don’t have to rush but the moment he lifts his gaze from his lemon drop he spots a mop of dark hair right behind Hel’s shoulder. It’s not Davos, of course it’s not Davos but only the small reminder of the Blackwood forced on him by some arbitrary bloke that just happens to have the same hair colour and no other similarities at all is enough for Aeron to immediately take his first sip.

A first sip turns into a second and a first cocktail into a third and before Aeron knows any better he finds himself dancing (more like wildly hopping to lady gaga) along Hel, Oscar watching them in amusement from their seats.

“I’ll get another drink!” Aeron screams over the music as he takes a quick stop from dancing to catch his raging breath.

“What?” Hel screams back, stopping as well and moving closer to understand the Bracken throughout the loud hall.

“I want another cocktail!” Aeron repeats, louder this time, waiting for an understanding nod from Hel’s side before he starts pushing his way toward the crowded bar.

“Sorry.” Aeron mumbles as he turns away from the counter with a fresh cocktail in his hands just to bump into some bloke. He’s by far too pissed to spare it a second thought as he warily moves away, not interested to even spare the bloke a glance.

“Hey, hey, wait.” The bloke mumbles in a far too familiar voice as he catches Aeron’s wrist to keep him from striding away.

But Aeron’s clouded mind is by far too slow to catch up with it all so he yelps the first thing that comes over him. “What the hell?” He hisses as he stares at the hand around his wrist only able to focus on one thing at a time.

“Aeron please wait!” The voice calls over the loud music as the Bracken starts trying to warily free his hand from the other one’s grip and walk away. And that finally connects the dots, the sound of his name on the Blackwood’s tongue. His head wipes up abruptly before his alcohol-muddled mind can think any better of it. His pupils grow incredibly wide in a mix of shock and fear while his pulse quickens within seconds and till a point at which he can feel it hammering in his ears, a sorrow feeling immediately rising up his throat like a hot flame.

Oh gods this wasn’t planned. This was supposed to be Aeron’s evening, a chance to get his mind off the Blackwood. He’s going to be sick. He’s going to puke. He can’t breathe.

He wants to say something, to scream at the Davos or simply mutter an excuse but only the thought of opening his mouth and saying something- anything addressed at Davos is too much to handle right now. So Aeron simply starts pushing his way through the crowd and away from Davos as the Blackwood wordlessly lets go of his wrist.

“I’m leaving!” Aeron screams over the music and at Oscar who shoots him a confused, then stunned as he clearly notices Davos pushing his way toward them, look. Aeron’s pulse starts hammering even faster as he feels like the prey on a hunt, dedicated to escape before Davos reaches him which probably won’t take long anymore. Aeron can’t tell for certain, he doesn’t dare turn his head to check. 

“Aeron!” He hears a yell behind him but the only effect it has on the Bracken is him hurrying even more to get away from the Blackwood faster.

He barely makes it for an escape before Davos bursts through the metal door of the club and onto the dark parking lot. “Aeron?” Davos yells. Aeron meanwhile cowers behind a parked car, trying to escape the Blackwood’s prying eyes.

Gods, he’s so pathetic that it hurts.

“Aeron?” Davos repeats, aimlessly pacing around the parking lot in search for the drunken Bracken feeling ever so small and helpless cowering behind those strangers car. He would probably bang his head against the car in frustration if he wasn’t so fucking numb already.

“Davos?” He hears a second familiar voice and presses a bit closer trying to understand every bit of the interaction. “What do you want?” Oscar asks annoyed, maybe even mad if Aeron can still trust his ears.

“I just want to talk.” Davos says exasperated. Aeron would pay money to see them right now. The alcohol increasing his willingness to take risks so he carefully leans up to pry through one of the car window’s just to witness Oscar starring at Davos furiously, his hands in fists. (It’s an unfamiliar sight. Aeron rarely ever sees Oscar mad since he mostly keeps his cool, but right now he looks furious.)

“Are you fucking serious?” Oscar huffs. “It took us weeks to even get him out his bed and now you want to talk with him? Of course, if Davos Blackwood wants to talk then let’s just forget everything and bend to his every will-“

“Oscar-“

“No, Davos! Did Aeron look like he wanted to talk with you? I don’t think so, fuck, I don’t even want to talk with you right now! Don’t you think you already did enough damage? What about the weeks you didn’t even messaged him, huh? But sure now you want to talk. Do us all a favour and leave him the fuck alone!”

Aeron’s breathing immediately stops, his air stuck in his throat as he eagerly waits for Davos’ reply.

“I’m just trying to make things better!” Davos hisses not nearly as loud as before. Aeron lets out a quiet disbelieving laugh behind the safety of the car.

Better.

Nothing the Blackwood could possibly say would make things any better.

There’s a beat of silence before Oscar yells. “Well you don’t!”

Aeron has seen enough, he crouches down against the car and let’s himself sink on the ground, his already trembling legs practically giving up under him.

“Oscar, I know you’re mad, I get it-“

“You don’t get shit!-” Oscar interrupts roughly but Davos doesn’t seem to mind much as he continues unimpressed by the Tully’s interruption.

“but please let me talk with him.”

Another moment of silence during which Aeron wishes he could see their expressions before Oscar says. “You don’t get to... ever.”

Then he hears footsteps, someone cursing quietly (Davos) before it all turns back to silence. A suffocating and heavy silence.

Aeron doesn’t dare come out his hiding spot, barely even dares to breath. It’s like a heavy stone has just settled on his chest and he doesn’t know how to help himself, how to loosen or even fully get rid of the crushing feeling again. His first thought is alcohol, to just drink the Blackwood away till he loses every memory of this evening but he really doesn’t want to get back inside.

Fortunately Oscar makes this decision for him.

It takes two more minutes till Aeron can hear a soft “Hey.” next to him, paired with the look of a worried Oscar on this pathetic excuse of Aeron Bracken. “Let’s get you home.” Oscar mumbles and reaches his hand out for the Aeron to take. Which he does without any form of reluctance.

“Sorry about that.” Oscar mumbles barely audible, a sour expression on his face.

“Not your fault.” Aeron mumbles, he doesn’t feel much like talking. He just wants to get away from this club. Get home and go to sleep, and maybe, possibly, just never wake up again.

Aeron doesn’t end up puking. He still does feel like it, feels sick but he doesn’t puke. At least it’s something.

The following morning is hard for Aeron. He wakes up way too early and with a massive hangover. He keeps lying in bed for almost an hour, his mind replaying the encounter with Davos over and over again until he can’t take it anymore and decides to get up to at least act like a normal function human being. He has a pit in his stomach but can’t bring himself to slumber into the kitchen just yet. He doesn’t want to meet anyone, least of all his family who will undoubtedly question how his evening went. Only the thought churns his stomach.

I’m just trying to make things better.

Aeron squints his eyes. How?

but please let me talk with him

Davos sounded so desperate, as if this isn’t exactly what he had chosen for both of them. As if he wasn’t the one breaking up with Aeron.

You don’t get to, ever.

Fuck, Oscar. Why? It’s not like Aeron wants to talk with Davos, ever, but that doesn’t mean he does NOT want to talk with Davos. In fact, Aeron has no idea what he wants, just get through the day preferably. But even this seems momentarily optional to him.

He has three unread messages from Hel he didn’t bother to open till now.

Hel

How are you?

Oscar told me what happened

Ur ok?

Aeron really doesn’t want to explain anything right now so he just quickly types I’m fine before he tosses his phone back on his bed.

It takes Aeron another twenty minutes before he musters up enough courage to drag himself in the kitchen. Fortunately his family largely leaves him alone after he successfully blames his grumpy behaviour on his hangover.

Another half an hour later and Aeron is in the stable. He doesn’t have anything specific to do, it’s not even his turn to clean the paddock but he does regardless. He needs that form of distraction only the stable can offer him right now. It’s peaceful, listening to the horses as they chew their hay and a few chirping birds nesting between the beams of the old and muddy ceiling. It’s one of the things Aeron loves most about the yard, feeling like nothing else matters, escaping the hectic and confusion of the world at least for a little while.

But of course Aeron isn’t graced with a long lasting peace as the door opens with a loud creak (he should really oil this bloody thing soon.) revealing no one else than Davos Blackwood.

Aeron groans intentionally, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion. If he can’t take anyone today it’s definitely Davos fucking Blackwood. The audacity of his to even dare to show up after yesterday where it was made more than clear enough that Aeron has literally no single intention to speak with him at all, good or bad day.

“What the fuck do you want?” Aeron growls, pacing across the paddock and into the hallway to stand closer to the man that broke his sodding heart only weeks ago, and before Davos gets the chance to even open his mouth.

“I...” Davos starts ever so careful, testing the water. He doesn’t look good. In fact he looks pretty much how Aeron feels at the moment. Unkempt hair, pale, tired eyes. “want to talk with you.”

“Great.” Aeron snaps. “Well I don’t want to talk with you so- goodbye.”

“Aeron please stop that.” Davos whines and Aeron can see his built up courage as well as composure faltering slowly by the Bracken’s reluctance. Aeron coaxes an eyebrow while he crosses his arms in front of his chest in defence, trying to keep the Blackwood away from him and not let him get back into his head. “I know you’re mad, you have every right to be-“

“Oh I don’t think you have any idea just how mad I am-” Aeron scoffs. Swivelling his head more than intended in an attempt to look away from Davos and his big mesmerising eyes a few lose strands of his hair fall in his face and in front of his eyes. Aeron doesn’t bother tugging them back. He won’t do that effort for Davos, not if it means looking at him clearly again while he could quite literally weep just by that.

“I know, I know.” Davos chants, approaching Aeron a step further in an attempt to reach out but Aeron pulls away warily. The Blackwood only looks more miserable by the rejection. “As I said, be mad but-- knowing you’re in pain it- it’s killing me-”

“Don’t you think you should’ve thought about that before?” Aeron huffs. Hot tears stinging behind his eyes and threatening to spill out by Davos’ words. But he won’t give Davos the satisfaction of crying in front of him. He didn’t fall that low yet (ignoring the fact that he drunkenly hid behind a strange car in the middle of the night just to avoid talking with Davos).

“Reproach me as much as you want, I deserve it.” Davos continues.

“Oh I haven’t even started yet.” Aeron snaps, then quickly decides to changes the topic into something for him less hurtful. “Who even told you to come?” He asks with a blank expression and much colder than before.

Davos clears his throat. “I-“

“Didn’t you hear what Oscar said?” Aeron interrupts sharply, his defence wall back up. He won’t let the Blackwood break him, not this time.

“You’re sending your friends after me now? That’s underneath you.” Davos says and yes, he’s right, it WOULD be underneath Aeron if he wasn’t so fucking desperate. Also, if anyone is not in the position to judge it definitely is Davos so Aeron doesn’t have to explain himself in front of the Blackwood. He doesn’t owe him anything.

“Actually I was holding them back not to murder you.” Aeron says flat, shrugging.

Davos rolls his eyes. “How generous of you.”

“You think?” Aeron repeats sarcastically, frowning.

“Aeron please, whatever wall you’re trying to build right now, drop it.” The Bracken already wants to open his mouth for a crushing answer but Davos shushes him. “I miss you, alright? I can’t stand not being around you for this long.”

The reply honestly stuns Aeron. He’s silent for a long while until he suddenly raises his arms up in defiance. “So what are you expecting me to do? What do you even want from me?-“

“I want to be together with you! I want to be with you, be by your side.” Davos says like the words have been lying at the tip of his tongue, just waiting for the right moment to finally break through him.

“Then why the fuck did you left? You come to me and act like this is my fault? I wasn’t the one breaking up, you were!”

Davos takes a deep breath in, his adam’s apple rising and falling drastically before he speaks up again. “And now I’m trying to fix it. It was a mistake, possibly the biggest I’ve ever made but please let me try to fix it.” Davos pleads, trying to reach back out for Aeron’s arm but he simply flinches away again, not saying anything as he bites down on his lower lip hard in a desperate attempt to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill out again. How can Davos say something like that? How can he do that to Aeron? Hasn’t he already broken enough, caused enough pain? Saying things like that is not his place anymore. He doesn’t get to just walk into Aeron’s life and do and say whatever he wants and get away with it.

During the long, heavy silence between them Davos musters him up and down as if trying to memorize every detail of the Bracken’s face and safe it for later. The way his eyes roam over his face, taking in every feature, it makes him feel exposed while at the same time there’s still the risk of Aeron getting lost in the Blackwood’s face if he dares looking at him a heartbeat too long. He really wishes Davos would stop. He feels bare under the Blackwood’s gaze. It feels barely bearable.

Aeron wants to break the silence with literally anything, just make the Blackwood look away. But before he finds his wording back, Davos’ voice breaks the silence. “Can I-- I really want to kiss you right now. I want to know you’re ok.” He whispers and for Davos’ standards it almost sounds like pleading, his voice cracking.

Gods please kiss me.

“Fuck no.” Aeron huffs before he can think any better of it.

What is wrong with Davos? Demanding a kiss, how much audacity can someone have?

Davos looks like a kicked puppy. “Aeron.” He whispers voice cracking during the end. “Just- let me know you’re okay.” He stops looking about ready to drop to his knees in front of the Bracken. It’s a strange, unfamiliar sight. One that makes Aeron’s skin crawl.

“I’m ok.” He finally says flat.

Liar.

“Please let me.” Davos mumbles, taking a step closer and reaching out his hand like he’s dying for a taste. “Just let me know-“

It takes all the courage in Aeron to hold himself together as he asks: “The fuck is wrong with you?” If he wanted to kiss Aeron so bad he could’ve simply not broken up in first place, how about that?

“Leave.” Aeron demands dryly, not reacting to the Blackwood’s attempt.

“Aeron.” Davos chokes out. He looks devastated.

“Leave.” He repeats, just much more forceful this time.

Davos closes his eyes, then slowly nods in disappointment. He looks about ready to sink on the ground and die. But before he finally leaves he dares to turn around one more time. “Do you remember the time I told you to never doubt that I love you, not even for a second?” Davos asks, voice wrecked in a last attempt to win Aeron over. But Aeron says nothing, just tries fighting back tears. Everything Davos says only worsens things right now. His presence alone is already suffocating enough, but this?

As Aeron doesn’t answer Davos closes his eyes and slowly nods in understanding before he does as Aeron ordered and the door falls shut behind him.

The moment Davos is gone Aeron sinks to the ground, replaying the entire interaction in his head over and over again until he feels like his head is about to explode. It’s like he did in the morning just now in a cold corridor instead of his bed.

Aeron has found a brand new and hopefully more effective way to cope with his difficult ‘Davos situation’. He’s ignoring it. Ignores every thought or feeling he ever had or felt for the Blackwood. It’s working reasonably well. He’s getting through his days quite good as long as he doesn’t see or smells anything that resembles Davos in his mind and stirs the memory of him in any way. Some days are better than others. Also Aeron still has some of Davos’ clothes in his room and can proudly say that he stuffed them all into a tiny box and buried them in the deeps of his closet. And he hasn’t thought about them once since. (Besides the countless times he couldn’t sleep and thought about getting out Davos’ shirt to hug it until he falls asleep but that doesn’t count. He was tired so he couldn’t think clear.) For some reason he also thought of it as a good idea to use this weird ass three in one shampoo Davos always used and Aeron never wanted to even touch his hair. At the end his hair just smelled too much like Davos and he had to shower again just to get rid of the smell. But besides that it’s going well! It was merely some slips.

It’s another Friday evening and Hel and Oscar tried to coax Aeron into going out again but after the fiasco of last week, Aeron really doesn’t want to set foot in any and bar or club anytime soon. He’s back at lying in his bed watching Netflix and eating crisps. And honestly, he loves it. He just recently found a new cartoon similar to Rick and Morty he’s been watching relentlessly for the entire evening. Plus he hasn’t thought about Davos the entire time. Apparently denying in combination with Netflix is a far better method than alcohol.

He’s almost done with the first season when his phone suddenly buzzes. Aeron has thrown it carelessly on his pillow a few hours ago and not checked it once since then, utterly distracted by his cartoon.

For a moment he thinks about just letting it ring but his curiosity eventually overpowers him and he picks up. His heart almost climbing out his throat as he looks at the screen. Of course, who else if not Davos?

Regardless his inner voice screaming at him NOT to do it, he swipes to accept. And what he’s greeted with from the other end of the call is silence. Just silence. Gods Aeron feels so ready to puke again. Only knowing the Blackwood is on the other end, hearing him and quite possibly his raging breath is making Aeron’s pulse quicken.

“Davos?” Aeron eventually asks, hoping his voice doesn’t sound as wrecked as he feels but rather cold and distant. Because he doesn’t care if the Blackwood might speak with him or not, he doesn’t.

There are a bunch of noises on the other side before Davos voice (finally) rings through the speaker. “Yes, Aeron?” He asks sorrowful.

Aeron ignores the way his chest churns by the sound of Davos’ voice.

“What do you want?” He asks and it takes everything in him to sound as indifferent as possible.

“I- I miss you.” Davos admits quietly.

“Mh-hm.”

“Don’t you miss me?” Davos asks and gods suddenly it hits Aeron, Davos is so incredibly drunk. It’s not only his voice but the way he says things, the way he emphasises. Aeron can only imagine him doing his sad puppy eyes right now. (He was surprised Davos could even pull off such good puppy eyes when he first saw them.)

Aeron thinks about just delaying the call so he won’t get to answer the question but his desperate side eventually wins. The one that wants to keep on listening to Davos’ voice at least a little while longer. “I-... what do you want Davos?” He can’t say it, he just can’t. So he changes the topic.

“As I said I miss you.” Comes Davos sad and unusual quite and broken voice from the other side of the speaker.

“You mentioned.” Aeron notes.

“Can you come over?” Davos asks, voice so full of childish hope it makes Aeron want to weep.

Aeron sighs. He’s definitely not going to meet Davos now. Every fibre in his being is holding him back, screaming at him not to but gods, he at least wants to know where Davos even is. “Where are you?”

“At a bar, with friends.” He says, voice raised in excitement as he seemingly takes Aeron’s interest as agreement.

“I’ll not meet you.” Aeron immediately rebukes him, clearing the situation.

Silence.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, but you can do something for me.”

Davos voice immediately lightens back up as he says “Anything.” so sudden he could not possibly have thought about his words beforehand. “Anything you want.”

Aeron slightly smiles to himself. He can wrap Davos around his finger so easily Aeron can’t decide if he wants to laugh out or weep about it.

“Great.” He eventually says before he changes into a more serious tone. Readying himself for the following words to leave his lips. That won’t be easy, possibly even harder than for him than Davos himself. “I want you to delay the call right now and not call me again, do you understand?” He orders as he can feel every bit of life-energy getting sucked out of him, a voice inside him screaming and trashing to take the words back. Instead of listening Aeron sits still, the only sound is his pulse hammering in his ears as he waits for a response from the other side.

It takes Davos ages to finally say something. And when he does he sounds wrecked. “I--” Comes a broken, quick breathe. “I don’t think I can.”

Aeron shatters. For a split second he’s just frozen on his spot, not able to move even a toe. Then he takes in a sudden sharp breath before he scoffs and delays the call with shaky fingers.

The moment Davos is gone, Aeron sinks on his mattress, burying himself under as much blankets as he can find in a childish attempt to hide away from it all, to distant himself from everything that has just happened like he wasn’t the one involved at all. Like it hasn’t been his words.

It was the right decision. He keeps on repeating in his head but it barely eases the arching pain in his chest. Something is nagging at him from inside, something massive.