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Learning how to help Derlord with preening might be one of the best things he had ever done. Since the two of them have started the ritual, first as awkward friends who were crushing way too hard, then as boyfriends, things changed, slowly but gradually.
At first, they would sit in front of the fireplace, at a respectable distance (as respectable as it could get since preening in general needed you to get up close and personal with the other person) and with minimal conversation. The conversation one was also because Avery was mostly concerned with not messing it up, his attention focused solely on the act itself- Besides, it wasn’t like it was silent, since Derlord would warble and trill softly. Then, they had moved to the couch, still at a respectable distance, but more relaxed. That one change was done after they had fallen asleep on the floor one too many times.
And then they had kissed, had become lovers (Derlord still got flustered over that word, something which Avery loved dearly), and the two had moved in their (their!!!) bedroom, with the fireplace lit. Instead of sitting a respectable distance away, now they mainly just cuddled, with Avery picking at the few feathers that needed straightening. Who knew preening regularly made it so that less and less feathers needed to be coaxed out? Not Derlord that’s for sure!
Since the slime hybrid had started preening and straightening his feathers every time they cuddled, the whole arduous and hours long process from the beginning became a fifteen minute swipe at the end of the day, just to make sure there weren’t any stragglers left. It really worked out in the end, with Avery needing to fidget with something, his hands always searching for something to do and Derlord’s massive wingspan offering something to do. It helped soothe the both of them, since the slime’s fidgeting was actually useful and the avian wouldn’t need to sit still for hours at a time.
Just like now, when Derlord was laying on his front, head cushioned by his arms and Avery sitting on his lower back, humming as he brushed his fingers between the black feathers. The avian was shirtless, necklace pressing against his chest, trapped between him and the sheets, but he couldn’t even bring himself to be flustered under his, just as shirtless, boyfriend’s adoring gaze. Preening was important to avians, a sacred ritual to be shared with only their flock, with people they trusted deeply and Avery had always been more than worthy of this title.
“Your feathers are looking good” The slime hybrid mentioned, smiling fondly when Derlord made a small sleepy coo. “Their shine has come back properly. They’re gorgeous”
“Thanks to you” He muttered back, his head wings flaring before settling again, shielding his eyes from the low light of the fireplace. Thankfully, the inside of his wings were done beforehand and he could doze off without being asked to turn over. Really, he never really knew how much of a hassle it was to preen himself before meeting Avery- Now, he doesn’t think he could go back. His chest hurt just at the thought of not having the hybrid at his side.
“I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it before, with what the king and all” Derlord winced at the mention of the King, a jumble of knowledge shoving itself to the forefront of his mind, too loud to make out what it was, but enough to give him a headache. The slime apologized quietly, leaning closer and pressing a kiss against his bare shoulder. His heart did a little flip. “But yellow suits you a lot” He continued, snagging his attention again and making it easier to focus on him.
“I much prefer red,” He paused, burying his face in his arms, embarrassed despite himself at his next words, “or green.”
Avery paused for a brief moment and Derlord tensed, already expecting when-
“Awww!” The slime cooed, wiggling his arms underneath the avian's chest and hugging him tightly. “That’s so SWEET!!! You’re so cute” He continued, rubbing his cheek along his shoulder.
And okay, he appreciated the affection, but his boyfriend’s bare chest (and necklace, he never took it off either) was rubbing against the base of his wings, and a spark of desire shot down his spine, so intense it almost left him lightheaded. He had to bite down on his arm to stop the needy sound that threatened to escape, but he couldn’t quite hide the way his wings shivered, or the way his hips twitched forward, grinding against the mattress before he forced himself to stop.
“Ugh” He complained, shifting to try and push him off, face burning. “I thought you were supposed to preen me” It was more a reminder to himself, trying desperately to not pop a boner while the love of his life was taking care of him in a strictly non-sexual way. He was way more disciplined than that!!!
Avery grinned against his shoulder, leaving dread and excitement to swirl in his stomach as he moved a little more purposefully this time, trailing kisses up to his neck. His chest brushed against the base of his wings again, making the avian choke on his next words, gripping the sheets tightly.
“I’m already done” He hummed, sliding one of his hands down the avian’s chest, making fire lick through his veins. “Though I do have something else in mind I could be doing” He pulled free one hand, quick to cover the dark scarred skin with his own, pinning Derlord’s hand to the mattress.
Perhaps he should be ashamed of the neediness with which he shifted his hips, the way his wings spread in invitation, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to do it, not when his lover was just as eager in helping him shed the suddenly constricting articles of clothing remaining.
Something told him his wings were about to get messed up again.
Well, at least it was not his work getting ruined, and the slime will surely fix them after.
Besides the actual routine of sitting down and doing nothing but taking care of his wings (which sometimes evolved into more…intimate activities), Avery straightened his feathers throughout the day in little subconscious movements. It never failed to make his heart squeeze with fondness, which sometimes worked against him.
They were in a cave, mining for more coal, when the telltale tale of a witch laughing reached their ears. Derlord whirled around, but he was too late, the poison potion sailing through the air and coming straight for him.
“Der!” Avery yelled and the avian closed his eyes tightly, stomach rolling at the thought of the poison working through his system. He would have to take the potion before killing the witch and he was not looking forward to it. The crash of the bottle reached his ears, as did the stinging smell of poison, but the nausea and sickness didn’t come. He opened his eyes to find the back of Avery’s head as he killed the witch with a strong, decisive swipe of his sword. He ignored how the reminder of his lover’s strength made heat burn in his gut, instead focusing on the way his sunflower shirt was wet with the poison and the way his knees wobbled.
“Avery-” He was immediately next to his side, supporting the hybrid that had begun tilting sideways dangerously. “You shouldn’t have done that, I could’ve-!” He quickly searched through his inventory, finding a forgotten bucket of milk that he swiftly pulled out as he helped the slime sit on the uneven floor of the cave. His armour clanged loudly as he fell to his knees, holding the slime’s cheek in his gauntlet.
The hybrid groaned in pain, curling his arms around his middle as he pressed the side of his head against the stone walls, whining in displeasure when Derlord manhandled him to make him drink the milk. A few drops spilled down the side of his mouth, sliding along his gelatinous skin until it was absorbed by his body.
The avian had to take a pause to breathe through the panic and anger that had started clawing at his chest. The slime looked at him, his eyes already clearing of the pained haze, sufficiently chided underneath his boyfriend’s piercing glare. It was pure luck that Derlord had brought the milk.
Safe to say, that was enough mining for today.
Back at their house, Derlord stood in front of the brewing stand, his head wings ruffled as he watched the slow dripping of the regeneration potion. His boyfriend, whom he was exceptionally mad at, was seated at the table, close enough that he could reach out to touch, but far enough that he couldn’t really justify it if he snapped at him to leave. Not that he truly wanted the hybrid to leave anyway.
“I’m sorry” Avery muttered, as he had all the way to their house.
“You’re not” He rebuked, crossing his arms as he kept his back to the discouraged slime. “You have already explained your stance and I have explained mine”
They had hashed it out on the way back, with Avery arguing that he wasn’t going to let Derlord get hurt, not when he could help it, and the avian insisting that he could take care of himself, that he didn’t need to put himself in danger to protect him. Needless to say, nothing got solved.
Derlord was angry- fuming even, but he wouldn’t let the slime get out of his sight until he drank a regeneration potion.
Silence stretched between the two, thick with tension, broken only by the dripping of the potion. Avery tapped his fingers against the table, fidgeting as the avian ignored him, feeling the necklace underneath his shirt absentmindedly, reminding himself that it was still there, despite the annoyance he felt with his partner.
The slime shifted again, the sound making Derlod’s wings shift.
There was a pause, before the feeling of fingers tugging free a loose feather registered and his chest squeezed with affection as he turned to glare at the hybrid.
Avery froze, a feather between his fingers and hand outstretched towards his wings. He looked like he had been caught with his hand inside the metaphorical cookie jar. The hybrid smiled, a little wobbly and not as bright as his usual one, but enough for him to scowl, fighting the affection he felt for the man. He was unfailingly endearing.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He grunted out, tilting his head to hide the way his lips twitched.
“Uhm.” He floundered, looking successfully scolded. “You…had a…” The slime trailed off, wiggling the feather.
“I’m mad at you” The avian reminded. Avery melted slightly at the edges, his lips downturned as he slowly pulled back his hand. His heart squeezed painfully, fond despite himself.
“I’m sorry” He muttered again, fiddling with the feather. The image of a scolded dog flitted through his mind briefly.
Ugh. He was making it especially hard to stay angry.
Derlord sighed, long and suffering as he made his way to his boyfriend, grabbing his wrists and pulling his arms away, making space for himself to sit down in his lap. The hybrid perked up, looking hopeful as his form solidified again (or as much as it could since he was a slime and all).
“I’m still upset at you” He informed his stupidly adoring face.
“Okay” Avery grinned, wrapping his arms around his waist. He scowled at the feeling, glaring at him from underneath his helmet. He was grateful his blush wasn’t as visible like this.
“I have not forgiven you yet.”
”Yet”
“Cheeky is not a good look on you” The avian said, matter of factly, as he grabbed his face, swiping his thumb over his cheek.
“You love me”
“Really making me reconsider my feelings over here” He grumbled, leaning in to press a brief kiss against his lips, because he may still be mad, but he was glad, more than anything, that the slime was alright again. Nothing he could do would ever make it so he didn’t want his lover to be safe and happy.
“Lies and slander” His infuriating boyfriend grinned, pulling him in and kissing him again.
If the regeneration potion stood in the brewing stand longer than needed, well, no one was there to complain. Not even Avery who had dutifully drank it as Derlord complained about his newly acquired bruise on his neck.
In the slime's defense, the avian was too cute to resist.