[Lyall already knew, without even asking, that Biffy would disapprove of him going to the arena to blow off some steam after that augment glitch and its consequences. because it is barbaric and uncivilized and smelly.
Occasionally, though, you need barbaric and uncivilized and smelly. Just so you won't think or ruminate. And really Lyall doesn't even stay down there very long. Just long enough to get all of that pent-up nervosity out of his system.
When he comes back, he is still looking as put together as when he left, but he still goes to have a shower to wash off any remaining smell. Makes sure to throw his clothing in the wash too and get changed.
And then he goes to the kitchen to where he will start making some strong tea. Now that he's feeling calmer, a cup of tea sounds like a great idea.]
[Lyall has gotten cleaned up and showered but he knows exactly where he's been all the same. And he certainly notices that your outfit is different from the one earlier that day.
So when Lyall comes into the kitchen, he gives him a frown before getting up and walking out without a greeting.
It's the silent treatment for now. It won't last forever but Biffy certainly can be very like a lady when it comes to how he shows his displeasure. As clear as it is that he's very much a man, he's also quite the dandy in the end. It's really no wonder Alexia gave that suggestion to her husband all those years ago.
And it will be to their room that he will go. To sit at his desk and start sorting out his hair. It doesn't need it but it makes him feel better.
Because in the end? He knows Lyall needed this. He knows that. It's why he will never say a negative word about it to him. However, he can't bring himself to like it either. It's just too barbaric. So while he won't scold him for doing what he needed to, he has to also be himself and not just blindly put on a smile and pretend like everything is fine. Lyall would hate it if he did so.]
[Lyall is definitely not surprised to see Biffy actually leaving the room.
He doesn't go after him, just makes his tea and takes the time to sit and savor a cup.Washes said cup, rinses out the teapot. Then brews some more, enough for a cup, deliberately choosing a flavor he knows Biffy likes. Puts the teapot, sugar, cream and cup and saucer on a tray and carries it back to the bedroom.
He doesn't look towards Biffy for more than a glance when he gets in, putting the tray down on one of the dressers. Biffy is fine. He doesn't like what happened, and he doesn't have to. He just needs to come to terms with it in his own time.
When the tea is ready, Lyall pours it, then adds the cream and sugar just the way Biffy likes it. he will come closer just long enough to leave the cup at Biffy's elbow, before exiting the room again so he can go back to Engineering and his duties for the ship.]
[He knows when Lyall comes and he knows when Lyall sets the tea next to him. He can even smell that he's prepared it for him just the way he loves it the best. While he's still upset, he does truly appreciate the care that's gone into this.
Part of this is really just that he's mad at himself for being unable to provide any of this for Lyall. He can't be the one to fight him all out. He simply can't. No matter what, no matter how old his mate is, he'd have to hold back because he is stronger simply by being Alpha. It's just the nature of things.
And of course there's the matter of just how barbaric it is to actually want to go fight to clear the mind.
All the same he does sip the tea. He really appreciates that Lyall is letting him have this time to be upset. In all honesty he does actually need it. It would be far worse if he were to keep this bottled up.]
[They both know that this is simply a different manner of dealing with things. In fact, it is even a little out of character for Lyall, who hates fighting. Maybe that's why he chose this specifically. To be able to finally put everything to rest, all the distateful things, in one final distateful action.
They both know where the underlying tension between them is coming from and that it simply needs to cool down on its own.
In the next few days, Lyall makes himself mostly unobtrusive. He does his duties as usual, and politely ignores the interrogative looks sent their ways.
He goes back down to the planet a few times, mostly to explore. And finds a nice, vintage - at least the vendor calls it vintage, to Lyall it's just normal - shaving set, that he buys and cleans up, making sure the blade on the razor is as sharp as needed before leaving it back at the salon.]
[They only need a few days really. Just some time to both let them sort through their feelings.
It's when Biffy finds the razor that he realizes he's done being upset. In fact, he smiles as he gently runs his fingers over the tool before going to find a place for it. There's no need to guess who left it. He can smell the one who did.
So when he goes back to the ship, he sends a message to Lyall to say that he'll meet him in their room. They don't need to talk but he just...wants to see him.]
[Lyall makes sure to finish the task he has ongoing, even if a bit more rapidly than he would normally have, and that the workspace is clean and tidy before he hurries back to the room he shares with Biffy.
it has been a bit strange for the past few days to go to bed each on one side of the bed instead of tangled together like they usually do, but just like the rest, it was simply a thing that needed to happen and Lyall didn't feel the need to go sleep elsewhere just because of that. And he doesn't think Biffy would have wanted him to anyway.
He still opens the door cautiously and steps in slowly, closing the door behind himself. Looks up at Biffy expectantly, trying to read his face and see how best to approach him again.]
[As it turns out, Lyall doesn't need to figure out how to approach him. Biffy comes right over to him, abandoning what he's doing, to cup his face and draw him in for a kiss. They're past this now and he wants him to know that.
And he wants him to know he still loves him. So, so much.]
[The kiss is indeed the best way to simply let all thoughts of how to do this fall by the wayside. Lyall hesitates only a second before he puts his hands on Biffy's chest, flattening his jacket lapels even thought they don't really need it.]
[Maybe because once he got the message, he was hopeful that this meant you were done stewing over the whole thing and ready to put it past you and so he figured if that was the case he might as well make sure he has time, and if you weren't he could find something else to do.
... His brain seems to be babbling.
His rational mind wants to talk things out, but he knows it's useless. Biffy understands. He doesn't like it, he doesn't approve, but he understands. He doesn't need anything else.]
Please. Sit. I would like the chance to just...play with your hair honestly.
[He just wants to touch him. It doesn't even have to be sexual. Right now he just wants to be in contact with his mate and future husband. Just to make up for the days when they were not speaking to each other.]
[Having Biffy play with his hair sounds like... heaven, to be honest.
They've been in each other's presence in the past few days but there was still this distance. They slept in the same bed, but without touching. And in the end, Lyall is still a wolf. He needs contact.
So he is glad to follow directions and take a seat, closing his eyes with a small sigh as he does.]
[Gently, he tugs the ribbon from Lyall's hair so the long strands fall down around his face. Soon a brush is in his hand and he's slowly working it through the strands.
There's silence in that moment but it's clear that just this action is Biffy's way of communicating to Lyall that they're truly past this hill now. They can move onward again.]
[Lyall closes his eyes and slowly relaxes under the ministrations.
He knows Biffy loves doing this and that it calms him in a way. And also.... it just feels good to feel Biffy's hand on him again. he had not realized how much he'd missed it.
To the point that impulsively, he goes and grabs one of those hands to entwine their fingers.]
[It's still a bit early for it to be socially acceptable to go to bed, but never mind that.
Lyall gets up from the chair and starts loosening his cravat and unbuttoning his waistcoat and shirt. Under it, his skin is once more flawless, the bruises and cuts and scratches and burns completely gone.]
[Biffy would have been concerned if the bruises and such were still around at this point. Werewolves require far more serious injuries for them to truly last more than but a few hours at most. And there is no way any sparring match would have caused that much damage to his mate.
Undressing himself, he goes to pull down the blanket before slipping under and opening his arms to Lyall to welcome him close.]
[Lyall finishes removing his clothing, and actually folds everything this time, before he slips under the covers and scoots closer to Biffy, cuddling against him and clothing his eyes for a second before his whole body seems to relax.
Oh yes, he's missed this. Four hundred and fifty years and he still gets sentimental.]
[Gently he kisses his head before wrapping one arm around him and letting his other rest so his fingers can play with that long hair again. His eyes close as he rests his cheek on top of Lyall's head, breathing in his scent.]
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