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[tauraran]

"Im Aran Thranduil. Prestad?"

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[tauraran]

Yes. {There is no hesitation, no doubt. His thumb sweeps over Mingjue's cheek and he nods to reinforce his point.} There is good in the world of Men; I wish to preserve it. I have not always done so and I can see that was a mistake.

Your demons will not conquer you.

[theirdage]

[There's a part of him that wants to chase him off. To tell him to run should that happen. It will be safer if he does. But there's another part of him that finds himself...grateful. That someone would reach out to him to fight to save him in that state.

He's only known one to want to and that matter is complicated.

It takes effort to keep the tears from forming with how moved he is.]

I will do what I can to not put you in that position. I will fight to protect you from that.

[tauraran]

{He bends down and rests their foreheads together, sealing the promise with tenderness. Thranduil considers Mingjue as one of his own. He will fight to keep him whole no matter what foe he faces.}

Then we cannot fail.

[theirdage]

[He has no idea what he has done to deserve this sort of devotion, care, and protection. These two men are essentially powerful spirits in their own way. Yet they have chosen him for reasons he can hardly fathom. Mingjue has no idea how he will repay them for what they do for him.

For now, he can only say this as he closes his eyes, even finding himself lifting his head to meet the contact.]

Thank you.

[tauraran]

{The gratitude isn't necessary, yet Thranduil cherishes it. Long, long ago, his people were created to be guides to Mankind and the other Arda races. Somewhere along the way, that duty was ignored. How many good Men perished because he refused to leave the boundaries of the Greenwood?

Mingjue will not number among them.}

Will you turn over? I do not want to miss a single scar.

[theirdage]

[The man nods and shifts so that way he can roll over onto his stomach. In a way he's grateful because he can hide the swell of emotion a bit. The only thing he does to help besides relax is to reach back to pull his hair out of the way.

Better near his shoulder than draped all over his ruined back.]

[tauraran]

{That beautiful Nie hair will have a new braid when Thranduil is done. One symbolizing friendship - a bond forged between allies. There is a deeper meaning to it, of course. To other Elves, the braid means that Mingjue can call on one of their own for aid.

Which includes seeing to that poor back. He gathers more salve and rubs it into the battered skin, humming as power flows through his fingertips and palms.}

[theirdage]

[As he breathes, he realizes that it actually is easier to relax. The constant tension on his skin isn't as powerful. While he may not understand everything his friend is doing he knows it's working if only to ease the aches of his body. Aches he's been ignoring all this time because he's simply been used to it.

The humming isn't any tune he recognizes but he knows he doesn't have to. Thranduil won't hurt him. He won't use song to destroy him.]

[tauraran]

{No, the song is bringing forth his healing ability. Elves are attached to their languages and their music. Sindarin and even Quenya are so musical that it isn't hard to imagine the simplest of phrases being written as notes instead of letters.

He follows the scarring down, his heart aching for this precious Man.}

I know what it is like to stand alone. I barred my people in the Greenwood to avoid finding myself alone again. You, however, have remained in the open.

I respect you for that.

[theirdage]

Sometimes one can stand in the open and still stand alone.

[He knows that well. It's how he lived...so much of his life. It's only now that he's trying to change that. Such a thing is a challenge but he finds himself doing his best each day.]

[tauraran]

Not forever. {A soul like Mingjue's is like a light. Others will be drawn to it and inspired by it.} Remember to look around you.

[theirdage]

It took death and arriving here for me to remember to do so. [Painful though that is to admit, he knows it's true now.]

[tauraran]

You are a boulder; it takes great force to move heavy stones. Your death was a storm and it uprooted you, sending you on another path.

{He lets his nails graze lightly on unmarred skin.}

It is unfair how short the lives of Men can be. You could learn much from living through your trials.

[theirdage]

[The sensation of nail on his skin is strange but not unpleasant. The opposite really. He finds himself shifting a little on instinct to enjoy it more without even realizing it.]

I can only apply the lessons to this new life that I have been given and hope it will be enough.

[tauraran]

It will be. {The shift is all he needs to continue. Even the scars are healed enough that the sensation might be pleasant. Eru knows the poor Man deserves something pleasant! His existence has been painful for too long.}

[theirdage]

[It's almost like a tingle. Perhaps if it were lighter it might even tickle. Maybe it does a little but not enough to make him laugh at least.]

Mm...I appreciate your faith in me.

[tauraran]

{Think of it as a lesson for Mingjue's skin. Stop hurting. See? Sensation can be nice. Thranduil imagines that the Man has those in his life that could take it further. Lips would feel nice against those poor aching scars.}

Have faith in yourself. You have earned it.

[theirdage]

Have I?

[There's a spot near his spine that earns a soft gasp and arch before he settles again, putting his arms under his head to be more comfortable. He's not sure what this part is but it does feel nice. He can admit that.]

[tauraran]

{Oh? He smiles, a little mischievous, and pays that spot further attention, rubbing and gently scratching in turns. This part is perhaps...selfish. Thranduil likes this Man's body and he is making the most out of being able to touch him.}

You have learned from your mistakes, have you not?

[theirdage]

I am trying to.

[He doesn't miss that he's getting more attention to that spot. It must be from the sound he made. Thranduil does keep saying he finds him attractive for some reason. Perhaps he enjoyed that sound.

Well, he finds he likes the attention. He's not one to easily settle down and relax but this has been soothing. And so he doesn't complain about it and just drops his head forward, his next words muffled by pillow and arms.]

I have to.

[tauraran]

Surround yourself with those you trust and if you have any suspicions about your well-being, voice them. No one will think less of you.

{He follows the line of Mingjue's spine, stroking and scratching. Then he impishly kisses the back of the Man's neck, murmuring appreciatively:}

Be gentle with your body and understand your importance.

[theirdage]

[The kiss stirs him as it really and fully sinks in that Thranduil has meant what he said about being attracted to him. It's not that he hasn't believed him to be telling the truth but also it's surprising. It makes him blink and shift his head so he can look over his shoulder.

A moment of quiet and then...]

I am not know for being gentle with my body.

[tauraran]

I couldn't tell. {He responds lightly, arching a dark brow.} It might serve you to adopt that care.

{And, yes, he did mean it. He likes strong Men and Mingjue is as muscular as they come! But he is respectful and he gives the Man a small smile before rubbing salve on his legs.}

[theirdage]

That isn't the Nie way. We push ourselves hard to be strong and powerful. Worthy of our dao.

[Worthy and able to handle them given the fact that they're not ordinary blades. Nor will they ever be. He can only imagine what would happen if Baxia were to arrive in this place.

Realizing that his friend is continuing the treatment, he relaxes again, eyes closing almost as if he's asleep despite still being wide awake and aware.]

[tauraran]

What becomes of your strength and power when your body refuses to function?

{Everything and everyone has a limit. Thranduil would rather not see Mingjue reach his. The Man being bedridden or in too much pain to walk would break his heart.

He is as careful and thorough with those legs as he was with every other part. By the time he finishes, a wave of exhaustion washes over him and he seeks out a chair.}

I suggest you use the day to rest.