Aukusti had stepped into the Pony with heavy footsteps, rubbing his shoulder. His body had become sore due to his work. He began to step forward but stopped as he saw the two by the barrel, recognizing them to be Ithelion and Raven...much more closer than what Ithelion had implied in his letter. Ithelion looked toward the door, still touching his throat, as he noticed him. Aukusti glanced at Ithelion now with his orange-red eyes, his brow furrowing.
"Auk...," said Ithelion, staring back at him with a surprised look.
Raven gently rested a hand on Ithelion's waist, eyeing Aukusti warily. Aukusti walked over to the two now, his eyes going from one to another.
"Why is Raven-friend..?" started Aukusti, but dared not finish it.
"Auk...," said Ithelion, standing between them a bit. "I..."
Aukusti glanced at Raven and then back to Ithelion.
"You...lied..?" asked Aukusti.
"Auk...," said Ithelion, taking a step forward. "Please..."
"Ithy...," said Raven.
Aukusti glanced at Ithelion, hurt clear on his expression.
"Did...I do something wrong?" asked Aukusti.
"No, Auk...," answered Ithelion. "It's not that... I'm a noble... A tainted one at that. I don't want to ruin your name as well."
Raven stepped up behind Ithelion, resting his arm around his waist again, quiet.
"My name is only something given at birth," said Aukusti. "Was nothing more than a scout and warrior. You are Ithelion and I care about you and..."
"Well, we clearly see how well that went now, did we?" asked Raven.
"You know nothing," said Aukusti, glancing at Raven now. "I did no harm."
"Auk...," said Ithelion, reaching a hand forward to reach for Aukusti. "I... I did not know."
He bit his bottom lip at Raven's words. Raven frowned at Ithelion, protective over the smaller man.
"You did not ask...," said Aukusti, glancing at Ithelion now.
"I'm sorry...," said Ithelion, looking down at the floor. "I should have asked you."
"He doesn't have to ask anyone of anything," said Raven. "He is his own man."
Aukusti glanced at Raven again before looking at Ithelion, still hurt.
"I will ask of this once," said Aukusti.
"Ask anything of me and I will give it for what I have done to you," said Ithelion, looking at Aukusti.
"Your words could be twisted, Ithy...," said Raven, raising a brow. "Don't."
"Do you..want me gone..?" asked Aukusti. "For good..?"
Ithelion looked between them both, chewing on his lip.
"I want you to stay...as my friend if you will...," answered Ithelion. "I can't be your lover for now... Maybe in time but not now."
'He clearly does not want you. He wants someone more normal and not a beast.'
"I do not think he would be a good lover," said Raven. "Now or ever, in my opinion."
Ithelion looked at Raven, turning to face him a bit. Raven reached a hand up to touch Ithelion's throat.
"Besides, my dear, we need to work on your training," said Raven.
Aukusti ignored Raven's words now. He kept his gaze on Ithelion.
"In time...," said Aukusti.
"Never," said Raven.
"Just like the letter..," said Aukusti.
Raven glared at Aukusti, waving a dismissive hand at him, clearly done with his presence. Aukusti simply stayed put, not regarding Raven.
Ithelion turned bright red at the words before turning toward Aukusti.
"In time, maybe," said Ithelion, looking down at the floor again. "You...you have every right to be mad at me or punch me."
'He did hurt you by being with another man in the first place. It was he who betrayed you.'
"Lay a hand on Ithy and I will end you," threatened Raven. "My mother always said to discard my old toys to the more needy, Ithelion."
Aukusti still ignored Raven's words, keeping his gaze on Ithelion.
"I can never hurt you...," said Aukusti, shaking his head. "You treated me well when you didn't need to be."
"With all due respect, my dear...," said Raven, glancing at Ithelion. "Ex's are ex's for a reason and should always remain as such."
Ithelion looked at Raven with wide eyes, clearly shocked. He looked back at Aukusti.
"I could not treat anyone with less than they deserve," said Ithelion.
"Agreed, my dear...," hummed Raven.
He leaned to kiss Ithelion's lips firmly.
'You were nothing but a toy to him. He never cared or loved you. You were better off being with your pack.'
Aukusti closed his eyes, as if thinking. He opened his eyes again before looking away, still hurt.
"I'm going back to where I work...," said Aukusti.
"Please...," said Raven. "Don't even think about coming back."
Ithelion kissed him back, a bit still deep red and a bit surprised. He buried his face into Raven's chest, feeling nothing but guilt. Raven spat at Aukusti's feet.
"Do not feel guilty, my dear..," said Raven. "Pieces of shit should be left to rot..."
"Just like the one who I presumably help you save?" asked Aukusti, glancing at Raven now.
Ithelion made a sound, hiding his tears. He mumbled in a language that Aukusti did not know. Raven raised a brow at Aukusti, confused of what he had meant. He gently stroked Ithelion's head, murmuring in the same unknown language.
"You are nothing but disrespectful," said Aukusti. "You did not care of the one that I helped track."
"I haven't a clue what you're on about, lad...," said Raven.
"The pup you had with you," said Aukusti.
Ithelion sobbed softly in guilt, his shoulders shaking. He turned toward Aukusti, tears running down his face as he spoke the language. It was clear, though, that he was apologizing.
Raven paused before laughing.
"Fucking lying piece of shit he is," said Raven. "Deserve a hell of a lot more... Should have left that son of a whore behind to fucking suffer."
So, in Raven's mindset, he was blaming everyone who had known him or Ithelion for the act of the lover that ran off, Aukusti thought. He did not care at all whether he would steal someone else away from someone that did no wrong in the first place, most likely for a bedwarmer and nothing else. Raven frowned, moving to embrace Ithelion tightly. Ithelion leaned back into his arms as he closed his eyes, sobs still racking his small form.
"Disgraceful," said Aukusti, keeping his gaze on Raven.
He glanced at Ithelion now with a pained expression. He shook his head before starting to leave, not wanting to hear any more lies and deceit that the both may have against him.
'You are better off with your pack. At least they are known not to lie and break people's hearts.'
Raven gently rocked him back and forth, murmuring softly in the language.
"Says you, lying piece of shit," muttered Raven in Westron.
Ithelion continued to cry loudly, repeating his apologize in the unknown language.
"I do not lie unlike you," said Aukusti. "Live with your hatred."
Aukusti left the inn, slamming the door behind him. He walked down the steps, tears falling down from his cheeks now. He wiped the tears away before making his way outside of the West Gate. He was not loved, only used. Used by the one who pretended to care, lied by the one that was hurt by someone that was not Aukusti yet still blamed the Guaredan. He waited as soon as he was far away outside the West Gate before letting out a loud, pained howl.
