One thing Dem had always liked about any relationship he had ever had was the pillow talk. That time before sleeping cuddled under the blankets talking about anything that came to mind. Most times it was of what they did over the past few days, a time of catching up, airing concerns or sometimes being silly. In fact, Dem considered it one of his most favorite times of the day. Tonight was no exception.
Egfor giggled and buried his face into the pillow. He found something funny. Dem maneuvered Egfor into his arms settling Egfor in the best cuddling position and snugging the quilts tight around them. “What’s so funny?”
Egfor snuggled up to Dem. “Been highly amused at you getting called pet earlier. Was INCREDIBLY tempted to tell her that is closer to me.”
“Ah Ru.” Dem shrugged his free shoulder, “I’ve long known most dwarves see me as a pet to Arry.” Most times it did not bother him, except when they were maligning Arry. Ru was not. “Arry never spoke to me of that family, so I don’t know how they know her.”
Egfor shrugged absently, poking Dem’s chest, “I’m the one wearing the collar.” He looked up at Dem smirking, playing with the leather collar on his neck.
Dem hooked his finger in the collar and chuckled. “Ah, now I understand.”
Egfor tilted his head back, grinning and nodding. ”Aye…”
Dem pulled Egfor close so Egfor’s head was laying on Dem’s shoulder. Something Egfor earlier told one of the people they chatted with was soft. He must work with his sword more if his shoulder was going soft. Egfor wrapped his arms around Dem.
"Suppose I should thank Goldgel for telling the strapping young men who come around that I'm looking for farmhands." Egfor pulled himself up to kiss Dem.
Dem kissed Egfor back tenderly and long. He chuckled breaking the kiss. “Just so long as he doesn’t have ulterior motives, I agree.”
Egfor smiled gently running his hands through Dem’s hair. “Pfft, I got you to scare anyone who does off…Or I can throw on my furs and growl.”
“What I don’t understand is why Dulock is more than willing to put Syllea to work but yet does not demand his own daughter work. Sure Syllea has one year on Amanda, but she is not of an age to be left unsupervised in the village market. Not, mind you, that I don’t have faith in her abilities, it’s the people who go to the market I don’t trust.”
Egfor flicks a brow up, “I’d rather have Syllea working at my farm, honestly. You know my farm well.”
Dem nods, “And you wouldn’t stick her in a stall selling your wares unsupervised.”
Egfor nods a bit. “Most of what I’d grow would go to the Inn or trade for goods with other farmers.”
“He’s just using her willingness to let his lazy spoiled rotten daughter continue being lazy and spoiled rotten.”
Egfor emitted a small snort at that, “No room for laziness on this humble lil farm.”
Dem nodded. “Sorry lover, it is just people who treat street urchins like cheap labor upsets me. And then you have people like Fox who think being treated like that is fine.” Dem snapped his jaw shut and put himself into a trance to shed the pent-up anger.
Egfor laid his head on Dem’s shoulder, running his hands through Dem’s hair. “I’ve been trying to work that through Fox’s thick skull. Literally whacked him a good one with my bow before.”
Dem sighed, “I’m sorry, I needed to get that off my chest.”
Egfor leaned up to kiss his cheek gently, smiling. “I’d rather you tell me and get it off your chest than bottle it up.”
“It’s not like I mollycoddle them, I keep them in warm blankets during the winter offer excess food to them daily so they can save what little coin they earn for clothing or perhaps, someday with the grace of the good planning a small house to call their own.”
Egfor wrapped them both back up in the quilts that had come loose, cuddling Dem and holding him close. “You are a good man, with a good heart. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Have you started Em with her formal education of numbers and reading and writing?”
Egfor hesitated, then shook his head. “Can’t teach her something I don’t know.” He admitted. “Don’t know my numbers and I am barely literate in Westron.”
Dem nodded, “I have teachers for both at the estate…When she is well you might wish to start her with that. It will be a big help with the inn and the farm.”
Egfor mumbled, “And me…”
“Aye and you.” Dem paused. “Or you can join her in learning. Friendly competition makes it easier I think.”
Egfor nodded at him, “that’s what I mean, Em and me. I doubt Em will want to do ledgers and other boring stuff for me.”
“That little girl’s love for you is boundless. She would do anything for you.”
Egfor ducked his head and smiled, murmuring. “It’s hard seeing love others have for you.”
Dem rubbed his hand up and down Egfor’s back absently. “Only when you believe you are not worthy of love.” Preventing any more discussion on that topic Dem claimed Egfor’s lips and the pillow talk for the night was done.
