Five hundred fifty years ago

Caedmon tipped the glass of wine until it’s sweet flavor met his lips. He emptied his glass and reached for the bottle, but it was swiped away at the last moment.

“Do you ever stop drinking?” The voice had that familiar softness to it. “Have you saved me any?” Arlo sat down next to Caed.

“If you had gotten here when you said you would, you would have received ample wine, but when you leave me waiting I spend it drinking.” Caed leaned against his hand that rested on the bar table in front of him.

“Sorry, I just got so engulfed in the scroll I’m reading. Did you know—“

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Caed smiled at the scowl his friend was now giving him.

“Did you know that elves are actually the oldest of all the realms. I have always been told that faeries are the oldest creatures, but some elves have been here since before history can be written. The only reason faeries can consider themselves the oldest realm is that elves lived nomadic lives for some time before settling.”

“I suppose that makes sense, elves are immortal after all. And faeries are not, although it does seem that way sometimes.” Caed snagged the bottle from Arlo and poured them each a glass of wine.

Arlo swirled the dark purple liquid around in his glass for some time. “I... I was approached today by a high council member.”

Caed said nothing.

“They told me that they’ve noticed my thirst for knowledge.” Arlo paused and took a sip of his wine. “She invited me to the inner rim’s library.”

Caed breathed a sigh of relief, it hadn’t happened yet. “Well, I suppose that means you can continue your quest on being the most obnoxious faery around then.”

Arlo shoved Caedmon, who had already begun laughing in bubbling bursts.

They both swayed towards their huts in the outer rim.

“Why is it that whenever I drink with you I always get drunk?” Arlo asked.

“Because you’re a weak minded idiot?” Caed offered.

Arlo rolled his eyes and leaned against the door of his hut. “I think it has more to do with the fact that you are a bad influence on me. I probably would have already made high council if I weren’t out drinking with you so often.”

“High council before three hundred. You sure do aim high.” Caed said leaning in next to Arlo.

“Why set your sights low when dreaming of the top harms nothing?” Arlo responded with a smile.

Caed stared into Arlo’s deep purple eyes for what felt like years. He didn’t fully understand when he had fallen in love with Arlo, but he wished nothing more than to stay by his side for the duration of their long lives.

Arlo leaned his head against the wood of his hut door and stared at Caed, smiling that soft warm smile that made him desperate to deserve it.

Caed felt the heat rush to his already rosy cheeks and looked down at his feet. Arlo leaned his head down so he could catch Caed’s eyes, pushing his head up again with his forehead. Arlo brushed their lips together gently, letting his breath linger on Caed’s lips.

Caed felt like he must have finished the whole bottle at the dizziness now present in his head. He met Arlo’s purple eyes and felt his mouth go dry as Arlo reached for his hand, pulling him closer all while opening the door to his hut.

“Come inside, Caed.” Arlo said staring so deep into Caed’s eyes it felt like he could see right through his soul. Caed hesitated only for a moment while Arlo wrapped a slender hand around the back of his neck and pulled him closer once again, pressing his lips more firmly against Caed’s and dissolving any last bit of resolve left in his body. If he hadn’t already known that he would follow Arlo anywhere, it was even more engrained in his mind now.