Chapter Text
The fire burned low in the grate, logs turned to glowing red embers as the metal of the wood stove ticked quietly. The room was cosy, just on the edge of too hot and Zolf was content; full and sleepy with a well-thumbed novel in his lap. A warm fire, a filling meal and a good book. What more could he possibly ask for?
"Care for a top up?" Wilde waved the bottle at him, invitingly, the amber liquid glinting in the low light.
Zolf pretended to consider this for a moment before affecting a put-upon sigh. "Go on then."
Wilde smiled as he stood and moved to pour a generous measure into his tumbler, humming an idle tune to himself. He leaned over the back of the sofa to rest his chin on Zolf's shoulder, peering at the open page. "How's the book?"
"Well, it's no Campbell. But I suppose it's pretty good." Zolf chuckled to himself, as he flipped the cover closed, his fingers tracing the gilded lettering on the spine spelling out Oscar's name.
"Rude." Wilde huffed to himself. "Not enough bodice ripping for you, I suppose."
Zolf snorted, ignoring Wilde as he turned back to his page.
"Well, I'll bear that in mind for the next one." Oscar continued airily. "Perhaps the saga of a young dwarf in distress to be rescued by the dashing bard, hmm?" He pressed a quick kiss to Zolf's cheek and stood quickly to escape the inevitable swipe headed his way.
"Don't you dare." Zolf scowled at him, snapping the book shut.
“I can see it now.” He traced a hand through the air as his tone turned to the dramatic. “A lost soul, naive to the ways of the world, bereft of a god that's abandoned him, taught how to love by the most handsome and heroic bard!”
He peeked at Zolf who returned his gaze with a withering look. “What about a bloody annoying bard who just brought trouble into the life of a dwarf tryin’ to mind his own bloody business?”
Wilde grinned, eyeing Zolf over the rim of his glass as he took a long sip of his drink. "Yes, I suppose it was rather the other way around, wasn't it?” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “How about the dwarf who crossed the barriers of death like Orpheus to rescue his lost love?"
“Nope. Sounds too easy.” Zolf rolled his eyes and turned back to the book, with a barely audible, "You were bloody hard work."
Wilde laughed brightly. “I aim to please, Mr Smith.” He leaned down again to whisper directly in his lover's ear, "I'll keep the bodice ripping strictly between us then?" Another quick kiss and he darted away again, chuckling as he dropped himself back into his armchair.
"I'll show you bodice ripping." Zolf muttered, shutting the book with a snap and turning a determined look at his husband.
Wilde stretched languidly, a wicked smirk crossing his face. "Zolf, darling. I thought you'd never ask."