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"Isn't the taller one suppose to lead?" Flynn asked as Mathias maneuvered him around the living room. The furniture had been pushed to the perimeter to give them ample space.
Mathias stepped on his foot. "Apologies. I thought you were leading."
"It was just a question, you don't have to crush my toes like grapes in a barrel!" Flynn said with a huff as he took position again. They'd been at it for the better part of an hour. Flynn didn't think another would help his technique- or lack thereof.
"Do you know the moves?" Mathias questioned.
"Not a one."
Mathias guided Flynn's hand to his shoulder and rested his own on the captain's hip. "Then why would I allow you to lead?"
"Because I'm handsome and charming." He stared at his feet and willed them to follow the slower pace.
The spymaster rolled his eyes as he spun them. "Tripping over your own feet at diplomatic event isn't charming, regardless of how handsome you are."
Flynn dipped down to steal a quick kiss. Mathias met him in the middle.
"Diplomatic event." The Kul Tiran parroted in a stale Stormwind accent as Mathias guided him back into position. "Tides, it's a wedding." He'd only met Lor'themar and Thalyssra briefly during his and Mathias's stay in Silvermoon years ago. They were pleasant enough.
"A wedding between two of the most prominent leaders within the Horde- square your shoulders more. Yes like that. This is business for me."
Mathias was a talented dancer. He cut across the floor as smoothly as his daggers. Flynn wished they could dance together more, but there was never really an occasion.
"If it's business then why am I coming along?"
"Because you enjoy a party and I enjoy indulging you."
"I do and I know I just-" Flynn's feet suddenly felt like lead. He stopped in the center of the room. "Feel like an pauper playing prince." The party would be filled with high society types. Flynn never especially liked them and they never especially liked him. Normally he would've relished the opportunity to mingle with- namely bother- them in a setting where they were bound by decorum. This time there was someone else he could embarrass. Flynn cared more about that than any diplomatic crisis that could arise from social faux pas.
"I'm not of noble birth either, beau." Shaw reminded him gently.
"Aye, but you're also the Spymaster of Stormwind. It's a fairly lofty title."
Mathias rested his hand on Flynn's cheek. The Kul Tiran could feel the old scar that cut his lover's palm in twain. "Captain Flynn Fairwind sounds sweeter on the ears."
Tides, Flynn loved him.
He danced with renewed determination. Flynn knew what was said about him in hushed whispers around the city. He wasn't a Stormwindian. His name marked him as a bastard son. His past was shrouded in mystery and rife with blood. The captain had never paid it much mind, far worse was said to his face in Kul Tiras, but he knew that it bothered Mathias. All the spies and assassins in the world couldn't stop gossip from engulfing Stormwind like fel fire. Mathias always saw the best of Flynn, even when he saw the worst of him. It made the ex-pirate giddy.
The exuberance bubbled over as Flynn took the lead. The meticulous waltz morphed into something faster- livelier. Mathias relinquished control and mirrored Flynn's movements as they strutted around the apartment in a haphazard jig. The pace was as erratic, the steps nonsensical. Mathias laughed breathlessly as Flynn dipped him low enough to force him to cling to the captain for balance. Flynn kissed the knot of Mathias's throat as it danced with his laughter. It had lost some of its rust. Flynn was proud of that accomplishment.
"You're a ridiculous man, Captain."
"You love it."
"I do." The spymaster stretch up to meet Flynn like a vine searching for the sun. "I would also love it if you refrained from that particular display at the wedding."
Flynn hummed as he held Mathias's chin between his fingers. "Don't want everyone to see that lovely smile? Charm the crowds with a laugh as deep as the fathoms?"
"It's enough to charm you."
The bedroom was a single staircase away- a world away. Flynn lowered Mathias onto the carpet and kissed him fiercely.
~*~
Flynn knew he wouldn't have much time with Mathias at the wedding, but he'd still hoped to have more than he'd gotten thus far. After they arrived through a portal, his lover stayed by his side while Flynn got his bearings at the party. It lasted less than an hour.
The spymaster was shackled to Turalyon's side- guiding the King Regent through interactions with the Horde leaders that greeted him. Stormwind's temporary leader knew most by name, but he'd only ever met a handful in person. Flynn watched as a pandaren man adorned in rich reds robes walked over to them. Mathias turned his head and fussed with his mustache. It hide his lips as he fed Turalyon information. It was a delicate balancing act.
The older rogue was always tense, but his posture had been painfully rigid since their arrival. Having so many 'high value targets' in one location must've been hell on Mathias's nerves. His eyes never stilled; searching for an ambush that never materialized.
That frenetic gaze found Flynn's. The tension left for just a moment. Mathias made a shooing gesture- mingle, have fun. The captain pulled his attention away from his lover and strolled through the Lunastre Estate's gardens. The walkway on the northeast was lined with trees who's foliage wouldn't have been out of place in Silvermoon. The burgundy, maroon, and gold leaves contrasted with their silver and lavender kin within the city. Flynn could see why the newlyweds had picked this specific spot within the enormous city.
Flynn turned his head skyward to admire the omnipresent, shimmering arcana. The calm was short lived as fear, then recognition, struck him. Dalaran. An entire city-state miles in the air as though it was the most natural thing in the world. For a place dominated by mages it very well might be. He'd never been in the city proper, but its impossible architecture was alluring.
"It's maddening isn't it? A crater's worth of land hovering harmlessly like that?" A familiar voice said at his side.
The captain whipped his head to his right and saw a face he hadn't seen in years. "Tae!"
"Me! I almost didn't recognize you without all your scruff." She rubbed the side of his temporarily smooth cheek and laughed.
Mathias took Flynn to a tailor weeks ago for a bespoke outfit. He was dressed in a formal Kul Tiran style, but the colors were a mix between Stormwind blues and Kul Tiran teals with gold and silver accents. His suit jacket was knee length with epaulets on the shoulders. It opened in the front to reveal a matching vest and silk ribbon around his waist. Both the coat and vest had embroidering that mimicked crashing waves. The white lacing of his undershirt poked out at the sleeves and a matching cravat adorned his neck. His pants were a deep navy and his shoes were knee high black leather riding boots. Flynn wore his shoulder-length hair down, combed the salt out of it, and styled it into a gentle wave. The captain's favorite piece was, in all honestly, his black tricorn. The leather was sturdy, the lining was soft, and the feathers were from Mathias- the macaw. Mathias- the human- had been collecting them for some time in secret.
"If I'm almost unrecognizable then you're a stranger." Flynn smiled mischievously.
Taelia had completed her training and ascended from squire to knight two and a half years ago. The official knighting ceremony was the last time the two had met in person. Her formal wear reflected her position. She wore an ornamental breastplate with the Proudmoore seal on the front. Steel was the dominant metal, but all the detailing was brass. She wore a sheer dress with blousing sleeves that looked as delicate as sea foam. Taelia tied the bottom to her armor with leather straps so it was more reminiscent of a tunic than a gown. A deep teal and gold sash was tied around her waist and draped to her knees. Her pants were indigo velvet and her armored boots matched her breastplate. The knight cut her hair shorter in the years since their last meeting. Now it was barely longer than her chin and slicked back. A few strands defiantly broke formation to rest on her forehead. She was missing her Admiralty cloak, but she'd only worn it for the knighting because it was 'too much of a nuisance otherwise.'
"Oh Tides, don't start on that. Cyrus looked ready to weep when he saw me all dolled up." Taelia snorted. Flynn loved it when she did that. "Come on, you owe me a drink for staying away from Kul Tiras for so long."
"I'll have you know I've been exceptionally busy with proper work." Flynn puffed up his chest and held his arm out for Taelia to take.
She threaded arm with his and gestured towards the bar. "I want to hear all about what trouble you've gotten into over the years. And don't say you haven't! Shaw or no Shaw you always find it."
"You've cut me to the core! I'm an upstanding citizen. Besides, you've got your own stories." Flynn's eyes scanned the party for a pile of smoldering coal shaped like a human. Nothing. So Taelia had come without her father. Or, more likely, Bolvar told her to go without him. She never wrote much about him in her letters. Maybe the family reunion wasn't going well. Maybe she wanted a secret of her own. Either way, Flynn didn't want to pry. Taelia was still sore about Mathias hiding Bolvar's death- undeath? whatever he was now- from her. The few times Flynn had gotten the two to meet since had been… tense. They tried for him. He appreciated the effort, even if they would never be friends.
They made their way to a bar stocked with iridescent liquids.
~*~
Mathias joined them for half an hour at the bar. His focus moved between Flynn, the Forsaken leaders, and the edge of the forest. The brief respite ended when Wrathion caused a commotion on the other side of the grounds. Flynn was too far away to hear anything beyond ruckus. Mathias placed a hand on his shoulder, offered him an apologetic smile, and disappeared into the crowd.
"Nice of him to join you for a fleeting moment." Taelia muttered into her drink.
"Do you want to dance? I want to dance." Flynn ignored the jab. Lingering on it wouldn't do him any good.
"You should be dancing with him."
"I want to dance with you. Never danced with someone with two left feet before. Should keep me on my toes." Flynn lead them to the dance floor and took the guiding position.
"Shove off. I'm not that bad." Taelia stared at her own feet and if to prove to herself they were distinct.
Flynn laughed and began to lead them in a waltz. Mathias had shown him a few advanced moves, but the sailor didn't feel comfortable enough to perform them. Let alone perform them with Taelia. She danced with as much rhythm as she sang. Flynn was getting bruises the longer they continued. Each misstep was followed with an apology.
"Since when do you know how to waltz?" The knight said with frustration. She was moving slower than the music to avoid battering Flynn further.
"I'm an exceptionally classy individual."
"Alright, how long did it take Shaw to teach my exceptionally classy dance partner?"
"About a week. I still only know the basic steps. Mathias knows how to do all those twirls and such."
Taelia let out a chuckle. "Here, let me lead you big lug. It'll save your shoes from a nasty scuffing."
"Aye." Flynn switched their positions and let Taelia take over. Once she was able to set the pace it was less stilted. They didn't glide across the floor, but there was less stumbling. The music swelled and Taelia attempted to twirl Flynn. Their height difference meant he had to crouch down to go under her arm. It killed the pace, but they both giggled in delight.
Taelia's attention went to the edge of the crowd and lingered. Flynn followed her gaze to Mia Greymane. "Shame the Old Wolf didn't come with her. She loves to dance..."
Flynn used the opportunity to search for Mathias. He stood at the edge of the pathway to the northeast, right were the city met the sunset woods. His hand moved to touch one of the trees and Flynn's eyes widened as it went clean through. Shimmering arcana parted like water. An illusion? What were their hosts hiding? Mathias passed through it and vanished. Flynn didn't like the idea of him going off into the unknown.
"Maybe she needs a knight in shining armor. Your blood's noble enough to ask her to dance." It was the best out he had.
"Aye. I think this is where we part for now." She unwound her arms from him and offered a bow. "You've been an agreeable training dummy."
Flynn leant down and kissed her on the forehead when she righted herself. He still loved her, but the ferocity of it evolved into something mellower. Someone else monopolized his heart now.
The captain left the dance floor as Taelia lead Queen Greymane to it. A new song began as Flynn rushed to the last place he saw his lover.
~*~
Passing through the illusion felt like passing through a wall of static. Not painful, but definitely not pleasant. Flynn brushed the arcane dust off his jacket and shook out his hat. Tides, it was going to be hell to get it off his clothes. As his eyes adjusted to the harsher light, he realized why their hosts were hiding this. The land was a barren wasteland. The few trees that remained were gnarled and dead. The ground was scorched, each step left footprints in the soot. There was another pair that lead to the top of the hill. Still no Mathias, but Flynn could at least track him.
The captain began walking up the steep incline. The air was heavy and sulfuric. It burned his nostrils. A black metal tower slowly crawled into view over the horizon. Flynn reached the apex and realized it wasn't a hill at all. It was a cliff. The tower created a massive crater in the land filled with small pools of corroded water, fel fire, and demons. The Legion. Without a more intelligent force to guide them, the felhounds and imps below ran around mindlessly. A spout of fel fire erupted from one of the caverns in the ground. The captain took a tentative step away from the edge.
Mathias's tracks went west along the crater and- there he was, standing by a crumbling pillar.
He was a vision in the hellscape. He wore the traditional Stormwind fineries. A velvet doublet with buttons from naval to neck, a high collar, and slit sleeves. On his lower body he sported trunk hose and leather boots that went up to his mid thigh. A cape was draped over his right shoulder, held in place with a braided cord and lion head clasp. He wore leather gloves, but he always wore those in public. Everything was exceptionally ornate, dyed with the rich blues of his homeland and accented with gold. Some of the blues matched Flynn's own outfit. His facial hair was impeccable as usual, but his hair was swept to the side. His eyelids had a faint gold shimmer to them that accentuated his lovely, long lashes.
Flynn's eyes were draw to the lone earing he wore. Mathias considered jewelry a general hassle and overall risk, but he wore this one on special occasions. The earring had a misshapen, cream colored pearl stud with a sapphire tear drop hanging down. Flynn once asked him why he'd spent money on such a poor quality pearl. Mathias hummed and said he hadn't paid a copper because it was a gift.
Flynn walked over to his lover. "Mathias?"
Mathias's eyes lacked their usual sharpness; they were vacant as a doll's. Very few things made him shut down like this. Flynn knew most of them. Only one fit the current situation.
Rather than answer, Mathias partially unsheathed one of his daggers. The ochre blade shimmered like a mirage, but didn't ignite. The older rogue put it away and held his hand out to Flynn. Flynn closed the distance between them in an instant and took it. They stayed silent. Flynn peeled back Mathias's glove just enough to see the pale skin of his wrist. He brought it to his lips and placed a featherlight kiss there. Mathias slowly came back to himself.
"Reopening old wounds doesn't do you any good love." Flynn chastised gently.
"No, but I've always had an affinity for picking scabs." The older rogue said absently. "I needed to see it. The whole endeavor was… surreal. Seeing it again is grounding. In its own way."
Flynn's heart broke and his blood boiled. He hated when Mathias did this. His lover was drawn to self-flagellation like a siren's song. The temptation, and submission to it, had been a routine part of the spymaster's life for decades. In recent years it manifested more mentally than physically, but it was still an unnecessary, self-inflicted pain.
Flynn couldn't speak. What did you say to a man looking at one of the greatest horrors of his life? A man who had gone out of his way to see it again.
"A part of me is still there." Mathias whispered with resignation. "I don't know that I'll ever be able to recover it."
"Never knew the man you were before, but I like the one beside me now. Quite a lot."
Mathias let out a strangled laugh. He finally looked at Flynn and the captain felt his knees tremble. Anyone who said Mathias was a dispassionate man was a fool. As far as Flynn was concerned he had a heart as big as a whale's. It'd been smothered for decades, forced to fit into his ribcage, but in these private moments it broke free. To be loved so powerfully was thrilling.
"Come along Captain, we should enjoy the festivities."
"Thought this was a work event for you."
"It is, but you make it a pleasure."
Mathias placed a hand on Flynn's lower back and lead him back to the Lunastre Estate.
"Taelia thought so too. Got to show off those dance moves you taught me." Flynn sighed as the air became lighter.
"Would you honor me with a dance?"
"You don't have to ask."
"I want to."
Flynn felt his cheeks flush at the sincerity of the request. "Aye, I'll dance with you you prim bastard."
Mathias smiled softly. "Thank you. I've been eager to show off the Pearl of Kul Tiras."