escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ twin flames, two hearts on fire

[More camping. That was what Benedikta had asked for.

While they may be busy, she also is making a concerted effort to drag him away from his work for a weekend away, whether it be to their island or somewhere further away. While they had done their fair share of tent camping in the past—those were always her favourite kinds of excursions and jobs in their Waloed days together—this experience was different. She cannot say that she's ever stayed in a cabin before. It was a quaint little thing but bigger than she imagined, with a room and a kitchen and a hearth that could fit the two of them in it if they wanted to.

A good thing, too. They had made plans and gathered the necessary ingredients to bring with them to try making some of those pies that they saw on the MANTA board. They had plenty of fun trying to recreate their seafood pie for the Winterstide party, but it was time to try making something new of their own. There were rumours of some peppers that grew on this island only in the cooler months, as well as some mushrooms that grew beneath the thin layer of snow that powdered the ground, and so that is where they'd set off to.

Of course there was some preparation work to be done first, much to Benedikta's dismay. She was looking forward to exploring the island, and so she waltzes out of the cabin to find him, following the sound of him chopping wood behind the cabin.]

Must you do this work now?

[She knows that he ought to if they wish to stay warm through the evening and the night, but she's going to complain about it anyway.

Before she sees him, that is—]

[This type of camping trip is certainly a bit of a new experience for them. Now, he's bummed through abandoned homes, hunters cabins, and barns a plenty in his travels, but not an actual camping cabin, one deliberately built and designed for people to rent and use like this. And while they could have done it the old fashioned way, with the snow still around and cold as it is, it's safe to say they both welcome a proper roof and walls.

But at her call, he just glances up before slamming the axe in his hands to split one of the last few logs of the pile.]

Well if not now, then when?

[A cheeky smirk in reply as he straightens up, wiping the sweat from his brow before grabbing the next log.]

Besides, it's just a few more and then we head out.

[Another remark before he swings the axe down, muscles rippling under the sun as his torso is completely bared for all to see. Yes, that's right, he's shirtless—he wasn't at first, but even in this colder air, it felt more comfortable without after he worked up a sweat creating such a large pile of wood.]

[She is holding a cup of tea in her hand as she comes around to the back of the cabin which, in hindsight, is a terrible idea, because as soon as she sees him standing there, axe in his hand, the sun shining down on him, his skin glistening in the light, she nearly drops it to the ground.

Her cheeks go inexplicably pink with more surprise than embarrassment. Alright, well, maybe a little of the latter because she was so surprised to find him this way.]

What in the... are you not cold?

[In spite of herself, her gaze roves over him, pausing at his chest, and she clears her throat.]

What, like this?

[Another glance over as he sets the split logs onto the pile and ah—he sees that bit of pink and the surprise on her face. Resting the axe against the top of the stump, he leans against it and smirks.]

It's not that cold—quite refreshing really, especially with this kind of workout.

[Wink~~]

[Holding her cup with both hands now so that she doesn't drop it, she straightens her shoulders and wanders over to him slowly.]

I suppose it is not... but you could have at least told me that you were doing it.

[A cant of her head, and her eyes flick further down.]

I could have helped.

[Another log loaded—]

Help? You?

[—and a very dubious glance before down swings the axe to split the log in two.]

And what kind of "help" would you be offering?

Edited 2026-01-04 05:20 (UTC)

[Ignoring his question as she stops right in front of him as the log splits, and she nudges one half of it away with her boot.]

Why don't you just use your magic to do it? Can you not smite them?

[Wow, what wonderful help.]

And char the wood?

[He just gives her a disapproving look.]

I think not. Besides, it wouldn't be as clean as this.

[Isn't she just? Ignoring that look of disapproval, too, and her finger taps at the center of his chest as she "admires" his "work".]

I think it would be rather fun. See if you can do better than an axe. And if you control your magic well enough, surely you would not char the wood so terribly?

[A glance past him.]

... I wonder if I could.

[He's just going to continue to give her a look that clearly shows he disagrees.]

Even if you or I could, magic doesn't have to be the answer to everything. It's the experience, the feel of that wood felled with one's own hand that make it worthwhile.

[Blah blah blah blah typical macho masculine man nonsense—]

Oh, I'm sure it is.

[She's pretty sure she struck a manly nerve right there, and she snorts under her breath as she continues to admire him.]

Well, do not stop on my account.

[A sip of her tea, and she walks away from him, but not before booping him on the nose. She wanders over to the chair that's set next to the campfire and drags it over.]

[Well he wasn't exactly complaining about her being there, but he is going to watch her in some disbelief.]

What, what happened to "helping"?

[Yet also completely expected.]

First off, I do not think you want my help.

[A vague gesture at him with her hand before she plops down onto the chair, crossing a leg over the other, her eyes ever watchful over her cup.]

Second, I said that I would have helped you had you called me earlier.

[Her lips quirk with a grin.]

Well I might have appreciated if you brought over some of the logs.

[A wry look as he grabs the one near him to set back on the trunk.]

And I still doubt you would have done more than what you are doing now.

[With an arch of her brow and a swish of her hand, a few more logs roll across the ground towards him.

There. She was helpful.]

What, is my company not enough? You wound me.

[Or her keen eyes as she watches his muscles as he moves.]

[Wow, so helpful. A slight roll of his eyes as he returns to chopping.]

Feels like I'm being served more as for your entertainment.

You are certainly serving something.

[As he returns to his work, and Benedikta sits back to watch.]

What I meant was I would have happily helped you with your coat. And your shirt. I am sad that you felt the need to do all that on your own.

[There's a sharp laugh.]

Really? And would you have let me return to work after?

Eventually, yes.

[And that is not a lie! They do need wood for the fire.]

Please, you speak as if you don't appreciate me appreciating you. Is it so wrong? How often do I get to see you... like this?

[A wide gesture at all of him.]

Everyday.

[A cheeky answer directed more on his shirtless (and often less) state.]

Should I start chopping wood once a week now?

Only if I am there to watch.

[There is a quirk of her lip before she takes a sip of her tea and admiring the view again.]

I am sure that if the tables were turned and I was doing something that you do not see me doing often, you would sit back and watch.

Hah, you're right. And I would be sure to capture it so I would have a lasting memory.

But now I wonder what that "something" would be.

[A wry glance at her as he takes the last log.]

Sweeping floors? Cleaning the chimney?

[She clicks her tongue loudly at him.]

Of all the things, you choose for it to be housework?

Well isn't it true?

[He laughs freely then before there's the loud crack of the wood split in two followed by the thud of the axe as he drives it into the stump for it to remain for now as he gathers the logs.]

OF course if you have another answer, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I don't know...

[She sets the tea down on the chair's arm and gets to her feet once he's finished with the wood, eyeing the pile first before she crosses back to him.]

What if I was, say, dancing?

[Just an arch of the brow at her.]

Dancing?

[Slowly, her arms circle around his shoulders and she drags him closer.]

Yes, dancing. You sound surprised.

[That's because it's not something she normally does, but for the sake of the question...]

I was thinking more along the lines of something you'd be doing in our day to day lives.

[He allows himself to be dragged in, his arms naturally moving to wrap around her as he sways them around.]

Especially given the context.

[It's okay, she will keep him warm, but her hands are happily roaming over his bare back.]

Alright, fine. So if you saw me doing chores in nothing but my undergarments on a hot summer's day, you would be able to resist?

[DUBIOUS LOOK.]

I would.

[Said with a smirk.]

Would grab a beer, kick back in a chair, and just admire your performance. The better question is if you would be able to resist me watching you.

[She clicks her tongue at that and pulls back just far enough to look at him.]

You always underestimate me, you know.

[But the real answer is that no, she would not be able to. That stare of his does unspeakable things to her. It always has.

Though, now this has her curious.]

What if I started chopping wood right now?

[There's a moment where his eyes widen before he snorts.]

You? Chopping wood?

[YEAH HE CAN'T IMAGINE IT.]

[Excuse you!? She sputters at him, offended.]

What, do you not think I could do it!?

Perhaps or one or two.

[A wicked smirk as he is definitely baiting her now.]

[She glares at him, and then proceeds to flick off her coat, flinging her arms away from him and back while never once breaking eye contact, only for her sleeve to get caught.

...

She huffs. So much for looking cool.]

Help me get my coat off.

[She took that bait and bit down.]

Edited 2026-01-06 20:42 (UTC)

[He just laughs as he reaches out to help her with her coat, holding it in his arms as he steps back.]

Just the coat?

[A playful waggle of his brows.]

[She looks down at herself, not exactly dressed for winter in her short sleeved shirt.]

You really are looking for a show, aren't you? You wish for me to remove this, too?

[A little tug on the hem of her shirt, ignoring the little goosebumps that prickle her skin.]

Only if you feel up to the task.

[And now it will be his turn to take the chair, sitting down and leaning back, ankle crossed over his knee as he crosses his arms behind his head, deliberately spreading out his chest muscles as he does.]

What?

[She sputters when he walks away from her, taking his coat along with him to go sit in her chair. Her eyes follow the lines of his muscles, especially when he lifts his arms behind his head, and her gaze lingers on his chest...

...

With a shake of her head, she sets a hand on her hip and stares down at him, her other one lifting her shirt up, more to prove a point now than to "give a show".]

You are not going to show me?

I thought you already knew how to chop logs. You certainly carried the bravado of one who did.

[A playful wag of his foot as he continues to be extremely unhelpful.]

[She chews on her lip, tempted to just toss it all aside and set herself down on his lap instead, but pride gets the better of her and she stomps over to pick up the axe.]

I have used axes before, but... not like this. Only throwing them.

[A pointed glance his way.

Following his example, she takes one of the logs that he's already chopped in half and sets it down, staring at it, and then at him, as if waiting for him to tell her if this is correct.]

[Oh this is too fun.]

Aye, that's it. Now you'll just want to swing down as much to the center of the log as possible. If you do it right, it'll split down the grain on its own.

[There, see? He helped.]

[She gives a little shiver because oof, it is colder than she thought, but at least the sun is out.

But that is hardly helpful at all!]

I know how to swing an axe, Cidolfus.

[She lifts it over her head, glaring at him, and without a shirt, she makes sure to stretch up a little taller, jutting out her hips more in the back, letting her pants accentuate the curves...]

[His eyes will rove over her body, watching the way she stretches with keen interest.]

You're the one who asked for help. But I will happily watch in silence instead if you prefer.

[Ah yes, jut those hips out a bit more—]

I would rather you come and show me.

[She shoots him a look, and then brings the axe down. For once, luck is on her side ~~14, lmao~~ and she manages to chop it right down the middle.]

Ah-ha! See!? I told you that I could—damn it!

[Only the axe gets stuck right near the end, so when she goes to lift it, she brings the log with her and nearly smacks herself with it.]

But aren't you the one who is supposed to give me the show? I can't properly watch if I'm right there. And see, you did just—

[A cringe when she almost smacks herself. He'll stand up there with concern.]

...Fine. You all right?

[She smacks the log hard against the ground, several times as if bludgeoning something to death, before it finally breaks into two pieces.]

Yes, I am fine. But see?

[She straightens and shakes the hair out of her eyes, giving a little snarl from the exertion.]

That was simple.

closed 🪶⚡ twin flames, two hearts on fire

🥧 live free or pie hard.

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