Standards

Wanted to write something fun with Ros and Jynx’s first meeting. May or may not end up being canon in the long run, but for now, I wanted to write this.

Tw for alcohol in a fantasy tavern setting

The day has been a long and trying one for Roshni Tai’sul and he’s ready for it to be over. Not once- but twice he’s been forced to chase patrons off the tables and holler at them to stop hanging off the bannisters. There’s some sort of event in Kilridge this week and people have been pouring in to find a place to stay- or a place to party.

Ros doesn’t keep many on staff, just the seasonal helper or two. But he’s starting to reconsider that decision as a heavily sloshed patron stumbles into him, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the tray of full tankards he’s carrying to a table.

“Oi watch it, you might be a paying customer, but you can at least look where you’re going”, Ros says irritability, turning to slam the mugs on the table for the ones who ordered them. He pockets the coins they give him in return and leaves them to their drinks.

Someone’s spilled an entire tankard across the bar and he wearily grabs a rag from his back pocket and starts soaking up the wasted drink, scrubbing the scarred and worn wooden countertop hard until he’s satisfied.

Another drink filled and another coin pocketed, another mess cleaned. And so goes his evening.

Eventually the rush dissipates into a few old regulars and the general scattering of patrons who have rooms in the inn. Ros wipes his brow on the sleeve of his patterned shirt of bright yellows and oranges and begins to clean up the half empty tankards and general mess. It’s going to need a heavy mopping up too from the puddled state of the floor.

He’s just rounded back behind the bar to lock the cupboards before starting the heavy cleaning when he notices a curious-looking half elf with spiraling white markings or perhaps tattoos, leaning on the counter, watching him intensely.

“Yes can I help you?” Ros says wearily, unnerved by the strange stare down he’s receiving.

The half elf’s look immediately changes to what he apparently believes to be charming. “You dropped something there.”

Ros blinks and glances at the floor. “I did?”

The half elf grins and leans in. “Your standards. Hi I’m Jynx.”

Part I (Ros pov) | Part II (Jynx pov)

“I don’t know, I think expanding the inn is a good idea” Ros is saying, but Jynx only half listens. He’s more focused on how the moonlight glints off the tiefling’s horns. It’s rather distracting. It’s not fair, he thinks, that Ros gets to be this pretty. Of course, he himself is nothing short of a looker, that he already knows. But it’s the elegant gracefulness with which Ros carries himself is something Jynx knows he will never achieve.

He realises he didn’t answer and goes for a classic, “I was totally listening” coverup. Giving Ros’ hair a tug, he scoffs like he knows better, even though he knows he doesn’t.

"You work hard enough as it is. And besides, where would an addition go? This inn and sandwiched between two other buildings. And you can't build up, the inn is already a weird shape. I'm not sure it could handle anymore weight." They are valid points Ros so there. Jynx goes back to looking at Ros, the moonlight reflecting in his eyes. He really is beautiful. The elegant curve of his horns, the way he tips his head to the side when he laughs.

Jynx has never been in love.

Until now perhaps.

He mutters some nonsensical flattery that he knows Ros will brush off. He always does. But Jynx is more focused on brushing the hair out of his eyes, pressing a kiss to those freckles on Ros’ cheek. These are the moments he’s learned to live for, and yet he continues to hover on the edge, never taking the leap. They’ve learned to light and non committed. Jynx thought that’s what he wanted. But it isn’t.

Not anymore.

“Listen, Ros-”

Ros cuts him off, but Jynx can see the faint blush and hold back a smirk. He knows the tiefling brushes off his flirting and flatteries, but he’s not joking around this time. He’s serious for once. But Ros is getting up, leaving, he wants Jynx to stop talking and come to bed. He wants to avoid the subject Jynx is sure he knows he’s getting at. But Jynx doesn't want to let it go.

"Ros wait, I really wanted to-” Please listen to me, please don’t make this hard. He reaches out desperately and gently hangs on to the tiefling’s wrist.

“Don’t. Please.”

Jynx pushes forward. He has to. He has to say this.“Ros-”

“Don’t do this. It’s- it’s only going to hurt.”

The response stuns him. It’s too late- it already hurts. He lets his hand fall, releasing his hold on Ros. He wants to feel something, but he just feels empty. And slightly nauseous. He picks himself up off the low couch where they’ve spent many an evening together, enjoying each other’s company, laughing, kissing… did it mean nothing?

His body moves on its own it seems, as he crawls over the balcony, for the first time in his life feeling utterly devastated. He wouldn’t admit it- even to himself- but it was apparent now. Roshni Tai’sul was everything to him. And yet the wind only blew one way in this case it seemed.

“Stay tonight?” he hears Ros say quietly. He wants nothing more. But he can’t.

Not right now.

Part I (Ros pov) | Part II (Jynx pov)

"I don't know, I think expanding the inn is a good thing”, Ros says, head resting lightly against Jynx's shoulder as they watch the clouds above in the darkened sky. The stars blink in and out of view and the moon casts a soft glow around them. Mugs of tea, long gone cold sit nearby- forgotten.

Jynx scoffs and tugs the tiefling's hair gently. "You work hard enough as it is. And besides, where would an addition go? This place is sandwiched between two other buildings. And you can't build up, the inn’s already a weird shape. I'm not sure it could handle anymore weight."

"It's not weird, it has character!" Ros protests. "It's what makes it unique."

"I think it's you who makes it unique." Jynx pushes the hair he was playing with out of Ros' face and kisses him ever so lightly on the cheek. "Listen, Ros-"

"You flatterer you", Ros interrupts quickly. "You know that doesn't work on me." But his cheeks tinge slightly darker than his normal dusky purple-red complexion. "Come on, it's getting late." He goes to stand, but Jynx's fingers wrap around his wrist, hanging on to him.

"Ros wait, I really wanted to-”

“Don’t. Please.”

“Ros-”

Ros looks away, wrist still grasped in Jynx’s hand  “Don’t do this. Not now. It’s- it’s only going to hurt.”

He knows, because he can almost feel the hurt already pouring off Jynx in waves.

It hurts him too.

The fingers slip off his wrist. Ros feels cold. He tucks his hands under his arms, hugging himself.

“Stay tonight?” Stay with me tonight. Please. Please don’t go.

He doesn’t want to look at Jynx.

He doesn't have to. There’s no one standing there to answer his question.

@badthingshappenbingo prompt “Hurts to Breathe”. Bthb card and details will be at the end.)

Fingers digging into wrists, clawing at the hands squeezed tightly around his throat, crushing his windpipe and keeping him from drawing a breath- 

He remembers the darkness closing in as his movements grew weaker, the fight draining from his body as the life did. He doesn’t remember anything after that.

What Ros does remember is waking up in his own bed, with the worst headache in his life, and feeling like he’s choking. 

Jynx is there, sleeping at the bedside like Ros has for him so many times, chin resting on his chest. Ros briefly wonders why Jynx didn't just come sleep beside him instead of that position which looks like it can't possibly be comfortable, but when he goes to wake Jynx up with a word, he finds that he’s not capable of the action.

His throat aches intensely and his chest feels tight and strained and that he ache pounds behind his eyes again, like it’s reminding him it’s still there. So Ros reaches out and shakes Jynx’s shoulder, hoping that will wake him. 

Jynx blinks slowly as his vision comes to him, violet eyes clouded with sleep. “...Ros? Ros!” He quickly sits and leans forward, cupping the tiefling’s cheek in his palm. “How are you feeling? Are you okay? Is anything broken? What’s wrong?”

Ros just shakes his head and tries to answer at least one of the rapid-fire questions, but the only thing that comes out of his mouth is a low croaking noise. It’s painful so he stops and touches his throat delicately. It’s wrapped in bandages. He’s still trying to piece together what happened to him, as it’s all a bit of a blur, but nothing is coming to mind.

Jynx offers him a cup of water and he takes a sip gratefully. It soothes and hurts  simultaneously and his chest tightens again. Sipping water and even breathing is painful, Ros realizes. Two things he usually takes for granted. 

“I’m glad I was there when I was”, Jynx finally says, uncharacteristically quiet for the time being. “That drunk guy was off his rocker- I couldn’t get to you- I’m-” Jynx pauses and switches gears. “I’m just really glad you’re going to be okay. Though you are on bed rest, doctor’s orders.” He waggles his finger in Ros’ face and gives a faint smile. “Don’t even think about trying to talk yet.”

Ros just nods, but knows he won't even try. It hurts too much, more than he’ll ever let Jynx know. Every breath is an effort, every rise and fall of his chest means more pain. But he’s alive. That’s what counts.

Bad Things Happen Bingo Prompt: Hurts to Breathe Fandom: Original Requested by: @wildfaewhump​ 
 Character(s): Ros, Jynx Word count: 397