Breaking Free - Edin's Story Pt. 02

He didn't know what to do. What to even say even. He just meekly entered the kitchen, hoping to somehow help when Ashe slid the slate towards him on the counter.

'I'm sorry, didn't mean to interfere with your daily commune,' Ashe had written out. Edin stiffened before glancing toward his companion, still straining the goat's milk at the sink.

'I'm the one who's sorry. I don't want to upset you. I know most dislike seeing things like that outside of a House' he scribbled out before gently sliding it towards Ashe. The man didn't stop his work but glanced over at the slate, reading it for a few moments before tilting his head in confusion.

Setting down the strainer, Ashe took the slate and chalk from him.

'I don't mind, communing is sacred for Red Servants, who am I to interfere' the man simply wrote back. Edin, not knowing what else to say, merely stared down at the words. He didn't care? Or mind? In fact, it seemed Ashe wanted him to do as he needed. The fact the man understood how important it was... he felt a flare in his chest. He didn't know what it was or what it meant. But he couldn't help but feel a...warmth towards the man. He knew he could trust Ashe and that the man respected and trusted him.

'What did you want me to help with today?' he asked on the slate after a few seconds. Ashe nodded towards the eggs, then to the cast-iron skillet. Edin nodded and cooked up the eggs with a bit of lard and some bacon he got from the larder. They ate breakfast, washing it down with lukewarm goat's milk. They communicated little while they ate. Edin still felt embarrassed for Ashe and his companion seemed to prefer to stare down at his plate rather than him.

When breakfast was done, Ashe gathered the dishes and washed them. Edin got up and dried them off without needing to be told or asked. He just wanted to help, and he wanted for them to get over this... strange rift that was forming between them. Ashe apparently wanted the same because when dishes were done the man wrote on the slate and pushed it towards him.

'Wanna help with bread?' it simply asked. Immediately, he nodded before writing.

'I've never baked it before, but have always wanted to,' he replied. Ashe smiled at the comment. Edin relaxed, it was feeling normal again between them.

'I'll show you,' the man actually motioned out to him. Pointing to himself, then to his eyes before pointing back to him. Edin understood, a smile tugging his lips. Their own secret language was growing.

Ashe showed him the steps to make bread, it was messy and more of a challenge than Edin initially thought. Flour seemed to get everywhere and the dough had a strange sticky sensation when touching it. However, whenever he would glance at Ashe the man had the most genuine and amused smile on his lips which made every moment worthwhile in his opinion.

When the bread loaves were finally wrangled into the pans, Ashe covered them and set them on the windowsill to rise. They then began to clean up the kitchen area, there was a thin layer of flour on the counter. Smirking to himself he used his finger to write 'sorry' in the flour mix then grabbed Ashe's attention. The man broke out into his strange laughter at seeing the word, his voice sounding forced in rough but Edin was beginning to appreciate the sound.

Ashe swiped the word away before patting his shoulder twice, their way of saying 'it's fine'. Edin couldn't help but grin to himself as he cleaned away the flour.

After cleaning the kitchen, Edin decided to try and join Ashe outside. The work was done for the day so right now they were just walking outside to test his stamina and get fresh air.

Ashe walked close to him, the man's broader frame provided ample support for him. Every now and then he did end up having to lean his weight on the man which Ashe didn't seem to mind. They brought the chalk and slate in case they needed it, but honestly, Edin was content with just enjoying the tranquility of the small farm in silence. A dozen or so chickens pecked around, a few chasing after a grasshopper nearby. The goats were milling about their pen grazing on the lush grasses that grew.

They walked to the goat pen before he needed to rest fully. He plopped down on the ground and leaned against the fencepost. Ashe leaned over the fence, putting his hand down to pet a few of the young goats that came up to sniff and rub against his hand. Edin smiled to himself as he watched the man. Ashe was so...different from anyone he'd ever met. Not in the fact, that he was deaf, but just in his personality, he was calm and eased. Edin has never seen him get angry or upset about anything, everything the man did was with a purpose, and it was thought out and methodical.

Ashe was open and easy to read, welcoming and kind. He let Edin into his home without question and went out of his way to get ingredients to heal him. He didn't want nor expect anything in return. He did everything because he just...felt like doing it. Edin glanced away, his chest felt tight. Never in his life growing up had he meant someone like this man. Someone who didn't want something in return, who only did things so that Edin would owe a debt to them.

He struggled with this feeling, not knowing how to accept it. A part of him was anxious, not knowing what to do or say because deep down he felt like he still somehow...owed the man. But he didn't, no matter how many times he tried to pay the man gold he wouldn't accept it. Just would wave it off or push the money back in his hands.

He wondered what would happen when it was time for him to go. He didn't know where to go, the world beyond this small farm seemed so...difficult and cold. Here it was warm and soft, like the clay-colored eyes currently watching him thoughtfully. He glanced away, feeling embarrassed for having been caught staring at the man. Which confused him some, why was he embarrassed? After other things Ashe had caught him doing...that was worse wasn't it?

He pushed himself up, or at least tried to but ended up getting rather dizzy when he stood. Luckily, Ashe caught him, he collided into the farmer's broad strong chest with a grunt. His face a few inches away from Ashe's. He could see the individual lashes on the man's lids, if Edin stayed long enough he could probably count them. He swallowed, his mouth somehow was instantly dry as a bone as he patted the man's shoulders and pushed himself up.

He nodded thanks before doing his best to move ahead of Ashe. He didn't want to say he 'ran' away, it was physically impossible, but he walked as fast as he could his heart racing and palms sweaty as he felt flushed with a strange fluttery sensation in his heart, stomach, and even groin.

They got back to the house and rested for a bit beside the fire. Neither communicating before Ashe got up to put the bread in the castiron stove in the kitchen. After that, both of them returned back to the fire. Ashe began mending a hole in one of his shirts and Edin, not knowing what else to do began sketching random shapes on the slate.

A little while later, the scent of fresh bread began to fill the house. Edin breathed in deeply before grinning at Ashe. He swiped away what he was working on and wrote a message.

'Love the scent of bread, back at the House they were made with honey, always wanted to try making it' he stated before showing the slate to Ashe. The man glanced over at the message and read it thoughtfully. He hummed to himself, whenever he did this the noise sounded more like a gruff grunt than a hum but Edin had learned to tell the difference now. Ashe motioned for the slate and chalk. He handed it over and waited patiently for the man's reply.

'If I found honey, would you want to try baking it?' Ashe questioned, leaning forward to show him the slate. Immediatly Edin was ecstatic, he nodded vigorously, his face splitting at how wide his smile was growing. That bread tasted divine and comforted him so much throughout the days at the House. It was sweet and soft and tasted incredible with butter slathered on. Ashe leaned back in his chair, a contemplative smile on his lips.

They ate dinner after that before both of them retired to bed.

The next morning Edin awoke to an empty house, this didn't surprise him in the slightest, but by Midday Ashe still hadn't returned from outside chores. Had he gone hunting? But usually, he'd drop off the milk first. He wandered about the house, cleaning every inch he could. His strength was nearly all there, he barely felt anything in his head aside from a dull throb every now and then. He communed once out of boredom. But something was different during this commune.

He laid there on his cot, vigorously stroking himself while teasing his entrance with his other hand. He concentrated on the pleasure, learning about his body, knowing what he liked and needed. Yet, when he closed his eyes...he didn't see the Lady in Red. He saw Ashe. The soft gentle eyes, the firm steady hands, calloused from working all his life. The man's broad chest had felt so wonderful pressed against him. He wondered with it would be like to lay beneath the man, to have Ashe over top of him. Strong body moving against his, would that calm expression fall away? Would his cheeks turn red and flushed in arousal?

Would those full lips fall open, as he panted and groaned in his unique voice against the flesh of his neck? Those thoughts swam in his head, his hips spasming up and Edin had to hold back a whimper as he tried to imagine it was Ashe that was touching him, communing with him. His orgasm ricocheted through him without warning. His head felt soft and flat as his body writhed with spasms, his seed landing over his stomach and hips, cock throbbing and twitching in his hand. His insides clenched down on his fingers, the muscles fluttering around the appendages, attempting to pull them in deeper.

Panting he collected himself after the commune. He didn't know if it was a full commune as he didn't see the Lady in Red, but rather Ashe as he came. But, the Lady in Red doesn't always grace people with the sight of her during the commune. In fact, it was believed that when one saw someone besides her, it meant that the person you see was the one the Lady in Red set aside for you. Could it be that Ashe was meant for him?

He debated this as he cleaned himself off. It was probably true but...would Ashe want him? Would anyone want him? He wasn't special or talented, he just go through life by gritting his teeth and not putting up much of a fight. He had no dreams aside from honey bread, that wasn't normal, that wasn't...right. He was an empty husk of a being, with no purpose or use. Ashe had use, every moment for the man was with purpose and intention.

Edin just strung along, he was a leaf in the wind, going wherever it took him without any say. Ashe wouldn't want someone like him. He deserved better, he deserved the world in all honesty and Edin couldn't give him that. Cleaned up he sat folded on his cot, his chest aching as he stared down at his feet. Hours went by like that before he heard someone at the door. Springing out of bed he walked towards the door. Was Ashe finally home?

The door opened, and in stepped in another stranger.

He was covered in mud, twigs sticking out of his hair and parts of his clothing. He was dripping water and breathing heavily. Edin was about to speak when the stranger thrusted a clay pot towards him. Not knowing what else to do he opened it. Inside was several honeycombs...and a good amount of honey.

This stranger wasn't a stranger. It was Ashe. The man had gone out to get honey. By the look of it, it was a difficult task to do. Edin worried some, but Ashe didn't have to. Yet, he did...just for him. He set the honey aside and surged forward taking the man into his arms and holding him tightly. That hug was dirty and wet, stunk slightly of earth and sweat but for him, it was the greatest feeling in the world. But that thought was countered in the next moment when Ashe's arms slowly wrapped around his shoulders, the man returning the embrace in a tentative manner.

Okay, now this was the best feeling in the world.