Garak and Reinfred moved to a clearing where there was more shade and the air was cooler, it had been a very hot summer thus far and even if it was well past noon the sun was still strong in the sky. The two stripped off most of their armor and leathers, Reinfred sighed in relief and sat down heavily, the feeling of the cool air on his bare chest and the cold stone on his behind were pure bliss. Reinfred had been chasing after the Orc for days and the armor had started to become extremely stuffy and uncomfortable, chafing his skin in all the worst places.
Garak had been watching him silently the whole time, sitting a few steps away from him, the Orc seemed very interested in the Knight, studying his movements and body as if he had never really seen a Human this close before. Reinfred shot him a quick glance, "You must think we Humans look strange, to regard me in that manner" He said with an almost shy tone to his voice; He didn't feel embarassment or anything but something in the Orc's gaze made him slightly self conscious.
"Strange you say? I wouldn't say that, I think you are very... pleasing to the eyes" said the Orc in a low, serious tone.
Reinfred was surprised to hear that, he looked up at Garak and that... feeling, that uneasiness grew even stronger. Why was this Orc making him feel this way? He kept wondering.
They then talked for a long while, about the war, about the Kingdom, The Orcish lands and their customs, about each other; Garak was never invasive with his questions and Reinfred felt surprisingly at ease telling him things about himself he didn't remember ever telling anyone else, except maybe his own father.
For a while the two stayed in silence, the only sounds the buzzing of insects and the occasional call of some creature.
After what seemed an eternity the Orc suddenly got up, walked over to the Knight and kneeled down next to him, his eyes never breaking contact with the Human's "You know Reinfred, before today I had only ever seen your kind covered in armor or dead, and it was only with weapons that we knew each other, seeing you and sharing words like this makes me realize what a shame that is, it makes me sad that I've missed out on something so good" The Orc reached out and held the man's hand with his own much larger one, his skin was rough but so very warm.
Reinfred felt a rush of blood go to his face, he must have been blushing like a young maiden and cursed himself for being so transparent, it was not like him to act so damn foolish. He pulled his hand free and looked away, anywhere so that he could avert his eyes from the Orc's relentless gaze.
"I'm sorry, I tend to speak my mind too much, I hope you can forgive me" Said Garak with a regretful tone.
Reinfred cursed himself again, why did everything have to be so difficult with him?? Why couldn't he ever just let something be?!
"No need to apologize, it's fine, I should be the one to apologize" He muttered.
Why do you say that my friend?" The Orc leaned closer. The smell of the Orc's skin was making the Knight's head swim in the best possible way.
"Because I feel something... for you. And I don't know how to deal with it, I don't know what it is, and I just....I...."
Garak's face lit up with joy and before the stammering Knight could say anything else he reached out his arms towards him....