The Cliffs Are Ours

Years and their passing had a cruel way of reminding you, how fast yet so slow the time went by. Time had taken a whole new meaning for Brynjar when he had been granted immortality, only to be closed inside a block of ice for over 1000 years. Time had been an enemy but also a friend. Time had given him glimpses of what he used to have, cruel reminders of the things he lost. But time had given him solace and space to keep himself together, time had partly kept him sane. Yes, Brynjar had a lot of time, he had an eternity. He had trouble wrapping his head around that.
And yet it felt like an eternity he had been in a forest last.

Brynjar was standing under a tree, his face partly shadowed by the leaves sun was shining through. He was looking at everything around him and nothing, as his gaze was fixed on something far, far away. Brynjar was so still, so pale midst the greenery someone passing by could've mistaken his for a statue. A very tall, well-crafted statue wearing black, thin sports jacket bit that was a bit tight, under that an army green tank top, worn yet well-kept jeans and sturdy hiking boots with thick soles. The ocean wind blowing gently through the forest had swept Brynjar's hair off his face, showing his ice blue eyes with a look of permanent sadness. The blinking of the water could be discerned between the trees, as coast was some tens of meters ahead. But Brynjar could've as well been in a huge crowd, in a desert. So in his thoughts he was.

Brynjar was waiting for Noel, that he had not forgotten. In fact, his thoughts were full of the man, of the god. His strange charm and grin and the words he had said to Brynjar. Those words...
My gentle warrior
Brynjar inhaled a bit sharply and his gaze returned to this place and moment, the tips of his ears turning red. Brynjar swiped a hand through his already windswept hair, but the man did it purely instinctively. He used his other hand to rub his face a bit, trying to banish the confusion that was plagueing his mind. But it was futile, Noel was in Brynjar's head and seemed to be there to stay. And Brynjar didn't know if he was anxious or happy about that. He wasn't sure about many things.
But Brynjar was sure he was looking forward to this outingm and that this time he had been early.

Brynjar could hear Noel long before he came within his view, and Brynjar had already turned to face the direction he heard the man approaching from. He felt oddly restless, and clasped his hands behind his back, standing like the warrior he used to be. The restlessness remained until the point when Noel appeared and their eyes locked for a moment. Ironic enough, Brynjar felt like time, his old foe and friend, slowed down as he took Noel in. Somehow Brynjar was not surprised the man had not exactly dressed for the occasion. Noel was in his usual more formal than not attire, and seeing the god here in the forest looking proper and ready for both a wedding and a funeral if necessary brought a small, gentle smile on Brynjar's face.

Brynjar felt the time start going with its normal pace again when Noel called out and greeted him. Brynjar cleared his throat a bit and waved slightly back at Noel. There was still a hint of a smile on his face.
"Good morning, Noel."
Brynjar answered as Noel got close enough to hear him with his normal speaking voice, Brynjar didn't like raising his voice. The slight smile on Brynjar's face got a bit wider when Noel cheerily announced he had brought an umbrella.
"That's very thoughtful of you, thank you. I'm sure rain won't surprise us."
Brynjar looked up at the sky briefly, it was blue but a considerable amount of clouds were drifting across it with the wind. He hoped there wouldn't be rain, for Noel's health's sake. But at the same time...he strangely enough wanted to be under that umbrella with him.
Brynjar lowered his gaze and swiped a hand through his hair, his ears a bit red again.
"I'm sorry for...asking you to go on a...basically a hike, when it might not be...um, your thing."
Brynjar apologized, rubbing his neck a bit. But he also felt slightly guilty, since deep inside...he was really happy Noel was here, sharing this with him.

Hearing about all the centuries that he had missed somehow made Brynjar feel melancholic and sad but fascinated at the same time. He had passed those centuries in ice, not seeing any of the steps the world took, so naturally he was interested in knowing about them, as a history lover as well. But Brynjar felt regret because he couldn't have been there for his comrades, his family and friends. He could've used his immortality to do so much good in the world, help so many people. Although all the while he would've been Thor's general, increasing the red on his already bloodied hands.
The sad look in Brynjar's eyes deepened as he shook his head a bit.
"It's alright. I do not think...we will be walking in rough terrain. I was just worried your clothes would be sullied...because of my thoughtlessness."

Somehow Brynjar could imagine Noel doing those activities all dressed up, mixing perfectly with the people in the olden times. The thought at the same time increased and lessened Brynjar's melancholy. On the other hand he was sad he couldn't have seen the man in those situations, but that was merely a fantasy. In reality Brynjar and Noel would probably have never met if he hadn't been frozen in ice. And that lessened his melancholy, knowing at least something good had come of his uprising.
"I don't need to...forgive you for anything. I think the style is just...part of your charm."
Brynjar said bit shyly and swiped a hand through his hair, suddenly wanting to hide his face. But instead he turned around slightly, not all the way, to the direction Noel had pointed out, waiting for him to join him by his side.
"I will leave...the directions up to you. I have a map in my bag, but...I thought we could...casually walk a bit as well."

At Noel's reassurance Brynjar let the matter of his attire go, and nodded slightly. Noel was a grown man and surely was aware of the consequences to his clothes. Brynjar knew it but still he couldn't help but to feel like fussing slightly. He didn't, but felt like it.

"I'm...glad we agree."
Brynjar nodded and took a place at Noel's side as they started making their way through the woods. There, next to Noel, Brynjar felt strangely...right.
Though the slight nervousness and embarrassment remained within Brynjar he could feel the nature around them soothe him. The smells, sounds and the very air of their surroundings made Brynjar feel peaceful, more open and free. You could see it from his relaxed demeanor and look in his eyes that this was where part of him belonged.
Brynjar glanced at Noel, Brynjar was a man of silence but Noel didn't seem like he would be comfortable with quiet. Or then Brynjar was overthinking it. Nevertheless he cleared his throat a bit and spoke in his usual quite tone.
"How...how have you been?"
You could practically smell the awkwardness in Brynjar's words.

Brynjar listened to Noel's words carefully, occasionally glancing at him and nodding. Mainly he looked at the surroundings or their feet, watching out for anything that could trip him, or Noel. No matter what Brynjar was worried Noel would step on something wrong and hurt his ankle. Brynjar was aware Noel was a grown man and much older than him, but such was his nature.
Brynjar noticed the mushroom Noel turned over and somewhere at the back of his mind he made a note to come here later this fall and pick some mushrooms for the winter.
"I'm...glad to hear you are well. I can relate. It's...nice to see those small little details in practice and...help the students further."
Brynjar smiled slightly. He had worked as a teacher before, but not in a place such as Starlight academy. He was looking forward to it.

Brynjar also turned his head slightly to look at Noel, and turned his gaze away right after, flustered. He swiped his hand through his hair, and took a moment to look for the right words.
"I'm doing well. Yes, my classes start...when the new semester begins. I teach north germanic languages, finnish and russian...at the college. I'm very thankful for this opportunity that the academy gave me."
Brynjar brushed a branch away from their route and kept it so until Noel passed.