The sun has risen, and the day is beginning to warm up. All the same, Serendipity's cuddled up to Aurelia in the nest as if it were still midwinter, eyes closed and smiling blissfully to no one in particular, his cheek resting against her hair. He is not, however asleep. Two things give this away: he's not breathing like a sleeping person, and there's a distinct smell of lit coal and brewing tea in the air.

Aurelia stirs as the warmth of the dawning day and the warmth of cuddling seeps into her consciousness as something unfamiliar. After last night's mead, she doesn't move immediately, instead opening one groggy eye to peer around. Her nose wrinkles as she catches the scent of brewing tea. With no grace whatsoever, she attempts to crawl out of the nest, like some swamp creature from a lagoon, toward the teapot. "Gnngh," she greets the new day, eloquently.

Serendipity laughs quietly, and holds on, restraining the Corax from leaving the nest. "You stay there," he murmurs warmly, "...lemme get it for you." Which he does; he's dragged the thing over near his side of the nest anyway, with cups and everything. He hands over the first cup of tea, stealing a kiss in the process, and then makes another cup for himself.

Aurelia at first looks like she might just put up a fight, til she hears the part about him getting it for her. Then she settles back with a sleepy sigh, mushing the nest around so that she can sit up and remain fairly cushioned. The kiss is offered over easily enough as her hands wrap around the teacup. "Thank you," she murmurs. Then she gets a distant, somewhat focused look on her face as she sips. Can't talk. Tea.

"Mm. Thank =you=," Ren replies, probably meaning the kiss, and sips his own tea once or twice before producing the remaining bread from the night before and the pots of jam and honey. "Breakfast, beautiful? You hungry?"

Aurelia grumbles into her teacup, eyeing the bread with a look torn between hunger and the dread of the hung over. "Maybe a little," she decides. Poor bleary-eyed thing. "What're you so chipper for?"

Serendipity considers Aurelia with affection and distinct amusement, and leans over to snag the blue bottle of the night before. Examination reveals a small glass-worth remaining, and he pours it into the girl's cup from the night before, handing it over without comment. "Sorry; didja want me t'be morose?"

Ah, hair of the dog. Aurelia reaches for the cup and sips down her medicine dutifully. "That'd be an interesting change of heart, but nah. I'm just a little fuzzy-headed." More sipping, alternated with tea, and then she pours what's left of the mead into the tea and settles back with one cup.

Serendipity tops up both teacups and settles back himself, bringing the bread and pots with him. Apparently, crumbs in bed do not worry him. He breaks off a bitesized bit, puts some honey on it, and moves it toward Aurelia's mouth, offering to feed it to her. "Didn't realize the mead went so much t' your head," he remarks, a tiny bit concerned. "....didn't mean t' take advantage of you, or anything," he adds, watching to see if there's a problem.

Aurelia eyes the offered bread, then gives Ren a 'look' before taking it, biting a finger in the process. She doesn't speak just yet, chewing, and then washing down the bite with a swig from her mug. "Nah, I reckon I had designs before you ever brought the mead. S'why I asked you to get it."

Serendipity grins, both at the answer and the bite. "Ow," he replies obediently, if unconvincingly, and pops the next bite into his own mouth. "Not sure how I oughta take that," he muses teasingly, and offers her another morsel, bitten finger notwithstanding.

Aurelia doesn't bite this time, but munches the offered morsel contently before washing it down with another drink of tea. "I dunno," she says, "Take it as a compliment, I guess. I mean, if you ain't sure, might as well be flattered." She grins a little, then drinks more tea. "Mmn, if I'd have known this was what awaited me the mornin' after, I'd have nailed you weeks ago."

Serendipity laughs, and offers another bite. "Well, I figure I gotta keep your strength up..." He grins, dipping his finger in the honey, and draws it in a line down the line of her neck, following it them from the bottom up with his tongue.

Aurelia tilts her head to expose her neck to the effort, even as she complains, "You're gonna make a mess." Her voice sounds a little distracted, however, tapering off in a quietly content sound. "You're a freak," she mumbles fondly.

"I like making a mess," Ren counters, applying the little honey still on his finger to the divot of her collarbone, then removing it again with slow, thorough strokes of his tongue. He kisses the spot, then, and sits up a little. "An' I am. But you like me like that." He pulls off another bit of bread, and offers it up happily.

Aurelia sits up a bit more, rolling her eyes as she trades the bread for her empty teacup and munches. "You won't be so chipper when we get flies in here cos you've done spilled honey all over the place," she scolds.

Serendipity puts the empty teacups aside, and shifts to sit behind Aurelia, a leg on each side, and pulls her in against him, leaving the bread and toppings beside them and wrapping his arms around her waist for a moment. He feels rather happy to have her there, and bites her gently on the shoulder. "I cleaned up everything I spilled," he replies, sanguine. "...want me to check and make sure?"

Aurelia leans back against Ren, drawing up the blankets to her shoulders to form a nice, warm cocoon to nestle into. "Nah, I believe you," she says graciously. Then, "Damn, boy. Is that a fennel stalk in the bed or are you just happy to see me?"

Serendipity rests his chin on her shoulder, which doesn't really help any with the poking problem, and grins again. "I'm just happy t'see you," he murmurs, and nips at her ear. "...mmm. You're just the most amazing thing, y'know that?"

Aurelia doesn't seem to mind the poking enough to move away from it, anyway. She actually seems quite content, cozy in her blanket and snuggled up to Ren. "You're the one who's ready to go again, and I'm amazin'?" she asks dubiously.

"It's been hours," Ren points out very solemnly, "Even grandfathers could be ready again by now. 'least, healthy ones. And yeah," he snuggles her closer, "you are. ...still hungry?"

Aurelia tilts her head to eye Ren sidelong, one brow arching. "I could be," she ventures hesitantly. "But you gotta understand some of us are a little sore. And don't go struttin' or I'll have to smack ya."

Serendipity tilts his head on her shoulder, looking teasingly wounded. "Now, would I strut? 'm a gentleman, y'know," he protests, and nibbles on her neck, not necessarily helping his case.

Aurelia actually laughs. She outright laughs. Quietly, granted, and with a little groan as the hangover lurches in her head. Subsiding into a chuckle, she leans in against the nibbling and murmurs, "You'd strut if I wasn't layin' on ya."

Serendipity grins against her skin. "Well," he admits, "maybe just a =li'l= bit more'n usual. If no one was watchin'. Much." He nips her earlobe, and then suckles at it for a few moments. "...just so's you know, you've got my full permission if =you= wanna strut."

Aurelia sighs softly and mumbles a little whimpery sound at the suckling. But then she pushes away lightly to reach for the teapot, priorities being on the slaying of the hangover, apparently. "Yeah, cos goodness knows getting you in the sack is a landmark achievement." Her tone is so very teasing, without any venom.

Serendipity pouts playfully. "Hey, I got standards. Not =my= fault this towns fulla people who happen t' meet 'em..." he protests, and watches her move appreciatively. "...some more'n others."

Aurelia glances back at him with a crooked smile. "You wanna 'nother cup of tea?" she asks, gesturing to his cup. Trust Aurelia to be all businesslike in the face of playfullness.

Serendipity considers, and nods. "Sure, why not? I could definitely appreciate somethin' hot and sweet," he replies, and rips off a new chunk of bread while she's gone, slathering it with honey and eating it himself, this time.

Aurelia rolls her eyes and, with a shake of her head, she refills Ren's teacup. Gathering both his and hers, she leans back and offers over the former. "You're a walkin' innuendo," she mentions.

Serendipity accepts the cup, catching her eyes for a moment and just smiling fondly for a second, then leaning back a little to study the ceiling. "You make it sound like a =problem= or somethin'."

Aurelia sighs softly, then gives in and returns the smile before getting all comfy again. "Well, not a problem," she says thoughtfully. "It's kinda cute, though I have no idea why." She pauses, sipping thoughtfully, then asks, "How do you feel?"

Serendipity takes hold of Aurelia's free hand, and runs it over his skin from shoulder to abdomen. "Warm an' firm? I dunno, what d'you think?" he teases, then glances down, and looks sidelong at her, head slightly bowed. "...I feel good. I feel... fantastic, actually. T'be honest. ...how 'bout you? How d'you feel?"

Aurelia's fingers claw into the tickling position and give Ren's side a good jab or three before she subsides. It's like an instinct she can't control. "I feel pretty good," she replies. "Confused, guilty, scared, confused, but good."

Serendipity squeaks and tries to writhe away from the tickle-jabs, pressing the girl's hand more firmly into his side to take away her area of movement. It... =kinda= works. He releases the hold to just a gentle contact when she stops, and mms thoughtfully, watching her face. "Good is good. I like good. What're you feelin' confused, scared, guilty, an' confused again 'bout? Can I help?"

Aurelia sits up, cross-legged and swathed in a blanket, to her waist at least. She doesn't seem to mind being bare-chested in front of Ren. "Same old stuff I was confused about before," she admits. "Feelins. Stuff like that. S'men makin' my life miserable, just like I always knew they would." She offers Ren a small half-smile to take an edge off the words, which don't sound entirely serious anyway.

She oughtn't mind, considering it still bears one or two of his little lovemarks from the night before. Despite that, Ren still seems deeply appreciative of being allowed to look. He tries not to abuse the privilege. "Men're like that," he agrees gravely, and half-smiles back, "...women, too." He hesitates and adds awkwardly, "If it helps any... I'm kinda confused an'..." another pause, searching for a word he's willing to admit to, "...anxious, too. Though, not guilty. Only get guilty if I think I'm doin' or did wrong. ...and I don't."

Aurelia says quickly, "Oh, I don't feel guilty." Tea is sipped, and she gets comfortable enough to work up a good slouch reminiscent of her boyish days. That alone may speak more than words, that she's not only shirtless but relaxed about it. "I'm glad I did it. It was good. You... I mean damn. No bad feelings there. I just hate this feelin' that everything I do now is gonna be life or death, when it ain't like that. Is it?"

Serendipity shifts under the blanket, to find her feet with his and try to twine with them. He grins at the approval, and takes a sip of his tea, going a little more serious to consider her question. "...'s not life or death," he agrees, lowering the cup. "I don't..." He stops, brow furrowing, working something out. "A'ight. I think I got it. You mean a lot t' me, an'... 's like you said, I want us t' be in each other's lives for a long time, an' always love each other, even if we end up, y'know, not =in= love with each other. An' if it's like that... we'll live. I'll live. But you're the only person I've ever known that I c'n see bein' with, an' stayin' with, an' havin' a family, an' bein' happy, an'... it's not that I wanna make that kinda decision now, it's just... I don't wanna see that possibility go away." He looks at her uncertainly. "Did I say that not-stupid this time?"

Aurelia considers this thoroughly, takes a few good swigs of tea, then sets her cup aside and holds out her hand for Ren's. "Give me that," she replies firmly.

Serendipity looks confused, but he hands the cup over obediently, if the slightest touch warily. They =are= both Tricksters' children, after all. One never knows.

Aurelia sets the cup aside with malice aforethought. Then she moves in closer, and she puts her arms around Ren's shoulders, and she hugs him closely, with all the strength her wobbly little wimpy limbs can manage. "Serendipity Jones, I love you. Dumbass." she murmurs. "You are my kumi, and my family, and my best friend in the whole world. Even if your quest and mine make us part ways, you will never be rid of me for good. Our paths will always intertwine. Maybe not with kids, maybe not with a house and picket fence, maybe not in a mate-for-life kind of way, but you will -always- be a part of my life, whether you like it or not."

Serendipity hugs back fiercely, burying his face in her hair for several seconds. "Y'know," he says softly then, "you're the first person since I left home that's said that t'me and not meant it t'be a leash." He kisses gently just below her ear, and adds, "An' the first one I could say... I love you, too. Kumi an' family an' best friend. An' maybe more. Someday. 'long the way."

Aurelia sidles in so she can maintain the hugging. The tea can always be reheated. "Shit Ren, I couldn't leash you in even if I wanted to," she says, laughing a little. "And, you know, anything that happens with anyone else... look, I ain't leavin' your life. I didn't say yes to bein' in a kumi with you because I thought it was a temporary arrangement."

Serendipity nuzzles against her neck, still hugging tight. "We'll always be that," he agrees, and after a little silence lifts his head to meet her eyes, with an earnest, very slightly melancholy look that could almost be described as wise, if using that word in relation to the Coyote kin didn't seem the sort of thing to herald the coming of the Apocalypse. Again. "...but you think Danny, or prolly a good numbera people, 's better mate material 'n I am, I think. Which maybe is true, I dunno, but you know there's more t' me than... Just... don't write me off? Not 'til you know for sure. 'sall I want. That and what we got."

Aurelia regards Ren plainly, meeting his gaze without wavering. Carefully, she gathers her hands in his and presses them to her heart -- er, bare chest. In some ways it really is Ren's lucky day. "Danny ain't better than you," she says intently. It ain't about who's a better mate. I ain't linin' y'all up like pigs at a market, Ren. I got feelins for Danny. I can't deny that. It may be that I might wanna pursue somethin' with him. Not because he's better. Because he's Danny. Just like I was with you last night because you're Ren, and you're who I wanted, who I trusted, to be the first man I ever did that with. No one's gettin' written of for nothin'. Even if I do pursue somethin' with Danny, I ain't writin' you off. Forever's an awful long time, and I ain't fixin' to plan for it just yet."

Serendipity smiles, just a tiny bit. "'s all I want," he repeats softly, and leans in to give her a gentle, lingering kiss. He pulls back, looking thoughtful for a moment. "...an' if you =do= ever get Danny, Justin, 'n' Bryce all in bed, invite me too." He grins boyishly.

Aurelia returns the kissing effort, then draws away to retrieve the teacups and hand Ren his again. Rolling her eyes, she snorts and says, "If I get Danny, Justin, and Bryce all in bed, I'm invitin' everyone."

Serendipity accepts the cup, though he doesn't drink. "I bet we could charge admission," he remarks, and settles back a little, looking more comfortable. A thought occurs, and he arches a brow at the corax. "Sooo... that doesn't mean last night was just a one-time thing, does it?"

Aurelia shakes her head as she muses, "I think I've stumbled upon your fondest dream." She sips at her tea, then adds some honey to it as an afterthought. "Well, I dunno. I'd kind of like to be able to walk at some point this week so I might need a little time to recoup, but I hadn't really planned an agenda."

"Walking's overrated. I'll carry you," Ren offers helpfully, but looks like this has allayed his concern in that department. Perhaps a bit more =actually= helpfully, he adds, "...don't worry 'bout it too much; tend t' get past the soreness after the first few times." He pauses, and grins wickedly, "...except sometimes when it's =really= good, but then the aching's kinda nice. Like a reminder." His fingers stray absently across a few of the decidedly tender bruises Aurelia left on his neck and shoulder, and he sips his tea again.

Aurelia gives Ren a 'look' -- one that's truly pointed and wrought with suppressed malice. After all, he's earned it. She gives a little laugh then and shakes her head, long suffering as she nestles up against him again. "Well, today I don't plan on doing anything too earth-shattering. I just wanna kind of lay around and let life drift by today."

Serendipity responds to the Look with a smile of pure joyful sunniness, which stays right in place as he abandons his tea and wraps his arms around her again, cuddling her close. "Sounds like a good plan t'me. Mind if I join ya?"

Aurelia attempts to look affronted at this cuddling, as though she were somehow a mighty and ferocious creature, to be feared rather than snuggled. The attempt doesn't go well, nor does it last long before she nestles in against him, grateful of the body heat to steal. "Well, I reckon I'd better let ya," she reasons. "Since if I kick you out now, you won't have any pants, and a man's gotta have his dignity."

Serendipity looks down at himself, and grins slyly. "I don't need t'cover up t'keep my dignity," he replies cockily, and kisses her on the forehead, "...but I appreciate th' thoughtfulness."

Aurelia's eyes widen in mock alarm. "You mean I've been ruin't for other men?" she asks, then gives him a kiss on the cheek before adding, "I reckon I'll have to go try 'em all to be sure."

"Yeah, prolly," Ren confirms with mock regret in return. "...but that's not necessarily t'do with size, y'know. And hey..." He grins evilly, arching a brow, "I bet Danny's hung like a horse." Pause. "An' if he's not... he can be." He thinks about that a second and makes a bit of a face; even he has reservations about certain uses of forms, apparently. But he still looks amused with himself.

Aurelia sighs and, with the air of someone once more called upon to do what she was born to do, she jabs Ren in the ribs. "You be decent," she chides. Then pauses and says, "Or at least leave animals out of it. And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you. That's between a girl and her, ah, borrowed appendage."

Serendipity ows, and pouts a little. "Okay, okay. Not my thing either. ....but if you did know, you should at least share th' knowledge. Isn't that parta your job? Gotta pass on important information..."

Aurelia arches a brow dubiously, "How is that information important to you?" she asks. "It ain't like he's interested in men, so what possible use could that information be to you?"

"...Professional curiosity?" Ren tries hopefully. "C'mon, you can't tell me =you're= not interested in any information you're not likely t' get a chance t' make good use of." He doesn't seem too terribly worked up about all this. Lazy lounging seems to be proceeding apace.

Aurelia gets right into the lounging. Let it never be said she's not the sort to do what she intends once she makes up her mind. There is a veritable sprawl, with only enough skeletal structure maintained to keep her tea from spilling. "I dunno. I don't really care about the attributes of, say, Rex. Maybe it's different with girls."

"Nah, it's probably just me," Serendipity replies cheerfully. "....unless you mean you might care about th' attributes of girls, which =would= be diff'rent. Yet intriguing." He nuzzles at her neck again, shifting position to do so, and accidentally brushes up against her thigh in the process. It makes him shiver, and he laughs. "You better watch out," he comments, "or I might really hump your leg like people say."

Aurelia rolls her eyes again. Much more of this and they'll fall out. "You're gonna be like this all day," she predicts grimly, but there's something at work there, a hint of an unspoken tagline. In either case, she stops talking and her head disappears under the blanket. Not all of her is sore, and her mouth seems to be in perfect working order...