back timeline an(?)OTP - Annatar/Celebrimbor

[ringsmith]

Celebrimbor rubbed at his face with a towel, then hung it around his neck as he stared proudly down at the rapidly cooling ring of metal. It wasn't quite what they were trying for yet, not strong enough or stable enough, but it was close. The closest they'd come so far. He turned his grin up at his companion, lit by the red light of the forge

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[stillrocknroll]

The companion grins back, sharp, animated. He extends his hand just above the glowing metal, long fingers courting the heat. "We're close. So close."

[ringsmith]

Celebrimbor's eyes shift from the ring to the fingers, watching them more intently than he had the result of his craft. "Next time. We'll have it next time."

[stillrocknroll]

Annatar for his part watches Celebrimbor's face intently, follows the path of his eyes. "I believe we will," he says, and his voice is satisfied and triumphant at once.

[ringsmith]

And Cele, poor naieve boy, assumes that the satisfaction and triumph are for the same reasons as his own. He reaches out as well, keeping a safe distance between their hands, feeling for the heat. "Has it cooled enough to handle?"