Summer 1077 of the Mero's Calendar

It's Majen who takes him aside on the third day, right as everyone is gathered to eat. The zenith is burning their pale skin, forcing them to take cover under the shade of the large tree the druids asked them to keep in the middle of the village, and the warm air is like a sleeping spell on the mind. People are satiated and relaxed, happy from another good morning of hard work, and Nibotus had hoped to slip away with Suzir for the next hour. So it's with some disappointment that he feels the large hand of the Auroch chief squeezing briefly his shoulder to grab his attention.

- My king, there is something personal I would like to discuss, if you have the time.

- Oh, yes, of course, lead away.

It's with pain in his eyes that Nibotus glances a last time in the direction of the Mero. His popularity has jumped since Anel and Sival's presence in the village. Getting his family here is a great show of trust, after all, and people have started to see him less as a means to get what they need, and more like another human being. Now the Kars ask Nibotus to translate things to Suzir way often, rather than just talk to their king and ignore the general like an afterthought, and they even started to ask personal questions instead of just approaching him for technical knowledge. Even Nivis had started treating him like another Kar chief, reclaiming his attention constantly for rough plays, to the bewildering of the Mero estranged by those types of bonding between adults and children. 

Right now, Nivis is adamant to teach Suzir a very complicated headlock he barely mastered himself after watching the Bear chief do it once to his father earlier this morning during some playful wrestling. The chaotic explanations of the child are made even more incomprehensible by the fact it's Anel who has to translate everything for her poor husband, the confused man trying his best at following the kid's instructions and failing spectacularly. Everyone is laughing along as they watch, especially Wolf who's sitting right by Anel. Nibotus is particularly pleased to see that she seems to not be the only one charmed by the good nature of the Mero woman, because he can spot Sival being tenderly rocked in the arms of Lynx, the baby playing with the long grey hair of the old druid without any fear of being away from her mother. If only it wasn't for his king's duty, Nibotus would have join them in a heartbeat, basking in this serein scene of love between all the people he holds dear.

Instead, he's led into one of the recent longhouses that had been built on the Auroch tribe side of the village, and that Majen had claimed as is only after he had made sure every family with children and aging members had already been housed. The inside is pleasantly dark, and still smells of smoke despite the cold central fireplace. Majen suddenly hesitates once they are both inside, his body shifting from one foot to the other as he stands there, not really looking at him in the eyes. This sudden change in demeanor immediately alerts Nibotus, who holds his breath and hopes it's only a benign issue they could quickly put to rest.

- I… uh… I was wondering when it would be my turn.

Confused, Nibotus tips his head sideways, waiting for Majen to explain further, and the man's face becomes such a bright pink under his stare that it's possible to see even under the roof's dark shadow. 

- I am asking this because I spotted you and the Mero general yesterday. Under the willow tree by the river. 

Now it’s Nibotus’ turn to get all shades of red, because he knows exactly what Majen is referring to. He doesn’t remember much of that talk with the general about troops' morale on the battlefield, nor how or why it had started. These past months had been full of those long discussions, after all. When it wasn’t about how to organise the village, or about the interesting differences between their two cultures, it frequently got back to the art of war. And as the discourse had shifted about the power of intimidation, Nibotus had decided to play a little game and gently shoved Suzir against the tree’s trunk to get all in his space. Which, of course, had led to the man’s breath to quicken and his pupil to get all blown wide, but clearly not in fear. The following had been a very pleasant time with a very receptive general as Nibotus had devoured the man alive, and let just say he hadn’t stopped his exploration at Suzir’s mouth after that first kiss. 

- Before that, I had assumed your lack of interest was because you preferred men older than you, but since the Mero general is around my age, I understand now that it was a misconception on my part? 

- I… what now? 

- The other chiefs. They are all older than you, are they not?

- Well, yes, but that is because I was pretty young when I became chief of the Wolf tribe. It was all circumstantial, really, nothing to do with taste or… Wait, where is this discussion going? Why are we talking about this? Are you not angry about my relationship with Suzir?

- I mean, maybe I should be, but… I do not know if it is because I did not participate in the first war three years ago, or if this is because a selfish part of me is thankful for my place as the Auroch chief despite all my affection and respect for Kamav. But I can not seem to be as angry at the Meros as the other chiefs are. Especially when it concerns the general Suzir. He might be an outsider, and will always be in my eyes, but he has greatly helped our people and has shown to be a powerful and caring ally. So no, I do not fault you for developing affections for him the same way you did with your chiefs… Well, except me, of course. 

As relief floods Nibotus’ mind, he can't stop a little laugh escaping his mouth before nervously licking his lips. The unconscious reaction seems to catch Majen's attention, because his eyes briefly stare, and the king must admit to be flattered, really. Which, of course, always makes him want to retaliate with friendly teasing. 

- Are you telling me that you might be jealous?

- No, no, not at all! I know I am not entitled to your favors. I was just hoping that… 

- Majen, I am messing with you.

His hand clasps on the younger man's large shoulder, and yeah, that's a lot of firm muscles under that skin. Majen is a good one. He's got a head on his shoulders, a good sense of what is fair or not, and a lot of calm charisma to back his lack of confidence when facing older chiefs. All characteristics that Nibotus found alluring, but to be honest, not a lot of attributes could turn him off. So of course, the response is pretty easy to give.

- Listen, I would love to take you up on that offer, but I must decline.

A silence. Majen looks more confused than disappointed by the rejection, which is a relief, really… if it is not for the fact that Nibotus has frozen in similar surprise the moment his response left his lips. Because it doesn't make any sense. He did not lie, he truly finds Majen desirable. But still, for an unexplainable reason, he doesn't feel the pull of lust when looking at the Auroch chief, which is just not like him at all. Then Majen's eyes widen in a sudden realization, and Nibotus is honestly scared of what conclusion he might have stumbled upon, because he has no idea of what it could be. 

- My king, have you… Have you shared the bed of any other chief since we have moved by the river?

- Well, no, but there has been so much to do, and I am already seeing Wolf and Nivis scarcely during the week…

- But if you had that time, would you?

A laugh, more nervous than he would have liked, resonates into the longhouse from Nibotus. But as he is about to respond “Of course!” the words suddenly stop in his throat as he realizes they would be lying. He still enjoys his chiefs affection, loves to hug Bukeres against his chest, and play with Mivaren's large hand when he leans against his large shoulder, and braid Aturi's long blond hair as they talk. But doing more? Getting all heavy with wants and needs in the middle of the night? Suddenly, it doesn't make his skin tingles in anticipation, just leaves him in a confused state of… nothing. Like talking with an elder about a sweet moment of his childhood that he barely remembers himself. Warm, sure, but so distant it's barely an emotion anymore. 

- My king… Is it possible that you love the Mero?

It's suddenly too dark in the longhouse, the smell of smoke too thick. Nibotus doesn't think, he lets his body move for him, lets his feet turn back outside into the light and fresh air. He doesn't go far, but he can't stop moving either without feeling like his lungs will collapse, and so he walks around in circles in front of the door under the clearly worried sight of Majen standing in the frame.

- I might be wrong, of course! I just observed that you have never seemed interested in women except Wolf, and have always said that she is the love of your life. So if you start showing signs of disinterest in other men except the general, it would make sense that…

- Majen, I need a moment of silence. Please.

The chief shuts his mouth closed, and Nibotus continues to walk. Back and forth from one corner of the longhouse to the other, again and again. Until his steps slower and his breath stabilises. He thinks about Suzir, about his cold rage when faced with injustice, about his inexhaustible patience and determination, about the way he looked at him when they were alone under that willow tree, so full of broken hesitation and hope. Every little thing that would seep out of his impeccable control of himself, just for Nibotus to see. And of course Majen is right. How could he not fall in love with that man? Maybe he had since the start, since the moment Suzir had cleaned his injuries while talking about peace. If Nibotus had not been so focused on keeping his walls up against the first sign of betrayal, however justified they had been, maybe he could have realized it sooner. 

The king stops, finally. Serenity has fallen on him as suddenly as panic started, with the security of an unshaken truth. He snaps out of his thoughts when Majen's hand squeezes his shoulder, grounding. A surprised yelp escapes the younger man when Nibotus suddenly crushes him in a strong embrace. 

- Thank you.

- You are, uh, welcomed?

This makes Nibotus laugh frankly and freely this time, but Majen still looks at his genuine smile with confusion. 

- You truly did not know?

- Not at all. I am pretty sure you might have been the first one to guess it. Were you not the one suspecting I might have a romantic weakness for Suzir when we were about to leave the eastern forest? 

- But you said…

- I did not lie, we were not physical back then. It is a very recent development. 

- Since when?

- Will you believe me if I say it is fresh from yesterday?

It’s finally Majen’s turn to chuckles, more in disbelief than anything else, but it quickly grows into share giggles of connivance, both men grappling the shoulders of the other in a sideways hug, more to stabilize themselves than anything as their laughters swell and shake their entire body. When it slowly fades, the Auroch chief takes the opportunity, and with a smile bordering on the smug side, plants a kiss on his king’s cheek. Nibotus lets him, understanding it is the young chief's way of saying goodbye to his puppy crush once and for all, but still ruffles Majen’s hair in a gentle reminder to not push his luck too far. For the first time since he has been made chief, the young man suddenly looks less tense in his presence, less alert of the way he presents himself in the hope it would please his king, more open and carefree. Good. Assurance and honesty are the marks of better chiefs. Less plaguing doubts, less building grudges.

- So, when will you tell the other chiefs?

Nibotus throws back his head to audibly groans at the sky, eyes closed to protect them from the sun’s rays, and Majen’s laughter bursts out anew. At least that means he doesn’t think his peers will take the news badly enough that it will throw the Kars into an internal war. Nobody with a sane mind would be amused by that perspective.