Chapter Text
“Timol, are you listening to me?”
“No,” he replied dryly to his sister, keeping his gaze out the carriage window. There was a nice breeze today. Tamarian weather was so much nicer than in the frozen tundra that was Bri-la.
“Your insolent ass is just begging for a beating once we get to the palace.”
“Well, we’re in another country, so you’ll have to keep your marks hidden.”
Queen Biya folded her arms and sat back. “Why do you always have to be such a little pain in the ass?”
“I think you mean you ask, ‘Why can’t you be quiet and submissive like the rest of our brothers?’” he corrected without pause. Two weeks straight of this shit had his last nerve good and frayed; he was overjoyed to be so deep into Tamar- they had to be approaching the palace soon. “The answer is still the same, though.”
Despite the small space, the queen swung her leg over to kick his shin. Ow. “We all hoped you’d finally sit down and shut up once Mother consented to letting you get tattooed, but even that wasn’t enough! Even allowing Jemen wasn’t enough! You’re never going to be treated the same as me, Timol, and you need to fucking accept that.”
“I have difficulty accepting things I don’t like.”
“I noticed.” She paused, glaring at him while he refused to give her the satisfaction of rubbing his burning shin. “What do you plan to do with yourself, anyway? No woman’s going to take you with an attitude like that.”
“Then I’ll stay alone. I don’t need to be married to survive.” Luckily.
“Unless I deem otherwise.”
The prince scoffed, but his heart pounded in his throat. “Does your hatred for me really run so deep?”
“I guess we’ll find out at a later time; we’re approaching the palace now. And may the goddess have mercy on your sorry soul if you embarrass me- I certainly won’t have any.”
An old, old threat he’d heard so many times- and knew she’d follow through on. “Yes, yes,” he sighed, exiting the carriage when it stopped and offering a hand to help the delicate flower out herself. There was protocol, after all.
Queen Cela and Prince Remi were at the gate to meet them. Timol was careful to stay a couple steps behind his sister as they welcomed her. He was supposed to be ignored, but Prince Remi had never kept to that particular regulation. “I hope your trip wasn’t too tortuous, Prince Timol,” he spoke after the women started moving forward.
He glanced up the hallway. Biya should he out of earshot. “I won’t deny I’ve had better company,” he spoke, and they both smiled. He’d wondered once or twice if Prince Remi knew at least part of what he himself felt; only half the existing countries recognized his authority because of his parentage.
“Your Tamarian’s gotten much better since I saw you last.”
“…Thank you,” he replied quietly.
“We’ve arranged separate rooms, at least, though they are right across the hall from each other.”
“I still very grateful.”
“Right this way. My sister and I hoped just me talking to you wouldn’t get you in any trouble.”
“It usually doesn’t. Thank you.”
“You know, you’d only have to ask and-”
Timol shook his head. “I’m appreciating it, but my darling sister would start a war only because she could. And if I’ve been eavesdropping correctly, things are becoming tenser than usual between the two ends of Tamar.”
The other man snorted. “Hoping to take advantage of that, is she? Hopefully it’s not that tense, but I suppose we’ll see. My offer still stands.”
As it had from the first day they’d met. “And I’m still appreciating it. This is probably going to sound awful,” he added after a moment. “But it helps just knowing there are people around who care if you’re living or dying.”
“That is awful. You know, we could always find someone to marry you off to here.”
The blond prince laughed. “My sister would never allow it; she know I’d be too happy here.”
“That woman needs some mental assistance.”
“You’re telling me.” He did like talking to Prince Remi. Timol had accompanied his sister on several visits to Tamar, and Remi with his own to Bri-la, and he was always kind, seemed very happy with Prince Tovi… he was glad for them.
He was also glad to have some time alone in a room of his own. Sadly, when he’d just barely sat back and relaxed, his sister came storming in. “What were you and that little bastard talking about?!” she demanded.
“I wouldn’t let anyone around here hear you call him that. There are queens that care about their siblings, you know.” And Queen Cela had sent people off for years of hard labor for lesser comments against the prince.
“Quit giving me lip and answer the question!” Biya hissed.
“Piss off,” he drawled, too tired to deal with her bullshit anymore. She grabbed him by the arm and slammed him against the wall. “Ow, you bitch! Why is it so terrible that someone’s nice to me?!”
“Because you don’t matter, Timol. No one should care about you because you’re an insignificant pest. I should’ve had you killed years ago.”
“But you haven’t.”
She released him. “No, I haven’t. Another thing that’ll probably change when we get back.”
He scoffed. “You love torturing me too much.”
“Maybe so. Maybe what I really should do is cut all that hair of yours off- there’s no one for you to leave it to anyway, and I get to watch you hang your head in shame.”
That unspeakable bitch. He continued to stare right at her. “No matter what you do to me, that’s a sight I’ll never grant you.”
“We’ll see.”
He glared and left the room. He needed some air without seething hatred in it. She was only going to keep needling and needling, and… he was starting to be afraid he’d start believing her.
Being in Tamar helped. It was a beautiful country, and he considered Prince Remi a good friend. But he probably had things to attend to, and it was a gorgeous day, maybe go out to those famous gardens, or-
Shit. He was so lost in thought he’d crashed into… Goddess, the most gorgeous human he’d ever laid eyes on. Tanned and freckled with messy red hair, his right eye covered with a patch… a gold cuff around his left arm. Of course a creature this stunning was already bonded. “You are all right?” he asked, barely remembering to switch to the language he had a fair grasp of.
“Fine, sorry, I wasn’t watching,” the other admitted.
“May… I ask who you belong to?” the prince tentatively asked.
“Prince Tovi and Prince Remi,” was the proud reply.
Of course. “You are happy with them, I hope? You are treated well?”
“Very, on both,” the adorable redhead smiled.
“Good; I will leave you to your way; you seem to be hurried.”
“Thank you,” was the reply, and he rushed off after a woman Timol knew to be one of Remi’s personal guard.
His fist clenched. “That was a cruel one, Fate,” he muttered, and turned to go back to his own room, hoping his sister was gone. Suddenly, he didn’t feel much like going outside, would be expected to be pleasant that night, and was already clear past exhausted.
He needed a fucking nap.
&
Gratefully, Biya had gone from the room, leaving Timol free to lay down awhile. They wouldn’t start the bonfire till sunset; ideally, his time was his own until then.
He was sorry he hadn’t gotten that redhead’s name. Goddess, he was so beautiful. And well-mannered. And if he belonged to both Prince Remi and Prince Tovi, probably well-guarded.
But to have just an hour with that bright creature…
How did he like it? Hard and fast, or arduously slow? Maybe giving instead of getting. Timol was sure he’d let that one do whatever he liked, but… to see that vision riding him, losing his mind while his spirit soared… the prince was touching himself before he was consciously aware of it.
Maybe he liked sucking. Seeing that gorgeous mouth trying so hard to swallow himself down agreed with him too well, pumping himself even more furiously. Then warm hands, making up for where his mouth couldn’t reach… “Yes, yes,” Timol breathed, feeling himself coming close. That vision would know it too, and suck harder until-
Cum fountained out of him, body shuddering hard with the force of the orgasm. It had been a good while since he’d had time on his own.
…Was it too much to hope that maybe Prince Remi would share such a treasure?
Yes. Yes, it was. ‘I should be flogged for thinking it,’ he grumbled to himself. Prince Remi had made some generous offers in the past, but surely that was a line even he wouldn’t cross.
Except… maybe if that red-haired vision liked him too…
No. That thought was even more ridiculous. With a sigh, he bundled up everything that had gotten wet, tossed it aside, and curled up under a remaining blanket- he still very much wanted that nap.
&
Biya reluctantly collected him for the welcome party, and after a few pokes at his remaining self-esteem, they headed outside.
Timol remained very uninterested in his surroundings until the guests of honor appeared, the redhead indeed with them and smiling just as brightly. So cute.
Understandably, the newly crowned King Mayte was first in line to offer his congratulations, but Biya made sure she was next. Timol was staying back like he was supposed to, but the patched man bypassed the queen completely when he saw himself. “Hi,” he grinned. “I remember you.”
Wow, was he going to hear about that later, but it didn’t matter. This amazing creature remembered him. “I am honored,” he managed with a small dip of his head.
“You know Prince Timol, Anju?” Prince Tovi asked.
Anju. Even his name was beautiful.
“Um, well, I almost ran over him in the hallway when I was rushing to get to your room before,” the redhead sheepishly explained.
“That sounds about right,” Prince Remi remarked.
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?!”
They were all clearly so happy; Timol was glad for them- and a little jealous.
“Gentlemen, if you please,” Prince Tovi sighed, then turned his attention back to the visitors. “A pleasure to see you as always, Queen Biya, Prince Timol; thank you for coming.”
They gave respectful nods of their own, and the trio moved on. “You’re getting the hell beat out of you later,” the woman warned her brother.
“Because a foreigner isn’t familiar with asinine social protocol? Oh wait, that’s exactly what you do.”
“Keep that up and-”
“You’ll what? Throw me in the bonfire? Try it; see what happens.”
The woman continued to glare with a promise of pain later, but held her tongue.
Timol’s gaze left her to find Anju again, though really without consciously trying to do so. While the princes only had on embroidered shorts and sandals, as did most men here (himself included, he was loving this warm weather), the patched man wore a shirt of the same, that gold band glinting just underneath the sleeve. ‘What I wouldn’t give to see more of him,’ the prince internally lamented, breathing deeply.
Then he saw a lone, but vibrant eye fixed on himself. Anju had noticed he was being stared at. While he didn’t appear angry, Timol quickly looked away- if he wanted, Anju could make the rest of his stay, or even life, even more difficult for a stunt like that.
But as said, he didn’t seem upset. Maybe it wasn’t too much to hope he was interested too…
Timol dared look up again, and saw Prince Remi offering him a drink. The patched man didn’t seem phased, but going off the prince’s grin… Timol’s gaze shot to the table. Yup. Those were the drugged ones. And Anju gulped it down. The prince didn’t know much about Keta, but he did know that one did not drink it quickly. It took effect that much more quickly, and had driven people literally out of their minds in the past.
The look on Anju’s face said he hadn’t liked it, and Prince Tovi, who’d been greeting a guest, now realized what had happened, his furious gaze now on his fiancé. The two went back and forth a moment, until an ill-looking Anju put his hand on the pony-tailed man’s chest. Tovi spoke one last thing to Remi before walking the redhead off.
…Was Anju okay?
Trying to be inconspicuous, Timol made his way through the crowd, keeping his distance, only concerned for the redhead. Tovi had brought him to the edge of the woods, probably because it was much less crowded. Remi stayed nearby, looking unbearably guilty. If he’d done that without Anju’s knowledge, that was very much a dick move.
Tovi held Anju against himself, hands traveling underneath the redhead’s clothes. Timol hadn’t known so deep a jealousy could exist, especially when Anju started begging for more.
So gorgeous.
Tovi relented, the other getting to his hands and knees. Remi was right beside him, but sitting on his hands- Tovi’s idea of punishment? If rumors of his temper were true, that wouldn’t be all he demanded of his fiancé. He was probably just getting Anju in the clear first.
‘Goddess, his need must be incredible right now.’ Timol set the call the patched man let out when Tovi started stretching him to memory. He moaned against the touch, and Timol wanted nothing more than to help relieve him of his agony.
And when Tovi was finally satisfied and thrust inside him- “Yes, yes! That’s perfect, perfect,” he cried out.
No. That sight there, that was perfect. Remi looked as pained as the blond prince felt, and Anju couldn’t hang on long, especially after Tovi started stroking him in time with the thrusts, and when he came, calling out, back arched, and spilling over so much, Timol was certain it was the most gorgeous thing he would ever see.
Anju’s consciousness started to wane, and it was only then that Tovi gave Remi a nod, and the shorter-haired man gratefully finished himself off.
But Tovi had already carried Anju inside. Ouch.
“Enjoy the show?” Biya’s voice drawled behind him, keeping to their native language. “Well, I guess it’s obvious you did,” she added, looking down. “I’d almost say you like that slutty little redhead. Too bad he’s spoken for, huh? Not that I’d let you keep him anyway.”
“I really don’t give a shit about any of your implied threats,” he drawled back.
“You’re going to regret that.”
“Whatever. I’m turning in for the night.” His sarcasm and apathy had been at an all-time high lately, and wasn’t sure why he was provoking his sister more than usual, other than he was sicker than usual of her bullshit.
She did let him sleep that night, but was by early the next afternoon for no other reason than to make do on her earlier threat to beat on him. She’d been at it probably fifteen minutes now, avoiding his face but getting just about every other area she could. Now, she was holding him against the wall, either admiring her work or debating another strike- until he shoved her into the dresser beside them.
It didn’t even register in his mind that he’d done so until she was clutching her leg in pain. “You go too far!” she snarled, and took hold of him to throw him into the opposite wall, tripping over a chair and knocking over another to slam into an end table. He hissed, feeling the edge embed itself into his upper thigh.
“You try that again and I will kill you,” she promised as someone knocked on the door. “Go fix yourself up; I can’t have any questions.”
He limped to the adjoining bathroom, but still refused to hang his head. He’d promised her and himself she’d never see that, and he’d never go back on that promise, not even if it did kill him.
He heard his sister talking to someone, but couldn’t decipher who until Anju’s tone came clearly and adamantly, “I come on behalf of Prince Tovi, and what I have to say is for Prince Timol alone.”
What could that possibly be? And why send Anju? Not that he didn’t want to see him, but right now…. He caught a look of himself in the mirror. No damage, but he was clearly drained. Of course Anju was in to see him now. Then he’d realize what a waste of time he was, and they’d never cross paths again.
Maybe that was how it should be.
“Prince Timol?” a now-familiar voice called in, uncertain.
As much as he didn’t want the other man to see the state he was in, he also didn’t want to ignore him. This could actually be important, too. “Anju?”
“Sorry to bother you.”
“Not at all,” he did his best to return through the door. “I will be a moment, though- is it urgent?”
“No, I have time, so take yours.”
“Thank you.”
How obvious was it that a fight had just occurred in that room? He could hear Anju picking up the chairs… it was probably pretty obvious.
Dammit.
Timol washed his face and took a look at his thigh. The edge hadn’t broken his skin, but there was already a nasty bruise forming. “Wonderful,” he muttered. “Let’s see if I can make it to the bed without letting him know I’m in searing pain.”
Going off the blatant worry on his visitor’s face, he wasn’t doing a very good job. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine, but thank you for your concern,” he parroted off. “Prince Tovi has a request of me?”
“We both do, I guess,” was the cautious reply, the other slowly sitting on the edge of the bed. “Okay, what did she do to you and why?”
Why bother hiding it? The sooner Anju knew how pathetic he was, the sooner he could move on and stop wasting his time here. “Hit me because she can, and threw me across the room because I dared to be striking back,” Without really realizing it, he added, “I… am so sick of this, Anju… and it could very well be the end of me,” he chuckled without humor.
“…Do you wish for death?”
“Sometimes, yes.”
“How about marriage instead?”
A snort. “To who?”
“Princess Arada.”
Was he serious, actually that oblivious? “Leave one sadistic bitch for another? Anju, really, why would I do that to myself?”
“Because she’s not a sadistic bitch. At least, that’s what she’s claiming. She asked Tovi to help her find a husband that’ll help her change Sha-ree after her mother dies and leaves her the throne.”
The prince was silent a moment. That fell directly under ’too good to be true.’ “Do you think she’s being truthful?”
“I don’t know; Tovi talked to her while I was still asleep.”
“…If she is honest, that is quite a proposition. Seems foolish not to at least meet with her, I suppose. But as I sure you’ve noted, moving is not something I am doing well now and I’d like her not to know my sister just buried that end table into my thigh.”
“I understand that,” he replied, surprisingly stagnant.” I’ll say you’re thinking about it, then?”
“Mm. We’ll probably be here a few days, even after the wedding. It should not be long, though, before I walk normally again. Tomorrow afternoon. I talk to her then, unless she find a better candidate.”
“I doubt that’ll happen.”
“Oh?” Timol asked, curiosity sparking his gaze. “Why you say that?”
“Because when I’m with you… Well, I actually was wishing a bit that I wasn’t already bound, but… it’s been brought to my attention that… they wouldn’t mind if we, um…”
“Are together?”
“As long as I remember who I go home to.”
“That’s more than fair. I would never want to take you from them anyhow, not when you clearly care so much for each other. But,” came the sigh. “I’m hardly able to please you in my current condition.”
Biting his lip, Anju came forward to the end of the bed, and, hesitantly, started to crawl up between the prince’s long, outstretched legs, settling between them at his hips. The redhead leaned down to push the other’s shirt up with his nose and pull the band of his pants down- with his teeth. Great Goddess. Oh, how cute. His jaw drooped a little at the sight of his own length. Timol let out a gasp when the other man started tracing his tattoos, as if mesmerized by them.
“That had to hurt,” Anju muttered out loud, tracing the outlines, encouraging the shaft to harden further.
“N-None of it… was exactly… enjoyable,” the prince breathed.
“Then why?”
“Sh-show of rank. Very im-important, especially… especially when male. Given when we… come of age.”
“Sounds stupid.”
“Oh? It seemed as though you liked them.”
“Nn, a little less now.”
“Don’t say so; having these saves my life- a few times now.”
“That’s horrible,” Anju muttered, and lowered his mouth over his partner.
Timol gasped and moaned at the contact, the redhead finding he had to hold those hips steady already. “A-Anju, look at me,” came the plea.
He raised his gaze while still lapping up the length.
“Nn, you’re so good, you’re perfect,” the prince moaned.
Anju sucked harder, swallowing as far as he could, then swirling his tongue back around the tip. And down again, groan despite his full mouth, feeling himself hardening. Still pleasuring his partner, he reached into his pocket for lubrication before sliding his own shorts down.
“No, you shouldn’t have to do that yourself,” Timol spoke. “Come here and turn around; let me.”
Still keeping his own somewhat embarrassed attention on the stiff member, he let his lower half shift to the tattooed man. But all self-consciousness clearly left him when he felt long fingers slip inside him, reaching deep, already searching for that delicious spot- it didn’t take long to find.
“Yes, there,” Anju moaned, thrusting back on the digits.
“Are you planning on taking me, Anju?” the prince inquired.
“Oh, hell yes.”
“Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much? I saw that first reaction.”
“I’ve taken two before. I can take you. I want to take you. Can I?”
“Don’t let me stop you,” was the breathless reply, withdrawing. “I can hardly wait to see you riding me.”
Anju shifted again, this time to straddle his lover’s hips, and slowly lowered himself onto the hefty length, moaning all the while.
“Are you all right?”
“So full… it’s perfect. People must line up at your door for you.”
The prince managed a soft smile. “Let me see you lose your mind.”
Anju started to move, thrusting down hard and calling out loudly each time the thick shaft filled him again. Timol offered up his hands, and he put his own against them for leverage. The blond hated how soon he came, but wasn’t done with his partner by far, and the noise of their activity grew more obscene. He moved his hands to grip his lover’s hips, forcing him down even harder. Anju came alarming hard, to the point Timol started to slow.
“Don’t you dare,” the patched man breathed. “Wreck me.”
“Oh your knees,” was the heated reply. Anju immediately did so, and as he turned, his shirt lifted, showing the many scars underneath. ‘Who would dare… to this gorgeous creature…?’ Timol growled to himself, but that was a conversation for later.
“Are you su-Oh!!” he cried out when his partner started impaling him again. The movement did remind him of the giant bruise on his thigh, but this was just too perfect to stop, shuddered into him again- and as he did, Anju came helplessly as well, shooting torrents onto the mattress and nearly collapsing with the force of it. It still didn’t stop, and neither wanted it to.
So filthy, lewd, disgusting and- and Anju just moaned for more. But it did finish, when Timol finished a third time, and the redhead moaned, feeling the heavy streams pour into him the run down his legs to join the puddle underneath him. Despite the mess, he still dropped, rolling to the side. “Thoroughly wrecked?”
Anju fell to his side, limp with exhaustion, and Timol smiled, unable to stop himself for laying a few more soft kisses. “We should get you cleaned up, shouldn’t we?” he chuckled after a few minutes.
There was a knock on the door. It wasn’t Biya. “Who is it?” he called.
“Prince Tovi and Princess Arada, if you have a moment," came the darker-toned man's voice.
“O-Oh, um, j-just a…”
“If Anju’s in there, in any state of undress, neither of you are in trouble.”
Just the same, Timol got some of the blankets over the unconscious man, and pants back on himself before answering. His thigh throbbed twice as badly as before, but it had been so worth it. He opened the door to greet them, but Prince Tovi swung his head in past him as soon as there was space to do so. “Aw, there he is,” he spoke, and in Brilin, before walking over to the bed. “Ew, it’s still all messy here; you’re not leaving him in all that, are you?”
“I was about to clean up and you knocked. I can still do so if you have some time to wait in the next room,” Timol replied.
“I’ll help you,” he offered, then did ask the princess to wait in the sitting room while they did so. At least, Timol was pretty sure that was what he said.
“How do you just switch languages like that?” he asked after getting a box of those wonderful wipes. He really wished they existed in Bri-la, and helped get the redhead cleaned off first.
“I’m not perfect, I do mess up. There’s been a few times that I’ll just start talking to someone in the wrong language. That has varying degrees of embarrassment.”
The other man snorted. “I’ll bet.”
“Then there’s randomly forgetting words. Extra fun when that happens in Tamarian or Havan.”
“You… learned them at the same time, I take it?” Timol asked, a little floored at how friendly the darker-toned man was being, considering they were cleaning off his boyfriend, and after himself having sex with him. Things really were weird here- and he kind of loved it.
“Had to, especially with Mom bringing me and sometimes my brothers here every few months. Besides, every second I didn’t know Tamarian was a second Remi had to be a snide jerk and me unable to even understand, let alone retort.”
Timol laughed again. “The three of you seem very happy.”
Prince Tovi smiled. “At this point, yes, and hoping to stay that way. I’ll pick him up, you change the bed?” The blond man nodded, and as he went for the soiled blankets, saw the redhead unconsciously nuzzle his lover with a smile. He must’ve paused a bit too long, as Tovi spoke good-naturedly, “I’m sure he would have done so if you were holding him.”
“I’m not jealous, don’t worry. Just grateful he wanted to spend any kind of time with me.”
“That’s about how I feel about him,” the other chuckled.
Once the bed was made, the still-unconscious redhead was laid back down, and a blanket placed over him. “Might I ask about whoever gave him those?” the tattooed man asked with a nod to the scars.
“Very dead. Very horribly.”
“Good.”
“Agreed. I do hope Anju mentioned a certain proposal before killing his sex drive.”
“Hey, he asked me to and said you and Remi were fine with it.”
“A joke. We are.”
“Okay. If you mean Princess Arada, yes. Do you really think she’s telling the truth?”
“I have yet to see a sign of dishonesty. Do you want to talk to her?”
“…I think I can do that much, at least.”
“All right, let’s go, but remember, in the end, it’s your decision.”
Timol gave a nod and followed him into the net room. Arada was seated on the couch, complacent, dark hair hanging loose around her complacent face.
Even when they approached, her expression didn’t change. Those blank eyes didn’t change. Had she cut off her emotions to survive her environment? “Princess Arada,” he spoke.
Surprisingly, she stood. “Prince Timol,” she replied, and some other words he didn’t know. Sha-ree and Bri-la had been allies a long time. As far as (female) royalty was concerned, knowing one meant knowing the other. Biya had gone out of her way to keep himself from learning anything but barked orders, probably to keep him as in the dark as she possibly could.
“Yeah, I hardly speak a word of Sheean,” he told the other man.
“The princess has a fair grasp of Brilin, but so there’s no mistranslations, and to mediate, I’m here,” the raven head replied with a smile. “She was thanking you for seeing her.”
“Ah. Well, of course,” he replied to her with a nod, and they all took a seat.
Princess Arada spoke again, and Tovi translated, “She’s sure you have plenty of questions, and if so, feel free to ask.”
“Well, the offer was just brought to my attention, then I was… distracted.”
The woman smirked. “Cute redhead is hard to resist?”
Well, that much was obvious. “Especially that cute redhead.”
“Yes, he is,” Tovi intervened. “But we’re not talking about him.”
“Of course,” Timol spoke, swallowing. You didn’t mess with the protective boyfriend. “Could I ask what you’re hoping to accomplish with Sha-ree?”
“Balance,” came the stagnant reply. “I… exhaust of watching innocents suffer because of the gender they were born to. It is lunacy. I wish it to stop, but I do not know how to change their hearts.”
“Do you know of any who think the same as you?”
“Even if there are, they would not come to me.” She spoke as if being quizzed. “I need another. A male. Someone who would be trusted. Then I can know how to help.”
“People are helped through fair law and the enforcement thereof. You don’t need me or anyone else for that.”
“People will not trust a ‘sudden’ change in me, and…” She looked at Tovi to add something in her own language, he replied, and he was the one who spoke again.
“All right, she wasn’t sure how to convey this herself, but she thinks it will help her cause to least appear to be married to someone she cares about.”
“The whole ‘doing it for love’ thing?” the blond man replied dour, suppressing the urge to roll his dark eyes. “That’s cliché, especially for Sha-ree, And Bri-la will think you’re going to change them next. My sister will not take well to that.”
“And what course would you take for change? You are miserable where you are, why stay?”
“…Have you met any of my brothers, Princess?”
She blinked. “No, only you.”
“I’ve caught you in a lie.”
“No, I would know, I-”
“All my brothers are servants in the palace. I watched two of them serve you while you and your mother were there last. They make it out to be some kind of honor, but it’s bullshit. They’re basically commoners, and especially for a man, that is not a good life. Barely survivable, in many cases. I’m loud and obnoxious and a straight-up pain in the ass not only so that doesn’t happen to me, but because they deserve a voice too. Reminding my sister and anyone else listening that people are being ignored for shitty reasons that need to stop.” He paused to take a breath before he started yelling. That really was unseemly, and he didn’t want to wake Anju. “Prince Remi has offered me sanctuary here in Tamar many times. But even if I go anywhere else, my sister will see to it that the place is decimated. She hates me that much, I assure you. I cannot escape her.”
“…Not even in marriage?” What little resolve her emotionless expression had seemed to be weakening.
“That might be the exception,” he admitted. “But I doubt she’ll believe you want to marry me. I’m a headstrong asshole.”
“Maybe that is how I like my men. I have a sister that enjoys breaking the spirits of men. She will think I am the same, do not worry.”
“…And how do I know you’re not the same?”
She shrugged. Very encouraging.
There was rustling in the bedroom; the blond looked over his shoulder. “He never sleeps for long after,” Tovi smiled softly. “But sleeps hard for the time he does.”
“…Ah.” Timol looked over his shoulder to see the redhead making his way over- his steps unsteady. Oh, dear.
He was clearly going for the closest seat available, which, fortunate or not, was Tovi’s lap. “Negotiations?” he asked.
“Mm, making sure there’s no mistranslations,” Tovi replied, and the tattooed man became aware that the woman was staring at him. Her eyes were so empty.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “One good reason to trust my life to you,” he muttered- apparently too lowly, as she looked to the raven head, brow furrowed. Tovi repeated what he’d said, presumably, in her language.
“Anju,” Timol softly spoke while she seemed to consider the words. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” he grinned. “If I pass out after, it’s definitely a good thing.”
The blond chuckled. “I meant that you’re still having trouble with walkings. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“I’ll be fine,” the redhead smiled. “Aren’t you two planning a wedding? I’d pay attention.”
He chuckled again, but did turn his attention back to the conversation.
“Perhaps if you spent a few days together,” Tovi spoke in Brilin. “There’s no better way to get a feel for each other.”
The woman nodded, eyes downcast, but Timol raised his own to the other prince. “You really think this is a good idea?”
“At this stage, yes. As said, a few days can reveal much.”
At that, Timol gave a nod himself.
“All right, time to go,” the darker-toned man told his lover then. “Would you like me to carry you?”
“Sore butt or now, why would I turn down a piggy back ride?” Anju scoffed in good humor. The golden-eyed man lifted him up, and the patched man gave the remaining prince a smile and a wave as they left, which was wearily returned.
“You wish he was yours,” Arada stated.
Again, that much was obvious. “More than that, I want him to be happy, and he is. I’m just thankful the three of them are as easy-going as they are.”
“So you can play?”
“…Can we cease the creepy interest in my sex life?”
“It wasn’t my intention for creepiness. It is how my people get to know each other.”
“…Seriously? No, actually, I do believe that,” he sighed. “Yes, I’m grateful just be able to spend time with Anju. Something about him just… draws me closer.”
“I do not know this feeling,” she replied. “And I do not think I want to; it is sounding complicated.”
“Well, you’re not wrong. What about you?” he asked, suddenly feeling exposed.
“I have no one I am interested in, and that is for the better,” she spoke only.
“…Can I ask why that is?”
“Is shameful. What is expected to entertain me and what actually does, is at odds.”
“Okay. What’s that?”
“...To watch.”
“What?” Timol asked, confused. “That’s a pretty common thing, isn’t it? You’d just have to find people that like- Oh. It not supposed to matter if they like it or not.”
She nodded. “My greatest shame.”
Her gaze was still so empty. It was unnerving to not be able to get a read on her. “It should be your greatest pride,” he did tell her. “This world has enough suffering, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” she readily agreed, but again, as if she were being quizzed. “I do.”
She bit down on her lower lip, seemed to be thinking. Suddenly she asked, “How many brothers do you have?”
Why was she asking? “There’s five, including me.”
“Which ones have I met?”
“Timol!” came a very familiar snarl as the room’s main door opened. “You’re in such deep shit that- Oh. Excuse me, Princess,” Biya corrected herself at the sight of the woman.
“May I ask how my fiancé has offended you?” she asked, tone still.
“Fiancé?!” the older woman repeated in dismay. “You want to marry that arrogant little-”
“That hasn’t been decided at all,” Timol was quick to interject, glaring a warning to the Shareen woman.
“If she’s decided to take in your sorry ass, yes it is,” his sister laughed. “Have fun with him, Princess, but keep two eyes on him- he’s quite the escape artist, and I’m not taking him back.”
“Queen Biya,” Arada spoke, and the tattooed woman regarded her again. “May I ask why you were so angry with him when you came in?”
“Like she needs a reason,” the man grumbled.
Her dark eyes stared him down hard. “I heard you and Prince Tovi’s little whore earlier. I consider that a complete embarrassment, Timol, but you’re Princess Arada’s problem now, not mine. Good luck keeping that one in line,” she added, and this time, did take her leave.
Timol stood to stare down the remaining woman. “Unless you really do intend on treating me like she does, that hadn’t been decided,” he reiterated.
“I’m… sorry,” she muttered, but in a distant way. “It just… came out. I’m-I’m not going to make you leave with me or anything. You, um, can stay here after she goes, or-”
“And then she finds out, and exactly what I’m trying to prevent will happen. Thank you so much, Arada,” he spat. “I really did go from one sadistic bitch to another.”
“I am not that way,” she protested. “And I will prove it to you.”
“I certainly hope so,” he returned. “For now, please leave.”
Surprisingly, she actually did go. Maybe there was hope, but that slip set off several alarms in his head. Sadly, though, all he could do now was hope and wait.
And pray.