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Eremi strummed his lute in the corner of the tavern, his glamor making him appear as a brown-haired human man. His fellow musicians joined him in an upbeat, familiar song, the singer’s melodies drifting over the crowd and bringing the mood of the room soaring with energy. The playful and suggestive lyrics had everyone crowing and laughing, and coins flowed generously from their purses.
On the other end of the bar, Eremi could see Sorah bartering for rooms for the night. His handsome profile illuminated by torchlight was driving the barkeep to distraction. The pretty human coyly put a hand on his forearm, and Eremi’s lute twanged as his fingers fumbled the wrong string. It was hardly noticeable in all the noise, but Eremi was as embarrassed as ever.
The song ended with a raucous cheer, people raising their pints overhead in their honor. Eremi excused himself from the band and made his way toward his half-elf companion.
“It’s gonna be a cold night. Plenty of warm beds you could find yourself in,” the bartender purred.
Sorah looked viscerally uncomfortable. His eyes darted from the woman, to the bartop, to the ceiling, and then over to Eremi as he came to stand beside him.
“Have you gotten our room yet, darling?” Eremi said, hoping Sorah would play along.
“Um, uh, no, not yet… my dear,” Sorah awkwardly pushed out.
His cheeks tinted the lightest shade of pink when he offered the term of endearment. Eremi felt guilty for making him lie, especially in this way that made him so uneasy.
“Oh, are you two together?” the woman asked, pulling her hand away from Sorah. “My apologies, sirs, I’ve overstepped.”
Her earrings jingled as she straightened up. “So, a room for one night?”
“Yes, please,” Sorah said, his voice pitched a little higher than normal.
“That’ll be one gold, sir,” she said cheerily as she held out her hand.
Sorah passed her the coin and she turned and grabbed a key from a rack behind her. She handed it over with a bright smile and said, “Enjoy your stay.”
Sorah cleared his throat and nodded, the tips of his pointed ears a little red.
Eremi followed Sorah up the stairs leading to the inn portion of the tavern. The key was engraved with the number nine, so they found the corresponding door and opened it to find a wardrobe, bed, and chest, with a large window covered with green curtains embroidered with all manner of flowers.
“Um, sorry,” Sorah said as the door closed behind Eremi.
“Whatever for?” Eremi asked as he dropped his disguise.
Returned to gray skin and white hair, Eremi felt extremely out of place next to his fellow half-elf. He ignored the feeling that Sorah was staring at him, knowing it was his own insecurity over being part drow.
“You had to come to my rescue,” Sorah explained.
“Oh, that was nothing. And Corellon knows you’ve come to mine plenty of times,” Eremi said.
Sorah nodded.
Eremi added, “Although one would think you’d be used to being hit on.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Sorah sputtered.
Eremi disrobed his outer layer and placed his lute and bag on the floor, leaning against the chest.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen your reflection,” Eremi said.
Sorah’s face was a deeper pink now. “Um, thank you.”
Sorah began to awkwardly doff his armor, his movements stiff. He looked over his shoulder at Eremi a few times, but Eremi ignored him in favor of pulling off his boots and bringing out his brush to care for his hair.
Sorah’s boots joined the pile of armor in the corner of the room, and the half-elf took a deep breath like he was steadying himself.
“You’re very handsome, too,” he blurted.
Eremi gave a sharp laugh. It was a cruel sort of joke, but not one he minded much. Much worse things had been said and done to him.
“It’s not funny,” Sorah said moodily.
“Thank you, Sorah, dear, but you don’t need to placate me. I know what I look like,” Eremi said.
“I don’t think you do,” Sorah argued.
Eremi set his brush down on the bedding and stood up. He opened the wardrobe door, and it pleased him to find a mirror.
“Come here,” Eremi requested.
Sorah came to his side. In the mirror, Sorah was tall and broad-shouldered with a thin waist and hips, long muscled legs and sculpted arms that his clothing was too well-fitted to hide. His tousled brown hair had artful waves, and his greens eyes had flecks of brown in them. He was the picture of elven perfection.
Eremi was short and skinny, his white hair thin and straight. His eyes were such a pale blue they looked eerie. His skin was a uniform medium gray, and when he smiled at his reflection his canines were unnaturally sharp.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Eremi asked.
He closed the wardrobe door, tired of looking at himself, and went back to the bed to finish with his shoulder-length hair.
Sorah said, “I don’t know what your point was. I think you look good, even if you don’t look like me. Imagine if everyone looked like me. I wouldn’t be very handsome then, would I?”
Eremi rolled his eyes, but stayed quiet. The two went about their nightly routines, before Eremi laid down and Sorah joined him in the bed. The two had shared such spaces before, so he wasn’t too uncomfortable, but he was overly aware of Sorah’s presence. It might take him a while to sleep.
After laying for a few minutes, Sorah turned to face Eremi and put his hands under his cheek. He was frowning.
“You don’t really think you’re ugly, do you?” Sorah asked softly.
Eremi sighed. “I don’t think I’m ugly. I think I’m different. You can’t tell me that I’m not.”
“I don’t think being different is a drawback.”
“Perhaps for some it’s a feature.” Eremi’s mind was drawn to Lord Carthy and his menagerie, all the people he had captured to feed his perversion. A shiver went down his spine as the memories of hands on his body took over his mind. “But I don’t want to be desired because it’s illicit or forbidden.”
“Has that been your experience?” Sorah asked. He quickly added, “You don’t have to answer.”
Eremi smiled bitterly at Sorah. “In my experience, men love the idea of claiming and conquering a wild, dangerous drow. They envision that they can control me, it makes them feel powerful, it gets them off to force me to submit to them.”
Eremi knew he’d said too much by the expression on Sorah’s face.
The half-elf whispered, “That’s awful. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you here? I mean, we’re having this dreadful conversation when you could be in bed with some gorgeous thing right now.”
“I am in bed with a gorgeous thing,” Sorah stated.
For a moment Eremi was flabbergasted. He didn’t know if Sorah was serious.
“You’re going to give me a big head with that talk,” Eremi argued.
“Good, I’d love to see you more confident,” Sorah replied.
Eremi shook his head. “Go to sleep.”
Sorah nodded. After a beat, he said, “If I’ve made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”
“You worry too much,” Eremi told him. “If I had a problem you would face the consequences.”
“Scary,” Sorah said, bemused
“Extremely.”
The two fell into silence, and succumbed to sleep. Eremi, regrettably, began dreaming.
He was in Lord Carthy’s manor again, dressed in the elegant backless gown that had slits up to his hips. Even today that shade of violet made his heart quicken with anxiety. He had jewels on his neck, wrist, and ears that were heavy and expensive.
Eremi looked at his trembling hands and suddenly he was on the bed, Carthy leaned over him to kiss his neck. Eremi twisted and fought but he was small and weak and useless. He didn’t even have magic to protect himself. The feeling of a hot, wet tongue on his skin made him shriek.
Eremi bolted upright in the bed, disoriented for a moment. He was in the inn, Sorah beside him, just as startled, looking around the room for enemies.
Eremi was panting as he apologized.
“No, it’s okay,” Sorah insisted, voice rough from sleep. “Nightmare?”
Eremi nodded. He was sweaty and parched. He wanted to move, but the idea of climbing over Sorah was dreadful to him. Eremi crawled to the end of the bed and dismounted over the footboard.
“Eremi?” Sorah asked, concern filling his voice.
Weak light was coming through the curtains, meaning it was morning. Eremi was glad he wouldn’t have to try and go back to sleep.
“Eremi?” Sorah repeated.
“I just need water,” he answered.
“I’ll get it,” Sorah said, pulling back the blanket and setting his feet on the floor.
“No, I—”
“Eremi, go back to bed, get comfortable,” Sorah ordered. “I’ll be right back.”
Eremi frowned, but did as he was told. Sorah exited the room and was only gone for a minute. He returned with a pitcher and two cups.
“Here,” he said as he handed a filled cup to Eremi. “Drink it slow.”
Eremi sipped and sighed as it soothed his throat. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Sorah replied. “Is there anything else you need?”
Eremi shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No,” Eremi immediately stated firmly.
“Okay, that’s okay,” Sorah said. He added, “But if you need me, I’m here.”
Eremi’s heart swelled with gratitude. He was lucky to have a companion such as Sorah.
Sorah sat on the end of the bed. He must’ve sensed that Eremi wanted space. Eremi appreciated it greatly.
Sorah ran a hand through his mussed locks and sighed.
“I’m sorry for waking you up,” Eremi said guiltily.
“No, no! It’s fine. I wanted to get up early anyway,” he insisted.
Eremi didn’t fully believe him, but he let it drop.
The two of them got ready and packed up their things before heading down for breakfast. Eremi put on his human disguise for it. It was a nice meal, balanced and rich with flavor. Better than the rations they had been surviving on.
Sorah paid for their meal and they left the tavern, heading westward for the next town on their route. It would take all day to walk there, so they’d spend the night at an inn there before they began traveling on the river.
The two discussed their plans as they walked. Eremi donned his wide-brimmed hat and veil to weather the bright sun. Although he was only a half-drow, he was still sensitive to light and wearing something that shielded his heritage from passersby was always better than risking a reaction out of their ignorance and fear.
Luckily, a passing wagon had room for passengers and for only a silver the two of them hitched a ride to the next town, arriving in the afternoon.
“Shall we go shopping in the market?” Sorah proposed.
Eremi considered the prospect as he fidgeted with his gloves. “I’m not opposed.”
Sorah smiled, baring his straight white teeth. Eremi couldn’t help but smile back, even though the black veil concealed his expression.
The market was bustling with humans, elves, and dwarves. Even a few Tieflings milled about, and the smallfolk seemed welcome as well. It pleased Eremi to see a diverse city in this area, known for such a high population of humans and elves, to have harmony between the races was a balm.
Sorah split off from Eremi, and they promised to meet back at the north side of the market after an hour. Eremi went in search of fabric and garments, his clothes wearing down from so much travel. He found just the stall—an older halfling woman stood on a chair calling out prices and deals on silk, linen, and freshly dyed cotton.
Eremi needed something breathable and light so he could cover his skin even in the summer sun. Her recommendation was cotton, and she boasted she could tailor to his measurement just from the sight of him. Eremi was delighted by her energy.
She came forth with bolts of light pastels and rich gem shades.
“Any preference?” she asked.
“No purple,” he requested.
She nodded and pulled out an emerald green and asked, “May I compare to your complexion?”
Eremi blanked for a moment, unsure of how to deny her. He slowly pulled off his leather glove and held out his hand to the fabric.
To her credit, she didn’t gasp or narrow her eyes. She simply held up the bolt, and shook her head. She held a blue, and her reaction was the same. Then she pulled a garnet red and nodded. Next she held out a maroon, then a mahogany.
“Red is your color,” she noted. “If these please you, me and my team can start on a few pieces this afternoon. They should be ready for pickup tomorrow morning.”
“It sounds lovely,” Eremi said, putting his glove back on.
He handed her the coin and departed from the stall. He wandered around and browsed but purchased nothing else. He returned to the northern side of the market and found Sorah waiting there.
“I hope you haven’t been here too long,” Eremi said.
“No, I just got here,” Sorah assured.
“What did you buy?”
For some reason, Sorah blushed.
“Um, just, nothing,” he stammered.
“You don’t have to tell me,” Eremi laughed as they began walking to find an inn.
“It’s just, well, it’s a secret,” he said.
Eremi hummed. “That’s alright, but now I’m awfully curious.”
Sorah smiled embarrassedly.
They found an inn by the name of the Nesting Kenku. It had a small painting of a sleeping birdfolk on the sign, and Eremi insisted they must stay there.
“Look at that painting, how can you say no to that?”
Sorah only laughed and nodded his assent.
Eremi cast his disguise and took off his veiled hat. He approached the bar and asked the dwarven woman if they needed any performers tonight.
“I wouldn’t mind another bard,” she said, stroking her facial hair. “You know Dancing Devils In Salvor?”
“I do,” Eremi said.
“Play it for me, and I’ll see if you’re good enough for the Nesting Kenku,” she said.
Eremi tuned his lute properly and began the jaunty tune. It was a little tricky, he hadn’t played it in a while, but the woman was impressed enough to clap and nod when he was done.
“My name is Dwella,” she introduced. “You are?”
“Eremi Gray,” he said. “And this is my companion Sorah Evrin.”
Sorah approached and clapped Eremi on the back. “Nice job.”
Eremi blushed and thanked him.
“I suppose you need a room for the night?” Dwella asked.
“Yes, if you have the spare space.”
She pulled a ring of keys from her belt and took off one.
She offered it to Eremi and said, “First room, right side of the hall. Biggest bed we’ve got.”
Eremi grinned and took the key. He handed it to Sorah to take their things up and get settled while Eremi performed.
“Only half price for such a bard as you,” Dwella said with a wink. “If you didn’t have that elven fella there I’d snatch you up.”
Eremi rubbed the back of his neck bashfully and said, “I’ll keep that in mind,” while passing her the payment.
Dwella giggled as Eremi went to the small stage in the corner of the tavern to begin strumming a song.
An hour passed and Eremi’s spell would fade soon, so he excused himself to his room and found Sorah sitting on the floor with his back against the bed, the open window blowing the curtains and his brown hair. He had already taken off his armor and stacked it in the corner. In his lap was an open book, which he snapped shut upon Eremi’s arrival. He put the book behind him as if he hoped Eremi hadn’t seen it.
“Hello, Sorah,” Eremi greeted. “Settling in?”
The glamor dropped just as the door closed, and Sorah’s eyes roamed his frame. They landed on Eremi’s own eyes and Sorah’s pink lips curled into a soft smile.
“I’m just killing time. It’s nice here,” he said, and Eremi looked around.
It was true—there was a large bed on one wall, two windows with gossamer curtains, a wardrobe so tall Eremi couldn’t imagine how they got it into the room, and a wash basin and mirror attached to the wall next to a functioning bathtub that was partly obscured by a privacy screen. The walls were clean and cream colored, and the ceiling held no cracks. For a gold and three silver, this was a steal. Dwella must’ve truly been enamored with his human disguise.
“I like it. Maybe we could stay another night,” Eremi suggested.
“Yes!” Sorah said excitedly, then composed himself and said, “I wouldn’t mind.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Eremi asked amusedly.
“Nothing. I just like this town. It reminds me of home.”
Eremi nodded. His heart panged at the memory of his own home, his father now there alone. He should—would—compose a letter to send to him, tell him of all the things he’s seen and experienced in the world. He would tell him about Sorah, and their adventures.
Eremi set his lute against the wardrobe and doffed his jacket. He unlaced his boots and put them neatly next to his instrument. He came over to Sorah’s side, watching the half-elf quickly take the leather-bound book and shove it in the bag next to him.
Eremi sat where the book had laid and looked at Sorah’s profile. He was awfully attractive in this light, although he twitched and pursed his lips slightly as if the deceit of hiding the book was eating at him. Eremi thought it was cute.
“You’re a terrible liar,” Eremi told him, and Sorah sagged. “Not a deceptive bone in your body. You are a pane of glass anyone can see through.”
“Must you tease me?”
“It’s my one pleasure in life.”
Sorah smiled and looked at Eremi out of the corner of his eye.
So softly, he said, “I got something for you.”
“What?” Eremi asked.
“At the market. I got something for you. Nothing big, but I thought it would suit you,” Sorah explained.
“Tell me what it is!” Eremi said, grasping Sorah’s arm and shaking him playfully.
“Okay, okay, here,” Sorah said.
He turned to the bag and reached in. Eremi half expected him to pull out the book, but instead came a delicate silver chain with a blood orange teardrop gem hanging from the end. It was an earring.
“I know you’re not one for flashy things, and people probably won’t see it when you’re wearing your hat, but I think it’d look handsome,” Sorah said sheepishly.
Eremi held out his hand and Sorah deposited the treasure into his palm. Eremi brushed his fingers across the stone. It was well made, and when Eremi picked it up and the light filtered through the gem it lit up like a sunset.
“Oh, Sorah. It’s beautiful,” Eremi said.
He took the back off the post and pushed it through his earlobe. He hadn’t worn earrings in a long time, but the hole hadn’t closed up. He stood up and went to the mirror and marveled at his adornment.
“Thank you,” Eremi said. “But I didn’t get you anything.”
“I don’t want anything,” Sorah assured. “Besides, having your company is what I want.”
Eremi’s heart was making strange movements inside of his chest.
“You don’t mean that,” he said.
“I do,” Sorah insisted.
Eremi came back to Sorah’s side and sat cross-legged next to him with his gaze lowered. It was silent for a short while, before Sorah shuffled to sit up straight and cleared his throat.
“I was also thinking about taking you to the Emerald Grove tonight. A woman in the market told me about it. She said it’s very beautiful, blessed by an Archfey long ago. Um, if you want to go tonight, after you’re done performing, I’d like that,” Sorah said.
“Why?” Eremi asked, and looked up at Sorah.
“I just think you’d like it,” he answered.
His appearance was nervous yet completely earnest. Eremi felt—well, he didn’t know. This was starting to get confusing. He and Sorah were partners, then friends, and now he was growing suspicious that Sorah wanted something more of him. That was impossible to Eremi, the bastard half-drow who was weak and brooding and difficult. Sorah was angling for a relationship, Eremi realized.
“If you want to fuck me you can just ask,” Eremi said.
Sorah sputtered, and went red from his neck to the points of his ears.
“No, no, I wouldn’t just, I—”
“So you don’t want to fuck me?” Eremi asked.
Sorah put his hands over his face and curled forward slightly.
“You can’t just say things like that,” Sorah complained.
“Well, I think I ought to know something like that, don’t you think?”
Sorah ran both hands through his hair and stared a hole into the floor. He swallowed and spoke.
“I was not planning on anything like that. I just wanted to take you somewhere nice.”
“For what purpose?” Eremi asked.
“Because you’re nice! You’re sweet! You’re kind! Must everyone have some ulterior motive? I thought, since we are friends, and—I don’t know anymore. Forget I said anything,” Sorah ranted.
Eremi felt guilty, and so he apologized.
“No, it’s fine,” Sorah said, still not moving his gaze from the floor. “I know you haven’t had the best experiences. I should have expected you’d be uneasy or suspicious of my intentions.”
Eremi felt his guilt even more intensely.
“You’re too good to me, you know,” Eremi told Sorah.
“I could be sent from the Heavens above to cater to you and it would still not be as much as you deserve.”
Eremi didn’t know what to say to that, so he asked, “What was the book you were reading?”
Sorah blushed again. “It’s private.”
“Is it bad?”
“No,” Sorah answered. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Well now I must know,” Eremi complained.
Sorah looked over at Eremi finally.
“If you promise not to hate me, I’ll show you,” Sorah said.
“I could never hate you,” Eremi swore.
Sorah nodded, and grabbed the book from his bag. It was dark leather, and was slightly worn. Sorah handed it to Eremi, who opened the cover and read the title page.
“Romantic Traditions of the Elves. Why would this be embarrassing?” Eremi asked him.
“Because I’m nearly twenty six and I’ve never been in a relationship, let alone slept with someone. I don’t know the first thing about it, and I don’t know where to start,” Sorah confessed.
“You don’t need to be ashamed of anything. I wish I didn’t know.”
Eremi had once again said too much, and before he could ask Sorah to forget that he’d said that, Sorah looked at him with deepest sympathies and said, “I know.”
Eremi gulped. The intensity of Sorah’s green eyes made him look away.
“Are you going to ask me why I bought it?”
Eremi looked back at Sorah curiously. “Why did you buy it, Sorah?”
“Because I wanted to learn how to court someone properly. How to make them happy, make them feel treasured. How to come across as someone who knows what they’re doing,” Sorah told him. “But most of all, I bought it so I could impress you.”
“Impress me?” Eremi’s tone was incredulous.
Sorah sighed and said, “We’ve been traveling together for nearly a year. We’re friends. We trust each other. But lately, I…”
Eremi’s heart rate picked up and he felt his cheeks heating against his will. His hands became clammy and he nearly dropped the book.
“Sorah,” he said sharply. “Don’t say anything you don’t know you mean.”
Sorah eyed Eremi closely. “I will only ever tell you the truth. And the truth is that I think you are wonderful, and I want us to keep growing closer. If you want to.”
“If I want to,” Eremi echoed.
Sorah nodded.
Eremi set the book down and asked, “So you do want to fuck me?”
Sorah choked out, “Stop saying that!”
“Fine, ‘have sex,’ is that better?”
“No!”
Eremi laughed at his expression.
“I don’t have any desire to do anything that you don’t want to do,” Sorah stated.
Gears turned in Eremi’s head, and it clicked. “Do you think I don’t like sex?”
“Well, you, sometimes, that is, you say things about your past—and I’m not prying! But you say things that make it seem like it’s not something you’re interested in.”
“Because I’ve been raped, you think I won’t want to have sex with you?” Eremi asked.
Sorah looked pained as he answered, “Yes. And that’s fine. I don’t need that.”
A soft warmth spread through Eremi as a smile graced his face. Sorah looked confused.
Eremi uncrossed his legs and crawled over to Sorah’s lap, throwing one leg over his thighs and sitting on them. He wrapped his arms around Sorah’s neck and put his forehead on his.
“You are a very stupidly considerate man,” he whispered. Sorah’s hesitant hands gently touched his sides, just holding his waist. “I have been enamored with you since we first met all those months ago. Since you first flashed me that handsome smile, even though my disguise had dropped and you knew I was half-drow.”
“You were beautiful,” Sorah praised. “You still are.”
Eremi hesitated. “Because I’m a dark elf?”
“Because you’re you,” Sorah said. “You are clever and charming and brave and creative. How could I not want to be close to you? You’d have better luck asking a flower not to grow toward the sun.”
Eremi’s heart swelled, and he pressed his lips to Sorah’s. The brunette’s fingers slowly curled into the fabric of Eremi’s shirt. His movements were unhurried and so gentle as he turned his head and licked Eremi’s bottom lip.
Eremi opened his mouth and let Sorah explore him. His hands stroked up and down the half-drow’s sides until they wrapped around him and pulled him tightly to Sorah’s muscled chest. Shivers ran down Eremi’s spine at the sweet attention.
He’d never been kissed like this, and unbidden tears welled behind his closed eyelids. Sorah touched him like he was something precious, something to be protected and treasured. His mouth was gentle on Eremi’s, not biting his lip until blood welled up. Not holding him tight enough to leave bruises. Not pinning him down and taking what he wanted with no regard for Eremi’s consent.
Eremi pulled back for air and Sorah let them part. When Eremi blinked open his watery eyes Sorah had affection open in his expression, before it turned to concern.
“Why are you crying?” Sorah asked gently, a hand raising to Eremi’s cheek.
“Because you’re very sweet. It’s devastating. I’ll never recover,” Eremi joked poorly.
Sorah exhaled a soft laugh. His fingers wandered down to Eremi’s jaw, and tilted his head back and to the left slightly.
“I’ve wanted to kiss here for a long time,” Sorah said, pressing the pads on his first two fingers to Eremi’s pulse point.
“Do it,” Eremi said. “Just don’t lick me.”
Sorah didn’t ask about the boundary, just nodded, and leaned forward to press his soft lips to the skin over Eremi’s artery. It was featherlight and so horribly intimate that Eremi was afraid he might do something ridiculous in response. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Sorah pulled back and cradled Eremi’s cheek, caressing the skin with his thumb. Eremi studied the brown freckles on Sorah’s irises. The silence was uncharacteristic, but not uncomfortable, until Sorah finally broke it.
“My legs are falling asleep,” he admitted sheepishly.
Eremi laughed. He then asked with a flutter of his heart, “Shall we get on the bed?”
“If—If that’s what you want,” Sorah agreed.
Eremi stood up and then held a hand to help Sorah stand. Sorah was almost head taller than him. Eremi reached up to tuck an unruly lock back behind Sorah’s ear, which made the half-elf smile.
Eremi climbed onto the middle of the bed and sat with his legs under him. Sorah joined him, then assessed their posing, and directed Eremi to straighten his legs on either side of Sorah, and Sorah mirrored his position and placed the backs on his thighs on the tops of Eremi’s.
“Is this good?” he asked.
Their faces were close again. The proximity was heating Eremi’s skin.
“Yes, it’s good,” he answered, experimentally setting his hands on top of Sorah’s thighs.
Sorah leaned back on his arms and watched as Eremi drew his hands to Sorah’s knee, then slid them to the tops of Sorah’s thighs where they met with his torso, and back again.
Eremi had never had someone who was his. He’d never been romantically involved with anyone, and that’s what this was. Sorah was presenting himself to Eremi as a suitor. A pang of disbelief shot through him—Sorah could surely do better than a miserable half-drow, yet he had chosen Eremi. Every time they reached a new city or completed a quest, Sorah chose to stay by his side and continue their partnership. Because he liked Eremi. Because he wanted him.
A strange giddiness spread through him, and he must’ve been smiling goofily because Sorah laughed and asked, “What?”
“You,” Eremi replied. “You want me.”
“I do,” Sorah confirmed with flushed cheeks and a shy gaze.
“I want you too,” Eremi said, in case it wasn’t clear. “I’ve always thought you were handsome, courageous, and so selfless. And you have this… poise about you. You are everything a man should be, I think. Protective and kind.”
Sorah’s beamed at him. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Never,” Eremi said. “Not about this. You had me enchanted since I laid eyes on you.”
Eremi wondered if he should reveal more, or if that would only paint him as desperate. He had been desperate. He had wanted Sorah’s attention and wanted to be in his bed an embarrassing amount, but maybe it was better if Sorah didn’t know that.
They sat entangled for a long while, in contented conversation, praising each other. Dinner came earlier than Eremi liked, and he had to depart to the stage to earn their keep.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” Sorah said.
Eremi planted a kiss on his temple before disguising himself and exiting.
His ensuing performances were energetic and romantic. He couldn’t help himself—he was in a good mood. Dwella clapped from behind the bar and winked at him as he finished his last song, and the crowd cheered for him.
He politely knocked on the door before entering. Sorah’s soft, “Come in,” nearly unheard. Eremi entered, and didn’t immediately see his companion. Then he noted the screen had been adjusted to cover the entirety of the bathtub, and a warm desire spread through his middle as he registered that Sorah must be naked on the other side.
“Hello, Sorah,” Eremi greeted.
“I heard the crowd. You must’ve put on a real show,” Sorah said.
“I always do,” Eremi commented.
He slowly disrobed his outer layers and breathed evenly to dispel his traitorous erection. Sorah was only taking a bath. Just because they were together now didn’t mean anything would happen tonight.
“I can fill the tub with a little more hot water and you can bathe if you’d like,” Sorah offered.
“I’d like that,” Eremi said.
Sorah hummed and Eremi heard water splashing slightly. The sounds of Sorah standing and exiting the tub rang like bells in Eremi’s ears. He could picture the way the water dripped down his tanned skin, caressing him like a lover. This was a fantasy he’d had before, and it was right there on the other side of the screen.
In an affected voice, Eremi asked, “May I see you?”
Sorah paused. “I’m not dressed.”
Eremi said, “I know. I just… want to. If it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”
Sorah was quiet. Then, his half-elven form stepped from behind the privacy screen.
Eremi felt the air get punched out of him. Sorah was sculpted, everywhere smooth and hard. Rivulets of water traveled the planes of his body, and Eremi followed them downward until his eyes met with Sorah’s softened member. It was just as divine as the rest of him, perfectly in proportion, slightly pink from the heat of the bath.
Eremi was staring, so his eyes snapped up to Sorah’s. His face was very red, and he was looking away, as if he did not want to see Eremi’s reaction to him.
Eremi found his voice. “You are the finest creature on this plane of existence.”
Sorah’s shoulders hunched minutely at the praise. He was embarrassed to be on display, but he had done it at Eremi’s request despite that.
“May I get dressed now?” Sorah asked.
“Of course,” Eremi said. “But I would very much like to look again.”
Sorah bit his bottom lip and nodded, green eyes flashing with something unknown.
Sorah returned behind the screen and dried himself off, dressing in his loosest and most comfortable sleeping clothes.
As promised, he filled the bath with more hot water and Eremi began to undress. He did not step behind the privacy screen.
Sorah sat on the bed and shyly looked away.
“I want you to see me. You bared your body to me, it’s only fair if I do the same,” Eremi said.
Sorah gulped and looked over at Eremi. He looked reverently on as Eremi slid his trousers and smallclothes off of his hips.
“You are beautiful,” Sorah mumbled through the hand he clapped over his mouth.
Eremi smiled as he rounded the screen and climbed into the tub. It was heavenly to sink into the heat after a day’s travel. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the edge of the tub and sighed.
He wanted to stay in the bath forever, but the desire to be laying in bed next to Sorah outweighed that. So he rose and toweled off and crossed the room to his bag to retrieve his other set of clothing.
Sorah watched him dress silently, and lifted the blanket when Eremi approached the bed. Eremi settled in and after a moment, Sorah reached a hesitant hand toward him and touched his side.
“May I hold you?” Sorah asked.
Eremi melted like chocolate in the sun. “Of course.”
With strong arms wrapped around his middle and his back pressed to Sorah’s chest, sleep claimed Eremi. He was so comfortable that even nightmares did not come to disturb him.
He woke late in the morning to Sorah gently shaking his shoulder.
“Hm?”
“Breakfast,” Sorah said. “It’s pretty good, too.”
Eremi sat up groggily and ate the eggs and bacon on his plate. Sorah took the plate when he was done, and held on gently to his hand. The contents of the previous night danced in Eremi’s memory, and he smiled.
“I have an errand to run. I have to pick up some clothes from a stall in the market.”
“Well, let’s get you up, then,” Sorah said and stood.
Eremi was gently pulled from the bed and directed to his things. Sorah patiently waited for him to put on his outer layers and brush his teeth and hair.
Eremi gently touched the earring Sorah had given him and felt terribly pleased.
As they exited the inn and wandered through the streets, Sorah looked over at Eremi over and over.
“Something on your mind?” Eremi asked a bit anxiously.
“I just… May I hold your hand?” Sorah asked.
Eremi’s heart did an acrobatic routine. “Sure.”
Eremi held out his gloved hand and Sorah took it.
As they went about their morning task, Eremi found his steps easy and his demeanor light. He was sure they would have their trials, but this newfound relationship gladdened him. He would pen a letter to his father today, and inform him of the development. The man would be overjoyed that Eremi had found someone, especially a man of Sorah’s character.
As the sun shined on him, Eremi’s hope soared.