Chapter 491 - 492: Craving You More.

Chapter 491: Chapter 492: Craving You More.

Even before they reach the doorway they catch sight of Montrel hogging the center of one of the many long tables spanning the length of the hall. Already there are bards and men alike atop the others; taking advantage of spring in all its vibrant glory as they dance over drinks and food and each other. He raises a hand in greeting as he spots them, and the others are quick to join him in waving them over.

Big surprise; Rogard’s not there yet. Trust him to be fashionably late to his own party.

"Was startin’ to think you two weren’t coming," Montrel drawls in greeting. He’s lying; there are already drinks laid out for them like he knew they’d be there before too long. He’s also smirking , and when he flings a meaningful look down to where Khobi’s got Loac’s hand casually clasped within his own, to ask what the fuck is up with that, Khobi just offers him a small, innocent shrug. Unlucky for him, Gandy catches on, too.

"Whoa, whoa, none of that you two!" he immediately scolds, shaking his head and wagging a scandalised finger at their loosely tangled fingers, "You’re not even married yet! You kids tryna cause a scandal or something?"

"A scandal, huh?" Loac hums, and there’s something contemplative and fiercely alluring in the way his gaze dips to Khobi’s lips, and lingers, "What do you say, Khobi ?"

That alone gets a childish round of oohs . Loac better watch how loosely he throws his given name around or Khobi is not gonna be held accountable for his actions.

"I could go for a scandal," he decides, smirking as he wets his lips because he knows it’ll make Loac want to trace the same path with his own tongue. The words are just barely out of his mouth before Loac’s reaching up for his jaw with both hands and kissing him deep enough to leave his head spinning. The soldiers groan and play up as loud as they usually do, but the merrymakers from the next table over are far more supportive (and already far more drunk) and counter their lighthearted booing with cheers and a symphony of wolf whistles. Khobi’s eyelids start to dip, and his lips instinctively part when Loac’s tongue dips against them, but then he’s pulling away too soon with dusk on the horizon of his eyes like he knows he’s just left him craving more.

Khobi’s eyes narrow as he chews distractedly on the tip of his tongue.

Tease .

(He’s pretty sure he hears Gandy groan, " Gods , and I thought they were all over each other last time." And if he does, he’s pretty sure he has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about.)

"...Don’t worry," Loac assures him, lips brushing against the shell of his ear and his fingers lightly wandering across his ass as he moves to drop down into the seat next to Montrel, "...There’ll be more where that came from later."

Yep, that’s definitely Gandy groaning.

"You guys are gonna keep this up all night, aren’t you?" he remarks wryly, although there’s something inherently fond about his long-suffering expression.

"Keep what up?" Khobi inquires innocently as he drops down into the seat next to him, right as Loac supplies an unapologetic, "Yep. "

"...In that case, I’m gonna need some more to drink," he decides, hanging his head. Deadpan, Loac obligingly reaches into his pocket and slides a handful of gold across the table to him. Everyone laughs, including Gandy, although he also takes the gold.

"No need to be bitter," Mural chuckles, patting his friend on the shoulder, "I’m sure you’ll find someone soon enough."

" Who said I was bitter ?"

"...My mistake."

Smirking, Loac slings himself down in the seat across from Montrel, and as the guy pushes two drinks across the table towards them and offers his own up in toast, Khobi could swear he hears him snicker something that sounds suspiciously like I told you so .

...

Their first drinks go down without much difficulty, and it’s convenient that Rogard turns up just before they reach the bottom of their mugs. By that time the sun’s all but completely set and soldiers and commonfolk alike have poured the tavern fit to overflowing; welcomed in by the burning hearths and the hearty call to arms of the drunk and drinking. Ynoro and some of the more veteran soldiers have joined their table, and the whole tavern –because drunkards are nothing if not supportive –bursts into raucous applause when he and Drogger step over the threshold. Rogard of course soaks it all in without missing a beat; bowing deeply to the bards and the crowd of strangers who have no idea who he is or why they’re clapping only that everyone else is. Drogger, on the other hand, looks a little baffled by the reaction, and awkwardly raises a hand in greeting.

" Do my eyes deceive me ?" Ynoro exclaims theatrically as he enthusiastically waves them over. It’s rare for the common soldier to see their stoic Second Captain out of his element, but tonight the entire tavern very clearly gets to witness him brace himself, " Drogger Noog ? Setting foot in a tavern off his own free will –" Drogger’s eyebrow twitches and one of his hands comes down on his friend’s head but Ynoro remains undaunted, "...And all dressed up , too? Will wonders ever cease – Rogard , you must tell me how you finally pried the dear Captain’s boring old tunics from his cold, unfashionable hands." ⅇℯ𝚕.

"...Tunics are practical," Drogger insists dryly, smoothing down the grey silk shirt he’s wearing that practically has Rogard’s doing written all over it.

"I never said they weren’t," Ynoro chimes with an airy smile, "...I said they were boring ."

Drogger’s gaze swings from Rogard to Ynoro then back, and with a small sigh he decides, "...I think I’m going to need a drink."

"...Allow me, Captain," Gandy remarks, downing his final mouthful and pushing out of his seat. No sooner is he on his feet than there are empty mugs being shaken in his direction as a hint for him to maybe set about ordering another round while he’s up. "Yeah, yeah," he grumbles, and while he waves them off and calls them all a bunch of freeloaders and cheats, he’s grinning as he says it. A beaming Rogard obligingly takes up residence in his vacant seat, and by the time he and Ynoro return –Gandy with two armfuls of ale and Ynoro with an armful of the barmaid, their table isn’t the only one packed fit to bursting, and their only companion yet to make an appearance is Binny.

It had come as no great shock that he’d asked if he could bring someone along –Rogard had been sure for weeks now that there was a secret special someone in his life –takes one to know one, obviously– but whenever he’d inquired Binny had played so coy about it. The shock, however, lies in just who he brings.

Loac, for what it’s worth, seems the only one who isn’t surprised.