"So we used to spend most of our lives on the water. Or the other men in the village would. I would stay home," Frej explained patiently to Chipu. They had started educating each other in each other's cultures.
Ton and I could just lean back, kick our feet up and watch them entertain each other like we weren't even here.

"I never expected them to bond this well," Ton murmured as he frowned at the board game.

"Me neither. Frej was very nervous. But it's good to see them like this together. They'll without a doubt spend more time together in the future so they should get along."

"Without a doubt." He looked up from the board. "I'm considering moving to here. I like it here, and I think Chipu would do well here."

"Ton," I sighed deeply. "The people here... They're not used to even seeing people with our skin tone. Imagine what they'll think when they see him."

"Well, I buy a big plot of land and then he can run around in the fields." Ton chuckled when I frowned at him, not finding his joke very amusing. "Relax, Tec. I'm thinking I'd buy a country estate and keep Chipu away from the locals as much as possible. We'll only have servants and then we'll have a good base for my next subject."

"You've already been asked to rise another?" I asked and arched my brows.

"I have. Death is very pleased with Chipu and she has another one waiting for me in Sweden. I thought I'd leave Chipu here with you while I went there, if that isn't too much trouble?"

"Of course not. It's no trouble. Both he and Frej could benefit from this. I've kept Frej too secluded from other cultures already. Bringing a totally new one to him is perfect."

Ton grumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I said, you're too protective of him. He's not weak, Tec. He'd do well with some travelling."

I clenched my jaw, hard. "I think you're forgetting something."

"I haven't forgotten he was sick. But he's better now. You can't keep treating him like he'll be sick again."

"I'll be the judge of what he does and doesn't need. I've successfully taken care of him so far. Please don't lecture me on what he needs just because you've just acquired yourself a subject."

Ton rolled his eyes and sighed deeply. "Fine. But while you still treat him like a boy, you should know he grew into a man. A good man, Tec."

"I've never treated him like a boy," I gritted out between my clenched teeth.

"With coddling and hiding him away from everything... Does he even know the truth yet?"

"That isn't any of your business," I growled with a low voice. "I'll decide what he needs to know and when. And what he already knows is irrelevant. Did you just come here to lecture me on how to treat my husband or what?"

Ton held his hands up in defence and returned to frown at the board game, dropping the discussion. I didn't feel much like playing anymore. I wanted to act out. Scream at him that I was able to take care of Frej when I realised something.

Ton had told Chipu both Frej and I were his brothers. Not just me, but Frej too. He didn't do this because of me. He did this because of Zitzi. He didn't want to lose another sibling and I had been too wrapped up in my own head to realise how much of a brat I was.

"I'm sorry," I murmured softly.

Ton looked up from the board again and smiled at me. "No reason to. I was overstepping." He shrugged a shoulder.

"No. You weren't. I'm... Very protective of him. Maybe I should loosen up a bit."

Ton winked at me and then moved a piece on the board, effectively winning the game.

"Frej?"

"Yes," he murmured and kissed my chest.

"Do you feel like..." I hesitated, not knowing how to phrase this question correctly. "Do you like the life we've made here?"

"Yes, very much." He wasn't paying attention at all as he swung one leg over me, sitting up on my thighs. He looked down at my bare chest, smiling a very satisfied smile.

"No, I mean... Do you wish for something else to happen? Like... Do you wanna travel more? You know I'll do anything to make you happy?"

"Anything, huh?" He flicked his eyes up from my chest and met my gaze. He repositioned, pushing his knee in between my legs and settling down.

"I'm serious, Frej."

"I too, am serious," he murmured and started kissing my throat, gently pressing his hips at me.

"So you're happy?" I tried again.

He sighed and pulled up, looking down at me. "Do I not look happy to you?"

"You do but..."

"Xipe," he said, interrupting me. "I have the love of my life right here. And he is so handsome. We have a lovely home, a lovely family. I am happy. Now let me have you." He almost growled the last part, his hand running down between my legs.

I lifted up a bit, letting him run his hand over me, teasing me. He lied back down on top of me and met my gaze, silently asking for my permission.

I smiled at him and lifted up for him again. I felt him pressing at me and then he was inside of me. I moaned a pretty high pitched moan, one only he could get out of me like this. His fingers found their way to my hair, pulling on it, forcing my chin up, and then his mouth found my throat, biting down on it.

I dug my fingers into his back, but his free hand grabbed my wrist and pressed my hand down into the pillow, next to my head. His hips were pounding at me and I could barely do anything for him. My other hand was busy fisting the sheets and my legs were around his waist. I couldn't move like he could. But he didn't seem to mind having total control over me.

He repositioned his mouth and bit down on a new spot, just like I'd do with him several times.

"Frej!" I gasped and he made this sound deep in his throat in response.

He lost it. Completely. There was no rhythm to his movements as he desperately pressed at me, groaning with every movement he made.

I curled my free arm around him and held him close as I finished before him. He didn't continue for long after, his arms shaking with exhaustion. I pulled him down on top of me, letting him rest on my chest.

"I love you," I murmured and kissed his forehead.

"You said my name," he murmured and looked up at me.

"Yeah..."

"I really liked that," he said very seriously before breaking out in a big smile. His skin was glistening with sweat and he was still panting as he pulled up and kissed me.

I had to remember that for when I really wanted to please him, I thought to myself and guided him down on his back with me curled at his side.

"You make me happy daily, my love," he murmured and ran his hand up in my hair, his fingers drawing circles in my scalp.

"Do I? I truly just wish you to be happy." I clenched him closer to me.

"Of course, Xipe. Why do you doubt that?" He looked worried down at me.

"It's just..." I shook my head and moved closer to him, though there had been only millimetres between us. "I don't ever want to fail you again."

"You've never failed me," he said and sat up. I stayed where I was, fisting the pillow so hard, so my knuckles paled. "Xipe why are you saying you failed me?"

"You became ill," I whispered.

"My love," he sighed very deeply and pushed me on my back. He took my face in his hands, looking very intensely at me. "You didn't fail me. You saved me."

"But you were hurting..."

"Yes. But I am not anymore." He kissed me, silencing the next thing I would've said. He was pretty much done discussing this with me it seemed. I didn't mind though. He very gently kissed me, coaxing my mouth open, seducing me all over again.