Tanden lounged comfortably in bed the next morning, with one arm draped over Rayni, who was running her fingers across his chest and stomach. Soren was up, stoking the fire, while nibbling at bits and pieces of his abandoned dinner. Tanden was more relaxed than he had been in weeks. Watching Soren, snuggling with Rayni, comfortable enough that he could have easily drifted back to sleep.

He had missed women. He had never been with one person as long as he had been with Soren. He had never been good at focusing on one person. He had to thank every god and goddess there was for bringing Soren to him. Someone who was willing to let him branch out, and who was happy to join him.

"He's very handsome, your eeto." Rayni spoke so softly it took Tanden a moment to snap out of his thoughts. He dragged his gaze from Soren and repeated her words in his head to make sense of them.

"I agree," Tanden said, after a moment. And then as an afterthought, because it had been so long since he had last been with a woman, "Do you have the medicines in Tallen Tiya? To prevent babies?"

She laughed. "Of course we do. I have a vial in my pocket, I'll get it later." She continued to trace her fingers along his skin. "When I have babies, it'll be with someone I love."

"Exactly as it should be."

She tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "What about you? You two can't have children. Not without help."

"I don't want any," Tanden said, with the slightest shrug. "I wouldn't be around to help take care of them, or help their mother. I travel too much."

"Your eeto agrees?"

"Well, he..." Tanden trailed off, unsure if he'd ever actually asked Soren's opinion. Soren was still by the fire, poking at it, pretending to not pay attention. But Tanden could read his body language better than that. He knew Soren was listening, trying to pick out words he recognized. Certainly, he had heard Rayni say eeto, so he knew they were talking about him. "Soren?"

Soren turned around. He hadn't been lost in his own thoughts, he had been waiting. Attentive to Tanden's every need, as he always was. "Captain."

Tanden had been aware of Soren using his title as if it were his name ever since Tandar had pointed out to him. It was something Soren had done the entire time they had known each other. Tanden just wasn't sure when it had shifted, from a title to a sort of name, to something else entirely. Soren said 'Captain' the way other people might say 'my love', like the word itself represented affection and love. But it was still a title, and sometimes Soren said 'Captain' the way others would say 'my lord', full of respect and deference. There was no pinning it down. Soren transformed the word depending on what he was trying to convey. Love, respect—annoyance, on occasion. The further they got from the Wanderlust, and the further they got from other people calling him Captain, the more Tanden noticed the subtleties of Soren's use of the word.

Tanden blinked away the thoughts. "I love you."

Soren's smile was beautiful. It had taken sleeping with a woman for Tanden to realize that he missed them. But if Soren ever left, there would be no mistaking his feelings.

He continued before Soren could say anything. "I don't think I tell you that often enough."

"Aye, well, it would never hurt to hear it more often," Soren replied, his tone bemused. He leaned back comfortably in the chair he had pulled near the fire. "You're overthinking something, then? Or was it something Rayni said?"

Tanden didn't really need to answer the questions for Soren to understand that it was a mixture of both. "We talked about children once, my thoughts on children. But I've never asked you your opinion."

Soren's eyed widened just slightly, like he was caught off guard, but also not surprised to find himself caught off guard. "My opinion on children is the same as yours. We're on the move, constantly, and having children would mean leaving them behind. I don't have a family line, like you do. I have nothing to pass on, no name to give to the next generation. Your brothers have passed on your name, and when the time comes you can give the Wanderlust to one of your nephews or nieces. We're under no obligation to have children, so if we aren't really interested in having them in the first place, why should we?"

While that was all very logical, Tanden had to make sure. "You've never wanted children? I understand things are different now, with me, but—"

"I've never wanted children," Soren said. He moved from his chair to the bed, picked up one of Tanden's hands, and laced their fingers together. It was as if Rayni wasn't even there, still nestled under Tanden's other arm, her fingers still lightly trailing lines across his chest. Soren brought their linked hands to his lips and kissed Tanden's knuckles. "Even if I had imagined getting married and having a big family, that would have all changed the moment I met you. You're my family. What I want is to explore and experience and discover the world, with you. Do you believe me?"

Tanden met his gaze, and nodded slowly. "I simply don't want to be the reason you'll miss out on anything you wanted in life."

Soren laughed. "Miss out? You're the reason I'm not missing out, Captain."

Tanden smiled and used their linked hands to pull Soren a little closer. "I have a name, mate."

"Reckon you do." Soren let himself be drawn closer, and leaned down to kiss Tanden. "But calling you Captain Lord Tanden of West Draulin is a little stilted, don't you think?"

"You panicked the first time you heard my name." Tanden didn't realize Rayni had moved aside until he slipped both of his arms around Soren's shoulders.

"Captain Tanden of the WDN Wanderlust—" Soren gave him another kiss, "—is not exactly what you want to hear from the man you just woke up beside."

Tanden let out a low chuckle. "Oh, yes. Great Roe, what have I done?"

"Is that what I said?"

"Yes, and it was very endearing." Tanden tugged him down for another kiss.

"You will never have any idea what that was like for me," Soren said, once he'd pulled back again. "You could never experience it. You were a rich noble I'd been aware of my whole life, part of the family that controlled every part of our lives in West Draulin. You were the strange one, who had sailed off in an expensive ship instead of staying home. There were stories about you. You were unattainable, in every way. I was never going to meet you, or any of your family. And then I woke up beside you."

"How do I compare to the stories?" Tanden asked. It was true, he would never experience anything like Soren had described. He was a Tandran. He could meet with Kings and Queens and other nobles simply by asking. Nothing was unattainable.

"You're better than the stories. The stories never explained why you sailed off in an expensive ship. The stories don't talk about the way you think, or the way you light up when you get a grasp on a new language, or see a new city for the first time. The only thing they get right is how handsome you are."

Tanden couldn't help his cocky smile. "I'm glad you woke up beside me. I'm glad you asked me to stay. I'm glad you led me up to your room."

"Reckon I'm glad I was drunk and lonely."

"I love you."

Soren raised an eyebrow. "Aye. And maybe you should tell Rayni that she's free to leave."

"That would be the polite thing to do, wouldn't it?" Tanden pushed Soren back so he could sit up. "Did I thank you for her?"

Soren smirked. "Not with words."

Tanden nudged him away. Once again it took him a moment to wrap his mind around Tallenese well enough to speak. "Rayni. Did he pay you well?"

She was still comfortably reclined on the bed, with the sheets pull up to her hips. She nodded. "He did. He's a generous man. But I believe you two would like some time alone?"

"Seems that way, doesn't it? I don't mean to be rude by sending you away."

"This is the first time I've ever been passed over for a man." As she spoke, Rayni pushed back the blankets and swung her legs off of the bed. Her dress had been neatly draped over the back of a chair, and she started to pull it on. "Although I can't fault you for wanting more time with him. Like I said, he's very handsome." She drank from a small vial that was tucked into a hidden pocket on her dress. Once she had tucked the vial away, she turned back to the bed. "You are, too. I've never seen anyone like either of you. I'll always remember our night together."

Tanden smiled. "And we'll always remember the beautiful woman we met in Esler Tigo."

She returned his smile, finished adjusting her dress, and slipped from the room.

Tanden forced his mind to switch back to Teltish, and turned to Soren. "Put on the accent again, like last night."

"Think it's that easy, do you, Cap'n?"

"Isn't it? You do it often enough when I get you worked up."

"Aye, I do it when you're bein' an annoyin', spoiled little lord," Soren teased. "Only 'cause I can't concentrate on speakin' with you—"

Tanden cut him off, by grabbing his arm and pulling him closer. "So now I'm a spoiled little lord? I thought I was a cocky bastard?"

"You can be more than one thing." Soren didn't pull away. Instead, he firmly but gently pushed Tanden until he was lying down, and leaned over him.

Tanden grinned up at him. "How about a charming and worldly gentleman?"

"Might be a bit of a stretch, that one." Soren took both of Tanden's wrists in his hands, and pinned them to the bed on either side of Tanden's head.

Tanden allowed this, curious as to where Soren was going with it. He got an immediate answer when Soren began to kiss his neck. "Do you want to know what you are?"

Soren's reply was a hum against Tanden's neck, which Tanden took to be affirmative even though he knew it probably wasn't. "My dashing and bold sailor."

"You talk too much," Soren said.

"I talk more when you have me like this." Tanden tugged against Soren's hands. "I can't distract myself." That might have been true, Tanden had never really thought too much about his desire to talk. But it seemed to convince Soren, who shifted to rest his weight on just his hands instead of Tanden's wrists. Tanden immediately slid his arms around Soren's neck and pulled him in for another kiss.

It was nearly noon when Soren's hunger forced him to climb out of bed. He'd picked at his dinner that morning, but it hadn't been a fulfilling meal. As he got dressed, he let his gaze linger on Tanden. Surprising him with Rayni had certainly done Tanden some good. Soren only hoped he wouldn't have to keep up the surprises every night to keep Tanden occupied.

He thought back to their conversation that morning. Tanden continued to astound him, every day. He could be cocky one second, compassionate the next. He could be entirely caught up in his own needs only to switch and pour all of his effort into Soren's needs. Tanden made sense, after nearly two years. Soren could read him well, and even if something came as a surprise it was never a complete shock. But even when he made sense, he was amazing.

Tanden mumbled something sleepily, shaking Soren from his thoughts. He thought Tanden might have said his name. "Go back to sleep," he said.

Tanden's laugh was more of a huff. "Where are you going?" he said, more clearly.

"If I don't eat something soon, I'll keel over." Soren pulled on his tunic. "I guess you'll want me to bring you something, too?"

There was a pause before Tanden's reply. "No. I'll come." It took him another moment to actually move. By the time he was out of bed, Soren had already pulled out a set of clothing for him and tossed it over the foot of the bed. Tanden eyed the clothing choices wordlessly before getting dressed.

Soren was pleased when they found Jale in the kitchen. She was sitting at a table in the corner, idly stirring a bowl of soup while talking to one of the servants. Tanden paused to ask one of the other servants for food, while Soren walked across the kitchen.

Jale looked up, a knowing smile flashing across her face. "I guess he forgave you once he knew what was going on?"

Soren shrugged. "I've seen him angry. That was... him being annoyed, at most."

"Hmm... that's true. I guess I've never seen him angry." Jale watched Tanden as he stepped up beside Soren. "Did you have a good night?"

"I apologize for being rude yesterday evening," Tanden said, instead of answering her question.

"You weren't rude to me."

"No," Tanden agreed. "But you saw me being rude to Soren, and I'm apologizing for it. We worked it out."

"I'm sure you did. Take a seat." As they settled down, she turned to the woman beside her. She said a few things, then the girl left. Jale turned back around. "Eavesdropping, Tanden?"

"I can't exactly help it. You weren't talking quietly." He grinned. "She's pretty."

"I know." Jale paused to eat a few spoonfuls of soup, while a servant slid two bowls in front of Soren and Tanden.

Soren really was hungry. He started to eat immediately, despite the steam rising from his bowl.

Tanden barely acknowledged his food. "So, you've asked her to attend the festival with you? What festival?"

"The... um..." she paused. Soren was getting very good at recognizing when people were struggling to translate names. "Tier Kuin-shon."

"The... Tier's snow ice festival?"

Jale shook her head. "Sure, translated word for word. But it isn't like that in Tallenese." She waved her hand dismissively. "That's fine. We'll just call it the winter festival in Teltish."

"What is it?"

"It's a week to celebrate Tier and winter. It's a hard season, but it's beautiful. The whole city will be decorated, there will be banquets and parties every night, and at the end of the week there's a special Singing. Don't worry," she smiled. "I'll make sure you don't miss any of it."

"I love festivals," Tanden said. "We don't have too many back home, but we experienced a fascinating festival in Morcea. Crelans have an Ocean festival, but unfortunately we weren't on Crele in time to see it."

"Maybe next time," Soren said.

"Maybe," Tanden agreed somewhat dismissively, before turning back to Jale. "All right. Tell me more about the Tier Kuin-shun."

"Kuin-shon," Jale corrected. "Eat, then I'll answer your questions."

"You're beginning to sound like Soren," Tanden teased, but he finally picked up his spoon and began to eat.