Sixty-Two
Drozel
Of course Lessa had a razor. She used it for cutting leather, but had no problem sharpening it and loaning it to Sylis. While she worked on that, she asked if I'd mind giving her a little space that afternoon, then had looked over at Meri pointedly.
Yeah, I could figure out what that meant. So, the moment she was done, she loudly told me to take the razor home and use it well. Meri, who was in the middle of sewing something, wanted to know what Sylis would need it for, so I told Lessa she could explain shaving - possibly over lunch or something - then headed back.
After all, a good man knew when his girl needed a little help setting up a first date.
But back at my house, that razor led to a somewhat awkward conversation with Omden and Sylis. I tried to get Omden to admit whether he thought Sylis looked better clean-shaven or with a beard. Omden said that was up to Sylis, and completely refused, but the number of times he gave me a pointed look?
I was pretty sure my partner liked gold things too.
So, while Omden showed Sylis where the supplies he'd need were kept, I headed out back to light the water heater. Therewere enough banked coals in there the flow would be warm by the time he needed it, and a few new logs only guaranteed it would last all day. But instead of heading back in, I claimed one of the chairs in the backyard, kicked my feet up on the other, and waited.
Not even fifteen minutes later, Omden made his way out. "He's going to try cleaning up the edges. I pointed out that if he hates it, he can shave the rest, but growing it back will mean another week of waiting."
"It does look good on him," I said, moving my feet in a clear invitation for Omden to join me. "Makes him look a bit less like a Mole."
Omden sat, then leaned back and put his feet on my thighs. "So you like both of our Moles, hm?"
"I mean, Sylis isn't an unattractive man. He's also your type, Om."
"I am not the one who was trying to seduce him," he countered.
"Nope," I agreed. "You were just trying to protect him, shelter him, and be all gentle and sweet with him. You know, like you are with me."
"And like you are with Meri," he said.
I shrugged, neither admitting nor denying it. "If I say she's pretty, does that mean you'll tell me what you think of this one?"
Omden lifted a brow. "I'm waiting."
So I blew out a breath, knowing he was giving me shit. "Yes, Om, she's pretty. No. Shit, that's a lie. Meri's fucking beautiful. A different sort of beautiful than Lessa, but just as nice. One is power and the other grace. And yes, Meri's so damned sweet it's almost sickening, but also refreshing. I am also not about to ruin anything for Lessa."
"Now tell me what you think about Lessa," Omden said with a smirk.
He was being a little smartass now, but it was cute so I let him have it. "I like how easy things are with Lessa. I fucking love how she just wraps you up in this thing we're doing. Shit, she's the one who keeps wanting to wait for you! I didn't expect that, but the three of us? I don't know."
"We work," Omden said. "Face it, Droz, Lessa's the spice you need to balance my boringness."
"You," I insisted, "are far from boring. You are a sexy, amazing, brilliant, and sweet man. You, Omden, are my stability, and I need that."
"You need the chaos too," he said. "And I'm not trying to make you feel bad about it or get you to give me some reassurance, baby. Trust me, I know we work. I know you love me. I used to worry I wouldn't be enough for you, and in some ways I'm not. But you didn't leave. You didn't get sick of me. You fuckingtalkedto me, Droz, and this? You having your lovers? It works."
"Yeah," I said. "And I feel greedy all the time, but that guy?" I tipped my head toward the house. "Om, I'm going to throw something out there, and I don't want you to brush it off before you think about it, okay?"
He scoffed. "Sure."
"Sylis is not going to be looking for someone to bend him over and make him scream. He's not going to want to fuck instead of talk. That man is more like those girls than I expected, but it makes sense, and you know what? I saw your hand on his leg. I know you well enough to know you like the way he looks, even this scrawny."
"I want to feed him up," Omden admitted.
"Yeah, me too," I agreed. "But what I'm saying is I'm pretty sure Sylis is gay. Not bisexual, polysexual, or anything else. Sylis seems to be only interested in men, just like you. I also love you enough that I do not want to feel like my time with Lessa istaking something from you, or that I'm being greedy when you deserve more. So, if he does spark your interest, or if you decide to give him a little explanation aboutthings -or any other reason you can think of, because I'm literally pulling this out of my ass right now..." I paused, watching his face carefully to see how he took my next words. "I think it's sexy when you get cute with him. I give you my word that if it turns out to be more than just cute, I'm okay with it."
"Droz..." he tried.
"I'm not talking about a sexual thing," I promised, knowing that was what he was trying to resist. "And if it does turn sexual? Fuck, you deserve it. I'm just saying I see how you are with him, Ommy."
