Page 20 of Noble Charms

Timin shook his hand and frowned. It hadn’t hurt—not when cast in such a way—but it no doubt numbed his arm up to the elbow. “I didn’t want a spell. I wanted you.”

Aria had managed many drunkards at this point in his five-year career—one a night at the least, and Timin was tonight’s lucky pick—which meant he donned his most placating smile with ease. The faded red walls of Amata Pub punctuated the dark brown wood that made up the floors and bar, and Aria took a moment to let the cozy, well-worn atmosphere cast a blanket around his nerves. “But should you join the ranks of many waiting for me, for the time I’m able to be yours? I work eight days a week. It's quite a long wait, Timin Grey. Your wife may get lonely.”

“What? I don’t give a shit,” said Timin. He pushed himself to his feet, out of the creaking old dining chair, and Aria’s false little grin grew weak at the size of him. As a half-orc, part-giant, he was nearly twice Aria’s height, and the paunch of his belly did little to hide the great many muscles that had him stalking Aria back, back, back against the nearby wall. “I’m not waiting in a line. Give me your price.”

Aria raised his hands and said, “There isn’t one.” Yes, he’d been thinking about switching to work as an adame. But not for men like this. He prepared a spell between his fingers to disappear, porting himself back to the dressing room at the other end of the bar.

Timin, drunk as he was, noticed Aria’s hands prepping his escape, and he captured the entirety of Aria’s jaw between his thumb and forefinger. Aria had encountered Timin many times before now, but he'd never been this free with his hands. Aria swallowed back his disgust as Timin squeezed his face. “Now you’re just being rude. No leavin' me 'til we're done, pretty boy.”

Aria couldn’t port without speaking the spell, and the grip Timin had on his entire jaw made it impossible to say anything. He grunted, and the first spike of panic built in him. “Mph,” he tried.

Timin leaned forward and said, “I’ll settle for a kiss.”

The rancid, fish-like smell of his hand, of his breath, made Aria’s stomach turn over. He truly thought he might puke, and being unable to open his mouth meant he’d choke on it, and he released another panicked noise.

This one caught someone’s attention—finally. The bar was completely full, but everyone had been wrapped up in their own dalliances, and hadn’t seen their bard dragged off his stage and cornered like this.

But the man who noticed, Elys bless him, sidled up to Timin and barked a laugh, “Timin, you drunken fool. Your wife know you’re out abusing bards? Again?” Aria could have groaned in frustration—he'd already tried the wife angle, and it failed to snap Timin out of his stupid haze.

But then Timin dropped Aria’s face with a grunt and said, “Duke Ellor. Hello.”

Duke?

Ellor offered Timin a bright, white smile, and patted him on the arm, forcing him to back away and give Aria room to breathe. Aria was stunned, sucking in clean air while little spots formed in his vision. He had the momentary, absurd thought that Ellor looked exactly like a hero from the Legend of Gurd. A glistening, sunset-colored man that stole from the rich and gave to the poor. A dashing human with a charming grin. Just like his. The shining tea lights from the hanging candelabra above formed a halo around Ellor, too, and Aria couldn’t look away.

He was beautiful. Speckled pale skin, red hair, brown eyes, and clothing tailor-made to fit his square shoulders just right.

Ellor somehow managed to talk Timin into stomping off, out of the bar, and he watched with that handsome grin still beaming all the while. Then he said, “That stupid fat fuck is going to get stabbed if he messes with the wrong bard one day. Are you alright?”

Aria said, “Yes.” From a charming hero to a foul-mouthed… Lord? Aria bowed, clearing his throat, and said, “You have my thanks, My Lord.”

“Do I?”

Aria looked up from where he’d folded at the hips, concerned. His stomach turned again. He really should retire for the night. The stress would do his spellwork no good. Did Ellor mean to harass him too? “I’m afraid I’m tapped out for the night.” He stood straight again and took a step back—only to hit the wall, yet again.

Ellor reached out, unbothered by Aria’s building panic, and wiped a thumb across his chin. He pulled away immediately after, showing Aria the black smudge he’d cleaned from him. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you again. Timin must’ve had ash from his pipe in his hand. He left it on you.” Aria reached up to wipe his face, cheeks growing warm. “Worry not. I got it all.”

“Then I thank you again.”

Ellor said, “If you’re truly grateful, then—” Aria swallowed. “Allow me to buy you a drink.”

“That’s quite fine. I’m not supposed to drink while working. Against bar rules.”

“You said you’re ending your night, no? Pack up your lute and join me. I promise, I will do you no harm. I think you deserve the peace. And some liquor.” I will do you no harm, said Ellor, and Aria couldn’t shake the feeling he had before: that Ellor was like a hero from old. His heart beat a little more quickly within his chest. But as the silence stretched, Ellor tilted his head and blinked dark brown eyes in concern. “No?”

Aria said, “Alright. Fine, yes. I’ll join you at the bar, then.”

The drinks led to a food stall on the street, which led to a walk through the park towards Aria’s cramped home, which led to Ellor kissing him inside said studio apartment, which led Aria to this moment: gasping for air against Ellor’s mouth as Ellor slid a thigh between his legs and against his hardening cock. He said, “Wait. No. I won’t have sex on the first date.”

“Is this a date?”

Aria’s mind swam. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

Ellor leaned in to kiss him again. Aria released a muffled sound of protest. At that, Ellor stepped away. The sudden loss of his warmth had Aria breathing heavily. He looked at Ellor, confused, and received a simple smile in reply.

“What?” asked Aria.

“Before the night’s done, you’re going to ask for it, and nicely,” said Ellor. “And I’m going to say no, just as you have.”