Chapter Text
Surrounding mountains lit up yellow as the sun shone bright in its last rays; afternoon winding down into the evening as Ronen finished pulling the last of his tomatoes. Gathering the ripened vines in one hand, he wiped his brow with the other as he slowly stood, metal brace fighting against the sudden movement after what felt like endless time spent crouched to the earth. It was close to sunset when Auni ran up to his mailbox, waving wildly with a gapped grin, fist full of envelopes. It wasn't that Ronen had a lot of mail, but rather that Auni had small hands and large amounts of energy so he always seemed to crumple them up as he ran up the mountain side to his house. It never bothered the human much, most of the letters were sweet sentiments wrapping gifts that managed to mutate the packaging envelopes anyways. Residents had long learned to let the ink dry with extra care to assure Auni's... passionate delivery system didn't smear any writing regardless.
"Hey little man, anything cool come in today?" Ronen deposited the tomatoes into his shipping bin. "I gotta say, all the formal letters from Eshe are getting pretty stale. Somehow she keeps making Tau my problem."
Auni laughed and shook his head. "Just another wish paper from Chayne and something from Tish! She said she had more furniture blueprints for you to look at when you got back into town, so I'm pretty sure it's that. Just, y'know. Written down and stuff."
"Thank the Dragon. I was starting to worry I'd be stuck with more boring adult chores."
"And growing vegetables isn't?" The young Majiri's brow raised. "I'd rather sit in the Peki coop all day, honestly."
Ronen snorted. "It's not that bad! It's kind of nice seeing all your hard work pay off." He leaned down, almost whispering in Auni's ear. "Between you and me though, the moment Tamala needs an extra helper, I'm so out of here. I don't care about wheat if it means I can play with magic blue fire."
"That's why you're my favorite, Ro. Anyways, duty calls! I gotta get this next one all the way to Hodari. I probably should've done that first. See ya!" Auni took off at lightning speed, vanishing through the gates leading to Kilima.
Ronen shook his head and turned back towards his house, but something caught his eye. The sunlight bounced off of what looked like another piece of paper, slightly fluttering and stuck to the underside of his mailbox. It had to have been there since Ronen's morning trip to Bahari- he'd spent the sunrise collecting spineshell crabs for a gumbo he'd promised the shrewd librarian, Caleri. He felt his heart jump, wish talisman and Tish's letter forgotten in an instant. Only one person placed things so specifically there, for very specific and often dangerous things. It didn't happen very often, but it meant something very wrong was taking place, and it always filled Ronen with dread. Jamming his mail into his back pocket, he reached a shaky hand down to pluck the sheet from its hiding spot. Bareft of envelope, and no name written down, the handwriting was distinct in its rush, so was the spatter of soy sauce.
Ronen, something bad happened. Like really bad this time. Meet me at our spot. Hurry.
His blood ran cold and his heartbeat pummeled its way down to his feet. Before he could think of a gameplan, his body had already twisted and burst into an uneven sprint towards town, nails digging into his palms. Few things could truly rattle the human, especially after all he'd seen and done in such a short time living within Palian society. One of those few things was Reth. Namely Reth being serious. If there wasn't a joke on his lips or in his words, it meant something was potentially at risk. Usually his life. Slamming his body through the wooden gate at the edge of his property, his breath caught in fear. Reth never left letters unless he had to, and Ronen hadn't been here. Guilt bit its way into his throat as he hurtled down the stone path, metal digging into his thigh. Reth needed his help, and he hadn't been home. Neither of them were strangers to bad situations, but panic settled in all the same as he ran down, down, down towards the tavern, green flashes of trees speeding by him as he ran.
-
Ronen stumbled up the steps to the Ormuu's Horn Inn, round doors pinned back in a yawning welcome. Inside, the two story fireplace lit up the room with warm, dancing embers, and tables and chairs set waiting for guests to be at them. It was dinner time, and a few people had already collected, swapping stories of their day and clinking mugs together in cheer. Badruu had set up home in the far corner, betting sheets at the ready for one of Ashura and Sifuu's legendary arm wrestling tournaments. Behind the bar it was unusually quiet, the space taken up by Reth's chaotic movements and loud words felt desolately empty. Across the way, Ashura stood behind the check-in desk, scribbling away at his work peacefully. He must have been unaware of the unease roiling in Ronen's stomach, judging by the way he glanced up with a wave before stalling in the air, concerned knitting his brows together.
"Ronen, my boy! Welcome. Are you feeling alright?" Ashura set his pen down, studying the smaller man's face in earnest. "You look exhausted."
"I'm great!" Ronen's voice cracked, "Um. Yeah. No, I'm fine. Just. Just here to say hi! I'll be right back." He quickly ducked away from more questions.
Making his way across the room towards the back, an arched doorway led below into uncertainty. The stairs creaked with the weight of the unknown as Ronen made his way down on unsteady legs, two parts exhaustion and one part pain. It had taken him less than an hour what usually took him almost two- the walk into town and down the side of a mountain was no small task for the chronically fatigued man. His hand shakily traced the wall, letting it guide him into the underbelly of the Inn where things were kept secret. The air felt heavier here, as if the very joists knew that something was amiss. The empty makeshift dock was chilly despite the warm spring sun outside. The light didn't quite reach down here, making it dank and almost ominous in its shadows. It was quiet, the silence pressing against Ronen's ears as he walked across the aged wood, water lapping at the stone underneath him. The only sound to be heard alongside the water was his own labored breathing.
He pushed the door open slowly, fearing the worst.
"Oh fuck, you're here! Thank Maji." Reth pounced on Ronen, hugging him tightly before correcting himself and pulling away. "I mean, thanks for coming! Welcome to the pity party. No biggie. No sweat."
Ronen fully entered the room and shut the door behind him. "What's going on? Are you okay? Is Tish okay?" His eyes were wide.
Reth smiled faintly, his shoulders relaxing for a fraction before tensing back up. "We're okay. For now. Thank you, y'know, for being one of the only people that cares, Ronen." He leaned against the table behind him, form tired. "I may or may not be going to jail though. And... and Tish might not stay okay."
"What do you mean? Reth, what happened?"
"I should have told you this a long time ago. I'm sorry I kept something so... important from you. Especially after all you've already done for us." His face shifted minutely, regret on his features. "I shouldn't have asked you to come, I'm so sorry."
"I'm here now, so it's too late. And I told you, I'd always come." Ronen stepped forward, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. "Talk to me."
"Tish is... technically still sick." Reth let out a defeated sigh. "I just tell people the country air was good enough, and boom. But. Well, that's a lie. A really bad one. I made a deal with some... less than good people."
He paced back and forth in front of Ronen now, scratching mindlessly at his tattoo. "I made a promise to them in exchange for some pretty hefty stuff- for us Majiri at least. And now her treatment is wrapped up in my illegal mess."
"Why is her treatment illegal...?"
"It's kind of like Flow. Super magical, super potent, considered super dangerous. When she first got sick I took her everywhere my feet could take us. Every healer said to just accept that she'd die. But I couldn't do that! She's-" Reth's voice shook. "She's my sister, I can't let her die."
"Where is it?"
"What...?"
"You and Tish are in trouble. Where's her medicine and how can I fix it?"
The chef's eyes widened. "I know I asked for your help but... but you'd really just do this? What do you want? Name anything and I'll get it for you, I don't care what it is."
"Easy. I want you safe." Ronen felt his face flush. "I want both of you safe. That's all."
"There has to be something I can do for you."
"Okay, then don't go to jail. I like seeing your face behind the counter up there." He looked down, not wanting his face to be as vulnerable as his words. "Again. Where is it and what do I need to do?"
"Eshe got it." Reth pinched the bridge of his nose. "She must have got wind of some shenanigans coming in through the mail, or maybe Subira knew something, but either way. She's got it locked up in the files and storage room in City Hall."
"Okay, easy peasy. Open door, grab box."
"No, not easy peasy! It's locked up tight and Eshe is already working on the bureaucracy side of things. She can't just rip open anyone's mail thank the Dragon, but I could have weeks, days, or... Just hours. She'll get in there. And she's keeping it until she can." He seemed to shrink down within his smock.
Ronen felt his heart tense at the sight. "Simple for me, then. Because I won't let her. I will get that fucking box. Trust me."
Reth's eyes seemed to glimmer in the candlelight, the ghost of tears growing within. "Why are you doing this for us?"
The human tilted his head at the question, brows furrowing like it was obvious. "You just answered your own question. It's for you."
"Please be careful, Ronen. I... I don't like it when you get hurt." He quickly wiped across his eyes with his sleeve, face relaxing into its usual mask of calm. "Man, these candles are smokier than usual, huh? Maybe I need new ones." He cleared his throat.
Ronen chuckled, playing along. "I think you're right, you should do something about that." He turned towards the door. "I'll be back soon."
Before he could leave, Reth grabbed his arm and jerked him back around. Ronen let out a squeak as the cook's hands grabbed his face- the callouses rough, but the hold gentle- and pressed his lips to Ronen's. It took moments to register what was happening, and without thinking, the smaller man placed his hands on Reth's hips slowly, as if testing the water he was already drowning in. He pressed against Reth's body almost harshly as he felt himself become lightheaded from the lack of air. It only lasted a few seconds more, but he was breathless when the Majiri pulled away regardless. Reth stared deep into Ronen's eyes, endless emotions seemed to swim across the blue as his lower lip trembled almost imperceptibly. Then, it was gone.
"Um, that's your good luck charm, sweet tooth. Not trying to be creepy or anything! Yeah. Get back safe." Reth's voice was shaky and slightly crackled as he stepped back, thick with feeling.
Ronen stared at him, mouth slightly agape. "Always." He cleared his throat, walking towards the door again. "I'll always come back, you know that."
He knew just who he needed to talk to.
-
"Are you crazy?" Kenyatta folded her arms across her chest. "My mom is already pissed someone is messing with illegal stuff in town. And you want to steal it?"
"I don't want to steal it! I just... wanna get it?" Ronen gave her a smile that was more akin to a grimace. "I know it's a stupid ask, but c'mon, you work in City Hall, the package is in City Hall. It won't look as suspicious if you're there! I never go in there for anything because Eshe gives me the heebie-jeebies. And she really doesn't like me much anyways."
"Not since you blew a hole in the backyard pavillion. Which, by the way, I'm still grounded for, too." Her snarky tone accompanied a raised brow. "It was worth it- best Acceptance Ceremony ever- but if I get in any more trouble she might actually kill me."
"Okay, fine. I won't ask anything crazy of you. But if you happen to know of a way I could find a key and a time when I could just meander through the door, that'd be cool."
"Ugh!" She groaned loudly, throwing her hands skyward. "You're insufferable for that guy, you know that? He's not even cute enough for all the times you get your ass handed to you."
Ronen felt a blush bloom deep across his cheeks. "I just like helping my friends, is all." His quiet voice betrayed his words. "It's not really that big of a deal."
"You remember you almost died, right? Multiple times now?"
He sniffed, his nose crinkling. "I don't recall."
Kenyatta looked unimpressed, immediately rattling off a list. "Drowning in the river, falling off Bahari ruins, getting gored by sernuk horns, getting shredded by a muujin," she counted on her fingers dramatically, "twisting your ankle in a chapaa hole, falling off a windmill, drowing in the ocean, getting a fishhook lodged in your face in the mines, falling down an actual mineshaft in the mines- do you want me to keep going?"
Ronen stared at the ground like a scolded child. "No."
"Look. I can't stop you from doing anything and it's not like I'm a narc. Just be careful. Reth is funny, I get it. He's funny and cute and he cooks. All good things in a guy. But he's... he's not worth whatever it is you're doing to yourself. People already talk about you two, and they'll just talk meaner." Her face softened. "Speaking of ruins, though..."
-
Ronen stared down at the directions Kenyatta had drawn up for him. According to the governor's rebellious daughter, Eshe had a spare key hidden near a secret entrance to the storage rooms. "You know the mini cliffs at my house, the ones facing the river? Key's stashed on the support beams of the bridge closest to the backyard. Then there's a decent sized hydrangea bush by those mini cliffs. Under that is a small wooden door." She had looked so pleased to be spilling one of her mother's secrets. "That will lead you under the building, and straight to the storage rooms. Mom had it built in case anyone decided to try anything- that way they'd have a second entrance and exit straight to the house." Ronen looked across at the bridge, glancing around to be sure he was alone. He paced along to the side of it, making sure to try and sell a casual looking stroll along the fields. Sure enough, he caught sight of gleaming metal tied carefully to a support plank, close to where the ground met the bridge.
"Ronen!" A warm voice cut through the night air.
"Fuck." He swore under his breath. "Good evening, Chayne! How are you?"
"I'm well, my dear child of Phoenix. How are you this fine spring day?"
"I'm great! Just kind of hanging out, I guess!" He shuffled a foot in the grass, heart in his throat.
"Ah, I see." Chayne stilled, a pensive look on his face. "So you're doing well?" Something in his tone weighed heavy.
"Yeah, no yeah. I'm good, good good." Ronen nodded his head absentmindedly. "All is well!"
"Ronen, I was just thinking on your time here as I took my night walk. We've grown close, haven't we?" Chayne stepped closer, his look of concern more evident. "You even blessed me with the honor of being your Shepp."
"That's right...?"
"So you know you can tell me anything, and ask me anything, yes? As the healer and spiritual guide to this village, you know I don't cast judgement. Are you truly doing well, my friend?"
"I'm not sure what you're getting at."
"Aha, there it is." His voice jumped subtly, as if he had grasped a pesky mosquito. "I can feel it- your guard. You've been closing yourself off more lately, as if you cannot be vulnerable."
Against his will, he felt his shoulders tense and face heat up. "I've been fine, Chayne. Just... tired lately is all."
"Tired? No, no. I don't think that's it. Not all of it anyways." The priest seemed to be talking to himself. "You've changed, Ronen. Something is in your heart, and you don't know what to do with it."
"I'm sorry Chayne- please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd like to be alone right now? I've just been busy is all and I don't really have the energy for your riddles and philosophies tonight."
Despite the words, Chayne laughed gently. "Yes, I'm sure you are busy- sneaking about with new scrapes and bruises and guilty faces." He shook his head softly, offering a smile. "You're not as secretive as you think you are, young man. As I said, I cast no judgement."
Ronen felt his face pale. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, but-"
"Whatever you're going through has caused you discomfort." Chayne cut him off. "It's changed you and made you more reckless, more unpredictable. You're quicker to anger, too. I only assume it may be love?"
This time, he had no words. He could only stare wide-eyed at the clergyman laughing in front of him.
"I know that emotion very well, dear Ronen. And you wear it as openly as you do your tunic. I told you, you are not very sneaky."
"Why do you say that?"
"What else besides love makes Majiri or Man desperate? Hunger, perhaps. But love is just another hunger, isn't it?" He turned, walking the path to town again. "Whatever it is you're up to for this love, do so with intent. Go safely on your journey, and I will pray for you." With that, he was gone.
-
Knowing he was finally alone, he made quick work of untying the key. Sure enough, it was held down with a small tie of wire, easily lost amongst the environment surrounding it. It was Kenli's choice, ultimately- Eshe had long since given up on holding him responsible for just one. Yatta had said there must be at least half a dozen scattered on or about their property. Key in hand, Ronen half-jogged back towards the vertical outcropping of stone beside the mayor's home. He crouched down next to the fragrant shrubbery, hands exploring sightless for some kind of handle. The only sounds around him at this time of night were the rustling of leaves, the chirps of field crickets, and the occasional squeaking and barking of the chapaas foraging for beetles. Not a more sentient soul in sight. His breath caught as his fingers finally fumbled over brass, prying and grasping at a stubborn handle pressed flush against the grain of wood. Why Eshe thought this place safest- and even more pressing- how she managed to get down here- was beyond Ronen, though it made for a rather humorous image; imposing magistrate with her large swath of pinned hair, exotic furs around her neck and heels sharp as blades trying to fiddle and fit through a bush onto a ladder and down a glorified dirt chute. He'd have to draw it later for Kenyatta as thanks.
Fitting the key in the door, Ronen used his other hand to rip away roots and overgrown grass from the opening, fighting against nature and time to get to the tunnel within. Thankfully the night stayed lonesome and silent, making for still-secretive work. Once the door was open, Ronen looked down into the depths, a rusty ladder peering back up at him as if to warn him of the trip ahead. He wasn't exactly the biggest fan of drops anymore, after all of his previous errand escapades for Zeki and Reth. He'd do them all again in a heartbeat, but it didn't mean he liked the risks involved. He found himself aching more than not on any given day, new cuts and bumps and sprains replacing ones just healed days before. His body was begging for a break between the farm work on his property, helping the Daiyas meet their produce quotas, Hassian's hunting trips, days with Sifuu in the forge- he never had a day off, let alone a slow few hours to sit and try to breathe. He didn't like to feel useless and sit around letting his thoughts consume him. Mostly because his thoughts were wondering if his legs and eyes were getting worse or if he was just paranoid. And if it wasn't self pitying spirals of doom, it was about him.
Ronen couldn't seem to stop thinking about Reth, no matter what he did. Gardening? Vegetables go into soup. Who makes soup? Reth. Fishing? Seared salmon was featured at the Inn earlier this week. Reth made it. Mining? Ronen came across citrine an alarming amount of times in one day. That's Reth's birth stone. He couldn't even escape the thoughts of him while hammering away on tools in the smithy. The fire burned red day and night, reminding Ronen all too much of Reth's twisted up hair. It was an embarrassing amount of time spent thinking about the wayward cook and his jokes. Thinking about his jokes led to thinking about his laughter, and the way he talked with his hands so expressively. And Ronen thinking about Reth's hands and his laughter was a dangerous, slippery slope into imagining other things his hands could do, and other noises he could make. It didn't help that every other sentence out of his mouth was a blatantly obvious line, and that he had what felt like a million different nicknames for the human, either. It was almost torture.
Ronen marinated in his woes, spending the silent climb down the ladder gently smacking his forehead on every couple of rungs, as if trying to will the thoughts out by smacking them out. Reth had actually kissed him tonight, too. That's what shocked him most. He'd spent the entire walk and conversations with Kenyatta and Chayne pushing it out of his brain, like some dream refusing to shake. Reth had kissed him, but he didn't mean it like that. 'He couldn't have. This is the same man who kissed Kenyatta in front of the entire town just to piss off her mother.' Ronen tried to reason with himself. 'Reth clearly doesn't take those kinds of affections that seriously, he's just a very physically friendly guy. That had to be it.' He was constantly playing with Ronen's hair, throwing an arm over his shoulders, and he hugged him several times a day on average. He was just charismatic and affectionate. It didn't mean anything for him like it unfortunately meant for Ronen. He reached the bottom no better off than he started, staring defeatedly down the long tunnel making its way under Kilima City Hall.
Perched conveniently on a wire hook at the base of the ladder hung a lamp, metal box of matches attached and ready for whoever so needed to access the tunnel. Ronen snorted to himself, thankful that someone remembered lighting, as he'd come quite bare of any supplies, save for himself. He'd been so panicked at the start of his adventure that once he gained momentum, he didn't stop running until he physically had to, his legs and lungs screaming for a break. Lamp in hand, he began the slow, tense walk into the darkness ahead. Ronen didn't know if he felt grateful or nervous at the lack of any other doorways- the singular, imposing tunnel feeling smaller the deeper he went. Claustrophobia was no stranger to Ronen- he'd been stuck in caves before when he went searching for Flow stones and other valuable minerals in Bahari- but this was its own form of oppressive. He felt all he could do was steadily move forward, hoping that the storage room was empty and he might be able to take a quick breath before plunging back down to do this all over again.
-
Time felt meaningless below the ground. The limping man knew he hadn't been walking for that long- he knew the Mayoral House wasn't very far to the south of City Hall- yet he still felt an irrational pang of frustration sit like a sour rock in his belly. It wasn't until he finally reached the other side, coming face to face with a set of stairs, that he let himself heave a sweltering sigh of relief. Despite the night cooling off outside, surrounded by such narrow stone and handling an oil lamp for what felt like ages had caused a thin sheen of sweat to dance along his forehead. Ronen carefully approached the stairs, wincing as he hauled himself up, a step at a time. His legs felt like noodles and bricks all at once, his feet tingling in his boots and joints struggling against one another in a desperate bid to see who could dislocate first- his left or his right hip socket. Normally they weren't so bad, but the more he pushed himself, the harder it got to move. On a good day, he could keep up with your average Palian. But after the stress and strain of this evening, it was no longer feeling like a good day.
Slowly he reached the top of the staircase, pressing an ear to the cold, musty, wooden door in front of him. He couldn't hear a single scrape, creak, or whisper, and took that as a sign to brave the storage room of City Hall. Key met lock in a heart-racing metallic click, almost echoing in the deep silence around him. Ronen blew an errant strand of green-tinged hair back from his glasses, sweat slapping it right back down where it was. Rolling his eyes, he turned the knob gingerly and inched the door open bit by bit, holding his breath and praying to Maji and anyone else out there that they didn't have a sick sense of humor and that the room would actually be empty. The door seemed to stubbornly fight against the turn, hinges squeaking slightly, causing Ronen to freeze and listen. Still, only silence could be heard. It was a long, shaky few minutes as he nudged and waited, nudged and waited, until the door was open just wide enough for him to slip his slender frame inside. Once within the storage room, he noted the weight was caused by the door itself- a bookshelf had been tacked to the door as a diguise, books and knickknacks lined it perfectly, blending it in with the shelving around it. The room was blissfully devoid of life, only being taken up by row after row of filing cabinet, bookshelf, and drawer. There, close to the main entrance and settled neatly and out of place, sat the package.
Ronen almost cheered at how easy this was- he knew it by the few markings Reth had described and the overall size. It was small, Ronen could easily hold it with one hand, which made for quick work as he scurried over and snatched it up, lantern swaying in back and forth in his rush. He cast another glance around the room, pausing to listen to any for any strange noises or doomed footsteps. Aside from the faint lilt of Kenyatta's voice out at her station, presumably talking to Nai'o, nothing. When he felt satisfied, he turned and made his way back through the door, eyeing the floor and being certain it didn't leave a single scrape or trace of his involvement. Tugging it closed behind him and locking it, Ronen placed the key back in his pocket for the long journey towards the house. He hobbled down the steps, the hand holding the package multi-tasking as he used the back of it to press along the wall for balance, the lantern shaking as he made his way down steadily. He felt light, almost confident until he neared the bottom of the staircase. Two pairs of legs were waiting for him, and he couldn't recognize either.
-
"Are you sure about this?" Tish's voice was soft and laced with worry. "I know it's just City Hall, but you and I both know how scary Eshe is."
Reth sighed, burying his face in his hands. "I know, I know. She's definitely not a fan of either of us at this point. But we didn't have any other choice."
"I could have just asked her? She likes me. If I told her I was dying she might make an exception, you think?" Tish sat at her register, eyes following her older brother as he paced.
His face paled. "Don't say that, you're not dying, and you're not going to start now, okay? Ronen is good. He's really good. He'll walk through those doors any minute, and we'll forget how stressed we were, and he'll be our hero. And things will go back to normal."
"For someone so sure things will be fine, you're shaking a lot." Her soft tone felt like a jab to his heart. "I think you're worry about him as much as you worry about me, don't you?"
"Of course I do- he's always getting himself hurt and I'm not helping by always asking for him to do my dirty work."
"Even when you don't ask, you still worry. You talk about him all the time, too." This time, her tone shifted, almost playful. "And I see the way you look at him."
Reth felt his cheeks heat up. "I look at him like I look at anyone else, Tish. You're crazy."
"... Is that why you kissed him?"
He choked on his spit, coughing for several moments. "What- How- I mean. I didn't. How did you know? Who told you? Did someone see?" His face was impossibly red.
"I didn't know. No one saw. But I had a feeling!" She giggled. "That and when I saw Ronen leaving your store room earlier, his eyes were as big as petit fives. I figured that meant you either kissed him or he saw a ghost."
"Well. Fine. I kissed him. So what?"
"So what? What do you mean so what? You like him!" She clapped her hands. "Does this mean I get a brother-in-law? OOOH, can I make your wedding decor?"
"For Maji's sake, Tish calm down!" Reth was red from ear to neck now. "It's not... like that. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm not good enough for him, are you kidding me? I'll just act like it was nothing new and in no time he'll forget the dumb thing I did. Usually how it goes, anyways."
"Ronen doesn't forget the dumb things, he forgives them. Because it's you." Tish sobered up once more, looking pointedly at Reth. "He has a really big soft spot for you. Sometimes I think it'll get him in trouble, but I know he doesn't care."
"Stop pulling my leg, Tish. You're not a comedian, that's my secret, third job."
"I'm not trying to be funny now, idiot. I mean it! Have you seen the way he looks at you? Ronen looks at you like you hung the moons in the sky just for him. He gives you such open, intense puppy eyes, every time I see them I feel like I'm interrupting something important, but no! You're just rattling on about soup like a dork and he's got fireworks going off in his eyes."
Reth stilled, unsure what to say.
"If you hurt him because you're too busy hating yourself... I won't forgive you. I don't think anyone will. People sometimes talk about you- changing your Path and being so risky with your life- but if you hurt Ronen I think you'd actually lose the few friends you do have. Because we can all see the way you look at him, too. You look like you're going to cry every time he laughs. You stare at him like you won't be able to breathe when he leaves. Don't hurt him just so you can hurt yourself and think you were right. You deserve to be happy for once." She finished her speech, seemingly satisfied with herself.
"I... okay. Okay. I won't hurt him, at least I'll try not to. I still think I'm bad for him. But I won't make his choices for him." He threw a smirk at his sister. "I'll let him see what a mistake I am himself, like a big kid."
"Ugh! Reth!"
He laughed as he dodged a small notebook being tossed at his head.
-
"Well, you aren't who I was expecting. Does Reth have a little errand boy we don't know about?"
Ronen stared at the two figures in front of him. One was a giant Grimalkin, almost the size of Ashura. The other was... a human, gripping a lantern of her own. He felt his body stiffen, and contemplated running back up the steps. Between his legs and having to once again fight the hidden door, he knew he wouldn't be beating either of them in a race. Instead, he took a deep breath, steadied himself, and finished walking down the last couple of steps to meet them. The larger of the two was clad in a simple button up, rolled up to his elbows revealing a deep burgundy coat, and well-worn trousers showcasing a single, simple pocket watch chain. His ears adorned with several piercings, and scars cutting through the fur across his face, arms, and anywhere his body was exposed. It mapped out his fights, losses and wins all tangled together and forming a topography of a man unafraid to get messy. The human, a woman who looked to be closer in age and height to Tamala, had put more care into her appearance. An average blouse, once again rolled up, and riding pants. Simple and aided in blending in easily, but taken care of and neat. She had scars as well, but those were few and far between. Judging by the gun on her hip, she seldom needed to get close at all.
"Well, errand boy? To whom am I speaking?"
His gaze met hers as he straightened his posture, remaining silent.
"Ooh, I do love when little things act tough." The Grimalkin spoke up now. "Means it'll be that much more fun when I get to play with them."
"I really don't know that he is all that tough. He looks like a wounded bird, don't you think?" She smiled with an unfriendly air about her. "Look at the poor thing's leg, all twisted up and locked away. He's made of metal and Reth has him out here risking his life when he's already barely got one-"
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." Ronen finally spoke up, his voice cutting hers off sharply. "And I'm perfectly fine, but thank you for caring so much. You seem like a sweet old lady."
"Old?" Her lip curled in disgust. "So not only are you mangled physically, but mentally you're no better than a shrimp carcass as well."
"I told you, I'm not any worse off than either of you. So it wasn't exactly a risky situation until you guys showed up. He just needed a hand, is all." Ronen felt unease seep into his bones. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need-"
The Grimalkin brought a hand up, pushing Ronen back with force. "You need to give us the package, tiny man. We're done with Reth's mistakes, aren't we ma'am?"
"Indeed." She straightened up and held out a hand expectantly. "Hand over the box. Our boss is growing tired of always worrying whether or not things will be forced to escalate. Reth has made one too many errors in his... chores. So now we get to keep his precious sister's delivery until he can make the payment for it."
"What are you talking about? I'm not giving you shit. Reth dealt with the other deliveries- he earned this fair and square by working for you assholes!"
The woman laughed, jeering. "Fair and square, he said? Oh, that's rich. He's a poor nobody who can't even save a piece of gold. The Cartel doesn't have time for that bullshit so instead of trying to get payments out of the little fucker, they were soft and made him a delivery boy. He sold us his body, and now here we are. One package was already confiscated, we don't need another."
Ronen bristled against her words. "Don't fucking talk about him like he's nothing. This one might have gotten snagged up, but whose fault is that? It certainly wasn't Reth's since it came from your people. So some dumb fuck of yours actually mailed illegal drugs through the Kilima postal system. We got it handled, and we're taking it with us."
"I like your confidence, kid." The larger man spoke up. "But unfortunately I don't have the patience for you to try and act tough for your little boyfriend. We're gonna go ahead and take it back." Before Ronen could react, a large hand swung down and slammed into the side of his face, open palm the size of an Ormuu steak.
His glasses flew off and clattered to the ground along with the lantern, dimming the immediate surroundings as his head spun and his ears rang sharply. He staggered back and clutched the package even tighter to himself. "Get. Fucked."
"Are you serious? You're willing to risk your life for a pathetic Majiri who couldn't even be bothered to help you?" She seemed appalled. "You're even more pathetic than I thought. Give me the fucking package."
Ronen instead ducked down, and headbutted her in the torso. Hard. "I said. Get. FUCKED."
As she gasped for air, Ronen took a chance and tried to run. He only made it a few steps before an unfortunately familiar, large hand reached out and grasped his neck. He felt himself slowly lift off the ground, oxygen leaving his lungs in short, sharp gasps, before the cat-like man slammed him into the wall roughly. His entire palm could hold Ronen's throat, fingers wrapping around to the back of his skull easily as his pads roughly scraped against his flesh. His smile was a lot more menacing as he pulled Ronen close to him, and slammed him back against the wall a second time, as if trying to shake the box loose. His grip squeezed harder once more on the box as he wheezed, the pressure building in his head causing his split lip to throb. He hadn't even noticed the slap had caused any real damage until now, blunt pain and blood dripping onto the Grimalkin's paw. His vision was blurry and doubled as his head hit the wall a third time- between his lack of glasses and being used as a human battering ram, his mind was reeling trying to figure out a way to escape.
Above them, a door could be heard squeaking open. "Yes, Miss Subira. It was found in Auni's bag, I'm assuming to be delivered here in town, though no return address, nor delivery address could be found." Eshe's voice rung strong above them as everyone froze.
The floorboards above them echoed down the clicking of Eshe's heels, and strong, decisive steps could be heard following behind. Subira of The Order was within feet of the unknown scuffle below. Ronen glanced at the Grimalkin and human, both of their eyes locked on the stone and wood above, realizing they weren't entirely clear of the room, and by extension, were within catching distance. He took the pause as his chance, and reared back his good leg, slamming his foot full-force into the crotch of the thug holding him. Immediately the hand around his throat was gone as he doubled over, a silent scream twisting his features as air left his lungs. His accomplice whipped around just in time to be met with a fist full of dirt directly into her open eyes. She, too, let out a trying gasp, ducking down on herself to silence her sounds. In that moment, Ronen began to run into the darkness ahead, Tish's medication clutched to his chest, and he was gone.
"You fuck-" The large man's whispering scream was silenced with a hand to his chest.
"The little brat is right." She whispered, still eyeing above them. "The meds made it past The Order. He gets a free pass this time because we need to move. They don't even know we left, remember?"
"Fine. But if I see Reth's little pet again, I'm putting his head on a fucking stick." He hissed softly.
"Works for me, that bitch has a hard head. Let's just go, I'm over this. When it quiets down, we go back to the tunnel."
-
Ronen gasped, flinging himself into the ladder before scrambling to take hold and haul himself up. Why they hadn't followed him, he had no clue. He didn't dare to stop and ask, instead choosing to keep running, hand pressing against the walls in the darkness, stumbling in inky silence. He'd taken a fall several yards back when the wall of stone and dirt gave way to nothingness- a new path had been forced in by the intruders, leading out to who knows where. His knees screamed in protest as he climbed, shoving the package into his pocket and hurrying up the rungs. Lungs felt fire at every breath, his entire body was shaking with effort as he saw light peering down from between the cracks of the trap door. He suddenly couldn't express enough joy at living in a world with two moons. Ronen wrapped an arm around the ladder as he dug for the key, trembling hand missing the lock a few times before successfully twisting and shouldering the door open, face met with the familiar leaves of a hydrangea bush.
Pulling himself out and clawing at dirt, he inhaled deeply and threw his body down onto the ground. The night sky was filled to the brim with stars and planets sparkling and glistening, dancing in the ether around the two large moons hung heavy in the sky. Field crickets sang around him as the damp grass, cool with spring night air caressed him and pulled his mind to calm. Ronen did it. He managed to get his hands on Tish's medicine- he and Reth could save her life for another day. He felt tears well in his eyes at the thought, the stress leaching out of his bones and being replaced with a satisfied exhaustion. The dark haired man let himself feel all the emotions of the day for a short while, tears falling freely and mind becoming aware of the pain settling into his frame. Once again devoid of glasses, he groaned and made note to see Chayne for another pair. Again. Willing himself to sit up, he slowly began the task of standing, joints aching and bones popping in protest. He turned and looked towards town, knowing this early in the morning that Reth would no doubt be back in his store room, worrying a hole into the floorboards.
Feet finding strength to stabilize, Ronen began the trek back to Kilima Village, every step bringing him closer to warmth. The human found he couldn't wait to see the look on Tish's face- she was so kind and had such a big, adoring presence in his life. The carpenter had been his first real friend here, and became more like family as time went on. They'd spend days at a time brainstorming and designing furniture together or helping Jel design and model clothes- and Ronen was more than happy to be the one to forage for the right materials if it meant making them happy. She was a few years younger than Reth, putting her in her early twenties to Ronen's twenty-eight. Reth was younger than him too, but not by much at a perfectly middle twenty-five. Him being older than the both of them had given him a sharp, protective layer to his skin, the moment either of them was hurt physically or emotionally, Ronen was there and willing to do anything to make it better. He felt genuine love for the Majiri pair as time went on. Though partially blinded, he found himself almost at a jog now, what felt like a magnetic pull tugging at his chest. As the lights grew brighter, he felt a smile finally settle on his features despite the protest from his torn lip.
Until the memory of the kiss slammed into him like a runaway cart, causing him to falter and slow. His boots tamped on cobblestone gently as his mind raced. He wasn't sure how to approach Reth after their last meeting- whether he should act nonchalant and treat it like it was a casual nothing, or if he should bring it up, dissect what Reth could have possibly meant by it. He was leaning towards the former; trying to forget it felt safer, less like he'd get his heart broken. Ronen liked to think he wasn't full of himself enough to assume that the cook of Kilima found him attractive, with his damaged glasses always crooked, his canines protruding in front of his other teeth like they were fighting for dominance; his left premolar losing the fight entirely when it got knocked out by a particularly angry tuna. It's not that he looked wholly bad, he just didn't think his scars and obvious quirks made for a very good looking man. Time spent hunting and mining had at least put some muscle on an otherwise scarily lanky frame, and he couldn't deny that both Reth and Delaila had a hand in filling his belly more times than he could admit he needed. Along with the countless days on the beach, he looked more alive than when Jina had first found him- pale, thin, and afraid, curled up under long forgotten ruin rubble. Compared to how he viewed Reth though, he felt himself holding back a snort.
Taller, with gorgeous blue eyes and an effortless smile at the ready. His almost rose-tinted complexion always looked incredible in any lighting, and he was strong and fast and incredibly sharp-witted. To Ronen, it was no contest that this man could have whoever he wanted, and it wouldn't be him, and that would be okay. He pondered who Reth might actually fancy as he found himself near town center, the walkways quiet and absent of life, save for a few lights burning here and there in the windows as the village slowly awake. City Hall clock tower read quarter to three. Ronen was thankful the vast majority of the people left their business doors open, or at least unlocked. Kilima ran on a very strict honor system, no one dare steal or borrow without a payment or a note. It was part of what made this place so welcoming and magical to begin with. You could go anywhere and do anything and be sure you could trust those around you. It was a bumpy transition when people arrived, but most of them had migrated on to the larger and ever bustling Bahari City. The honor system there was wildly different, the city constantly at war between The Order and the Cartel. Ronen found Bahari to be incredibly overwhelming, much preferring the company of Kilima and it's endless miles of fresh air and green prairies.
Making his way towards the Inn, he shook his head to clear it of those pesky, scattered thoughts. Scattered thoughts of a certain tavern worker's subtle freckles, or the way his ears twitched when he was frustrated. How his laugh sounded and how sweet his smile was. The way his face lit up with joy when Ronen liked his food, or how heavy his arms felt every time they squeezed him tight. He felt a blush dust his cheeks remembering his feet leaving the ground, that time for much more pleasant reasons. He'd made his first dessert, a blueberry pie, and brought it over to show Reth. Instead of simple words, he had picked the human up by his waist and spun him in a snug-held circle, hugging him tightly and cheering like he'd won a game of roundball. That day, Reth started calling him "cutie pie". Ronen was afraid his heart would give out every time he heard it. He was also afraid of how easily it would be to get him to do anything just to hear it again. Heart hammering against his ribs, he brought himself back to the present and walked around to the side, choosing to go straight for the underground store room than risk worrying Ashura again.
Stepping lightly from the stone path to the decrepit wooden docks below, he made his way with practiced movements to the opening nestled under the tavern's back patio. Ronen dropped into the damp earth, a small island of land piled by erosion and time before spilling into the river beside him. His boots sloshed through the muck as he waded to the wooden decks within. The room was still quiet, but it felt less oppressive now, the previous weight on his shoulders long dissolved. The heavy settling of failure replaced by an even more suffocating air of tension. Everything in his mind was begging him to forget the kiss as he made his way to the store room's door, his hands shaking and breath shallow. Every movement felt nervous, his skin itching beneath his clothes, forehead damp with sweat anew. Everything in his body shouted to forget what his mind was saying- begging instead to feel Reth's mouth on his again, to smell his cologne one more time, to feel the heat of his body through his uniform for even just a second, even if it meant heartbreak. Ronen walked up to the door, still battling his decisions when it flung open, smacking back against the wall behind the Majiri as he ran forward, arms wrapping around Ronen's neck and slamming his lips to Ronen's in a desperate, almost pleading kiss.
'I guess that answers that.' He thought as he whined against Reth, melting into his touch and throwing his arms around the troubled man's waist. 'Damn common sense, damn it all the way back to wherever it came from.'