“You’re welcome to work on it here if you’d like,” the doctor invited.
Trill’s thoughts were suddenly arrested. Was that—? He eyed the doctor and Yannoma. Yes, it definitely was.
Yannoma was smirking. “I’d like that. I’m not supposed to wander the castle on my own.”
“I’m sure we can send someone to fetch a Mage Warrior to escort you where you need to go afterwards.”
Perian was looking between them with confusion and then dawning understanding. He looked sort of stunned, and Trillremembered suddenly that Yannoma was his mother. Would this cause a problem?
But Perian said, “We can definitely send someone at dinner time. I’m sure you’ll be busy until then. Everybody stay safe and, uh, have fun.”
The rest of them looked at him with confusion until dawning realization crossed their faces. Molun looked intrigued. Cormal looked very uncomfortable. Arvus looked as stoic as ever, and the Prince’s attention was on Cormal.
Yannoma and the doctor were still staring at one another.
“If you would consider translating and writing down any pertinent sections, if there are any, that would be very much appreciated,” Perian said hurriedly. “All right, we’re leaving now.”
They made it out into the hallway before Molun said, “Wow,” and they all burst into laughter. Still grinning, he added, “That wasnothow I thought that was going to go.”
“I’m glad they’re interested in one another,” Perian said, looking a bit amused now. “I’m really interested in what’s in that journal, but I’m sure they’ll get to it. Of course, it might turn out to be recipes or an account of a life from hundreds of years ago—which would be really interesting but not necessarily useful to our present situation—but at least it’s more than we had before we went to visit the doctor.” He turned to Trill. “Oh, I forgot to ask about you helping. I’m so sorry.”
Trill just shook his head. “No, it’s all right. It was pretty clear there was not a good time to get in the middle of that. I mean, unless you like being in the middle.”
There was more laughter, and Molun tugged Trill closer so he could wrap his arm around him.
“You’re our middle,” Molun said happily.
More calmly, Arvus pointed out, “So long as you would like to be.”
Molun rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, we’re not actually trapping you between us.”
Trill winked at him. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Molun’s expression turned to a bright grin. “Ooh, can we—”
“Is there anything else we need to do right now?” Cormal asked, face a little strained.
“I don’t think so,” Perian said, looking at the Prince. “Is there anything else you need? I know this might seem like a bit of a detour…”
The Prince shook his head. “Not at all. As you say, there may prove to be something useful in the diary. And they’re clearly interested in one another. I wouldn’t want to block that.”
“Practically speaking,” Cormal said prosaically, “this is a good solution. We can’t expect Yannoma to remain celibate, and the doctor is clearly aware of any dangers. The last thing we need is a dangerous incident to jeopardize what we’re working towards.”
“Yannoma wouldn’t endanger us,” Trill said staunchly.
Cormal’s attention turned to him. “I don’t think she would deliberately. But if she responded to genuine attraction and it was only afterwards that someone realized what she was and reacted badly? I imagine you have to deal with the potential for that situation all the time, but it has never been more important that nothing go wrong.”
They all nodded. Trill and Yannoma had had to flee occasionally, though it rarely happened. By the time Trill had come to live with her, she had mostly had a plan, and Trill had been able to help a lot. But occasionally, one of them had miscalculated. Yannoma had liked to move frequently regardless, part habit and part desire to reduce the chance that anyone would comment on her. Trill had understood, even as part of him had yearned for a more permanent home, one that he didn’t think Yannoma had ever craved.
They went their separate ways: Cormal and the Prince off to wherever they were going, Perian and Brannal back to their rooms, and Molun, Arvus, and Trill across the hall to their room.
They seized the moment without Yannoma to have what Molun was calling “private sex.” Molun was taking the idea of Trill being in the middle very seriously, and Trill was truly happy to be sandwiched between the two of them.
“Do you think this is my new job?” Molun asked once they were a relaxed, sweaty pile in the bed. “I’m back at work, but my only job right now seems to be to spend time with you two. I’d like to register my approval.”
Trill laughed, and Arvus leaned over to kiss Molun. “Baby, I think there might be a few other duties that Secundus is meant to perform, but I’m sure everyone will be delighted to see how… versatile you are.”
Molun grinned wide, wiggling against them. “That’s right! I’msoversatile. Can we tell everyone?”
