A slow smile took over Ruben’s face, and oh no, as Rowan had warned him before, his brother was clearly ready to start the teasing. Mischief sparked to life in those eyes. “You don’t say. You asked him? Oh, I need this story.”
Rowan grumbled something under his breath that sounded like one long string of curse words before demanding, “Why are you even here?”
“Supply run,” Ruben answered. “Running low on spices and a few staples. I volunteered to go because it got me out of the house for a while.”
Oh. In other words, he was done? And likely would travel back with them? Fuuuuuck no. Milo had plans to sex up Rowan all the way to his home. He couldn’t do that with an audience!
Didn’t seem he had much choice in the matter, though. Resigned, he sat back down at the table.
Well, maybe he could at least win one family member over. Meeting the family had never gone well for him, but Milo was determined that wouldn’t be the case here. He wanted to stay with Rowan, after all, which meant being on good terms with the family. Charming Ruben was a good first step. Milo would turn this evening to his advantage somehow, just see if he didn’t.
Notes:
AJ: Milo, just curious, do you have any chill in regard to Rowan?
Milo: What is chill?
AJ: Figured.
6
Rowan
The morning dawned fair as they rose, washed up a little, ate a hearty breakfast, then carried bags down to the carts. The muddy path to the stables indicated it had rained a bit last night, and Rowan warned it likely meant some of the roads would be washed out. Thanks to the rain, the air felt brisk, and Rowan made sure Milo was bundled up in everything warm, not wanting him to get a chill during a full day of travel, especially since they’d likely be camping out tonight.
Rowan was now trying to saddle Stan and get them on the road. Trying being the operative word there. He had two reasons why this simple goal hadn’t been achieved yet. First reason: Ruben. Second reason: Milo.
Ever since Ruben had met Milo last night, it had been nonstop teasing. He could tell his brother was happy for him; he just wished Ruben would find some other way to express himself.
Ruben hovered nearby while a bundled-up Milo put a lightening spell on his cart. “Whoa, you really are a mage, huh? Rowan didn’t just pick you up and drag you home?”
Milo shot him an aggrieved look. “Are you seriously jorking my peen about this?”
“I’m fucking stroking it, man.”
“FYI—that stands forfuck you, idiot, by the way—”
Rowan bit back a chuckle. Ahh, he knew Milo could handle Ruben. The teasing didn’t even faze him; Milo just dished it right back.
“—I am a Second Circle Mage.”
Ruben reared back on his heels, surprise flitting across his face. “What the hell, seriously? How did we get a Second Circle Mage?”
“I volunteered.” Milo turned his head to give Rowan a lecherous look, that wiggle of his blond brows said as much, but there was warmth in his expression. Something that touched Rowan’s heart. “For which I’m very grateful now.”
Yes, so was he. Very grateful Milo had made that choice. He’d never have met the man otherwise. Still aggrieved Milo had been forced out of Goldguard just to escape his ex, though.
“There.” Milo finished the casting and turned away from Ruben entirely. “Rowan, it’s pretty windy today. The mountain road, is it open or lots of trees?”
“Open at first. Trees later this afternoon.”
“Ohh, okay. In that case, I think we better braid your hair. You’ll be eating hair all day, otherwise.”
Rowan sometimes tied his hair up, true, but he couldn’t recall a single instance when he’d braided it. It was a good idea, though. He normally was eating hair and trying to stuff it under his shirt collar when he went through the mountain stretch.
He acquiesced with a simple nod, moving to where Milo pointed, standing near the cart so Milo could get up on it and have the right height to work.
Ruben, of course, couldn’t let this go. “Aww, Milo, need a boost, buddy?”
