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Noe spied General O’ Broín out on the wharf, clearly having either just eaten or in the process of locating lunch. Everyone came out this direction, as the street vendors and small restaurants here offered cheap and hot food. Even Noe was here for that reason. The scent of various things frying in hot oil hung about in the air and tantalized his taste buds.

He still felt mortally embarrassed about last night, but he had to give the man a better apology than what he’d managed this morning. Noe also needed to get on a better footing with him. For the sake of his work life, if nothing else. His throat felt constricted, like he’d swallowed a rock, but he pushed past the feeling and angled his path so he could meet up with General O’ Broín.

This time with his prepared speech in his head.

General O’ Broín saw him coming before he could properly hail him and stopped dead. He didn’t look upset. Just curious, if Noe had to take a guess. Also damn handsome, as usual, his charcoal coat setting off his amazing eyes.

Well, his reaction soothed Noe’s nerves about five percent. Still had the rock in his throat, though. Noe told himself to man up.

“General. I’m so, so sorry—”

To his surprise, General O’ Broín lifted a staying hand. “Hold on, man, hold on. You’ve already apologized to me once and that’s sufficient.”

Eh? Wow. He truly wasn’t upset? No, look at him, he even smiled like he was glad to see Noe. This did not make any sense whatsoever.

“Have you had lunch yet?” General O’ Broín asked. “If not, sit and eat with me. I can show I’m not at all upset and explain how you did me a favor.”

“I did?” Noe’s mouth blurted out without permission.

“You did. See? Don’t you want to have lunch with me now?”

Noe gave him a dumbfounded nod, because yes, he absolutely had to have an explanation now. He’d be up all night wondering otherwise.

General O’ Broín pointed off to the left. “Have you tried their seafood stew?”

“I have, actually. It’s delicious.”

“Glad you agree. I could eat my weight in it, and on a cold day like this, stew strongly appeals. Join me, Mr. Keller.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Noe actually meant it. He felt far more relaxed now knowing the man truly wasn’t upset with him. General O’ Broín had struck him as a kind man upon their first real meeting, and every subsequent meeting had only reinforced his impression.

The restaurant in question was a small single-room building with just enough room for a kitchen and a sink. It only offered four dishes—all of them soups or stews—and hot tea. They had a tented area next door with a brazier going for some warmth so people could sit and eat. General O’ Broín and Noe retreated there after placing their orders and collecting bowls and tea. The inside of the tent was distinctly warmer than the outside air, but Noe was also glad he’d only be sitting here thirty minutes or so. Any longer and his teeth might start chattering.

Not wanting their food to grow cold, both men focused on eating first, and only when he was halfway through his bowl did General O’ Broín start talking.

“In truth, your kiss hammered in multiple things I had been worried about,” General O’ Broín said without segue. “First, that men find me attractive. I harbored doubts over that one.”

Noe felt a flush creep up his neck because, well, he had made it rather obvious to General O’ Broín that he was attracted. Couldn’t argue there. But his main objection was “Sir! How can you possibly doubt your attractiveness?”

“Never had a man hit on me before you,” he riposted, a twinkle in his eyes. “So you can’t blame me for being unsure.”

Eh, really? Oh. Then it did make a sort of sense. Noe sat on the information for a second before offering, “Happy to help?”

“It was a great help, trust me. Made me feel like this crazy idea of mine has some validity to it. I also wasn’t sure how I’d feel about kissing a man, but after last night, I feel much better about the whole thing. Kissing you was nice, in fact.”

Noe sat up a little straighter. He’d liked the kiss? Now that was a compliment Noe could take and run with. He wanted to say something like I swear I’m a better kisser when I’m sober , but it sounded awkward even in his own head and he bit those words back. Let’s not push things too far in the wrong direction, eh? General O’ Broín was being incredibly nice about the whole fiasco. Take the win and don’t be stupid.

“I accept the compliment,” Noe said instead with a genuine smile. “Thank you for taking it so well.”

“Not at all. As I said, you did me a favor. That’s how I look at it. Also…Keller, I must ask a direct question, so please be honest. Are you attracted to me? If so, would you like to date?”

Everything seemed to slow for a moment and Noe honestly questioned his hearing. Had he spent too much time near the sea? Had the salt messed with his head?

Before his brain could second-guess itself, “Yes! I, uh…”

General O’ Broín’s grin grew. “I like your answer.”

Shit. Noe apparently couldn’t be suave around this man if his life depended on it, but at least General O’ Broín took it in stride. “Um, clarify for me. Is this an experiment, or…?”

“No, no, I mean it genuinely. I realized you’re very much the kind of man I’m looking for. I’d like to date with marriage in mind.”

“Oh. Yeah, don’t mind me, I’m just over here building a ship.”

“What?” His head canted in confusion.

“Little inside joke. Don’t worry about it. I mean, absolutely yes.”

“I’m very pleased. Thank you.”

Why did he thank Noe? Still, he felt like he understood, too. This was something of a risk, as even General O’ Broín wasn’t sure what he was or was not comfortable with in a same-sex relationship. But how could Noe not take the risk? For him, it was worth the uncertainty.

“So no more formality, if you please.”

Noe had no problem with that. “All right. Luca?”

“Please and thank you.” Genera—Luca glanced at a pocket watch and sighed. “Unfortunately, our lunch break is nearly over.”

“What are you doing after lunch?”

“I don’t know,” Luca admitted with a shrug. “I spent the better part of the morning doing staff scheduling, but now it’s up to Sho to review it. Thought I’d walk the area and see what needs to be done before winter really hits us.”

“In that case, can I borrow you? I need to do the same evaluation myself, but I want to do it from the ocean side. It’s hard to row and study the walls.”

“I’d be happy to.” Luca cast a look toward his right even though he couldn’t see through the white tent walls. “Honestly, I’m worried. So much has happened, and I want reassurance the foundation is well set before we build much farther.”

“I feel the same way.” Noe gestured to the bowls. “Let’s finish up, then. I have a rowboat ready for us. I’d already rented one.”

“Oh? Then let’s be about it.”

They both finished lunch quickly, handed the bowls back with compliments to the cook, and then Noe led the way to his rented rowboat, tied off at one of the docks. A rowboat was the best choice here. It would let them get very close to the coastline without running afoul of rocks that would quickly sink them, even if it did take someone manning the oars.

Luca looked very up to the task as he settled in, took oars in hand, and strongly set off. Noe felt a little bad Luca would have to do so much rowing—the man was a general, after all—but Noe needed to have his hands free to make notes and check the drawings as they went. He had fingerless gloves on to help combat the chill, plus a hot stone in either pocket. Still, this was going to be very cold. The dew from this morning had formed a layer of ice and covered practically everything.

They’d be out here a few hours at least, and it gave Noe a chance to ask all the questions. He almost didn’t, but, well…curiosity and all that.

“Um, Luca? What’s your fortress like?”

“Ugly,” Luca answered bluntly and then laughed a little, eyes crinkling up at the corners. “But it wasn’t made for beauty, only function. It’s big, blocky, and set right along the border as the first line of defense against the damn Zaytsevians. Sometimes they get tired of trying to get past Aart’s defenses and come my direction instead, you see. Damn nuisance. The land isn’t mountainous, but hilly, with not a stretch of flat land to be found. We’ve carved into the hillsides to farm but mostly raise sheep.”

Made sense to focus more on livestock than agriculture with terrain that rocky.

“The winters can get brutal, as we don’t have enough trees to slow the wind down,” Luca continued, looking a little homesick. “The snowdrifts can reach the roof sometimes. But we all huddle inside together during the winter, and it’s my favorite time of the year. We play games, do some crafting, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a warm, sweet time.”

The way Luca described his home appealed to Noe. He’d never experienced something like it. It sounded more like a family than a town of people.

“And your family, what do they think of your idea?”

“Haven’t told them yet. They won’t agree with it, though.” Luca sounded quite sure, his tone matter-of-fact. “But they don’t agree with anything. They’re very bitter people. My father never really wanted to run the fortress. He just does it because he’s duty bound to do so. My mother never wanted to marry at all but was forced into a marriage with my father. Neither of them are happy. It’s part of why I refused any offered match. I refused to become like them. I do feel sorry for whoever is crazy enough to marry me, though. They’ll have to deal with my parents.”

It did sound like an unpleasant situation, but surely in such a large fortress, whoever Luca married could avoid the parents.

“Don’t feel disheartened,” Noe encouraged. “I think you underestimate your appeal. Marrying a man who wants to be a good husband and have a family is something of a rarity for men like me. Plus you’re handsome.”

“Oh, is that why you agreed to date? My good looks?”

“Well, yes?”

Luca laughed. “I suppose I can’t throw stones. Being attracted to your spouse is important.”

“It is. Thank you for agreeing,” Noe said primly.

Luca snickered some more; apparently, Noe’s tone amused him.

Noe didn’t just banter with him; he did his job, too. They went up the coastline, carefully inspecting the outside of the foundation. Noe did see a few weak points that needed reinforcement before they continued building, which he’d much rather know about now instead of in six months, when all the weight of that stone was put on top and the foundation developed issues.

All in all, it was a productive workday, plus the future was definitely looking up. Noe kept his fingers crossed that this all went well. He’d dearly hate to give this man up.