Page 5 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (Lost Arts #2)

Perian had seen them together more often now that he was practicing with the Warriors, and he was even more confident they were a couple, or at least that they were having sex, though he thought it was more than that.

He didn’t know how to describe it, but they felt…

connected. But as per his agreement with Delana, he made no mention of it to anyone else.

She’d put in a good word with Onadal to get him to let Perian do this training, so he was keeping his mouth shut.

And supplying her with her favorite pastries.

It meant he felt more comfortable about her being back-up for Brannal out on this patrol.

Brannal alone was formidable, and he was bringing a variety of Mage Warriors with him.

Brannal had been on patrols like this countless times over the year, and he would be fine this time, too.

Fire couldn’t kill a Fire Mage, so that was one less thing for Perian to worry about.

He was selfishly glad Molun and Arvus were staying here with him, though, although he worried a little that he was getting special treatment.

“We don’t all go out all the time,” Brannal pointed out when Perian raised the topic after dinner on their final evening.

They were curled up in front of the fire with books, and Perian tried not to think about how many nights he was going to have to live without this.

Brannal continued, “We spread our resources between the castle and patrols to keep everyone safe. With Summus and Secundus away, Tertius definitely belongs here, and I very rarely split up Molun and Arvus. They make an effective team.”

Perian nodded. That made lots of sense. It sounded like it was probably true and not just Brannal leaving Molun and Arvus here for Perian.

Which was not to say that they weren’t also here for him.

“You’re not ready to be alone again,” Brannal observed gently.

Perian was tucked up against him not even pretending to read. He was just soaking in the contact and hoping it could somehow last him all the way until Brannal was back again.

Quietly, Perian shook his head. He was trying not to think about it.

“I’ll be back in a week,” Brannal reminded him. “Just seven days.”

Perian was more worried about the nights. They yawned before him like an unending chasm.

“I don’t want you to be alone while I’m gone,” Brannal continued.

Perian tilted his head to try to see the other man’s face, rather confused by this comment.

“Spend time with Molun and Arvus while I’m gone,” Brannal suggested.

“Oh, of course,” Perian agreed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lock myself in here and not come out until you’re back.

Renny would break in, obviously, and it would be very embarrassing when she found me wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets on the bed, smelling your shirts and pillow.

Not that I’ve thought about it or anything. ”

Brannal laughed, the skin crinkling around his eyes. He looked impossibly fond, and Perian leaned a little further into him, like if he tried hard enough, he could meld them together and then maybe they wouldn’t have to be separated at all.

“I’m glad to hear you’ve thought everything through logically,” Brannal said, amusement clear in his voice.

Perian shrugged, not embarrassed. There was a good chance some cuddling with shirts and pillows was going to happen once the other man left; that was just a fact.

After a moment, Brannal said, voice more serious, “But I was actually suggesting you sleep with Molun and Arvus. ”

This made Perian sit up completely, startled. He turned so he could look at Brannal properly.

“What?” he demanded.

“I don’t want you to be alone while I’m gone,” Brannal repeated.

“You said that,” Perian said blankly.

“You liked playing with them, didn’t you?” Brannal asked mildly.

“You know I did.”

“I’m saying you should keep doing that even while I’m gone.”

Perian continued to stare, and Brannal just kept staring back.

“Why?” Perian asked finally, feeling the tension all through his shoulders.

“Because I don’t want to imagine you alone wrapped up in our blankets cuddling my shirt and pillow. I want to know that you’re happy.”

“And you think they’ll make me happy?”

“I hope so. I hope they’ll help fill a gap until I’m back.”

“Oh?” Perian asked carefully.

Brannal blinked at him, and then he tugged Perian closer, fingers grasping his hips a little too hard. He pressed a short, fierce kiss to Perian’s lips.

“Perian, of course. They can’t keep you.” He stopped abruptly, frowned a little. “I mean, unless you would want to be kept. I would consider this an extension of what we’ve already been doing. Temporary play.”

Perian was reassured by both the raw possessiveness and then the more reasoned correction. He liked that he made Brannal feel things strongly.

“I’ll think about it,” Perian said finally.

He had to admit the idea of not being completely alone was a nice one, although he really just wanted Brannal.

He sighed and leaned against the other man again. Quietly, he said, “Do you know how many weeks in my life I haven’t had you? And how impossible that seems now?”

Brannal huffed a breath. “Exactly that. I’ve gone on dozens of patrols, and it has never felt like this.”

But part of navigating a new relationship was figuring out all these firsts. They weren’t going to get very far if they couldn’t adapt and change.

“It’s going to be fine,” Perian said, trying to sound confident. “You’ll be back before we know it.”

“Exactly,” Brannal agreed, sounding as though he was trying just as hard as Perian.

“Let’s go to bed,” Brannal suggested a few minutes later.

It wasn’t even that late, but Perian knew they weren’t heading to sleep, and he certainly couldn’t concentrate on his book.

Brannal made achingly sweet love to Perian that night, pressing into him inch by inch until they were as close and connected as it was possible to be.

“I’ll miss you,” Brannal told him quietly.

Neither of them had expressed words of love to one another, and it was probably too soon, but Perian still felt like he could feel it in moments like this.

“I’ll miss you, too,” Perian responded. “So much.”

This was something he’d never had before and something he definitely didn’t want to give up.

As if they had all the time in the world and Brannal’s departure was not looming, he moved slowly and carefully, nudging the two of them higher in almost imperceptible increments, building and building until their climax crashed over them, as inexorable as the tide.

Perian had never thought of himself as clingy, but as he literally clung to Brannal in bed, he thought he might need to reassess. (But to be fair, Brannal’s arms were wrapped pretty firmly around him, too.)