Hardly Working

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 15th March 2021
Series: Lavender Run

Characters: Zavek, Aiorek
Description: Zavek reflects on Brennault's stay and welcomes his brother Aiorek home.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Brennault

The days since Brennault's departure had been long and torturous for Zavek. He found himself thinking back on their parting kiss often, and wishing that he had just went ahead and made love to Brennault.

**It's silly to be so invested in someone I just met.** Zavek thought to himself as he hefted a square bale of hay up onto the stack in the corner of the stables. He wondered if part of his attraction to Brennault was that it had been so long since he had looked into another man's eyes and felt that 'zing!'

It wasn't easy finding male partners living as he did with such traditional family and with all of his workers being holdbred themselves. How long had it been since he'd had male company? Two Turns? Longer?

"Working hard, or hardly working?" a familiar voice asked.

Zavek turned, his lips twisting into a grin. "Well, if it isn't the _Master_ himself."

"You could be a Master if you would just buckle down.... You're allowed to bow, you know." Aiorek said with a flourish of his hand.

Laughing, Zavek pulled his brother into a hug that involved the two of them slapping each other on the back for several seconds.

"You moving back to Double Creek?" Zavek asked as they drew apart.

Aiorek, two Turns younger than Zavek, nudged his hat back, very reminiscent of the way his older brother did so he could see better.

"Might as well. Maybe dad will take pity on me like he did you and give me a spot of land to turn into my own homestead."

"Ah yes, dad doing 'giving' me something, now that's rich." Zavek said dryly.

"He still harping on you about a wife and kids?"

"You know he is. He's never been so disappointed to have me as his eldest son. Maybe now that you are a Master Beastcrafter, he'll declare you his heir and start picking out a wife for you."

Aiorek's nose wrinkled at the thought. "Don't get me wrong, I'd like a wife and maybe a brat or two at some point, but I can only imagine the type of woman that our father would pick out."

"Ouch, don't let mom hear you say that."

"Their marriage was arranged for them, you know that. He'd never be able to pick out a woman like our mother otherwise."

Their mother was one-of-a-kind, Zavek agreed. Loving, sweet, nurturing, and always wanting what was best for her children, even if it sometimes went against her husband's wishes. Zaverak, however, ruled his wife, like his children and life, with an iron fist.

"You still working with Fire Dancer?"

"Yeah, come out and see."

They walked out to the corral where the black stallion pranced, his tail lifted high and proud and trailing behind him like a banner.

"He's one of the best pieces of runnerbeast flesh I've ever seen." Aiorek commented, slinging his arms over the top rung of the fence.

"Right? I'm going to breed him with a couple of my mares before selling him to, I hope, the Lord Holder."

"You even been on his back yet?" His younger brother ribbed.

"Corowal's or Fire Dancers'?"

Aiorek threw back his head and roared in laughter.

"No," Zavek grinned good-naturedly, shaking his head because Aiorek knew him better than almost anyone. "I have worked up to rubbing his neck and giving him a sugarcube."

Aiorek shook his head. "You always did love a lost cause, big brother."

"Yes, well, that's why I never was able to get you potty trained."

The brothers commenced in giving each other teasing shoves.

"I sure have missed you, Zav."

"I've missed you, too. Once dad starts getting on your nerves, you know you're welcome here at Lavender Run."

"I'll keep that in mind."

It occurred to Zavek that if Aiorek really did come to stay at Lavender Run that things with Brennault would be a lot more complicated.

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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Hardly Working