Part story: Side thirteen.

(Y'all I'm swooping past everything. I just need to finish one, I'm lazy cause they are a lot.)

For three days, they surrendered to their desires, their passion reigniting with each successive encounter. Adar had forgotten the thrill of intimacy, but once rekindled, he couldn't satiate his hunger. The embers of his longing had been stirred, and the flames of desire now raged uncontrollably. The prospect of facing Melus, and the memories of Evan's words, only fueled the fire.

Though Evan's body still ached from their frenzied nights, he craved Adar's unbridled passion, for in those moments, his own stress and tension melted away. Meanwhile, Melus and Evan had been dodging each other, their avoidance a testament to the unresolved tension between them. Yet, in the secrecy of their trysts, Adar and Evan found a release, a catharsis that left them both breathless and yearning for more.

As Adar neared completion of the kingdom's constitution, Evan's role had become increasingly peripheral, relegated to tackling trivial matters. Adar couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, wishing they could trade responsibilities. With his coronation mere days away, Adar's thoughts turned to proposing to Evan, but he knew a grand gesture was out of the question.

A quiet, intimate moment seemed the most fitting approach. Having already secured the blessing of Simon and Melus, the only remaining hurdle was winning Evan's heart. The ring, a symbol of their commitment, awaited its rightful owner, and Adar eagerly anticipated the moment he could place it on Evan's finger.

The rift between his brother and Evan continued to weigh heavily on Adar's mind, a constant reminder of the unresolved tension. Despite Melus's presence in the palace, the silence between them remained unbroken. Adar felt powerless to intervene, unsure of how to bridge the gap. Perhaps a private conversation with Melus was the answer.

He decided to summon Melus to his office, choosing a moment when Evan was distracted by his own pursuits. As Evan retreated to the shower, citing a sore back, Adar seized the opportunity to address the elephant in the room. With a sense of trepidation, he called Melus in, hoping to unravel the mystery of their estrangement.

"I'm hesitant to propose to Evan," Adar confessed, his voice laced with uncertainty. Melus, seated across from him, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"But why? You'd mentioned it was your intention to do so today, and your coronation is imminent," Melus pointed out, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"It's not about me, it's about the two of you," Adar said, his voice laced with frustration. "Your silence is eating away at me. Do you want Evan to wonder if you'll even attend his wedding? You're the older one, Melus, can't you find a way to put this behind you?"

Melus's expression darkened, his irritation growing. "You have no idea how complicated this is, Adar. You can't just fix it with a simple apology."

Adar's voice rose, his conviction evident. "I do know what I'm talking about, Melus. I understand more than you think."

"He told you everything?" Melus whispered, his distaste palpable. Adar nodded, his expression somber.

"Every painful detail. It was agonizing to listen to, but I couldn't turn away. I couldn't blame him, yet I couldn't bring myself to support him either. It's a tangled web for me, Melus. I'm about to marry a man who was once in love with my own brother. It sounds absurd, even to myself, but I've reached a point where I just can't care anymore." Adar's gaze locked onto Melus, witnessing the emotions flicker across his face - disgust, empathy, and finally, a blank mask that revealed nothing.

"It's even more unsettling for me, Adar. I'm the one he developed feelings for. The thought of it still makes my skin crawl, remembering how I misinterpreted his actions as brotherly affection when they were actually something more. You can't expect me to forgive and forget overnight, to simply hug him and pretend everything is fine. I need time, Melus. I just...can't."

Adar's voice rose, his frustration evident. "Then why did you come here? You're making things harder for him. If you knew you couldn't bear to be around him, you shouldn't have followed him. He came here to escape the situation he created, and now you're inserting yourself into it, expecting him to be okay with your presence. That's not fair."

"Adar, I-" Melus began, but Adar cut him off.

"No, Melus. You know how often Evan mentions wishing you'd just acknowledge him, greet him, something? Simon's already spoken to him, and Evan apologized, receiving forgiveness easily. But here we are, with you still unable to meet him halfway. I know it's hard for you, but please, let him know how you're feeling. The uncertainty is eating away at him, and it's not helping that I'm burying him in paperwork to distract him from the situation. He's frustrated every day, and it's only getting worse."

"Let's find common ground on this, Melus. Just go to our chambers, tell him it's okay, and that you're willing to work together to overcome the awkwardness and address the feelings he developed for you. Let's tackle this head-on and move forward. Please, don't overthink it and change your mind. I truly want us to put this behind us and move forward as family. I want you to become my brother-in-law, and I want us to have a good relationship." Adar's smile was infectious, and Melus found himself smiling back.

With a newfound determination, Melus nodded, making up his mind to face the situation and find a resolution. He would go to Evan, talk things through, and work towards healing and understanding.

The heavy door creaked as Melus pushed it open. Evan, seated on the bed, looked up in astonishment, wondering if he'd somehow entered the wrong room. His eyes locked onto his brother's figure, and he froze, unsure of what to say or do. The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Evan's nerves. He simply stared at Melus, his mind racing with questions and emotions, as the stillness between them seemed to stretch on forever.

Melus broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hey." The simplicity of the greeting belied the complexity of emotions swirling between them.

Evan's response was equally subdued. "Hey."

Melus's words tumbled out in a rush, a mix of longing and discomfort. "I'm at a loss for words. This is excruciating. The memory of that day still lingers, refusing to be extinguished. I yearn to erase it, to reclaim our bond as brothers. I want to laugh with you, share stories, and sit together at the table like we used to. I'll make an effort to greet you warmly, even if it feels forced, because I crave a sense of normalcy."

Evan's voice was laced with empathy. "You don't have to, brother. I don't want to cause you any more discomfort."

Melus's eyes welled up with tears as he continued, his voice cracking. "I need to try. But let's take it slow – no touching, not yet. I'm still uneasy about that. Yet, I want you close, by my side. I've missed you terribly."

Evan's expression softened, his voice tinged with regret. "I've missed you too. I'm sorry I ever confessed my feelings. It was a mistake, and I feel foolish now."

Melus's smile was tinged with sadness. "You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad we're talking."

Evan's words were laced with a hint of mischief. "If it's any consolation, my feelings for you have long passed. I've actually realized that Adar is more my type." The absurdity of the statement was unexpected, and before they knew it, they both burst out laughing, the tension dissipating like magic.

Melus chuckled, wiping away tears. "Well, I'm glad I've been replaced so easily!"

Evan grinned, relieved that the awkwardness had lifted. "Hey, don't take it personally! Adar's just...irresistible."

Their laughter continued, a cathartic release of emotions, as they both knew that their bond as brothers was stronger than any fleeting feelings.

———

Evan furrowed his brow, puzzled. "You can't alter the constitution yet?"

Adar smiled, pecking Evan's forehead with a kiss. "Not until I'm crowned. The crown grants me the authority to make changes."

Evan's expression turned petulant. "But don't you need to get married first? And I won't let you marry some woman!"

Adar chuckled, reassuringly. "Our customs differ from yours. I don't need a wife to ascend the throne. And I intend to marry you, if that's what's bothering you."

Evan's eyes widened, concern etched on his face. "But how is that possible? You haven't even introduced me to your father. I thought our relationship was...forbidden."

Adar's eyes shone with determination. "That's why I've been working to reform the constitution - for us, for others like us, and especially for the villagers who have suffered under the current laws. It's no secret that I'm fighting for the rights of homosexual relationships to be recognized and respected."

He took Evan's hand, his voice filled with passion. "I want to create a society where we can openly love each other, get married, and start a family without fear of persecution or judgment. A society where everyone can live freely and authentically, regardless of their orientation."

As they wrapped their arms around each other, they drifted off to sleep, surrounded by a sense of peace and contentment. The warmth of their embrace was a haven, a sanctuary where they could be themselves without fear or doubt. In that moment, everything felt perfect - their love, their acceptance, and their future together. As they slept, they knew that they would face whatever challenges came their way, hand in hand, and heart to heart.

(So far cute.)