Chapter 222 - 220: A Challenge?

Chapter 222: Chapter 220: A Challenge?

Oh he’s such a liar.

​Because whilst sure, he’s genuinely excited about finally getting to return to training, Gandy’s nailed it in one.

​He totally got laid.

​But he’s not going to admit that. Not in a million years.

He’s sure the look on their faces would be priceless should he reveal just who he’d been with last night, and how, but he gets the feeling that would land him in all sorts of hot water.

Much safer to say nothing, although if Gandy can tell with a single look he’s clearly giving it away.

"...Most guys would be thrilled with some time away from training," Montrel points out, then throws a chicken bone at Rogard when he preens.

​"Well, I’ll have you know that I’m not like most guys – hey that bit was sharp ."

​"Hey, Hey, don’t lie," Gandy snorts, waggling a knowing finger at him to redirect the conversation, "You got that look on your face again –and even if you didn’t, Kasuga saw you sneaking back into the castle this morning."

A couple of wolf whistles go up from around the table, and Rogard decides he’s going to punch Gandy particularly hard today.

And maybe Kasuga too, the snitch. "So, ’fess up. Who were they?"

​"Your mother."

​"Are we really gonna do this again?"

​"I don’t know, Gandy, are we?"

​It’s an age-old stand-off by this point, and Khobi of all people, comes to his aid.

​"Leave him alone, Gandy," Khobi snorts good-naturedly, and elbows him, "Quit projecting."

​" Oi, that’s not what this is –"

​" Khobi ~" Rogard beams, and then can’t resist adding, "That was such a big word!"

​"I take it back," Khobi deadpans to Gandy, "Go nuts."

​Thankfully, Gandy decides not to press the issue. For now, at least.

​Rogard’s seriously got to figure out what exactly gives his face away and get rid of it .

​Going down into the city had felt like he was doing something he shouldn’t.

And in a way he had been; while the streets were some that he’d walked many times, and he’s allowed to come and go from the castle as much as he likes, he had no business in meeting with a Captain in such a way.

Not for dinner.

Not at his home.

​And certainly not for what came after.

​He’d lingered long after dinner had settled in their bellies, helping Drogger with the washing up and sitting with him at his fireside like he did it every night, and when the sun had set and the hearth had burned low, Rogard had finally said it was getting late and that he should probably be off.

​Drogger had kissed him, and with grey eyes smouldering and a flush rising up to his ears, asked him to stay.

​Which was of course what Rogard had been angling for. So he’d kissed him back, and let himself be led upstairs.

​It had been a while since he’d been with a man, but his body remembered, and Drogger had certainly known what he was doing.

He probably should’ve tried a little harder to keep it down, but it had been so hard to and at the time Drogger hadn’t seemed to mind that he couldn’t.

In hindsight, he might’ve gotten a bit carried away; the walls seemed quite thin so there’s no way the neighbours wouldn’t have known what was going on.

Oops ~

​A small smirk plays around the edges of Rogard’s mouth.

He’s not sorry at all.

​The guards on duty would’ve known, too. They see whoever comes through the gates, and no one comes in the gates at the time he did unless they’ve been out very late, and no one stays out that late without getting up to some brand of mischief.

And clearly no one’s briefed Kasuga on the unwritten rule of keeping your mouth shut when you see someone you know sneaking in.

It would be bad if he drew attention to himself.

It’s not uncommon for soldiers and noblemen take the odd questionable trip into town, but to be seen coming and going too often would be awfully suspicious.

​And Rogard plans to be coming and going. Quite often, if Drogger will allow it.

​Given the way he’d fucked him last night, he shouldn’t be difficult to convince.

​The thought makes his cheeks start to warm. And other parts of him, too.

​He deliberately burns his mouth on his food to take his mind off the memory of Drogger pressing him into his mattress.

​It helps just enough that he’s able to make it through lunch without raising further suspicions, although as they make their way towards the training grounds, Khobi falls into step with hm.

​"...You sure you’re good to go?" he queries, nudging him with his shoulder as they walk. It’s nothing as obnoxious as he usually does; just enough to knock him off balance, but Rogard staggers just a bit more than he probably should.

Not because of his ankle though.

​It’s just that it’s been a while since he’s bent the way he’d been bent and his hips are a little...stiff. Khobi must’ve noticed how gingerly he’s been moving.

​"I’m touched, Khobi –" Rogard says it like he’s joking, but it’s actually kind of the truth, "But I’m more than well enough to take you on." Khobi gives him a sidelong look then faces forward, jaw set and resolute.

​" Good ."

​Rogard snorts, because Khobi can be so ridiculous sometimes.

Then he starts laughing, for the same reason.

​A moment later, Khobi starts laughing too, then surprises Rogard by slinging an arm around his shoulder.

​"It’s gonna be good to have you back," he tells him, and it really feels like he means it, "It was gettin’ boring just beating these guys up all the time."

It feels very deliberate, the way he projects his voice down the corridor. Instead of rising to the bait, Montrel just flips his middle finger at him.

They all know that for all his bravado Khobi’s getting as good as he’s giving, and has been enjoying every moment of it.

​"...Is it gettin’ boring getting smashed by Loac day in and day out?" Gandy pipes up with a snicker, and Khobi is awfully quick to bite.