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Zelkov gave a soft pat to Genny’s lavish fur.
Incredible. The light brown coat was softer than even his highest expectations. And she was so gentle, standing still and appreciating the pats. Zelkov ventured to press his face into her fur and took a deep breath.
Amber laughed from behind him, but Zelkov wasn’t self-conscious. He liked when Amber laughed, even when it was at his expense - Amber had a talent for making Zelkov laugh, too, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. Zelkov smiled a little into Genny’s fur, hoping his happiness didn’t show too much, else Amber would laugh at that too. Maybe call him cute and give him a hug.
Zelkov wasn’t quite mentally prepared for that - he had literally just set foot on Amber’s alpaca ranch, and they’d gone over three months without seeing each other. Last meeting had been a somber goodbye hug before their liege’s coronations, with a promise to go to Amber’s hamlet but no confirmation as to what it meant. For Zelkov, his intentions had always been romantic, but he knew he hadn’t properly conveyed that. He couldn’t imagine Amber viewing them as anything other than friends, and not even close ones.
Zelkov backed away from Genny, her flowery scent still lingering in his nose. Actually, that was her wool. He sneezed. Genny got spooked, but stayed in place, turning her head to Zelkov as if to say “you made that noise?”.
“I think she likes you.” Amber said. “Genny! Do you like Zelkov?” Amber sauntered up to her with confidence, but when he tried to pet her, she quickly turned around and gave him a kick, toppling him to the ground. Zelkov rushed over and took his hand to help him up.
“Yeah, she does that.” Assured he was okay, they both laughed. Zelkov kept holding Amber’s hand, astonished Amber wasn’t pulling away. They kept holding hands as Amber led him to the middle of the field, where most of the alpacas were grazing or resting. Some of them eyed Amber, but none were quite as brazen as Genny, so Amber wasn’t knocked down again.
He introduced them to Zelkov. “There’s Genny, Marianne, Ellen, Moulder “the Boulder” - he’s the big one. Then there over there is Maria, and Saul, and Laura, and Mist.”
They came up to Moulder “the Boulder”, who was lying down.
“Here’s the best part of the job.” Amber said. He sat down, and rested his back against Moulder. Zelkov did the same, hoping it wasn’t too obvious how close he got. They had a view of the whole alpaca hamlet from here, and of the sun setting over the Brodian mountains and valleys.
“At the end of the day, me and the alpacas just sit here until sunset. Wait…” Amber picked a long stalk and put it into his mouth. He plucked another one for Zelkov. Zelkov mimicked Amber, and chewed on the straw while he alternated between watching the sunset and watching Amber. He had never been too impressed by sunsets, but this was the first Brodian sunset he’d seen in over a year, and the first he’d seen in peace times. It was something to be savored and cherished. Cherished like Zelkov cherished Amber.
*
Since Amber’s house was so small, Zelkov should have expected that they would share a bed. But it still made him uncomfortable. He got flashbacks to sharing a tent with Kagetsu - to the embarrassing times when he would cling to his colleague because he was lonely and Kagetsu was there and too nice to push him away. He would have to try to restrain himself - Amber was also too nice to push him away, and Zelkov would hate to impose.
Amber handed him woolen pajamas. Black of course.
“We came prepared!” Amber said. “My dad made these for you, and…” Amber reached under his bed, and pulled out a black cowboy hat. “So you really match!” He put the hat on Zelkov, then flicked the brim up so it wasn’t blinding him. But Amber’s toothy grin blinded him anyway.
Zelkov adjusted the hat. He wasn’t one for hats, and probably looked stupid, but how could he reject such a thoughtful gift? Zelkov set the hat down gently and took the pajamas from Amber.
Ready for bed and dressed way too cutesy, Amber crawled in, and Zelkov followed. Once they settled in, Zelkov was prepared to just try to ignore his desire to touch Amber, but Amber got him first. He glomped him, getting him in a tight spoon.
“Good night hug!” Amber said. Then he backed away. Seizing his chance, Zelkov hugged him back, a little less dramatically but no less passionately.
“Good night hug.” Zelkov said. He didn’t back away. Amber cradled his arm, pressing it tighter over his chest.
“I didn’t know you liked to snuggle, Zelkov!”
Since Amber seemed pleased with this turn of events, Zelkov pushed a little further.
“Only with you.”
Amber grinned. He turned to Zelkov and nuzzled his cheek. “I like snuggling too! It gets cold here in the mountains sometimes. So feel free to cuddle me as much as you want!”
Of course Amber wouldn’t get his obvious hint. But no matter. A night of snuggling was more than he could ask for. He held Amber tight the whole night, and surprisingly, his sleep was amazing.
*
Amber’s parents took a liking to Zelkov immediately. They were almost as touchy with him as Amber was, and somehow reminded Zelkov of his own parents. They were the same combination of loving, doting, and a little bit embarrassing.
“Oh, Amber has told us so much about you.” Amber’s mother cooed. She was a foot shorter than Zelkov, but tried to pat his head like he was a little boy. “The dark, mysterious legend from Elusia! He got Jade to write about you, even. I do believe you were Amber’s love interest.”
“Mom!” Amber blushed. “That’s just Jade being Jade! Don’t bother him with that!”
“Jade’s very good at translating fact into fiction,” His dad mused. “I can never tell what she’s made up for her story, and what Amber has actually done. How accurate was Deliberate Dummy Twenty-Seven: the Legendary Lover?”
“Stop it!” Amber stomped his foot childishly. “Don't listen to them, Zelkov!”
“Hmm… I wonder if I will .” Zelkov said mysteriously. Laughter abounded, and the subject was dropped. Zelkov would analyze further before breaching the subject.
*
Amber liked him back. It took approximately three days on the ranch to deduce that.
Beyond the snuggling and the teasing from his parents, Amber had given him a kiss on the cheek that morning at breakfast. He insisted it was part of Brodian culture, but Zelkov was well-versed in the subject and knew no such custom existed.
Zelkov glanced at Amber as they brushed Genny’s wool. Amber was sneaking glances back, and they smiled shyly whenever they made eye contact.
“This place is lovely, Amber.” Zelkov said, trying to sound like he was making small talk. He failed, and the weight of his words made them both stand a little straighter. “Thank you for introducing me to everyone.”
“It’s no problem. I knew you’d love it here!”
“I know it is too early to decide such a thing, but I’m considering staying here. Only a month here seems like far too short a span.”
“I would love it if you stayed! At least, please stay longer than just a month! I missed you so much after I went back to Brodia.”
“I missed you as well. It was fatally boring, doing busy work for Princess Ivy’s coronation. I fantasized often about our eventual reunion.”
They looked at each other, and ducked their heads in embarrassment. Their love was so boyish and innocent, nothing like the affection Zelkov had for other men before. It was sweet, it was gentle. It stemmed from a more tender place, not a flood of emotions originating from loneliness and lust.
They knew what the other was thinking. It was obvious. Even Amber’s parents knew. But Zelkov still didn’t quite know how to put it into words.
That night, Zelkov reached for Amber’s hand as they rested in bed.
“Want to talk a little?” He whispered.
“Sure!” Amber didn’t bother keeping quiet. “Something on your mind?”
Zelkov rubbed Amber’s knuckles. “Nothing in particular. Tell me a story.”
Amber channeled his inner Jade and told about the time he and the alpacas fended off a group of coyotes.
“And then Moulder kicked me off the cliff!”
They both burst out laughing. Zelkov squeezed Amber’s hand tight the whole time. He couldn’t help himself - Amber looked so radiant and cute telling his story. He nuzzled their noses together. A cute action to suit a cute infatuation. He was surprised, but definitely shouldn’t have been, when Amber nuzzled him back.
“Amber…” Zelkov could feel Amber’s breath on his own. His breath was so close it gently moved Amber wayward hair. “I want to give you a good night kiss. Is that acceptable?”
Amber kissed him first. “Good night! I love you, Zelkov!”
Zelkov held onto Amber like his life depended on it. He shamelessly kissed Amber’s face until his cheeks were damp with saliva.
“I love you, too. I’ve loved you for so long.”
*
For a while, there were no discussions about their relationship, no clear label to put themselves into. Since Amber never brought it up, Zelkov didn’t either. But they kissed in the morning and night, and they lingered together every day in their favorite lookout spot leaning on one of the alpacas. Amber’s parents lightly scolded them for lollygagging too much. Zelkov never, in his wildest dreams, would imagine he’d get scolded for laziness, but around Amber he rested and idled in the most peaceful way, something he’d never done during war times.
Before Zelkov knew it, he’d been there two months, with no plans to leave.
They idled together as they watched the sunset. It was autumn, and the weather was just beginning to get chilly. Amber had his arm wrapped around Zelkov to keep them both warm. They wore their matching hats and chewed on stalks.
“Being here is like heaven.” Zelkov sighed. He leaned into Amber’s chest. “You’re almost as soft as the alpacas. I want to stay here forever.”
“Have you decided?” Amber’s voice was a little quieter, more tender, than usual. To Zelkov it sounded like honey.
“Yes. If you will have me, I want to be with you forever. As your lover.”
Amber flicked up Zelkov’s hat so he could give him a kiss on his scalp. “Absolutely!” He crushed Zelkov in a hug. Genny, who they were leaning on, was annoyed by how much they were moving and got up, kicking dirt up at them as she left. The two fell over and laughed.
“Absolutely!” Amber repeated. “We can get married the ol’ fashion Brodian way, in a barn!”
“Perhaps not that old fashioned. But it would be an honor to be your husband.”
“And I’ll be your husband! Let’s tell my folks and do it right away!” Amber tried to get up, but Zelkov held him tightly.
“Don’t be so hasty. We just agreed to our engagement - I think a little more alone time is in order.”