Wanderlust (mxm)

Chapter Seven

When Tanden returned, Borick was the first to meet him on the deck.

"We've been keepin' watch like you asked, Cap'n," Borick said. He gestured towards Jerios and Ivern.

Tanden cast them quick glances. "I never said you had to keep watch in any formal way," he pointed out. "But thank you for keeping the ship safe, Borick. Where are Roan and Soren?"

"On the foretop," Borick said. "Soren was supposed to patrol the pier but he didn't listen."

"He listened to me," Tanden said idly. "I did say you could relax. Roan, Soren! On deck, mates!"

The two Crelans climbed down the shrouds swiftly. They hopped to the deck and walked over to the group, but Soren kept his gaze downcast and seemed upset. Tanden frowned but addressed the group. "You're free for the rest of the evening. I only ask that you stay on the ship, but don't worry about keeping guard. I've paid a few of the locals to stand guard at the end of our pier."

Ivern nodded. "Thanks, Captain. I think I'll settle down early. It'll be nice to get a full night's sleep."

"Aye," Roan agreed. "We're getting paid an extra hundred siyas to sleep! You're the best captain I've ever worked for, by far."

Tanden smiled. "Glad to hear it. Have a good night, lads. Soren, come with me." He strolled across the deck to his quarters. He tossed his jacket onto his desk chair and turned to Soren the moment the door closed. "What's wrong?"

Soren flinched, which only confirmed Tanden's theory. "Nothing."

Tanden leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. "I want to help, mate."

"This doesn't help," Soren growled suddenly, indicating the room with a wave of his arms. "Telling me to come with you into your quarters. This is why the crew thinks I'm sleeping with you to gain favour!"

"What?" Tanden didn't know what he had been expecting, but it wasn't that.

"Borick thinks I'm letting you have me so that you'll make me first mate."

"Borick's an idiot," Tanden said. "He's a decent sailor but he thinks he's entitled to the position. He just wants to be first mate for the power. I'd never pick him."

Soren groaned. "Aye, great. That solves the problem then, doesn't it?" His words were laced with more sarcasm than Tanden would have thought possible from someone who was usually more soft-spoken.

"It isn't ideal, but it isn't really a problem because it isn't true. Even if we were sleeping together, that alone wouldn't get you the position. The crew should trust that I'll pick the best man for the job and mind their own business when it comes to who I choose to have in my bed."

"You need to leave me alone," Soren muttered. "You can't keep calling me in here or expecting me to bring you food. And you have to stop playing your game with me. I'm not a toy."

The last word hit Tanden hard. He hadn't been treating Soren like a toy, had he? "Soren, mate, I never meant to make you feel like a toy. My interest is genuine." He grimaced. "I know I don't have a normal way of showing it, but... I hoped you might be the person willing to keep up with me and play the game."

Soren's bright green eyes were wide. "What?"

"My interest is genuine," Tanden repeated. "And I know you're interested in me. I won't push. If you want me to leave you alone, I'll try to do so. Just know that you've never been a toy."

Soren shook his head. "This won't end well. I need to be a normal sailor."

"You don't need to be," Tanden said tentatively.