Wanderlust (mxm)

And so it Goes...

Soren lost track of the days, but he thought it had probably been about a week before he really felt strong enough to do anything more than stumble around Tanden's quarters. He woke up one morning determined to stop lying around all day. Tanden was long gone. He was an early riser on the ship, always had been.

After carefully getting dressed, Soren pushed open the door and stepped out into bright sunlight. The ship was bustling with activity, and he couldn't wait to get involved again. But he knew he couldn't rush his recovery, and the ship was well under control, anyway.

He made his way up the stairs. Tanden was standing at the helm, one arm lazily hooked over the top to keep it steady. In his other hand he loosely held a metal cup of something. He seemed to be in another world—he was staring out at the water blindly, likely deep in some thoughts about their next destination. He didn't even notice when Soren came up beside him, and slipped the cup from his hand.

Tanden blinked and turned to him, just as Soren was raising the cup to his lips. The drink was warm and sweet.

"What is this?"

Tanden cocked an eyebrow. "Tea. From Morcea. That was bold."

Soren shrugged. The drink was good, so he kept the cup, and leaned against the helm. "I've been in your quarters for days; I think the secret's out. Besides, you once stole my wineglass and drank from it in front of the entire court."

"I did?"

Soren nodded and took another sip.

"Oh, the night I got drunk. Well," Tanden paused to take back the tea. "That was different. I can take things from you, nobody's going to bat an eye at that, mate. I can do whatever I want. But you taking things from me? That's an entirely different story. That's how rumours get started."

"Oh. That's how, is it?"

Tanden grinned. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Have you remembered anything else?" He drank some of the tea before offering the cup over.

The gesture amused Soren after Tanden's comments, but he refrained from mentioning that and accepted the mug. "Bits and pieces. Nothing I can put in order," he admitted. After another sip of tea, he added, "I know Borick's dead, though. He lured me out to a deserted pier. The sailor with Toliver stabbed him."

"Lorca?"

"Probably? I don't think he spoke much. I just know there was someone else there. How does your arm feel?"

Tanden glanced at his right arm. He had stopped bandaging it, and tended to keep his sleeve rolled up so the wound wouldn't get irritated. "Oh, it's fine. I just have to be careful when I twist my wrist. What about you?"

"I'm enjoying my vacation."

"You're bored," Tanden corrected. "But I'm not letting you do anything until you've healed entirely, so get used to it. Ivern's handling your duties fine, anyway."

Soren smiled. "Aye, I told you he would. Reckon if you could, you'd have him take over as first mate permanently so you could keep locking me up and pampering me."

"I haven't been locking you up," Tanden said. "And let's be honest, mate—'If I could?' I can do whatever I want. Didn't I just say that?"

"Aye, sure." Soren took another sip of the tea. "Have you talked to the men about what happened?"

A sheepish look flashed across Tanden's face. "No, not yet. I was waiting for you to be with me. But I guess I shouldn't put it off any longer. Ivern can handle the helm... Ivern!"

Ivern hadn't been far away. A moment later he came up the stairs. "Yes, Cap—oh, Soren? How are you?"

Soren shrugged. "Well enough."