CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: BLACK AND WHITE

-_-

Vanadis eyes widened as Odysseus came even closer.

"What nonsense are you uttering? I don’t swing both ways." He paused for a second, then continued "No, why should I sleep with the likes of you?"

Odysseus ran a finger down Vanadis chest. "Why? Because I go mad for black men.."

Vanadis blushed, using his hand to cover his face.

Did he hear him right? He hadn’t heard anyone openly admit liking his kind.

Odysseus smiled, it felt wrong calling them colored people, Vanadis was dark and he was white. He liked that pair.

"So what do you say? Won’t let me have a taste of that cock?"

-_-!!

Vanadis eyes widened, as he pushed Odysseus away.

He had learned a new thing today.

To stay away from Odysseus.

"I have no interest...sleeping with you. Let me put it bluntly. You..don’t arouse me.." he arranged his shirt with a huff as Odysseus went back to his position.

His silence made Vanadis look his way, was he too harsh? He thought to himself.

"I don’t arouse you? Me? No man has ever said this to me." he raised his hands to his face, was he getting old? Did he have creases? Or was he no longer handsome?!

He couldn’t understand why Vanadis wouldn’t want him.

"Look. I can’t sleep with you, just because you want to get fucked. I have my principles and I stick to him. I’ll only sleep with one person in this lifetime, be it a man or a woman. So excerpt I fall in love you, forget any thoughts of sleeping with me.."

Odysseus was ten times better than him, he could tell he was of noble background, what would he want from a thief like him.

"Mhm... Well that’s romantic. But you see.." Odysseus said, as he moved closer until he had hooked himsel around Vanadis.

"I don’t need your love....I just need you, lusting over me. I want your body, your mind to only think of fucking of me.."

-_-

Vanadis hissed, he had a rather loose tongue.

"And you don’t mind, sleeping with a thief?"

-_-

Odysseus smiled "What thief? Are you not my madame’s bodyguard? Even if you are a thief, I do not care about that. I’ve already told you what I wanted from you.."

Vanadis froze, his breath catching for half a second. The words hit him like a thrown stone, bold and indecent. "You—You’re unbelievable!" he sputtered, his usual composure cracking.

Odysseus tilted his head, watching him squirm. "Unbelievable, hm? I’ll take that as a compliment."

Vanadis turned sharply to the window, trying to hide the flush creeping up his neck. His hands clenched into fists on his knees.

"You... you can’t just say things like that so casually.." he muttered, voice lower now.

"Why not?" Odysseus’ tone was all mischief. "You turn the most delightful shade of red when you’re offended."

"I do no—!" Vanadis stopped himself, realizing how much he was proving the point. His face burned hotter.

Odysseus leaned back, laughing softly. "You are. It’s endearing, really. You look like you might bite me just to save face."

Vanadis ran a hand through his hair, exhaling through gritted teeth. "I don’t bite. But if I did, you’d deserve it."

"Ah.." Odysseus said smoothly, "so you do think about biting me."

-_-

"You—just stop talking, you vixen.."

Outside, the carriage began to slow. The driver tapped the frame. "We’ve arrived.."

Odysseus stretched, looking far too pleased with himself. "Perfect timing.." he said smoothly, opening the door.

Vanadis exhaled a long breath and muttered under it, "Thank goodness.."

The moment he stepped out, cool air hit his face as he took in a deep breath. He looked up at the workshop before them, an old stone building with smoke curling faintly from its chimneys.

"Come now.." Odysseus said, straightening his coat. "Let me do the talking. You just try not to blush again."

Vanadis shot him a warning look. "Say one more word—"

Odysseus grinned. "I wouldn’t dare."

He would. He absolutely would.

Together, they walked toward the artisan’s workshop, one flustered, the other far too amused by it.

Inside, the rhythmic clink of tools stopped as they entered. An old man looked up from his bench, his eyes sharp beneath a pair of soot-stained lenses. His beard was grey, his expression even grayer.

"We’re closed.." the man barked before they could speak. "Come back when the sun’s down. Or better yet, don’t come back at all."

Vanadis opened his mouth to reply, but Odysseus raised a hand, smiling as though he’d just been greeted with flowers.

"Forgive the intrusion.." Odysseus said, stepping forward with a practiced grace.

"We’re not here to commission anything. We’re here because, my Lord. Governor Meical, requested it."

At the mention of that name, the artisan froze. His eyes darted from Odysseus to Vanadis, as if to gauge whether this was some elaborate jest. "The governor?" he rasped. "He needs me?"

"More than anything.." Odysseus replied smoothly. "And very much in need of your particular talents."

The old man scoffed. "Hah. I’m done with nobles and their errands. Tell your master to find another craftsman. My bones are too old for travel."

Vanadis sighed. That was that, he thought. Typical old-timer stubbornness.

They’d have to drag him out or bribe him heavily.

"It would be considered an act of defiance to the governor, if you refuse to accept his request. After all we came all this way to meet you, it shows our respect. Others would have gotten a letter."

The old man hissed, he didn’t wish to work with nobles anymore. Even if it was governor, who was good to the people.

Still, he couldn’t refuse a request. He could always reject him in his presence.

"Now you result to threats. My back is old, I can no longer work as I used too. I’m eighty-five years old. Have some pity on this old man.."

-_-

"I deeply apologize once again. If you hear what my master has to say, you decide to accept or decline the offer.."

The old man sighed and gathered his things. He would just take this as a last request before he closed his shop.

"Very well.."