The Bringer of Death (City Underdark #2)

The Worries

Barmond was not too happy about his change of clothes.

While it was true that he had just arrived in Gardel - well, he had arrived a while ago, but he had been sent right back out almost immediately - he had not taken the time to expand his wardrobe. Because he did not think that he would need it, because he was quite happy with his dark clothes, because he had never owned much. He regretted now that he was getting ready for that celebration he had been invited to and was wondering just how dressed he needed to be.

"I think you look nice," Yoven said.

Of course he would say that, thought Barmond. He could talk, clad in the clothes that had been made for his tall and slim frame. While those clothes remained simple and practical, they made a good job when accentuating the natural V shape of Yoven's torso and the length of his legs. Compliments to the gnomess that had taken care of that.

Barmond stopped looking at Yoven and fiddled with one of his sleeves, trying to adjust it so that it would suit him better.

"Aren't you convinced?" Yoven asked.

"It could... fit me better," Barmond said.

"That can be arranged."

Yoven got off the bed and went to look through some of their cabinets. Contrary to Barmond he seemed to have started to stash on various supplies, needles and strings included. That Yoven could sew, that he would even seek it out, did not come as a surprise to Barmond. Yoven had been a man-servant in the past and seemed to find comfort in those simple tasks.

It had been a while since Barmond had had a personal man-servant of his own, not that he saw Yoven as one. But, the last time he had, he was still human, living with his family, and that relationship...

Well, it had ended rather catastrophically.

He compared the past with the present as Yoven kneeled near him and started to poke and probe at the way the cloth wrapped around his waist. It was different and the same at once. Barmond could certainly remember that they used to dance around one another in the same way he danced around Yoven, not sure about telling him about what he had concluded with Hugo.

(He was going to. Soon. He was just busy at the moment, and not willing to bring this up when he had to be out the door soon.)

He was drawn out of his thoughts by the feeling of Yoven's hand under his clothes, so warm against his cool skin. Not that Yoven was touching him on purpose, he was still sewing. He seemed to have found a place where the cloth could be adjusted.

"You shouldn't tire yourself for that," Barmond said. "You should be resting."

"I'm feeling fine," said Yoven. "That's the third time you are telling me that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You barely took anything at all last night."

"I shouldn't have done it."

"It's not like you can put the blood back."

Despite himself, Barmond chuckled. A reverse vampire? What a ludicrous idea.

"But really, you shouldn't worry about it," Yoven said. "Now that I know how I am not supposed to feel, I'll keep an eye for it and I'll tell you how it is. You can trust me."

"Fine..." Barmond said. "If you say so."

Yoven flashed him a brief smile. He seemed pleased with Barmond's response and did not add anything else as he worked quickly.