The privateer and his tracker

Chapter 8

Nikolai came a bit early to the barn, hoping Mal would also. And he did. By the time they were originally supposed to meet up, they were both quite sweaty and taking a break.

During the time they spent together, Nikolai tried to be suggestive with his body language. Quite a couple of times he made sure to be wrapped up in Mal's strong arms, even if it meant he lost.

With all those movements he made sure to give Mal to step away, to subtly turn him down. He never did.

Even more, he made sure that a couple of times his arm 'accidentally' found its way to Nikolai's ass or lower back, keeping it there for a second before he pulled it away, mumbling a quiet apology.

Nikolai was testing the waters and it was great. He was going to tell Mal about his feelings, no matter what will happen after.

He felt for Mal so deeply and greatly that he felt like he was going to explode if he doesn't get it out and tell Mal. He was searching for the perfect moment to tell him. When they ended the break and went back to their play fighting, he realised the perfect moment will never come and that he should do it when he finds a slight opportunity.

At the moment the tracker had his hands on Nikolai's hips, breathing comfortably warm air on his neck. He was pushing Nikolai down, by his hips, making sure to have time to kick Nikolai's sword away.

Nikolai didn't give up so easily, squatting down and turning around to knock Mal's sword out of his hand. Mal smirked, shaking his hand in disbelief.

He raised his head back up and was right in front of Nikolai, millimetres away from him before his brain could even catch up.

He took a quick step forward and now he could feel him everywhere, feel his breath on his face and it fixed in his memory forever.

Before he could pay more attention to what he was feeling, strong hands were gripping the back of his thighs, lifting him, while also carrying him until he hit the solid wood wall of the barn.

He knew it was only Mal's attempt in winning, but saints was he having the moment of his life. If he could spend forever being held by Mal, he would, no questions asked.

For a second or two, they were just breathing. Nikolai took a moment to look into Mal's eyes, and he found them the prettiest eyes he ever saw. He could spend his whole life getting lost in them.

Although, there was this weird thing. When he looked into Mal's eyes he felt everything but like he was lost. Quite the opposite actually, he felt like he found himself.

When Mal started chuckling and jokingly asked, bathing in the victory: "How is this for fighting?" the exact feeling gave him the courage to reply:

"How is this for flirting?" And he kissed him.

When Mal didn't pull away and rather leaned in, resting an arm beside Nikolai's head, steadying himself, Nikolai was more than happy the barn was a bit outside of the castle area. He and Mal were the only ones using it.

He couldn't begin to describe how kissing Mal felt. Some words came to mind, like peace, safeness, joy, softness and most of all love.

He didn't dwell on it, didn't think about how things will go on after today. As soon as Mal's other arm wrapped around him, reaching a bit lower than would be appropriate if Nikolai wasn't achingly close to begging, he pushed himself off of the wall, tackling Mal under him.

Mal let out a soft oof, turning them around and taking his jacket off, laying it out on the floor, moving the two of them onto it.

The king was more than happy to wrap his arms around the other man's neck, holding him closer than he thought was possible.

It was all so easy with Mal and on that warm evening, Nikolai experienced things he never even imagined.

If Mal had Nikolai bare and without his armour that day, then no one has to know that either.

--- le time skip, because I write shit smut, oops ---

Nikolai didn't remember ever feeling this nervous. He, the king of Ravka, was laying on some stone cold floor of a barn, only a coat underneath him, with a tracker on his right side. It was a situation he never imagined himself in. On top of it all, he was quite antsy.

What to do now? Is it the time for the awkward getting dressed phase and never talking about it? Does Mal hate it now? Does Mal regret it?

Even if he doesn't, what if he'll want casual hookups? Nikolai couldn't do casual hookups with Mal, he'd always want more, and there was no way it could work.

What if Mal would want to date him? Well, he wouldn't. And even if he did, Nikolai would find a way to somehow ruin it sooner or later, and it would hurt way more than just never starting it.

"Saints, you have ruined me for anyone else." Oh, wow, well, that's something. Nikolai could feel himself blushing, probably all the way down to the middle of his chest, seemingly replacing all the worries Nikolai had.

"No need to boost my ego," was the reply Nikolai didn't think was too pushy, needy or awkward. It seemed to work well enough, as Mal wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him into his chest, kissing his forehead.

Nikolai fell in love a bit.

"You deserve it." The blonde hid his blush in the crook of Mal's neck and left his face there, feeling sleepy.

Before he could get up to do anything, Mal started rubbing reassuring circles on his back and Nikolai could feel himself drifting off. To a safe, warm space, falling asleep in Mal's arms.