The Bandana Lovers

Bestowal Of A Cuckoo's Ode

New Chapter

Enjoy
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Silently sitting in an open chariot heading towards the village and avoiding every kind of eye contact both Vegas and Pete had a tint of red on their faces. They were struggling to fight the kindle that enveloped them everytime they recalled the nearness they shared back in the palace. The gong that went off at a strange time resurfacing a distance between them appeared like an enemy . An enemy which forced them to pull away from the comfort they felt in each other. Comfort like that of roses after getting scratched by thorns . Comfort which was like a perfect bonfire in a hurting cold.

The tenacious grasp of Vegas on Pete's waist appeared like  a protective sheath. The stinging from it still lingered on Pete's spine and took him back to that eye blinking moment when Vegas pulled him in his embrace as if Pete was his own, someone whom he wanted to keep close. From meeting Vegas for the first time and trying to hate him to now missing him and  crying in his arms today like he was his only escape, Pete could not understand when he reached  this point but a bigger question his inner self kept poking at him was , why was he becoming fond of it. Why was there a desire to see Vegas when he was not there? Why was there a curiosity to know him more? And why, when today he heard his voice, he felt like he wanted to run to him and hide under his masculine figure? Why did he feel a comfort settling in him when Vegas touched his shoulders and looked him in the eyes assuring  his dignity? Why did Pete feel that finally he had someone who would listen to him and not look at him like a sinner? However the one question that overpowered every other feeling and made Pete more drowned in the river of thoughts was why did Vegas actually fulfill every wish of Pete that was never uttered in words. He actually listened to him, he didn't look at him like a culprit, he showed the utmost trust and he let Pete drain all those bitter tears on his shoulders while he held him close in vicinity of his body. Pete knew something was changing in him and he already felt weak to fight that change. He fought for many years to wait for that one thing which he thought would make him happy but he lost there. Now that he had something that already gave  him little splashes of happiness, he wanted to shed every logic and surrender himself to these unexpected joys that came his way.

He looked at Vegas who was sweating a lot. Pete took a handkerchief and wiped it making Vegas recoil in his place.

“Sorry, i …just…it's too humid . You should take this” Pete handed over the handkerchief in awkwardness which the other took and turned his head completely to the other side.

Vegas was  grappling with his feelings again. Trying to defy them but his attempts often failed. When a sudden gust of wind touched his sweating neck, he closed his eyes and all he could feel was Pete's lips that rested on his neck occasionally when he cried leaning on him. The tingling he got from Pete's tiny sobs still lived fresh on his nape. He wanted to take him away from every entity that dared to put him as an object of their accusations. Not under any circumstances his heart allowed him to believe that Pete deserved to be manhandled like that. When did he become so concerned about Pete and why? These questions were still unanswered but the calmness he felt in this new dynamic was too evident to deny. And deep in his heart he wanted to feel it everyday.

The chariot stopped dragging both of them out of their thoughts. They reached the village and stood among the farmers where Pete apologized to them sincerely. He went on his knees to accept his mistake. The villagers , the common people were much more benevolent and forgiving than those courtmen. They  accepted Pete's apology with open hearts. They knew that they wouldn't be harmed or left in loss by any of their king's family members. Pete felt lighter than before though not entirely.

The fields for now didn't have much work. They were preparing the soil for the next harvest. Where on one hand Vegas started helping them like a common man, contrary to that nobody was giving any work to Pete out of respect. He was made to sit comfortably and small kids were sitting in the corners staring at him or coming close to him , touching his dress and running away. Some would even play with his hairs which  bothered Vegas even more than Pete.