16.Jun.22, 12:59 AM
Tazikel’s mouth was too occupied to laugh at Mylorah’s words, but he did smile into the kiss. When they pulled apart enough to speak, he grinned at her. “You may want to get on that sooner rather than later, otherwise who knows who else you’ll have to share me with,” he said. It was mostly teasing, but there was some genuine concern there too. His parents were getting closer and closer to finally agreeing on a betrothal for him. Another annoying side effect of the weird spat his father and Batenkel found themselves in, one that saw Tazikel spending a lot more time having dinner with what felt like every lord’s daughter between fourteen and forty, and a lot less time doing fun things like hanging out with Mylorah.
He really hoped his father and Ten figured their shit out soon. It would perhaps make his father less eager to find him a good match and go back to leaving Tazikel to his own devices for another few Turns. Maybe. At twenty-five Tazikel was pushing it to remain unmarried, and there was no way he’d make it to thirty without a wife. He didn’t generally like to think on the inevitability of his marriage, but it had unfortunately been looming to large in his life to ignore anymore.
As much as he’d prefer to be Mylorah’s whatever-he-was indefinitely, he would marry. Tillek was his home, and he cared about his family too much to refuse when it was finally asked of him. His parents had been kind enough to put it off for his benefit so long already—Tazikel knew there was no benefit to Tillek or his family to have him remain unwed, it was entirely because they knew he wasn’t ready.
Still.
“If I end up married before you steal me away to a Weyr, you, Ko’ris, and the wife can argue over custody and I’ll abide by whatever you all decide,” he said, and wrapped his arms more securely around Mylorah. “I’m sure you’ll manage to come out on top in the negotiations.”
He really hoped his father and Ten figured their shit out soon. It would perhaps make his father less eager to find him a good match and go back to leaving Tazikel to his own devices for another few Turns. Maybe. At twenty-five Tazikel was pushing it to remain unmarried, and there was no way he’d make it to thirty without a wife. He didn’t generally like to think on the inevitability of his marriage, but it had unfortunately been looming to large in his life to ignore anymore.
As much as he’d prefer to be Mylorah’s whatever-he-was indefinitely, he would marry. Tillek was his home, and he cared about his family too much to refuse when it was finally asked of him. His parents had been kind enough to put it off for his benefit so long already—Tazikel knew there was no benefit to Tillek or his family to have him remain unwed, it was entirely because they knew he wasn’t ready.
Still.
“If I end up married before you steal me away to a Weyr, you, Ko’ris, and the wife can argue over custody and I’ll abide by whatever you all decide,” he said, and wrapped his arms more securely around Mylorah. “I’m sure you’ll manage to come out on top in the negotiations.”