I haven't written anything new for ages, so I thought I'd post this piece I wrote over a year ago. I like exploring Tayend's POV during events in The Novice, and this scene is another of my attempts to do just that. Hopefully it has a different tone to most of my other fics.
Warning: Scene of a sexual nature later on, but its not overly explicit.
Dangerous Desires
Set during The Novice, when Dannyl and Tayend are onboard the ship to Lonmar. The eyoma leeches have started attacking the ship, and Dannyl has told Tayend to stay in his cabin for safety.
Tayend returned wearily to his cabin, feeling a sharp sting of uselessness for not being able to help Lord Dannyl and the sailors in clearing the ship of leeches. It brought into prominence the impression that others no doubt had of him; a flamboyant, self-absorbed pretty boy, who was incompetent at doing anything except spreading gossip or flaunting the latest fashion. At times like this, Tayend resented the dismissive view that most people held of Elynes.
The scholar entered his small cabin and closed the door. He could still hear the raised voices and hurried movements from out on the deck, where the sailors continued their struggle to rid the ship of the persistent eyoma. Sighing softly, Tayend perched cautiously on his bed as he undressed and pulled on his night clothes. The ship had a habit of jolting suddenly from side to side, and even after a week of travelling by sea, Tayend had not fully adapted to it. The worst by far was the unrelenting nausea which plagued him. It made keeping his meals down difficult, and left him feeling constantly weak and exhausted.
Tayend climbed into bed; the hard, narrow mattress making him long for his large, luxuriously soft bed back in Capia. As he recalled some of the pleasures he had enjoyed in that bed with various different lovers, Tayend smiled faintly. But these passionate memories contrasted harshly with how cold and dejected he felt right now.
Turning over under the blankets to stare sleepily at the opposite wall, his eyes focussed on the other narrow bunk in the room, the one in which Lord Dannyl slept. Tayend's mind flickered with images of the magician. His initial fears of him being a typically arrogant Guild magician hadn't taken long to dissolve completely. Dannyl was friendly, thoughtful, witty, and seemed more open-minded than most Kyralians. He was also undeniably attractive, with his pale skin, mildly unruly brown hair, and those dark, intelligent eyes. Not that he was by any means the most handsome man Tayend had ever met, of course. But he does have the most irresistible smile... The scholar's heartbeat drummed faster at the mere thought, and a shiver of pleasure flooded through him. The tinge of guilt he felt for reacting this way made the feeling all the more delightful.
The scholar did his best to sober his thoughts to more serious matters, such as the research he was helping Lord Dannyl with. He eventually drifted into a light sleep, but his unconscious mind plunged into a dream about Dannyl. He imagined the magician striding into the cabin, his eyes animated with deviousness, as he took Tayend purposefully in his arms and kissed him. Tayend was startled by the magician's impetuous advances, but he quickly recovered and responded by wrapping his arms tightly around Dannyl's shoulders and forcing their bodies and mouths closer.
Dannyl moaned softly with satisfaction at the younger man's competence, and the scholar took this as confirmation that the magician was every bit as impatient as he was to take things further. Tayend pushed Dannyl firmly down onto his bed, the narrow mattress giving him an unnecessary excuse to position himself on top of the other man. Dannyl didn't protest against this arrangement, and he eagerly pulled the scholar down closer to him.
Locking mouths once more, they allowed their hands to wander fervently over each other; delighting in caressing, stroking and teasing. With some encouragement from Tayend, Dannyl hastily untied his sash and removed his robes, dropping them carelessly on the floor. It wasn't long before the rest of the magician's clothes (as well as Tayend's) were also discarded to join them.
The scholar had never seen the magician fully undressed before, and he revelled in the sight of his long, lean limbs and pale skin. Dannyl's previous confidence wavered, and he blushed under Tayend's forthright appraisal of him. Comfortable with being in control, the scholar tenderly guided Dannyl through their love-making. At first Tayend was teasingly slow and sensual; but later when their mutual desire became overwhelming, their actions grew steadily more frantic, as they desperately drove each other into throes of sheer ecstasy.
The sound of footsteps in the cabin roused the Elyne from his passionate dream. Heart pounding wildly, he squinted in the heavy darkness, and made out the shape of a tall, lean figure. Lord Dannyl. The magician was quietly undressing for bed, and had not seemed to notice that the scholar was awake. Despite having just fantasised about the same man before him now, Tayend shut his eyes tightly, not wanting to intrude on Dannyl's privacy.
Intense shame pierced through him, for letting his desirous thoughts take over from his better judgment. It was senseless to yearn and lust after Lord Dannyl; a man who showed little intention of letting love get in the way of his work, and who had his reputation as a respectable magician to worry about. And of course, Tayend didn't even know for certain if he was a lad, despite all those persistent rumours.
As he heard Dannyl get into bed, Tayend opened his eyes, and let them adjust slowly to the room's darkness. His gaze lingered on the almost still form of the magician, who was facing away from him. The scholar watched the gentle rise and fall of his body, and listened to the peaceful sounds of his breathing. I wonder what he dreams about, Tayend mused. Does he ever think about me? He scowled exasperatedly as this last thought struck him. Don't flatter yourself, Tayend. I'm sure he has plenty of important things going around in that head of his. You are hardly one of them. Anyway, what are the chances that a gorgeous man like him is single? For all I know he has a beautiful woman waiting for him back in Kyralia.
Feeling frustrated at himself for being a hot-blooded man, and a little annoyed at Dannyl for being so ambiguous about both his love life and his inclinations, Tayend rolled over in his narrow, uncomfortable bed, and tried to get some sleep.
As always, I would be thrilled to hear your feedback for this story :D Or suggestions for future fics, seeing as I haven't had much inspiration for a while now.