Desperate Times
(Set after my previous fic, called Ready?)
It had been over a year since Tayend of Tremmelin had embarked upon his relationship with Ambassador Dannyl. All in all, Tayend had to admit that things were going well; with the exception of one important (well, important to Tayend) aspect.
Dannyl was extremely uncomfortable with intimacy. If Tayend was lucky, he could manage to cuddle up to the magician as they researched together in the Library. But every time the scholar tried to do more, Dannyl would start to look apprehensive and would even tremble with nervousness; and this stopped Tayend from going any further.
Initially Dannyl's reaction had made Tayend feel terribly guilty and selfish - for wanting more when everything else between them was going so smoothly. But as the months passed, Dannyl showed hardly any indication that he himself wanted more. He seemed content with their relationship's development, and expressed that they needed plenty of time to get to know each other properly before they were ready to be intimate. The magician also explained that his reluctance was nothing to do with a lack of attraction towards Tayend; rather he simply didn't feel ready to commit himself yet.
Of course Tayend understood Dannyl's hesitation, it was perfectly reasonable considering the man's past. But it was becoming apparent that Dannyl had some sort of irrational fear of being physically close – even with somebody he dearly cared for. It certainly didn't help that Dannyl had grown up bombarded with the notion that being intimate with another man was dishonourable and perverse. Even though he himself had never fully succumbed to believing this, he still couldn't help but wonder what other magicians would think of his desire for men. People who had had once respected him would no doubt turn against him, enough so that he could lose his position as Ambassador, and his recovering reputation would be irreversibly damaged.
Tayend's recent attempt to seduce Dannyl in the Library had ended in disaster; with Dannyl actually leaving the room, rather than discuss why he was feeling uncomfortable with Tayend. This incident had wounded Tayend – at first because he felt that Dannyl was rejecting him, but later because he felt like such a terrible lover that he couldn't help Dannyl overcome his problems.
Tayend was now determined to put Dannyl at ease, and help him to deal with his worries. Unfortunately, Dannyl proved to be uncomfortable with discussing his problems at length, despite Tayend's best efforts. The thought that Dannyl might never be ready for intimacy was enough for the scholar to decide what needed to be done – they needed help and advice in order for their relationship to progress. And there was only one person Tayend knew they could trust to assist them. Somebody whom Tayend could always depend on, and turn to when in doubt.
His sister, Mayrie.
(The story will continue in the next fic, called Desperate Measures :D )