Finding work in Jauhar wasn’t as hard as Hargitt initially thought. He’d assumed that his outsider status would keep him from some of the more lucrative jobs, but if anything it added to his appeal. Others assumed he either had no idea how to navigate the jungle or he must be the best if he’d made it here from Sauti with little more than a pack on his back. Taking his companion, Hargitt’s own sheer size and their weaponry into account gave him more than enough coin to be comfortable.

They roamed from village to village following contracts and occasionally the two would stay longer than usual if something kept their interest. While Hargitt didn’t have the specifics for why he was in this village for as long as they had been, it was enough to earn him a reputation and most of the locals at least knew his face. It was hard to miss, considering his features, and that boded well for the windling. Even through his limited conversations his character had been judged and someone thought it was a smart idea to keep him close once they realized that Rajani wasn’t his lover. At first most had just assumed that the two were a romantic pair, but when questioned about it Hargitt denied. He cared for Rajani a great deal and in a way she was his soulmate; albeit a platonic one. He couldn’t imagine his life without her and yet, he’d made it clear he had no sexual interest in women and his romantic life was cut off from them as well.

Instead of causing anyone to back away from him a few tried to get closer.
At first it was a few flirtatious glances that Hargitt failed to notice, suggestive touches and the like. When he did pick up on things Hargitt was quick to shut it all down and generally kept to himself after that. That is, until a note was slid under their door. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to hide it from Rajani and after a fair amount of teasing he’d agreed to meet with this random stranger who was just so enamored with him.

He didn’t expect it to be the bartender.

They’d frequented the tavern enough to become acquainted with Jevan. He was a reserved, burly shifter with a thick beard and an endless smile. Even though he didn’t speak as much as other staff members he was good at his job and genuinely seemed to enjoy it. Hargitt appreciated that he didn’t need to be reminded when they needed a refill; a keen eye and fast hands meant that Hargitt’s cup was never empty.

At first he hadn’t known what to say. Hargitt’s type had always been on the more dainty side, but Jevan was attractive in his own right. Once the shock had worn off and Hargitt agreed to stick around the pair spent the evening just talking. Jevan had been married before so he understood Hargitt’s reservations and, actually, wasn’t looking for romance at all. He just wanted someone to open up to; a literal friend with ‘benefits’.

And that, Hargitt could provide.

It had been so long since he’d known anyone else in that way that he worried he wouldn’t make it worthwhile for Jevan, but that was the night neither man would sleep. The newness of it all was as thrilling as the act itself, and when Hargitt came back to the inn the next day, walking funny with bruises on his neck, he felt a little….relieved? Proud, even? Proud that he still had it in him to try and that he wasn’t entirely broken.

Being around Jevan was something fresh. He still worked and spent a fair amount of time by Rajani’s side, but Jevan was different. When he wasn’t working he was with his daughter, who spent most of her time with his ex-wife, and when they were together it felt odd. Like he’d been shown a vision of what could have been if he hadn’t gone off. Jevan wasn’t someone that Hargitt would have thought to pine over from afar, but Jevan had apparently been watching him from the first day he’d arrived. That kind of interest, that sort of blind attraction was just…admirable if not cruel.

Sweet in a way that made him feel special and depressing because he knew this was as far as it would go. Neither man was ready for more, but for now…For now this was good. He was happy with this or so he kept telling himself.

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