Page 56 of The Goblin Twins
“No,” Lai said, pressing a kiss to the top of A’bbni’s head. “It’s probably good that you do. Your brother doesn’t think enough sometimes, and neither do I.”
A’bbni laughed brightly at that. “That’s definitely true.” Lai pulled him in, his lips meeting A’bbni’s as they both went tumbling back down onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs and hair and kisses. A’bbni was so busy kissing Lai that he almost missed the knock on the door that was unmistakably his brother. He pulled back to give Lai a sheepish smile. “That’s Shi’chen.”
“Do you want me to go?” Lai asked, starting to sit up.
“Why would I? And this is your room anyway,” A’bbni replied, pushing him back down and giving him a quick kiss, pulling the sheets over him so Lai was at least somewhat covered. He grabbed Lai’s robe off the floor and tossed it on before crossing over the open the door.
Shi’chen started to say something, then grinned and leaned against the frame as he saw A’bbni’s appearance. “I was looking for Lai, but from that smile, I am guessing I know where he is.”
A’bbni stepped aside so Shi’chen could see Lai curled up in the bed. Shi’chen flushed and ducked his head. “Did you need me, Your Highness?” Lai asked, giving him a lazy smirk.
“Lord Kella wanted to speak with you,” Shi’chen said, deliberately avoiding looking at either Lai or his brother. “Just when you two are… done.”
Lai nodded. “I’ll be there shortly.”
Shi’chen flushed. “I’ll let him know,” he said, then gave A’bbni a small smile. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
A’bbni hesitated, then softly asked, “Are you… are you all right with this, i-sha?”
“With what?” Shi’chen said, tipping his head to one side.
“With Lai and I, sleeping together.”
Shi’chen gave him a soft smile. “If he makes you happy, that is all I care about.”
A’bbni dropped his voice to a whisper, switching to their usual mix of Hanen-sha and Hanen-vir. “I do have to ask, Shi’chen. Do you love him? If you do, I would not keep him from you.”
Shi’chen gave him a small smile. “You are the romantic, not I.”
“That does not mean you do not feel love.”
Shi’chen glanced over his shoulder at Lai on the bed, who was pointedly making himself comfortable in the sheets, doing his best to ignore what was obviously meant to be a private conversation. “I… do not know,” he said softly. “I have never been in love before, or even felt the desire for it. I would consider him my friend, and if he treats you well, that is enough for me. I would not take him away from you.”
“Thank you, i-sha,” A’bbni said softly.
“But, so you both know,” Shi’chen said, switching to Hanen-shii and raising his voice again so Lai could hear it. “If he breaks your heart, I will have to kick his ass.”
A’bbni laughed at that. “I am sure you would, too.”
“I would probably let you,” Lai replied. “I promise, Your Highness, my intentions with your brother are entirely honorable,” he said in very affected Hanen-sha.
Shi’chen rolled his eyes. “Gods, I hope not,” he said with a grin before giving A’bbni’s shoulder a light squeeze. “My brother has entirely too much honor for both of us.” He stepped back, giving his twin a playful bow. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”
A’bbni laughed, then closed the door as Shi’chen headed off down the hall.
Lai reached up to pull him back down next to him in the bed. “I hope you know that I did mean that. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
“Nor I you,” A’bbni said, curling against him and kissing him warmly. “You know that he will kill you if you do, though.”
“I know. He loves you more than anything.”
A’bbni flushed a little at that, tangling his fingers into the sheets. It was one thing to know it; it was another to hear it said out loud, especially by Lai. “I know.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Lai said, shifting to rest against the pillow again, his fingers playing over the curve of A’bbni’s shoulder. “What is that word you and your brother use?”
“What word?” A’bbni asked, nestling closer into Lai’s arms.
“I think it’s, i-sha?” Lai said, his tongue stumbling over the word just a bit. “I’ve never heard it before, though my Hanen-sha is not great, and I know shit of Hanen-vir.”
