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After their conversation about the predator courts, and various violent injuries, as he went about his duties for the next week, the spider seemed, if possible, even more meek and soft spoken around the dragonkin.

Maybe he should've just kept his mouth shut. The small spiders, more so than even any other prey, were so sensitive to violence. Heck, the man had almost whisked himself away on pure instinct just from the chimera's cursing. He couldn't imagine how an average spider, away from the confines of the safe palace and with at least a buffer of a noble title, like Wing, managed to get through the day. Threats from other animals were routine, even if they weren't acted on. Some animals just liked to scare them for fun!

Ironically, the big furry beast wanted to hold the spider close to him, and kiss his head, and reassure him. Would consoling from someone like him even help in the first place? His heart sank.

When the spider arrived in his study that day, he seemed at least a little more confident.

"Are you all righ, Sire? I know attraction is . . . hard to deal with. When there are factors keeping it from culminating. You seem so tense all the time. You don't have the option of being away from me. Unless you wanted to dismiss me," a hint of worry crossed the spider's brow, but he quickly covered it up.

Gorthorn made an affronted sound in the back of his throat. "I'm not some lovesick puppy, Wing. I'm not wiling away the hours thinking about you. It was a mistake, and I-" He was blustering to cover up his own embarrassment, he realized. What he was saying was true enough, but he didn't have to be so blunt about it. Also- "I should apologize."

The spider's purple blush returned, and Gorthorn almost cringed. He had pierced the other man's cool exterior and at some level he wasn't even sure he was comfortable with it anymore. Even though they hadn't really done anything of note yet-

Yet?

He almost rolled his eyes as his own head messed with him.

Why had he even gone along with this in the first place?

"Sire, I just thought you should know- you don't have to keep beating yourself up about it."

Gorthorn blinked. "What?"

"Whenever you look at me, you get this expression- like-" he shrugged.

Was he that obvious? He had been paying closer attention to the spider, but it seemed the opposite was true as well.

"I'm not-" he started to deny, but veered off. He had to admit that he had spent an inordinate amount of time wishing he had just kept his paws to himself. That he could put the genie back in the bottle and have his friend back- the one that didn't conjure images of that vulnerable, shirtless man.

"It wasn't all bad. And I've decided the invitation is still open, just so you know."

He was wholly not prepared for that. He sat back in his chair, completely flummoxed for several minutes. But then a new tide of objections started flooding him- how in the world could he make love to someone who described an encounter as 'not all bad'? This was never a whirlwind storybook affair, but that was still a poor way to start anything off. "Well, that really convinces me you want this, Wing." He snapped sarcastically. "I should just drop everything right now and take you on a magic journey. You've got this peculiar idea in your head that-" He shook his head. "That you need to do this? Even if you don't want to?"

The scientist straightened his collar. "I appreciate that you're trying to look out for me," the fanged man gave a very warm, if tight-lipped, smile. And again Gorthorn was put off by the uncharacteristic expression. "And I must admit, I wasn't keen on it. I was relieved. Had you- erm- pressed your advantage, perhaps I would have felt put upon. But, I've had some more time to think about it. I considered something- you know how people in arranged marriages manage to make things work, despite not being automatically attracted to each other?"

Gorthorn reluctantly grunted his assent.

"I thought, what if this worked the same way? What if I- you know- adapted."

"You should really go look for another wife and leave this whole mess behind." Gorthorn said pointedly.

"I don't think I will marry again, Sire."

He couldn't imagine the spider having a serious relationship outside of marriage. This would have been two men, so it was different. But bedding a woman without committing to her? "What? Really? You seem a by-the-book man, doctor."

"Oh, I am."

"Then . . .?"

"I just don't want to."

Gorthorn deflated. It made him sad to think of Wing resigning himself to being alone so early. But- "Some just really steal your heart, don't they?" the chimera said understandingly.

"Oh no, Sire. That's not it. I am not angry at her. We . . . parted on, not great terms, but not terrible, either."

"It's not anger I'm talking about, Wing. It's love."

"Well, regardless, that's not the issue."

As usual, Gorthorn could not make heads or tails of the man. It was actually almost entertaining trying to even chase down-

Run him down mentally.

He almost flashed his teeth instinctually, but caught himself. The hunt for the elusive mind of the doctor. Yes, he could accept the metaphor, but control came first. Demeanor was drilled into royals, and sometimes he wondered if he were actually helpful or if it just served to clutter up his mind for no reason. "So, why have you decided not to even look?"

The spider shrugged. "Work keeps me busy."

"You really shouldn't overwork yourself to the point where you can't be social."

"I guess what's not getting through, is that, I am different from other people, Sire. I don't need as much companionship. And if you wanted, I would try this. But if so, could we just, perhaps," he lowered his voice shyly, "take it slower? I-" he pressed his lips together again- "to, as I say, adapt?"

Though he recognized he had little right to feel this way, one reason Gorthorn had turned so prickly is that he was insulted over not being wanted. He had plenty of enthusiastic people throwing themselves at him- some for political reasons, and others merely because he was a handsome chimera, if he didn't say so himself. The Queen's spot was coveted by many, and he was the very picture of health and vitality, not least of all because he didn't age.

Someone indulging him in a lukewarm manner- that was novelty, to be sure, but not welcome nor refreshing in any sense.

And there was his other hurdle he had to clear. His conscience now would simply not allow him to expose the spider again without admitting to him that he had taken advantage of others. How would the doctor feel about giving himself to someone who hadn't respected anyone else's hesitation?