Meccio had not been the only one to notice the brazen request that Esclave had made earlier that day. Vanbinicci had also taken an interest when he observed the general ask for a 'blessing' from Y/N.
Vanbinicci was clever enough to see that the superstitious talk had been nothing more than an act to get general Denlleonis to give Esclave the kiss that he desired, but the question remained why did Esclave want a kiss from her in the first place? Vanbinicci had a theory that explained all of the Subedict General's confusing behavior, all he had left was to confirm that his suspicion about him was correct.
Once the sun had set, Vanbinicci ventured out from his tent and into the camp. Clad in a simple soldier's uniform and emerald tunic, he could easily be mistaken for a common soldier had it not been for his confident stride that portrayed an air of nobility.
Before long he had reached the incline on the edge of the military camp where the Estainians had pitched their tents. Even though it was smaller and less elaborate than his tent, it was clear that the tent in the center was the one belonging to the two Estainian generals.
The warm light of a candle shone through the canvas walls, indicating that Esclave was still awake. Without announcing his arrival the brunette pulled the front flap of the tent aside and entered.
Esclave was reflecting with glee on the moment that Y/N had kissed him earlier that day, but his survival instincts kicked in as he felt the presence of someone behind him. He whirled around, pulling a dagger from his belt. Once he recognized the smirking face of Vanbinicci he hastened to mask the infatuated expression he had been wearing with an aggravated glower, "You've got some nerve coming here without permission. So, what do you want?"
"Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to chat," Vanbinicci's smirk widened as the candle flickered, casting deep shadows on his chiseled face. "I couldn't help but notice the peculiar way that general Denlleonis bid you farewell. Tell me is that a common custom in Estain, I never would have guessed?"
"... Get out," Esclave growled after several moments of silence. He kept his voice steady and his face impartial, but his composure crumbled the longer Vanbinicci smirked at him with that knowing glint in his green eyes. "GET OUT BEFORE I RUN YOU THROUGH!!!"
"Oh, touchy aren't you? I was just asking a question and your reaction has given me my answer," The brunette's tone dripped with mockery as he looked down at Esclave. He was pleased to see that he was actually a bit taller than the Subedict General. "You desire general Denlleonis, don't you?" He asked with a leer.
"N-No... I-I WOULD NEVER-" His blue eyes grew wide as he took an involuntary step back. Panic gripped his heart at being called out for his true feelings towards Y/N.
"Come on, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Vanbinicci told him, clapping a hand on his shoulder in a friendly manner. "With the way she struts around with half of her chest exposed for anyone to see I wouldn't be surprised if all the army wants to bed her, no matter how scary she is-"
Esclave shoved him away roughly, struggling to keep his temper from boiling over. "Don't. Ever. Say. Such. Things. About. Denlleonis. In. Front. Of. Me." He emphasized each word to imply the severity of his threat.
"Give up will you," General Arrogari chuckled condescendingly. "It's plain to see that you'll never have a chance of bedding her, and even if you did what would be the point? She'd make a terrible wife and an even worse mother-"
"YOU WRETCHED SWINE!!!" Esclave seethed, a violent fire blazing in his blue eyes as his face contorted in rage. He raised the dagger and lunged forward, screaming, "I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE FOR INSULTING HER LIKE THAT!!!"
"Oh, will you now?" Vanbinicci sneered as he took hold of Esclave's extended wrist and twisted it, forcing him to drop the knife. Before he had the opportunity to writhe out of his grasp, Vanbinicci changed his hold so that both Esclave's hands were restrained. "Honestly, I am very interested to hear what she's done to win such loyalty from you. Feel like sharing?"
Esclave only glared at him, remaining silent. He struggled to try and free his hands, but general Arrogari was much stronger than he looked.
"No, that's too bad," he said with a sigh, pretending to be disappointed. Truthfully, he was hoping that Esclave would attempt to withhold the information, that way he could use his backup plan. "I'm sure I can find another way to make you talk..."
Vanbinicci walked around and changed his grip so that he could stand directly behind Esclave while keeping him in place. He leaned his head down so that his mouth was right next to his ear and whispered, "You know, you don't have a bad face. It's honestly quite attractive."
He felt general Azeeion's whole body tense at that, but otherwise, he maintained his stoic composure. Realizing that he would have to do more to seduce a soldier as resilient as him Vanbinicci pulled Esclave's torso closer to his own, making the position more sexual. "You know, I wouldn't mind bedding you," he said in a low breathy voice as he nipped at his earlobe. "You could even pretend that I'm your beloved general if you want~"
Esclave reclined against Vanbinicci as he considered the offer. Vanbinicci smirked more than happy to enjoy the increase of intimacy, given that it had been a few months since his last sexual encounter. He could already feel himself growing aroused, but he was caught off guard when Esclave snapped his head back, bringing it into contact with the brunette's nose with as much force as he could.
Stunned, Vanbinicci released his hold on Esclave enough for him to escape. Stars danced before his eyes accompanied by throbbing pain in his nose. As his vision came back into focus he found that Esclave had retrieved his dagger from the floor and was pressing the blade the sunkissed fleshed of his throat.
His face was so close that Vanbinicci could feel the heat of his breath fanning against his face. "I don't care was perverse and degenerate forms of sexual union you have invented in the Luccian Army to satisfy yourselves, I won't partake in them," Esclave said. His cheeks were flushed red, whether from anger or arousal was unclear.
"You sure, I promise I'll show you a good time?" Vanbinicci offered, surprisingly calm for a man who was a second away from having his throat slit. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying pleasure with a fellow soldier."
"Perhaps not in Luccia, but things are very different in Estain, "Esclave said, a warning tone in his voice. Fear flashed in his eyes as he continued, "Sexual relations between fellow soldiers and those of the same sex are the worst crimes you can commit in Estain, second only to treason. Now, I don't care what practices you indulged in before our arrival." He added pressure to the blade against Vanbinicci's neck, causing small beads of blood to appear. "But if you want to keep your head on your shoulders and your genitals intact you will cease them."
"Why are you telling me this?" General Arrogari asked, unnerved by Esclave's sudden investment in his well-being. "Wouldn't you prefer to see a scoundrel like me dead?"
"I would like to see you as a man dead but as a general, you are skilled and would be hard to replace," Esclave replied as he pulled the dagger away and stepped back. His eyes glazed as he recalled with a shudder the many brutal ways people were punished for breaking the law in Estain. "I despise you, but I have seen how general Denlleonis punishes those who violate that law... Unspeakable things... No man, no matter how vile, deserves to be put through that torment... "
His words trailed off, leaving Vanbinicci shocked. He dreaded the thought of learning what exactly was done to those who engaged in such practices, and shocked that Esclave would warn him when their relationship was so poor. "T-thank you," he said, his voice quavering with sincerity.
"I'm going for a walk," General Azeeion completely ignored Vanbinicci as he walked to the exit and pulled the tent flap aside. "This tent better be void of your presence by the time I return. And you should keep tonight secret, for both our necks."
A/N
Ha! I bet you thought it would be Y/N doing the seducing, didn't you?
This is probably the closest thing to a BL scene I'll ever write, so I hope you liked it. ^~^
Fun fact: Although women have equal rights is Estain, it is a country where homosexuality is greatly frowned upon, and those found guilty of sleeping with the same sex can be published by death. It is the opposite in Luccia, women are basically treated like objects but no one cares who you sleep with or what gender they are.
Until next time I'll see you on the other side
~J. C. Coltt.~