After The Holders Go Home

Writers: Francesca, Devin
Date Posted: 5th April 2026

Characters: N'vanik, I'lek
Description: I'lek delivers N'vanik's invitation to the weyrmating party
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 16 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Tr'vel, M'trel, Gilbek

N'vanik

I'lek was in the role of a harper spy again - or, how he imagined such a person might move surreptitiously around the Weyr. He had carefully planned several cover stories for why he would be in the corridors around the Weyrleader's quarters in case he ran into Tr'vel or C'nal or another of the Lightning wingriders who might not approve of his running this errand, even though he'd chosen his moment carefully for when he'd seen his Wingleader heading to the lake with Eboroth.

He was a little disappointed that no one saw anything unusual in a man with greenrider's knots in the area and challenged him, and he reached the office door without incident.

N'vanik had been gathering his things to head out to the beach when someone knocked. He briefly considered heading out the back door anyway, but after a moment he said, "Come in."

The door slowly swung open and his visitor stepped into the doorway, leaning his hip on the frame with a paper rolled up and pinched between the thumb and first finger of his hand. "Weyrleader." His voice was low and alluring, and he gazed across the room at the bronzerider through his eyelashes. "I have a most important communication for you from the Wingleader of Lightning Wing."

"I thought you were supposed to be bothering M'trel instead of me," N'vanik teased, the corner of his mouth turning up.

"But this doesn't have M'trel's name on it." I'lek sauntered into the office, placed his message on the desk and patted it with the tips of his fingers. "It's addressed specially to you."

N'vanik was definitely intrigued. He unrolled the message and smiled as he read it. "Tr'vel and Gil, huh? I'm happy for them." Their relationship had been an unexpected turn of events, but N'vanik was still so relieved that Gil had turned out to be a decent man and not yet another dragonrider-hating holder that he didn't mind. And now they were becoming weyrmates. "Of course I'll come."

"That's wonderful! They'll be so pleased." It was clear from I'lek's delight at his answer that the new weyrmates wouldn't be the only ones, but he quickly schooled his expression to an approximation of seriousness. "However, there are a few conditions."

"What conditions?"

"Well." I'lek was tempted to perch on the desk, but he didn't quite dare, so he settled for leaning against the chair in front of it with his hip tilted in an enticing pose. "There will be holders in attendance, so Tr'vel and Gil have asked me to convey that any...antics...should be toned down to a suitable level. Until they return home, of course." His lips curved into a wicked smile. "After that, you can be as shocking as you please."

The Weyrleader considered that for a moment. I'lek was clearly teasing, and if there were holders coming to a weyrmating celebration for two men, they couldn't be _that_ hidebound. "So no sexy dancing." He gave I'lek a slow smile. "And no kissing boys."

"They're Tr'vel and Gil's friends, so I don't think they'd be offended by a peck on the cheek." He thrilled in anticipation at that smile. "But regrettably, you'll have to keep your clothes on."

N'vanik laughed. Maybe he _would_ kiss I'lek on the cheek just for the fun of it. "Oh come on. It's Dolphin Cove. I should at least be able to take my shirt off."

"After they leave," I'lek said, in his best imitation of a stern foster mother telling a weyrbrat to wait for his dessert. "But..." His gaze slid down to the neck of the Weyrleader's shirt. "I don't suppose anyone would object if you undo a button or two."

"Some people," N'vanik said as he ran a finger along his neckline, "might even appreciate it."

"Indeed." The greenrider's voice lowered to a seductive purr. "Some people might spend the party stealing glances, imagining the firm, muscular chest to be revealed when the hour grows late and the holders return to their homes."

"Maybe his patience will be rewarded with a dance." N'vanik's gaze roamed over I'lek's body. "After the holders go home."

"Then someone will be awaiting that moment..." That look sent tingles running across I'lek's skin and sent his pulse racing, heating him to his core. He ran the tip of his tongue over his lips, leaned forward - then paused. He didn't want to risk Tr'vel finding out what he was up to and disinviting him from the party - and besides, he thought daringly, why not let the Weyrleader feel the same expectation that he did? "Most impatiently."

N'vanik wondered if he was teasing too much. "Did they actually invite me, or is this your idea?"

"Of course they did," I'lek lied shamelessly. "Tr'vel said himself that they couldn't possibly celebrate their weyrmating without you. After all, it was you who brought them together, wasn't it?"

"I kind of did, didn't I?" The Weyrleader laughed. "Did you know Tr'vel . . . maybe I'll save that story for the celebration."

"Oh! You should make a speech. Weyrleaders are good at that." He imagined with some glee how mortified Tr'vel would be. "I can help. My wingmates and I have some great Tr'vel stories."

"I bet. We can have some fun embarrassing him," N'vanik said. "Though I'm sure you have _much_ more embarrassing stories than me."

"We certainly do." The young greenrider grinned slyly. "Perhaps once I've gathered the best ones from Lightning Wing, I can drop by again and share them with you."

"The ones too embarrassing for a party with holders?" N'vanik asked.

"Well, Tr'vel has said that if I scandalize his guests, he'll throw me in the lake." I'lek sighed and straightened. "I'd better go before he finds out...I mean, in case he has other jobs for me to do."

Last updated on the April 26th 2026

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After The Holders Go Home