It’s been five years since the last time Tagbo has seen his brother Lekan. The hurts and desires of the past should have blown over long ago, yet they continue to smolder. Their family is splintered. His father, a proud man who cannot forgive Lekan’s past sins. Lekan, who carries deep grudges for actions long past.
And Tagbo, who wants nothing more than his family to be united. Tagbo, who cannot help but be drawn in by his brother’s charm. Every attempt to break away only brings him back ever closer, lust flaring up with a single glance from his brother.
Yet if he isn’t careful, Lekan’s dark power will consume him.
Note: This dark fantasy short story features incest between two brothers and unhealthy dynamics.
When Lekan returned from his studies, he was a man.
That was Tagbo’s first thought. Lekan had left at fifteen, sent north to teach him discipline. Five years was a long time to not see his brother, yet he recognized him instantly. His jaw had sharpened, and the hair he’d once worn short was now in beaded dreadlocks, as was the fashion in the northern cities. Even his clothes were richer: he wore a beautiful, blue-patterned robe that extended down to his knees, tied with a golden sash around his waist. The robe fell open at his front, revealing a tantalizing hint of muscled chest.
He was incredibly handsome.
READ MORETagbo felt plain in comparison. He wore simple brown pants and a plain, sleeveless green shirt that reached mid-thigh. His head was shaved entirely. Even his beard was rough from a few days of neglecting it. He usually shaved it all off when it got too much rather than worry about styling it. The only concession to fashion he had was one golden hoop earring.
They were only two years apart, and as the elder, Tagbo shouldn’t have felt so self-conscious. He’d spent the past five years training diligently, becoming a skilled warrior in his own right. He’d even been put in charge of a few missions, commanding a small number of men as they protected clients.
Yet Lekan’s smile, so bright and cheerful, made his heart pound in a panic.
“Brother!” Tagbo greeted, extending his arms for a hug. He expected Lekan to shun the touch, far too familiar after five years of separation, yet Lekan welcomed the embrace warmly.
Lekan even smelled different, a hint of spice on him that did little to calm Tagbo.
“You haven’t changed,” Lekan said, still grinning. “I was afraid I wouldn’t recognize you.”
Tagbo laughed as he broke the hug. “No. There isn’t much place for fashion here, and Father would never allow me to grow my hair. You, though… You look great. The north was good for you?”
“It was wonderful!” Lekan looked back towards the ship, where sailors unpacked the passengers’ luggage. “I see my bags there. Could you help me? Your face is the same, but your muscles have expanded threefold! You’ll be able to carry my things much easier than I could.”
It was true: in the past five years, Tagbo had grown much stronger. He practiced daily with his spear, and he sparred with the company men on a regular basis. Their father kept all the regiment in top shape. Mercenaries were no good to anybody if they couldn’t do their jobs.
Lekan’s luggage was a set of bags, one so heavy it might have been filled with marble.
“How did you get all your things on the ship?” Tagbo asked. “And what’s in this, anyway?”
“Just a few trinkets. Nothing for you to worry about.” Lekan patted Tagbo’s cheek, his smile turning darker. Tagbo’s breath hitched. “To answer the first question, I paid for a cart to transport the goods.”
Despite that statement, Lekan didn’t have any trouble lifting the second bag. He carried himself well, too, with a confidence he had lacked five years ago.
“You’re doing well, then? You’re not short on funds?” Tagbo began leading them through the city streets. Their father owned a set of barracks to the west, near the gate, where they could easily greet travelers and offer services. Every merchant would want protection from bandits or lions or who knew what else if they traveled by foot. It also made it easy for returning mercenaries to report back or fall into bed, whichever was most needed.
“No. I’ve found a lot of work for my services. They’re a bit more open-minded up north.”
“I see. I’m glad. …Do you still recognize the streets?” Tagbo asked. The inanity of the question made him wince. There were surely more important things to discuss wit his brother than the city streets.
“I don’t think I came to the docks often enough to recognize this part of town either way. Mostly I remember the training grounds.” The bitterness in his voice was clear as day.
For Lekan, the barracks didn’t hold the same happy memories as for Tagbo. It would only be a string of beatings, one after the other, while their father attempted to teach Lekan to wield a weapon, any weapon. He hadn’t meant to dredge up foul memories, yet once again, Tagbo had managed to cause Lekan grief.
They walked a few more blocks in silence, weaving their way through the people and animals.
“What about you, brother dearest? Have you married yet? Do you have a son or daughter?” Lekan asked suddenly.
“No. Father has introduced me to a few women, but…” Tagbo caught Lekan’s smug smile, and his own face heated in embarrassment. “No. It didn’t seem appropriate yet. I don’t have that much income, and it would be irresponsible to marry when I can’t support a child.”
“The women in the north earn a fair living on their own. You could marry one of them. Have five healthy babies, and teach them how to be strong warriors like you.” As he spoke, Lekan reached out to stroke Tagbo’s bare bicep. His hand was warm, searing Tagbo’s skin. Tagbo’s grit his teeth against the burning heat.
When Lekan pulled away, there was no mark or imprint.
It was all in Tagbo’s imagination.
Lekan was older, after all, and more trained now. He was not the same youth from five years ago. Tagbo didn’t have to worry anymore.
COLLAPSE