adult. He’s five hundred and three years old, of course he is. It’s just that he’s always been everyone’s kid brother. We, as a clan, helped raise him. And he’s this jokester we don’t take seriously most of the time. Seeing a serious man like you courting him is breaking my brain on some level.”
How interesting. Sora could understand, in a way, how Gunter’s perception of Ravi colored his view of things. But he also felt a challenge in those words and couldn’t let it stand.
“It’s because of his spontaneity that I’m drawn to him.”
Gunter regarded him carefully. “Really. That’s why?”
“And he’s wickedly cute.” Sora winked and got a surprised smile out of Gunter. “But, yes, I think that’s what initially caught my interest. I’m too much the straight-man. It’s hard for me to be impulsive, as my nature doesn’t lend itself to that kind of behavior. But I enjoy it in other people and admire those who can be true to their emotions. Ravi is the epitome of that.”
Snorting, Gunter agreed. “He’s definitely that. We’ve all said for years that Ravi needed someone responsible as a mate, otherwise the world might burn. So, in that sense, Sora, I’m glad that you’re the one courting him. But, you understand what will happen if you hurt him?”
Sora blinked in surprise. Oh. A shovel talk? Really? He’d never been on the receiving end of one. It was a novel experience.
“I don’t think I’d come out unscathed. Or alive.”
“You do understand, good.” Gunter looked fierce for a moment, a dragon looking after his own. His smile still had an edge of ferocity to it. “Be good to him, Sora. And I hope things work out well for both of you.”
He hadn’t been looking for any sort of recognition or approval. But now, having been freely given both, Sora was surprised by the warmth he felt. “Thank you, Gunter.”
Sora found Ravi in the kitchen.
To be precise, he heard Ravi’s name being yelled before he even made it to the kitchen doors.
“RAVI!”
“What?” Ravi responded, sounding defensive. “It’ll taste good!”
“Don’t you dare put a banana into the curry!”
“But it tastes good that way!”
Sora rounded the doorway and took in the scene. The two people on staff were in the middle of a large meal-prep, obviously ready to serve lunch to the entire castle soon. There were pots of curry on multiple stove eyes, with large, industrial-sized rice cookers lined up on another counter. Ravi had a peeled banana over his head, looking rather like a monkey getting up to mischief.
Which, all things considered, probably wasn’t too far off.
Ravi heard him enter and turned, then pointed to Sora as if he were the answer to all questions. “He’ll tell you! Being both Japanese and living near India, he’ll be the master of curry. The banana will work!”
Sora was hardly an expert in culinary matters. But he could try and salvage Ravi’s point before it got tossed. “The reason why chopped apples go into curry is because the sweetness counters the spiciness. I’ve never tried it with a banana, but I think the combination of the sweetness and the texture will add a thick consistency to the roux.”
The staff members respectfully shared doubtful looks before regarding Sora with open misgiving.
“We can dish up a single bowl and mix in a bit of banana, try it on a smaller scale, if you wish?” Sora offered. “There’s no harm in testing it, is there?”
“No, I suppose not.” The woman with short blonde hair fetched a bowl and ladled some curry into it.
Ravi promptly cut off a bite of banana with a spoon and blended it into the curry. He offered it to her, eyebrows waggling in challenge. Rolling her eyes, she accepted the bite, then chewed. Then chewed some more, expression turning thoughtful.
“Gris, come try this.”
Gris obediently came over and dipped a spoon in, his expression also turning thoughtful. “That’s…oddly good?”
Proud of himself, Ravi’s chest puffed out. “See? Just one banana in each pot, that’s all I’m asking.”
“Pfft, okay, fine.”
When their backs were turned, Ravi gave Sora a high five. Sora played along with a grin on his face, enjoying being in on the joke with Ravi. And look at him, sparkling with delight and smugness, practically bouncing. One of the things Sora most liked about Ravi was that he radiated joy. He was drawn to the man like a moth to flame.
“Ravi, stop flirting,” the woman ordered. “You’re still on lunch duty.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I can help?” Sora offered.
Ravi gave him