Chapter Text
Marco felt a sense of relief as he finished setting up the tent he was to share with Byamba. The Golden horde was on their annual trip into the fields and Marco was sent by the Khan to travel with them to observe both their performance and the kingdom. Marco had thought he would have his own tent but to his relief Byamba had insisted that they share one so that he could "keep an eye on him". The horde had made good progress and was now settled near a springs that Marco had been dying to get in since they stopped. Looking around the tent he decided that since everything was set up and that he left a snack on the table for his lover that now was as good as a time as any to take a dip before the men was released for the day. Gathering up a extra pair of clothes, soap, and a towel for his dip Marco left the tent and made his way up to the springs. Still a little nervous around the men Marco picked the furthest and most secluded spot he could find before stripping down to nothing and placing his clothes within easy reach.
Stepping into the warm springs was like walking into heaven embrace. The water was perfect and deep allowing Marco to sink all the way to his neck while resting against the rock wall. It was like the water washed away all the things that had been weighing on his mind: his father's journey, home, Jingim's hatred, the two assassination attempts in the palace, the traitor in the Khan's service, his relationship with Byamba and Hundred Eye's merciless training. Marco felt himself becoming more and more light and carefree as time seemed to float away along with his problems as he washed himself and soaked.
Suddenly remembering what one of his old friends use to do when they went swimming during the summer near the Adriatic Sea to clear his head Marco sank completely into the water. The light from the sun and the sounds of the birds over head was immediately covered by the sound of the water rushing to fill his ears as the world turned into beautiful shades of green and blue around him. Feeling more at peace under the water Marco allowed him self to sink lower to sit near the spring floor in till his lungs started demanding air and he surfaced. While taking a couple of deep breathes Marco decided not to completely sink down to the bottom yet but he wanted to return underwater and so decided to simply float face down but had his legs under him in case he had to kick up. Marco stayed in this position for a little while enjoying the peace even though at one point he could have sworn that his name was being called.
Deciding that he was hearing things Marco continued to drift as lungs started to ache from lack of air. However, just as he started to move to lift up and get some air he felt the water around him start to churn and twist as something large was moving toward him. Marco immediately berated himself for coming here alone when he knew that traitors and killers were everywhere. Why did he not wait for some of the soldier to be around? Now feeling alarmed Marco kicked his feet out trying to put some distance between him and what ever was approaching him as he straightened in the water gasping for air. His visitor turned out to not be a overly large fish or some assassin trying to get him but his lover.
Byamba stopped a few feet away from him in the water and stared at Marco as if he could not believe what he was seeing. Marco looked around but saw no one else nearby. He also spotted some boots and a shirt without a clear owner by the shore which brought his attention back to Byamba who was floating a few feet from him without a shirt but still wearing his pants and belt while looking far from happy.
"Byamba?" Marco asked quietly not liking the look his lover had. A muscle twitched in his jaw and his hands clenched as the Mongolian seemed to struggle for words.
"I called but you did not answer." He bit out. "I thought you had drowned."
"I am sorry that I did not hear." Marco apologised.
Byamba opened his mouth as if to start shouting but stopped himself and turned away to make his way back to the shore without a single word. Marco decided to follow his angry lover back to camp and swiftly pulled his clothes on despite still being wet while noticing that the sky was darker than he remembered. On the way to the tent Marco noticed that some of the men were headed to the springs and was giving their leader a strange look at his soaking pants. When the pair arrived at their tent Byamba marched in without looking back and after a brief hesitation Marco followed him in. The tent was heated from the low fire making Marco more aware on how soaked he was since he did not have time to dry off. Marco caught the towel that was thrown at him by his lover who had already dried off and inspired Marco to do the same to ward away the chill. While Marco dried off Byamba changed into some pants and a vest but no shirt before pulling out their ration for dinner. Even Hundred Eyes could have seen the tension and anger in every ounce in Byamba's movements causing Marco to become nervous since it was only the second time that he could say that Byamba was angry at him.
"Byamba, I am-" The apology that Marco went to say became caught in his throat when his lover shot him a look that expressed just how much talking was not about to help. Understanding that being quiet would be best Marco finished putting on his shirt just as Byamba placed a plate of food before him to eat before digging into his own plate. Marco's stomach was all twisted into knots but he managed to swallow his food without tasting it while keeping a eye on his angry lover who ignored him. Byamba finished his plate first and set it to the side before picking up a whetstone and his sword and began to sharpen it. Remembering that Byamba had once said that sharpening his blade calmed him and helped him to think clearly inspired Marco to leave him alone to lay their clothes by the fire before cleaning the dishes they used and then curling up by the fire. After some time Byamba placed his sword back in it's sheath next to the whetstone he used before turning to face his lover getting Marco's full attention. The Latin felt goosebumps rise on his arms because while Byamba's body was more relaxed there was still anger in his eyes.
"There is some business that you and I need to discuss."
'Merda.' Marco thought.