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⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ Adolin ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
“Should I stick with my original meal and buy an auburn or should I buy a sapphire and switch up dinner to complement it? Or—I could buy both and make a dessert to pair with the sapphire…..Hm, I think I’ll do that.” Adolin placed the two bottles of wine he’d been debating buying into his basket.
“Maybe you could use the sapphire to bake with, like a cake.” Kaladin suggested.
“Oooh, now that would be lovely, I could bake a nice spiced cake topped with a toffee drizzle and whipped cream.” Just thinking about it made Adolin’s mouth water. “See, this is why I bring you along with me to go grocery shopping, you always have wonderful suggestions.”
Kaladin cocked an eyebrow. “Is that the only reason?”
Adolin gently elbowed him. “Of course not, I can use you to hold my bags.” He shot Kaladin a wink and moved to go pay the merchant for the two bottles of wine.
Adolin rarely went to the market without Kaladin, he’d jokingly say he only invited him to have an extra pair of hands, but they both knew it was a lie. It was their routine; every fifth day of the week, Adolin and his daughter, Kalani, would come to Kaladin’s apartment and from there they would walk together to the market to buy groceries for the following week. After the market, they’d grab a bite to eat, sit and watch a live performance at the local artisan park stage. The stage wasn’t anything grandiose, just local and traveling performers showing off their skills for some spheres, but Kalani always loved watching them. They usually stayed for three performances before heading back to Adolin’s apartment to put away their purchases and cook dinner. It was Adolin’s favorite day of the week.
While Kaladin was over nearly evening, it was days like today that Adolin could enjoy Kaladin’s company for more than a few hours. Newcomers to Urithiru would believe and often addressed them as a married couple. While Kaladin doesn’t become flustered like he did years ago when people addressed them as such, he still retains a slight red tinge to his ears; invisible to others except Adolin.
In recent years Adolin often lays awake in bed at night wondering what life could’ve been like if he had chosen Kaladin instead of Shallan.
Guilt follows those thoughts. Shallan was more than a second choice. Adolin loved them both, but Shallan was the one who showed an inkling of romantic interest, not Kaladin. Believing the Windrunner only saw him as a friend, Adolin made his decision: Move on from the one sided love, and marry Shallan. Adolin had been happy during their first years together…then he wasn’t. He would’ve thought Shallan would’ve learned to trust him, to let him in, and she had begun to, but then retreated in on herself, more than when Adolin first met her. It hurt to be locked out of his own wife’s heart. He’d knock and she’d sometimes answer through the door, but not let him in. There were times she did open it by crack, they would be face to face with nothing between them—Adolin would believe he was making progress, they’d talk and laugh like old times, but the moment he peered inside or tried to let himself in she slammed the door shut. Countless times he asked her if he should leave her doorstep and each time she begged him to stay, to just be patient with her. She soothed his hurt from her rejection by telling him she wanted him, that she still loved him, only to repeat the offense again and again.
For years he stayed for Shallan, for their daughter. Letting himself believe she still loved him.
But tomorrow tonight would be their anniversary, Kalani would be two days with Navani and Adolin would push one last time for Shallan to let him in, and if she still held up the barricade, he’d let her go.
He felt Maya’s approval; she’d sensed from Pattern that something was up with Shallan recently, more than usual, and Maya had been pushing Adolin since to confront Shallan.
’The truth may hurt, Adolin, but you’ll be able to move on and heal—and I’ll be here to help you on that journey.’
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ Kaladin ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Their group of three were sat at a table waiting for the next performer to walk out onto the stage, the day’s shopping bags by the feet.
“Besides the candied fruit, is there anything you want?” Adolin asked Kalani.
“A glass of pink and dumplings please!” Kalani excitedly perked up.
Adolin nodded and turned to Kaladin. “And for you?”
“I’ll do the same.”
Adolin gave one last nod then walked off to the food stalls surrounding the outskirts of the park stage.
“The last day of the week will always be my favorite out of the whole week; Father says the same thing.” Kalani said, her head propped up on her fists as she watched the people find their seats.
“Mine too,” Kaladin agreed, “but surely the days your mother is home are your favorites, right?”
Kalani shrugged, a glum look overcoming her cheerful one.
“Not really…It is nice to see her, but sometimes I feel like being with us is the last thing she wants– not always, but often. I especially don’t like how sad Father is when she leaves—one of the reasons I love days like this is because it's when Father is the happiest. Hanging out with you always makes him happy, even when he’s missing Mother. Him being happy means I’m happy…I just wish I could make my mother happy—If I were different, could I?”
Kaladin hated hearing that, for Kalani to be this young and notice her mother’s…discontentment, nor should she believe her mother would be happier with a different daughter.
He’d seen it before, women who married and were mothers before they themselves had fully matured into adulthood; who never discovered who they were or what they wanted to be and then had the responsibilities of parenting thrust upon them. Too many adults, who should know better, let those women, no— girls, make decisions only a fully developed adult should make. Shallan was surrounded by those adults fifteen years ago, and now here were the consequences: a mother with an identity crisis, unable to leave to discover herself and a child who felt unloved because of it.
Then there was Adolin, trying to fix it with his hands tied behind his back. Adolin had been ecstatic when he discovered he’d be a father, he practically drained all his spheres from buying everyone drinks that whole week to celebrate. His enthusiasm never died out when Kalani was born. Kaladin had hardly seen Adolin since then without the girl attached to his hip—not that Kaladin minded; Kalani was a wonderful child that he loved dearly as if she was his own. But one parent’s love and attention could not erase the pain from the lack of the other–Kaladin knew from first hand experience. Hesina was his loving parent, while his relationship with Lirin was…complicated. They had worked out most of their differences, but there were wounds caused by Lirin that Kaladin would never fully heal from.
Kaladin had tried his best to fill the gaps left from Shallan’s absence, but Kalani deserved her mother, not her father’s best friend.
“I’m sorry, Kalani. Your mother loves you—it’s just that she’s a complicated person, she’s been through a lot, and I think she tries to be there for you, but…sometimes people have a hard time really being there for others, to take care of them, when they neglect to take care of themselves.”
Kaladin wouldn’t be surprised if he saw a gloomspren appear around Kalani with the way she slumped dejected in her seat—It was a knife to the heart to see her like this.
“Kalani,” Kaladin leaned forward over the table to catch her eyes, “No matter what your mother says or does say, or how she acts, know you’re not responsible to ‘fix’ her or make her happy. I know you want to, but that’s not your burden to carry. And I don’t want you to ever believe that she would be happier if she had someone else as her daughter. You’re wonderful, any mother would be honored to have you as her daughter.”
Kalani's gloomy expression turned into pout as she tried holding back her tears. Kaladin gathered her into a hug so she could let go and hide away from the embarrassment of crying in public. He rocked her back and forth, rubbing her back as he did so.
Kalani’s cries turned to sniffles by the time Adolin returned with their food. Adolin raised a questioning brow to Kaladin when seeing his daughter pull out of their hug and dab her eyes. Kaladin shook his head not to worry.
Adolin sat and Kalani favored snuggling up to him as she ate, watching the show commence. Kaladin glanced over at her throughout the show, his heart lightening seeing her smile and laughing. He caught Adolin’s eye during one of those moments, blue eyes clearly asking for Kaladin as to why Kalani was crying. Kaladin nodded once, mouthing ‘later’ and turned back to the show.
—-
When the show was over, Adolin suggested, “Kalani, why don't you go buy some more candied fruit? We can save it for after dinner tonight.”
Kalani needed no further convincing as she took Adolin’s pouch and scurried out of her chair. The two men watched the little girl's copper and gold curls bounce as she bounded over to the stall selling the sweets.
“She thinks Shallan is unhappy when she’s home…. and she also said if she was different perhaps she could make Shallan happy.”
Kaladin turned to Adolin when he heard an exasperated sigh. His lips were twisted in frustration and shoulders sagging in clear exhaustion.
“Adolin, you need to confront Shallan about this. Whatever it is, it’s not only eating away at your relationship with her, but with her own daughter now. If you won’t do it for your sake, do it for Kalani.”
Adolin leaned his head against his propped hand, looking down, dejected, at the table.
“I know…I plan to tomorrow night,” Adolin lifted his gaze, a hopelessness in them that dulled his bright sky-blue eyes. “If it goes poorly, can I come to you?”
Kaladin reached over to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Always.”
Adolin gave him a small smile and the blue of his eyes regained some of its vibrancy.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ Adolin ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Their dining room table was set for a king; their finest diningware, rich table cloth and runner, centerpiece of Shallan’s favorite flora, and the best food Adolin had cooked to this day. Adolin wished he could say he was excited to see Shallan’s reaction, but it felt like he was setting up his own humiliation ritual. Would his attempt to make Shallan see he wanted to salvage their marriage be met with rejection? He felt like an axehound scratching at the back door.
He was placing the last sphere votive on the table when their apartment door opened. Shallan had returned from her meeting with her scribes.
Shallan wore her usual cerulean blue havah, her hair half up, held in place with a pencil, and her leather satchel around her torso. She looked tired, but she still smiled, seeing Adolin and the table. It wasn’t the smile she used to give him; it’s the usual weak lipped one, lacking the color in her cheeks and twinkle in her eyes. Adolin smiled in return, trying not to mirror her lackluster one.
“Happy anniversary,” Adolin said, pulling out a chair for her.
“Everything looks lovely.” She approached him, taking off her satchel and placing it beside her chair as she sat down. “Thank you, Adolin.”
“You’re most welcome, gemheart.”
He began serving her plate, explaining what each dish was, then poured her wine before serving himself, all the while Shallan watched him silently. Wanting to ease into the confrontation, Adolin asked about her day, how trailing with her squires was going, and upcoming missions. He tried his best to not sound stiff, but he was failing miserably especially since Shallan’s responses were just as stiff and flat. While he ate and nearly drank half his glass of wine already, Shallan barely touched her food.
Adolin sighed, knowing there was no point beating around the bush.
“Shallan–”
“I want a divorce, Adolin.”
Adolin’s breath lodged in his throat.
“We’re both obviously unhappy, and have been for a while. We’ve been dragging this on for too long.” Shallan didn’t meet his eye as she reached down into her satchel, pulling out a document and placing it in front of him. “I already filed for divorce, you just need to sign this…I’ll send a scribe to read it out to you.”
Adolin stared at the stack of papers; he wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
“Shallan—” Adolin didn’t know what to say.
It was a slap to the face—he’d been readying himself for their talk to possibly conclude with them deciding to separate. Up to this point Shallan made no hint of divorce. When had she made this decision? Why hadn’t she come to him before or tell him when he’d ask her if she was happy? She’d obviously made her mind up awhile ago to have a scribe to write the divorce papers.
“I’m sorry Adolin, you deserve better—better than me. I should’ve accepted sooner that I didn’t love you that way. I’d hoped I would eventually, but I was lying to myself for too long…to you. We were too young when we married, I was too young. I didn’t know who I was and now I need to figure that out.”
She still wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“I’m going away for a bit. Goodbye, Adolin. I’ll….I’ll talk to you later.”
She stood and was out the door before Adolin could say anything else.
Adolin wouldn’t know what to say even if she did stay.
His mind was trying to sort through what he was feeling.
I should’ve accepted sooner that I didn’t love you that way
Her words rang in his ear. All this time he thought Shallan had or was falling out of love with him, but she was never in love with him to begin with.
The stinging lacerations on his heart from her declaration was accompanied by bitter anger.
Why did she lie to him? String him along like an obedient animal to the slaughterhouse—it was humiliating. If anyone were to ask for a divorce, it should be him—the one who had tried.
The room was too still—too cold…he needed a warm shoulder to lean on.
‘Call for him–he’ll come,’ Maya said.
—-
“Adolin?” Kaladin’s muffled voice called as he knocked on the door. “I received your message from the errand boy. Can I come in?”
Adolin downed the last drop of the auburn wine from the bottle and walked to the door, opening it. He planned to let Kaladin in and explain the situation levelheadedly, but when Kaladin looked him up and down, concern filling his brown eyes, Adolin's throat felt like parchment, drying up any words. He instead yanked Kaladin into a hug. Adolin didn’t know he was going to cry until Kaladin reciprocated the embrace. Storms he needed this—to be held, to feel secure. He’d been holding himself together on his own for too long; it felt good to let go and know he’d be anchored. He sank further into Kaladin, hiding his face in Kaladin’s shoulder, using the Windrunner’s warmth, scent and breath to ground himself and find his strength.
Kaladin rubbed his back as he eased them back into the apartment, closing the door behind him.
“Adolin, what happened?”
What happened? What happened is that his fifteen-year marriage was a lie—his time and heart wasted and discarded like unwanted scraps.
Eventually he found his voice, though he didn’t pull away from Kaladin, just moved his face so he wasn’t muffled.
“Shallan asked for a divorce,” Adolin winced how rough he sounded.
Adolin pulled away now, drying his eyes and straightening his coat. “She handed me the documents today. I don’t know what to feel, think, say or even do. There’s just so much happening and I needed to talk to someone. I remembered what you said yesterday, but if now is a bad time, you can go if you want to—I’m sure Renarin would lend an ear.”
“No—it’s fine. I’ll stay. I’m always here whenever you need me, just like you are for me.” Kaladin gave a small, genuine smile.
He was right, storms he was right. It’d been Kaladin who had his back in battles and personal struggles, who’d cared for little Kalani to allow Adolin a few hours of sleep. It wasn’t that Shallan hadn’t done that for him, she did, but she was hardly around to be there for him. He thought if he tried harder to be there for her, she’d see that and return the act, but she was absent when he needed her the most.
A part of himself told him he went about it all wrong, if he’d given Shallan more space she would’ve come back around. It was too late now. She was leaving. He’d hoped she’d be the exception of failed romantic relationships, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
—-
They were sitting in the living room, Adolin brought the sapphire wine and the food from the dining room to the low table in front of the sofa. Adolin poured himself a glass of wine, downing it all in a gulp, not caring for manners.
He couldn’t go through tonight sober. He needed the sweet intoxication to unwind his compact mind. The wine soon granted his request.
“I think what’s hit me the hardest is she told me she couldn’t keep lying to herself that she loved me. I can understand if she’d fallen out of love, but it's the fact that she knew she wasn’t in love and didn’t tell me, all the while I was asking her to be honest with me and tell me what I could do to make her happy.”
Adolin poured himself another glass and drank a mouthful.
“Did she ever love me? Or has the past fifteen years been a one-sided marriage? I would understand if she married me for stability, I told her from the beginning that I would be open to a marriage of convenience, as long as we were at least friends. But she told me—” Adolin had to take another drink to swallow the lump in his throat, “she told me then that she loved me.”
Perhaps he wasn’t meant for that type of love—always chasing after it but never pursued, each relationship a failure.A flaw in himself he couldn’t fix.
“Kaladin, have I been a bad husband? Could I have done something different? Changed a part of myself for her stay? For her to—” Adolin gestured to nothing then to his heart, unable to word ‘for her to love me.’
To dislodge the lump in his throat, Adolin leaned forward to take a bite of juicy seared meat. Storms, he could cry from how good it tasted—Shallan missed out on a good dinner. Part of him thought to save left overs for her, while the other part told him to stuff himself full so she couldn’t have any. It was her own doing for missing out a meal he cooked for them. Childish pettiness, but he was too intoxicated to care if it was.
Kaladin didn’t say anything right away. He first sipped on his wine and leaned forward on his knees, now eye-to-eye with Adolin. His hands were clasped, rubbing together like he was molding his words between his palms.
“I think it was a bad match. For it to work, either you or she would’ve had to completely change who you are as a person. While I don’t know what made her decide now for you two to separate, I think it’s best for the both of you if you did. It wasn’t your fault Adolin. I know you and I know Shallan, and I know you tried.”
Adolin downed the rest of his wine. He wanted Kaladin to tell him there was a way for things to work out with Shallan, that he knew what was wrong and how to fix it. It seemed Adolin was the only one who cared about his and Shallan’s marriage.
“Did she tell you to tell me that?”
Kaladin was shocked by Adolin’s accusation.
“What? No, Adolin–”
“Did she tell you about the divorce, before telling me? Damnation, I wouldn’t be surprised the whole tower knew before me.” Adolin reached for the wine bottle, pouring himself yet another glass.
“Adolin, you’re the first I heard the news from.”
He looked at his reflection in the vibrant sapphire liquid, a flush of shame overcoming him.
“I’m sorry. My accusation was uncalled for. I’m angry, yet it feels wrong to be angry at anyone except myself. I knew we’ve been in a rough patch for awhile, but I thought we could eventually work something out. Clearly, there were signs pointing to call off the relationship, ones that I ignored because I told myself Shallan would trust me enough to tell the truth. I think I’m more hurt by the fact that she lied to my face for years, rather than her not being in love with me anymore.”
Adolin sagged against the couch, wine forgotten on the table.
“Do you love her?”
If Kaladin asked him that five years ago, he would’ve said yes, but now? Storms, he’d been so focused on how to save a dying relationship, to figure out what Shallan wanted and how to keep their family together so Kalani wouldn't have to deal with the burden of living in a society that still looked down on divorce, that he hadn’t asked the simple question: Do you still love Shallan?
He was still upset by Shallan's dishonesty, but he wasn’t free of any fault, if he should’ve asked himself this question sooner.
He thought of the person who had been beside him at his highest and lowest points in life, who he could communicate with even when no words were spoken; one who he could confidently say would never gossip about him behind his back because they’d tell it to his face, or the one who’d uplift him when others might try to discourage him. Someone who’d seen the entirety of his soul and he had seen theirs in return.
Shallan had only been a handful of those things.
Adolin looked at Kaladin. The answer was clear; it never was nor would be Shallan he loved—it was Kaladin. It had always been Kaladin.
Storms, Adolin had been a fool.
He thought he’d moved on from loving Kaladin, but it had been dormant all this time, patiently waiting to be acknowledged. Did Shallan see it? Was that why she left? Did she know Adolin was in love with his best friend? Had she waited for that love to die out to only realize now that it would never die?
“No—I don’t.”
Admitting it out loud freed Adolin from a cage he didn’t know contained him.
Was it wrong of him to feel relief from knowing that he didn’t love his own wife?
It was all too much—trying to piece together what was wrong or right, what he was feeling or what he should be feeling. One thing stood prominent—he wanted Kaladin.
He leaned his forehead against Kaladin’s clavicle. The Windrunner wrapped an arm around Adolin’s shoulder, giving a comforting squeeze. Adolin felt Kaladin freeze underneath his hand when he raised it to Kaladin’s neck—a place Adolin had touched before, but not like this—Adolin’s hand rested at the nape, fingers playing with his hair, thumb stroking the soft skin behind Kaladin’s ear.
Kaladin didn’t pull away, instead he melted into Adolin, pulling him closer by his waist.
“Kaladin…have you ever been in love?”
The years Adolin has known Kaladin, he’d never been with someone for longer than a year. It had been a few years since Kaladin had taken a lover; Kaladin had told him he didn’t see himself finding anyone new anytime soon.
“Yes,” Kaladin replied, squeezing Adolin’s waist.
Adolin pulled away from Kaladin’s collarbone to look the man in the eyes, hoping they would reveal more than Kaladin would say.
“Do you still love them?”
Adolin watched the black thin Kaladin’s brown irises.
“Yes…”
They thinned further when Adolin cupped Kaladin’s face, thumb caressing his cheekbone.
Kaladin’s wide eyes flickered down to Adolin’s lips.
“How long?”
Kaladin licked his lips.
“When he was stabbed in Shadesmar and nearly lost him.”
How could’ve I been so blind?
“I’ve been a blind fool,” Adolin whispered, pulling Kaladin close so their foreheads rested against each other.
Kaladin didn’t say anything in return, but Adolin heard his shaky breath and nervous swallow.
“Do you know that man has loved you since you jumped into the arena for him?”
A more sober Adolin might’ve waited for Kaladin’s reply, but the alcohol ignited the smoldering flames of his love for Kaladin and he tilted his head to capture Kaladin into a kiss.
Storms, Adolin truly had been a fool to think he moved on from Kaladin. Adolin didn’t love Shallan like he loved Kaladin—no one could replace nor compare to Kaladin. The anger and hurt Shallan had caused him was a blessing in disguise; her stinging slap of honesty removed the blindfold over Adolin’s eyes.
It felt so right to kiss Kaladin. There was some clumsiness at first, but they soon melted into each other, pulling each other close. The moment of bliss was shattered when Kaladin ripped away, pushing Adolin away and abruptly stood.
“Adolin we can’t do this…you’re still married and too intoxicated to know what you're doing or saying.”
Adolin didn’t much like being told what to do right then.
“Rest assured, bridgeboy, Shallan broke our wedding oaths the moment she went to a scribe to have divorce papers written and delivered them to me. I know damn well that I haven’t had enough wine to cloud my mind of what I want. I can see, think, and feel perfectly clear—and I know that I want you and that I love you, Kaladin.” The frustration he felt simmered down when those last words slipped from his mouth and he saw a mixture of fear and hope in Kaladin’s eyes.
He is most likely thinking I have had too much to drink and will either forget or regret tonight, and that he’s shown a moment of weakness and vulnerability he didn’t want me to see.
He held his hand out to Kaladin.
“Please sit—don’t leave me, we can talk this out.”
Kaladin didn’t move, so Adolin reached out further, his fingers brushing against Kaladin’s.
“Please, Kaladin. It’s all I ask of you.”
Kaladin still didn’t move, he just looked down at Adolin, face now blank except for a pinch in between his brows.
Adolin felt himself breaking.
You can’t leave me too.
He lifted Kaladin’s hand and pressed his cheek into Kaladin’s palm, desperate for some form of comforting touch. This might be the last time Kaladin would ever touch him like this, or worse Kaladin would treat him like a stranger—lock Adolin out and leaving him on the doorstep of his heart, just like Shallan. Adolin’s eyes burned from the thought.
Adolin, the unwanted fool.
He dropped Kaladin’s hand.
Adolin was not only a fool, but self-centered. Did he really expect Kaladin to still want him after all these years? He said he loved Adolin, yes, but that didn’t mean he wanted Adolin. Kaladin was an honorable and respected man, if he were to take Adolin as a lover right after the divorce, Adolin would smear and dirty Kaladin’s reputation.
Adolin’s relationship with Shallan ended horribly, like any other relationship. What hope did Adolin have that it wouldn't be the same with Kaladin?
“I’m sorry,” Adolin choked, “I’m so sorry, Kal. It’s wrong of me to ask that from you—” It was agony to say it, but the pain would be worse if Kaladin was hurt because of him. “...You can leave.”
Adolin picked up his broken pieces, and rose from the couch to gather the dishes to take back to the kitchen. He placed the dishes in the sink when he heard his front door open and close. Adolin’s knees gave out and he curled up into a ball, body shaking with violent sobs that bounced off the walls of the hollow and cold apartment.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ Kaladin ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Kaladin watched the water drip from his face; he’d hoped the coolness of water would help ground him and calm down the whirlwind in his mind.
I know that I want you and that I love you, Kaladin.
Kaladin had heard those words in his sweetest dreams—but tonight wasn’t a dream; in fact, it felt like it could be a nightmare.
He hadn’t wanted to hear those from a drunk man mourning the failing of his marriage.
Stormfather, what had Kaladin been thinking? He should've brought a stop to it when Adolin cupped his cheek, but it felt so good and Kaladin wanted more, then Adolin said he loved him, Kaladin let all rationality leave him. He’d been able to find it again, but it was too late, the mistake was already made and the look of hurt and desperation on Adolin’s face further amplified his guilt and shame. Adolin needed a friend, not someone taking advantage of his wrecked state.
Kaladin was afraid if he stayed in that room he’d cause further damage, so he left. Gods, he hoped he could fix this.
“I think you should go back to him,” Syl appeared in front of him. “You’ve calmed down, and can think more clearly now, and I’m sure Adolin is thinking the same thing as you; that he’s messed everything up, but for different reasons. He’s not doing great right now. Maya is worried for him.”
“You spoke to Maya?”
Syl nodded her head sadly.
“I went to talk to her just now. She said Adolin hasn’t moved from where he collapsed on the ground when you left.”
Storms, that had been hours ago.
“Let Maya know I’m coming. Thank you, Syl, for helping us sort through this mess we’ve made for ourselves. Tell Maya thank you, too.”
Kaladin looked back at himself. He looked awful; eyes red, skin blotchy, hair a mess and clothing wrinkled. He might’ve taken more care to straighten himself up, but Adolin didn’t need sharp and pristine Radiant Stormblessed, he needed Kaladin.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒ Adolin ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
‘Adolin, please you need to stop. Go to bed, you two can work through it tomorrow.’
Maya had been trying to comfort and reason with Adolin since Kaladin had left, but he wouldn’t hear any of it.
His whole body ached; the cold stone floors of Urithiru were not kind on his aging bones, but he didn’t move; the pain was a form of distraction from the pain in his heart. He took another swig of the sapphire to drown it out. The empty bottle slipped from his clumsy hands and shattered when it hit the ground. Adolin cursed as he tried to pick up the pieces carefully, but his drunken state made it impossible. More slurred curses left him when the glass cut the uncallused parts of his hands.
“Adolin?”
During his pitiful attempt to pick up the shards of glass, he hadn’t heard the door open nor Kaladin enter. Adolin hurried to clean up the mess faster, not wanting for Kaladin to see him in this pathetic state, but the more he hurried, the more glass embedded into his skin. A firm grip on his wrist stopped his actions.
“Adolin, stop, you’re hurting yourself. Let me take care of it.”
Adolin wanted to snap back that he didn’t need his help, but they died on his tongue when Kaladin took him into his arms and lashed him so his bare feet wouldn’t be cut as they walked to the bathroom. The world was spinning as Kaladin sat him down on the bathroom counter and moved his hands under a running faucet. The coolness of the water was pleasant after the initial sting. Adolin slumped against the mirrored wall, closing his eyes. He didn’t want to see pity in Kaladin’s eyes.
Storms, why did he have to come back when he was like this? Adolin hadn’t been able to repair what he broke between him and Kaladin when he had only had a few glasses of wine. Now that he’d drank the whole damn bottle, who knew what his drunken state would do.
“Kal...you should leave.”
There was a banging of opening and closing doors and drawers.
“I’m going anywhere, Adolin. Especially not when you’re in this state.”
The bangs stopped and Adolin could hear Kaladin washing something.
“Why did you come back?”
Adolin didn’t know why he was asking—Kaladin’s answer would probably hurt him more—but he hoped Kaladin had changed his mind; that he did want Adolin.
“Syl told me Maya said you needed help.”
Adolin's lip began to wobble, but he bit into his lips to hold back any sobs that might escape. Of course he came back for that reason and no other.
He lost his bite on his lip when he gasped out from a sharp sting in his hand; Kaladin was removing the glass with tweezers. Without the restraint to hold back his words, they came spewing out.
“I’m sorry, Kaladin. I’m sorry for pushing myself onto you. It was wrong and selfish of me to assume you wanted me. I can forget what happened tonight, we can never speak of it again. I’ll do whatever it takes to fix what I’ve broken.” Adolin sobbed, turning further away from Kaladin, the coolness of the mirror was uncomfortable against his face heated with drunken shame.
“I don’t want us to forget tonight.” Kaladin's tone was soft. Adolin sniffled and cracked open his eyes to watch Kaladin put down the tweezers and began applying an antibiotic cream to Adolin’s cuts. “I’m sorry I left. I was frightened of what I’d do if I didn’t leave then.”
“You were frightened of yourself?” Adolin felt too sluggish to connect what Kaladin meant. Adolin’s breath caught when Kaladin’s thumb began stroking his knuckles.
“I’d never believed you could want me in that way. I thought my love was one sided. Then tonight you kissed me and said you loved me. I was ready to throw caution to the wind to take you there and say all I’ve wanted to tell you, but you were in no state for me to do that to you. I felt guilty that I even thought about it in the first place, so I left.” Kaladin's hands reached up to turn Adolin’s face to him and faced his cheeks. “I’m sorry I left you. I know I hurt you.”
Adolin shook his head. He felt more tears coming.
“There’s nothing to forgive. You came back.”
Kaladin pulled Adolin into a hug which Adolin gladly reciprocated, burying his face in Kaladin’s neck, letting any restraints go. Kaladin rubbed soothing circles on Adolin’s back until Adolin’s crying died down.
“Let’s get you to bed,” Kaladin whispered and Adolin nodded.
Kaladin used his lashings again to carry Adolin to his bedroom. He pulled back the covers and laid Adolin down gently, helping him remove his prosthetic leg and change his clothes. Once Adolin was under the covers and Kaladin pulled away, Adolin latched on his wrist before he could leave his side.
“Will you stay with me?” Kaladin probably thought Adolin was referring to stay the night, but Adolin wanted to stay with him forever.
Kaladin smiled down at him. “Always.”
Kaladin stripped down to his smallclothes and undershirt then joined Adolin in bed, taking Adolin into his arms.
—
Adolin woke early in the afternoon expecting a splitting headache. Instead, he woke to warmth pressed against his back and fingers playing with his hair and massaging his scalp. He hadn’t ever woken to that before, he certainly wouldn’t complain if he did every morning from there on out. He turned to find Kaladin sitting against the headboard, book in hand; Kaladin had been one the men to follow Renarin’s footsteps to learn how to read women’s script. Now that two male members of house Kholin and the Windrunner Stormblessed knew how to read, Adolin saw more men putting aside their pride to learn. He himself hadn’t had much interest in learning.
“What are you reading?” Adolin’s voice was scratchy. Kaladin laid down his book and reached over to the nightstand, he returned with a glass of water and handed it to Adolin.
Adolin shimmied himself up to sit next to Kaladin and took the glass, gulping down more than half of the water.
“It’s a book newly released about the recent studies on the human mind. It’s quite interesting.” Kaladin didn’t elaborate further; he just watched Adolin.
Adolin, who wanted to avoid the intensity of his eyes, downed the rest of the water and reclined against the headboard. Kaladin said nothing at his awkwardness and continued reading.
“Is that all you read? Books like that? Never, oh I don’t know, a romance?”
Kaladin scoffed, but Adolin could see a smirk tugging at his lips. “Do you really think I’m the type to read something like that?”
“I don’t know, you can still surprise me, even after all these years knowing you.”
Like last night, Adolin thought. He’d believed he knew Kaladin so well, yet he completely missed Kaladin was in love with him.
Storms, Kaladin loved him. Remembrance of the entirety of last night came flooding back, filling Adolin with excitement, dread, joy and fear.
“Kal, about last night—” He felt Kaladin tense up beside him. “I remember it all. I still mean what I said—I’ve loved you since you came to my aid on the dueling ground. I thought you didn’t love me back, so I made myself move on, and I thought I had moved on until recently. I think it began resurfacing and I didn’t notice it until you confessed to me.”
“Do you regret it?” Kaladin’s tone was even and indifferent, but from Adolin’s side vision, he saw Kaladin’s eyes hadn’t moved across the words of the book he was supposedly reading and his breath was uneven.
“For not telling you all those years ago? For not choosing you? Partially, yes—I’ll never regret fathering Kalani, but if there was a way I could’ve had you then and still have her, I’d take that option without hesitation.”
Adolin watched Kaladin’s throat bob and bite his lip.
“I’d regret if my confession last night damaged our relationship beyond repair; if it causes me to lose you. But I will never regret loving you, Kaladin.”
Adolin saw Kaladin’s resolve beginning to break; there was a slight tremble to his chin even when he bit harder into his lip. The book was discarded and Kaladin swung his feet onto the floor and buried his face in his hands.
“Do you regret it?” Adolin’s question held as much weight and meaning as when Kaladin asked. He didn’t just want to know if he regretted last night, he wanted to know if he regretted everything about their relationship.
A long silence followed, until Kaladin finally spoke. “I nearly told you I loved you when I held you in my arms at the Oathgate, when I thought I was going to lose you. I don’t know why I didn’t. Then when you looked at me that way last night, it stripped away the hiding spot for my affections for you, forcing me to say them aloud. I never regretted not telling you until last night. Then—then I was overwhelmed with regret, first by taking advantage of your unstable state. Then I thought of what we could’ve had all these years; while I can’t claim I would be a perfect husband, I know I would’ve treated you better, loved you better than Shallan ever did. Even then, you’ll always deserve better than what either of us can give.”
No—Kaladin would always be enough for him. He was all Adolin could ever want.
Adolin gently placed a hand on Kaladin’s slumped shoulder, waiting for rejection. When none came, he slowly made his way over to Kaladin. His knees were at either side of Kaladin; he wrapped his arms around Kaladin’s waist and rested his cheek against his shoulder. He melted further into Kaladin when the latter held onto Adolin’s forearm and traveled up to cup his elbow and stroked the sensitive skin of the inner joint.
“Please don’t decide what you think I deserve. I want you Kaladin, is that not enough?”
Kaladin sighed, not one of contentment, but of exhaustion; Adolin felt the hairs on his neck stand up.
“Adolin, to have you to myself is all I’d ever want, but we need to be realistic. Can you imagine the gossip that will spread if people see us together right after the divorce? People will assume you and I had an affair and you and Shallan separated because of it. Even if we didn’t give a crem about what they say about us, you need to think about Kalani. I’m sure it would be hard for her to see you move on so quickly.”
You don’t understand. Adolin thought. She adores you, she’d be delighted to have you as a step-father.
But Kaladin continued before he could voice his opinion.
“And you need time, Adolin. You’re hurting, and as much as I want to be the one who heals all your hurt, there are things only time can mend.”
Adolin pulled away, slipping out from the bed after summoning his armourspren as a prosthetic leg and made his way to the bedroom balcony door. He hoped the cool air would sooth the burn in his eyes from Kaladin’s stinging rejection. He hated that Kaladin was right—he selfishly hoped Kaladin wouldn’t voice his own concerns, but Kaladin was too critical to not think of it too.
Adolin opened his mouth to tell Kaladin he was right and that they could go back to how it was before last night, but the words were stuck in his throat. He didn’t want to give this up—he wanted Kaladin so badly it pained him. He almost had what he’d only dreamt of, now it was being ripped away.
“Adolin, I’m not rejecting you. I’m asking we wait, just until the divorce is finalized and everything settles for a few months. Then, down the line, we can come back to this—to us.”
He hadn’t noticed Kaladin approaching until fingers brush hair behind his ear. “I’ll wait for you, Adolin.” Kaladin tilted Adolin’s head towards him by his chin. His hand came up to rest on Adolin’s cheek, wiping away a tear Adolin hadn’t noticed was there. “Will you wait for me?”
Adolin would wait another decade, a century, a millennia for Kaladin.
Adolin tearfully nodded. Kaladin smiled and Adolin couldn’t stop one tugging at his lips too. They reached out to one another for an embrace, melting into each other.
“Kal—can we pretend just for today that we are lovers? Stay inside for the rest of the day?”
Kaladin pulled away to meet Adolin’s eyes, but he didn’t answer right away, just simply stared until he answered by pulling Adolin into a deep kiss.
—
The last ten months were…interesting. Adolin wasn’t sure if this was how all divorces went. From what Aunt Navani had told him about her own parents’ divorce, it was a messy deal. There was certainly gossip wherever he went throughout the tower, but Adolin honestly could not give a crem. He’d dealt with the gossip of the Alethi court in his early life; he could handle this. He partially thought since his marriage had been difficult, the divorce would be the same, but he and Shallan had been able to agree on each other's terms of who got what with few hiccups. There had been one thing Adolin had been at first outraged about—Kalani’s custody. He had expected and was willing to do split custody with her, but Shallan gave him full custody and asked to allow her three monthly visits. When Kaladin had read out the request, he had to stop and talk some sense into Adolin before he stormed out of his apartment to the one Shallan now resided in. Shallan was right—she knew Adolin was the responsible parent, the one who wanted to be one, who took genuine joy in raising Kalani. Shallan loved Kalani, and she knew her daughter would be happier by solely staying with Adolin.
Once everything was finalized, Shallan was gone. To where? Adolin didn’t care to ask, she didn’t tell him and he wouldn’t go back to old habits of hunting down any information as to where she’d disappeared to. Her squires had been considerate enough to tell him she was traveling to Azimir and would be back in three weeks to see Kalani and then be off again.
Besides the tedious legal areas of the divorce, Adolin was happy. He truthfully could not recall a time he had been happier in his adult life. And while Kalani had her days of melancholy, she was happy too, especially when Kaladin came over. She’d carry the hurt Shallan had caused for a long while, but Kaladin helped her voice her pain and work through it instead burying it. Despite his own best efforts, Adolin knew she wouldn’t be as happy as she was now without Kaladin.
Storms, Kaladin had been wonderful. He had been afraid even after their agreement there would be a residual awkwardness between them, but they were back to their banter and easy conversation the next day.Though there would be times a darker part of Adolin’s mind would tell him Kaladin was able to act purely as a friend because Kaladin changed his mind, that he wasn’t in love with Adolin anymore; then, like his love, Kaladin’s platonic companionship would slowly withdraw and Kaladin would see the man Shallan saw, the part she couldn’t love. He'd grow tiresome of Adolin and leave like she did.
It was those times Adolin would try to hold onto Kaladin without seeming desperate for attention and reassurance or smothering him. Yet, instead of pulling away or warning Adolin he was crossing the line they placed, Kaladin would lean and whisper gently in his ear, ‘I love you.’ His touches would linger when no one was watching and his eyes would hold onto Adolin’s.
Adolin’s paranoia would be soothed and it turned into want. He wanted to kiss Kaladin, to taste his skin, hear him cry Adolin’s name again. Adolin didn’t know how he’d kept his sanity for so long when he wanted to free himself from this prison to reach Kaladin and have him again. He nearly snapped whenever Kaladin gave Adolin that knowing smile, like he was thinking the same as Adolin.
The space between them had only solidified what Adolin’s heart had known all these years: He was in love with Kaladin and only wanted him.
Today, he and Kaladin would be at the market. Their fifth day of the week traditions had evolved into any day they felt like called for a visit to the market together, followed by watching a performance and then going home to cook. Kalani wouldn’t be joining them this time; she was spending her day with Oroden. Adolin was going to take advantage of that and ask Kaladin to be his.
—-
Adolin wanted to stop by the artisan area of the market to find a gift for Kaladin. He’d vaguely mentioned he wanted to see about buying himself a new cravat, which was a lie of course, and asked Kaladin to go find them a spot for the next show at the park theater. Kaladin agreed without objection.
Adolin was now at the booth of the cobbler Kaladin once off handedly mentioned he bought boots from eight years ago. Those poor boots had seen too many days and needed to be retired. Luckily, the cobbler still had Kaladin’s sizing so Adolin commissioned the cobbler to make Kaladin two pairs of boots; one pair for practical combat and the other for formal occasions.
He was handing the cobbler his payment when he saw a flash of fiery red hair in the corner of his eye. Shallan was standing next in line with an awkward nod and greeting.
“Hello, Adolin. I hope you’re doing well.”
She certainly looked like she was doing well herself; she wore a short emerald green havah and pants, her trusted satchel around her shoulders and Pattern on her pant leg. Her eyes and hair had gained a vibrancy since he last saw her. Even her skin had a youthful glow that he hadn’t seen since they first met. She looked happy.
Adolin couldn’t pinpoint if he should be disappointed by that or not. An immature part of him, the part that still hadn’t completely healed these past months, wanted her to look miserable, for her to have missed him and regret throwing him out like she did. But the better part of him was happy for her. As much as it might pain him to say, their divorce was the best outcome. They were never meant to be and Shallan was the first to see that truth—though, she should’ve known to handle it better.
“Shallan.” He nodded his head politely. “How have you been?”
Shallan gave him a true, genuine smile and storms, he knew why he believed he loved her—he did love her, just not how he loved Kaladin. Her smile made him want to give her in the best in life, and he thought being her husband would give her that.
“I’m well, thank you. How about yourself? I hope Kaladin has kept you out of trouble.”
“I’ve been good. With Kaladin and Kalani constantly on my left and right, there’s little opportunity for any mischief on my part. Will you be in the tower long?”
Shallan shook her head. “No, I’ll be leaving later today, I just had to replenish my supplies—and,” she reached into her satchel and pulled out a slip of parchment, “I was hoping to come across you so I could give this to you. It’s for Kalani.”
Shallan handed him the parchment. He was looking at himself, a young man with a proud beaming smile and holding his new purpose in life; Kalani swaddled up in blue, her wild curls her gold and copper peaking through her knitted cap. Adolin felt himself choking up—where had the time gone? It seems only yesterday that he held his little girl for the first time.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thank you, Shallan.”
Flooded by these unexpected emotions, Adolin was lost as to how to carry on the conversation, so he tucked the painting away in his coat, gave one last polite nod and thanks before bidding goodbye and walked away. He had only passed the second booth he heard Shallan call after him.
“Adolin, wait!”
Adolin halted and turned to Shallan hurrying over to him.
“May I speak with you privately?” she asked.
Had she asked ten or even five months ago, he would’ve turned a cold shoulder and continued walking, but now, he found himself able and wanting to grant Shallan’s request.
Adolin nodded and she led them to a nearby vacant alleyway. She didn’t say anything right away, instead fidgeting with the strap of her satchel. He suspected at any moment another alter would take the reins from Shallan, but it was Pattern that made her break her silence.
“Shallan…”
“Right.,” She finally met Adolin’s eyes and took a nervous breath. “I’d like to first start off by saying, I’m sorry, Adolin, for everything—for how I told you I wanted a divorce, it was heartless. For how I treated you and Kalani…you two deserved better, yet I didn’t try hard enough to do better by you two. When I first married you, I truly did believe I loved you. I wanted to love you. You were a wonderful husband, and I was afraid if I let you go no one could ever love me like you did. I thought the love a wife and mother should have for her husband and child would eventually come to me, but I could never tell if it did. I believed it was just how our relationship worked, but then I began to see the relationships our friends had with their family; Renarin and Rlain, Drehy and Dru, Sebarial and Palona. Most of all I saw how Kaladin looked at you.”
Shockspren popped up around Adolin from Shallan’s words.
Even she knew Kaladin loved him…had he really been this blind?
Shallan smiled at Adolin’s reaction, but it was overcome by a melancholy look.
“I knew I could never love you like he does and I needed to let you go so you could know what it was like to truly be loved.”
Shallan reached out her right hand to Adolin’s. “I was too young, too immature when we married and I certainly wasn’t ready to be a mother. How could I raise a child when I was child in so many ways? There were countless times that I felt like that scared little eleven year old who just lost her mother, and I kept her locked away, unable to grow. I didn’t know who I was. I’m still trying to find her.”
Tears were streaming down her face now, white and red petals falling around her. “I do not say this to hurt you, Adolin, but our marriage and motherhood felt like a prison for that little girl, and I needed to get her out. I was so ashamed to tell you truth that I thought breaking it off completely without coming to you first would be the best for us, but I now know that was only the best for me, and—” A sob erupted from her, but she continued on, “I’m so sorry, Adolin. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I wanted you to know I was wrong to treat you and Kalani so coldly and I regret my selfish actions.”
Shallan hugged herself as tried to bite back her sobs. It broke something inside Adolin to see her like this. He pulled her into a strong hug and spoke into her hair. “I forgive you.”
She wept harder and completely collapsed into Adolin. “How can you so easily say that? I don’t deserve it.”
Adolin pet her copper hair, smoothing down any wild curls. “It doesn’t matter if you deserve it. Few people do. What does matter is the sincerity of the one who gives it, and I mean it, Shallan—I forgive you.”
The arms around his waist tightened. “I wish there were more people like you, Adolin.”
Adolin chuckled and continued to soothe Shallan until her crying turned into sniffles. She eventually pulled away and Adolin handed her his handkerchief to dab away the mess on her face. “Thank you,” she cracked him a smile, “for everything.”
“Anytime.”
“Well.” She adjusted her strap. “I best be off. Say hello to Kaladin and Kalani will you? Tell them I miss them and I’ll be back soon.”
“I will.”
They began to part ways, but not before Shallan stopped him once more. “You still love him, don’t you? Kaladin.”
Adolin looked back and nodded.
Shallan gave one last smile. “Well, I wish you the best of luck. You two are made for each other, and he treats Kalani as his own. I know she’ll be well-loved and cared for. Send me an invitation once you and Kaladin decide to marry.”
Adolin laughed. “I will. Take care, Shallan.”
Adolin walked back to the park theater with a pep in his step.
—-
In the distance, Adolin could see Kaladin sitting down at the table, arms crossed, watching the staged comedy with a neutral expression. On the table, there were two untouched glasses of yellow wine and some type of meat kebabs—knowing Kaladin, he wouldn’t touch them until Adolin sat down. For all his gruffness, Kaladin had the table etiquette of a well-mannered lighteyed lady.
Adolin continued to observe Kaladin—the way he’d break his neutral expression with a smile or laugh, how a particularly wide smile would create wrinkles around his eyes. How he’d roll his shoulders back to relieve tightness in his upper back, or he’d tilt his head to crack his neck which would make the gray hair at his widow’s peak fall into his face so he’d reach up to brush it behind his ear. Storms, Kaladin’s beauty had aged like a Veden sapphire. He felt his skin prickle with excitement, to think Kaladin could be his; the last thing he sees before going to sleep at night could be Kaladin’s gorgeous glossy black and silver curls fanned out over a pillow. He’d be able to bury his face into Kaladin’s warmth and scent. Adolin’s clothes would no longer smell of just his cologne, but of him and Kaladin; Adolin’s favored spicy and woody aromas with undertones of Kaladin’s natural scent of petrichor and freshly rained- on soil. It would no longer just be Adolin’s boots and Kalani’s slippers by the door, but Kaladin’s new pair of boots. While in the kitchen, Adolin would hear the chopping of vegetables while he turned the searing meat in the pan. The table would be set for three instead of two. To have Kaladin beside him everyday would be a dream Adolin hadn’t thought possible to come true.
Adolin felt like his feet didn’t touch the ground when he approached the table. Storms, it took everything in him to not bend down and kiss Kaladin when he looked up and smiled at him. He had to put his hands into his pockets to keep to himself. He pulled out a chair and sat down, using the food and drink to shove his mouth full so it wouldn’t spew for all to hear how he loved Kaladin and wanted him to move in with him.
“Hungry are we?” Kaladin cocked an eyebrow at him over the brim of his glass.
Adolin hid his blushing face behind a napkin playing it off like he was wiping his face.
“These are really good kebabs,” Adolin said with a full mouth.
Kaladin gave an unconvinced ahuh, but said nothing more as they continued to eat.
Adolin hardly paid attention to show. He was more focused on how to steal glances at Kaladin without being caught. He’d been able to do so without being caught for nearly the entire show until Kaladin spoke, still looking ahead.
“Syl says you've been watching me during the whole show—” Kaladin now turned his attention to Adolin. “Do you have something to say?”
Damnation, Syl! Why are you ratting me out? Adolin thought, and he heard Maya snicker. Did you tell her to say that?
’Maybe,’ Maya purred back.
You’ll pay for that.
’No I won’t—in fact, you should be thanking me.’
Adolin was ready to retort back, but Kaladin interrupted. “Cremling caught your tongue?"
Kaladin wasn’t easing up on his teasing as he leaned forward on his forearms towards Adolin, and tilted his head with a cocky smirk.
He’s close…I can see the gold in his irises, Adolin thought.
“Kal, I’m ready.”
Kaladin’s smirked faded, and his brows pinched. “Ready? For what?”
“Be mine, Kaladin. I’ll be yours—forever.”
Kaladin took a nervous breath, and nodded.
It was Adolin’s turn to smirk. He cupped the nape of Kaladin’s neck and pulled him to where their noses almost touched. Kaladin’s golden brown irises were swallowed by black. He tilted his head and pulled Kaladin into a sinking kiss.
Gossip about their relationship would still spread like wildfire; Highprince Adolin and Radiant Stormblessed kissing shamelessly in public—but Adolin didn’t care, he already burned to be with Kaladin. What’s a few extra flames to him?
—
*One year later*
“You know Kal,” Adolin grunted as he placed down one end of the couch, Kaladin on the other end. “While I won’t be celebrating any wedding anniversary today, I can celebrate something else.”
“And what’s that?” Kaladin asked as he dabbed away his sweat with the edge of his shirt before resting his hands on his hips.
Adolin approached him, resting his forearms on Kaladin’s shoulders. “Two years ago we confessed our love for each other, then one year ago today we became lovers. ”
Kaladin smiled, and tugged Adolin closed by his hips. Not caring how sweaty they both were, Adolin wrapped his arms around Kaladin’s neck, one hand playing with his tail.
“And one year from today will be the anniversary of me moving in with you,” Kaladin added.
“Hmm, you’re right. They’ll be sharing the day with Shallan’s filing for divorce—all unexpected, but I’m glad now that it happened.”
“Maybe we should add on one more next year by getting married,” Kaladin suggested. Anyone else might’ve missed how Kaladin’s face darkened even when it was flushed with heat from moving, but Adolin noticed.
“Oh? Is that so? And when do you plan to propose to me?” Adolin teased the hairs behind Kaladin’s ears, making them turn more red.
“Well since today is the day of unexpected anniversaries,” Kaladin pulled him close so their lips were now hovering over each other, “will you marry me, Adolin Kholin?”
Adolin felt like his face was ready to split with how wide his smile was.
“Of course I will.”
He closed the gap between their lips.