The Gay man

They all called it even and went to the bonfire, discussing and rejoicing happily. But before they left, Lazarus gave Astro a warning gaze, telling him with his eyes that Daniel belonged to him.

“How about we try and forget the scene that has just happened between Daniel and His Majesty, King Lazarus?” Frank asked, mischievously grinning from ear to ear. He wasn't paying attention to the men and women who were trying to gain his attention, his eyes were focused on the freshly roasted cow meat in his front, and he happily stood up for his seat, walked towards the stick holding the meat, and cut a large piece. The cow meat was soft and reddish, and on tasting a piece, a broad smile appeared on his face. 'It tastes so heavenly,’ he muttered, relishing the taste.

No one was paying attention to him. Everyone seemed to be lost in their worlds. Some were eating all sorts of freshly roasted meat/animal delicacies. While most of them were discussing: business, entertainment, and history, they also seemed to be enjoying the men's and women's naked performances going on. Guards were permitted to watch all types of shows because they could die at any time, and everyone wanted to live a fulfilled life.

Frank gently placed a ‘sizeable’ piece of the cow meat on Daniel's plate, and the hungry young man hurriedly devoured it. This caught the attention of Justin, and he jokingly called him a glutton. Timber cheerfully offered Daniel his roasted chicken and steak, claiming he was a vegetarian. Daniel didn't believe him because Timber looked hefty, tall, and thick-skinned, but he decided to mind his business, and he collected the chicken, appreciating Timber profusely.

The cooks had refused to serve him, they were scared of getting on King Lazarus's bad side, especially after seeing the way he was possessive towards Daniel. But this didn't stop Daniel from eating to his fill, he felt happy that his friends cared about him, and he continued eating till his stomach refused to receive more. Some people who saw the way he was eating decided to give him their meat, thinking it would make him feel miserable, but Daniel happily collected their potions, not caring what people would say, this wasn't the first time.

"Everyone gossips," he muttered, shrugging as he accepted the offerings.

As the night wore on, the group's laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the crackling of the bonfire. Frank, still savoring the delicious cow meat, grinned mischievously as he watched Daniel devour the food. Daniel looked like he couldn't digest anymore, but he kept stuffing his stomach, to the extent that his wolf growled in frustration.

'Stop complaining and eat! Do you know when we'll be served next? The king might decide to starve us later!’ Daniel's mind is linked to his wolf.

"Your belly might burst if you don't stop eating. It looks like you're trying to eat your last meal!" Frank teased, chuckling.

Daniel's face turned bright red, but Timber quickly came to his defense. "Hey, let him eat! He's been starving all day."

"Thanks, Timber. You're a lifesaver." Daniel smiled gratefully at Timber.

Lord Xender, observing from afar, smiled to himself. Daniel's carefree nature was refreshing, and his ability to ignore the whispers was admirable. He couldn't wait to test him and was cooking up something mischievous.

Astro, however, seemed lost in thought, his eyes fixed on Daniel. The warning gaze from King Lazarus still lingered in his mind. He didn't know how to explain it, but he felt like his life wouldn't be complete if he hadn't slept with Daniel, and to him that was weird.

“Hey, check this out,” Shapiro, one of the men mocking Daniel, called the attention of the other guards. Daniel and his friends were also tempted to look at what he was discreetly pointing at.

Lo and behold, Shapiro was pointing at King Lazarus, who at that moment was talking with Astro, the king looked furious and Astro's head was bowed.

“Oh o, it seems the king is scolding Lord Astro for supporting the gay man,” Shapiro said, looking at Daniel with a grimace on his face.

“Argh, gays, such a confused set of people,” another guard murmured thoughtfully and burst into laughter.

Silence descended between the guards and Daniel didn't bother to argue with them, he looked too busy eating his roasted steak. Frank looked heartbroken, he couldn't help but wonder when all this discrimination would stop.

“Hey bitch, I saw you checking out Daniel earlier today. Don't tell me you're one of the confused set of people,” Timber said to the guard who called gays confused. The guard looked taken aback, and when everyone's eyes were fixed on him, he began to shiver in his seat.

“I wasn't checking him out. I don't even know he's alive, I was barely…..” The man stammered, unsure of what to say.

“Hey, there's nothing to be shy of. I don't mind if men are secretly checking me out. My only condition is that you shouldn't insult people and instead work on your insecurity. Love is love after all,” Daniel responded with a gentle smile, the man looked embarrassed, he stood up and ran away.

“Hey Shapiro, I think you should stop bullying people, it's no one's fault that they're gay. They were born that way,” Frank advised with a polite voice.

“Oh really, one of them has involuntarily announced himself,” Shapiro said with a loud voice, trying to gain everyone's attention.

“So, what if I am one of them? Is that going to bruise your ego or make you sleep better at night?” Frank asked with arched brows, looking unaffected by Shapiro's insult. “Look Kiddo, it's okay if you've never felt real love. Who knows maybe your parents used to fight each other when you're a kid, but that's not enough reason to abuse people who are in love. Sometimes try to ignore others and trust me, you will live longer.” He continued with a plain expression.

The little people who were watching the ongoing barter burst into laughter, supporting Frank. Shapiro looked humiliated, and he growled at the people laughing.