Lion Head Mesa shaduf [m]

Charles listened breathlessly to the story. He was sure what the outcome would be already — the bottom line, at least; one way or another — but still he could not help but listen fervently. At the end of the story, Osiris was mentioned, which threw Charles off. The Pharaoh and the General... They were both men? And what did Osiris have to do with it? Was he a god? Was he approving of this love thing between two men? Charles had never been more confused — and he'd been confused a lot in his life — and he blinked rapidly as he tried to process it all.

Ramesses dared him to kiss him, but Charles wasn't sure what that even was. Kiss? Damn his lack of word knowledge. He was too ashamed to ask about it, though, so he didn't. Charles swallowed thickly and said, Will you tell about Osiris? He wasn't sure why he asked — he wanted to forget about Osiris! — but something compelled him. It was a good distraction from the kiss question, too. Charles could feel his cheeks heat up beneath his fur as he thought about it. How was he going to fulfil Ramesses' request without looking dumb by having to ask? He did not want to be disobedient (though some part of him did), but the threshold to ask for clarification was too high.