Retvik grunted as he picked at his breakfast and flicked through an array of magazines. They were all from last week, free ones having been picked up alongside the shopping. And they were all mostly trash. Gossip articles, rumours and silly theories mixed in with actual goings on and listings of local events or televisual guides.
On the front of one of the magazines though, a popular Skyavok magazine called “Love-All!” was a picture of Retvik himself. A picture obviously taken after his last little stint in the Dessaron Battle Arenas. It had been a rather boring little challenge match where Retvik had kicked the piss out of a few bitchy Cassids who had attempted to call him out. Something about him being nothing without his armour and weapons, which everyone else knew was not true at all. The crowds had loved the fight at least, but they always seemed to enjoy whatever Retvik did.
The magazine wasn’t discussing Retvik’s battle though. It was loudly claiming that Retvik was the sexiest Rethavok ever. There was more written inside, with a collection of images from other battles Retvik had done without all his armour on.
“You have not finished yet?” Gath asked, his plate empty.
Retvik glanced at his beloved partner. “I am not hungry. I am too distracted.”
“With that magazine?”
“Yes.”
Gath shrugged as he got up and poured himself a drink. He quickly sat back down. “I do not know why they bother you. You are, after all, a very attractive Rethan. Many, many beings desire to be like you.”
Retvik grunted. “These magazines are sexualizing me.”
“Well you are very, very sexy.”
“That is a Skyavok magazine. Other races sexualize me. That… bothers me.”
With a smile, Gath took his fork and stole one of the half-eaten sausages from Retvik’s plate. “Why does it bother you?”
“Many reasons. Mostly because it might bother you.”
Gath grinned. “It does not bother me at all.”
Retvik looked up, confused. “Really?”
“The sexiest Rethavok alive married me, did he not?”
That statement made Retvik smile a little. “That is true, but it is still weird. I do not even see myself to be that attractive. I am slowly getting old, even if it is not at the same rate as everyone else. I will not be attractive forever. But it is almost as if these beings… worship me?”
“Just let them think you are nice. It is nothing more than harmless fantasy.”
Retvik shrugged, then started picking at his food again. “Is it really truly harmless though? There are other beings, non-Rethans, fantasizing about being with me.”
“Horny beings will fantasize about anything, dear…” Gath changed his tune, looking longingly at Retvik. “But none of them will have you for real. At least, not while I am alive…”
With a grunt, Retvik decided to finish off his breakfast. “I am not in the mood for that right now.”
“How about later?” Gath asked, his smile fading.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe.”
“Alright.” Gath got up from the table and dumped his plate and cutlery in the sink. “I have some chores I must sort out anyway.”
Retvik watched as Gath wandered off, then smiled. “I shall see you later then, my love?”
“Of course, my dear…”