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Adolin watched as Kaladin leaned closer to his father, saying something low enough that he couldn’t catch it. Whatever it was made Dalinar laugh and something about the interaction twisted his stomach. He swallowed the bite of flatbread he’d been chewing and took a deep drink of wine, his eyes never leaving Kaladin. 

Why was he so close to Dalinar? Normally at these dinners Kaladin sat near him. He talked with Dalinar when he was spoken to but he didn’t make conversation with him. Adolin tried to take another drink and realized his cup was empty. Irritated, he thunked it onto the table, causing everyone to look at him.

“Sorry,” he muttered, reaching for the pitcher to refill his goblet, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Kaladin met his eyes briefly and then looked away and Adolin bit the inside of his cheek. He downed his fresh pour of wine in one long drink and stood up abruptly, turning to leave the dining room without a word. 

“Son?” Dalinar’s voice carried behind him as he headed towards the door. “Are you alright?” 

Adolin turned back towards his family. “I just need some air, I’ll be back,” he replied. He didn’t actually want to come back but he knew he couldn’t just walk away in the middle of dinner. He clenched his jaw after his father nodded at him and went into the hallway. 

What was going on tonight? 

He leaned his back against the wall and thudded his fist against it. He wasn’t sure why he was so irritated. 

No. That was a lie. Kaladin was why he was irritated. Sitting by Dalinar, making him laugh, leaning towards him like he normally did with Adolin. He thought he’d even seen him touch him just briefly on the arm. Kaladin didn’t casually touch people. He allowed it from Adolin, who enjoyed physical connection, and from Shallan, who was just irrepressible and did what she wanted. But Dalinar? 

And his Aunt Navani just sat there smiling fondly, like she didn’t see anything strange about the interactions he’d witnessed throughout the evening. 

If Adolin didn’t know better he’d think that Kaladin was flirting with his father. Except Kaladin didn’t flirt. He was oblivious when Adolin made passes at him and there was no way he could be interested in Dalinar like that. So what on Roshar was happening? 

He took a few deep breaths, closing his eyes and focusing on the feel of the cool stone against his back. 

He didn’t really have any right to be angry, regardless of how silly the whole thing was. Kaladin wasn’t his, as much as he wanted him to be. He was free to do whatever he wanted. And he certainly wouldn’t be flirting with Dalinar. That would just be wrong - not only was Dalinar married, but he was Kaladin’s commanding officer, not to mention nearly three times his age. Kaladin would never do that - he’d see it as dishonorable. Or at least Adolin thought he would. 

With a sigh, he straightened his jacket, ran a hand through his hair, and re-entered the dining room. As soon as he did, he met Kaladin’s eyes. The other man held his gaze for only a moment and looked away. Adolin swallowed down the emotion the action brought up in him and strode over to re-take his seat, pointedly keeping his attention away from his father and Kaladin. Instead, he turned to Renarin. 

“What was that all about?” His brother inquired. Adolin’s wine cup was full again and he took another sip of it. 

“Don’t you notice anything… odd… happening at that end of the table?” Adolin tipped his head to gesture towards his father without turning his attention in that direction. 

“You mean Kaladin talking with father?” Renarin’s eyebrows drew together. 

“He’s flirting with father!” Adolin hissed. Renarin looked at the men in question and made a skeptical face. 

“Are you sure? That doesn’t seem like Kaladin.” He narrowed his eyes at Adolin. “Are you just reading more into this than is actually there because you like him?” 

“What? That’s not - what would give you that idea?” Adolin sputtered. Renarin gave him a flat look. “Fine - I do like him, but that’s not the point.” 

“Are you sure about that?” Renarin took a bite of flatbread and chewed obnoxiously while looking at Adolin. He knew that it drove Adolin nuts and was doing it on purpose. Adolin rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. Kal is not flirting with Dalinar.” 

“You know, I don’t even know why I asked you. You wouldn’t know if Kal was flirting with you,” Adolin groused, poking at a vegetable on his plate with his knife and frowning. Renarin shrugged. 

“I know enough to know you’re jealous because you think he’s flirting with someone else.” He popped the rest of the bread into his mouth and Adolin sighed. 

“I just think it’s odd. Kal usually sits down here with us. Why is he even up there? He isn’t even that chatty with me.” That wasn’t exactly true. Kaladin was actually quite talkative with him when it was just the two of them. He was a little more reserved when they were among groups of people, even people he liked such as Adolin’s family. That’s part of what made the entire thing so strange. 

“Don’t let it get to you,” Renarin suggested. At that moment, Dalinar and Navani both laughed at something further up the table and Adolin took a deep breath. He refused to look at them, staring down at his plate and poking at his food without eating. “Better yet, do something about it.” Adolin glared over at his brother. “That’s the only way to prevent him from pursuing - or being pursued - by other people.” 

Adolin sighed and looked back towards Kaladin, who was eating nonchalantly. It was actually surprising that Kaladin - handsome, stoic, powerful Kaladin - remained single after all this time. He’d tried dating periodically but nothing had ever lasted long, kind of like Adolin’s own relationships. Adolin had never even seen Kaladin do anything that even remotely resembled flirting, but he was certain that’s what was happening at this dinner. But why?

Adolin contemplated that question throughout the remainder of the meal, stomach twisting in knots and a black mood descending on him as time passed. When they were finished and the attendees began to go their separate ways, Adolin rushed to catch up with Kaladin. 

“Hey,” he said as he slowed up beside him, walking down the hallway that led inward to Kaladin’s quarters. Kaladin turned as he heard him, and then kept moving. 

“Hey,” he replied. 

“What was up with that tonight?” Adolin asked him, glancing over his shoulder to ensure no one else was nearby to overhear them. 

“With what?” Kaladin looked at him, eyebrows drawn together, and Adolin sighed. 

“You know what. You sitting with my Father instead of me, chatting with him like two people courting,” he said, tone flat. He was trying not to be angry or accusatory but he was hurt and it was hard to keep that emotion from his voice. 

“I sat with Dalinar because we had things to discuss,” Kaladin’s response was nonchalant. “I didn’t realize it would upset you.” 

“Things to discuss?” Adolin was incredulous. “You were laughing like two Brightladies watching a training session. You were even blushing.” 

Kaladin turned his entire body towards him then, stepping forward and forcing Adolin back until he was pressed against the wall. “What is it you’re implying, exactly, Adolin?” His voice was low and accusing. Adolin swallowed. 

“Nothing - I just missed having you by me, okay?” He finally said, feeling stupid. “You’re my best friend and I’m used to you being there with me at these things.” He couldn’t just come out and ask him if he was trying to seduce his father. He felt his face flare with heat and he looked away, unable to handle Kaladin’s glare. 

“It certainly seems like you were inferring something more was going on,” Kaladin said. Adolin’s blush deepened. “And your little outburst? Was that because of this?” 

“I just needed some air,” he repeated the same lie he’d told earlier. Kaladin gave him a skeptical look and Adolin growled. “Nevermind. Goodnight, Kaladin.” He pushed past the other man and turned to go to his own rooms, feeling stupid and jealous and irrationally angry.

The next day, Dalinar asked Adolin to meet with him after breakfast. He wasn’t certain what he wanted but he expected to be rebuked for his behavior the previous night. Dalinar’s study was well-lit and comfortable and he found his father sitting on the couch instead of behind his desk as he’d anticipated. 

“Son, come have a seat,” he invited, gesturing towards the matching sofa that sat across from the one he sat on, a low table between them. Adolin did as directed, waiting for Dalinar to begin the conversation, since he’d been the one who initiated the meeting. “I hope you’re feeling more like yourself today. You seemed a bit off at dinner last night.” 

“I am,” he replied, even though he was still confused and angry. Dalinar didn’t need to know any of that. 

“Good. I wanted to get your opinion on a matter of some importance. I will, of course, consult Renarin about it as well but as my heir I feel you should have some say in what I am proposing.” 

Adolin relaxed a little, happy that they weren’t going to dwell on the subject of his strange behavior. “And what is that?”

“How would you feel about Kaladin becoming part of the family?” Dalinar asked. Adolin couldn’t help the incredulous face he made. 

“I’m sorry - what?” His voice broke on the last word and he began to cough. Dalinar started to move to get him some water but Adolin waved him back into his seat, bringing himself under control. “Why on Roshar would you want that?”

“We have a problem with the line of succession,” his father said, leaning forward and pressing his fingertips together as he spoke, elbows on his knees. “You are my heir but also Jasnah’s, at least until Gavinor comes of age. I know you don’t like it, but it is the truth. Additionally, Renarin has absolutely refused any suggestion that he supersedes you in either. But the highprinces don’t like the idea of one person being heir to both kingdoms.” 

Adolin narrowed his eyes. “And what does this have to do with Kal?” 

“Well, Navani and I have been discussing the possibility of legally adopting Kaladin into the royal family, allowing us to name him heir to Urithiru -”

“No.” Adolin interrupted before he was able to finish his thought. 

“No?” Dalinar looked at him with wide eyes. “I thought you liked Kaladin.” 

Adolin looked down at his hands. How could he explain that he didn’t want Kaladin to legally be declared his brother or cousin because he was in love with him? That he was angry and jealous that Dalinar had garnered his attention the night before and he hated the thought of him being burdened with the weight of any sort of crown. He collected his thoughts and met his father’s gaze again. 

“I do like Kaladin. But I don’t believe he is the right person for this.” 

“The Highmarshal is one of the few people I trust implicitly. He is a genuinely good man and has a good head on his shoulders-” Dalinar started but Adolin cut him off again. 

“No.” Adolin stood up. “I won’t be party to this. I’m sorry.” With that, he turned and walked out the door. He couldn’t say what he truly wanted to - that he wanted Kaladin to be a member of the family through marriage to him, that he was too cowardly to actually tell him how he felt, that he himself didn’t even want to be heir to either kingdom. 

Damnation.  

He sought out Shallan, knowing she would understand and needing to talk to someone. The two of them might not have worked out as a couple, but she was without a doubt one of his best friends. She wasn’t afraid to call him out when he was acting like an idiot and she never let a dull moment linger too long. He couldn’t imagine his life without her, even if it wasn’t as his wife. 

He found her sitting at one of the tables in the tower’s marketplace, watching people and sketching absently. He plopped himself down in a chair beside her and sighed. 

“To what do I owe the honor?” She said in greeting, smiling over at him. She had a smudge of charcoal on her nose and Adolin resisted the temptation to call it adorable. Last time he’d done that Veil had taken control and punched him in his own nose.

He looked at her paper to see she was drawing a nearby vendor, except she was exaggerating some of his more unique features. Pattern was happily buzzing at the corner of the page, probably at the “lies” she was adding to the picture. “You should dress him in a havah,” he suggested and she laughed.

“Perhaps. Are you going to tell me why you sat down here and made a noise like you live the hardest life on the entire planet or do I have to guess?” As she said it, she started to outline a havah on the rotund figure and Adolin smiled. She stopped sketching and poked him with the pencil. “C’mon, Kholin.” 

“I think Kaladin was flirting with my father last night,” he blurted. “And now he wants to adopt him so he can name him his heir.”

Shallan made an undignified noise as she tried to suppress her laughter and he slumped dramatically back in his chair, head hanging backwards. “That…” she managed to say, still giggling, “is a lot to take in.” 

Adolin wanted to die, right there on the spot. Soulcast him and stick him in some garden somewhere because he was going to die of embarrassment. He felt his face heat, which only made Shallan laugh harder. Finally he pulled himself upright and gave her a serious look. “What do I do?” He asked. 

She reached her freehand over and squeezed Adolin’s arm. “First of all, Kaladin was flirting with Dalinar last night -” 

“How do you know?” He blurted. He felt like his mind had suddenly ground to a halt, like a chull who decided they suddenly didn’t feel like pulling a cart. His stomach lurched and he had to stop himself from falling into a spiral of simultaneous disgust and jealousy. Thankfully, Shallan spoke again, drawing his attention back to her.

“Veil told him if he flirted with someone close to you, it might make you jealous enough to make a move,” she finished. “I think she meant Renarin or maybe even me, but Dalinar! That’s even better.” 

“It was horrifying,” he told her flatly. 

“As far as the adoption thing goes… Well, if you don’t want it to happen, you need to do something, don’t you?” She raised an eyebrow at him and he groaned, dropping his forehead onto the table. “C’mon, you two have been dancing around this longer than it takes babies to be conceived, born, and grow up…” 

“That’s an exaggeration,” Pattern hummed happily. 

“Thank you, Pattern,” Adolin mumbled. The little spren vibrated, obviously pleased with himself. 

“Adolin. I love you. But you need to man up and just tell him how you feel. I know he feels the same way, obviously. You both come to me about this instead of just talking to each other. I don’t know what is wrong with you two - Kaladin actually tried to flirt with your father instead of just talking to you!” Shallan put her sketchbook and pencil down and turned to him. He groaned again. 

“Fine.” He grumbled. “I’ll talk to him.” 

“Good man,” Shallan smiled at him, and then punched him in the shoulder. “Go. Now.”

Adolin didn’t immediately go to talk with Kaladin. He needed time to gather his thoughts, clear his head, and think about literally anything else for a bit. He instead went to the stables and spent some time with Gallant, brushing him out, taking him for a short ride, and letting the smell of horse and fresh hay soothe his emotions. He was so engrossed in taking care of the Ryshadium that he was startled when someone said his name. He spun around, hand involuntarily moving to the side as if to summon his shardblade, and then relaxed when he saw it was Kaladin who’d spoken. 

“Sorry,” Kaladin said, noticing Adolin’s surprise. 

“It’s okay,” Adolin assured him, patting Gallant’s neck a couple more times before moving out of the stall. “I was just about finished anyway.” He walked out of the stable, Kaladin following a step behind. He slowed his pace so the other man could catch up. “Did you need something?” 

They stopped partway up the path, where a stone bench sat underneath a stubby tree that seemed to lean to cover it. 

“I wanted to apologize,” Kaladin said softly. He was facing into the light breeze, the wind catching his loose hair and making him appear to fly even while standing on solid ground. “I shouldn’t have reacted how I did, last night.” 

“You mean when I asked why you were flirting with my father?” Adolin’s lips twitched and Kaladin sighed. “I spoke with Shallan… she told me about Veil’s advice.” 

“It was stupid,” Kaladin admitted. Adolin sat down on the bench and shrugged. 

“I think we’ve both been pretty stupid, Kal.” Kaladin looked down at him and then back across the land rolling away from the massive tower that loomed behind them. “You were trying to make me jealous and it worked. But it never should’ve gotten to that point.” He reached up to grip Kaladin’s wrist and pull him so he would sit down beside him. They were both quiet for a bit before Adolin spoke again. “My father wants to adopt you, make you a Kholin and name you heir to Urithiru.” 

Kaladin’s head whipped around, eyes wide. “What?” 

“He asked me my opinion on it this morning. I told him rather emphatically that I was not in agreement.” Adolin pushed his hair out of his eyes. “But… it wasn’t entirely the truth. I am very much not opposed to the idea of making you a Kholin, someday. Just… not that way.” 

Kaladin swallowed hard, his throat bobbing, and Adolin let his words sink in. 

“I don’t want to be the heir to anything,” Kaladin said finally. “But the other thing…” A flush was creeping up his neck. 

“We’ve really been a pair of idiots,” Adolin murmured. “All this time we’ve been avoiding this thing between us when we could’ve been exploring what it meant.” He looked directly into Kaladin’s eyes then. “I already know I love you. Let me court you. No more games. Just you and me.” 

Kaladin nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “Of course.” 

Adolin grinned then, reaching out to take his hand. “Just promise me one thing?” 

“What’s that?” Kaladin asked. 

“Don’t ever take relationship advice from Veil again, please.”