You've Got It Bad
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin
Date Posted: 12th September 2025
Characters: K'mai, Z'kim
Description: Z’kim has uncovered some juicy gossip about K’mai and a certain bronzerider.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Q’vettan, I’serin, N’vanik, L’keri, H’run, N’kevyn
Z’kim was fizzing with eagerness " and more than a little sparkling wine " when he sidled up to K’mai. “Trying to get your hands on another Weyrleader, I see.”
K’mai laughed. “Can’t blame a man for trying.”
The greenrider took a sip of his drink. “Have you asked I’serin to dance yet?”
An icy spike of fear went through K’mai. “Wh-what?”
“Well, he is a Weyrleader. _Your_ Weyrleader. And . . .” A wicked smile curved Z’kim’s lips. “I hear you have a thing for him.”
“What?” K’mai repeated, feeling panic rise. “No I don’t!” The lie came out in a rush, and it sounded weak. What did Z’kim know? _How_?
Z’kim chuckled. “You kissed him in a flight room, and he rejected you. Then you’re _very_ keen on trying to find out what’s going on between me and Nik. Poor thing, pining over a bronzerider. You’re desperately searching for some hope.”
K’mai’s gaze flicked around, wondering how many people were overhearing them. With his heart racing, he grabbed Z’kim’s arm and dragged him toward a quiet corner. It was either that or run away, and that would be as good as admitting it. **At least he thinks it’s one-sided.** Like L’keri. Like H’run. But unlike either of them, Z’kim _knew_ there was at least one bronzerider who was attracted to men. And, aw shards, he’d told Z’kim about N’kevyn, too.
“My, my, aren’t we touchy.” Z’kim didn’t resist being pulled away from the crowd. It had taken some digging, but eventually he’d found a friend of a friend with an intriguing story about K’mai and a bronzerider. A few months ago, this rider had been in a flight room and saw K’mai grab the Weyrleader and pull him into a _long_ kiss before I’serin shoved him away. Z’kim had thought it likely K’mai would deny his attraction, and be embarrassed about it, but this level of fear was _very_ interesting.
K’mai desperately searched for something to say. “I’m not . . . I don’t . . .” He swallowed. “That kiss was an accident.”
“Mmm, forbidden attraction bubbling over under the influence of dragonlust. Like something straight out of a harper’s tale.”
Easier to tell part of the truth and let Z’kim believe that was the whole of it. “I’serin was . . . upset. We talked about it later and we’re in a good place, so . . . please don’t spread this around.”
Z’kim felt a flicker of protectiveness. “He wasn’t mean to you, was he?” N’vanik had described the Dragonsfall Weyrleader as a quiet, reserved, thoughtful type, but people could surprise you.
“No, no!” K’mai waved his hands. “He was very understanding.” He couldn’t help the softness that crept into his tone.
“How long have you been pining for him?”
“I’m not!” Fear and guilt made K’mai’s face even hotter.
He was so obviously lying. “Oh, come on. You’re not the first man to fancy a bronzerider. And from what I hear, you’re not shy about anything, so why be shy about this?”
“Because he’s my friend and I . . .” **Need to protect him.** “Don’t want to hurt him.”
“Oh shards, you’ve got it _bad_ don’t you?” Z’kim laughed.
K’mai stared at the floor, not saying anything. He didn’t need to.
Z’kim really did feel sorry for him. It was on the tip of his tongue to admit what was going on between him and Nik, but he couldn’t betray his friend’s trust. He patted K’mai’s shoulder. “I don’t do pining for anyone, but I do know what it’s like to wish my friend wanted sex with me outside the flight room.”
That made K’mai lift his head, and a little smile tugged at his lips. “Still pretending you’re not sleeping with N’vanik?”
The greenrider took a drink to hide his own smile. “I think your hope is admirable. _I’serin_ though, really? I mean, he seems nice enough, but he’s far from the handsomest bronzerider I’ve seen.”
K’mai bristled. “He’s _gorgeous_!” He clamped his lips shut before he could say anything else.
Z’kim laughed. “Well, I suppose we all have different tastes. I’m rooting for you, K’mai.” He raised his glass. “To bronzeriders coming around.”
K’mai couldn’t help a smile at that. Z’kim’s inquisitiveness was a danger, but he could also be an ally. Eventually, someday, they might be able to talk about their bronzerider lovers. He lifted the half-full glass of wine he’d forgotten he was holding and clinked it against Z’kim’s. “I can drink to that.”
Last updated on the October 3rd 2025