A reputation for rakishness by averytinylizard  

The most wonderful thing about Findekáno is that he has never taken a moment to think before acting. Maitimo has seen him dive into the sea from a cliff without taking his clothes off, volunteer to act in operas before even knowing the title, speak what’s on his mind before knowing what words are good to say. It worries Maitimo sometimes to see his friend be so reckless, but Findekáno is so good at most things that it does not really make a difference whether he prepares or not.

Still, knowing that Findekáno is most likely singing beneath his window because he likes singing (and not because he has thought much about what it looks like) does not make it easier to not worry about what their families might think. Nor does it stop Maitimo from sometimes, after Findekáno leaves, hoping. Findekáno has taken to doing so ever since Maitimo told him he cannot keep throwing rocks at his window whenever he wants Maitimo’s attention. Well, whatever its damage to both Maitimo’s reputation and to his heart, at least the singing results in less broken glass. Maitimo does let him climb the wall up to his window, if only to help him avoid Tyelkormo's comments.

He does put his foot down once Findekáno starts making him flower garlands. It is, again, a meaningless gesture from Findekáno, who has accidentally given a hundred maidens the idea that he was courting them, but at least those were girls, non-related and with no fathers eager for a fight. The garlands, in fact, look hastily made from the flowers found in the path between his house and Maitimo's. It reminds him of gifts from some of his more forgetful kinsmen, when a gift is expected but they have forgotten to prepare anything at all and get something on the way. Strange, because nothing of their relationship demands chains of flowers.

“Findekáno.” Findekáno looks eager to speak, to defend his garlands, but he knows Maitimo enough to let him finish. “I need you to know that they are beautiful. That is not the problem.”

He looks surprisingly upset over a rejection of a hastily made garland. “Then what is?”

“It's the garlands, and the singing, and the jewelry,—”

Findekáno exclaims, eager to point out his misstep, “You also give me jewelry!”

“Well, yes.” Maitimo pauses, gathers his thoughts. “But not rings, Findekáno. And I do not take every chance to strip to my underclothes, and you kiss me so often.”

“Plenty of friends kiss?” Findekáno, even as he speaks in his own defense, seems to understand that the way he kisses Maitimo is not the way most friends or kinsmen kiss.

“But they do not push tongues down the other's throat.” And Findekáno does seem upset, his bright eyes not yet tearing up, but blinking often, to keep them away. “Look, I enjoy them! I like that you show love so much more easily than all around you. But people will talk, my dearest friend, our fathers will talk. Already, Tyelkormo calls you my gentleman caller. Do you know what bribery I have had to resort to to keep him quiet in front of my father? My friend, tell me you understand how this looks!”

Findekáno covers his face, and as Maitimo worries that he is finally crying, he laughs. Laughs! “Ai, if Tyelkormo understands my intentions better than you do, then I suppose I shall have to give up!”

Oh, Maitimo is the greatest fool to have ever walked Aman. “I am not going to try to save face. Oh, Valar, this changes things.”

“Oh, please try. Here I was, preparing to heartbreak and you— you!”

Well, Findekáno certainly is making Maitimo feel protective of his dignity. “But you treat practically all of Tirion this way! I have had to beg at lords' feet for them to understand that you were not planning to elope with their daughters. If I am bad at deciphering your hints, you certainly do not make yourself clear.”

“I am not as bad as that.” Findekáno seems offended, which is unfortunate, because Maitimo is telling the truth.

“Tirion thinks you a rake, friend.” Maitimo supposes he should put himself out there half as much as Findekáno does. “But I think that talk might prove useful, if only so people do not suspect us of anything improper,” he says, and kisses Findekáno as friends do not kiss.

Leave a Comment