It was mid-morning but the heat of summer was already making itself known. Joseph hoped there would be proper rain soon, not those scandalous winds, dark skies, loud rumbles yet scarce water. Otherwise, they would have to do the arduous job of carrying water either from the river or from their well.
Both options were backbreaking to be honest. They had to come up with ways to get water for the plot and not rely solely on rain. To have a reservoir. But how?
The thwack of wood being chopped interrupted his thoughts.
A sweaty and shirtless Lucas worked on making a gate for the plot. It was too troublesome to go through the house with the colt and leave the cart at the yard, so a direct access through the plot was a must, that was decided once the brother saw the inconvenience the wedding day when they returned with the extra animal and cart.
Ethan consequently bought the hinges and immediately instructed the brothers how to install them. As someone who had done several jobs, he had knowledge on quite some things. The task of the gate fell on Lucas, with Felix's help hammering some planks on the bamboo to create the shape of the gate.
As soon as they were done with the gate, they would, then, work on building a stable for the colt (that still remained unnamed). Nothing fancy; just a thatched roof stable, walls made with stakes and mud. It was basically a structure to fend off the high sun and the heaviest of rains until they could build another one with better materials.
The colt, of course, had its own grazing area where the hay would be planted. Also, a double fence was built between the grazing area and the patch so the horse would not try to eat their future vegetables. There was a path in between the double fence, similar to a narrow alley, that led to the side of the house where they created a small entrance.
The birch trees remained untouched, same as the eating area below them. The vestiges of yet another fence could be seen, to divide that area with the grazing one. And finally, there was the patch with the soil already plowed and fertilized. Joseph endlessly toiled around in there, envisioning where each plant, sapling or seed would be planted.
He had consulted with the Chief about a better way to space out the patch to have a better harvest. The old man had shared about methods used in other cities; or at least, in other towns where people owned their own patches. The best was something called 'association'. Vegetables, flowers and herbs grown together in the same 'bed' that helped each other.
Of course, depending on how big the family and the amount being planted, that was how big the bed was going to be. Since the Edris were a big family (and would hopefully become bigger in the future) and needed more produce, then Joseph sectioned more than half of the patch with stones. Each 'bed' having enough space for the plants to grow accordingly.
"What are those for?" A voice materialized out of nowhere, startling the concentrated third brother. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed his Wife was standing behind him, carrying a basket filled with food; going by the delicious smell coming from it. Since she could not go to work yet, she declared she would take over the cooking for the day.
Drying the sweat on his forehead with the clothe she passed over, he replied. "In this square, we're going to transplant the tomato together with some basil and mint. In that one, we gonna plant the carrots, onions, parsnip and pepper. Over there, the cabbage with the lettuce; the arc is for the cucumber and zucchini. That one is going to contain the potatoes, beans, corn and watermelon. And in this round one, the blueberry in the middle surrounded by the strawberry, thyme, sage and spinach. Oh, and garlic's gonna be planted in some beds for pests."
The garlic came from the Chief after the two thought up the best associations, or at least the ones they thought could work. If it did not, it could be changed. But both had high hopes for the combinations. In a way, it was a novel planting system. If the experimentation worked perfectly, then it could be taught to the other families.
Yellow Leaf Village did not count with the best soil to farm. It was thought it was because the small river that ran alongside used to be wider, covering even the village area. And when it dried up to become what it is, most of the soil in it became sandy soil mixed with clay soil. So, yeah, it was not the best for farming all kinds of vegetables, only the hardy ones, unless people prepared the soil extremely well.
Joseph could have done without the history class from the Chief. He was only interested in planting! If others benefitted from what he was going to do, he could not care less.
Isabelle smiled at his radiant expression. He always had this look whenever he talked about plants and the new methods he could discover. It was very attractive; his enthusiasm was. He had found the perfect job for him; he had a goal, a vision, something to live for. It was enviable. And lovable. That was why Isabelle could not help leaning into him for a kiss that he immediately reciprocated.
"Ah! Joseph's being a pervert!"
Felix's cry separated the two just when tongue was getting involved and hands were diving into dangerous territory.
Oh, how naïve of him to think only Joseph could be a pervert, Isabelle inwardly sighed.
Either way, she would one day show her youngest Husband that anyone had the potential to be a pervert. In a good sense. For the time being, "I brought food!" She beamed, lifting the basket.
The four once again gathered below the birch trees to enjoy their meal, throwing ideas on how to name the colt but never reaching a consensus. After that, they each went back to their chores. Joseph continued preparing and sectioning the patch. Lucas had to finish the stable for the colt and Felix was tasked to finish the fence dividing the grazing and eating area. Meanwhile, Isabelle decided to take it easy and rest.
The day before, Isolde had delivered the fabrics she had bought; so, basically, she could start with that commission, yet knowing she was going to have hectic and hard days ahead, she wanted to mentally prepare herself for it.
Besides, there was something she had to do before starting to work.
Night came with some heat still prevailing in the air. Mosquitoes were making its annoying presence known, which the recently gifted salves helped deter. Inside, the house was plundered in darkness; snoring resounded, somewhat overshadowing the buzzing of mosquitoes. Some rustling and grumbling paused the snoring and peace was restored, until the snoring started yet again.
It was a scene that was going to repeat through the night until everybody started snoring.
Outside, the table was slightly illuminated by the flickering flame of a candle. From time to time, a mosquito would fly by, only to be swatted away. The figure sitting at the table calmly waited, staring at the entrance gate. The moon was waning, so the light it provided was meager. It still aided in showing when another figure reached out to the hidden string that unlatched the gate from outside.
It was added specifically for the brother who arrived late at night due to work. Some nights, when the occupants of the house were still awake, he was received with bright smiles as they opened the gate for him. But other nights, like that one, they were all asleep and unable to welcome him; so, instead of waking them up to open the gate for him, the string came in handy.
Once the gate opened, he paused once he noticed who was waiting for him. It was unexpected; panic rising inside him, but hearing the snoring inside, he guessed it was not a matter concerning the whole family. At least. Once his mind reached that conclusion, he calmed down and unhurriedly closed the gate, locking it for the night. Then, he walked towards the table.
"You're awake." He noted, the question implied. Though the matter did not concern the whole family, it still made him a bit jittery. What would Isabelle want with him?
"I wanted to talk with you." A hand gracefully gestured at the seat in front, asking him to take it. He did not hesitate, compelled by a such delicate move. The candle light flickered, casting shadows on his tired face. Isabelle took him in. His appearance as immaculate as the moment he left in the morning, yet his disposition less attentive, less awake.
Exhausted.
Wary.
She pursed her lips but still voiced out the specific reason for their impromptu night rendezvous. "I wanted to apologize." Not missing the slight shock in his face, she… was not exactly encouraged, but was still eager to share her feelings, her thoughts. "Back then, I never wanted to disrespect you, nor did I want to display an uncaring attitude towards your opinion or advise. You spoke out of concern for me. And I appreciate that concern, I like it. So, forgive me for my callous actions. I will try to be more careful in the future."
Ethan stood rooted in his spot before sighing and rubbing his face to hide his expression. "It's…" Words failed him, unable to convey the full extent of his convoluted thoughts and feelings. He was ignored, put aside, completely disregarded for two days. His chest felt stifled, uncomfortable, yet he could only move on, pretend he was fine when he was not.
Even after the apology, that stifling sensation did not go away.
"Maddening, frustrating, vexing, infuriating…?" Isabelle wryly provided words that described her demeanor. She had thought it over, replayed her actions while putting herself in Ethan's shoes and she found she had been very nasty with her Husband. It was the main reason why she wanted to apologize to her Husband. It was not fair for him.
"…sad." Ethan said, instead, biting his lip. Taking a deep breath, his words finally poured out. "It's one thing for my brothers ta ignore me. I bear in mind their lip when I advise 'em; I know, at least, some of my words'll make it through. I… I don't have that confidence with you." Isabelle's breath hitched. "With time, maybe… Maybe I just want for things to go my way, for you to do as I say. To have control. But maybe you…"
Maybe you'll never trust me to guide you. As perfect and clever as you're. Then, again, I'm just a lowly-
"We have the time." A soft hand caressed his cheek.
Immersed in his dark and spiraling thoughts as he was, Ethan did not notice when Isabelle left her seat and took the one beside him. Though, neither noticed when the snoring had completely stopped and a strange stillness reigned inside the room.
"We have talked about this before. This is a slow and long process. Marriage was the first step. We have many more to take. We are learning, adapting, making mistakes. I am not perfect, Ethan, but I am open. Open to admit my mistakes and apologize for them; open to hear your concerns and complaints; open to whatever you offer me. I just ask that you do the same. Trust me." She pleaded.
Ethan leaned on the hand and closed his eyes. He wanted to believe. In himself more than anything else. "It's frustrating, y'know. I want things to work, but I don't know what to do when they don't. I'm afraid. Lost."
Life has taught him that no matter how good things are, they were bound to end. Perhaps the following day he would be fired for something out his control. Perhaps Isabelle would recover her memories and leave them behind once she realized that a better life awaited her back where she came from. Perhaps life would take away someone dear to him like how his parents were gone.
"I am here." Isabelle asserted, not wanting him to dwell on negativity. If it was her who made him feel that way, then she had to reassure him every day that he could count on her, that she was present, that she was there to stay until he believed it.
"Are you?" Ethan's voice came out as brittle as his confidence.
"I am." Isabelle repeated.
"Isabelle." He softly called out. Vulnerable. Bare.
When's this fear gonna disappear?
He wanted to ask, yet as she said, she was not perfect. She was not omniscient. Besides, he could not burden her with all his insecurities. He had to work on them himself as best as he could with what he had. Right then and there, he had her.
"Here." Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, leaning on him, hoping her weight would moor his drifting mind.
Ethan curled on himself, hiding his face on her shoulder, closing his eyes, his arms wrapping around her; even going so far as to pull her on his lap. He just wanted her close. To feel her. To be present together with her. It was strange. It had been a simple matter. He believed it had been a simple matter, but things turned out to be bigger.
Maybe it was his ever-present pessimism that stacked other things to their disagreement and blew it out of proportions. He could also be a fake; for all his supposed maturity and levelheadedness, he was just an unredeemable failure that was just winging it in life.
He could pretend with his brothers. But with someone as Isabelle, who was assertive, bold and straightforward, all his insecurities reared their ugly heads.
He did not want to be unworthy of her. He had nothing to offer her. He was nothing.
Unbeknownst to him, he voiced out those last thoughts.
Somewhat chapped lips pressed on his, starting a slow but firm kiss. His deluging thoughts became white noise when she sat astride on him, the kiss deepening into something desperate, pushing and overflowing. "I'm here, Ethan." She furiously and hurriedly whispered on his lips before taking them again. "Ethan… Husband." She breathed in his ear, taking a bite on his lobe.
"Belle…" He softly keened, crushing her body against his. Their heat, their passion, enveloped them, creating a bubble of agonizing fervor.
Once again, he felt adrift. This time, though, there was no fear, just anticipation. Where would this moment take him? Where would he end? Where would they be washed up to?
It was intoxicating. Being vulnerable was frightening. Yet that same vulnerability demanded closeness. Proximity. Intimacy.
It was a blur. Between a suffocating embrace, a consuming kiss, and an urgent need to be as close as possible, to enjoy the sweltering warmth of their bare skins, and experience that long-yearned completion, the shaft found itself free from its confinement and buried into the uncovered and waiting moist cavity.
Gasps left their mouths, muffled by their clothes; as pressed together as they were. There was a moment of lucidity as realization hit them; of what they finally achieved, of what was going to happen, of their hunger, their greed, the thirst for the sweet ambrosia.
Like a curtain waving with the wind, the bodies swayed to the rhythm of their passion. Soft at first, unhurried, like a breeze soothing the heat; exploring, indulging, recognizing. Then, it became a frenzy; their bodies urging them to douse the unbearable heat.
Their fiery kiss challenged any other sound their wantonness created. The rustling of still worn fabric, the collision of flesh, the creaking of wood. From time to time, choked words came out of their mouths.
"Ethan…"
"Belle…"
"Here… I'm here…"
"Together… Please…"
It was uncertain who finished first. The only certainty was that both of them reached the shore; at long last, they were moored. The vessel was still a small and derelict raft, but with time, it could become a huge galleon.
It just needed the correct materials. And love.
And a brother/husband that would not leer at them.
"Gotta admit 'twas the hottest sex I've ever heard." Joseph nonchalantly commented, unveiling the fact he was eavesdropping on them the previous night.
Felix choked. Lucas stiffened. The three had heard the conversation between Ethan and Isabelle, were emotionally invested in it. But then, when it gave way to a more erotic encounter, the second and fourth brother immediately wished they were asleep. The third brother had no such qualms and calmly listened to his brother have sex with their Wife.
Had he been aroused? Absolutely!
They had talked about who would be Isabelle's first. Kind of planned for it. However, such matters could hardly be prepared. At least, not in their situation. Joseph was envious, but also accepted that Ethan needed it more than anyone.
That did not stop his cock hardening at the sounds they were making. It had not been wild, but the moans, grunts and crashing of their bodies was a delicious symphony that had him yearning to be part of it.
Ethan glared at his brother while Isabelle sighed, a faint blush appearing on her face. "Didn't wank, promise." Joseph wickedly grinned.
Water came out from the teen's nose when he took a gulp. Lucas spilled his juice. It was painful for them to admit that they also had the thought but not the courage to do it. To touch themselves hearing their brother and Wife coupling. They even wanted to disappear into the sheets when the two directly went to bed, reeking of sex and almost going for another round right beside them.
"Small mercies." Ethan grumbled, all his good mood from the previous night gone.
How could his brother reduce an intimate and precious moment between him and Isabelle, a moment in which they discovered the bases of their sexual life, into cheap voyeurism and masturbation?
Isabelle for her part just hummed. "Might as well have." This time, all four of her Husbands looked at her with wide eyes. "I am going to be working nonstop from today onwards, so I doubt I will have the time, willingness and desire to engage in sexual activities of any kind." She diplomatically conveyed that she would not have sex with them in the near future.
"That's unfair." Lucas protested, earning him a four pair of stunned gazes. As the quietest brother, anyone would think he would be the least to express any objection on the matter. Yet there he was.
"But you'll be using the cart, right? Ya won't get too tired from havin' ta walk!" Joseph tried to salvage any opportunity to engage in the delicious carnal embrace.
Isabelle shook her head. "I will still spend the whole day away, working against time and with little time to rest." Although sewing did not seem like a physically demanding job, the stiffness of the body and the concentration at the moment of sewing could be tiring. Of course, she could try to unwind with sex; yet she did not want to keep promises that she might not fulfill.
"What's gonna happen with the 'alone time'?" Felix queried.
"Suspended." Isabelle cocked her head, giving the obvious answer. "Though, I guess the only one who will have his 'alone time' will be Ethan. I will be going to and coming back from town with him." Ethan tried to hide his smug smile but failed when the other brothers glared at him.
"Damn unfair." Felix seconded Lucas, scandalizing Ethan and making Isabelle chuckle. It was rare for the teen to curse. Yet there he was.
The three brothers forced to celibacy had the same thought popping up in their minds at that moment: they had to build that room!