Chaos' Heir

Khan wanted to heave another sigh at George's smirk, but ended up peeking past his shoulder, looking at the distant, gargantuan cavity, knowing Liiza had teleported there with Monica.

As for what Liiza had in mind, Khan could guess and sense it through the mental connection, but was also powerless to affect it. That private meeting had to happen, and now was the perfect chance. Khan also knew his turn would come next.

Khan eventually lowered his gaze, faint guilt trying to rise into his mind, only for him to push it away as he slowly sat on the sand at George's side.

The two men didn't say anything for a while, limiting themselves to staring at the distant horizon and the white desert's chaotic state. Khan and George hadn't seen each other in over three years, with their interactions during that period boiling down to a single call and a few messages, and much had inevitably changed.

The changes were even greater when Khan considered where he and George had started. They had been nothing more than two promising young soldiers during Istrone's rebellion. Still, that tragedy had marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship that had long evolved into proper brotherhood.

Truth be told, Khan saw George as more of a family member than his actual relatives. They had known each other for so long, basically growing together through an untold number of meaningful events, culminating in their current status.

Khan was Khan, while George had become his family's Patriarch. Those achievements would have been unthinkable when their lives were just about drinking, girlfriends, and survival, but there they were. Things were far simpler back then, but neither regretted where they had ended up.

"Patriarch Ildoo," Khan said with evident mocking intentions. He had learned about that by mistake and only recently, and couldn't help but mention it now.

"In my defense," George exclaimed, "I was against it. They basically begged me to do it."

"For all your big talks," Khan uttered, "You could never stop yourself from rising to the occasion when the situation demanded it."

"I won't hear this stuff from someone who regressed to a pubescent boyfriend as soon as he heard Liiza's name," George snorted.

"Wow, pubescent," Khan joked. "We are learning words proper to our new status, aren't we?"

"Shut up, married man," George scolded. "I would have won multiple fortunes if I had gambled on what you would have done at the arranged marriage."

"Well," Khan sighed. "I really tried to run away and remain unhappy, but you know how Niqols are. Liiza called for me, and I couldn't think about anything else."

"At least I won't hear your whining about your hot girlfriends wanting to nurse you into happiness anymore," George pointed out.

"Oh no, those days are gone," Khan confirmed. "It took overcoming a universal curse, getting married, having a daughter, and multiple threats to my manhood, but I'm good now."

"Sounds like the average day in the infamous Prince Khan's life," George announced, "Breaker of countless hearts, pursuer of high-level booties, and destined savior of basically everything."

"You know Liiza will kill you if she hears that, right?" Khan wondered.

"You'll lose your dick first," George commented.

"She wants more children," Khan revealed, "So that's safe for now. Well, she talked about taking it away and only giving it back when it's needed, but part of me still hopes she was joking."

Khan and George exchanged a glance at that point, instantly understanding each other.

"She wasn't joking," George said.

"Not at all," Khan admitted. "I'm lucky I'm such a paragon of virtue."

Khan and George fell silent, remaining in that mutual glance, until both their expression cracked into smiles, leading to loud laughter.

Still, George didn't forget that congratulations were in order. The separation hadn't allowed those, especially not in a meaningful way, but the time had come.

"Khan," George said, stopping laughing while placing a hand on Khan's shoulders. "Congratulations. You got your girl in the end."

Unlike almost everyone else, George knew how meaningful Liiza had been for Khan. The entire network was aware of that, but George had actually witnessed it.

George also knew how Khan was. Despite being happy about him doing his best to enjoy his life, approving of his relationship with Monica, and even being friends with her, George had always been aware that Liiza held an irreplaceable place in his heart.

It only took one look at Khan to confirm that idea. George almost couldn't remember the last time he had seen him so happy and at ease. Sure, a lot more had happened and changed, but Liiza had to be the main reason behind Khan's current state.

Moreover, George couldn't forget his shameful request during one of his last meetings with Khan. The Scarlet Eyes' threat was far from over, but seeing Khan back in one piece, happy, and stronger beyond reason did fill George with gratitude and reassurance.

"My daughter is due soon," George changed the topic since that exchange of gazes was becoming too emotional. "She'll be your daughter's peer. We have to make sure they become playmates."

"Apparently," Khan said, diverting his gaze, feeling slightly awkward. "My daughter inherited my flying and somehow rode Snow, too. I'll have to get back to you on how dangerous she might be for your daughter, or your entire family."

George blinked in disbelief, that feeling deepening when he noticed a tinge of pride in Khan's awkward expression. He didn't even know how Snow fit in all that, highlighting how much the two had to go through to catch up.

Khan was in the same situation. He had only seen George's son in pictures, and there he was, talking about having a daughter soon. Nothing marked the passage of time more than their kids, but Khan had something else he wanted to talk about first.

"How did you even end up fighting here?" Khan asked, his tone conveying the more serious nature of his question. "I thought you were out."

"I wanted to show off one last time before you arrived and stole all the attention," George joked. "Well, someone ended up stealing the spotlight anyway."

Khan arched his eyebrows in surprise, vaguely connecting mental dots, but his confusion deepened when he noticed the slight struggle on George's face.

"I'll tell you what happened," George announced, avoiding Khan's bright gaze on purpose. "Just, don't get into your protective killing mood until I'm finished."