Chapter Text
"Anna, they're getting in, we can't stop them!" Baachi cries out, watching the metal doors of the Khansaar inner court warp from the pressure of hundreds of warriors fighting to get inside.
His older brother stands behind him, unmoving. The coolness of his demeanor is irritating Baachi to no end. The Shouryangas were literally on their doorstep and Varadharaja Mannar hadn't even drawn a sword.
"Anna! What do we do!"
Finally, his brother looks at Baachi, and his lips twitch into the slightest smile.
"We can't beat them, don't bother. Let them come in."
At this, even Varadha's loyalists gape at him, but before they can say anything, the doors smash open.
With a cheer, the Shouryangas make their way into the room, quickly surrounding the few men left willing to fight for the last lord of the Mannarsi.
"Anyone lay a hand on my brother and I'll-" Baachi is cut off by Baba's hand on the arm holding up his rifle. He looks at Baba, who just shakes his head and gestures at a familiar figure walking towards them.
"You!" Baachi exclaims. "After all my brother did for you, after bringing you here, you dare betray him?"
Devaratha doesn't even look at Baachi as he passes by, who realizes in horror that Devaratha is going straight for his older brother, standing in front of the Khansaar throne.
The Shouryanga army and Varadha's loyalists both hold their breaths, waiting to see what would happen.
Devaratha reaches Varadha, who still has that damned smile on his face.
Please let it be honorable and quick, Baachi prays. It was bad enough that the person his brother loved the most would be the one to end him.
To everyone's surprise, instead of striking Varadha down with his sword and claiming the throne, as was Devaratha's birthright, Baachi sees Devaratha kneel.
It's a slow, deliberate action, meant to dispel any confusion over its purpose. Devaratha keeps eye contact with his brother until he fully reaches the ground, and then drops into a low bow.
"I, Devaratha Raisan," the man starts in his gravelly voice. "Pledge allegiance to Varadharaja Mannar of the Mannarsi tribe."
Gasps are heard around the room, and the Shouryanga leaders, Bharava and Dheru, look furious. Baachi himself isn't sure what's happening.
"I have vowed to protect my Sulthan, and I will always be his Salaar. Anyone who disagrees will cross Dhaara Raisan's son."
Baachi sees his brother's smile widen into something more joyful, something softer and more intimate than he thinks a roomful of enemy Shouryanga warriors should be seeing. And in the second twist of the night, Varadharaja Mannar moves forward to kneel before Devaratha.
He gently caresses Devaratha's face, who leans into the touch as if he craves it.
"My Salaar," Varadha says, so softly Baachi almost can't hear it over the sound of the unhappy Shouryangas. He can't see what expression Devaratha makes at that, but it's enough for Varadha to grip him by the jaw and pull him in for a kiss.
Oh. Ohhhhh.
"Deva, what-" Bhaarava tries to yell but is interrupted by Devaratha, who stands up and raises his sword.
"I WILL NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH HIM!"
The declarations stuns the Shouryangas, who, after a long pause, start to back away.
The reality of the situation sets in for Baachi, and he can see from the suddenly hopeful faces that Baba, Bilal, Rinda, and the others have also understood.
Devaratha was never a threat, never a weakness, he had always been Varadha's greatest strength.
Baachi's face breaks out into a grin. "All hail the next karta of Khansaar, Varadharaja Mannar!"
"No, Baachi." His brother says, standing up. He locks eyes with Devaratha once more. "There will be a change to the Nibandhanam."
Varadha turns to address the entire room. "Shouryangas!" He calls.
The retreating army pauses. Bhaarava glares at Baachi's brother. "What do you want?"
Varadha just smiles at him, and grasps Devaratha's hand. "I propose an equal partnership between the Mannars and the Shouryangas."
Dheru scoffs, and Bhaarava narrows his eyes. "And how will you do that? When the rightful heir to the throne and the savior of our tribe is beneath you?"
Varadha shakes his head. "Deva is not beneath me. My Deva is always an equal to me, the one I love most."
Devaratha gives him the sappiest look Baachi has seen a man give another person, and he internally shudders.
Ugh. That man was going to be his brother-in-law soon at this rate.
"Which is why I want to rule Khansaar with Deva. As a partnership."
There it was.
Bhaarava gives Devaratha a cautious look, who nods.
"And what will that entail for us?"
Baachi tunes out once the negotiations start, but he's glad that his brother is alive and happy once more, even if it means he has to keep dealing with Devaratha.
He catches Varadha's eyes during a break, and sees the question in them: Are you okay with this? With him as well?
Baachi smiles in response, and sees Varadha relax at the confirmation that Baachi approves.