He was going to have a baby brother or sister...
Now, he already assumed that with his father's idiotic nature and inability to keep his dick in his pants around a beautiful woman that there were a multitude of bastards running around with his surname. But this one was different. This baby was important and it seemed that his father not only knew this but was actually attempting to be a proper father to it.
It had only been about a two months since Yumiko had announced the pregnancy, but Vincent could already see his father trying so damn hard to 'grow up'. It was like he was trying to make up for the fact he had failed as a parent once.
"Vincent?"
Looking up from the apple that he was staring at, thumb stroking over the smooth red flesh of the fruit, grey-brown eyes focused on the figure sitting opposite him at the cafeteria table. Noting the concerned look on his face he gave a small smile and reached over with his foot, stroking the other's leg affectionately. "I was just thinking is all," he said.
Before meeting Marshall he wouldn't have even admitted that he was thinking. Now though things were different. He had someone he truly cared about in his life and without trying to replace what he'd lost Yumi was doing what she could to help give him the feeling of belonging in a family again. Ainsely was helping his werewolf half to feel like it was part of a pack. Then there was Marshall.
Marshall who he'd turned to at first because of what he believed to be selfish reasons had become the most important person in his entire world.
And then there was his father.
Once he had blamed the man for all the wrongs in his life. If his father had never left he would never have been attacked by that werewolf. If his father had never left his mother would have never kicked him out. If his father had never left he would never have left Ireland...
If his father had never left he would have never met Marshall...
"Do you think the baby will like me?" he asked.
Marshall smiled, returning the foot-play with his own,nudging his foot against Vincent's. "Of course. Don't forget that it'll be half Ms. Callahan's baby and she likes everyone. Poppy has already proven that."
He wondered if Alex had asked Yumi the very same question. After all, the moment Vincent had discovered his father working in the town he'd threatened to trash his dental practice. But once the realization had set in and Vincent went and apologized. Ever since then two of them had been trying to reclaim a little of what they had lost. Things would enver be the same between them, but Vincent no longer hated him. He even referred to him as 'Dad' rather than 'father'.
Placing the apple down, Vincent pushed away from the table. "There's something I need to do."
Marshall gave him a worried look. "What is it?"
Smiling down at him, Vincent leaned on his palms on the table and leaned down to steal a kiss from him. "I'll be back before my last class, I promise, and then we can watch movies in my room all night." Unable to resist, he kissed him again with a touch more passion this time. "And maybe we can do more too," he suggested in a whisper with lips brushing lips with each formed word.
Another kiss, this one as a goodbye, and Vincent grabbed his bag and left the cafeteria with his destination firmly in his mind. It was working hours, but the receptionist was now firmly acquainted with the fact that Dr. Lyall's son didn't care whether or not he had a patient. At least this time he didn't have a murderous expression on his face as he entered the building. In fact, Vincent was smiling as he waved at the woman at the main desk and headed into his father's surgery.
There was no patient seated in the chair and Alex was sat at his computer filling in some dental form or other.
"Dad?"
The man spun around on his chair, brown eyes looking over at his son while a confused expression settled over his face. "Vincent?"
"Stand up."
Doing as he was told, Alex rose from the seat, holding up his hands defensively. "I haven't done anything, I swear!"
"I know you haven't, stop jumping to conclusions," he replied, stepping towards the man that had missed out on so much of his life. But if he had never left then Vincent was certain he wouldn't be the person (werewolf) that he was now. Looking up at Alex's face, he gave took a deep breath to steady his nerves before leaning in and wrapping his arms around his father.
Being a werewolf meant even in his human form Vincent was much stronger than the average human. He was always so careful whenever he held or hugged Marshall and now with his arms around his father;s waist Vincent tried not to crush the life out of the man's body while still giving him a warm and heartfelt hug. Closing his eyes tight, Vincent nuzzled against the shirt Alex wore, his memories prickling at the scents that reminded him of a man he once hugged years ago.
It was hesitant and awkward at first, but arms soon wrapped around him, returning the hug. "What's this for?" he asked. It was obvious that Alex hadn't expected this.
"When your kid's born I want you to hug them every single day," he said, voice slightly muffled by fabric. "Because even if you're useless and a complete douche sometimes you're still a Dad and they'll need to be reminded of that," he explained. "And you're my Dad too and I still love you."
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Friday, 26 February 2010
More Than This
Having a key to Raleigh's apartment had many perks, the main one being that he could visit whenever he wanted and surprise the man who lived there with sudden and unexpected visits - or so Lake claimed. Elliot, however, was always worried that Raleigh would be busy or that he wouldn't want Elliot there because he was working.
Classes finished earlier than expected due to someone pulling a crazy stunt in the auditorium that resulted in a large amount of foam getting everywhere. No one seemed to want to own up and there were rumors that it was a joint effort between the school's most notorious twin pranksters and The Mohawk. It was a Friday and with the weekend free, Elliot thought that maybe it would be a good idea to go and spend some quality time with Raleigh. He tried ringing, but for some reason the phone was engaged. Knowing Raleigh though, he'd probably not put it back into its cradle properly.
Reaching the front door, he could hear Raleigh's voice from the other side, and the muffled sound of the television. By the sound of things he wasn't working, but there was no one talking back to Raleigh.
And Elliot didn't recognise the words...
Slipping inside he saw that Raleigh was sat cross-legged on the sofa, head cocked to the side with the phone handset nestled between his shoulder and his ear. Red hair was pulled back and into a tail at the back of his head and glasses perched on his nose.
"Nee, oma, ik heb niet vergeten uw verjaardag."
He paused, listening to the person on the other end of the telephone line while his attention was focused on the television screen. He was playing one of the older Final Fantasy games by the looks of the graphics, but Elliot couldn't quite figure out who Raleigh was talking to.
Nor did he know Raleigh spoke another language.
"Ik ben onlangs zeer bezig geweest. Ik wens dat ik u kon roepen vaker, maar ik ben meer geen kleine jongen." With only half his attention on the T.V. he ended up messing up the fight and coming close to loosing the battle. "Darn it! Nr, niet u! Droevig!"
Closing the door as quietly as he could, Elliot moved into the kitchen area, leaving Raleigh to his phone call while wondering just who it was he was talking to. He didn't talk about his family often, but Elliot was sure he mentioned part of his family coming to America from somewhere in Europe.
Raleigh seemed to notice the he was no longer alone. Reaching up to hold onto the phone while the person on the other end continued to talk, he looked over his shoulder at Elliot and grinned at him. He mouthed a 'hello' to him before frowning at whatever was said on the phone.
"Natuurlijk luister ik aan u, oma. Herinnert u me die vertelt u ongeveer Elliot?" His smile brightened when he caught Elliot perk up at the mention of his name, and at the reply the person gave him. "Hij is hier nu." He laughed at whatever was said to him and he moved the phone away from his ear and held it towards Elliot. "Say hello. Don't say anything else though, my grandmother barely speaks any English."
Well, there was the big mystery solved. Doing as he was asked, Elliot called out a "Hello!" to the phone.
Raleigh smiled back at him and turned back around on the sofa, returning the phone to his ear. "Ik ga omhoog op u nu hangen. Ik zal aan u opnieuw spoedig spreken, beloof ik. Ja, ja, vaarwel, oma. Ik houd ook van u," and with that he hung up, let out a long and loud groand before slumping down on the sofa, almost dragging the cushions off with the rest of his body as he stretched out. "Thank you."
"What for?" Elliot asked, coming over to sit with him, snuggling into his side when Raleigh wrapped his arm around him and pulled him close.
"Giving me a reason to hang up, otherwise I'm pretty sure she'd talk my ear off like she does everytime she calls."
"I forgot that you mentioned you could speak...Dutch was it?"
"Yeah. My grandmother fell in love with an American years ago, and he brought her here to live with him. She never really picked up much English though. These days though all the English she really uses are swear words, 'get off my lawn' and 'I'm fetching the shotgun'." He chuckled to himself and at fond memories that only he knew. "In order to communicate with her, both she and my mother taught me Dutch, and to stop me from getting rusty she calls me up from time to time to talk my ear off." Lifting himself back up onto the couch to sit properly, he pulled Elliot up onto his lap and nuzzled affectionately into his hair.
"You really shouldn't hang up on her just because of me; she's your family," Elliot said, scolding Raleigh for using him as a reason to stop talking with his grandmother. "Do you think you could teach me a little?"
Resting his chin atop Elliot's head, Raleigh sighed thoughtfully. "Lake's learning russian from his boyfriend - I suppose the least I could do is teach you a few words." He stroked his fingers up and down Elliot's arm. "It might be good incase she ever rings and I'm not around and you answer the phone."
Elliot looked up at his face. "I'm allowed to answer your phone?"
Raleigh smiled that intoxicating smile back at him. "I know you can't right now because of school, but when the day comes you can move in with me if you want."
Classes finished earlier than expected due to someone pulling a crazy stunt in the auditorium that resulted in a large amount of foam getting everywhere. No one seemed to want to own up and there were rumors that it was a joint effort between the school's most notorious twin pranksters and The Mohawk. It was a Friday and with the weekend free, Elliot thought that maybe it would be a good idea to go and spend some quality time with Raleigh. He tried ringing, but for some reason the phone was engaged. Knowing Raleigh though, he'd probably not put it back into its cradle properly.
Reaching the front door, he could hear Raleigh's voice from the other side, and the muffled sound of the television. By the sound of things he wasn't working, but there was no one talking back to Raleigh.
And Elliot didn't recognise the words...
Slipping inside he saw that Raleigh was sat cross-legged on the sofa, head cocked to the side with the phone handset nestled between his shoulder and his ear. Red hair was pulled back and into a tail at the back of his head and glasses perched on his nose.
"Nee, oma, ik heb niet vergeten uw verjaardag."
He paused, listening to the person on the other end of the telephone line while his attention was focused on the television screen. He was playing one of the older Final Fantasy games by the looks of the graphics, but Elliot couldn't quite figure out who Raleigh was talking to.
Nor did he know Raleigh spoke another language.
"Ik ben onlangs zeer bezig geweest. Ik wens dat ik u kon roepen vaker, maar ik ben meer geen kleine jongen." With only half his attention on the T.V. he ended up messing up the fight and coming close to loosing the battle. "Darn it! Nr, niet u! Droevig!"
Closing the door as quietly as he could, Elliot moved into the kitchen area, leaving Raleigh to his phone call while wondering just who it was he was talking to. He didn't talk about his family often, but Elliot was sure he mentioned part of his family coming to America from somewhere in Europe.
Raleigh seemed to notice the he was no longer alone. Reaching up to hold onto the phone while the person on the other end continued to talk, he looked over his shoulder at Elliot and grinned at him. He mouthed a 'hello' to him before frowning at whatever was said on the phone.
"Natuurlijk luister ik aan u, oma. Herinnert u me die vertelt u ongeveer Elliot?" His smile brightened when he caught Elliot perk up at the mention of his name, and at the reply the person gave him. "Hij is hier nu." He laughed at whatever was said to him and he moved the phone away from his ear and held it towards Elliot. "Say hello. Don't say anything else though, my grandmother barely speaks any English."
Well, there was the big mystery solved. Doing as he was asked, Elliot called out a "Hello!" to the phone.
Raleigh smiled back at him and turned back around on the sofa, returning the phone to his ear. "Ik ga omhoog op u nu hangen. Ik zal aan u opnieuw spoedig spreken, beloof ik. Ja, ja, vaarwel, oma. Ik houd ook van u," and with that he hung up, let out a long and loud groand before slumping down on the sofa, almost dragging the cushions off with the rest of his body as he stretched out. "Thank you."
"What for?" Elliot asked, coming over to sit with him, snuggling into his side when Raleigh wrapped his arm around him and pulled him close.
"Giving me a reason to hang up, otherwise I'm pretty sure she'd talk my ear off like she does everytime she calls."
"I forgot that you mentioned you could speak...Dutch was it?"
"Yeah. My grandmother fell in love with an American years ago, and he brought her here to live with him. She never really picked up much English though. These days though all the English she really uses are swear words, 'get off my lawn' and 'I'm fetching the shotgun'." He chuckled to himself and at fond memories that only he knew. "In order to communicate with her, both she and my mother taught me Dutch, and to stop me from getting rusty she calls me up from time to time to talk my ear off." Lifting himself back up onto the couch to sit properly, he pulled Elliot up onto his lap and nuzzled affectionately into his hair.
"You really shouldn't hang up on her just because of me; she's your family," Elliot said, scolding Raleigh for using him as a reason to stop talking with his grandmother. "Do you think you could teach me a little?"
Resting his chin atop Elliot's head, Raleigh sighed thoughtfully. "Lake's learning russian from his boyfriend - I suppose the least I could do is teach you a few words." He stroked his fingers up and down Elliot's arm. "It might be good incase she ever rings and I'm not around and you answer the phone."
Elliot looked up at his face. "I'm allowed to answer your phone?"
Raleigh smiled that intoxicating smile back at him. "I know you can't right now because of school, but when the day comes you can move in with me if you want."
BONUS PACKAGE
It's hardly what I'd call "finished", because I've got a huge chunk of stuff to do, but the main basics of it is finished.
In case you have no clue what I'm talking about; I built Raleigh's 'apartment' in The Sims 2. Hopefully I can make it a working apartment once I get my hands on the Apartment Life EP, but until then its a base, ground lot.
I like Raleigh's place, simply because he's got a GIANT WINDOW, and I do love those things x)
PICTURES!
This is the general "entrance" look. You're standing at his door and this is what you can see. Off to the right is where he keeps his TV, and to the left is the kitchen.
Standing in the kitchen, there's the 'lounge' area. He's got loads of books, but they're all probably manga, comcis or video game walkthroughs xD I may ditch most of the bookshelf though once I get my hands on some better 'geek' related sim posters.
Still in the kitchen and there's his bedroom and general 'relaxing/drawing/etc' little area. It's more actually used as a palce to store his clutter xD Once I'm done decorating I'll get a better picture of the area by the window.
For now though, you can have this ^^
Yes, he keeps his home phone on a pair of suitcases.
Kitchen/dining area.
More of the kitchen, and a shot of his sofa.
And that is the 'top' half of Raleigh's place.
Bedroom, where the "important" stuff happens. Mainly, him sleeping xD
Bedroom anstuff taken from the general area of the bathroom door. Yes, that's a model airplane. When he was a kid he wanted to grow up to be a pilot.
But then he changed his mind xD
Although, I'm tempted to have it that he can fly a plane. Because that would be awesome, and he is a rich boy in disguise.
And this is the bathroom. I've done barely anything in the way of decorating in here, but I will eventually x)
And an birdseye view of the place. Like I said, this is only a 'representation' and not an actual apartment. Now if only I could make little Raleigh (and Elliot) Sims to go and live in it...
In case you have no clue what I'm talking about; I built Raleigh's 'apartment' in The Sims 2. Hopefully I can make it a working apartment once I get my hands on the Apartment Life EP, but until then its a base, ground lot.
I like Raleigh's place, simply because he's got a GIANT WINDOW, and I do love those things x)
PICTURES!
This is the general "entrance" look. You're standing at his door and this is what you can see. Off to the right is where he keeps his TV, and to the left is the kitchen.
Standing in the kitchen, there's the 'lounge' area. He's got loads of books, but they're all probably manga, comcis or video game walkthroughs xD I may ditch most of the bookshelf though once I get my hands on some better 'geek' related sim posters.
Still in the kitchen and there's his bedroom and general 'relaxing/drawing/etc' little area. It's more actually used as a palce to store his clutter xD Once I'm done decorating I'll get a better picture of the area by the window.
For now though, you can have this ^^
Yes, he keeps his home phone on a pair of suitcases.
Kitchen/dining area.
More of the kitchen, and a shot of his sofa.
And that is the 'top' half of Raleigh's place.
Bedroom, where the "important" stuff happens. Mainly, him sleeping xD
Bedroom anstuff taken from the general area of the bathroom door. Yes, that's a model airplane. When he was a kid he wanted to grow up to be a pilot.
But then he changed his mind xD
Although, I'm tempted to have it that he can fly a plane. Because that would be awesome, and he is a rich boy in disguise.
And this is the bathroom. I've done barely anything in the way of decorating in here, but I will eventually x)
And an birdseye view of the place. Like I said, this is only a 'representation' and not an actual apartment. Now if only I could make little Raleigh (and Elliot) Sims to go and live in it...
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Unafflicted
A.N. WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING!!
Ree!Porn ahead. Don't say you weren't warned x)
The problem with being self-employed was that while everyone else was scampering away at their places of work he was stuck at home during the usual 'working hours'. These hours also encompassed the hours in which education took place. For most people this wouldn't be seen as a problem. Parents could enjoy the free time given to them while their roudy little buggers were off at school. People could go out shopping without worrying about there being hoardes of teenagers everywhere.
For Raleigh, however, this time period was boring.
He could actually set about getting through his ever growing pile that was his workload, but he simply had no inspiration to draw at the moment. He had a story planned out in his head, he just didn't feel like getting it down on paper.
Well, to be more specific it was more a scene than a story.
God forbid Elliot ever coming across some of his sketches. The poor lad would die from blood loss from the sheer amount flooding to his cheeks.
But that blush was so cute.
And therein lay Raleigh main dilemma; where his thoughts were going.
Letting out a defeated groan Raleigh sprawled out over his sofa, digging his shoulders into the worn and comfy cushions while pushing his fingers into his hair. It was just so...so...so frustrating knowing where Elliot was and what he'd be wearing all the while Raleigh was stuck in his apartment and unable to go anywhere near him without looking like a total pervert.
It was all Lake's fault.
"Stupid Lake..."
Slumping down onto his back instead of arching up on his sofa, Raleigh let one hand drop over the edge, fingers walking spider-like over the floor in an attempt to blindly seek out his cell phone. Fingertip brushed the plastic and with awkward arm movement, Raleigh had the phone gripped and pulled it up to look at it and inform Lake that it was all his fault that he was at home 'suffering'.
Pausing half way through the text message Raleigh stared at the little screen while pulling the corner of his lower lip into his mouth. Hmmm...Perhaps it was best not inform Lake just what it was he was suffering from.
Longing.
Yeah, that would work. He was suffering from a deep seated longing for his love and it was all Lake's fault for introducing him to Elliot while he was still in school and therefore unable to come and visit him at a moments notice whenever he called.
As the little icon announced that the message was on its merry way to Lake's phone an idea occured to Raleigh that was both amazing and devilish at the same time. Lips spread into a grin and fingers pushed the smooth buttons to type out another message, this one however was intended for someone else.
Someone like Elliot.
'So I'm at home and I'm bored. Missing you loads. R xxx'
If Elliot was anything like the good little student Raleigh believed him to be then there wouldn't be a reply message any time soon. He probably wouldn't get a reply until school had finished and then there was the fact that Elliot might not even come and visit him tonight because of homework or some other school related endevour.
What he wasn't expected was for his phone to vibrate in his hand just as he was about to drop it back onto the floor. Flipping it open again and expecting it to be Lake's reply Raleigh couldn't fight off the wicked grin that formed on his face.
'I'm in Italian but the teacher is away so Prof. Barclay is covering and he doesn't know any Italian so he's letting us do homework instead. Miss you too. E xxx'
It felt weird whenever a teacher at Constance was mentioned that wasn't present when he'd been a student there. Lake had gossip coming out of his ears whenever Raleigh gave him a confused look when he talked about a teacher he didn't know, but this Professor Barclay fellow wasn't someone he knew a lot about. Apparently he'd been hired to lessen Madeline Munroe's workload. Thinking about it he really should know more since Madeline seemed insistent on making sure Raleigh didn't follow through with his becoming a 'starving artist'.
'Wish you were here with me. I just want to kiss you all over. Are you wearing your uniform? R xxx'
God, he was such a bad influence on Elliot. Still, he really didn't care right now. Even if he couldn't have Elliot right now he could make due with him in text format. Sighing softly through his nose Raleigh snuggled down further on his couch while waiting for what would surely be an innocent and exceptionally cute reply.
'Are you imagining me in my uniform again? E xxx'
Well, not what he'd been expecting. Chuckling he quickly wrote his reply.
'You're so adorable in your uniform though. I can just imagine tugging you towards me with your tie and leaning down to kiss you. Then I'd slide the tie off and start unbuttoning your shirt. R xxx'
If Elliot replied to that Raleigh was certain his heart would burst with the knowledge that not only had he found the most adorable guy in the world but he was also absolutely perfect because he even had a naughty side.
'I'd wrap my arms around your neck and kiss you back, stroking my fingers through your hair while you slide my shirt off. E xxx'
"Fuck...Eli"
Staring at the screen, Raleigh couldn't believe the message he recieved in response. He should be using his time wisely and doing his homework, not texting such things to him!
But such things were not going to deter him from responding.
'I'm kissing down from your lips, along your neck and shoulders while sliding my hands down your sides. Going lower I slide my hands over your butt before picking you up, hooking your legs around my waist and carrying you to my bed. R xxx'
Oh, if only he could do these things to Elliot in person. The images floated through his mind and Raleigh's body responded. Rolling his hips, Raleigh let out an audible groan as the reaction to the whole situation push hard against the inside of his jeans.
'I moan out your name as you lower me onto the mattress. My fingers are in your hair and your lips against mine. I can feel your body pressed against mine and it makes me want you more. E xxx'
Okay, now it was just becoming pure torture. Resisting the urge to reach down and attend to his current need Raleigh instead focused on replying. He could easilly soothe his body's needs on his own right now or he could wait until Elliot came over and do so many things with that amazing body.
'I hate to break up such wonderful images but you have no idea how hard I am right now. I really, really want you so bad. Wish I was capable of keeping this up but I want to have sex with you so much right now that it's driving me crazy. I'm going to take a really long shower now so that I can save all this passion for when I see you again. Love you loads. R xxx'
He really did wish that he could stay there on his sofa and text naughty images to Elliot but his body was rebelling against him. Once the message was confirmed to have been sent off to its designated recipiant Raleigh dropped the phone to the floor and rolled stiffly off the sofa. Shedding his shirt there and then before even getting to the bathroom, Raleigh tried his best to ignore his phone and not check to see what Elliot would reply with once the phone buzzed in announcement of recieving a reply.
He all but ran to his bathroom, switching the shower on before stripping the rest of his clothes and leaving them in a pile on the tiled floor. Standing under the spray he placed his hands flat against the wall while the hot water flowed over his skin and through his hair. People always said that a cold shower was good for removing the needs and desires of the human body but Raleigh found that a hot shower worked much better. It soothed and relaxed him and just standing under the torrent of water seemed to wash away more than just the dirt from his skin.
He didn't know how long he'd been in there, and the sound of rushing water drowned out the noise of the door to his apartment opening and closing. It wasn't until he lifted his head from the position he had hung it in and noticed a shape moving on the other side of the steam coated screen that it became apparent he wasn't alone.
"Hello?"
"I hope you know that I'm faking going to the nurse's office for you," came the reply in a very familiar voice. A voice that Raleigh wasn't expecting to hear for a little while longer at least.
"You're skipping class?" he asked with a chuckle, wiping away the steam from the screen to see Elliot on the other side in the process of removing his uniform. "What're you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing?"
"Well hurry up then, but I'm warning you its hot in here."
"I noticed. I can barely see for all the steam in here. Just how hot do you have your showers?"
Raleigh looked down at his skin. His creamy pale complexion wasn't marred with any bright red spots which meant the water was far from scolding hot. "I've been in here a while, that's all," he replied, moving to peer around the edge of the dividing screen, eyes roaming over the now naked body revealed before him. "I'll let you get used to the temperature before I make use of the fact you're naked," he added, holding out his hand towards the younger male.
Once Elliot's hand slipped into his own Raleigh tugged him into the shower and moved aside to allow him to get used to the sensation and heat of the shower against his skin. Standing behind him, arms curled around Elliot and he pressed his chest to Elliot's back. Leaning down his ran kisses along the now water-droplet coated neck.
"You really do have it hotter than most people," Elliot said, stroking his own hands over his chest where the water was hitting him before letting them drop to overlap the larger hands with the teasing fingers dancing over his stomach.
This was the first time they'd ever been in the shower together and Raleigh's body was reacting to it in the most obvious of ways. While on his own the shower had worked to soothe out all his desire now that Elliot was with him those wants and needs were back with full force and there was nothing that could stop him from fulfilling those desires this time either. Elliot was here with him and he could do whatever he wanted with the other male.
"I've wanted you all day long," Raleigh whispered huskilly into Elliot's ear, running his tongue over the edge of the lobe and enjoying the shudder it sent racing through Elliot's body. One hand broke off from the others at Elliot's middle and began drifting lower.
"Raleigh..." Elliot moaned, pressing back against the body curled around him.
"Hmmm?" he purred, lips still teasing that one ear. Lips had formed that wicked grin once more and the hand travelling southward now had his fingers curling around Elliot's erection. Thumb brushed over the tip before he started moving his fist up and down, bringing out more of those beautiful moans and sounds from Elliot. His own body was screaming at him to hurry things along but Raleigh had never yet rushed into sex with Elliot.
It wasn't that he was worried over Elliot having less experience than himself, or that he fretted over hurting the younger male. Raleigh just took things with Elliot at a slow and almost agonizing pace because once the moment came where they were both a phyiscal part of one another it made everything feel all that much more special. It made Raleigh feel like his entire body was on fire with passion.
Plus, right now Raleigh was sure that with the fact his body had been hungering for this all day he wouldn't last as long as he'd like with Elliot and he wanted to make it all worthwhile. After all Elliot was playing truant to be with him now.
Nose nuzzled into the crook of neck and shoulders, lips open mouthed around the skin. If it wasn't for the fact it was a Friday and he had the whole weekend to hope it would fade Raleigh wouldn't have started sucking on that soft flesh with enough vigour and force to leave such a bright red mark. Teeth nibbled down every now and again and kisses were placed to the abused area of skin each time Raleigh need to break away to breathe. His hand continued to stroke Elliot's member, bringing out those sweet noises.
Elliot began moving his own body now, hips rocking with the motions of Raleigh's hand while he reached up with one arm and hooked it around his head. Fingers gripped and tugged at the wet red strands, fisting in Raleigh's hair and tangling the locks up even more as he kept readjusting his grip. "Aah...Raleigh...!"
"Hold on, Eli. Not yet," he whispered, kissing Elliot's ear as he purred the words to him. His free hand had linked fingers with Elliot's and he released him now with both hands, turning the younger male around in the shower to face him. Eyes roamed over the expression on Elliot's face, taking in how flushed he looked before he leaned down and kissed him hard on the lips, hands curling around his back and lower to lift him up and encourage his legs to wrap around him. The moment he was lifted up Elliot's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck and legs locked around his waist.
Moving under the spray, the water rushing down his bare back, Raleigh pressed Elliot firm against the tiled wall all the while still kissing him passionately. Their tongues met with fervor and heat. "I want you so bad, Eli," he breathed against those now kiss swollen lips.
"I want you too, Raleigh."
That was all he needed to hear.
With Elliot pressed between himself and the wall Raleigh moved one hand to slip a wet finger inside Elliot's body, savouring the way the muscle's squeeze around the intrusion and the little whimpers Elliot made as his body adjusted to the pain and pleasure rushing through him. Not wanting to block those sounds, Raleigh dipped his head to resume coating Elliot's neck with the obvious signs of intimacy, but none were as bright as the first love bite he'd graced upon Elliot's wet skin.
Another finger and Elliot arched against him, letting out a louder sound but not yet moaning enough for it to bounce off the tiled bathroom walls. Raleigh drank it all up, the noises his lover made mixing with the sound of the shower and the very blood pumping in his ears. His body felt absolutely charged and it was taking all Raleigh had in him not to push himself into that willing body. No, one more finger, scissoring and opening that tight, slick body and then he'd...
"Raleigh...please...Oh God, please..."
"Are you sure?" He looked deep into the blue eyes that were clouded with lust, making certain he had heard Elliot right and that it wasn't just his imagination taking advantage of him.
He swallowed hard and nodded. It wasn't as if they'd never had sex before.
After Elliot had written him that letter Raleigh had been unable to keep his hands from wandering and having his way with the willing body.
"Have me like you've wanted all day," he breathed.
It was all he needed to hear really. Pressing lips firm to lips Raleigh pushed up and into that beautiful body, eagerly swallowing Elliot's sounds of pleasure that flooded into the kiss. Nails were dug into his shoulder blades and he began moving, pulling out almost entirely before thrusting deep back inside. With each move he make Elliot rolled his own hips in reply and once it became too much for them to continue kissing he threw his head back and pressed the back of his skull against the wall while the sounds of his pleasure bubbled up louder and louder from his throat.
Elliot was like a musician. At first he was cautious and worried about the music he could make, but once he bacme bolder and more at ease he grew louder with each note. Raleigh thought it was simply intoxicating and it drove him wild.
He was certain there'd be imprints of his fingers on Elliot's hips by the time they were done, but right now that wasn't even crossing his mind. In fact Raleigh's mind seemed to have left his body via a melted ball of goo. His senses swam with the ecstacy of it all. and his hold on reality was slipping. He buried his face in Elliot's shoulder, his own murmured sounds of pleasure mixing with Elliot's moans. Water and sweat rolled over his body and he was so close now.
"Nnnmmmnnrrr...Fuck...Eli..."
Just as he felt his own body crashing over the edge Elliot shuddered against him with a cry of "Ah! Raleigh!", making his own climax even stronger as the muscle's inside Elliot's body clamped down tight around him. He continued thrusting for a few more moments only much slower and with less need while both their bodies came back down from the amazing shared high they'd found.
Elliot's legs were no longer a vice grip around his waist and his arms hung limply over his shoulder. His own legs felt like jelly but he continued to support his lover against the wall. He nuzzled happily and contentedly within that curve of neck and shoulder while the water still rushed down his back. He'd certainly wasted his quota of hot water for this week...
"That was...simply amazing..." he whispered, voice hoarse and still clinging to the last remnants of lust and pleasure.
Elliot gave no worded reply, just a happy sound of agreement and relaxed his body against the wall.
Smiling happily, Raleigh leaned in a stole a gentle, feather-light kiss from abused lips. "Eli, guess what?"
"Hnnmmnnnmmm...?" Lids of lust-fulfilled eyes slowly and lazily opened to allow Elliot to look up at him, small smile forming on his lips in reply at the sight of the smile on Raleigh's face.
"I love you."
"Love you too."
A.N. AH-HAH! -mighty pose-
FEAR THE LONGEST DRABBLE EVAR!!!!
NOW WITH ADDED SEX x)
Ree!Porn ahead. Don't say you weren't warned x)
The problem with being self-employed was that while everyone else was scampering away at their places of work he was stuck at home during the usual 'working hours'. These hours also encompassed the hours in which education took place. For most people this wouldn't be seen as a problem. Parents could enjoy the free time given to them while their roudy little buggers were off at school. People could go out shopping without worrying about there being hoardes of teenagers everywhere.
For Raleigh, however, this time period was boring.
He could actually set about getting through his ever growing pile that was his workload, but he simply had no inspiration to draw at the moment. He had a story planned out in his head, he just didn't feel like getting it down on paper.
Well, to be more specific it was more a scene than a story.
God forbid Elliot ever coming across some of his sketches. The poor lad would die from blood loss from the sheer amount flooding to his cheeks.
But that blush was so cute.
And therein lay Raleigh main dilemma; where his thoughts were going.
Letting out a defeated groan Raleigh sprawled out over his sofa, digging his shoulders into the worn and comfy cushions while pushing his fingers into his hair. It was just so...so...so frustrating knowing where Elliot was and what he'd be wearing all the while Raleigh was stuck in his apartment and unable to go anywhere near him without looking like a total pervert.
It was all Lake's fault.
"Stupid Lake..."
Slumping down onto his back instead of arching up on his sofa, Raleigh let one hand drop over the edge, fingers walking spider-like over the floor in an attempt to blindly seek out his cell phone. Fingertip brushed the plastic and with awkward arm movement, Raleigh had the phone gripped and pulled it up to look at it and inform Lake that it was all his fault that he was at home 'suffering'.
Pausing half way through the text message Raleigh stared at the little screen while pulling the corner of his lower lip into his mouth. Hmmm...Perhaps it was best not inform Lake just what it was he was suffering from.
Longing.
Yeah, that would work. He was suffering from a deep seated longing for his love and it was all Lake's fault for introducing him to Elliot while he was still in school and therefore unable to come and visit him at a moments notice whenever he called.
As the little icon announced that the message was on its merry way to Lake's phone an idea occured to Raleigh that was both amazing and devilish at the same time. Lips spread into a grin and fingers pushed the smooth buttons to type out another message, this one however was intended for someone else.
Someone like Elliot.
'So I'm at home and I'm bored. Missing you loads. R xxx'
If Elliot was anything like the good little student Raleigh believed him to be then there wouldn't be a reply message any time soon. He probably wouldn't get a reply until school had finished and then there was the fact that Elliot might not even come and visit him tonight because of homework or some other school related endevour.
What he wasn't expected was for his phone to vibrate in his hand just as he was about to drop it back onto the floor. Flipping it open again and expecting it to be Lake's reply Raleigh couldn't fight off the wicked grin that formed on his face.
'I'm in Italian but the teacher is away so Prof. Barclay is covering and he doesn't know any Italian so he's letting us do homework instead. Miss you too. E xxx'
It felt weird whenever a teacher at Constance was mentioned that wasn't present when he'd been a student there. Lake had gossip coming out of his ears whenever Raleigh gave him a confused look when he talked about a teacher he didn't know, but this Professor Barclay fellow wasn't someone he knew a lot about. Apparently he'd been hired to lessen Madeline Munroe's workload. Thinking about it he really should know more since Madeline seemed insistent on making sure Raleigh didn't follow through with his becoming a 'starving artist'.
'Wish you were here with me. I just want to kiss you all over. Are you wearing your uniform? R xxx'
God, he was such a bad influence on Elliot. Still, he really didn't care right now. Even if he couldn't have Elliot right now he could make due with him in text format. Sighing softly through his nose Raleigh snuggled down further on his couch while waiting for what would surely be an innocent and exceptionally cute reply.
'Are you imagining me in my uniform again? E xxx'
Well, not what he'd been expecting. Chuckling he quickly wrote his reply.
'You're so adorable in your uniform though. I can just imagine tugging you towards me with your tie and leaning down to kiss you. Then I'd slide the tie off and start unbuttoning your shirt. R xxx'
If Elliot replied to that Raleigh was certain his heart would burst with the knowledge that not only had he found the most adorable guy in the world but he was also absolutely perfect because he even had a naughty side.
'I'd wrap my arms around your neck and kiss you back, stroking my fingers through your hair while you slide my shirt off. E xxx'
"Fuck...Eli"
Staring at the screen, Raleigh couldn't believe the message he recieved in response. He should be using his time wisely and doing his homework, not texting such things to him!
But such things were not going to deter him from responding.
'I'm kissing down from your lips, along your neck and shoulders while sliding my hands down your sides. Going lower I slide my hands over your butt before picking you up, hooking your legs around my waist and carrying you to my bed. R xxx'
Oh, if only he could do these things to Elliot in person. The images floated through his mind and Raleigh's body responded. Rolling his hips, Raleigh let out an audible groan as the reaction to the whole situation push hard against the inside of his jeans.
'I moan out your name as you lower me onto the mattress. My fingers are in your hair and your lips against mine. I can feel your body pressed against mine and it makes me want you more. E xxx'
Okay, now it was just becoming pure torture. Resisting the urge to reach down and attend to his current need Raleigh instead focused on replying. He could easilly soothe his body's needs on his own right now or he could wait until Elliot came over and do so many things with that amazing body.
'I hate to break up such wonderful images but you have no idea how hard I am right now. I really, really want you so bad. Wish I was capable of keeping this up but I want to have sex with you so much right now that it's driving me crazy. I'm going to take a really long shower now so that I can save all this passion for when I see you again. Love you loads. R xxx'
He really did wish that he could stay there on his sofa and text naughty images to Elliot but his body was rebelling against him. Once the message was confirmed to have been sent off to its designated recipiant Raleigh dropped the phone to the floor and rolled stiffly off the sofa. Shedding his shirt there and then before even getting to the bathroom, Raleigh tried his best to ignore his phone and not check to see what Elliot would reply with once the phone buzzed in announcement of recieving a reply.
He all but ran to his bathroom, switching the shower on before stripping the rest of his clothes and leaving them in a pile on the tiled floor. Standing under the spray he placed his hands flat against the wall while the hot water flowed over his skin and through his hair. People always said that a cold shower was good for removing the needs and desires of the human body but Raleigh found that a hot shower worked much better. It soothed and relaxed him and just standing under the torrent of water seemed to wash away more than just the dirt from his skin.
He didn't know how long he'd been in there, and the sound of rushing water drowned out the noise of the door to his apartment opening and closing. It wasn't until he lifted his head from the position he had hung it in and noticed a shape moving on the other side of the steam coated screen that it became apparent he wasn't alone.
"Hello?"
"I hope you know that I'm faking going to the nurse's office for you," came the reply in a very familiar voice. A voice that Raleigh wasn't expecting to hear for a little while longer at least.
"You're skipping class?" he asked with a chuckle, wiping away the steam from the screen to see Elliot on the other side in the process of removing his uniform. "What're you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing?"
"Well hurry up then, but I'm warning you its hot in here."
"I noticed. I can barely see for all the steam in here. Just how hot do you have your showers?"
Raleigh looked down at his skin. His creamy pale complexion wasn't marred with any bright red spots which meant the water was far from scolding hot. "I've been in here a while, that's all," he replied, moving to peer around the edge of the dividing screen, eyes roaming over the now naked body revealed before him. "I'll let you get used to the temperature before I make use of the fact you're naked," he added, holding out his hand towards the younger male.
Once Elliot's hand slipped into his own Raleigh tugged him into the shower and moved aside to allow him to get used to the sensation and heat of the shower against his skin. Standing behind him, arms curled around Elliot and he pressed his chest to Elliot's back. Leaning down his ran kisses along the now water-droplet coated neck.
"You really do have it hotter than most people," Elliot said, stroking his own hands over his chest where the water was hitting him before letting them drop to overlap the larger hands with the teasing fingers dancing over his stomach.
This was the first time they'd ever been in the shower together and Raleigh's body was reacting to it in the most obvious of ways. While on his own the shower had worked to soothe out all his desire now that Elliot was with him those wants and needs were back with full force and there was nothing that could stop him from fulfilling those desires this time either. Elliot was here with him and he could do whatever he wanted with the other male.
"I've wanted you all day long," Raleigh whispered huskilly into Elliot's ear, running his tongue over the edge of the lobe and enjoying the shudder it sent racing through Elliot's body. One hand broke off from the others at Elliot's middle and began drifting lower.
"Raleigh..." Elliot moaned, pressing back against the body curled around him.
"Hmmm?" he purred, lips still teasing that one ear. Lips had formed that wicked grin once more and the hand travelling southward now had his fingers curling around Elliot's erection. Thumb brushed over the tip before he started moving his fist up and down, bringing out more of those beautiful moans and sounds from Elliot. His own body was screaming at him to hurry things along but Raleigh had never yet rushed into sex with Elliot.
It wasn't that he was worried over Elliot having less experience than himself, or that he fretted over hurting the younger male. Raleigh just took things with Elliot at a slow and almost agonizing pace because once the moment came where they were both a phyiscal part of one another it made everything feel all that much more special. It made Raleigh feel like his entire body was on fire with passion.
Plus, right now Raleigh was sure that with the fact his body had been hungering for this all day he wouldn't last as long as he'd like with Elliot and he wanted to make it all worthwhile. After all Elliot was playing truant to be with him now.
Nose nuzzled into the crook of neck and shoulders, lips open mouthed around the skin. If it wasn't for the fact it was a Friday and he had the whole weekend to hope it would fade Raleigh wouldn't have started sucking on that soft flesh with enough vigour and force to leave such a bright red mark. Teeth nibbled down every now and again and kisses were placed to the abused area of skin each time Raleigh need to break away to breathe. His hand continued to stroke Elliot's member, bringing out those sweet noises.
Elliot began moving his own body now, hips rocking with the motions of Raleigh's hand while he reached up with one arm and hooked it around his head. Fingers gripped and tugged at the wet red strands, fisting in Raleigh's hair and tangling the locks up even more as he kept readjusting his grip. "Aah...Raleigh...!"
"Hold on, Eli. Not yet," he whispered, kissing Elliot's ear as he purred the words to him. His free hand had linked fingers with Elliot's and he released him now with both hands, turning the younger male around in the shower to face him. Eyes roamed over the expression on Elliot's face, taking in how flushed he looked before he leaned down and kissed him hard on the lips, hands curling around his back and lower to lift him up and encourage his legs to wrap around him. The moment he was lifted up Elliot's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck and legs locked around his waist.
Moving under the spray, the water rushing down his bare back, Raleigh pressed Elliot firm against the tiled wall all the while still kissing him passionately. Their tongues met with fervor and heat. "I want you so bad, Eli," he breathed against those now kiss swollen lips.
"I want you too, Raleigh."
That was all he needed to hear.
With Elliot pressed between himself and the wall Raleigh moved one hand to slip a wet finger inside Elliot's body, savouring the way the muscle's squeeze around the intrusion and the little whimpers Elliot made as his body adjusted to the pain and pleasure rushing through him. Not wanting to block those sounds, Raleigh dipped his head to resume coating Elliot's neck with the obvious signs of intimacy, but none were as bright as the first love bite he'd graced upon Elliot's wet skin.
Another finger and Elliot arched against him, letting out a louder sound but not yet moaning enough for it to bounce off the tiled bathroom walls. Raleigh drank it all up, the noises his lover made mixing with the sound of the shower and the very blood pumping in his ears. His body felt absolutely charged and it was taking all Raleigh had in him not to push himself into that willing body. No, one more finger, scissoring and opening that tight, slick body and then he'd...
"Raleigh...please...Oh God, please..."
"Are you sure?" He looked deep into the blue eyes that were clouded with lust, making certain he had heard Elliot right and that it wasn't just his imagination taking advantage of him.
He swallowed hard and nodded. It wasn't as if they'd never had sex before.
After Elliot had written him that letter Raleigh had been unable to keep his hands from wandering and having his way with the willing body.
"Have me like you've wanted all day," he breathed.
It was all he needed to hear really. Pressing lips firm to lips Raleigh pushed up and into that beautiful body, eagerly swallowing Elliot's sounds of pleasure that flooded into the kiss. Nails were dug into his shoulder blades and he began moving, pulling out almost entirely before thrusting deep back inside. With each move he make Elliot rolled his own hips in reply and once it became too much for them to continue kissing he threw his head back and pressed the back of his skull against the wall while the sounds of his pleasure bubbled up louder and louder from his throat.
Elliot was like a musician. At first he was cautious and worried about the music he could make, but once he bacme bolder and more at ease he grew louder with each note. Raleigh thought it was simply intoxicating and it drove him wild.
He was certain there'd be imprints of his fingers on Elliot's hips by the time they were done, but right now that wasn't even crossing his mind. In fact Raleigh's mind seemed to have left his body via a melted ball of goo. His senses swam with the ecstacy of it all. and his hold on reality was slipping. He buried his face in Elliot's shoulder, his own murmured sounds of pleasure mixing with Elliot's moans. Water and sweat rolled over his body and he was so close now.
"Nnnmmmnnrrr...Fuck...Eli..."
Just as he felt his own body crashing over the edge Elliot shuddered against him with a cry of "Ah! Raleigh!", making his own climax even stronger as the muscle's inside Elliot's body clamped down tight around him. He continued thrusting for a few more moments only much slower and with less need while both their bodies came back down from the amazing shared high they'd found.
Elliot's legs were no longer a vice grip around his waist and his arms hung limply over his shoulder. His own legs felt like jelly but he continued to support his lover against the wall. He nuzzled happily and contentedly within that curve of neck and shoulder while the water still rushed down his back. He'd certainly wasted his quota of hot water for this week...
"That was...simply amazing..." he whispered, voice hoarse and still clinging to the last remnants of lust and pleasure.
Elliot gave no worded reply, just a happy sound of agreement and relaxed his body against the wall.
Smiling happily, Raleigh leaned in a stole a gentle, feather-light kiss from abused lips. "Eli, guess what?"
"Hnnmmnnnmmm...?" Lids of lust-fulfilled eyes slowly and lazily opened to allow Elliot to look up at him, small smile forming on his lips in reply at the sight of the smile on Raleigh's face.
"I love you."
"Love you too."
A.N. AH-HAH! -mighty pose-
FEAR THE LONGEST DRABBLE EVAR!!!!
NOW WITH ADDED SEX x)
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Keep on the Sunny Side
A.N. I've been putting off writing this because...Well...Because I'm a tard.
She was craving French pancakes with cooked peppers, caramelised onions and cheese, but her stomach didn't seem to want to keep it down.
She was certain she was gaining weight.
And most importantly; she was late.
Not late for any particular event or date. Late as in a particularly vital event in a female's monthly cycle was currently not occuring when it should be.
Were she new to this whole turn of events Yumiko was certain she would be having quite the panic attack in the bathroom. As it was she'd already experienced all of the above facts and knew exactly what they meant.
And she was still freaking out in the bathroom.
Poppy was watching Saturday Morning cartoons in the living room. Taking advantage of the fact her daughter's attention was elsewhere, Yumiko thought that it would be a good idea to get things over and done with now and confirm one hundred percent what she was pretty certain was going on with (and in) her body. Yet now that she was alone in the bathroom with the door locked behind her she just couldn't seem to find the courage within her to actually go through with the test.
What would Dion think of her?
He was the father of her beautiful little girl, but with the current turn of events he was never going to be a parent again. To find out that his ex-wife was having another man's baby...It had the potential to hurt him. Yumi didn't want to put her best friend through the pain of watching someone else take his place. It didn't matter that they were no longer married - Dion had always been cut out to be a father.
Most importantly though...What would Alex think?
Sinking to the floor with her back pressed to the door, Yumi rested the back of her skull against the door, letting her eyes close as she tilted her head back. She was always such a happy sunbeam type of person that she felt phyiscally wrong within herself as the worries, doubts and fears flooded through her. Something of such magnitude as this was supposed to be a happy occassion. Something to celebrate. She'd been so thrilled when she'd discovered Poppy growing inside her.
Why did it feel so different now?
Placing her hand over her stomach she looked down at where her hand rested. This was different because it wasn't Dion's baby this time. It was Alex's.
And Alex had already been a father once before. He'd gone through it all eighteen years ago. She didn't know the man that had left his family because he'd been sleeping with his secretary. As far as she believed the Alex she was with now was a different man. He wasn't going to abandon her. He wasn't going to hurt her.
He wasn't going to break her heart.
They hadn't even been together for a year yet. To drop a bombshell like this one him it could affect him in so many different way. All the negative ones were currently swimming about in her head.
Breathing in deep through her nose, Yumiko steeled herself. She should just take the test and get it all over and done with now. It could all turn out to just be nothing and her body was playing tricks on her.
And if not, well she was just going to have to deal with whatever life threw at her.
Clutching the box tight in her hand, Yumi pushed herself up off the bathroom floor. It was now or never.
....
Right....
So it was like that, was it?
"Mommy? Are you okay in there?" called a voice through the door.
Wiping at her eyes - Yumi didn't even realize that she'd been crying - she looked at the door behind her. "I'm fine, sweety, you go back to watching your cartoons." She sniffed and hoped that her daughter hadn't heard it. Poppy was just too clever sometimes and if she knew something was upsetting her mother there was no doubt she'd go and find someone to cheer her up even if she didn't know the reason why her mother was crying in the first place.
"You've been in there a while," Poppy pointed out. "Are you still feeling poorly?"
She'd even noticed Yumi had been throwing up. For a six year old girl Poppy certainly didn't miss the little details. "Yeah, Mommy's still feeling a little ill."
"Do you want me to call Daddy to come look after us?"
Moving towards the door, Yumi pressed her hands against the wood. "You don't have to worry Daddy. Collin is staying with him this weekend and it would be mean of us if we interrupted them."
"I'm sure Daddy wouldn't mind. He loves you, Mommy." Her little voice sounded so much closer. Yumi stroked her fingers over the surface of the door almost as if she could stroke her daughter's hair. Poppy was a good and clever girl. "I'll be back in a minute, Mommy."
She didn't even give Yumi chance to protest.
But maybe this was a good thing? Dion would be able to understand and offer his own words of comfort and advice.
Slipping down onto the floor again, Yumi stared up at the ceiling, sniffling back her tears once more. She sat there for what felt like hours when she heard heavy footfalls on the other side of the door.
"Yumes...?"
Her eyes widened at the voice. That wasn't Dion, no matter how the door muffled the sound! How on Earth had Poppy managed to call Alex? His number wasn't even set up on the main house phone yet as an emergency number.
"Poppy rang me from your cell phone," he explained almost as if he could read her thoughts. "She's calling her Dad now, but she sounded really worried about you. How come you've locked yourself in the bathroom?"
She gave a small smile to the empty space but in her head she directed it to the man outside the door. "I've been craving pancakes with peppers, cheese and onions," she said.
"You can't make those in the bathroom. I know you're a pretty damn good cook but even you can't cook food in a bathroom."
Yumi couldn't help but smile. She'd mentally prepared herself for Dion but instead she got the one man she was uncertain about talking to and yet he was making her feel better. If it were Dion on the other side of the door he would have known what she meant by that. As it was he was only going to have to learn these little details.
"Alex...?"
"Yeah?"
She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the words that were next in line to leave her mouth. It was now or never and she certainly couldn't keep hiding in the bathroom until it was all over.
"I'm pregnant."
There, she'd said it. Whatever happened next she'd just have to deal with it. She could be strong; she had to be strong. So why was the silence that was stretching leaking out from the other side of the door pressing down on her like a heavy haze? The lack of any form of response from Alex was agonizing. What was he thinking? Was he even still there? There had been no sound of him walking away so he must still be out there.
"Is it okay if you open the door?"
The breath she didn't even realise she was holding whooshed out of her at the sound of his voice. Rolling up and over onto her knees she pulled herself up with the door handle and slowly opened it, doing as he asked. Once the door had swung open wide enough she looked up at the man standing on the other side, dressed in his casual shirt and jeans ensemble. He looked so well dressed compared to her in her too-big t-shirt and scruffy old denim capris and it hurt to look at him for too long.
But she wasn't allowed to look away from him forever. His hand came up and under her chin, gentle bringing her face back to his. Fingers slipped up to cup her cheek and thumb brushed away more tears that were slipping down from her eyes.
"Don't cry, Yumi," he said before wrapping both arms around her and pulling her close. The moment the contact with his body was made Yumi molded herself against him, reaching her arms around him and squeezing tight. "I don't like seeing you cry," he added, lifting one hand to smooth it over her hair.
"You're not angry?" she mumbled into his chest, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent. He was quitting, but he still smelled of alcohol and cigarettes, mingled in with aftershave, deodorant and him. "You've already been a father once and here I am dragging you back into all that. First Poppy and now...Now this."
Gently he kissed her hair. "Everything's fine," he said softly. He pulled back just slightly, still keeping the embrace. "There's no need to cry, everything is going to be all right." Once again he wiped at her tears before kissing her forehead tenderly. "This isn't bad, so I don't want you to feel like you should lock yourself in the bathroom because of something like this. You can tell me anything, I won't ever get mad at you." He gave her a small smile and she noted that deep in his brown eyes he too was fretting. Reaching up with her own small hand she pressed it to his cheek, holding his face fondly. He was being strong for her. She didn't need to always be strong.
"Thank you, Alex. For understanding." She found her sunbright smile again and focused it upon him before looping both arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. "I love you."
----
And then Alex went home and panicked.
She was craving French pancakes with cooked peppers, caramelised onions and cheese, but her stomach didn't seem to want to keep it down.
She was certain she was gaining weight.
And most importantly; she was late.
Not late for any particular event or date. Late as in a particularly vital event in a female's monthly cycle was currently not occuring when it should be.
Were she new to this whole turn of events Yumiko was certain she would be having quite the panic attack in the bathroom. As it was she'd already experienced all of the above facts and knew exactly what they meant.
And she was still freaking out in the bathroom.
Poppy was watching Saturday Morning cartoons in the living room. Taking advantage of the fact her daughter's attention was elsewhere, Yumiko thought that it would be a good idea to get things over and done with now and confirm one hundred percent what she was pretty certain was going on with (and in) her body. Yet now that she was alone in the bathroom with the door locked behind her she just couldn't seem to find the courage within her to actually go through with the test.
What would Dion think of her?
He was the father of her beautiful little girl, but with the current turn of events he was never going to be a parent again. To find out that his ex-wife was having another man's baby...It had the potential to hurt him. Yumi didn't want to put her best friend through the pain of watching someone else take his place. It didn't matter that they were no longer married - Dion had always been cut out to be a father.
Most importantly though...What would Alex think?
Sinking to the floor with her back pressed to the door, Yumi rested the back of her skull against the door, letting her eyes close as she tilted her head back. She was always such a happy sunbeam type of person that she felt phyiscally wrong within herself as the worries, doubts and fears flooded through her. Something of such magnitude as this was supposed to be a happy occassion. Something to celebrate. She'd been so thrilled when she'd discovered Poppy growing inside her.
Why did it feel so different now?
Placing her hand over her stomach she looked down at where her hand rested. This was different because it wasn't Dion's baby this time. It was Alex's.
And Alex had already been a father once before. He'd gone through it all eighteen years ago. She didn't know the man that had left his family because he'd been sleeping with his secretary. As far as she believed the Alex she was with now was a different man. He wasn't going to abandon her. He wasn't going to hurt her.
He wasn't going to break her heart.
They hadn't even been together for a year yet. To drop a bombshell like this one him it could affect him in so many different way. All the negative ones were currently swimming about in her head.
Breathing in deep through her nose, Yumiko steeled herself. She should just take the test and get it all over and done with now. It could all turn out to just be nothing and her body was playing tricks on her.
And if not, well she was just going to have to deal with whatever life threw at her.
Clutching the box tight in her hand, Yumi pushed herself up off the bathroom floor. It was now or never.
....
Right....
So it was like that, was it?
"Mommy? Are you okay in there?" called a voice through the door.
Wiping at her eyes - Yumi didn't even realize that she'd been crying - she looked at the door behind her. "I'm fine, sweety, you go back to watching your cartoons." She sniffed and hoped that her daughter hadn't heard it. Poppy was just too clever sometimes and if she knew something was upsetting her mother there was no doubt she'd go and find someone to cheer her up even if she didn't know the reason why her mother was crying in the first place.
"You've been in there a while," Poppy pointed out. "Are you still feeling poorly?"
She'd even noticed Yumi had been throwing up. For a six year old girl Poppy certainly didn't miss the little details. "Yeah, Mommy's still feeling a little ill."
"Do you want me to call Daddy to come look after us?"
Moving towards the door, Yumi pressed her hands against the wood. "You don't have to worry Daddy. Collin is staying with him this weekend and it would be mean of us if we interrupted them."
"I'm sure Daddy wouldn't mind. He loves you, Mommy." Her little voice sounded so much closer. Yumi stroked her fingers over the surface of the door almost as if she could stroke her daughter's hair. Poppy was a good and clever girl. "I'll be back in a minute, Mommy."
She didn't even give Yumi chance to protest.
But maybe this was a good thing? Dion would be able to understand and offer his own words of comfort and advice.
Slipping down onto the floor again, Yumi stared up at the ceiling, sniffling back her tears once more. She sat there for what felt like hours when she heard heavy footfalls on the other side of the door.
"Yumes...?"
Her eyes widened at the voice. That wasn't Dion, no matter how the door muffled the sound! How on Earth had Poppy managed to call Alex? His number wasn't even set up on the main house phone yet as an emergency number.
"Poppy rang me from your cell phone," he explained almost as if he could read her thoughts. "She's calling her Dad now, but she sounded really worried about you. How come you've locked yourself in the bathroom?"
She gave a small smile to the empty space but in her head she directed it to the man outside the door. "I've been craving pancakes with peppers, cheese and onions," she said.
"You can't make those in the bathroom. I know you're a pretty damn good cook but even you can't cook food in a bathroom."
Yumi couldn't help but smile. She'd mentally prepared herself for Dion but instead she got the one man she was uncertain about talking to and yet he was making her feel better. If it were Dion on the other side of the door he would have known what she meant by that. As it was he was only going to have to learn these little details.
"Alex...?"
"Yeah?"
She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the words that were next in line to leave her mouth. It was now or never and she certainly couldn't keep hiding in the bathroom until it was all over.
"I'm pregnant."
There, she'd said it. Whatever happened next she'd just have to deal with it. She could be strong; she had to be strong. So why was the silence that was stretching leaking out from the other side of the door pressing down on her like a heavy haze? The lack of any form of response from Alex was agonizing. What was he thinking? Was he even still there? There had been no sound of him walking away so he must still be out there.
"Is it okay if you open the door?"
The breath she didn't even realise she was holding whooshed out of her at the sound of his voice. Rolling up and over onto her knees she pulled herself up with the door handle and slowly opened it, doing as he asked. Once the door had swung open wide enough she looked up at the man standing on the other side, dressed in his casual shirt and jeans ensemble. He looked so well dressed compared to her in her too-big t-shirt and scruffy old denim capris and it hurt to look at him for too long.
But she wasn't allowed to look away from him forever. His hand came up and under her chin, gentle bringing her face back to his. Fingers slipped up to cup her cheek and thumb brushed away more tears that were slipping down from her eyes.
"Don't cry, Yumi," he said before wrapping both arms around her and pulling her close. The moment the contact with his body was made Yumi molded herself against him, reaching her arms around him and squeezing tight. "I don't like seeing you cry," he added, lifting one hand to smooth it over her hair.
"You're not angry?" she mumbled into his chest, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent. He was quitting, but he still smelled of alcohol and cigarettes, mingled in with aftershave, deodorant and him. "You've already been a father once and here I am dragging you back into all that. First Poppy and now...Now this."
Gently he kissed her hair. "Everything's fine," he said softly. He pulled back just slightly, still keeping the embrace. "There's no need to cry, everything is going to be all right." Once again he wiped at her tears before kissing her forehead tenderly. "This isn't bad, so I don't want you to feel like you should lock yourself in the bathroom because of something like this. You can tell me anything, I won't ever get mad at you." He gave her a small smile and she noted that deep in his brown eyes he too was fretting. Reaching up with her own small hand she pressed it to his cheek, holding his face fondly. He was being strong for her. She didn't need to always be strong.
"Thank you, Alex. For understanding." She found her sunbright smile again and focused it upon him before looping both arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. "I love you."
----
And then Alex went home and panicked.
You Won't Ever Be Lonely
"Wolf?"
"..."
"Wolf!?"
"What?"
"What on Earth are you doing?"
"Setting a trap."
Vincent rolled his eyes, arms folded at his chest. "You look like a dork."
"Funny, you say that a lot about me."
Wolf was crouched on the seat of a picnic table with his brown eyes focused intently on the domino held in his hand. He was barely breathing as he carefully set the piece up in line with the row already assembled behind it. There were several empty domino boxes littered around him and a stack of unopened boxes on the bench beside him. Vincent had a funny suspicion that his fellow werewolf was still lurking in the town somewhere. He didn't look like he was living in the park but with Wolf anything was possible.
What he hadn't expected was to find him setting up rows of dominoes in a complex pattern while he was out walking with Marshall.
He'd warned Marshall about there being a new werewolf in town, and even though this one was practically harmless he should still be wary. Vincent wasn't one hundred percent certain over why Wolf had even come to Quetoune and whether or not he had come alone as he claimed.
"That's because you're a dork most of the time."
"You should really respect your elders, Vince," Wolf replied, glancing away from his task to where Vincent stood with Marshall at his side. The moment he set eyes on the boy beside Vincent he abandoned his domino stacking and hopped over to the two younger men, quickly grasping Marshall's hand within his own fingerless gloved hands. He shook Marshall's hand vigorously, grinning like a madman all the while. "So great to finally meet you!" he announced gleefully. "Vince has told me almost nothing about you!"
"Funny, he's told me a lot about you," Marshall replied shaking the feeling back into his hand once Wolf had released him. "And by told I mean 'warned' me about you."
Wolf continued to grin. "That's my little brother, wouldn't trust another werewolf as far as he could throw them." He leaned in and sniffed at Marshall's hair. "Oh, wow, you smell good."
At that Marshall frowned, taking a step back and away from Wolf. "Don't," he warned.
Wolf held up his hands in defence. "Hey, sorry. Look, I didn't mean to offend you. You just have a different scent from most humans. Didn't mean to upset you." He gave a weak chuckle, reaching up to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. "Like I said, Vince hasn't told me much about you. Just going off what I know." He looked between the two of them, finding his smile once again. "So what brought about this wonderful meeting?"
"Don't think you're special," Vincent said, waving his hand in the air flippantly at the other werewolf. "I didn't bring Marshall here to meet you; you just happened to be here when we were passing."
"Awh, Brother, I'm hurt."
"Stop that."
Marshall looked between them. "I think its nice," he put in. "You don't have a lot of family, Vin, and you said you two were turned by the same werewolf. In a way it does make you brothers."
"Ains wouldn't approve of him," Vincent replied, looking Wolf up and down, taking in his dishevelled appearance and odd top hat on his mop of brown hair. His clothes were odd too, but somehow Wolf managed to pull the look off. "He's too annoying for her."
"Who's 'Ains'?"
"A friend."
"Ainsely Stewart is helping Vincent calm his werewolf side," Marshall said, explaining what Vincent seemed reluctant to admit. He didn't see why Vincent should keep something like that secret. "I'm sure she'd like to meet you, Wolf."
"You've sure made a lot of new friends, Vince," Wolf said. "And you found your Dad. I always knew it was good that you got away from Kieran." He moved over to where Vincent stood, obviously brooding at him and affectionately ruffled his hair. "And its nice to meet you too, Marshall. You're doing wonders for my little brother."
"You're not my brother."
Wolf chuckled, ignoring him and pulling Vincent to his side in a one-armed hug. "I don't care if you never think of me as your brother, to me you'll always be my little brother - and as your big brother I approve of your boyfriend."
"I don't need your approval," Vincent muttered, looking over at Marshall who was hiding his laughter behind his hand. "Stop finding this funny, Marshy, Wolf is not what someone would want as a brother!"
Wolf feined being hurt, letting out a loud gasp and placing his free hand over his heart. "Vincent Jane Lyall, I'm hurt. I'm genuinely hurt that you would say something like that about me. I have you know I'd make a fantasic brother." He spun Vincent around to face him, bringing their faces close together to the point where their noses touched while resting his hands on Vincent's shoulders. "Denial is just another form of compassion."
Vincent tried to look away with a scowl on his face. "Shut up."
At that Wolf laughed and pulled Vincent against his chest and giving him a bone crushing hug. "Oh I've missed you so much, Vincey and this new you is amazing."
"I'm still the same."
"No you're not."
"What was Vincent like before coming here, Wolf?" Marshall asked, his curiosity piqued. "But don't tell me anything Vincent wouldn't want me to hear."
Grinning, Wolf swayed over to where Marshall was stood and slung his arm around the younger male's shoulder. "You're too cute, Marshall," he said before dropping both their bodies down on the bench seat of the picnic taable, sending his carefully placed dominoes crashing. "Vincent was an angry youth," he began, looking over at the werewolf that was currently centre of attention. Vincent scowled at him once more and folded his arms at his chest with a sound of obvious displeasure. "An angry human makes an angry werewolf and Kieran knew this." He glanced at Marshall. "Have you been told about the fights?"
"Only a little."
Brown eyes flicked to Vincent. "Can I share?"
With a growl and a shrug, Vincent gave his permission.
"You know all about those illegal dog fights that humans have? Its that, only the dogs are werewolves. A few years ago they started using Lunacyrum which essentially makes a werewolf more powerful but any human qualities it may cling to are lost. They become highly agressive and, well, its pretty dangerous stuff is Lunacyrum; for werewolves and vampires. It seems like a good thing at first for a business like the fights, but the increased strength and the fact they're running off anger, rage and pure animalistic instincts its harder to control the werewolves. They can kill each other and even when the fights over they can kill the spectators too."
Marshall looked over at where Vincent was stood. His head was tilted back and eyes were looking up at the sky. "Apparently I badly injured three people one night when Kieran had me taking it," he said to the sky.
"The 'owners' as they call themselves are wary about using the stuff and it always has to be registered if a wolf's been taking it. But Vincent, well, he was powerful enough even without it. He's taken several bigger than himself that were hyped up on the junk and the only thing fueling him was his own hate and rage and resentment. Kieran had himself a champion and this werewolf belonged to him entirely because he thought he was supposed to be hated and feared and that no one other than another monster would ever feel anything for him." Once again Wolf paused in his story telling to judge Vincent on how he was dealing with the fact someone was spilling his dark history.
"But no one can control a werewolf like that forever, not even a vampire. Vincent was older, his body was becomming more and more used to the fact it was no longer human. The time it takes varies from person to person. For me it was almost instantaneous. For Vincent it took around three or so years I think. But when that moment hits the memories stick. You wake up in the morning with images, scents, smells and so much that triggers the memories of what happened while the moon was in control.
Once you start remembering you can hold onto your humanity. You can settle into the werewolf form and you can control it. You stop being two seperate entities and fuse into one core being. The moment that happened to our dear Vincent here Kieran had lost."
"And then I ran away."
"Yeah, you went and made Kieran pretty angry. See, he was deluded that he'd keep your forever. I could see you changing, holding on to yourself. Your anger against yourself was being focused elsewhere. You may not have known you were even doing it back then, but you were already accepting what you were - because if you didn't you'd never be able to get away." Wolf grinned and laughed at a personal joke. "You're still pretty moody though."
"Shut up."
Wolf laughed again. "Vincent used to be so angry. Angry at his father, angry at his mother, he was even angry at himself. Add to that the fear of being alone and the insane need to be punished for the fact he believed himself to be a monster and you have the Vincent I met all those years ago."
Marshall looked over at Vincent and he could feel the other male's heart going out to him. Giving him a weak smile in return, Vincent didn't really know what to say. He had been angry all the time when he'd been with Kieran; angry and scared. But not now. He didn't really have anything to be angry over anymore. In fact, he was pretty certain he had much more positive emotions to focus on.
Like how much he really loved Marshall.
"..."
"Wolf!?"
"What?"
"What on Earth are you doing?"
"Setting a trap."
Vincent rolled his eyes, arms folded at his chest. "You look like a dork."
"Funny, you say that a lot about me."
Wolf was crouched on the seat of a picnic table with his brown eyes focused intently on the domino held in his hand. He was barely breathing as he carefully set the piece up in line with the row already assembled behind it. There were several empty domino boxes littered around him and a stack of unopened boxes on the bench beside him. Vincent had a funny suspicion that his fellow werewolf was still lurking in the town somewhere. He didn't look like he was living in the park but with Wolf anything was possible.
What he hadn't expected was to find him setting up rows of dominoes in a complex pattern while he was out walking with Marshall.
He'd warned Marshall about there being a new werewolf in town, and even though this one was practically harmless he should still be wary. Vincent wasn't one hundred percent certain over why Wolf had even come to Quetoune and whether or not he had come alone as he claimed.
"That's because you're a dork most of the time."
"You should really respect your elders, Vince," Wolf replied, glancing away from his task to where Vincent stood with Marshall at his side. The moment he set eyes on the boy beside Vincent he abandoned his domino stacking and hopped over to the two younger men, quickly grasping Marshall's hand within his own fingerless gloved hands. He shook Marshall's hand vigorously, grinning like a madman all the while. "So great to finally meet you!" he announced gleefully. "Vince has told me almost nothing about you!"
"Funny, he's told me a lot about you," Marshall replied shaking the feeling back into his hand once Wolf had released him. "And by told I mean 'warned' me about you."
Wolf continued to grin. "That's my little brother, wouldn't trust another werewolf as far as he could throw them." He leaned in and sniffed at Marshall's hair. "Oh, wow, you smell good."
At that Marshall frowned, taking a step back and away from Wolf. "Don't," he warned.
Wolf held up his hands in defence. "Hey, sorry. Look, I didn't mean to offend you. You just have a different scent from most humans. Didn't mean to upset you." He gave a weak chuckle, reaching up to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. "Like I said, Vince hasn't told me much about you. Just going off what I know." He looked between the two of them, finding his smile once again. "So what brought about this wonderful meeting?"
"Don't think you're special," Vincent said, waving his hand in the air flippantly at the other werewolf. "I didn't bring Marshall here to meet you; you just happened to be here when we were passing."
"Awh, Brother, I'm hurt."
"Stop that."
Marshall looked between them. "I think its nice," he put in. "You don't have a lot of family, Vin, and you said you two were turned by the same werewolf. In a way it does make you brothers."
"Ains wouldn't approve of him," Vincent replied, looking Wolf up and down, taking in his dishevelled appearance and odd top hat on his mop of brown hair. His clothes were odd too, but somehow Wolf managed to pull the look off. "He's too annoying for her."
"Who's 'Ains'?"
"A friend."
"Ainsely Stewart is helping Vincent calm his werewolf side," Marshall said, explaining what Vincent seemed reluctant to admit. He didn't see why Vincent should keep something like that secret. "I'm sure she'd like to meet you, Wolf."
"You've sure made a lot of new friends, Vince," Wolf said. "And you found your Dad. I always knew it was good that you got away from Kieran." He moved over to where Vincent stood, obviously brooding at him and affectionately ruffled his hair. "And its nice to meet you too, Marshall. You're doing wonders for my little brother."
"You're not my brother."
Wolf chuckled, ignoring him and pulling Vincent to his side in a one-armed hug. "I don't care if you never think of me as your brother, to me you'll always be my little brother - and as your big brother I approve of your boyfriend."
"I don't need your approval," Vincent muttered, looking over at Marshall who was hiding his laughter behind his hand. "Stop finding this funny, Marshy, Wolf is not what someone would want as a brother!"
Wolf feined being hurt, letting out a loud gasp and placing his free hand over his heart. "Vincent Jane Lyall, I'm hurt. I'm genuinely hurt that you would say something like that about me. I have you know I'd make a fantasic brother." He spun Vincent around to face him, bringing their faces close together to the point where their noses touched while resting his hands on Vincent's shoulders. "Denial is just another form of compassion."
Vincent tried to look away with a scowl on his face. "Shut up."
At that Wolf laughed and pulled Vincent against his chest and giving him a bone crushing hug. "Oh I've missed you so much, Vincey and this new you is amazing."
"I'm still the same."
"No you're not."
"What was Vincent like before coming here, Wolf?" Marshall asked, his curiosity piqued. "But don't tell me anything Vincent wouldn't want me to hear."
Grinning, Wolf swayed over to where Marshall was stood and slung his arm around the younger male's shoulder. "You're too cute, Marshall," he said before dropping both their bodies down on the bench seat of the picnic taable, sending his carefully placed dominoes crashing. "Vincent was an angry youth," he began, looking over at the werewolf that was currently centre of attention. Vincent scowled at him once more and folded his arms at his chest with a sound of obvious displeasure. "An angry human makes an angry werewolf and Kieran knew this." He glanced at Marshall. "Have you been told about the fights?"
"Only a little."
Brown eyes flicked to Vincent. "Can I share?"
With a growl and a shrug, Vincent gave his permission.
"You know all about those illegal dog fights that humans have? Its that, only the dogs are werewolves. A few years ago they started using Lunacyrum which essentially makes a werewolf more powerful but any human qualities it may cling to are lost. They become highly agressive and, well, its pretty dangerous stuff is Lunacyrum; for werewolves and vampires. It seems like a good thing at first for a business like the fights, but the increased strength and the fact they're running off anger, rage and pure animalistic instincts its harder to control the werewolves. They can kill each other and even when the fights over they can kill the spectators too."
Marshall looked over at where Vincent was stood. His head was tilted back and eyes were looking up at the sky. "Apparently I badly injured three people one night when Kieran had me taking it," he said to the sky.
"The 'owners' as they call themselves are wary about using the stuff and it always has to be registered if a wolf's been taking it. But Vincent, well, he was powerful enough even without it. He's taken several bigger than himself that were hyped up on the junk and the only thing fueling him was his own hate and rage and resentment. Kieran had himself a champion and this werewolf belonged to him entirely because he thought he was supposed to be hated and feared and that no one other than another monster would ever feel anything for him." Once again Wolf paused in his story telling to judge Vincent on how he was dealing with the fact someone was spilling his dark history.
"But no one can control a werewolf like that forever, not even a vampire. Vincent was older, his body was becomming more and more used to the fact it was no longer human. The time it takes varies from person to person. For me it was almost instantaneous. For Vincent it took around three or so years I think. But when that moment hits the memories stick. You wake up in the morning with images, scents, smells and so much that triggers the memories of what happened while the moon was in control.
Once you start remembering you can hold onto your humanity. You can settle into the werewolf form and you can control it. You stop being two seperate entities and fuse into one core being. The moment that happened to our dear Vincent here Kieran had lost."
"And then I ran away."
"Yeah, you went and made Kieran pretty angry. See, he was deluded that he'd keep your forever. I could see you changing, holding on to yourself. Your anger against yourself was being focused elsewhere. You may not have known you were even doing it back then, but you were already accepting what you were - because if you didn't you'd never be able to get away." Wolf grinned and laughed at a personal joke. "You're still pretty moody though."
"Shut up."
Wolf laughed again. "Vincent used to be so angry. Angry at his father, angry at his mother, he was even angry at himself. Add to that the fear of being alone and the insane need to be punished for the fact he believed himself to be a monster and you have the Vincent I met all those years ago."
Marshall looked over at Vincent and he could feel the other male's heart going out to him. Giving him a weak smile in return, Vincent didn't really know what to say. He had been angry all the time when he'd been with Kieran; angry and scared. But not now. He didn't really have anything to be angry over anymore. In fact, he was pretty certain he had much more positive emotions to focus on.
Like how much he really loved Marshall.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Brothers in Arms.
A.N. "Wolf"
Totally unoriginal name, but its also not his real name.
I'm not gonna make him, Cali said drabble the guy and see what happens.
But I love my 'hobos' waaaaay to much xD
His 'alias' means something. Read and you'll discover what.
It was winter and there was a light snowfall coming down, the little snowflakes melting the moment they hit the ground. Shaking his head from side to side, Vincent sent the snowflakes that had settled in his hair flying about in the gentle snowfall. He liked the snow - it made every clean and white and almost like new. There was a harshness in its beauty. Such a small amount like the current weather was simple and pretty, but too much and chaos could arise.
Right now though, it was light and innocent and would surely stick eventually and make everything look crisp and white.
He was seated in the park on one of the wooden picnic tables, cigarette dangling from his lips. Apparently his father was trying to quit. Vincent was surprised at all the things he was doing now that he was with Ms. Callahan. It was almost like the man was being reborn. He was happy for him. It was about time his father finally grew up.
Yet there was a part inside him that wished Alex had grown up much sooner.
But no, that didn't matter now. If it wasn't for the fact Alex had left Vincent wouldn't have had to try even harder to please his mother. He wouldn't have had to stay late after school. There would have never been any attack.
There now wouldn't be any Marshall.
Marshall would still have been born though. He would still grow up eating 'that meat'. He'd still attend St. D's. But he'd never meet Vincent. He'd never have someone who did his all to make Marshall believe that he wasn't a monster.
"I'm turning into a romantic sap.." Vincent muttered to the cold air.
"No, you've always been a romantic sap," replied a voice from behind.
Shocked, Vincent spun his top half around to look at the figure standing behind him. The scent from the lit cigarette had blocked some of the smells of the world which left Vincent unable to sense the familiar figure striding up to him. Grey-brown eyes watched the man saunter up to where he sat atop the table and hop up with him, removing the grey trilby from his head and shaking the snow off, only for more to fall upon it once he placed it back atop the mess of brown hair growing from his head.
"What are you doing in France?" Vincent asked, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck phyiscally stand on end. He'd escaped that life. He didn't want it following him here.
"Could ask you the same thing," the man replied. "Brother."
Vincent growled low in his throat, looking away and out into the middle distance. "Don't call me that."
The guy smirked, playfully bumping his shoulder against Vincent's. "Lighten up, Vince. I know you don't like it -- it's why I call it you."
"Where's Kieran?"
The guy shrugged. "Haven't seen him in months. Last I heard he'd found another wolf. He'll never replace you though and he knows this. Rumor has it he's pumping this one full of...that stuff."
"He sent me some the other week. I burned it." Well, he and Marshall had burned it. It had glowed with a green-blue flame and the smell clung in his nostrils for days. Even Marshall's sweet scent that grew stronger every time he ate couldn't mask the disgusting smell of the Lunacyrum. "How come you're not playing pet for him?"
The guy chuckled. "Vince, I've never played pet for Kieran. I'm too useless for him. I like being what I am."
Vincent lifted his hand before his face, wiggling his fingers and turning it around before his eyes. "How can you like being a monster?"
The man inhaled through his nose, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the white sky above, snowflakes catching on the brim of his hat. "Because it gave me freedom. I wasn't thrown out like you, Vince, it gave me the power to escape. Your mum loved you before you turned. My family had been too broken to realize I existed, let alone notice when I changed."
"You never told me how you knew it was the same guy," Vincent said, looking over at him. "And why you changed your name to 'Wolf'. Its pretty lame if you ask me." The only information Wolf had ever truly parted with Vincent was how he had met Kieran. Wolf - as he preferred to be called - was one of the few werewolves that had held a control over their alternate forms even during the earlier stages of their transformation. He just merely supposed it was because he was the total opposite of Vincent. He didn't see himself as a monster.
Wolf had also never hurt anyone.
The only thing they both had in common was a werewolf; they had both been bitten by the same werewolf.
Wolf's grin faded slightly and he looked at Vincent through the corner of his brown eyes. "I saw him a few times and he told me how he'd attacked a thirteen year old boy. You're the youngest I've ever met - and the scents match."
Vincent dropped the cigarette and then leaned over and sniffed at Wolf. "We don't smell the same."
"Thats because you smell like cigarettes," Wolf chuckled. "Its more noticable during the full moon. But, anyway, enough of that, why're you in France?"
"Answer my other question first."
"Because its cool. Now you."
"Because its safe - and that's not a good enough answer."
"Neither was yours."
"I went back - thought I'd be able to find him. Make him pay for turning me. Make him pay for putting me through everything. Found Elra instead."
"Grandmother?" Wolf sat up slightly. "You lucky bastard."
"She told me about here, so I came." Vincent gave a whistful sigh and looked away from the other werewolf. "Guess what I found here."
"More werewolves?"
"A semi-cure - and my father."
Wolf's eyes widened. "What!?" He reached out with a woolen gloved hand and clasped fingers around Vincent's shoulder, pulling him around to face him. "What do you mean by that? There's no cure."
"It only works on someone who's never turned. I'm too old and therefore so are you. You've been a werewolf longer than I have. But there's this guy here...He's never turned, but I can smell the wolf in him. He takes this...stuff...and it prevents him from changing during the full moon."
"What's his name?"
"Eben, I think."
Wolf let out a long whistled and leaned back again, this time lying down and resting on his elbows. "I'm going to have to meet this guy - and you're Dad."
"Please don't meet my Dad."
"Why? I thought you hated the guy and wanted nothing to do with him ever again?"
"Yeah...Well...He's changed. Sortof. He's still a douche."
Wolf laughed. "You've changed, Vince. You're happier." He arched a brow up at him. "You're seeing someone, aren't you?"
At that, Vincent tried not to squirm and give himself away, but he knew Wolf would notice anyway. "He's a student here. We're both...helping each other..."
"I have no idea what you mean by that."
"He has a...condition. He thinks it makes him bad, but he's not a monster like me. At first I was just doing it for selfish reasons, to make myself feel like I wasn't a monster if I could make him feel like he wasn't one, but eventually I guess I kinda just...fell in love with him." Vincent shrugged. "This is real; not like what Kieran and I were."
"That's because Kieran kept you as his pet. I seriously doubt he ever loved you like you loved him. I also doubt you loved him - but you felt like you needed him." Once more he sat up, this time just patting Vincent on the shoulder. "Its good that you ran away. Its also good that you're accepting what you are."
"You can tell?"
"Listen to your elders, Vince," he chuckled, leaned down to press their foreheads together, hand slipping behind Vincent's head and his fingers threading through his hair. "I always saw you as my little brother from the moment Kieran brought you in. I'm glad you're happy now. I'm jealous that you met Elra, but she only finds those who need her the most." He tilted his head up and kissed Vincent where their heads had been touching. "You'll have to introduce me to your boyfriend - and your Dad."
"You're not allowed to refer to him as your father."
Wolf pouted playfully. "Awh, Little Brother, I'm hurt."
"And stop calling me your brother," he replied, punching Wolf playfully in the arm.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Building Blocks
St. Delacroix was throwing a 'Valentine's Fair', which essentially was a huge open day with stalls and events that the students and the local townspeople could enjoy on a chill day in February that had something to do with love, romance and something about a St. Valentine.
The day itself was supposed to be very romantic for those who had partners, and pretty much a drag for the people that were feeling especially lonely.
"Do werewolves even celebrate Valentine's Day?"
"No Dad, we spontaneously combust if we ever dare to do anything remotely religious."
"But Valentine's Day isn't really religious..."
Vincent couldn't help but roll his eyes as he walked at his father's side. He'd caught the man lurking like some sort of weird creep outside the school gates. Vincent had a faint suspicion of the reason why he was here (and it didn't seem likely it was to spend 'quality time' with his son) and to stop anyone from calling the police on the crazy-ass dentist skulking at the school's entrance, Vincent had dragged him inside to mill about through the stalls until they found the main reason Alex was even here.
"I've not had a real Valentine's Day in years," Vincent said, speaking partly to his father and partly to himself. "I was ten when...the thing happened...And by the time I was old enough to start bothering with the whole cards, flowers and chocolates I had more important things to deal with."
But now...Now things were different.
With his mind drifting through various thoughts, Vincent didn't notice the little girl coming up through the few people gathered around, her big brown eyes focused on the father and son pair. She gave out a cry of delight when she came within a few feet of them and stretched out her arms towards Alex.
"Bend down and pick her up before she runs into your legs," Vincent said, nudging his father in the arm, encouraging the man to move.
Doing as instructed, Alex knelt down and scooped up the little girl the moment she came close to him, swinging her up, around and then letting her sit on her hip. One main noticable thing about Poppy was that despite her age she was still pretty small. Then again, her mother wasn't very tall. Speaking of the woman there seemed to be no one trailing the little girl.
"Alex, Alex, Alex," the girl sing-songed, grinning up at the man holding her.
Alex looked like he was somewhere between terrified and delighted as he held the girl against him.
"She's not a bomb, Dad," he said, moving towards the pair and affectionately wiggling his fingers at Poppy who made biting motions towards them. "Who's keeping an eye on you, Pops?"
"Daddy," she said with a huge grin. "But I saw you an' Alex and wanted to come over."
"Does your Daddy know you're here with us?" Alex asked. "I don't want him to worry."
"I'm always safe with Alex!" Poppy informed them as if it was the most obvious thing in the entire world. "And besides, I can look after yourself."
"Your Daddy will still be worried," replied Alex, shifting the girl in his arms and putting her on the ground. Vincent watched and expected him to let her just walk with them, but instead his father held out his hand to her and she took it eagerly, sliding her little hand inside Alex's larger one. "Come on, lets go find him."
Smiling to himself, Vincent followed them. It had been so long since Alex had been an actual father to someone Vincent supposed that the man thought that he was incapable of doing anything remotely father-like. Things like that aren't easilly forgotten though. Alex probably didn't even realize he was doing it. Yumiko and her daughter were doing wonders for his father. If it wasn't for them Alex would most likely be in his apartment or in a bar getting drunk and despairing; or off with some random woman.
God forbid he ever do something like he did to Vincent's mother to Yumi....
But Poppy was different than he was. It had only been a few months since meeting him in a capacity that was more than him being her dentist but Poppy had already latched onto him like a second?...third?...father. Vincent doubted that she would be as broken as he had been should Alex ever mess things up. Then again, Yumi wouldn't throw her own daughter out because she'd turned into a 'monster'.
Hopefully though his father wasn't going to be repeating his past mistakes.
Loosing his focus in his thoughts again, Vincent was surprised when a pair of hands shot around his eyes from behind. "Guess who?" whispered a voice into his ear.
Smiling, Vincent breathed in deep through his nose, letting the familiar scent wash over him and sink deep into his veins. Alex and Poppy had stopped to look back when Vincent wasn't following anymore, but upon seeing the scene returned to their task of looking for Dion in the crowds.
"The Pope?" Another deep breath and he lifted his hands to link his fingers with the ones covering his eyes and pull them away, tugging the figure behind him against his back and leaning against him. They were evenly matched in height (although Vincent had a slight suspicion that Marshall was slightly taller than he was), and he leaned his head back on the other's shoulder, smiling lazilly at him. "If I hadn't been thinking I would have known you were there," he said. "You smell good today."
What Vincent meant was; 'You've eaten today.'
Marshall frowned, crinkling his nose at Vincent. "I had to..."
"It keeps you alive and therefore keeps you with me," Vincent explained, unlinking one hand to reach up behind Marshall's head and thread his fingers through the soft blond hair. "I thought you were helping on one of the booths today?"
"I'm on a break," he replied, obviously glad for the change in topic. "What about you?"
"Babysitting my Dad."
"He's getting away - and has stolen a small child too."
Vincent chuckled, turning around to face Marshall and steal a kiss from his lips. Public displays of affection be damned. "I think she kidnapped him rather than the other way around. Why don't you skip the rest of the day with me?"
Blushing, Marshall looped his arms around Vincent's waist, looking into his eyes. "Because if I'm not there Felix will escape, goof off or start playing the guitar of his. I also think that if it wasn't for the fact I think he's seeing someone I'm pretty sure he'd change it from a ball game stall to a kissing booth."
"If you're there when he does that, you're not allowed to take part," he replied before leaning in again and kissing him once more, this time with a little more force and tongue. "Only I can kiss you."
Before Vincent had chance to kiss him anymore, Marshall playfully batted him away and untangled himself. "Come on, lets go find your Dad."
Vincent pouted. "You're no fun," but allowed Marshall to link their hands and lead him along the rows of stalls and people before finding his father once more, Poppy's hand still clutched in his own. They hadn't found Dion, but they were stood around a stall that had many delicious and sweet smells coming from it. Getting closer, the stall was selling baked cakes and treats. Seated behind the table was Rei.
Dancing around in front of the table was someone in a gorilla suit.
"That gorilla is awfully short," Marshall commented with a chuckle.
"Shhh...I want to see what my Dad makes of this?"
"Why?"
"Because I know who's in the costume."
They both looked over to where Alex was, his attention on Poppy for a few brief moments before the little girl spotted the person in the gorilla costume and tugged on his hand, pointing towards them. Poppy waved and the gorilla waved back, bending down on one knee before the little girl who instantly released Alex's hand and went to hug them instead. Vincent couldn't help but feel proud when he saw the worried expression on his father's face. He really did still have some of those fatherly instincts in him somewhere. Poppy however, appeared to know who was dressed up.
Alex's expression went from worried to shocked when the person in the gorilla suit pulled off the head. Shaking loose the long, curled brown hair, Yumiko grinned up at Alex. "I didn't think you'd come," she told him.
"He didn't, I had to drag him here," Vincent said, moving closer to the stall, hand still holding Marshall's. "He was lurking outside like some kind of stalker."
No matter what things were said Vincent was certain Yumi would never be without her cheerful and sunbeam smile. She looked from son to father in that sunny way. Carefully rising to her feet, she walked up to him and hopped onto her toes to press and quick kiss to his lips. "Happy Valentine's Day, Alex."
The day itself was supposed to be very romantic for those who had partners, and pretty much a drag for the people that were feeling especially lonely.
"Do werewolves even celebrate Valentine's Day?"
"No Dad, we spontaneously combust if we ever dare to do anything remotely religious."
"But Valentine's Day isn't really religious..."
Vincent couldn't help but roll his eyes as he walked at his father's side. He'd caught the man lurking like some sort of weird creep outside the school gates. Vincent had a faint suspicion of the reason why he was here (and it didn't seem likely it was to spend 'quality time' with his son) and to stop anyone from calling the police on the crazy-ass dentist skulking at the school's entrance, Vincent had dragged him inside to mill about through the stalls until they found the main reason Alex was even here.
"I've not had a real Valentine's Day in years," Vincent said, speaking partly to his father and partly to himself. "I was ten when...the thing happened...And by the time I was old enough to start bothering with the whole cards, flowers and chocolates I had more important things to deal with."
But now...Now things were different.
With his mind drifting through various thoughts, Vincent didn't notice the little girl coming up through the few people gathered around, her big brown eyes focused on the father and son pair. She gave out a cry of delight when she came within a few feet of them and stretched out her arms towards Alex.
"Bend down and pick her up before she runs into your legs," Vincent said, nudging his father in the arm, encouraging the man to move.
Doing as instructed, Alex knelt down and scooped up the little girl the moment she came close to him, swinging her up, around and then letting her sit on her hip. One main noticable thing about Poppy was that despite her age she was still pretty small. Then again, her mother wasn't very tall. Speaking of the woman there seemed to be no one trailing the little girl.
"Alex, Alex, Alex," the girl sing-songed, grinning up at the man holding her.
Alex looked like he was somewhere between terrified and delighted as he held the girl against him.
"She's not a bomb, Dad," he said, moving towards the pair and affectionately wiggling his fingers at Poppy who made biting motions towards them. "Who's keeping an eye on you, Pops?"
"Daddy," she said with a huge grin. "But I saw you an' Alex and wanted to come over."
"Does your Daddy know you're here with us?" Alex asked. "I don't want him to worry."
"I'm always safe with Alex!" Poppy informed them as if it was the most obvious thing in the entire world. "And besides, I can look after yourself."
"Your Daddy will still be worried," replied Alex, shifting the girl in his arms and putting her on the ground. Vincent watched and expected him to let her just walk with them, but instead his father held out his hand to her and she took it eagerly, sliding her little hand inside Alex's larger one. "Come on, lets go find him."
Smiling to himself, Vincent followed them. It had been so long since Alex had been an actual father to someone Vincent supposed that the man thought that he was incapable of doing anything remotely father-like. Things like that aren't easilly forgotten though. Alex probably didn't even realize he was doing it. Yumiko and her daughter were doing wonders for his father. If it wasn't for them Alex would most likely be in his apartment or in a bar getting drunk and despairing; or off with some random woman.
God forbid he ever do something like he did to Vincent's mother to Yumi....
But Poppy was different than he was. It had only been a few months since meeting him in a capacity that was more than him being her dentist but Poppy had already latched onto him like a second?...third?...father. Vincent doubted that she would be as broken as he had been should Alex ever mess things up. Then again, Yumi wouldn't throw her own daughter out because she'd turned into a 'monster'.
Hopefully though his father wasn't going to be repeating his past mistakes.
Loosing his focus in his thoughts again, Vincent was surprised when a pair of hands shot around his eyes from behind. "Guess who?" whispered a voice into his ear.
Smiling, Vincent breathed in deep through his nose, letting the familiar scent wash over him and sink deep into his veins. Alex and Poppy had stopped to look back when Vincent wasn't following anymore, but upon seeing the scene returned to their task of looking for Dion in the crowds.
"The Pope?" Another deep breath and he lifted his hands to link his fingers with the ones covering his eyes and pull them away, tugging the figure behind him against his back and leaning against him. They were evenly matched in height (although Vincent had a slight suspicion that Marshall was slightly taller than he was), and he leaned his head back on the other's shoulder, smiling lazilly at him. "If I hadn't been thinking I would have known you were there," he said. "You smell good today."
What Vincent meant was; 'You've eaten today.'
Marshall frowned, crinkling his nose at Vincent. "I had to..."
"It keeps you alive and therefore keeps you with me," Vincent explained, unlinking one hand to reach up behind Marshall's head and thread his fingers through the soft blond hair. "I thought you were helping on one of the booths today?"
"I'm on a break," he replied, obviously glad for the change in topic. "What about you?"
"Babysitting my Dad."
"He's getting away - and has stolen a small child too."
Vincent chuckled, turning around to face Marshall and steal a kiss from his lips. Public displays of affection be damned. "I think she kidnapped him rather than the other way around. Why don't you skip the rest of the day with me?"
Blushing, Marshall looped his arms around Vincent's waist, looking into his eyes. "Because if I'm not there Felix will escape, goof off or start playing the guitar of his. I also think that if it wasn't for the fact I think he's seeing someone I'm pretty sure he'd change it from a ball game stall to a kissing booth."
"If you're there when he does that, you're not allowed to take part," he replied before leaning in again and kissing him once more, this time with a little more force and tongue. "Only I can kiss you."
Before Vincent had chance to kiss him anymore, Marshall playfully batted him away and untangled himself. "Come on, lets go find your Dad."
Vincent pouted. "You're no fun," but allowed Marshall to link their hands and lead him along the rows of stalls and people before finding his father once more, Poppy's hand still clutched in his own. They hadn't found Dion, but they were stood around a stall that had many delicious and sweet smells coming from it. Getting closer, the stall was selling baked cakes and treats. Seated behind the table was Rei.
Dancing around in front of the table was someone in a gorilla suit.
"That gorilla is awfully short," Marshall commented with a chuckle.
"Shhh...I want to see what my Dad makes of this?"
"Why?"
"Because I know who's in the costume."
They both looked over to where Alex was, his attention on Poppy for a few brief moments before the little girl spotted the person in the gorilla costume and tugged on his hand, pointing towards them. Poppy waved and the gorilla waved back, bending down on one knee before the little girl who instantly released Alex's hand and went to hug them instead. Vincent couldn't help but feel proud when he saw the worried expression on his father's face. He really did still have some of those fatherly instincts in him somewhere. Poppy however, appeared to know who was dressed up.
Alex's expression went from worried to shocked when the person in the gorilla suit pulled off the head. Shaking loose the long, curled brown hair, Yumiko grinned up at Alex. "I didn't think you'd come," she told him.
"He didn't, I had to drag him here," Vincent said, moving closer to the stall, hand still holding Marshall's. "He was lurking outside like some kind of stalker."
No matter what things were said Vincent was certain Yumi would never be without her cheerful and sunbeam smile. She looked from son to father in that sunny way. Carefully rising to her feet, she walked up to him and hopped onto her toes to press and quick kiss to his lips. "Happy Valentine's Day, Alex."
Saturday, 13 February 2010
The Highwayman
A.N. ....I don't know...I just don't know...
Call it AU and be done with it.
The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor
And the highwayman came riding, riding, riding,
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
The sound of hooves on cobbles echoed up from the inn's courtyard. Seated in the saddle was a man in a deep red velvet coat, white lace from the ruffled shirt at his neck. Boots came all the way up to his thigh and he wore a French cocked hat on his head. Removing the black leather glove from his hand, he lifted his fingers to his lips and blew a loud and shrill whistle that bounced off the walls and shuttered doors and windows.
One window high above him opened and there stood the inn-keepers daughter, her big dark eyes looking down at him. Upon seeing her there, the man on horseback grinned and rode beneath her, reaching up as high as he could in order for the fingers to brush. Even standing in the stirrups was not high enough for them to do more than clasp their fingers together.
"He's coming for me tonight," he informed the landlord's daughter. "My darling, I promise I will return to you for the morning."
Her fingers tightened, and she held onto him for dear life. "Please, don't leave me. My father..." She quickly looked over her shoulder as if fearful the man would be there behind her. "Take me with you."
He gave her a weak and sad smile. "I wish I could, my bonny sweetheart, but alas I cannot. If I do not return to you by the sun's yellow gold then I'll come to thee by the moonlight even if Hell bars my way."
"One kiss, my love."
He rose as high as he could but they were still too far apart. She reached up and unfastened her hair, letting it down to him, where he brushed his fingers through the chocolate brown curls before pressing his lips to the soft strands that glistened in the light of the moon that hung high above them.
Letting the scent of her wash over him, the highwayman sat back into his saddle, green eyes still focused on his one true love. "King Aidan will not keep me from being with you," he told her as he pulled on the reins. His horse gave a jolt and a whinny before heading for the exit of the courtyard. From her he rode, heading along the road into the night.
Come morning, her highwayman did not return to her. Instead came the King's guards. They came to the inn and said nothing, only drinking the ale the landlord had to offer. When they took her and tied her to the bed her father did nothing to rescue her. He just looked at her with loathing and hate and left the guard to do as they pleased.
She twisted her hands in the ropes, tugging and pulling until she could feel a trickle down her fingers of blood or sweat; most likely both. She fought the bonds for what felt like hours until she heard it. Ever so faint, but it was there in the night air.
Hoof beats.
She looked around frantically at the men in the room with her. Had they heard too? They were looking out the window; could they see him riding towards the inn? The highwayman came over the brow of the hill and -- THERE! A figure in the moonlight.
Writhing against the ropes, wrists slick she managed to break herself free. Stumbling to her feet, she threw herself to the window, his name formed in her throat ready to yell to him -- to tell him not to come.
But it was not her voice that warned him, but the gunshot of her death. She slumped against the open window, her red blood spilling down the wall where only the night before he had stood, reaching up to her. Hearing the bang, he pulled the reins and turned, riding away without seeing that she no longer stood by the window and that she instead lay upon the sill with no life left within her.
When this new reached him the next day, the man could not stay away. Charging back to the inn with a cry like a madman, he cursed loud to the sky while brandishing his rapier high.
But he never reached the inn to avenge her death as the guards shot him down like a dog on the highway and he lay in his blood on the road in a wine-red velvet coat and lace at his throat.
Still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon, tossed upon the cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding, riding, riding,
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.
Call it AU and be done with it.
The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor
And the highwayman came riding, riding, riding,
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
The sound of hooves on cobbles echoed up from the inn's courtyard. Seated in the saddle was a man in a deep red velvet coat, white lace from the ruffled shirt at his neck. Boots came all the way up to his thigh and he wore a French cocked hat on his head. Removing the black leather glove from his hand, he lifted his fingers to his lips and blew a loud and shrill whistle that bounced off the walls and shuttered doors and windows.
One window high above him opened and there stood the inn-keepers daughter, her big dark eyes looking down at him. Upon seeing her there, the man on horseback grinned and rode beneath her, reaching up as high as he could in order for the fingers to brush. Even standing in the stirrups was not high enough for them to do more than clasp their fingers together.
"He's coming for me tonight," he informed the landlord's daughter. "My darling, I promise I will return to you for the morning."
Her fingers tightened, and she held onto him for dear life. "Please, don't leave me. My father..." She quickly looked over her shoulder as if fearful the man would be there behind her. "Take me with you."
He gave her a weak and sad smile. "I wish I could, my bonny sweetheart, but alas I cannot. If I do not return to you by the sun's yellow gold then I'll come to thee by the moonlight even if Hell bars my way."
"One kiss, my love."
He rose as high as he could but they were still too far apart. She reached up and unfastened her hair, letting it down to him, where he brushed his fingers through the chocolate brown curls before pressing his lips to the soft strands that glistened in the light of the moon that hung high above them.
Letting the scent of her wash over him, the highwayman sat back into his saddle, green eyes still focused on his one true love. "King Aidan will not keep me from being with you," he told her as he pulled on the reins. His horse gave a jolt and a whinny before heading for the exit of the courtyard. From her he rode, heading along the road into the night.
Come morning, her highwayman did not return to her. Instead came the King's guards. They came to the inn and said nothing, only drinking the ale the landlord had to offer. When they took her and tied her to the bed her father did nothing to rescue her. He just looked at her with loathing and hate and left the guard to do as they pleased.
She twisted her hands in the ropes, tugging and pulling until she could feel a trickle down her fingers of blood or sweat; most likely both. She fought the bonds for what felt like hours until she heard it. Ever so faint, but it was there in the night air.
Hoof beats.
She looked around frantically at the men in the room with her. Had they heard too? They were looking out the window; could they see him riding towards the inn? The highwayman came over the brow of the hill and -- THERE! A figure in the moonlight.
Writhing against the ropes, wrists slick she managed to break herself free. Stumbling to her feet, she threw herself to the window, his name formed in her throat ready to yell to him -- to tell him not to come.
But it was not her voice that warned him, but the gunshot of her death. She slumped against the open window, her red blood spilling down the wall where only the night before he had stood, reaching up to her. Hearing the bang, he pulled the reins and turned, riding away without seeing that she no longer stood by the window and that she instead lay upon the sill with no life left within her.
When this new reached him the next day, the man could not stay away. Charging back to the inn with a cry like a madman, he cursed loud to the sky while brandishing his rapier high.
But he never reached the inn to avenge her death as the guards shot him down like a dog on the highway and he lay in his blood on the road in a wine-red velvet coat and lace at his throat.
Still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon, tossed upon the cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding, riding, riding,
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.
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