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  • The World is Changing


    Gabriele Salvatierra

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    ((continued from here.))

     

    The drive was quiet. The driver apparently licking his wounds up front. Gabriele was so rare to the headquarters that the man had simply assumed unimportance, but the sharp cold tongue that had responded to his initial quip was clearly not one to be trifled with so no further comments or questions were made.

     

    A fairly permanent looking scowl darkened the older man's expression. He wasn’t thrilled about being here, but he wasn’t going to be messed with either. He knew precisely where he stood with Ausar, perhaps not with the others, but with the head of the nation the Spaniard was confident of his place. The two of them had an understanding. Ausar had Gabriele's loyalty, so long as the Spaniard had the man's in return.

     

    The drive betrayed a desolate country road that wound its way up to a lone castle. Built in the 14th century it somehow seemed a cliché to have a shadow nation's headquarters in a castle, but truth was the location was chosen for its safety and anonymity. This was just on the outskirts of England's dragon lands. No one was going exploring here without a reason.

     

    sheut.png

    The car slid into the garage that had once been the horse stalls. Once the door closed, the Spaniard opened the door to step out, not waiting on the driver to come around and open it for him. Instead the large man held it open for his two companions himself, the dark earth gaze sliding a cold glance to the other man who decided it was best to keep a little distance. Good instincts.

     

    [npc]They are waiting for you in the wine room.[/npc]

     

    Nod was faint. The wine room was an underground catacomb that let them safely meet without threat of the sun, though to call it a catacomb was doing it a disservice. The two story space beneath the castle was exquisite in its carvings and often held balls that ran from night into day. But as they walked into the castle proper, into a long hallway with 20 foot ceilings that was lined with old paintings and beautiful tapestries, it became very apparent this was NOT a dark seeking, vampire castle. An array of humans, altered, magus and vampires existed in these walls. Gabriele gently nudged Eris to his right side against the shadows of the interior wall and Bodhan on his left, where the windows were streaming in beautiful squares of mottled morning light through the antique glass. He knew the younger man would appreciate the brilliant light after the last several days existing in darkness. The Spaniard himself kept close to Eris, his left cheek and exposed hand growing a bit warm as they walked.

     

    [gabriele]Eris. I suspect Ausar will want to address business with you first.[/gabriele]

     

    He wasn’t sure how much exposure the woman had had to the Chancellor of the nation. He could be a big kid at times, curiosity getting his attention before business.

     

    [gabriele]…but since I am bringing Bodhan in knowing business is planned his curiosity over Bodhan might divert attention to him first.[/gabriele]

     

    He hoped that since they were nearly a week early and during the day, that there would be minimal council and political fornicators represented. He would rather take care of everything in quiet and get out to his cabin. He was always out of place here, and few other than Ausar himself were actually "fond" of the Spaniard....though they had good reason not to be.

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    Eyes were fixated out the window, trying to glean as much as he could from their surroundings.  It reminded him a bit of his cabin area, out of the way and serene.  Thoughts were anything but serene. He really should tell Gabe what was floating in his mind, gaze more than once moving to the driver, then to the Spaniard’s scowl.  Damn it.  The big brute had more than once needed reassurance from him after often getting a bit tipsy at Shadow.  Apparently the Czech’s science-y talk was popular with ladies, especially when he was a bit flushed in the cheeks.  He was unsure if his rather close comment to Eris had been read as something else, or Gabe was just unhappy with being here.

     

    Fuck.

     

    Eyes focused on the castle, its appearance bringing a slight upturn of his lips. Oddly enough, it reminded him of… home.  Somewhere he hadn’t been in over a decade, jade eyes casting downward to his shoes. Missing home, and Maree.  The simplicity of it all, the complete lack of worry that was so tight on his shoulders since the world ended was sometimes nearly stifling.  Worry had turned to melancholy, lifted only when the car stopped and Gabe got out.

    •npc• "They are waiting for you in the wine room."

    And so he followed, finding himself stopping more than once to look up at a painting like a child catching an interesting toy in a window while being pulled along in a mall.  Catching up, only to stop again in the warmth of colored light at another painting.

     

    Mucha.

     

    It was one he knew.  Prague.  His family wasn’t one of the richest by far in the country, but they wanted for nothing.  He’d spent a great deal of time with his sister in the museums as she sketched and he doodled.  Maybe it was where his brain had found its genius. They’d spent so much time there, the paintings a nanny for them both after their parents died.  Maree had loved the man’s more art deco paintings, he had loved his finer art. An odd concurrence now given where he was, and who he was with.

    "Eris. I suspect Ausar will want to address business with you first."

    The echo of Gabe’s words was moving away from the stationary Czech.

    "…but since I am bringing Bodhan in knowing business is planned his curiosity over Bodhan might divert attention to him first."

    It didn’t surprise him that the man’s finer art was here.  His treatment of dawn and dusk, good and evil was almost cliché’ in this place.  What it also meant, was that Prague was no more.  They would have never left the country if there were any of his nation left to protect them. A quiver of his lower lip caused the expression to harden, suddenly not wanting to be there… let alone be with people he didn’t necessarily want to talk to.  There had been a little hope at least someday he could go back.  Now, dashed.  There were a handful of times when the tight pang of helplessness hit him in the gut, the loss of his parents... his sister...knowing the world was forever changed.  This was added as one of them.

     

    Unreadable expression pulled down like a cloud, and for once his mind was silent with a dark nothingness.  No thoughts, no questions, just emptiness.  The depression he’d spiraled into before the Spaniard had found him, the loneliness and complete feeling of being left behind.

     

    Sigh oozed from his chest, trotting slightly to catch up with them both. It was too late to turn back, unsure now if anyone would really want to know what he had to say.  Unsure if he could really say anything.

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    • 2 weeks later...

    As he spoke with Eris, the dark eyes glanced over his shoulder to watch the childlike wonder that kept his Czech lagging behind. The earthen orbs flicked up to the paintings when he noticed the expression Bodhan wore was decidedly darker, then cold. In contrast, the Spaniard's expression softened, a finger running the side of Eris' arm with a feather pressure to let her know to wait up as he went back to the Czech.

     

    Standing behind his shoulder the powerful hand came up to press softly against the small of his back, the words hushed as he had an inkling what the younger man was thinking.

     

    [gabriele]We originally were going to set up our headquarters in Prague. It is defensible and didn’t have a center of populous any longer. But when we got there, it was overrun with zombies. [/gabriele]

     

    Thumb rubbed the lower back gently before continuing.

     

    [gabriele]It is still there Bodhan. We took these as well as cleared out the National Museum and Kafka Museum, the gems of Prague castle and the sculptures of Schwarzenberg Palace to ensure they didn’t get destroyed in the zombie chaos, but it is still there.[/gabriele]

     

    It seemed odd that a secret nation would be collecting the priceless art of a culture. But then again, this is what they did. They were librarians and conservators of the world as well as keepers of the balance of power.

     

    [gabriele]Its quiet now. The zombies have just about completely died out throughout the lands there.[/gabriele]

     

    Swallow was thick, wanting to wrap the man up in his arms and say fuck it, stride out and leave Eris to figure out her place there. But if he wanted the Nation's global protection for the scientist, they needed to stay. Words were soft, affectionate.

     

    [gabriele]…I will take you if you want to go.[/gabriele]

     

    Bodhan's soft sigh ached the Spaniard's heart as the younger man moved again. He was unsure if his words had helped or harmed.

     

    He wanted to just get this over with and get them out of here. Footfalls were silent as he moved again, pausing to talk with Bodhan had left him with a decided flush of sun exposure on his left side. Hands slid into his pant pockets, the blazer pulling up gently at the sides as he trotted down the stone steps ahead of the two "guests".

     

    A landing on the steps became a dual sided grand staircase carved in stone that led down to the ballroom below.

     

    gallery_2_18_48338.jpg

    Dark eyes flicked up just long enough to note who was lurking. Adrian Calloway. As Minister of North America it made sense he was there, Eris would fall under his jurisdiction. Hyun, Minister of Asia was a bit of a surprise. The woman was an enigma, hard to say what side of the political lines she fell on. Thus far she had not really spoken much with the Executioner, but she had eyes that seemed to watch everything. Oracle was of course no surprise as she lingered behind Ausar as the Chancellor strode across the ballroom to meet the Spaniard. The dark eyes also noted Cashian, a particularly nasty Constable in Europe who didn’t really ever hide his malice of the Executioner, along with eight other men and women of the nation that Gabriele knew at least in passing. More than one set of eyes seemed to narrow at the Spaniard who ignored them all, striding to the man that approached. Ausar was of smaller stature than the Executioner but had a larger than life presence that prevented him from appearing small.

     

    The Egyptian smiled as he approached the Spaniard, a soft tsk on his lips as he reached and lifted the scruffed chin and turned it so the left cheek was more clearly visible.

     

    [npc]Playing with fire again I see my dear Gabriele.[/npc]

     

    [gabriele]….just was not expecting to arrive in daylight Ausar.[/gabriele]

     

    There was a soft growl from Cashian that the Spaniard completely ignored. He was the only one that seemed to never grant Ausar his title of Chancellor. But then again, the Spaniard didn’t call any of them by their title. He had little patience for such pomp and circumstance.

     

    The soft hand patted his burned cheek lightly before glancing past him to Eris and Bodhan, Oracle coming forward with an almost ethereal grace to slide her arm through the crook of the Chancellor's elbow.

     

    [npc]… no matter. I see you were able to get Eris here all the same…. and this one.[/npc]

     

    Ausar was looking Bodhan over with an almost childlike curiosity as he walked past the Executioner to stand in front of the Czech. He studied him a moment with an expression that lacked any mallice, it was merely… inquisitive before turning his head over his shoulder to address Gabriele once more.

     

    [npc].. you have never requested to bring anyone into the Nation… [/npc]

     

    Head tilted as the Egyptian looked back to the Czech and smiled, the expression genuine as he patted Oracle's hand on his arm, addressing Bodhan for the first time. As the Spaniard had thought, the Chancellor's curiosity would put Bodhan before Eris.

     

    [npc].. you must be quiet special to my Gabriele. He never comes out here unless ordered to.[/npc]

     

    There was the distinct impression that several sets of eyes shot daggers at the large Spaniard. He was not necessarily well thought of among the entire Nation, but none dared make the move against him. Oddly enough, he was likely the truest loyal of the Nation as he didn’t hide agendas, his were always out for all to see. It made opposing him very dangerous, and they knew it.

     

    [gabriele]He is being hunted Ausar, I want him under the full protection of the Nation. [/gabriele]

     

    Dark eyes had lifted to survey the crowd, brow barely lifting at Hyun. The normally aloof Asian seemed almost….interested.. in Bodhan. The Spaniard was uncertain if this was a good or bad thing. Gaze returned to Ausar and the Czech before adding.

     

    [gabriele]…if he is willing to pledge I want assurance of full protection….globally.[/gabriele]

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    Breath pulled in softly at Gabe’s touch, bringing him back from the darkness of this thoughts that were spiraling into a hostile place. For a moment, he’d forgotten where he was and what his job was here.  To impress somebody?  To tell someone to fuck off?  Speak his truth… the words had been nagging at him since the Spaniard had said them.  Wished he knew what that was.  He hated what the world had become?  That everyone else save for his sister and the person standing next to him could go to hell?  That he wanted to just live in the middle of nowhere and tinker for the rest of his life?  Maree painting her own studio next door, Gabe reading quietly… which he knew more about than the man suspected.  It was like he didn’t want to be caught or something.  Big goof.

    "We originally were going to set up our headquarters in Prague. It is defensible and didn’t have a center of populous any longer. But when we got there, it was overrun with zombies. "

    He listened quietly to the rest.  He didn’t know what was worse, having a headquarters in his city, that it was no longer inhabited, overrun by zombies, or the Sheut nation had taken it upon itself to ‘save’ his culture.  Slaves were made in such ways.

    "…I will take you if you want to go."

    [bodhan]No,[/bodhan]  it was all he said, glancing up at the dark eyes before turning to continue on his way.

     

    The Czech could pull a poker face from the depths of hell if he had to.  Sometimes he wondered if Gabe thought he was a delicate flower.  The human could disarm chemical warfare in seconds, steady hands, in the blink of an eye when an entire population was at stake.  He could deal with a room full of assholes.  It was horrible his thought process had slipped to the point of considering everyone in the room an enemy.  He really didn’t care whether anyone but Gabe lived or died.

     

    Perhaps that was his truth.  Everyone could fuck off.  Probably not the best thing to lead with, but he would be lying otherwise.  So the truth it was… not taking the casual cue from Gabe as they descended the stairs. These were just people in his way to leaving and not coming back.  There was no reason to make them friends, jade eyes lashed slightly at the man and woman moving toward Gabe.  He made no effort to make friends.  Gabe would probably kick his ass later.  No, not probably… most likely.  Eyes narrowed at the man as he touched Gabriele, breath had stopped moving in his chest.  Fuck being a ginger at this moment, the burn on the tips of his ears betraying he was not pleased at the ease at which the ass pawed at him.  Good grief Bodhan, stop being a teenage girl.  Deep breath was pulled in, eyes finally moving around the room, making no qualms about studying people, and not caring if they knew it.

     

    •npc• "Playing with fire again I see my dear Gabriele."

    "….just was not expecting to arrive in daylight Ausar."

    Even though Eris was standing right next to him with the grace of a dancer, he felt utterly and thoroughly alone… the cold green gaze snapping to stare down someone who had growled at the Spaniard.  He didn’t care if the man was the boss of the world.  Oh hell no, eyes flicking back to try to mentally burn the hand that was patting Gabe’s cheek.

    •npc• "… no matter. I see you were able to get Eris here all the same…. and this one."
     

    The Czech blinked at him quietly, the same ‘fuck off, but kindly’ expression firmly embedded on his features.

     

    Don’t come near me…  don’t…

     

    Damn it.  The lowered lashes narrowed ever so slightly as Gabe was addressed like the Czech was some sort of puppy and its owner was being told how cute he was.  He wasn’t sure how long he could keep the cork on, he was most definitely not a cute pet.

    •npc• ".. you have never requested to bring anyone into the Nation… "

    Again the Czech mentally snarled at those that were glaring at Gabriele, his full top lip tightening slightly from its normal cherub-like softness, his eyes clearing up any question that he was not pleased with the veiled, and some not so veiled aggression toward his Spaniard.

    •npc• ".. you must be quite special to my Gabriele. He never comes out here unless ordered to.",

     

    Gaze slid back to the man, then to the woman at his side- the typical mischievous and playful green returning for a split second before hardening back to the fuck-off demeanor.  He would not say anything unless specifically requested to. It probably wasn’t a good idea.

     

    "He is being hunted Ausar, I want him under the full protection of the Nation. "

    Expression didn’t change from a distance, but softened at the corners when Gabriele spoke, blinking gently before his attention moved to the Spaniard.  Hunted.  There simply wasn't the means for education like he had anymore, and wouldn't be for a while.  He was unique, he knew it, and others did too.  He knew he was being hunted, something in the Spaniard’s tone gave him the impression it was more than he originally thought.  He wasn’t surprised, what did give him pause was why the man never told him.  Perhaps there was nothing to tell.  There probably was, the blow up several days prior had not been completely smoothed over yet, there simply hadn't been time.

     

    "…if he is willing to pledge I want assurance of full protection….globally."

     

    Quiet breath was drawn in, then released, looking quietly to Eris next to him.  So how was this shit done?  Spit in their palms and shake hands?  Did he point at Gabe and claim ‘I’m with him, the rest of you can kiss my ass?’.  Until then, the Czech would remain silent.  His tongue was a bit too sharp to do anything else.

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    [bodhan]No.[/bodhan]

     

    Lower lip pulled through his upper teeth. For all he knew the Czech, sometimes he felt he didn’t know him at all. Was he mad at him now?

     

    He tried to push it from his thoughts as he headed down to greet Ausar.

     

    Bodhan had flushed. The scent of his blood warming was intoxicating to the Spaniard and at the same time drew a bit of jealous anger up. Who had made the younger man's ears burn and blood pool at the surface. The dark eyes flicked to discern the cause only to see the green eyes sharply glaring at Ausar and the Egyptian's casual touch of the executioner. He couldn’t explain it, but the realization sent a warm shiver of pleasure up his spine. It was rare that the Czech had clear feelings for the Spaniard, that he did now, here, drew a warmth to the Spaniard's own cheeks. Had they not already been stained by the sun it might have been visible.

     

    But the flush of warmth was short lived. As he had expected Ausar was quickly focusing on Bodhan not Eris. Dark eyes flicked to Eris, brows lifting ever so slightly as if to say "sorry, did warn you" before he followed to be sure he was near Bodhan. If sides were taken, the Nation would learn quickly which side the Spaniard would land.

     

    He didn’t miss the tightening around the Czech's eyes. Ausar had a way of talking that when one was not used to it seemed demeaning. If Bodhan was going to be exposed to him often, the Spaniard might have taken the time to talk to him about it, but as it was the Spaniard had all intentions that this was the one and only meeting between the two. He might need to come here, but Bodhan never did again. If he wanted to join the Spaniard in Scotland he could go to the cabin from now on and never set foot in Glamis again.

     

    As he informed Ausar that he wanted the full protection of the Nation for Bodhan, he didn’t miss the faint softening of the younger man's expression, his own cold dark eyes gently softening at the corners before he turned his attention back to Ausar.

     

    [npc]Hunted hmm?...[/npc]

     

    The way it was said seemed to betray that the head of the Nation didn’t fully know who the Czech was. But it was Oracle that caught the Spaniard's attention. She had released Ausar's arm and stepped closer to Bodhan. Breath held in the barrel chest. No one knew the full extent of her powers. Was she reading Bodhan's every thought now?... was she reading the Spaniard's? The sightless eyes were fixated on the Czech, the older man always found it eerie the way she did that, like she was looking through one's soul. A moment later a smile slid her lips. It was the first time he had ever seen her do that. What exactly had she read from Bodhan?

     

    Dark gaze flicked to Ausar as she stepped back once more, her hand sliding again into the crook of the Chancellor's arm.

     

    [npc]…well having Gabriele speak on your behalf already speaks volumes. [/npc]

     

    More than perhaps any other save Oracle, Ausar trusted the man he had made the Executioner of the Nation. Perhaps because he had no political agendas that might run contrary to the Nation's goals. Perhaps because he was blunt with his honesty. Whatever it was, it gave Gabriele a significant amount of unseen power in the Nation. A fact that many did not appreciate.

     

    [npc]….well Bodhan Marin. The Nation is happy to accept you.[/npc]

     

    More than one expression in the room was unable to hide their surprise at how easily the Chancellor was willing to accept. Again this was attributed to the Executioner. He was just making friends left and right. What made it worse, was how little the Spaniard cared what they thought. Only one seemed pleased with the call. The Asian eyes softly smiled behind the aloof expression.

     

    [npc]All we ask in return is that you enter the Nation with no intention to infiltrate and destroy it.[/npc]

     

    Even the Spaniard was surprised how easy the Chancellor was accepting Bodhan. But then again, Oracle had clearly seen something in the Czech. He often wondered what she communicated to the Chancellor without words. He had been the recipient once of her conduit. He had hated having the thoughts opened to his own and hoped to never experience it again.

     

    Dark eyes flicked to Bodhan. While he knew Bodhan held no love for the Nation. He doubted he was joining with the intent to destroy it. But the assurance needed to come from the Czech.

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    He almost turned and growled at the Spaniard when his proximity moved closer.  The Czech didn’t want anyone near him, not at the moment, not with his fuse so dreadfully short.  Hot ginger temper or some shit he’d been told.  He was calm, patient, steady, but there were times when the fuse sizzled… when he was backed into a corner, or someone he cared about was threatened.  At that moment it was best to back away and let the anger run its course.

    •npc• "Hunted hmm?..."

    [bodhan]Yes sir,[/bodhan]  the kneejerk military training had kicked in. Surprised that his voice held no hostility, or falter.

     

    It had fallen away for a second, like a choke hold released just long enough to gasp for a breath before the heat burned behind his eyes again back to the ‘man in charge’, cords in his neck flickering when the woman next to him stepped closer.  Gabe had warned him, the general fuck-offery planted directly in the front of his brain.  His expression was anything but welcoming, a sudden blush of warmth over his skin parting his lips, brow snapping downward,  a flush of scent rampaging gooseflesh over freckles that had undoubtedly fired to color over his shoulders.  He flinched at the sudden inundation  of scent… he could smell her, Maree’s perfume, quickly subsiding for the scent of Gabe’s skin after a shower.  It delved swiftly to a deep sickness, suddenly nauseating, panic at losing her, at his thought rampage for Gabe’s safety in the car the night before.  Cheek twitched slightly, the urge to push her away squelched,  eyes narrowing back at her and her smile when she retreated.

    •npc• "…well having Gabriele speak on your behalf already speaks volumes. "

     

    Eyes flicked back to Ausar.

     

    •npc• "….well Bodhan Marin. The Nation is happy to accept you."

    The sweep of the narrowed green eyes over the expressions in the room was less than kind.  He wasn’t expecting… hell, he didn’t know what he was expecting, but definitely not to be treated like a nobody by so many.  It was refreshing, and infuriating at the same time. 

    •npc• "All we ask in return is that you enter the Nation with no intention to infiltrate and destroy it."

    He felt Gabe's dark eyes on him, suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of being backed into a corner, and bristled with the room’s obvious dislike for his Spaniard.  It came and he couldn’t stop the flood.  An absolute stream of his credentials and scientific jargon that only those of his caliber could understand, let alone comprehend- his fears for Gabriele and others like him summed up in a thirty second tirade that he would bet his life most could not decipher.  Something suddenly clicked in his brain, a missing piece snapped to the forefront of his thoughts to halt his words as suddenly as they had started, muttering in Czech.  Fingers snapped to a fist in front of his forehead, then relaxed, tapping his fingers softly above his brows.  He needed paper.  There was a pencil in his pocket, absently patting his chest to make sure his glasses were with it.

     

    He closed his eyes a moment in silence, breathing in slowly and letting it out before focusing on Ausar.  Expression was decidedly appreciative.

     

    [bodhan]…I couldn’t save the soul of my people from what happened.  For all the things I know, and everything I can do, it was one thing I couldn’t.  You did.  You took it, protected it so that it might return someday.  For that I thank you.[/bodhan]

     

    He inclined his head slightly, expression changing on a dime as a vicious color brightened in the pale jade, oddly unafraid as he glared at those that had shown unabashed hostility to the Spaniard.

     

    [bodhan]There are things coming that very few, if any, are left to protect the world- let alone you against.  When that comes to pass, and it will, you will be very grateful my Spaniard brought me here and my only reason at this point to dislike you is because you have no class.  I will save your lives some day, sooner...  rather than later.[/bodhan]

     

    Eyes snapped again to the growler one last time before his expression softened and he nodded kindly to Ausar, hands sliding into his pockets as he turned and moved back up the steps in the direction he came.  He needed paper, and he needed air, because he was about to throw up...   He’d probably just made the world a nightmare for Gabe, the list of transgressions was most likely unforgivable and before that disaster came to pass he had to get his clear thoughts out on paper.  Glasses were slid out and on, pencil slipped from his pocket as his thumbnail carefully picked at the wood to expose more lead, snapping it into his teeth to pat his pockets for a crumpled receipt he knew was there- smoothing the precious piece of paper as he moved.  Claimed the Spaniard as his own, left without being dismissed, pissed off the Harry Potter council. He was in so much trouble.

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    [bodhan]Yes sir.[/bodhan]

     

    Blink of dark eyes was a bit soft. Unsure how to interpret the strange response from the Czech. But before he could figure it out the scent wafted again. The blush over freckled skin nearly the Spaniard's undoing, protective arousal blossoming through the barrel chest and threatening to vibrate a powerful growl at the woman. Just what the hell had Oracle done to Bodhan?!

     

    He was relieved when she stepped away again, her serene smile a very unusual site that only left the older man further on edge.

     

    The cold dark expression flicked around the room only once to judge those that were finding Ausar's easy acceptance hard to swallow. It was the most he was giving them of his attention as the expression remained incredibly unreadable at Bodhan's sudden diatribe. A Cheshire grin curled in the pit of his stomach as his beautiful Czech effectively told them all to go fuck themselves. He didn’t seem to be the only one pleased. Asian lips had broken to a full smile before the words halted and instead melted into Czech mutterings. Dark eyes watched the hand on the forehead and knew what he was wanting. It wasn’t really the place, he didn’t want Bodhan sitting here on the basement floor writing through the day. He would get him out on a terrace where he could soak in the sun.

     

    But first….

     

    [bodhan] …I couldn’t save the soul of my people from what happened. For all the things I know, and everything I can do, it was one thing I couldn’t. You did. You took it, protected it so that it might return someday. For that I thank you. There are things coming that very few, if any, are left to protect the world- let alone you against. When that comes to pass, and it will, you will be very grateful my Spaniard brought me here and my only reason at this point to dislike you is because you have no class. I will save your lives some day, sooner... rather than later .[/bodhan]

     

    ………my Spaniard…….

     

    This time the ears burned all the way to their tips as the warmth spread through his chest. Bodhan had never made such a declaration about the Spaniard… ever. A strange peace came with the words, he didn’t care who picked up on the insinuation behind them. His preferences were unknown within the Nation, not from denial, but simple omission. It was none of their business.

     

    He didn’t miss the faint rise of Ausar's brow as the Egyptian eyes slid to their corners to look at him. Hairs on the back of his neck bristled at other eyes that clearly were fixated on him, but he didn’t turn. He knew who the glare came from.

     

    As Bodhan "dismissed" the Nation and turned up the stairs, there was the beginning bubble of a melodic sound, a chuckle from the Chancellor of the Sheut nation. He had seen this stubborn response in one other that had pledged…. the Spaniard. Somehow it did not surprise him, nor was he offended.

     

    But before Ausar could voice his amusement and acceptance there was movement. Incredibly fast, lethal movement.

     

    [npc]You turn your back?....as residing Constable I judge you unfit…..[/npc]

     

    The words hissed in barely more than a whisper. People thought it was Ausar who put cryptic ritual around the Nation's affairs, but in truth he was the most relaxed. It was those around him that seemed to falsely put demand on the need for hierarchy and unwavering obedience. But Cashian had clearly lost his mind! To claim judgment in place of the Chancellor?

     

    The British vampire moved with a speed that left little more than a breeze through the ballroom. He was going in for a kill. But the only thing that ever reached Bodhan was a faint whisper of air that moved along the back of his neck, not from Cashian, but from the Spaniard that had reacted with a speed and ferocity that was awe inducing. Leap from the stairs defied gravity as Cashian was caught by the throat and carried with the propulsion of the Spaniard until the smaller man's back slammed to the ground over ten yards away. The entire room vibrated. Barrel chest hummed with the growl of a man possessed. However what was more frightening was the complete lack of expression on the dark features.

     

    [gabriele]…shall I judge you…..[/gabriele]

     

    Words were soft as the large form stood, the Brit's throat still in his hand as he held him off the ground. The features were still waters, but beneath the blazer the shoulders bulged with his fury, threads pulling hard at the seams to contain the musculature.

     

    [npc]…faggot…. how dare you… even threaten to….[/npc]

     

    Unlike the Spaniard, the Brit's infected nature was showing, fangs hissing as he struggled for air, hands clawing at the grip of iron that held his throat, tearing thin lines of crimson over the faintly sunburned wrist before the knife was pulled. The man was Constable for a reason, movement was sharp and fast but the Spaniard was faster, blade caught in his free hand, fingers clamping over the blade mercilessly, blood beading from between his fingers to race down his arm.

     

    [gabriele]Ausar.[/gabriele]

     

    The word was spoken without any feeling. It left an ominous air among those observing. Only the Ministers and Chancellor seemed calm through the display of the Constable's testosterone. After all, they were the only ones that knew the true folly of the Brit.

     

    The Chancellor lifted a brow, eyes on the Brit, not the Spaniard.

     

    [npc]…yes… perhaps I shall let the Executioner judge you Cashian.[/npc]

     

    It was as though the air sucked from the room. The British vampire blanched nearly translucent as did the others in the room that had no inkling who the Spaniard was until that moment. To know the face of the Executioner was potentially a death sentence in its own right. Only the Ministers seemed unfazed.

     

    [npc]… but he is not worth your skills Gabriele. Hyun. You are the acting Minister for his region in Viktoriya's absence. I leave judgment in your hands.[/npc]

     

    Asian eyes merely grinned as she nodded slightly. Clearly there was no love lost for the rabid dog of a Constable.

     

    With that the Spaniard flicked him away like a piece of lint on his clothing. Brit slamming hard onto the floor at the Asian Minister's feet. Hand dropped the knife before he flicked his fingers to free himself of his own blood. Long strides heading back towards the stairs as the Chancellor flicked those all knowing eyes around the room at the sets of terrified orbs now fixated on the Spaniard.

     

    [npc]…and I don’t need to remind you… to know the face of the Executioner… is to know death. I suggest you forget it quickly.[/npc]

     

    The almost boyish grin flicked his features. It was a warning. Betraying the Executioner's identity was an automatic death sentence. Only the Chancellor had the right to tell anyone who the keeper of death was within the Nation.

     

    Spanish heat burned behind the dark orbs, fixated only on one. The only one in the room that mattered to him. He had left no doubt among the witnesses what side he would have fallen on had the Czech failed to be accepted. Egyptian eyes were warm as they followed the larger man and fixed on the Czech, the nod lacked any judgment.

     

    [npc]…perhaps a little bit overly dramatic… but welcome to the Nation Bodhan .[/npc]

     

    The tensed shoulders relaxed ever so slightly on the Spaniard. A soft chuckle breaking into the horror that still sat in the eyes of observers. The gentle lilt of the Asian Minister's laughter was relaxed as she kicked her heal lightly against the Constable's shoulder as he slowly was trying to get up off the floor.

     

    [npc]...really bright. Be thankful it was the Executioner that put you in your place... and not the last of the brilliant minds left in the world. Hate to see what he could come up with.[/npc]

     

    Her quiet words caused all the eyes to blink and really look at the Czech for the first time. Words drawing smiles to both the Spaniard and Egyptian eyes. They knew.

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    He knew that calm before the storm, keenly aware Gabe was on edge as the hosts of the party seemed to be interested in him as their new squeaky toy.  There was one though, one woman that seemed to be amused at his technical rantings.  Did she understand his line of thought or was she just amused that a fly could smack a spider in the nose?  He had to get out, now, or he was really going to say something regrettable- absolutely catching the rise of Ausar’s eyebrow before he retreated.  The laugh though warm, ran a sharp chill up his spine.  There would be a lot of profuse apologies to Gabe later.

     

    •npc• "You turn your back?....as residing Constable I judge you unfit….."

    He was a big boy, he could fight his own battles.  Footsteps had slowed on the steps, sliding the pencil and paper into his back pocket to turn and address it.  He’d been welcomed in, as far as he knew the only person he answered to, if any, was Ausar.  His eyesight may have been going, but his hearing was superb.  Unable to hear completely what had been said, the tone was unmistakable.  Hostile, and apparently already undertaking action before he turned.  Instinct was immediate, the feel of incredible power moving past him taking his breath away, the stumble backward onto the steps bringing a wince as he caught himself but still landed on his ass the same moment the entire building seemed to shudder.  In less than a split second he’d realize what had happened, what was unfolding next catching him completely by surprise.

     

    "…shall I judge you….."

     

    Wait, what?  He’d gotten past the fact the asshole had tried to kick his ass rather quickly, he knew how vicious Gabe could be… but what the hell was this?  What else hadn’t he been told?  Damn bullet ridden arm was still more tender than he'd like to admit, absently reaching to rub it with a cringe as he pushed himself back up and slid his glasses on top of his head to stare at the man he thought he knew.  Is this where he was going on his business trips?  Killing for this man?

     

    •npc• "…faggot…. how dare you… even threaten to…."
     

    The world stopped, blinking at the Constable who had just committed in his mind the greatest crime imaginable.  His thoughts halted. Worries, fears, everything disappearing in that moment in time.  Features became serene, the depth of anger seeping so far into his bones he failed to feel anything at all.  Steps were purposeful back down the stairs as the game played out, as if the world had screeched into slow motion and he was moving pieces within in without it noticing.

     

    "Ausar."

    •npc• "…yes… perhaps I shall let the Executioner judge you Cashian."

    This couldn’t be.  Not his Spaniard.  He kept moving forward, he wasn’t afraid of Gabriele, and he wasn’t afraid of Cashian.  As the brute was tossed at the feet of the woman that seemed amused by the Czech, he continued to make his way toward the man who was now in the vicious crosshairs of the ginger’s ire- pausing only at Ausar’s words.

    •npc• "…and I don’t need to remind you… to know the face of the Executioner… is to know death. I suggest you forget it quickly."

    It was too much to process, he couldn't think, so he focused on one thing at a time and that was this piece of shit.  Pale lashes blinked slowly at Cashian, he had no idea who was standing over him, feeling the dark eyes of the Spaniard on him again.  If the Brittish vampire had been human, he would be choking and beating the fucker’s head against the stone floor at that moment.   For the first time since the world went to hell, he didn’t feel like ‘just a human’… there were things he could do that defied the decency of humanity.

    •npc• "…perhaps a little bit overly dramatic… but welcome to the Nation Bodhan ."

    He nodded slowly, his breath barely lifting his chest, the serenity he felt at the need to tear this man apart should have scared him.  He broke his fixation on the grounded Constable to look gently over his shoulder at Ausar.

     

    [bodhan]Thank you sir.[/bodhan]

     

    Pale lashes blinked softly and returned his attention to the Brit.  He should have left it there, definitely should have walked away. He couldn’t.  It was unforgivable.  There were two people he would rip the world apart for, and the man had just claimed one of them to be less than human.  A nothing.

     

    •npc• "...really bright. Be thankful it was the Executioner that put you in your place... and not the last of the brilliant minds left in the world. Hate to see what he could come up with."

     

    He waited for the Brit’s eyes to find him, watching what he could swear was fear creep into the corners.  He also recognized Hyun’s speech pattern… good, this was probably better said for her ears only.  Kneeling to one knee and leaning down perhaps a bit too close to the castrated Constable’s ear, the hum of his unique voice was concise, fluent in one of its multiple languages, his favorite by far…[bodhan] nǐ jiāng yǒngyuǎn bù huì zài hé tā shuōhuà. Rúguǒ nǐ zhèyàng zuò, méiyǒu shé me zài zhège dìqiú shàng huì bǎohù nǐ cóng wǒ shēnbiān. Nǐ huì xiǎng tā huì zài zhèlǐ shāle nǐ.[/bodhan]

     

    Jade flicked up to Hyun, and nodded to her as he stood.  The man would have no more of his time, ever… unless he forced the Czech’s hand.

     

    [bodhan]Please share that with him when you find it convenient, or when you feel like seeing him piss himself, either way… fun for you.[/bodhan]
     

    The lick of humor betrayed the Czech’s normal playfulness, but his expression had gone quite cold, glasses flipped back down as he retreated back up the stairs at what seemed couldn't be fast enough, wanting no more of anyone until he could pull things together.  Gabe would recognize something was wrong... he always did.  He had to leave, had to get out before the rush of emotion he knew was coming completely overwhelmed him, hitting the top of the stairs and trotting into the hall to push open the nearest door and disappear into the green, sun soaked lush that surrounded the building. Socks and shoes were removed almost immediately, wiggling his toes the further he got from the building… and most importantly far enough out where the Sheut could not follow.

     

     

    (Translation-You will never speak to him again.  If you do, nothing on this earth will protect you from me.  You will wish he’d killed you here.)

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    It had all happened so fast. The Spaniard's expression was emotionless to those that did not know him. But Asian eyes had narrowed ever so slightly as the Executioner threatened to judge the constable. The Spaniard had been terrified of the Czech being hurt. She saw what the others did not. The Spaniard was full of tumbling emotions.

     

    Dark eyes had flicked for the briefest second to Bodhan and he instantly regretted it. His chest seized as he saw the surprised shock on the Czech's expression. Bodhan had never asked what he did for the Nation. He had never volunteered the information. He had always lived with an uneasy fear that their tentative relationship would dissolve the moment the younger man fully understood what the Spaniard's role was in this new world.

     

    The shocked expression seemed to betray that his fear was well founded.

     

    The rest was a blur as he left the man dropped at Hyun's feet. He watched as Bodhan did not look his way again, instead fixated on the Constable. A shiver ran his spine as Bodhan gave Ausar a gentle expression and thanked him for his acceptance into the Nation. Again the green eyes avoided the Spaniard and again the chest seized.

     

    He was dying a piece at a time.

     

    But Bodhan would now be safe. That was all that mattered.

     

    Muscles tensed as Bodhan got close to Cashian but for all the Brit's stupidity, he would not make a move now, of that Gabriele was sure.

     

    The dance of a language he didn’t understand rolled off the Czech's tongue as though it had been born to it, reminding him again of how far beneath the younger man he was, thick ebony lashes lowering ever so slightly, looking to an outsider as though he had narrowed the intense gaze rather than was hiding his shame.

     

    The stone in his throat was swallowed as Bodhan switched back to English and spoke directly to Hyun having no idea who the woman was. There was a lick of amusement that the Spaniard did not miss. He knew all too well what the Czech could be capable of doing.

     

    And then it was over… and Bodhan was moving… quickly vanishing upstairs…. and still the green eyes never sought the dark puppy orbs that hid now from everyone.

     

    Ausar yawned and grinned at Oracle, patting her hand as he turned and started for the far end of the ballroom and the second staircase that went to his own quarters.

     

    [npc]…its far past dawn and I have a bed calling my name. Oh…Eris….[/npc]

     

    He turned and glanced over his shoulder at the woman that thus far had been completely silent….almost obedient…or was it loyal… to the Nation's judgments.

     

    [npc]… you are now Viceroy of the East American Alliance. You answer to Adrian. [/npc]

     

    Hand gestured to the Minister of North America in case she had no idea who he was before turning again and heading for the stairs.

     

    Frown darkened the Spanish brow. If he didn’t ask now……

     

    [gabriele] Ausar……..nedj…. hep sheta Bodhan e Eris[/gabriele]

     

    The others were all leaving already. His words not understood by any but the two Ministers who paused and glanced back at Ausar as the others kept their feet moving, done with the spectacle and too concerned they might look at the Executioner the wrong way and be judged.

     

    [npc]No.[/npc]

     

    The answer came simply and most would have thought that was it. But unlike how others might react, Gabriele did not leave it at that.

     

    [gabriele]Unacceptable…..Ausar…….[/gabriele]

     

    [npc]I said NO.[/npc]

     

    The Spaniard seemed to have the ear of the Chancellor but at the moment even he was testing the Egyptian's patience.

     

    [gabriele]Ausar… it is all happening in her territory and she has proved already her unwavering loyalty… and he is possibly the last brilliant mind left in this world! They have a right to know! It can only benefit the Nation for them to know.[/gabriele]

     

    It was rare the Spaniard raised his voice, even rarer that he would be so heated in his passion publically. But he didn’t care who of them was staring anymore. He needed this permission from Ausar. It was too important that they both knew… he was certain of that. Certain enough to risk his own life.

     

    The two men had started to approach eachother, each step ominous as the air seemed to suck out of the entire room.

     

    [npc]And if that brilliant mind uses that knowledge to slaughter us all… what then Gabriele?..No.[/npc]

     

    [gabriele]Joder…Ausar!...I VOUCH FOR…[/gabriele][npc]…WILL YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE IF HE…[/npc][gabriele]YES![/gabriele]

     

    It was a frightening scene as the two men stood toe to toe. But just as it seemed that Gabriele would finally pay for his lack of respect for their "pomp and circumstance"… Oracle's hand lightly fell on the arm of Ausar. Egyptian eyes snapped to her.

     

    [npc]But…[/npc]

     

    He stopped. Clearly listening to something none of the others heard. His brow finally lifted before those dark eyes met the fiercely protective ones of the Spaniard. His head cocked slightly studying Gabriele before the faint smile came.

     

    [npc]….very well…. but… used against us….by either of them…. your life is forfeit.[/npc]

     

    Dark eyes never left Ausar, not even to flick a half moment at Eris. Chin inclined ever so slightly as the barrel chest drew a long slow breath.

     

    [gabriele]…understood.[/gabriele]

     

    With that he turned around, leaving most in the room baffled completely as they had no clue what it was that the Spaniard had asked of the Chancellor. Feet carried him silently up. As he passed Eris the shoulder pivoted ever so slightly towards her, an invitation to follow if she wanted answers now.

     

    Reaching the hallway he paused at one of the men standing watch.

     

    [gabriele]…the red head…?[/gabriele] [npc]..headed outside… is out on the main grounds.[/npc]

     

    Nod was faint as the dark eyes glanced towards the old mottled glass of the windows, he could make out Bodhan standing out in the late morning sun, far enough into open space to keep the vampire at bay. Heart sank like an acid stone in his gut. He had lost him. Dry lips were licked before he very softly spoke again.

     

    [gabriele]…set him up in the third guest room…. if he….. if he asks where I am you can show him to my quarters.[/gabriele]

     

    He was fairly sure Bodhan would not ask. For all he knew, the Czech would ask Eris to fly him back to the states that very night. Muscles were quivering uncontrollably. He had known that to bring Bodhan here might be to lose him…. he had prepared himself… at least he had thought he had. Muscle through the powerful jaw was twitching as he pivoted on a heel and headed for the stairs up to the living quarters. Eris was either coming or she wasn’t… all he knew.. was he needed a drink…. a big one.

     

    ……………….

     

     

    She had sent the idiot Constable down to the dungeon to be watched for now. She would contact his Minister before she did anything too terrible to him. It was not good to be judged by a former member of the Order. There were things worse than death.

     

    Hands slid into the pockets of her slacks as she headed out of the castle having been pointed in the direction of the ginger spitfire. Thick heels were silent as the petite woman made her way across the grassy expanse of the grounds, drawing up on his left side and proving once and for all, the Sheut Nation was not a vampire nation.

     

    [npc] Tǐng nǐ bǎ zài nàlǐ de xiǎnshì.[/npc]

    ((Quite the display you put on in there.))

     

    She was more than ten yards away from him, facing the morning sun. Exotic eyes closed as she enjoyed the heat on her features.

     

    [npc] Zhùhè shì dāngzhīwúkuì bǎochí lěngjìng.[/npc]

    ((Congratulations are deserved for keeping your cool.))

    Link to comment

    She did not just waste tanks of fuel to come over and watch the new golden child’s ego get stroked. For Pete’s sake, she'd even worn her new vintage Prada to make herself feel better as she got chewed out for doing someone elses job. Fuck this. Dark coffee watched the Oracle pick at the kid in utter silence, recognizing the movement of the big brute for what it was. He was damn protective of the genius, if she had a warm fuzzy side it would have been touched, but she didn’t… still understanding the blitzkrieg that could be unleashed if anyone messed with her own. She got it.  Fighting the urge to stifle a yawn, she let her eyes wander briefly over the room, again fighting another urge to roll eyes with a sneer at the somewhat interested glances she received. What the fuck was going on here, she was either going to get ripped to shreds for kicking little rogue shit’s asses and doing the Executioner’s  job, or there was something else. 

     

    Then his politeness.

     

    It was hard to throw her off, and that did.  When the hell did he get polite?  She had always remembered him to be a bit on the short side, rightly so. He didn’t like his time to be wasted. Had she read him wrong?  She could have sworn he really didn’t want to do this, of course she wasn’t going to tell the Spaniard that- he would have to figure it out for himself.

     

    Lowered lashes hid the snerk behind them as the Czech in his own way told the powers that be in the free world to fuck off.  It would have been a lot more entertaining if most of them had more than the mental prowess of an oyster, but for the most part they got the gist.  Head did turn as she cared enough to watch him leave, a little unnerved at the kneejerk urge to go after him when Cashian… oh Cashian… decided to go after him.  If Gabriele hadn’t stepped in, she would have.  What the fuck was wrong with her?  Piercing eyes widening slightly as she realized what Gabriele was saying.  Executioner?  Swallowing hard, it was to get rid of the creeping anger… a weird, child-like anger.  It wasn’t fear, apprehension, it was a pure need to kick the shit out of someone she saw- but would never admit- as the closest thing to a big brother.  She was going to throttle his ass.

     

    Keen attention caught the Czech’s wince as he stood, he’d fallen pretty hard at a strange up the stairs angle.  A crease ghosted over the perfect brow, watching the show go on.  She might just squeak out of this without getting her ass spanked. Czech now gone, Spaniard closing up business…

     

    •npc• "… you are now Viceroy of the East American Alliance. You answer to Adrian. "

     

    She had blinked after the Czech and almost missed it.  Wait, what?  Lips pursed slightly to say something, deciding to remain silent as more played out.  What the hell had he just signed her up for?  Her territory?  Her territory?

     

    Well fuck… she liked the sound of that, eyes on the Old Spice model that was now her boss with a faint fake smile… but not that.  Ah well, couldn’t have everything she wanted… for the time being anyway, pulled out of it by the continuous spiraling of voices.  She would have been lying if she said the escalating hostility in the room wasn’t giving her concern.  What the hell was the big brute doing?  Getting himself killed was what he was doing, about to step forward and take his arm to step back.  She wasn’t afraid of either of them. They could both smite her ass into oblivion… but she had already been there.  What scared you when you had already tasted death?  Concerned eyes moved to the Oracle as she seemed to throw a soft blanket over the fire to quell it in her strange way, almost missing the brute as he turned and strode up the steps with her on his tail. She wasn’t sticking around, and she had business to finish.

     

    They hit the hall, and she allowed him to fuck around with being the ginger’s nanny for a moment, pouncing.  She hit him in the arm, hard, as soon as they were out of sight… the oddly younger sister thing to do followed with a hiss.

     

    “Asshole,”  she swore and took her leave.  Click of her heeled footfalls were striking for a moment before she shook off the angry teenager and regained the elegance of her blood to stop and turn back to him.  “Go make up with golden boy, you guys are stupid for each other. If you two idiots can’t stay together there’s no hope for the rest of us. I don’t know why you risked your neck for me about whatever you need to tell me, I don’t want to know…  hell I don’t even know if I like you or hate you well enough yet to have that kind of power over you.”

     

    Hands slid into her pockets, huffed sigh hiding a percolating fondness for the two of them.

     

    “Call me when you want to come back to the states, I gotta get out of here before Mr. Model wants to have dinner.  I have people to inform.”  She turned and went about her way, pursed frown scolding herself as she paused but didn’t look over her shoulder, words soft.  “Whenever you need mijo, I’ll be here.  His arm, look to it.  He fell pretty hard while you were frothing over dickless.”

     

    She was done for now with this suntan fest.

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    He could feel Eris on his heels as he moved up to the main floor and asked about the whereabouts of the Czech. She hardly seemed fazed by the announcement. He hadn't thought she would rattle. Eris wasn’t the type to get rattled. One could trust her to be steady. It was one of several reasons he had gone to bat for her.

     

    Though for all her steady…..

     

    [gabriele]Ow…[/gabriele]

     

    He grunted at the punch in the arm, she had used decidedly vampiric force in the sisterly "attack". Brows puzzling downward to glare at her sideways as he rubbed the offended appendage.

     

    [eris]…Asshole…[/eris]

     

    [gabriele]… you know protocol better than most. Even if I had wanted to tell you I couldn’t. [/gabriele]

     

    The brotherly frown dark at her as he still nursed the spot she had assaulted.

     

    [eris] Go make up with golden boy, you guys are stupid for each other. If you two idiots can’t stay together there’s no hope for the rest of us. I don’t know why you risked your neck for me about whatever you need to tell me, I don’t want to know… hell I don’t even know if I like you or hate you well enough yet to have that kind of power over you.[/eris]

     

    She didn’t know all she thought she did. Bodhan needed space at the moment. Particularly if he was collecting himself to leave the Spaniard. The dark expression took on a decidedly more sinister tone wen she refused the knowledge he had fought for her to have.

     

    [gabriele] The time will come when you will need to know. When it does I won't wait for you to ask, you will be told.[/gabriele]

     

    The tone made it very clear this was a non negotiable point. He had not risked it all for no reason. There was without a doubt a reason he wanted her to know.

     

    [eris] Call me when you want to come back to the states, I gotta get out of here before Mr. Model wants to have dinner. I have people to inform.[/eris]

     

    [gabriele]… he wont.[/gabriele]

     

    There were protocols she would learn, some the hard way but for now…. the big brother nature came out to give her a little leg up.

     

    [gabriele]…. he will be dropping in unexpectedly likely in the next two months. You will be expected to lay out your vision for the territory as well as point to a Constable and some Regulators that will help you keep the peace. Also, from now on watch the rogue killings. You need it all documented now, particularly if they have any standing at all in the Nation….then they need a trial… at least on paper.[/gabriele]

     

    There was a faintly dark smirk on his lips before the expression vanished again. Hand had finally fallen away from his arm as the dark eyes blinked more softly at her, a faintly guilty shrug coming as he finished.

     

    [gabriele]…and you already have the number to the Executioner if you need him. [/gabriele]

     

    He watched her turn and start to go, faint smile on his lips at her quiet words.

     

    [eris] Whenever you need mijo, I’ll be here. His arm, look to it. He fell pretty hard while you were frothing over dickless.[/eris]

     

    He knew the arm was injured. The scent had been sharp on the air. But he also knew Bodhan wanted his space. He watched her leave before pausing at a guard and instructing them to have a med kit and painkillers put into his and Bodhan's rooms. He wasn’t sure yet if the Czech would want to see him ever again, but on the off chance… he made sure both were stocked.

     

    Feet trudged up the stairs, careful to avoid the turret windows, though the color on his one cheek was getting darker each time he had to scurry by one. By the time he made his room he was over heated and exhausted. The thought that he had really lost the Czech beginning to eat a hole in his chest. Blazer was tossed over a chair as he walked to the side of the large windows to his private terrace. From the shadow he watched Hyun near Bodhan, faint frown on his brow before pushing the curtain half closed so his room was mostly protected from the light. For some reason he didn’t want to close it all the way, perhaps it was too symbolic of admitting it was all over and for all his tough exterior, the man behind the monster couldn’t handle the thought. The mahogany cabinet door was thrown open and a bottle of scotch retrieved with no glass. Sinking into a Victorian chair that looked far too small against his frame he drank straight from the bottle. Free hand brought fingers to his brow as the pained frown deepened over dark eyes.

     

    He had lost him….. but he was safe.

     

    And perhaps if he kept reciting the mantra… the pain would not be so great. Bottle once more found a path to his lips. Sleep would not find him this day.

    Link to comment

    "Ow…"

    She punched him again, expression almost like a poutish Lilo before she curled back into her ‘proper’ presentation.

    "… you know protocol better than most. Even if I had wanted to tell you I couldn’t. "

    She muttered quietly to herself before telling him to go make up with science boy.  As much as she loathed to admit it to herself, she hated seeing them in something other than the comfortable playfulness she’d witnessed on the plane.  She’d been that way once, and she missed it more than she could express. If she couldn’t have it, she could live vicariously she supposed.  Sneer met his as he tried rifling at her.  The tiny vampire didn’t rifle.

    " The time will come when you will need to know. When it does I won't wait for you to ask, you will be told."

    [eris]I’m not a moron you freight train.  I need to prepare my people first to call in the huddled masses trawling the dark.  I don’t know of any Sheut in New York worth their shit except Toby, and I need him for my business.  Then I will come to you and you can give me the winning lottery numbers, though I should make you fly back out to me.  Ass.[/eris] 

     

    His assurance that Adrian wouldn’t give her warning confirmed where her thought process was already going.

    "…. he will be dropping in unexpectedly likely in the next two months. You will be expected to lay out your vision for the territory as well as point to a Constable and some Regulators that will help you keep the peace. Also, from now on watch the rogue killings. You need it all documented now, particularly if they have any standing at all in the Nation….then they need a trial… at least on paper."

    [eris]Where’s the fun in that,[/eris] the answer was quietly sarcastic, but she understood.

    "…and you already have the number to the Executioner if you need him. "

    [eris]The who?[/eris]  brow quirked with a snerk, she was wasting no time in taking her leave and letting the Spaniard repair the damage. There was a lot of work to do.

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    He was watching his toes, the warm grass tickling in-between as he flexed them.  It was something Maree had taught him to do when he was stuck, or frustrated.  Get out of the current environment… return to basics, to nature, to the outdoors.  Think about the wind, the rain, the sun.   Breathe.  So inundated with emotions that were threatening to cripple him, he sunk to sit, crossing his legs as he hit the ground.  How close he’d come to death was finally hitting him, and he felt very, very  mortal, and very homesick, heartsick and lost.

    •npc• " Tǐng nǐ bǎ zài nàlǐ de xiǎnshì."
    ((Quite the display you put on in there.))

    She startled him, he wasn’t expecting anyone to follow him out. Gabriele had said not all the Nation was Sheut. So what was she then? Brain started ticking like a Rolodex.

    •npc• " Zhùhè shì dāngzhīwúkuì bǎochí lěngjìng."
    ((Congratulations are deserved for keeping your cool.))

     

    [bodhan]Jiābùlǐ āi lái bù zhídé de,[/bodhan]  he reached to pull his socks and shoes back on, nimble steady fingers snapping the laces into bows in a matter of seconds. He stayed sitting, forearms sliding over his knees as he squinted up at her.  [bodhan]Rúguǒ nǐ de zhǔguǎn bù Sheut wǒ huì qiāng sǐ tā zìjǐ.[/bodhan]

    ((Gabriele didn’t deserve that))(( If your charge wasn’t Sheut I would have choked him to death myself.))

     

    There was no doubt in his words he would have done what he said unless someone yanked him off the asshole, and he didn’t really care who heard him say it… doubtful anyone else in the building even knew what the hell they were saying anyway. He sighed, slipping back into English, his consonants a bit harsh to match his mood.

     

    [bodhan]There is no room left in the world for people like him.  We’ll never survive if we make room either.  Unfortunately someday I’ll probably have to save his life, and that pisses me off to no end.[/bodhan]

     

    He was silent for a moment.

     

    [bodhan]Thanks for backing me up in there, nice to know there’s someone that remembers me that isn’t trying to waterboard my ass to make them weapons.[/bodhan]

     

    Hair on the back of his neck began to prickle, he was being watched.  He had to get out of this rat trap of a castle, as soon as possible.  His brain was starting to take over, he wanted to ask her a multitude of questions, but he didn’t even know who the hell she was.  Glasses were pushed up to perch on his head, whatever inkling had been there before was now lost to the emotions that were starting to settle a bit. Fingers rubbed at the light freckles on his nose a bit, no longer peeling but still sensitive.

     

    [bodhan]I need to go smooth some things over. If you’re around later… [/bodhan] he pushed himself up and brushed his nicely creased pants off.  [bodhan]…dinner-ish, we could talk more?  If you wanted, not trying to be pest…[/bodhan]  hands slid into his pockets, the sometimes socially awkward brain giving up on him.  [bodhan]I’m just going to shut up now,[/bodhan] lip was chewed gently, [bodhan]anyway, thanks.[/bodhan]

     

    Smile was brief, boyish before he nodded to her and made his way back inside, the Spaniard nowhere to be found.  Eris gone.  Peering down the steps, the room was empty.  Had he been left behind?  Fingers were absently rubbing his arm, muscles sore, feeling really out of place.  What seemed like some sort of “butler” told him to follow, and led him to a room that seemed empty. 

     

    [bodhan]Gabe?[/bodhan]  voice was tentative, pretty certain the man was pissed.

     

    Where was he?  Business maybe?  And what business was that? Killing more Sheut?  Did he only kill Sheut or regular people too?  The thought was dark, depressing…  sitting on the end of the bed, lip chewed, fingers intertwined on his lap.  He couldn’t go about banging on doors now could he?  Sigh pulled in and out as he looked over the room, first hot tear sliding down the bridge of his nose whisked away.  The emotion was crushing, the wave that had rushed over him in the chambers below rolling back with full force to crash against the loneliness of the room.  The people he loved so close, yet untouchable.

     

    Sniffles had become a bit more pronounced, lowering to sit on the floor at the foot of the bed and lean against it. Shoes kicked off, tie loosened, the mirage of a finely put together scientist discarded for the sullen and confused look of a now red-eyed boy.  Heels of his hands were rubbed against the damp lashes, knees brought up to the arms that were crossed over his chest.  He closed his eyes and leaned it back against the comforter, door still open waiting until someone came to get him… if anyone remembered he was still there.

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    [bodhan] Jiābùlǐ āi lái bù zhídé de, Rúguǒ nǐ de zhǔguǎn bù Sheut wǒ huì qiāng sǐ tā zìjǐ.[/bodhan]

    ((Gabriele didn’t deserve that, If your charge wasn’t Sheut I would have choked him to death myself.))

     

    The Asian eyes were clearly amused at the defiance as she looked down to watch him put his socks and shoes back on.

     

    [npc]…oh he is not my charge. He belongs to the Minister of Europe.[/npc]

     

    [bodhan]There is no room left in the world for people like him. We’ll never survive if we make room either. Unfortunately someday I’ll probably have to save his life, and that pisses me off to no end.[/bodhan]

     

    Her chuckle was soft, nodding faintly in agreement as her hands remained neatly tucked inside the pockets of her slacks, face upturned once more to relish in the sun.

     

    [npc]… I wouldn’t worry too much about that version of the future. The European Minister is Russian… and she is not very forgiving.[/npc]

     

    [bodhan] Thanks for backing me up in there, nice to know there’s someone that remembers me that isn’t trying to waterboard my ass to make them weapons.[/bodhan]

     

    [npc]… ah well.. you will learn soon enough the Nation is not so much about weapons as it is about keeping the world's secrets…. protecting its history.[/npc]

     

    Her brow lifted faintly, looking at him as he stumbled over a dinner invite. The easy hint of a smile came again as she inclined her head slightly at his offer and thanks.

     

    As he began to walk away she returned to worshipping the sun, but had a last thought for him that she cast over her shoulder.

     

    [npc] Nín de xībānyá rén, tā bìng bù xiàng nǐ xiǎngxiàng dì nàme qiáng. Zhè shì yīgè cuìruò de xīnzàng, nǐ zài nǐ de shǒuzhōng chí yǒu, yīgè bǐ méngyǒu gèng duō de dírén. Hǎo gěi tā.[/npc]

    (( Your spaniard, he is not as strong as you think. It is a fragile heart you hold in your hands, one that has more enemies than allies. Be good to him.))

    ____________________

     

    His bottle was empty. Hand rubbed over his features as he sat forward in the chair. There had been three quarters of a bottle in his hand when he started, now the last amber drops swirled at the bottom ring of glass taunting him with his sobriety.

     

    Standing he walked to the cabinet once more, the empty bottle dropped into the small trash beside it. Flicking the door open he scowled at the contents. There was only dregs of the last couple bottles left. He so rarely came to Glamis, no one had bothered to restock it. Cabinet door was smacked a bit roughly shut as he headed for the door. He knew where the liquor was in this place well enough on his own. Long strides took him out of his room, door slamming a bit rough behind him as he headed down the hall only to pause at a door up ahead that was conspicuously open.

     

    Dark eyes blinked, then glanced back to his closed door. He should go back to his room, leave the Czech alone. The younger man didn’t want to see him anyway. Lower lip pulled through his teeth as he turned to his room but didn’t move forward. Turning back his weight shifted before he turned again to his room, a single step taken this time before a soft growl murmured in his chest.

     

    Stubborn ass probably wasn’t taking care of his injuries.

     

    Pivoting he strode with a full head of steam to the Czech's door only to find his steam run out when he made the opening. Dark eyes saw the Czech briefly before they fell to the ground, his toe suddenly very interesting. Lips parted to say something but no sound came out. Brow dipping over the lowered thick lashes. Tongue snaked out to dampen the lips once more before trying again, clearly afraid of entering the younger man's domain.

     

    [gabriele]…sorry….about…. you know… finding out like that.[/gabriele]

     

    Hand rubbed over the curls, rubbing the back of his neck before finding his voice again.

     

    [gabriele]Probably should um… take care of that arm… then go get you some food.[/gabriele]

     

    Breath was pulled in deep and held before released again, like a kid apologizing to his teacher he still had not lifted his gaze, toe pushing at the carpet just inside the door having not yet crossed that invisible line.

     

    [gabriele]…can um…help you if you don’t mind me… you know…. helping…[/gabriele]

     

    Frown crinkled and aged his expression. Damn he sounded like an idiot.

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    He had no idea what to think, knowing the world’s hierarchy at the moment was spotty at best. It was the reason he had been hiding out for so long on his own. Nobody could protect him and his work. Even if they thought they could, what was to prevent someone else from coming along and negating their claim to him.  Is that what he was now, a claim?  Did someone have dominion over him and his work?  It was odd now to imagine he had no problem with it before, he’d trusted sometimes blindly that what he was doing was for the good of everyone, of course there were always politics and corporate heads that thought they knew what was best for everyone… and then came the realization he was working on smaller projects to fuel something even larger that he still had no idea how far it reached.

     

    He’d become spoiled in the years since cracking away from the organized world, the involvement now with the Nation feeling very much like a collar around his neck that he had no key to get out of.  What would happen if he someday wanted nothing to do with it?  Would Gabe be told to kill him by his old boyfriend?  Was that why he had been kept around with the Spaniard in the first place, because they knew what they had in him when the man had found the Czech by accident in his cabin?  What if that was always the plan…

    He inhaled softly, his sniffle breaking the silence as he pondered on the woman’s words.  It had never occurred to him that Gabriele would have so many enemies.  It was evident in the room.  Why was that?  People always seemed to hate those that were lavished with special treatment.  It was clear to him that Ausar had a fondness for him, and therefore that had greased the wheels for the Czech to slide into place with relatively little trouble. The display after, was what ate away at his gut.  He was just a human, for all intents and purposes.  There were gifts he was given by the poker game of fate, and others he worked diligently to achieve, but in the end he was mortal. He bled, he would die, and ultimately the others would go on without him.  While he existed, they would benefit from his gifts, so in the end… was he ever really worth anything other than a possession?

     

    It brought the hot tears again to his lashes. Maree, was something special now- he had no idea if she would age, or could even die.  Gabriele could snatch someone out of thin air and obliterate their existence in the blink of an eye.

     

    Himself? He was just a still partially sunburned ginger that was hungry.  He would grow old, and leave the Spaniard behind with more enemies than allies, and a boss that seemed to have some sort of history with him.  A pleasant distraction perhaps was the best definition he could come up with for his freckled ass… unless he decided to become one of them.  The thought had occurred to him before, never mentioned, more often than he would like to admit.
     

    Knees lowered, feet sliding out to cross at the ankles and begin to take his coat off finally. Then there were the clothes he was often being given. He needed new things for himself and couldn’t find the means to get them without putting his life in danger.  He could cook pretty well, could get a job somewhere and just blend in with the rest of the world. Change his name, erase himself from the world and from Gabriele’s world.  It would be easier now than later.  If they let him live.

     

    Reddened eyes flicked up when the man suddenly appeared in the doorway as if he’d heard everything the Czech had been thinking.  He tossed the coat on the bed over his shoulder and continued to take off his tie, releasing his throat from the first few buttons, picking at a piece of lint on his creased pants and waiting for the scolding- backs of his hands whisking away any remaining damp evidence from his lashes.

    "…sorry….about…. you know… finding out like that…. Probably should um… take care of that arm… then go get you some food. …can um…help you if you don’t mind me… you know…. helping…"

    [bodhan]He had no right to say that to you,[/bodhan]  even he was surprised at how forceful it had come out, flash of green eyes at him flinching at his own percussive snark. They were cast back onto the carpet to calm the anger, continuing with a sharply softer serenity.  [bodhan]I didn’t come across that kind of hatred until I came to the states and spent a year with someone that was kind at first, and so full of self-hate toward the end that I let him do that me… mentally and physically.  I never, ever want you to have to be made to feel like I did for being who you are.[/bodhan]

     

    He’d completely blown over the Spaniard’s apology, surprised himself at his seemingly unconscious need to get that off his chest.  It wasn’t of course where his anger had started the whole mess down there. Leading to more enemies for Gabriele perhaps, and certainly more questions as it seemed that the normally mischievously playful Czech had demons the man never knew about.

     

    [bodhan]I got jealous, and pissed off… I’m sorry.  I didn’t realize no one knew.. or that the only one who did was your old boyfriend,[/bodhan]  he pulled in a long breath and let it out, rubbing his arm.  [bodhan]Arm’s okay, was my damn fault for being a jerk.  Oh, and I threatened to kill Cashian if he ever spoke to you again… I’ll probably have to apologize for that too, so sorry about that in advance.[/bodhan]

     

    He was quiet for a long time, thumb rubbing gently in circles on each fingertip of his right hand.  The Czech was thinking, about what the woman had said.

     

    [bodhan]Every time you leave…I know now that you’re in danger, that you’re following orders,[/bodhan]  he paused a long time, waiting for the tremble in his lower lip to calm before continuing, [bodhan]..that you may not come back to me and I’ll never know what happened to you.  I can forgive that you were going to kill me the first time we met.. because you were doing your job.[/bodhan]  The reddened eyes finally found the Spaniards, hiding under the dark brow that was watching his toes at the threshold.  [bodhan]Would you kill me if he asked you to?[/bodhan]

     

    Fingers moved to his stomach, the nausea he felt now understood as being upset and hungry all rolled into one.

     

    [bodhan]Because… I truly don’t believe you would… but, someone just tried to strike at you through me.  I am very aware of my mortality… before the world went to hell I watched people die around me that with all my power I still could not save.  I have been brought to the brink of death by people that tried to strike at others through me...  yes the water thing.[/bodhan] He confirmed what he knew the Spaniard had already caught a lick of on the plane, a bit ashamed at the childish fear of water.  Sigh was quiet, words very soft,[bodhan]I don’t want you to have to know what that feels like, I love you too much to let you go through that.  I don't know what to do.  I can't stay, but I can't go. The only option I see is to become you, then I would have a fighting chance... at least.[/bodhan]

     

    Fingers rubbed his stomach a bit, [bodhan]...but I fucking love food too much, so that's a shitty idea too.  Not going to give up my twinkies.[/bodhan]

     

    The sometimes snarky humor that had been so absent in the last few moments was there briefly, brows moving downward and allowing his glasses to slip down with a thump on his nose. Grouched sigh reached and slid them off to toss on the bed behind his shoulder with his suitcoat. he was so mentally and physically exhausted he could barely exist.

     

    [bodhan]Can we get out of this rat trap as soon as possible?   ...don't have to go home, but we can't stay here.[/bodhan]

     

    It was a phrase the club owner could appreciate.  They couldn't work this out here. Not by far.  But first, he had to get some food... something the Spaniard often innocently forgot.

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    [bodhan] He had no right to say that to you …[/bodhan]

     

    Blink was soft, the aggressive assertiveness of the fact unexpected from the Czech. The Spaniard's own apology somehow disregarded.

     

    [bodhan]…. I never, ever want you to have to be made to feel like I did for being who you are. [/bodhan]

     

    Words were soft in their reply.

     

    [gabriele]I was a Spaniard living in the slums of the drug and gun cartel who learned his preferences on a drunk night and had to kill to keep it secret…. it was the first and last time until……[/gabriele]

     

    He couldn’t bring himself to say "until you"… his only partner before the Czech had been a one night stand that had ended very…..very… badly.

     

    [gabriele]I made myself feel that way long ago.[/gabriele]

     

    [bodhan] I got jealous, and pissed off… I’m sorry. I didn’t realize no one knew.. or that the only one who did was your old boyfriend…[/bodhan]

     

    Frown puzzled over his brow, the dark eyes finally lifting from the carpet's edge.

     

    [gabriele]…Bodhan… I have never had a boyfriend until….[/gabriele]

     

    Breath was soft as the barrel chest lifted and fell once more.

     

    [gabriele]….you.[/gabriele]

     

    It was said so tentatively…. as if he was not sure he had the right to even call Bodhan that. Head shook gently as he stared at his toe pressing against the carpet once more.

     

    [gabriele]…its ok… no one there knew… but it wasn’t like I was trying to hide it so much as just…. never said as much.[/gabriele]

     

    The gaze was shy as it lifted to look at the younger man as he rubbed his injured arm.

     

    [bodhan] Oh, and I threatened to kill Cashian if he ever spoke to you again… I’ll probably have to apologize for that too, so sorry about that in advance. [/bodhan]

     

    Head shook slightly with a faint smile on his lips.

     

    [gabriele]… lot of people threaten to kill Cashian… wouldn’t worry about it.[/gabriele]

     

    The silence hung heavy as the Spaniard resumed watching the toe of his leather loafers push at the carpet's edge. He still wasn’t sure if Bodhan was leaving him.

     

    [bodhan] Every time you leave…I know now that you’re in danger, that you’re following orders………. that you may not come back to me and I’ll never know what happened to you. I can forgive that you were going to kill me the first time we met.. because you were doing your job.[/bodhan]

     

    Lower lip drug through his teeth, the frown etched on his brow.

     

    [bodhan]Would you kill me if he asked you to?[/bodhan]

     

    There was no hesitation in the shake of his head. Ausar knew as much as well. If the Spaniard ever had to kill Bodhan it would be because Bodhan had betrayed him along with everyone else. Then, the next life he would take…. would be his own.

     

    [bodhan]…. I don't know what to do. I can't stay, but I can't go. The only option I see is to become you, then I would have a fighting chance... at least. [/bodhan]

     

    Head shook, frown dark over his expression. Lips parting about to ensure he would never let that happen when Bodhan finished the thought.

     

    [bodhan]…. but I fucking love food too much, so that's a shitty idea too. Not going to give up my twinkies.[/bodhan]

     

    Faint tickle of a smile returned.

     

    [gabriele]Hey…I like food too… just don’t need it to survive anymore.[/gabriele]

     

    Dark eyes watched the younger man carefully. He was exhausted…. bone tired exhausted. He badly wanted to get the Czech to the cabin where he could relax. Gaze flicked to the window that betrayed it was barely noon yet.

     

    [bodhan]Can we get out of this rat trap as soon as possible? ...don't have to go home, but we can't stay here.[/bodhan]

     

    Eyes snapped back to the younger man, faint smile perking his lips despite the sad eyes that still did not know where he stood.

     

    [gabriele]… all I have out here is a bike to travel on. Not exactly something I can do for a few more hours unless you want to be rubbing me down with the sunburn creams.[/gabriele]

     

    Soft poke of fun at the Czech who had spent two days getting slathered in the stuff by the Spaniard in New York after his cross country escapade.

     

    [gabriele]…food first? Kitchen should be deserted right now. Not sure about twinkies but they usually have a few pretty mean cakes and pies to speak of.[/gabriele]

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    "I was a Spaniard living in the slums of the drug and gun cartel who learned his preferences on a drunk night and had to kill to keep it secret…. it was the first and last time until……  I made myself feel that way long ago."
     

    Hands drew over his face with a seethe, the hair on the back of his neck standing up… for several reasons.  He’d always known there were deep layers of repression to the man, but never this serious.  It gave him chills, an inkling that he never really knew the man at all.  He was concerned, compounded by the words he had used more than once. Drug and gun cartel were not ones he was comfortable hearing, especially since he knew the circles were small, and well known amongst each other. There were questions he wanted to ask… not really sure how to breach them.  “Do you know the people that tortured me?”  “Were you one of them?”

     

    [bodhan]Then stop it,[/bodhan]  it hit the air a little more aggressive than he’d intended.  [bodhan]There’s no reason to feel that way.[/bodhan]

     

    Expression had become sullen, looking at his hands lying on the tops of his thighs.

    "…Bodhan… I have never had a boyfriend until…."

    Light lashes blinked and looked up at the man.

    "….you."

    Full lips pursed as the Spaniard found his toes more interesting to look at than him for the time being.  Is that what it was?  Is that what Gabe thought he was?  The word seemed so understated for what he thought he was regarded as.  He felt a bit, disappointed. Cast off.

    "…its ok… no one there knew… but it wasn’t like I was trying to hide it so much as just…. never said as much."

    [bodhan]As much as it doesn’t bother me, it wasn’t my place to make that decision for you.  It was incredibly insensitive of me, I just thought… [/bodhan]  he didn’t finish, his own sigh was defeated, lower lip rolling through his teeth, waiting for the dark gaze to finally come up as he continued to rub his arm and apologize for more trouble he’d started.

    "… lot of people threaten to kill Cashian… wouldn’t worry about it."
     

    Brows furled slightly, a sinister crease to his forehead darkening his expression.  There were so many emotions rampaging through his chest he was having a hard time focusing on one to quell before moving to the next to solve.

     

    [bodhan]I’m not a lot of people,[/bodhan]  jaw ticked slightly as he lost Gabe’s eyes again in favor of the big Spaniard’s toes, catching the swift shake of his head as he asked whether he would kill him if Ausar asked.  It was somewhat comforting, but there were so many ‘what ifs’ that were still lingering in the back of his brain- a jumbled mess.

     

    First. Food.

    "Hey…I like food too… just don’t need it to survive anymore."

    Lip ticked up slightly, unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves as he betrayed he wanted to get the fuck out of there.  Knees drew up and forearms slid over them, watching the man with his toes on the threshold.  Was the Czech not allowed to come out and play?  Or was it vice-versa?

     

    "… all I have out here is a bike to travel on. Not exactly something I can do for a few more hours unless you want to be rubbing me down with the sunburn creams."

    Sigh was as soft as his pale smile, but humor appreciated.  Arm was rubbed again.  Then there was that, he wasn’t the bitch.  They were going to have to have a long conversation.  About a lot of things, the woman’s words weighing heavily on his shoulders making him apprehensive to say anything at all. Gabe was too observant, he would know something was wrong… eyes on the threshold again that he wasn’t crossing. Seemed he already did.

    "…food first? Kitchen should be deserted right now. Not sure about twinkies but they usually have a few pretty mean cakes and pies to speak of."

     

    He nodded, pushing up from the floor and turning to fold his jacket a little more carefully than the unceremonious toss over his shoulder onto the bed, glasses thumping on the floor to be picked up and set on a side table.  He was afraid to touch things, eyes travelling over the furnishings a moment to clear his vision.  Lashes still stung, chest remained a tight bundle of knots.  He didn’t even know where to start.

     

    Pie.

     

    Pie was a good start.

     

    Hands slid into his pockets as he approached and stopped at the Spaniard’s toes, [bodhan]am I allowed to come out or did the Great Oz ground me?[/bodhan]

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    The seethe was interpreted immediately, perhaps inaccurately, as further evidence he had lost everything he held dear.

     

    [bodhan]Then stop it. There's no reason to feel that way.[/bodhan]

     

    The aggression in the tone elicited an instant flinch. Swallow thick as the weight shifted a bit back on his heels away from the opening of the room. Nothing cowed the Spaniard, yet he was cowed by the very thought that he was being discarded by the only person he had ever trusted to know his "true" self.

     

    The sigh, the tick at his jaw, the furl of the young brow. All things that spoke of discontent to the Spaniard. God Bodhan must really hate him.

     

    Dark eyes haunted behind the thick lashes as his chin remained bent downward, the pucker of his own brow leaving deep lines that seemed to highlight the peppered gray at his temples. Shadowed the earthy orbs didn’t miss the unbuttoning of his cuffs or that he rolled up his sleeves. It was rare the vampire ever missed anything about the Czech.

     

    The soft sigh that escaped Bodhan's lips at his poor attempt at sunburn humor puckered the brow further. It had just come out but now he regretted it. Bodhan probably thought it was some lewd advance….. or some possessive vampire thing… or a veiled threat… or…….

     

    Swallow was heavy as he tried to stop the rampant train of thought from making him an emotional basket case. There was an flood of relief when Bodhan pushed up off the floor at the mention of the kitchen. The movement enough of a distraction to halt the spiral of self destruction.

     

    Heart skipped in his chest when the Czech approached him, waiting for….something. To be punched? Slapped? Told to fuck off? Breath held as the dark gaze didn’t lift, ready to take whatever it was the ginger was going to batter him with.

     

    [bodhan]…am I allowed to come out or did the Great Oz ground me?[/bodhan]

     

    [gabriele]Huh?...No!...[/gabriele]

     

    Blink was sharp as chin lifted and he finally looked deep into the green orbs. It had taken him a moment to get what the Czech had meant but once he did the shake of his head was adamant that was not the case. Instead the eyes dropped again, a step back taken immediately to free up the space outside the door for the younger man, the added words incredibly soft.

     

    [gabriele]..I …um…. I just thought you wouldn’t… you know…….[/gabriele]

     

    Hand rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly like a teen explaining why he had a condom in his wallet to his date.

     

    [gabriele]….that you wouldn’t want me to enter.[/gabriele]

     

    The pucker of his brow as he stared at the floor betrayed the brutal honesty of how sure he was the Czech would not forgive what had happened, what had been learned down in the cellar. The Spanish heart was breaking behind the dark eyes that tended to hold no expression at all except for the ginger.

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    The flinch made him angry, the minor retreat away made him angry.  What the fuck was wrong with him?  Who had threatened him?  Who had schooled Gabe after he’d left? He’d tear this whole fucking place apart if someone had bitch slapped the Spaniard for trying to protect him.  Ginger temper burned, ready to break free from his fancy but stifling room and rip the whole damn world down… most likely grounded for his threat to Cashian, green waiting for Gabe to snap out of whatever funk the man had been pushed into and tell him he could leave his prison.

    "Huh?...No!..."

    Okay, so he wasn’t grounded.  Why in the hell then wasn’t he coming in, or near the Czech?  It was mere moments before he lost the eyes again in favor of the floor.  What the fuck?

    "..I …um…. I just thought you wouldn’t… you know……. that you wouldn’t want me to enter."
     

    [bodhan]What?  Why?[/bodhan]

     

    The string of brilliant curses in another language were stifled. It was how he knew he was at the end of a physical reaction to anger.  The cork in his brain ceased to build up the pressure, and swearing like a sailor began to release the frustration.  Except this time, it didn’t- words flittering away like butterflies as the wind was pulled from his sails.  Brows furled downward, sigh was long as he too scratched the back of his neck.  Trying to explain to Gabe what had just happened was near impossible.  That he felt helpless, and trapped like a rat, and viciously angry at those that hated Gabe, and now guilty that the only thing he seemed concerned about was whether or not the Czech wanted him to come in. Gabe thought he was angry at him. For what?

     

    Ohhhhh…

     

    [bodhan]C’mon,[/bodhan]  he snatched his still coated arm and dragged him from the doorway as he went in search of food, stopping with a sigh, moving back in the other direction to pull him in and close the door for as much privacy as a building full of bat ears would get them.  He wouldn’t put it past anyone to have bugged the place.  Pushing the Spaniard down on the end of the bed, he brushed his coat and glasses to the side so he wouldn’t sit on them and sat next to Gabe, one knee slid up on the bed allowing the Czech to face him as he grabbed the same hand that was so vicious merely a short time before.   Fingers played with it, thinking of the right words to say, his fingertips intimately familiar with every scar and line on the Spaniard’s skin.
     

    [bodhan]I’m still mad at Maree for giving me a wet willie in front of my friends when I was six.[/bodhan]  Lips pursed as his kissed Gabe’s knuckles and relinquished it back to him, elbow on his knee to fold his own fingers together.  [bodhan]I wish I could say that the temper is just a stereotype, but it isn’t,[/bodhan]  the half smile was sincere.  [bodhan]I understand there are things that cannot be shared, I spent a career telling Maree the world was a safer place because I was working within it, knowing damn well that was only half the truth.[/bodhan]

     

    He looked at his own hands for a while, taking a slow breath.

     

    [bodhan]You need to understand that situations are very different than feelings.  There is nothing that you could ever say to me that would make me change the way I feel about you.  For every evil you think you’ve done, I can match it.  I may not have pulled a trigger, but my work has still been used to do terrible things,[/bodhan]  the light jade watched him for a long moment.  [bodhan]It doesn’t matter how much Maree and I love each other, you’ve said yourself it’s too dangerous for us to be together.  It doesn’t change who we are to each other.  I’m angry because the world keeps putting things in our way that pushes our chess board closer to the checkmate where my sister and I stand.  Things I can’t control, and it’s infuriating and humbling knowing I have the ability to align the planets to my favor, but so little power to cut a path for us to do what we want.[/bodhan]  The curtains were found unusually interesting for a moment, trying not to bring the sting of moisture that brought pain with it.  [bodhan]I don’t know if I can watch you leave next time knowing that you might not come back.  I finally have everyone I want safely within reach.   I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t,[/bodhan]  last words were choked slightly by a lump, eyes avoiding him and spying a small  sprig of grass still on his pants to pick off.  [bodhan]come back.[/bodhan]

     

    He cleared his throat.  The next… a bit more delicate of a subject, but as long as everything was on the table.  A small sigh escaped his chest, it would have to wait.  He stood, shimmying between the man’s knees and putting both hands on the tops of his thighs to lean in and place a soft kiss on the his lips.

     

    [bodhan]I do know if I don’t get something to eat I’m going to starting eating you instead… but you need to lead the way so I don’t end up somewhere I’m not supposed to be and get into more trouble.[/bodhan] Gabe's lower lip was nipped as he stood and opened the door again, waiting expectantly for the Spaniard to lead the way to sneak down to kitchen and pilfer whatever unsuspecting food he could find.

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    [bodhan]What? Why?[/bodhan]

     

    Lips parted but didn’t say anything, closing again as the eyes watched his toes again, brow puckering tight. He didn’t want to say out loud his fears. If he told the air between them that he feared Bodhan hated him now that he knew what the Spaniard really did, it would be a truth that could not be taken back.

     

    As the Czech didn’t speak, the weight kept building on his chest, finding it hard to breath. This trip might have made Bodhan safe within the Nation, but it had torn apart something fragile that the Spaniard had never permitted himself in his life to think he was allowed to have.

     

    [bodhan]C'mon[/bodhan][gabriele]..huh?[/gabriele]

     

    Blink was pronounced as he almost tripped at the tug on his arm that reversed itself and drug him back into the room instead. Like a dog being told to sit and stay, he obediently sat on the end of the bed where the Czech pushed him, watching the younger man perch on a seat beside him. Jaw ached with as tight as the teeth clenched, waiting, a faint flinch of surprise when his hand was taken and gently explored.

     

    [bodhan] I’m still mad at Maree for giving me a wet willie in front of my friends when I was six.[/bodhan]

     

    Blink was soft and a bit confused, watching his knuckles be kissed before the warm touch of the Czech suddenly let go again. The Spaniard sat in silence, listening to every word, watching the jade eyes that insisted he not look down and shy away.

     

    [bodhan] I don’t know if I can watch you leave next time knowing that you might not come back. I finally have everyone I want safely within reach. I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t……come back.[/bodhan]

     

    The words that escaped his lips were incredibly soft and incredibly powerful, he meant them with every fiber of his being.

     

    [gabriele]…I will burn down hell to come back to you.[/gabriele]

     

    Breath caught as the younger man shimmied between his knees and softly kissed his lips. The Spaniard hesitated before leaning forward a bit too late, the Czech already pulling away.

     

    [bodhan] I do know if I don’t get something to eat I’m going to start eating you instead… but you need to lead the way so I don’t end up somewhere I’m not supposed to be and get into more trouble.[/bodhan]

     

    He wasn’t aware how the breath had been frozen in his chest until the nip pulled at his lower lip. Dark eyes were for once incredibly expressive, the abandoned puppy looking up in moist relief as he was retrieved again.

     

    Bodhan was standing to go to the door.

     

    Too soon…... don’t leave.

     

    The reaction was instant, passionate desperation in the powerful arms that reached out and snatched the younger man to draw him to his chest. Face buried in the side of the Czech's neck as the bear hug tightened a bit. The Spaniard was a man of few words, but there were moments when his actions spoke where his words couldn’t. Biceps fought themselves as they squeezed tighter and held back so as not to crush him at the same time, causing a tremor through the thick muscles as the breath stuttered several times against Bodhan, betraying just how deep the belief had gone that he had lost him. If there was any doubt that the younger man was more than a "boyfriend"… it was made very clear in the desperation of the clutch as the Spaniard tried to find words and couldn’t so instead the grip tightened a bit more until he was very aware he was making it hard for Bodhan to catch a breath.

     

    The grip finally released, though the hands remained tucked behind Bodhan's shoulders as his forehead pressed to the Czech's. Lower lip pulled gently between his teeth as the final breath pulled in a chaotic stutter in his chest.

     

    Nod was faint before he licked over his lips.

     

    [gabriele]…food…[/gabriele]

     

    The word husked from his lips as he stood, right hand sliding down the younger man's arm until it reached his fingers, intertwining with them as he stood from the bed and headed out of the room. It was a small gesture that others might not catch, but as he wandered down the hall with the younger man's hand firmly in his own, he was boldly stating what he was and not caring who knew.

     

    The old castle was quiet, their path only crossing a few others, eyebrows lifting at the Spaniard and the Czech but not a word spoken to interrupt them as they headed to the old massive kitchen where once the servants had cooked. Now the stone walls were a beautiful background for the modern amenities, light flooding through the long skinny windows that he was a bit cautious to avoid.

     

    Left hand opened the industrial fridge and began to pull out things to place on the large butcher block island, his right fingers still claiming the Czech's until he had to turn and grab something and realized he was still holding the younger man's hand. Dark eyes fell to their fingers before sheepishly looking up to the green orbs, there was a faint flush that could be seen even through his mild sunburn from earlier. Smile was almost shy as he finally released Bodhan's hand and went back to getting food laid out.

     

    By the time he was done, there were three types of pies laid out, four types of fresh bread was arranged on a plate with a plate of cheese and cold cuts beside it, large bowl of fruit pulled closer. Voice had to clear before the first words finally found life again.

     

    [gabriele]I can make you eggs or pancakes too if you want.[/gabriele]

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    "…I will burn down hell to come back to you."

    Pale lashes narrowed slightly, he believed him, breaking the seriousness of the conversation with the surly wit that was always hiding just under the surface to either bite at an offense or lick at humor.
     

    [bodhan]You look sexy with some color,[/bodhan] the quip was quick and under his breath as he retreated to the door to find his precious food, but captured by a power that he was acutely aware was an earthly force to be reckoned with.  His embrace was soft where the Spaniard’s seemed, desperate… a calm response to draw down the man’s fear back to the reality that there was nothing to be desperate about.  The Czech could be viciously possessive, but in the end the depth of fondness was what fueled the anger to a boiling level.  He recognized it for what it truly was, the desperation of not wanting to lose Gabriele to powers he couldn't control.  The Spaniard seemed to know just the limits of his strength, but it was still a bit hard to breathe.  [bodhan]Gabe… I do have to breathe…[/bodhan] he wheezed.

    "…food…"

    He nodded into the older man’s forehead.  There wasn’t another thought given to whether or not their fingers were intertwined.  He didn’t have the same doubts, and with that he wished he could somehow make the man more at ease with it.  New territory was always hard, as illustrated by the conversation they were going to have to have soon.  He didn’t quite know how to approach that one and still keep the man’s fragile comfort intact. Alcohol.  Lots and lots of alcohol.  Eyes were wandering, soaking in the deceiving beauty of the place.  Calm, somewhat.  He knew what lay beneath now, and the hairtrigger danger that could come from complete silence. It kept him on edge, but as a human in a world full of crazy, it was something he had become used to.

     

    Kitchen.

     

    Fridge.

     

    Hello.

     

    He refused to let go of the man’s hand before the tips of his fingers were kissed and he started rifling through the thing as the Spaniard was working.  By the time he was done with a random armful of things, he turned to see an island full of exquisitely arranged food.  Lips pressed together a moment, the glance to Gabe a bit sheepish- putting everything back.  Gabriele was the suave one, the Czech was the one who was discovered eating peanut butter from the jar as a meal… with vodka, and bacon.  He grazed a moment on decently healthy things, trying to have some sort of couth, if he ate too fast he was going to get a stomach ache- spying a pie he had not tasted in over a decade.

    "I can make you eggs or pancakes too if you want."

     

    He chuckled, hopping up to sit on the countertop with his prize.  His stomach was going topay for it later, but when was the last time he’d had pie?  Especially this pie?  Before the Nevus, he could already taste it... Foot swung lazily back and forth, the other tucked under his thigh as he singlehandedly began to polish off the strawberry rhubarb pie.

     

    [bodhan]We should get married, like today.  You got a priest hiding somewhere in this fort?[/bodhan]

     

    Green eyes were absolutely serious, stuffing a spoonful of pie into his mouth to join the other in the chipmunk cheek he was actively chewing.

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    [bodhan]You look sexy with some color.[/bodhan]

     

    Blink was soft and a bit confused before looking down at his hands and realizing the one that had been exposed to the sun was a few shades darker than the other, he assumed his face was similar. Smile timid and a bit lopsided at the humor. Oddly enough, the warmer color was a mimic of the tone he had been bathed in when he had still been human.

     

    The Czech's movement away triggered the hug that squeezed tight. It held a desperate edge but also a warmth that only he could exude for the ginger. In the iron clutch was the need to ensure he was really there, and really not abandoning the Spaniard who even after almost a year that they had been together, still was learning what that meant…. to be together.

     

    The kitchen was a flurry of movement from both of them. By the time he set the plate of coldcuts out he caught the green eyes and armload of random food items. Dark eyes slid over the precariously held stash, half of which didn’t even go together. A brow lifted high just as he got a sheepish look from the Czech that melted his own expression into a soft smile. Bodhan was always like that, even at home. While Gabriele was pulling out the glasses, the Czech was already drinking from the juice carton, as the Spaniard pulled the drawer to get the knife, the ginger had his finger in the peanut butter. It was funny. The Spaniard had grown up with his hands covered in filth, scooping food with his fingers out of a jar, but grew into a man that had the etiquette of an aristocrat at times. Bodhan likely grew up in a household that focused on good manners and etiquette with his sister but had become a mountain main eating out of a jar.

     

    The chuckle was very soft in his chest as the younger man put his odd stash away again before beginning to skim off the spread that Gabriele had set out. As he offered eggs or pancakes he watched the younger man hop onto the counter and go after what he had suspected he would grab first, he was impressed he had gone with a few healthy items before reaching for the pie, the soft chuckle again murmuring in the barrel chest. As the Czech's foot swung lazily off the counter, the vampire snuck in with an unnatural speed and stole a bite off the fork that was lifting to the younger man's lips. Smirking as he pulled away, tongue snaking to capture the crimson sauce from the corner of his mouth.

     

    [bodhan]We should get married, like today. You got a priest hiding somewhere in this fort?[/bodhan]

     

    The smirk melted into a faintly dumbfounded blink. He would have made a wisecrack back if not for the green eyes locking on his own with a focused sincerity that contradicted the chipmunk cheeks that were scrambling to capture the next bite before the Spaniard stole it again.

     

    Swallow was thick as he glanced down to the food on the big island, stepping forward till the front of his hips rested against the butcher block, the side nestled against the younger man's swinging thigh as he made a sandwich for the Czech. He had not yet had a chance to give the ring that Maree had given him to the Czech, so he couldn’t know of it, or of the piece he had resized in New York. It had been such a silly thing. So sure he would never give it to the younger man, yet he had done it anyway.

     

    Tongue snaked out to capture any last remnant of the strawberry rhubarb as his knife slid into a still warm loaf of bread, creating perfect slices as he nodded slowly….seriously. Reaching for the coldcuts he nodded a second time as he found his voice.

     

    [gabriele]…there usually is a couple here. There are a fair number of priests in the Nation.[/gabriele]

     

    Dark eyes slid to the side to look at the ginger lay waste to the pie, the glaze of amber in the deep brown glinting of his own sincerity.

     

    [gabriele]…if…[/gabriele]

     

    He tripped over the very air of his breath, needing to take another to find his confidence once more.

     

    [gabriele]..if it's really something you want…. I can….make arrangements.[/gabriele]

     

    The gaze held firm before finally dropping shyly to the sandwich. Cheese was layered over the cold cuts as the thick swallow moved the apple down his throat and up again. The flush on his features was deepening to a downright virgin blush.

     

    [gabriele]…I…um….might even have a ring that could be….[/gabriele]

     

    Words trailed off, shy eyes falling again to the sandwich, cutting it in diagonal quarters as the deep amber flicked shyly to him then down again before reaching over and grabbing the nearly empty pie tray out of Bodhan's hands before the Czech heaved up the sweet, replacing the quarter sandwich into the younger man's hands as the eyes flicked to him and down again, nerves hiding behind the thick lashes as he set the pie tin to the side.

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    [bodhan]…bachelor habit, sorry,[/bodhan] he said under his breath as he returned the things to the fridge. [bodhan]Got quite a few years of grab and go survival instinct to get over.[/bodhan] …as well as the ability to eat an entire meal in less than five minutes.  He was the kind that fell asleep while working and still leaning on this knuckles, sandwich in his hand and a half chewed mouthful of food. 

     

    Fork was swatted after the thief, a furled brow warning him not to do it again.  His words were random, bubbling up with intent that screamed of something deeper. He simply didn’t want to risk him thinking anything bad of the Czech again… he rarely wore anything on his sleeve, romance something he was not intimately acquainted with.   He did, however, know exactly what he wanted… and he wanted Gabe not to doubt him, or leave him.  Ever.  He was not expecting the reaction he got; the man’s smile disappearing and his attention going back to the sandwich he was making.  Had he said something wrong?  Were vampires not supposed to get married or something?  Hell…  was Gabriele forbidden by his less than secret admirer and his witchy sidekick?  The silence was so foreboding he almost took it back, the Spaniard’s eerie silence making him definitely think he’d crossed some sort of illicit line.

    "…there usually is a couple here. There are a fair number of priests in the Nation."

    The look back at the dark eyes that finally found him again was suspicious, and cautious, waiting for a shoe to drop.

    "..if it's really something you want…. I can….make arrangements."

    Jaw moved slower, did he not want this?  Arrangements, the thought curdled his blood.  What arrangements were there to be made?  A fucking caterer?  Did they have to send out invitations and decide on colors… sigh was soft, swallowing his bite and going back to his pie with a distinct stab.

     

    [bodhan]..I… didn’t mean it to be so complicated.. I just thought… you might want to…. nevermind.[/bodhan]

     

    Lips pursed as he continued the decimation of the sugar laden concoction.  He knew he would pay for it later, but right now he didn’t care in the slightest, the poor crust taking another annoyed stab.

    "…I…um….might even have a ring that could be…."

    Oh good lord... he was searching for a way to placate overly eager Czech.  Face puckered at the pie, brows down, sullen as the tin was replaced with a sandwich.  Had he just been rejected?  He shrugged slightly, really not hungry anymore, trying extremely hard to hide the cold chill prickling across his skin.  Eyes focused on the sandwich, empty hand scratching at the recently erupted freckles on his other forearm.  He’d put it out there, and Gabe was less than thrilled and scrambling to figure out a way to accommodate the less than proper Czech.  He cleared his throat quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.

     

    [bodhan]No biggie.  I get it.  It’s okay… I know you have an image at the club you want to maintain.  It’s fine, I can't wear one when I work anyway...[/bodhan]

     

    Green blinked and flicked to the fridge before his crushed ego bled into his expression, sliding off the counter and crossing the distance to it.  Christ, he’d just said the word that should never be uttered in a relationship.  No, it wasn’t fine.  No, he didn’t get it.  What was the deal?  He was good enough to fuck but not enough to marry?  Apparently the man had more of a hang-up being with him than he’d thought.   Sandwich was stuffed between his teeth to rummage through the fridge for something with more of a kick than the orange juice he was tempted to finish off from the carton.  Cool air from the box licked against his cheeks that were hot with anger and confusion.  Milk was pilfered instead, eyes scanning the cupboards to decide where glasses were likely to be hidden.

     

    He was at least trying now to behave.

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    A chuckle tried to hide in a growl at the swat at stealing the piece of pie, dark eyes enjoying the furled brow of warning he was tossed. It had been a long time since they had felt this comfortable together to the Spaniard.

     

    Then the words that stripped away the comfort. Did Bodhan know how very serious he was about such a thing?

     

    [bodhan] ..I… didn’t mean it to be so complicated.. I just thought… you might want to…. nevermind.[/bodhan][gabriele] …I…um….might even have a ring that could be….[/gabriele][bodhan]No biggie. I get it. It’s okay… I know you have an image at the club you want to maintain. It’s fine, I can't wear one when I work anyway...[/bodhan]

     

    He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t tell if he was being teased, rejected….if Bodhan was mad at him. The expression on the younger face seemed upset as he slid off the counter. It was wrong, all wrong…. all skewed. It happened so often with them and the Spaniard was keenly aware it was his fault. He was so bad at this, so horribly, grotesquely bad at this. He had grown up in a world where he was not permitted emotions, now he had so many and didn’t know what to do with them so they came out all dead and lifeless despite their screaming inside. He was forever misreading the cues from the younger man and forever giving missed cues of his own. Two books in different languages whose pages tried to mesh and were always stumbling over the numbers.

     

    Enough.

     

    ENOUGH.

     

    As the younger man looked "intently" for something in the cupboards he came up behind, thick arms wrapping around his shoulders and arms to hold him in place and pull him into the wide chest as head lowered to lay his cheek on the side of his head.

     

    [gabriele]…stop…..please….stop…I...[/gabriele]

     

    Cheek rubbed softly against the ginger curls, scruff of his jawline tickling against the pale ear as the arms became less like iron and more gently embracing, breath unconsciously falling in sync with the Czech's as he sought words. Thick lashes closed as the unity drummed at his core, the very heart of the younger man thrumming a beat that let the whole world fall away.

     

    [gabriele]I am still so bad at all this….[/gabriele]

     

    There was barely sound with the whisper, yet it was all there was in the world at the moment. Lower lip pulled through his upper teeth before forcing himself forward.

     

    [gabriele]…..you said it so suddenly…..and over pie…..I… I wasn't entirely sure if you were not joking… or just saying it because you know it's what I want so badly to hear.[/gabriele]

     

    Muscles tightened instinctually to press the spine further against his chest but again the iron strength was pulled back, tempered to gentle affection.

     

    [gabriele]Sometimes I can tell so easily what is going on in your head….but more often…. I have no idea…. I don’t know if…..if I am doing things wrong….or saying things wrong….[/gabriele]

     

    Head pressed lightly against the side of the Czech's, in a way fearful he might turn around causing the Spaniard to lose his nerve. Squeeze was gentle as he breathed deep, forever searching for the right words. Left hand slid down the outside of the younger man's arm until his fingers intertwined with the pale ones.

     

    [gabriele]…I had wanted to ask you….. for a while now. Even got my………I just…never could work up the…… I just..[/gabriele]

     

    Frustrated grunt growled a bit in his chest before he sighed through his awkwardness.

     

    [gabriele]…I didn’t know if you wanted it… or if asking you might….. drive you away…[/gabriele]

     

    Cheek slid from the curls to press his forehead instead on the back of the younger man's skull. He knew the Czech's past, he knew he hated feeling "owned", and those green eyes so often seemed to accuse him of trying to do just that.

     

    [gabriele]… you always hate taking things from me…clothes… food… even money when you are working…. and all I want is for it to all be yours as much as mine.[/gabriele]

     

    The breath stuttered in his chest, tremoring against the younger man's back as he refused to let himself not finish this time.. he always bit his tongue, fearful of saying the wrong thing. If this was all the wrong things, he wanted to say them all and be done with it. If he was going to be shoved away, let him have left nothing unsaid. Words were barely audible as the vibrato betrayed the depth of emotion.

     

    [gabriele]You always cringe when there is talk about giving you anything… I thought if I said I wanted to…to…….. .that you would be mad, or see it as me trying to own you……..when the truth is Bodhan….. you already own me…..have for a long time.[/gabriele]

     

    The fingers still captured in his left hand were lifted, their interlaced fingers held over the younger man's heart as the words husked gently against the back of the Czech's neck.

     

    [gabriele]…I want to marry you Bodhan Marin… I want you to know without a doubt I belong to you.[/gabriele]

     

    There was a hitch in his voice that never had breached his words before. Swallow was thick as his forehead rocked gently left and right on the back of the ginger curls.

     

    [gabriele]But if you will forever doubt, or always second guess that it is me wanting to manipulate you…. then I rather never ask it… if you can only feel freedom or caged with me….then I rather not ask and leave you your freedom.[/gabriele]

     

    Amber was wet in the dark orbs, he didn't care... he wasn't holding back... not now....

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    Chocolate milk would have been amazing, but the regular would have to do, tight clutch in his chest still bothered by Gabe’s seeming brush off.  He didn’t get him sometimes.  Every time he thought he knew him, the familiarity was snatched back- leaving him doubting everything. He would not live with doubt.  There were times he felt so comfortable, and others that reminded him of the darker times of his life and relationships he never wanted, and would never live again.  He’d put up with a lot of bullshit to get to the point where he was, mostly with people taking advantage of how comfortable he was with his identity.  It attracted the uncomfortable, the experimenting, and usually left him with bruises after his significant other decided they would rather deny who they were and live a lie than face the truth.  Unfortunately, that made him a punching bag more often than not, guilt making men terrible things.

     

    It left his thoughts ripe for doubt, and at this moment… it crept back into the back of his mind.  What if he’d been wrong?

     

    …and then he was squished.

    "…stop…..please….stop…I..."

    Stop….?  Fingers gingerly put the milk back.  Was he not supposed to go back into the fridge? Was he upset the Czech wasn’t perusing all the fanciness and preferred to dig out of the fridge like a teenager?  Concerned when Gabe didn’t pull away, consciously going a bit stiff, it triggering warning bells in head that he’d rather not have to explain.

    "I am still so bad at all this…."

    Breath slowed a bit, afraid to move and potentially unleash something he really didn’t want to deal with.  It was a stupid fear, but a rational one, especially with his relationship luck

     

    "…..you said it so suddenly…..and over pie…..I… I wasn't entirely sure if you were not joking… or just saying it because you know it's what I want so badly to hear."

    Wait, what?  Curiosity was cautious, this was the point where so many of his relationships had gone terribly wrong.  ‘I love you so much you’re making me do this’ or some such bullshit.  It felt a bit like being in the crosshairs of a lion, if he moved, it would chase… reaching up finally to pull the sandwich from his teeth.

     
    "Sometimes I can tell so easily what is going on in your head….but more often…. I have no idea…. I don’t know if…..if I am doing things wrong….or saying things wrong…."

    His expression puckered.  He often forgot, the words stinging a bit hard.  He’d heard the complaint before.  Friends had been such a rare thing, Maree was always there.  They knew what each other was thinking before they thought it, anticipated needs, knew when the other was angry, or lost…or hurt.  He took it for granted that others did not have the same spider sense, which led to his lack of sharing to let others truly know what was going on in his head. Muscles finally relaxed, fairly certain he was not being rejected, or blamed for making someone do something they never wanted to… or some such bullshit, the pale squeeze back of his fingers at least indicating he was listening.

    "…I had wanted to ask you….. for a while now. Even got my………I just…never could work up the…… I just..  I didn’t know if you wanted it… or if asking you might….. drive you away…  you always hate taking things from me…clothes… food… even money when you are working…. and all I want is for it to all be yours as much as mine."

    Again, he didn’t want to move, or say anything…  afraid in the blink of an eye the entire confession would go sideways.  Lower lip had begun to gnaw furiously on itself.

    "You always cringe when there is talk about giving you anything… I thought if I said I wanted to…to…….. .that you would be mad, or see it as me trying to own you……..when the truth is Bodhan….. you already own me…..have for a long time."

    Talk of marriage returned, the doubts in his brain still poking at him to be incredibly cautious.  He hated doubts, refused to live with them.  Odds weren’t in his favor.  He had been confident enough to take a shot in the dark with his proposal, but Gabe’s reaction had triggered the fight or flight fear and he was having a hell of a time reeling it back in.

    "But if you will forever doubt, or always second guess that it is me wanting to manipulate you…. then I rather never ask it… if you can only feel freedom or caged with me….then I rather not ask and leave you your freedom."

     

    He carefully extracted himself, turning to face Gabe with the look of concern that had been building.  Silent, this entire time, there were things the Spaniard needed to hear.  Had he really never said anything about his doubts?  No, of course not.  The Czech lived in the moment.  If things were not relevant they were cast aside.  They were relevant now, and he felt like an idiot for never bringing them up, allowing the man to seemingly wallow in confusion.  Pulling himself up on the island, he sat at eye level with the taller man, hands folded between his knees.  This was either going to crush, or fix everything.

     

    [bodhan]I cringe, because I’ve been there before.  I almost wish I was in your shoes, working through this for the first time, but unfortunately there were many before you,[/bodhan] eyes closed a moment, long sigh pulled in and out.  [bodhan]I tended to attract the fairly new to this kind of relationship.  I think… they were drawn to my lack of concern about what anybody thought.  I just didn’t grow up with the same kind of inhibitions everyone else seemed to.  I had a sister and parents that loved me no matter what, and I forget sometimes how rare that is.[/bodhan]

     

    Lower lip rolled again through his teeth, eyes falling to look at his knuckles as he rubbed them.

     

    [bodhan]People took advantage of that, of my… [/bodhan] he went through a few Czech words as he scratched the back of his neck, trying to find the right one.  [bodhan]Quirkiness… the ease that I moved through the world and didn’t give a care to anything else but my work and my family.  Trying to get my attention away from my work turned to buying me things, buying me things turned to thoughts that I owed them something, or I was owned.  That always led to regret, that I had manipulated somehow… turned them “gay” as fucking stupid as that sounds.[/bodhan]

     

    He scratched at a nick in his lower lip, tapping his left front tooth with a fingernail, it was a great match but the sound betrayed porcelain and not enamel.  Silence was long, almost ashamed to even admit it out loud. 

     

    [bodhan]Wasn’t the first time the break-up ended in a fist fight after I refused to be beat on by someone that couldn’t come to terms with their decisions,[/bodhan] another breath was pulled in, the sheepish expression under his brows studying the overly shined eyes of the Spaniard.[bodhan]It’s kneejerk to back off… I’m sorry, and well… when you grow up with a nose in books and a twin that knows everything you’re thinking without saying a word… well, you kind of forget others can’t read your mind.[/bodhan]

     

    He finally picked up the sandwich he’d set aside and started to finish it, he really was pretty hungry.  The trek across the country was still in his bones, days of working around the clock on something always took a lot out of him too… often forgetting to eat anything except vodka.  Jaw was slow as he chewed.

     

    [bodhan]I can’t lie either, it has been in the back of my mind that this was a plan all along. To be here, that you finding me at my cabin wasn’t an accident.  I knew I was being watched, just not by who.  If not you, then who else?  Never been able to answer that question, so I always assumed it was you or them,[/bodhan] he nodded toward the door.  Eyes had cast back on the rest of the pie the Spaniard had stolen, choosing instead to be a good boy and pick up the second half of the sandwich.  [bodhan]My gut doesn’t tell me though you would do something like that, and it’s never lied to me.  Plus you’re still alive… and if Maree doubted you either you wouldn’t be.[/bodhan]

     

    Lips quirked, but there was a lick of seriousness in his expression that was ominous.  Before, she would have found a way to hurt him… now altered?  There wasn’t a doubt.

     

    [bodhan]I don’t live my life with doubts.  Us humans, we’re not here for very long to fuck around with doubts.  If I say it, I mean it,[/bodhan] he finished his sandwich, reaching to pick up the tin again to finish his pie.

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