: Saintsmourn - Nicholas & Patrick :

[dangernerd]

Nicholas Kirkland (Nicky to those who he considered friends) was at this moment finishing up the last of his reading for his college classes. In the little dorm-room that himself and Patrick shared, it was a muddle of books and random objects that they'd collected. Not only that but also bits and bobs of their friendship tied into neat little nostalgic notes.

The last rays of the sun was streaming in through the window and he was poised, feet crossed on desk and balancing barely on the back two legs-- precarious yes, and honestly he knew that he should not really be doing this. Coordination be damned, he'd never worried about it before despite the bumps and bruises he regularly got because he was perennially distracted.

It was almost time for Patrick to come home from his late evening classes and then they'd start their foraging for dinner.

After that, well the evening was still young and there was trouble to be had. All of which he looked forward to, after all Patrick had for as long as he remembered, been his favorite partner in crime.. they had grown up together and they had a special bond.

As close as brothers, except not quite-- and honestly? Nicholas was glad for that.

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[giveeverything]

Trick was starting to remember how to breathe, but it was a work in progress, and he was left panting softly, breath mingled with Nicky's as he couldn't bring himself to draw back from those lips. Still, there was no stopping the (frankly quite smug) little smile at Nicky's assessment.

"Yeah, wow is right."

They were a sticky, sweaty mess, but Patrick did not want to move even an inch away from the other man just yet. This was better than any dream he'd had, clearer and sharper and warmer in every detail. He nuzzled his nose against Nicky's.

"You're good, yeah? Nothing hurts?"

[dangernerd]

"Nope..." Nicholas purred as he wrapped his arm around that shoulder and then brought Trick down to cuddle, smearing come all over their bellies and chest, but it was just as worth it. He wanted to feel the weight of Trick against him, and that weight eased some of the anxiety of having something foreign running through his blood stream. He was still the same, mind-wise-- but there was something not the same too.

It was in how he felt.

There was a disconnect, even as he pushed Trick onto a side so he could roll with him, wedging his leg between those thighs while he buried his face in the other man's neck. "I still feel weird though, I.. I can't describe it." he said as he wiggled his own toes them. "It is like I am sharing my body with.. something."

[giveeverything]

Oh god they were going to be so sticky, but Trick didn't care either. Those arms around him were all he needed, and he was all too happy to settle close, and to let himself be pushed and nudged and positioned right where Nicky wanted him, so long as where he wanted him was right by his side.

He let his fingers run through Nicky's hair, soft and repeated.

"You are, baby. But we're gonna get it out of you..." he murmured, ducking his head to press a kiss through his hair. He didn't know how yet, but he'd figure that out. For now at least they seemed to have staved off the worst of that terrifying feverish state that he'd been in.

[dangernerd]

And now Nicky remembered vividly how much he liked it when Trick called him 'baby' so much that he nearly glowed with it; an open mouthed kiss against neck even as he could feel kiss against his own locks of red; how curious that he could feel it, those lips-- his awareness of Trick amplifying.

"Thank you.. for this." And then looking up until their eyes could meet, and Nicky felt strangely shy. "I hope that I did not inconvenience you, I apology for being so pushy and needy and ah.. it will probably happen again." It was a warning that if Trick wanted to go running away if it got too rough..

Or hard...

[giveeverything]

If calling Nicky 'baby' earned him reactions like that, Trick was sure to keep doing it. It felt natural, like pieces of the puzzle that was his life slotting right into place. So much of his life was a mess, with Liam and with his own far too intimate knowledge of the supernatural, but being with Nicholas had always made him feel like somehow everything was going to be okay, that he was where he belonged.

He looked down, falling right into those beautiful eyes. "Inconvenience me? Christ, Nicky. You know I am so fucking in love with you it makes me stupid, right? I mean yeah, okay, the whole possession thing isn't ideal, but I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you need, okay? Until we get this sorted out."

Lips pressed to Nicky's forehead. "And then once we do, we're starting over. I'm taking you out to dinner, we're gonna hold hands and make out on the couch, and make love without any unwanted company." A pause and it was Trick's turn to go a bit shy. "I mean, if you want to."

[dangernerd]

This was perhaps the perfect time to talk while they were half dizzy with the force of their own spending, with endomorphins waltzing through their bloodstream with an expectant and almost giddy haze-- and then Trick looking down at him like that, and he felt like the most protected and cherished person in the world. It was true that a Kirkland of the male variety was not the most self-confident; it appeared that genetically the line was highly matriarchal in nature.

But gods, he felt gorgeous right now, like he was something to look at-- to cherish and hold.

"You mean more stupid, right?" Nicholas teased though it was said with that level of charm, even as his eyes softened and his own voice came to a near whisper, at the thought of plans. Of doing all of this properly, the dating and the lead-in to.. well all of this. "I would like that, all of it." and then an even more soft assertion, "..With you."

With Trick, no one else-- just Trick.

[giveeverything]

No yeah, no better time. But that was the problem with Patrick Leary. He had a grand total of zero chill in his entire body; apparently Liam had gotten all the subtlety that was allotted to the family. Once Trick's mind was set on something, there was no stopping him. It had gotten him into trouble, but then it had also gotten him out of it. So now that he'd finally wrapped his mind around the fact that Nicky wanted him too, that was all there was to it.

"Hey! Wow. And here I am thinking how beautiful your dumb face is..." For all the fussing, Trick was smiling at him, at the way that Nicky was looking at him with that soft expression.

He leaned close to catch Nicky's lips with his own, a soft, sweet kiss, less heated and frantic than earlier. "Good. Me too."

[dangernerd]

It was one of the things that Nicholas loved about him, it was that lack of chill.

It was that the other guy could be easily pulled in whatever harebrained shenanigans that Nicholas cooked up, and believe me there was quite a bit. He chuckled at his face being referred to as dumb, it was rather par for the course and some things would never change including their guy-like insulting of each other. Heaven help anyone else that tried, it was the surest way to get hurt.

Oh no, he liked this altogether too much, the kiss that was like a catch-- but not a release, Nicky did not want to be released from whatever this was. He cuddled in closer as he basked in the afterglow, the warmth suffusing him while they stretched out next to each other, and he could scent the other man and that was carving a new awareness and interest but luckily for Trick, Nicholas was starting to get tired.

"Mmmmm your dumb face." he tucked his head against the crook of that neck. "Your dumb face is mine."

[giveeverything]

And Trick loved this idiot for all his harebrained schemes and complete lack of self-preservation. They were, apparently, going to treat being a couple the same way they treated being friends, with gentle jabs and it felt so perfectly natural and comfortable. Well, aside from the incubus infestation.

They'd fix that though. Trick was already considering his options there.

He tightened his arms around the other man with a contented little hum. "Always has been," Trick agreed. Always will be.

[dangernerd]

The incubus infestation was not bad per se but honestly they were two men in the prime of their lives, they did not need any outside nudging to jump each other's bones except for the very first time, which he would grudgingly admit.. thank you Incubus. But no, this entity inside of him was no longer needed and they could manage well enough on their own; after all he could think of a dozen ways to have sex.. in their own time, and in their own way.

As it was, he could feel himself grow sleepier and perhaps that was just the excess of energy that it had taken out of him; he'd be ravanous upon the waking, but that would be a 'tomorrow morning problem' and thus he started to drowse flutteringly into the crook of Trick's neck, and with his arm drapped over the other man softly.

--

The dream melted away and in the warmth of Trick's arms, he dreamt-- except it was something full of fire and blood. An eerie stillness, the clatter of footsteps on the floor.

The Castle was under attack, his sister had already been shoved out but he remained, he could not find his Knight, the one who was always by his side-- they'd been separated and that had not settled well with the King, for they rarely were seen outside of each other's company-- the banquet had gone all wrong, knives had turned and the entire retinue that had been brought by the father of his bride-to-be had turned on them.

That is when he realized it had been a ploy, a dangerous ploy to attack the country from the inside. Now he was stealing through the halls as furtively as possible, he had little care for his own life not when an absence grew strong in his heart.

[giveeverything]

Trick found himself in the same dreamscape, though he couldn't possibly know that yet. What he did know was that he was someone else, but still very much himself. What he also knew, that took precedence and importance over anything else, was that he had to find his King. The fact that they were separated by the sudden rush of chaos had his heart hammering in his chest.

He had to find him, had to keep him safe. It was his duty, his purpose. But more than that, his lord was his entire reason for existing, the man he loved beyond all hope or reason, a love that had never been voiced because he knew very well his role. It drove him through the corridors of the castle, sword streaked with blood of the attackers he'd felled.

It was pure chance -- or perhaps some cosmic pull between them -- that drew his attention to the figure in the shadows, unmistakable. Moving quickly, he darted close, catching the other man by the arm and pushing him back into an alcove, trapping him up against the wall. "My Lord, what are you doing? We have to get you out of here. It isn't safe."

[dangernerd]

There was the reason that he was the King, and it was because of his rather lamentable survival skills when all was said and done, though perhaps it would not have surprised the other man too much that he would attempt to strike out on his own. Still though that was not enough to make it exactly right and so as the young King's arm was yanked and then he was cornered into a darkened alcove.

Just beyond, there was the clatter of swords and shields, screams and yelling that was the new atmospheric soundtrack of the castle. "I was looking for you, we were separated." and honestly, he had not wanted to leave the palace not without his Knight, his Confidante, and his most secret and forbidden love.

"Now that I have found you, we can leave." he stressed the word 'we' as if there was no other option but that they leave together. "We will leave..." and then carefully, "I do not want to be King, they can have the kingdom as far as I care, we can steal out of the palace together and find a place to settle down." he blurted out despite himself.

[giveeverything]

The Knight frowned at that. Looking for him. Risking himself for his sake. It was an exceptionally dumb, but as brilliant as his lord was, the King was also an absolute utter idiot about some things. He considered scolding him for taking that sort of risk with his life for his sake, but the scolding could wait.

"Then we should go, quickly." He would leave now, if it meant that his King would leave with him. He would do whatever he could to keep this beautiful, gentle man safe and protected.

His eyes widened at what was spoken next though, that his lord was quite ready to abandon throne and power and seek a new life. And all this with we wrapped in it. His heart stuttered in his chest, and he reached down to take the King's hands in his, lifting both to press a kiss to one and then the other, right on the border of what was allowed for fealty before it slipped into that something more that he'd always kept secret. "I will follow you anywhere, my Lord. Whether you are king or not."

[dangernerd]

As the King had found out rather early in life, it was easier to ask forgiveness then permission. And while he was somewhat recalcitrant over that disapproving look, he also knew that it would not last for too terribly long. There was an open mouth as if he was going to say something else, and then his Knight brought both hands to his lips and he kissed them which caused a heat to flush that pale skin, before finally he smiled and it was only for the other man.

"Good, I shall hold you to that." he murmured quietly and then he slipped behind the other man, in the position that he would be led through the corridors that made up the castle. He had seen the promise there, it had been potent and full of something that his heart was starting to recognize.

"Let's go, let's start our new life together then?" that too was an expansion of that kiss, like a slowly blooming flower that was opening up to reveal it's honeyed truth.

[giveeverything]

They were dancing around things they'd both kept silent for years, things spoken in lingering glances and longing looks, in the way the Knight's eyes tracked his King's every movement in public, the way he knelt before his liege and vowed his fealty and loyalty. Maybe the time for putting truth to words was nearly upon them.

But first they had to get out of the palace. The Knight glanced back to make certain that his lord was carefully tucked behind him, in a place that he could protect him as they made their way through the hallways. He allowed himself a smile, soft and affectionate before reaching back to take his King's hand in his own. "Stay close."

He lifted his sword with his other hand, gave a quick check of the hallway outside the alcove before leading both of them out.

[dangernerd]

The thought of stealing away with his Knight was something only to be dreamed of, and so as those fingers reached for his-- he aligned them perfectly so that their fingers were twining together. And then they started to steal through the palace while the sounds of fighting seemed to diminish only so slightly. If the King had been overly concerned about his own position or Kingdom, well he would have thought that perhaps it was all clear.

But he wasn't, all he wanted was to escape and with his Knight.

To bring reality to the painted life that he had only alluded to. Perhaps that caused him to press closer to his Knight, could scent sweat and blood and something that was particularly his own-- he wanted to kiss him, something that he'd really always wanted to do but had never had the luxury.. perhaps had even been too frightened of.

They were almost home free, walking down the steps into the servants quarters-- quietly. The King stepped to the side, not seeing the soldier that had been wounded, leaning against the wall in the shadows of the dimly lit kitchen. There was a glimmer in the soldier's eyes, acknowledgement that who he was looking at was the King, and if he killed him it would mean a rise in station for him. Sword came up and then came the charge, the only thing to herald it was the barest clink of armor.

The King looked up to see that the soldier was coming at him with sword brandished.

[giveeverything]

They were so close. They were so close, but the Knight could not let his guard down, could not allow himself to slip for even a moment until the palace was far on the distant horizon.

But oh they'd never get there.

He saw the movement in that instant, heard the telltale sound of armor, and the Knight oved without thinking, slipping himself into the place he was meant to be, between the threat and the man who had his devotion and all of his heart. The assailant's sword found purchase, but not in its target. No. Instead, the blade plunged straight into the Knight's chest, effortlessly, like it had not been real at all.

His own weapon came up, adrenaline bringing it down in a quick, brutal arch, knocking free that sword, which fell from the soldier's hand then slowly slipped from the gash it had torn in the Knight. One more thrust of his own sword and the assailant fell.

The Knight could feel the heat of blood that surged from the wound torn in his chest. He'd been a knight long enough to know that it was a mortal would. It would spell the end of him, but his purpose was not fulfilled yet. "We are nearly there, my Lord. We need to keep going. Quickly."

[dangernerd]

It had happened so fast, the way that the other man pushed him aside to parry the blow-- it had been nothing more than a shove and it had knocked him against the wall so he only caught the barest hint of what had happened. He saw the blade go through his Knight but it was dim and so it was barely percieved. He knew that the other man was hurt but he did not know the extent of it.

"Can you make it?" he said as he surveyed the other man with a look, but the tabard that bore the royal insignia was red, the House was crimson like blood. He did not see the welling of blood there, did not see the way that it spread all over the fabric. "He caught you, I saw that.." but he did not know it was mortal.

If he knew, he would never leave this place. Both of them knew that.

[giveeverything]

"I'll make it, my Lord. As far as I need to." He summoned a smile, soft and reassuring. And gods help him, by sheer stubborn will alone he'd stay on his feet until he was certain that his King was truly safe. That desperation to make sure that the man he cared for above everything else was protected, was taken care of. His time to continue that mission was short though, and he had to banish the way something in him ached at the thought of what he almost had, the confessions almost spoken.

The Knight held out his hand to his king once more. "We're not far from the exit now." the clandestine path that precious few knew of, that led from the palace through a secret passage dug through the earth that led to the forest beyond. They would be safer there, free from the walls and the mayhem happening in the castle. That hand securely in his own, and he would force his feet to move him in that direction, step after step even as his vision began to swim, as his breathing grew labored as blood escaped both outside his body and slowly into his lungs.

[dangernerd]

One foot in front of the other.

Yet, the King was unaware of that hourglass that drained down slowly their time together. His hand gripped tightly in the other man's though the palms started to feel clammy, the sweat touching against his own palm. "We will get that wound tended to once we are clear." there was something hopeful and optimistic about the King, the freedom that he could almost taste as they hit the air around them, the scent of smoke but also trees.. nature.

Footsteps, one in front of the other. A deep breath as they started closer and closer to safety. And yet something deep inside, a part of him that was not normally intuitive that told him to keep hold of that hand until they were clear. Though he did notice how the steps started to flag and as they started up the rocky path, he turned to look at his knight and caught the heavy breathing.

"We are almost there, if we continue we will head to the caves we used to play in as children, do you remember? We can seek shelter there, surely-- until all is clear."

[giveeverything]

"I remember, my lord..." the Knight murmured softly, his voice lacking its usual strength, but he still managed a smile for his liege lord, an attempt at reassurance. So close. So close to safety, where he would know that the King would be all right. It was the only thought he could hold solidly in his mind for the moment, aside from trying to keep his feet steady beneath him. "We'd play hide and seek. I remember the time I thought I lost you and sat down and cried, and you came to find me..."

He remembered so many times, so much of his lived by the King's side, before they'd been sovereign and protector.

The familiar sight of the cave mouth in front of him had him sighing softly in relief. He wavered on his feet, stumbling before catching himself on one knee and forcing himself back up to his feet.

[dangernerd]

The King was not one who shied in the face of danger, it had been the primary reason why he had stolen away to find his Knight. There had never been any fear in him, and that had been a scary prospect for a ruler. And yet, he held onto his own fears and one of them was doing something that would ultimately drive the Knight away from him-- for as impulsive as he was, his heart remained cautious.

"It was because I wanted to see what was behind the next step, around the next corner."

The stumbling of the knight and he reached over to steady his palm against the red of tabard, and felt something wet and sticky underneath his hand. He pulled his hand back and glanced down at it-- in the moonlight it lay dark with viscous blood, the crimson finally assaulting his nose.

"You are not alright." he said this accusingly as he started to hurry his steps toward the cave and taking the Knight with him. "Fuck it, why did you not tell me?" We need to get you to a healer." he said this almost urgently. "I can leave you here and fetch one." the hope in his eyes would not be diminished, not now-- not yet.

[giveeverything]

"Always so brave, my King. Too brave for your own good perhaps." But that was part of what the Knight have loved about him so dearly, still loved about him and likely always would, until his last breath -- which he rather thought he could count the ones he had remaining -- and beyond that.

He looked to the other man, to what he could see of that handsome face in the moonlight. This time he let himself be led on towards the cave, no longer feeling the ground beneath his feet. The pain had ebbed away, but he was fairly certain that wasn't really a good sign.

"No..." he protested, voice soft but adamant, the faintest note of fear in his voice. "Do not leave me. Please. I..." he was a coward at the end, and he did not want to be alone in those final moments. And they were final. "It is too late for a healer. It has been too late for a healer since the sword struck true. I... I just needed to see you to safety. I needed you to be all right."

[dangernerd]

"No..."

As if the very force of his command could will it to not be true. But he saw it, the moonlight brought out the paleness of that face, the slight bit of cold perspiration that dotted the skin, he wiped his hand on his own raiment and then he reached up to touch his palm to cheek and felt how cold his Knight was.

Brows furrowed, those blue eyes intently fixed on the taller man. "I will not leave you." the fear, he heard the note of fear in the voice, almost as if the other man was frightened of the unknown. He wrapped his other arm around that waist to hold him steady. "I am alright, but.. it works the same way, that I want you to be alright, you are supposed to escape with me." his voice started to allow inside an edge of uncertainty. "We were supposed to find somewhere only we know.. we are supposed to be together and live a life free of worries and obligations."

Already those hopes and dreams were crumbling like the walls of Pompeii.

[giveeverything]

If the Knight could obey that command he would. Oh he'd do anything for his King, give him everything he had in him, in his heart, his soul. He leaned into that touch the warmth of that hand, and he leaned more heavily on the other man than he meant to. Those words eased some of that fear then, that he would not be left alone in his last moments, that he could leave this life gazing into the face of the man who had so long been his everything.

He reached a hand out blindly, groping for the cave wall so that he could let himself slide down to the ground, as his legs were no longer cooperating with supporting his weight.

"It sounds like a perfect dream, my Lord. ...to live a life with you, together. There is no priest here for it, so will you hear my confession instead?"