: 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.

Comments

[giveeverything]

Trick would put his money on Jella too, in the contest between them. But he could live with being bested by the feline phenom, he supposed, especially when Nicky looked at him that way, arms open and inviting. Yup, that was where he was going, right there into those arms.

Where he belonged.

Now he'd talked about spooning, and they'd get around to that, but he settled in facing Nicky for now, his hand coming to settle atop the other man's hip. "Hi, Baby."

--

Liam took a pillow straight to the face, but the smile on his face looked no less smug despite it. It was an incredible pun, clearly, to have earned that reaction from Riley. "I should be, and yet here I am. No shame to be found."

Ah well. He was an unrepentant punner.

It had been a very eventful twelve hours. What with the sex. And then yeah, whatever the hell this morning was. "Bearclaw and coffee is my treat. Just like our first date." That wasn't a date, Liam.

[dangernerd]

In the most suave way that he could muster, he spoke the following with a grin on his lips and a sparkle to those sky blue eyes, "Hey..." turning his head then so that he could look right at Trick with a come hither and let's sleep together smile.

Meanwhile Jella was peering over Nicky's chest and monitoring this development. Just her eyes though, all that Trick would be able to see was those eyes as she regarded her 'nemesis' with that 'I'm watching you so no funny business' look. She had let last night and whatever that was slide.

--

Riley knew it was not their first date but he was not going to say anything. Instead he was going for his jacket which he pulled on over his sweater, following it up with a scarf which he wound around his shoulders so that it would keep his neck warm.

"You have yourself a deal, Mr. Leary."

Maybe one day he would be Mr. Leary.. who could say.

[giveeverything]

Not fair that Nicky could look at him that way, and Trick had absolutely no defense against it, falling straight into those baby blues. Nicky would be the death of him for certain. He leaned in to kiss that smile, a soft, tender thing.

And he tried his best to ignore the judgmental eyes of the lady of the house watching him over the other side of his boyfriend. Look there would be so much funny business in the coming days and weeks and months and years. These two were creative, imaginative men, after all, and they had lifetimes to make up for. "You are so pretty it's ridiculous."

--

Liam knew too, but it was easier to tease while his heart still reeled with everything that had happened this morning and the night before. His entire world had shifted, and now it rotated around an entirely new axis, orbited a brand new sun that shone with the exact golden warmth that he saw every time he looked at Riley.

So instead he grinned, did his best not to also think about Riley being Mr. Leary some day too, because boy did it flicker across his thoughts. Liam had always wanted a simple, domestic life. Someone he loved to share his home and his name and his bed. A fenced in yard with a dog and a cat. Kids. A fireplace for the chilly New England winters.

[dangernerd]

"Pretty?" there was a gasp as he watched the way that those beautiful eyes seemed to crinkle at the side. Yeah, he had a pretty healthy sex drive but he'd also taken pleasure in the day-to-day things, it was what had gotten through him many a rough day, it was what managed to coax him out of the dorm room and into the land of people (bleah), the fact that there was the other guy by his side. And now? He was his? He'd go to any countless number of gatherings and parties as long as he had the pleasure of holding that hand and letting the entire world know that Trick was his.

"As much as I want to disagree with your logic processes, that and I'm quite content being the nerdy awkward guy that you are going out with.." listen Nicky knew that his best friend was quite the catch. "..I will only raise an eyebrow at you like so." and then Nicky demonstrated, one brow raising quite artfully.

--

It took only a few moments to get dressed, and though he knew that he couldn't precisely take Liam's hand (he really wanted to), he contented himself with a reach to wrap a scrarf around Liam's neck. A symbol that no matter what, he would make sure that Liam was safe and warm.

That was something that would never change, even though he was not one who would plant himself all over Liam in public (would never push Liam away though) it would be in the small little gestures of care, making sure a scarf was straightened, making sure that the other guy did not leave without an umbrella or a jacket or anything else.

Get taken care of, loser.

"Shall we?"

[giveeverything]

Oh god Trick would without a shred of hesitation drag Nicky to some awful college party just so he could drunkenly make out in a corner with him. Actually, it was a very appealing plan and he would enjoy that party more than any other without even coming close. But that would have to wait. Right now he was here staring at the idiot in his arms who was entirely oblivious to his own level of attractiveness.

"Only an eyebrow raise? Too bad. My turn for a rebuttal, and I have a dissertation. Buckle up, Buttercup."

Look Nicky, Trick might be jock-shaped but he was also a big dumb nerd. He could and would tackle this debate-club style. "You have the most devastatingly beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. Not even sky blue. They're blue like flame. They've taken my breath away since the first time I saw you even though I was, like, four, and didn't even knew that could happen and Mom was sorta worried I had asthma or something. And that's just your eyes. I think I could cut myself on those cheekbones if I'm not careful, and honestly I kinda want to try. And the stubble... you scruff up so good, Baby."

Nicholas Kirkland would gain self esteem even if Patrick had to beat him over the head with it.

--

Liam knew that he would have to keep his hands to himself in public. He would not do anything to get Riley into any difficult situations. The last thing he wanted to do was to ruin anything for him or cause any more problems than he'd already dropped into the blonde's lap.

Maybe someday they'd have the luxury of holding hands, of sitting side by side on that bench by the sea, with Liam's head tucked against Riley's shoulder.

For now, he found himself melting as the other man wrapped that scarf around his neck. Riley's scarf, smelled deliciously like Riley, and Liam would be keeping this. Until it lost that scent, and he would worm his way into borrowing another at that point. These were the evil plans of a man who'd sold his soul to a demon. Who let this idiot be a villain?

A little twitch of his hand at those words, and he slipped them into his pockets to stop any unsanctioned hand holding. "Let's go, Angel. Bearclaws aren't going to eat themselves."

And Fey Lords were sorely in need of new champions.

[dangernerd]

So they really were running this like College Debate Fight Club then?

He was being surreptitiously shut up, after all it was rude to interrupt and he would not dream of interrupting the other man especially when those very intense eyes looked into his own soul, oh yes-- there was the flutter in the heart that was thankfully (for now) not accompanied by the throb of the cock.

Give him a few moments to appreciate a few moments without an erection, this would probably last until naptime was over. "First of all, how dare you. Secondly and counter-point, says the man who looks like a fucking model and has on more than one occasion drawn my eye while you didn't think I was looking. Your habit of putting your foot on the coffee table to tie your shoes, and thereby bending over? That did not escape my notice the ten million times you've done so."

And then a clear of his throat. "Also, I remember the day when I felt sad.. the day when Liam said that you had died. I remember feeling like i would never feel warm again, and that is true.. if anything happened to you ever.. my world would be only half complete."

--

That would come in time, the hand holding and the walks. But for right now, the scarf would have to do-- and he made sure that it was secure as it wrapped around the shoulders, tucked in carefully and then a glance upward at the other man.

It was considering.

He leaned up then and brushed a kiss against the stubble of that cheek. The man who held far more honour than he himself gave credit for. "No they are not, and if I do not get a bearclaw soon.. no bearclaws shall be safe from my ravanous maws."

Which means that he could possibly steal Liams.

[giveeverything]

Sex was great, but did you ever stare longingly into the eyes you've been searching for in every lifetime? Trick was happy to settle into this moment that was all emotional connection, all quiet and intimate and theirs -- even if they were arguing and just shy of pulling out pre-prepared powerpoints with charts.

"First of all, how long have you known me? I always dare. Secondly, I did that on purpose because my ass is my best feature, so you fucking fell for it, nerd." Deal with that one Nicky. It was a slow and hopeless seduction, but a seduction nevertheless.

Then Nicky went and said that and Trick's expression turned serious. One hand lifted to settle against Nicky's cheek. "I know. It's the same way for me. There is no me without you. Together or not at all. So we both better die holding hands when we're one-hundred-and-nine."

--

The scarf was more than enough, a cocoon of warmth that would hold him quite well for the walk to the Tea Bog. And that kiss would keep him warmer still. He turned towards Riley, letting his lips brush along the other man's cheek in turn. "That's lust and gluttony, Father. Maybe I really am a bad influence."

Riley was, after all, coveting his boyfriend's bearclaw. Tsk tsk.

He smiled and moved for the door, pulling it open. "Just remember, Declan's a good guy, but he's not human." Different rules. Different notions of the way the world itself functioned.

[dangernerd]

"You know that's called 'premeditation' right? And I could sue you in court for 'attempted murder'." he said in a manner most matter-of-fact even though he also leaned into the way that he could feel the warmth of Trick's palm against his cheek, a contented sigh expelling alongside a breath. Yeah, he was definitely cat-coded especially when it came to Trick.

Though to make sure Jella did not feel left out, he did move his free hand back so that he could rest it on her purring form. Clearly, she took that as acceptable as she started to curl up and her laser eyes of death ceased to be as she initiated the morse code of kitty blinks.

"Let's try to make it to one-hundred and sixty-nine, yeah?" because he was super mature.

--

"You are a terrible influence." Riley said, though that sparkle to his eyes stated that he did not mind too much. "The road to hell is paved in Bearclaws and Dirty Chai Tea Lattes. That is what I was taught at the Seminary."

It was hard not to reach for Liam's hand to hold it, he desperately wanted to. Already his palm ached with the feeling of emptiness. "Arguably, both myself and your brother saw you eat a incubus like a spahgetti noodle, perhaps different rules is an understatement?" he locked his room and then started down the hallway, the both of them assaulted with the scent of lemon polish and 200 year old wood that marked Saintsmourn as a Relic of the Massachusetts coast.

"But I will make sure not to eat anything that he has specifically prepared, as the case may be."

[giveeverything]

"Joke's on you, Baby. You being litigious is totally a turn on. You can habeus my corpus any day." Clearly they were both incredibly mature. A match made in some strange, terrible corner of heaven.

He let his hand linger at Nicky's cheek, because yes. His boyfriend was part cat, and it was charming and endearing. And the fact that Jella had stopped actively plotting his demise for the moment was also a nice, warm feeling.

A snort at Nicky's sixty-nine joke, and he shook his head. "Sure, it's good to have goals."

--

"I totally remembers that from CCD," Liam nodded in solemn agreement. No greater gateway to sin than pastry and caffeine.

He found himself blinking at Riley after the spaghetti noodle metaphor before a laugh slipped out before he even knew he was going to laugh. Yeah, that definitely had happened. "Okay, yeah. Fair point. But good. Then we should be fine."

Liam had no idea whatsoever. But he couldn't help feeling optimistic at the moment, given everything that had suddenly shifted in his universe in the past twenty-four hours.

[dangernerd]

"Shut your sexy face." Was all that Nicky said before he wiggled in closer so that he could settle right into the circle of those arms, resting his scruffy chin against his boyfriend's tits because he could, he had a prime spot here and well his boyfriend did have a nice everything. "We'll debate further when I.." yawn, "..wake up from my second sleep."

Now it was time for Trick to make himself a pillow for his favorite brat.

--

The walk was pleasant and brisk, the sort of weather that Riley enjoyed walking in the best. There was puffs that made it so that their breaths hung opaque in the air, and already he could smell the tang of woodfire stoves that brought warmth to most houses in the area.

And the further they went down the path, the closer they happened to the Tea Bog where breakfast awaited, of course Liam's treat since he said he'd buy and Riley was not going to turn down baked goods.

Much like he knew Maurice would not turn down bacon.

[giveanything]

"Yeah yeah. The debate round two later. Get some rest, Baby." Trick would rest too, and would not move from this spot until Nicky stirred because being used as a pillow was his new purpose in life so far as he could tell.

It had been a very long day and a half, and so much had changed he barely knew what to do with himself. The man he'd been yearning for and in love with for his entire life actually returned those feelings and was currently curled up in his arms where he belonged. His brother had done terrible things, but the sudden awful context of it made him realize he'd been wrong about Liam entirely, and now he had a relationship to mend -- after they beat the snot out of the demon who thought he could get away owning his brother. Their favorite priest was doing very unpriestly things with said brother and Trick kind of felt like he might wind up with a brother-in-law at some point the way they had looked at each other. Oh, and he'd died when he was six. Temporarily, but still And he and Nicky were apparently soulmates. ...that last piece was the least surprising, and the most comforting, and the last thing in his thoughts as sleep got its claws into him.

--

Liam jogged ahead a couple steps so that he could pull the door open for Riley, like the damn gentleman he was. He even risked giving the blond a wink as he walked by, a gesture that would have to suffice instead of the little slap to that phenomenal ass that he would have liked to give. He was behaving.

The little gold bell above the door jangled cheerfully to announce their arrival, and from over in the corner, sleeves rolled up past his elbows as he was wiping down a table, Declan looked up and offered a warm smile as he recognized the two men. "Well, here we are, two of my favorite regulars. Good morning, Liam. Good morning F--" He paused, looking at the two of them curiously before correcting, "Riley. There is something different about you. The both of you. How curious." Ducky looked quite pleased with this.

[eblouissant]

Wink taken, and he could feel his cheeks flush in a way that did not look like it was purely having to do with the chill saturday morning in Saintsmourn.

Immediately he was assaulted by the scent of herbs and tea, as well as the comforting aroma of baked goods which he had been cautioned to be wary of though he did not think that this man would sell his baked goods now would he? But he would still enjoy a bearclaw as it was one of his simple joys.

"Different? How so?" Riley said though he did carefully scan the room and could find nothing except a few teens in corners hold up on laptops to soak in the free wifi with every purchase of coffee. He walked up to the counter and leaned against it, certainly his eyes following Liam to make sure that he was following.

[giveanything]

Liam would count that as a win, trying not to look as smug as he felt. It was a very difficult challenge really, and he was probably well on his way to failing it even as he let the door shut behind him as he followed Riley inside. God he could go for a coffee. It had been such a long moment.

He also turned a curious look on Declan, eager to know what he'd meant as well. He was only a few steps behind Riley, and he stopped perhaps a bit too close before correcting and taking a step and a half to the side, minding his manners.

Ducky's smile only widened at the question as he set about tucking himself behind the counter to get to work on plating the inevitable bearclaws and accompanying drinks. "Well, you," a brief incline of his head towards Liam, "look brighter than I think I have ever seen you. And you," his dark eyes shifted to fall on Riley, "You are a wee bit farther from the heaven promised by your church, and a great deal closer to earth."

[eblouissant]

"Am I really further from Heaven though?" he said as he cast a sideways glance at Liam which was wholly surreptitious in nature even as he spoke out the words. "A lot has happened you could say, and I took your words to heart." before continuing, "I will have my usual, and he.." he touches Liam on the forearm lightly, "..is paying."

Yes, Riley was in a good mood despite the Hounds of Hell that were set to fall upon him. Perhaps it was because now he had a direction and knew what he wanted and what was truly important. The fact that Liam had the courage to step ever forward even when he had been scared to do it? Well that had in turn given the Priest that sticking point.

[giveanything]

"Well, everything is a matter of perspective. The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." Someone really ought to stop him from quoting Milton before noontime, but it couldn't be helped. Ducky was ever the sucker for human literature and poetry. But he also smiled at the two of them, at that stolen glance, at the way Liam looked back at Riley in a far less surreptitious gaze of adoration.

Ah. Young love. Declan was ever the fan of love in all its forms.

Liam flashed the Fey Lord a smile. "That's right. Breakfast is on me, so you know, throw in an extra shot to the dirty chai. He's earned it."

[eblouissant]

The person to stop him would not be the two of them, and if Declan's current fixation was here-- he'd likely encourage it and perhaps delve even deeper and then the two of them would be drowning in long dead poet's and philosophers. It was exactly the sort of thing that Riley could appreciate, though he was not as fluent in such things as his father was.

He took a seat at the counter then since it seemed to be rather empty and their entire purpose was to talk with Declan about the situation they had decided to throw themselves into.

"We have decided to take on the odious demon who shall not be named, and we agreed to do it together, and we managed to rope a few others into the fight."

[giveanything]

If Noah were here, Declan would indeed be easily led down the path of literary conversation and probably more distracted than he ought to be given the subject at hand. So maybe it was for the best that Noah wasn't here. ...except it wasn't for the best Noah should always be near because that made the whole world a better place and-- he was distracted.

Refocused. Declan perked up at this new piece of information and glanced at the rather sparsely populated cafe. A twinkle in his eyes and he lifted a hand in a quick flourish of his hands, and the sounds of the cafe growing a bit muted. No time stop this time, instead he'd put a bit of a wall between their little trio and everyone else, a subtle shimmer that would divert attention away like the push of the matching poles of a magnet.

"Is that so? This is quite an undertaking, but were I the type for betting, I would place my stake in you." Even as he spoke, he was still playing barista -- drinks for the happy couple and one for himself as well. "And who might these other allies be?"

Liam's shoulders slumped slightly at that question. "My brother and his filterless boyfriend. Which is part of the problem. Patrick was... is still I guess, the subject of my contract with the asshole."

[eblouissant]

Something had happened but Riley was not quite sure what did.

He had a hunch that it probably was something similar to what had happened when time stopped in the cafe upon his meeting Gregory; however, this time there were still people moving but they seemed to pay both himself and Liam of little consequence which was not as unsettling as perhaps it should've been. Considering the past two hours they both had? Well it stood to reason that maybe very little could cause an affect.

Was this called 'desensitization'?

"I thought it best that we rope them in, if we keep a general eye on them then it stands to reason that we may have a larger advantage if Gregory tries to make a move against Liam's brother."

[giveanything]

It was desensitization, Riley. And it would only get worse from here. Congratulations on being the newest member of the there are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio club.

Declan slid their drinks to each of the other two men before lifting his own -- a latte swirled through with lavender syrup and honey and somehow a shot of whiskey even though there was, ostensibly, no liquor was sold in this establishment and he hadn't visibly poured any in it. Seelie Lord prerogative.

"This is a good strategy, to keep the likely targets of leverage against you close by. Though, your brother is not the only way to threaten your heart, is he?" Declan looked to Liam over the rim of his mug as he took a sip.

Liam blinked at the question, his gaze immediately flickering to Riley. "No, no he's not."

[eblouissant]

"Which is why I do not desire to be a pawn." Riley met Liam's eyes, those eyes that were as grey as steel but still with slivers of blue hope shot through them. As if he could change the trajectory of his own destiny, there own destiny.

"I do not want it to be easy for Gregory to use me for his own ends." then casting a glance to Declan. Within the Fae King's own eyes he could see something there that spoke of assistance, though he remembered Liam's words that all came with a price. But likewise Riley thought the price to be paid would not be terrible, if it meant protecting Liam and allowing him to fight with little fear.

Not all fear could be estinguished, that was not how fear and faith worked-- but well, he accepted the extra dirty chai latte and brought it to his lips. "I am not fit for Heaven, but I can still be of use."

[giveanything]

Liam frowned faintly as he watched Riley turn to Declan, seeing the start of something here that set something tight and worried in his chest. He did believe that Declan was a decent person, was so far from the malevolence of Gregory that the difference was as stark as night and day.

But he was still a fae creature, still from a different world with different rules and dangers. "Riley..." Liam started to sit up straighter, half opening his mouth to say something, but was stopped halfway through the motion, paused and frozen in the moment.

Declan tilted his head to Riley. "If you do not wish to be a pawn, would you instead be a knight?"

[eblouissant]

There would likely be an argument about this later but Riley would be prepared.

It was all hands on deck at this moment, everyone utilizing their skills to maximize their chances-- they needed all of the assistance they could get and honestly Riley did not believe that Declan would ask anything of him that would make it so that he had to give up his friends or his family; this was not a deal that he would jump into either-- he was the sort who would desire to hear the terms and conditions as presented to him.

A lingering look at Liam's frozen face, he leaned in and kissed those protesting lips caught in time, and then he turned back to acknowledge Declan as he sat a little bit straighter.

"Anything that assists in not being used as a tool against against Liam, if I am to fight this war then I would rather go in armed." he said this quite solemnly even as he lifted his chai, swirling it just a little bit. "But I know you are Fae and that you do not make deals without asking for something in return." but he knew he'd rather be a tool for Declan than one for Gregory, and if he had to choose? Well the choice was obvious, wasn't it?

[teabog]

There would definitely be an argument later. Their first couple fight, and entirely because Liam couldn't bear the thought of Riley bearing burdens because of him. The other man deserved better, and he didn't want the gentle soul of a priest to pay a price for his mistakes and his sins.

But he'd been caught in the throes of time and was consciously unaware of even the soft brush of those lips to his own.

Time went on for Ducky and Riley though.

The Fae king lifted his own mug in a brief half-toast of acknowledgment. "This is true. We have that in common with demons, I suppose, that we ply our trade in deals and favors, and precious little in life comes without a cost." At least he would admit the truth of it.

Leaning his forearms on the counter, Declan looked closely at Riley. "So, let us discuss the boon I would grant and the price I would ask for it. I would grant you the power of the Fae realm, the magic of my court. I cannot say how it will manifest in you entirely... though there is something of the sea in you, so I have my guesses." So that was one side of bargain. "In return, you would be my champion. A paladin of the Seelie Court, and you would heed my call should my people need protection and safekeeping. I will give you one other warning. To be touched by the Fae will change you. You will not be entirely human any longer. You will carry the mark and magic of Faerie in your flesh and blood."

[eblouissant]

It would be there first actual couple fight, but Riley was willing to weather that; he knew what he was doing and he would have the choice and with no coercion.

There was the difference here between him and Declan as opposed to Liam and Gregory-- in that Gregory used threats to get what he wanted; Declan did not have to do such things. He saw the way that Declan acted around the coffee house, with as much fairness as Riley could see-- and Riley was very observant. It was clear that he took pride in his job and his loved ones, and they had commiserated over brothers.

Ducky was proof that the human experience was not inherently a human one; that within other circles there existed love, friendship and honour. Riley could see those things and understand that Declan would be upfront-- which was far more than Gregory had ever been.

"My calling has ever been to help protect and guide people, to offer succor in times of need-- such a bargain does not feel so much as a bargain to me, but rather something that I would offer regardless." and then a wry tilt of his lips. "It almost feels like a steal of a bargain, if I do say so myself." a look at Liam then, at his frozen expression.

"But.." and here he clasped his hands around his Chai. "I will not rush into this, because I owe it to him to discuss it with him; he's had very few people discuss things with him in his life-- and this will affect him, and our future together even if miniscule-- is there a time limit on my acceptance of this offer?"

[teabog]

Declan did try to be fair, and was incredibly even-tempered as Fae went. Oh he could be capricious, and he certainly had his pettier moments, but he did care very much about his family, blood and chosen. He cared about his cafe and his customers, and he cared for these two star-crossed lovers currently sitting in front of him.

So he ducked his head in acknowledgment of Riley's decision to confer with Liam.=, a little smile toying at the corners of his lips. "You love him very much." Not a question, just an observation, and one that was made with a wistful sort of fondness. He'd read too many love poems by now not to be a fan of a good love story, especially one set against the odds.

"I can see a reflection of it in you. You were meant to be a knight, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, a shield to defend and to keep safe. But yes, take your time and have your discussion. There is no time limit from my end -- time is immaterial when one has lived through the ages -- only the ticking clock you already live under before your demonic problem comes knocking."

He sipped his coffee before adding. "I almost forgot, one more piece to the cost of this deal. I would like to be invited to your wedding, when the time comes. Also I know an excellent wedding planner."

And with that he lifted his mug once more and Liam slipped back into the time stream, finishing the half spoken concern, "Don't do anything stupid. It's not worth your paying a price instead of me." Liam said it's not worth it, but he very much meant I'm not worth it.