: 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

[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.

[eblouissant]

"I do, I suppose I am romantic enough to think that my heart waited in slumber until it saw him.. and then it knew." and because of that, he would do anything to protect Liam because Liam was worth it. He looked to Declan and he smiled and then nodded, "That can definitely be apart of the pact, that you are invited to the wedding."

Before time resumed and Liam finished speaking almost as if he was not aware that time had flowed on in the space between breaths where he had been caught in time inanimate. He turned back to Liam, with his half drunk chai, and then spoken very calmly. "All things done through love, Liam." and then he leaned in to press a kiss to that scruffy cheek. "And Ducky understands the driving force, and he respects that and does not seek to take advantage of it, but we can discuss it privately."

Then another smile.

"You are worth it, Liam. And you have lived too much of your life thinking that you were not worth very much of anything, so I intend to change that."

[giveanything]

Ducky smiled at that description. A heart in slumber, was it? Straight out of what humans termed fairy tales, wasn't it? He did enjoy that quite a bit, and it suited these two. He did hope they'd find their way to a happily ever after, as much as something like that could truly exist outside the realm of song and story.

And he was still smiling as Liam slipped back into sync with time and started what he was sure would be a discussion indeed.

Liam paused, eyes glancing to Declan, to Riley, to the dirty chai that was half gone, to the glimmer in the Fae lord's eyes and the unmistakable determination in Riley's clear gray gaze. He was half certain he could taste Riley's lips on his as well, a hint of chai. A glance around at the rest of the room. Fae magic. He'd missed something, or rather, he'd been deliberately made to miss something.

The kiss to his cheek derailed his thoughts for a second, and he turned to look at the priest once more. He knew for a fact that he wasn't worth it. He frowned. "You didn't agree to anything?" He could still talk Riley out of it, perhaps.

Declan was the one to answer. "He did not. I made the offer, but your love wished to speak with you first. This path still waits for him, though. I think it has been waiting for him his entire life." He turned his gaze to Riley. "But the choice still rests with you, when you are ready to make it one way or the other. I will be here."

He started to turn then, all mysterious and ancient, serene and timeless before he paused and added. "Or you may text me! I do have a mobile now. Here is my number." A twist of his wrist and a neat little calling card was slid across the counter towards Riley.

[eblouissant]

"I did not make it yet, because that is not how partnerships work-- but I would hope that you would hear my reasons for why I should accept with an open mind."

Before Liam could seize it, he grabbed up Ducky's card and then tucked it into one of the holders in his wallet and then tucked it firmly in his back pocket.

"Thank you Ducky, I appreciate the offer made and you will hear from me. Also, the recommendation of a wedding planner was a very nice touch."

To throw Liam off his game a little, and show they were talking about other things too.

[giveanything]

Liam's frowned turned noticeably poutier with Riley being all reasonable and mature and saying such proper things about partnerships and open minds. Infuriating, really, that he couldn't argue with either of those things without sounding like an unreasonable child. He only pouted further when Riley beat him to the card.

All sulking stopped at the word wedding though and he blinked in surprise and confusion looking from Riley to Ducky and back again. "Wedding planner? What did you two talk about? How long was I out of it?"

Declan laughed and tapped a finger lightly against the side of his nose. "Yes, I thought so too. But truly, she is a wonder, for when the time comes."

[eblouissant]

The Priest could be serious but he did have a secret devilish side which came out when he felt comfortable and safe, and Liam was figuring that out slowly but surely. "I will tell you all about it later, my heart."

And Liam was his heart, he understood this now. As vitally coiled around it as if he had been born there.

He leaned forward then to address Ducky as he took a sip of his chai. "Have you asked out the man you are interested in yet? You know man cannot survive on muffins alone."

[giveanything]

Liam was very quickly coming to know Riley's mischievous side. And the blond was his favorite sort of devil, angel-eyed and sweet as summer. How was he supposed to argue with anything when Riley called him my heart anyway? That was not something he had any defense against, could not hope to do anything but melt. It still didn't stop him from wrinkling his nose at him. "All about it. Every detail."

He sipped his own latte, and since they had the benefit of being veiled by Ducky's magic, he figured there was no harm in reaching out a hand to slip into Riley's, for just a moment.

Declan tilted his head at Riley's question. "Should I make scones too?" That would do it, right? His shoulders slumped slightly. "Humans have such complicated notions of courtship. Ask him out... how does on go about that? Is it best done by letter? Shall I pen a missive?" Will you go on a date with me please circle one: yes, definitely yes, maybe.

[eblouissant]

The hand felt warm as it wrapped around his own, he glanced over at Liam and offered a smile that was all light, perhaps overcast so as to not be glaring-- his light was not one that was blinding, but it was there in a soft glow that seemed to halo him. Fingers that twined together in a show of solidarity while around then the world went by not precisely noticing them.

"Well, I am not the best at these things as dating was something I was not truly interested in; however, think of the things that you two enjoy doing together and then perhaps propose an outing based on that?" this was perhaps not specific enough, especially for a Fae King. "I am sure that he would be thrilled that you are interested in spending time with him."

[giveanything]

That light was enough to sustain Liam, like he was some flower caught in the glow of Riley's sunshine. The thought and the smile had him feeling suddenly shy, and his cheeks were reddening as he looked down into his coffee, a soft smile settling over his own lips.

Declan hummed, a musical sound that was thoughtful if a bit confused. "We both enjoy drinking coffee and reading human literature and discussing the merits of various translations, the loss of original intent."

Liam looked up to Ducky once more. "Right, that's a start. But you two hang out here already. So maybe something a little more special, make it clear that you're asking him to do something with you, not just running into each other in your everyday lives, yeah?"

Ducky nodded, considering. So complicated. But well, his eyes lit up. "There is a Shakespeare troupe in town. I believe they have performances over the next fortnight. Would something like that be appropriate? And perhaps obvious enough that he understands my intentions?"

[eblouissant]

Did Riley think that probably Liam had better ideas than him? Well Liam did send him refurbished bookcase with which to house all of his books which had been delightfully thoughtful; and before that there had been a hike that had been obviously a date though Riley had not known that until the end of it when Liam had attempted to kiss him (and second time succeeded).

"That would be perfect, if that is something that he is interested in then he would enjoy it though your intentions would have to be spoken, though it need only be a 'I enjoy spending time with you and I am finding that I am craving more time spent with you.' which should make him feel flattered and special, that is if he has decided the same, that he enjoys time spent with you too."

Though Riley did assure Ducky, "I cannot imagine anyone not wanting to spend time with you, he would be a fool if he did not."

[giveanything]

Oh totally a date, even if Liam had known at the time it was a terrible idea generally and he had no actual plan beyond spend time with pretty blond who had stirred something in him that he wasn't aware even existed anymore. And now here they were, and Riley's hand was warm and secure in his own.

"Riley's got it right. Be up front about the fact that you're interested in him, that you mean for it to be a date." Liam was certain that, from what he had seen of Noah and Ducky interacting in the cafe, that the quiet professor was thoroughly oblivious to the hearts swirling in the fae lord's eyes every time he looked at him.

Ducky sighed again and slumped further. "This would be so much easier the old fashioned way, just a bit of glamour and enchantment and I lure him into the twilit lands." Kidnapping, the old standby. But no, consent was important, especially for the man he intended to have as his spouse and consort.

[eblouissant]

Riley frowned only a little bit at the last statement, about kidnapping-- it was kidnapping from how he was perceiving it, he knew enough of fairy lore to know that there was a bit of that which went on though he was not well-versed in it. "Well I am glad that you opted not to do it the old-fashioned way, because that is a bit archaic much like the human notion that marriage is about convenience and property, which it very much is not." a glance over at Liam to signal that he hoped this was correct.

"Bring him something, perhaps his favorite flowers or a book that he's been wanting to read but has not gotten around to yet, something thoughtful. I think that it would be very romantic if you said that you would like to discuss it over dinner sometime." it was best to give the Fae King many options. "I can assure you that none of these options are boring in the slightest."

[giveanything]

"Yes, I realize it is not exactly the human standard or expectation. And I... I wish for this to be his choice, and not just the result of my own desires." So much more complicated, but this mattered entirely too much. Also the idea of marriage being about property was not a pleasant one either. The Fae had their marriages for alliance and politics, for war and for peace, but he had never been a fan of those either. Declan Eladan was too much of a romantic for most things honestly.

But gifts, yes, he could do gifts. A book. In fact he had something that would work for that quite well.

Liam could see Ducky's mental wheels turning. It was kind of cute, actually. Really quite cute, as far as terrifyingly powerful Fae creatures could be anyway. He planted his elbow on the counter, chin in his hand, looking at Liam. "What's your favorite flower, Angel?"

[eblouissant]

"My favorite flower?" A half-smile half-smirk seemed to lightly flirt over his lips. "Well I have two, I have always wanted a little garden with flowers, but I would probably plant some Iris, as well as some Peonies."

He pressed a finger to Liam's lips. "You do not have to bring me flowers, if anything you can make sure that in our future there is a plot of land where I can grow them for us." Sickening sentiment, really.

[giveanything]

That finger pressed to his lips and Liam, pinnacle of maturity that he was, nipped at it. "What if I want to bring you flowers? What if I think the prettiest man in Saintsmourn deserves flowers?"

But still the thought of a future with Riley had him smiling wistfully. "A little house with a garden out back. A yard for a dog." And children and dreams so many dreams.

Declan was watching this play out with the look of a man enjoying his favorite romantic movie playing out in front of him. "So the wedding planner I know does amazing things with peonies."