: 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

[teabog]

You have not heard nearly enough stories of the Seelie Court then. I will happily regale you. Congratulations on the blood bond though. Your Champion certainly seems devoted. And a little like a lost puppy who'd finally been found, but no need to say that in text.

Instead, Declan turned his attention to the questions that Liam has asked. They were valid inquiries, and the answers were not what Liam wanted to hear, in all likelihood. "Champions are entrusted with the defense of the Court. They are meant to take up arms to protect the lives and wellbeing of the people. Some have fallen in battle, yes, on the ends of the swords of their enemies. Others have come to old age and laid down their own weapons and faded into memory. I cannot say what Riley's fate will be, but I can promise that if there is to a battle, that as King I will take the battlefield at my Champion's side. I will ask nothing if him that I do not also expect of myself. ...except sometimes he will have Maduin wrangling duty. That is part of being Champion of the Seelie Court." That was the worst part of being Champion of the Seelie Court.

He turned to Riley. "Our fates will be bound in this way too. If you fall, then I fall. But I do not intend that to be the end for either of us." His attention once more slipped to Liam. "So closer to paraphrased poetry, let us say 'Dulce et decorum est regi suo vivere' yes?"

Liam frowned. It was annoyingly clearly stated and unnervingly fair. He knew well that Fae played games, they twisted words and walked in shades of gray. He also knew that they did not lie, not outright, and Declan had put all of that quite plainly.

[eblouissant]

The rest of that text message was left on read, because this was Nyx and he was polite at the best of times, and anti-social at the worst. So this really did track on all the levels for the very serious ruler of the Unseelie.

But Declan did give him something to consider.

"That is very fair, it means that you will fight just as hard as I will though I can tell that you love your people a great deal, else you would not care to name a Champion." he knew that Liam was not happy with it but that he would accept it; the stakes being even and fair though he knew that would go a long way.

"Maduin is the one that spilled the coffee on Gregory, correct? I am thinking that is perhaps even more frightening having to wrangle them then the thought of actual War." Riley was being honest here, the person had the absolute vibes of being exceedingly difficult.

[teabog]

MARRY YOUR MAN, NYX. Declan was biased and loved love and loved weddings though so really of course he was a proponent of this.

He inclined his head in a nod of agreement with Riley. "And I will do all I can to keep my Court from ever seeing war or battle coming to our borders. I much prefer peace and revelry." Especially revelry. Ducky might have been the more level-headed and mature out of his siblings, but he was a joyful creature at heart, far more interested in singing and playing music dancing beneath the stars. He was only mature by comparison to the rest of his family.

Liam was still subdued, though he looked curious at the mention of Maduin, a name that he hadn't heart before. He looked extra curious at the spilled coffee on Gregory bit of information. "...if they dumped coffee on Gregory, I'm sort of inclined to be a fan of them."

What a dangerous thing for anyone to say. But Declan laughed anyway. "Mm, well, every now and again Maduin's trouble-causing seems to be aimed in a decent direction. But you are indeed correct. Wrangling my younger sibling is far more terrifying than outright war. Mads is... the sort of creative that ought only be spoken of in hushed whispers with a handful of salt thrown over the shoulder, for good measure."

[eblouissant]

"Really they came in while Gregory was doing the majority of threatening against me, and just started sowing chaos, it was both alarming as well as magical and I have no words to describe it."

Maduin was one who was far more terrible when they were bored; when they were focused on something they were exceedingly delightful to watch only if it did not involve the person watching to become anywhere near involved. But the bonds of sibling was strong between tbe four despite their varying personalities.

The next reliable was also whimsical and frivolous but could be easily distracted by shinies, or his own Fey Champion.

"So should we meet back here before dawn then?" He was uncertain of how to proceed with the ceremony. "I take it that the Dawn holds power for the Fae Court then."

[teabog]

"That sums Maduin up perfectly." Chaos, magic, alarming, no words. Ducky could not have put it any better. It was true though. For all the sighing that Declan did about his brothers, they were all quite close, and any one of the four would drop everything to come to the aid of any other. Ducky wanted to strangle Maduin sometimes, but if anyone else so much as lifted a finger against them, he'd bestow every curse in the Seelie lexicon -- and several borrowed from the Unseelie spell list -- on them. Family was a funny thing.

Liam knew about infuriating brothers, of course. And he knew that Riley did as well, and the familiar common ground was somehow reassuring. He knew that they'd lose the subtle shielding that Declan had set up around them, so he took advantage of the moment to slip his fingers into Riley's for one last stolen little touch.

Declan nodded at Riley's question. "Just before the sunrise, yes. The Seelie Court is the court of light. Our power grows with the day and wanes with the night, when the Unseelie come into their own. The Monarch of the Unseelie Court and his Champion will be there as witnesses." He glanced from Liam to Riley, smiling. "So have your day, take your rest, and I shall see you in the wee hours of the morrow."

[eblouissant]

The touch was like home, it flowed through him-- and perhaps in this moment it held a little bit more power due to the fae glamour that wrapped around them; he could almost feel through those fingertips the flow of blood and connection that bound them together-- it was quite simply magic, a near surreal connection. He would cherish this connection for as long as he could.

He moved over so that he could press a kiss to the stubbled cheek of Liam's, giving Declan another view of a perfectly loving and sickning mortal couple; he was going to get a lot of second-hand romance going forward as Saintsmourn was about to sprout with the kissing sickness.

"We will be here, we may come a little bit earlier so we can get some coffee beforehand." to charge up so to speak, his mouth drew from Liam's cheek after he spoke that and the he reluctantly withdrew his hand though with a lingering squeeze.

[teabog]

Liam turned into that kiss at his cheek, expression melting like the warmth of Riley was utterly impossible to resist, and the chill all the more noticeable as he withdrew, but Liam only looked at Riley wistfully, like the blond was the one who caused the sun to rise in the east every morning.

They were a perfectly sickening mortal couple. It took all his self control not to just plant his chin in his hands and watch them because frankly it was adorable. Oh to hell with it. He held out his hands to them, one cupped atop the other, in a gesture that Riley and Liam both would recognize as very close to the usual gesture for receiving communion at mass.

"All right, give me your hands. I have a gift to bestow upon you both."

Liam immediately turned to fix an uncertain look on Declan, about to say something about Fae and gifts, but Declan shook his head. "This gift is in exchange for my invitation to your wedding, and of your consideration of my offer to officiate it." An even trade, no hidden prices, no owed debts. Come on, Liam.

[eblouissant]

The two of them had the look of people who had discovered love for the very first time, and by all accounts they had for they really had not known love like this since each other. Riley could not help the grin from his features that managed to spark him up in such vibrant rays of light, with those locks of hair managing to crest over his brow.

At the offer of a gift, Riley did glance over at Liam however; a wedding invitation for a gift-- and officiating it-- well that would absolutely bear into consideration. But he also knew that Liam was wary of fae gifts so he rested his hand against Liam's. "This would be your wedding as well, what do you say?"

Because he would take Liam into consideration. Even though he had used his powers of convincing for the Fae Knighthood.. this, Liam should weigh in as well.

[teabog]

Liam was still trying to figure out when they started talking about their wedding like it was more than some fantasy that lived in his head and wildest dreams, and he was thrown off enough by that that he wasn't quite as hardheaded at the thought of accepting a gift from the Fae -- from Fae royalty for that matter -- as he might otherwise have been.

He looked at Riley, and bit at his bottom lip as he considered. They were already agreeing to so much. Or well, Riley was agreeing to it, in exchange for what power and protection he would receive as the Seelie Court's Champion. In comparison to that, having their wedding (seriously, their wedding? Could that really be a real thing?) officiated by a strange but charming man who was just as likely to spout song or poetry as actual sense seemed, well, whimsical by comparison. "I'd marry you with anyone or no one around, and someone dressed as Elvis could officiate if it counted, so... yeah, all right. I can live with that."

Declan beamed and waggled his fingers at them. "Good good, give me your hands."

[eblouissant]

Well there had been no actual proposal but he thought that it would take care of itself in time; a sidelong glance at Liam before he handed over his hand (ahahaha) to the Fae King, seeing no harm in that of course. Riley was perhaps quick to trust, but only when he got a good feeling off of the person. He'd gotten that feeling off of Liam, no matter the other man had protested that he was a bad man, and there was something honorable about this man.

Perhaps he could be unscrupulous when his loved ones were threatened, but wasn't that admirable?

It was with trust that he took that step, and of course knowing full well that Liam would be taking that selfsame step him him. "Good, because I do want to marry you.. and one day I will, and nothing will stop us-- not the powers above nore that which lurks below."

[teabog]

Riley's judgement of character was quite good, really. Declan thought so anyway, even if Liam was more concerned that Riley was entirely too generous in the mercies he offered people who might not deserve it -- like Liam himself.

"Riley... me too. More than anything." So he'd do what he could to make sure that Riley's words proved true, that nothing would stop them, not above, or below, or across the veil to the Fae Realm.

For now Liam reached out to place his hand in Declan's as well, his gaze only flickering briefly to Riley before fixing on the Fae man in front of them, not looking away just in case there was some trickery about.

This was not lost on Ducky who laughed a bit and shifted to clasp all their hands together. When he spoke again, his voice was a soft lilt, a melody timeless and echoing on into forever.

"By leaf and bloom and all things green,
May each touch and kiss pass by unseen,
Hidden well from watching gazes.
May the moon in all its phases
These lovers' love song silently sing
'til one comes to wear the other's ring."

A wash of magic, cool like water from a forest spring -- Uiscefhuaraithe -- flowed over all of them, sealing in the spell.

[eblouissant]

This may need to be explained as Riley was not well-versed in the fae magics (yet), he could feel though the energy that shifted around the two of their hands, drawing it like magnetic poles together-- gravity at it's finest. Warmth as well as relief that pooled through the two of them and coalesced within the world of their fingertips.

It would be a gift when Riley and Liam both understood what it was-- a bit of freedom offered, and all for the sake of a wedding invite, and officiant. For it was quite likely that Ducky was a shoo-in for the position of High Priest for such sacred rites.

"Now I am going to ask.. and I think you will understand what I am asking but.. what did you do?"

[teabog]

Liam didn't know what had been done either, far too caught up in the startled realization of how different Fae magic was to the demonic. It felt clean and fresh, none of the twisting and tearing and searing heat that he was used to whenever Gregory's power had touched him. He looked at their joined hands and then to Riley to see if he understood.

Ah good they were both in the same clueless boat. That made him feel a little better.

Declan released their hands with a grin, eyes sparkling. "Nothing much, really. I cast a minor glamour on the two of you, one that will have the eyes of others glancing off and away from any moments of affection you choose to share in public. A simple blur really, but effective. It will last until you are ready to let the world know of your love on your own terms." He waggled the ring finger of his left hand at them.

[eblouissant]

That was a gift, and he would have been incredulous if not for everything that he had witnessed up until this point that had shown him how vast the world was outside of Saintsmourn, outside of what he was-- and he did not need to be constrained or defined by his choices made, because they could be undone. He looked to Liam them, those grey eyes light in a way that had the sun peeking through the grey to give shimmers and flecks of warmth.

"Shall we try it? You know, to make sure that it works?"

And then a glance over at Declan. "Would you please release the glamour then? So that we can test it?" because he was suddenly like a child in a candy shop, and Liam's hand was the treat.

[giveanything]

Declan released both their hands before stepping back and spreading both arms and bowing with a flourish. Dramatics ran in the family, after all, and Ducky was far from the exception. The original spell he'd drawn about their conversation like a curtain shivered and then faded in a slow instant, like frost receding from a windowpane, leaving only the lingering glamour he'd gifted to the couple masking them. "By all means. The veil is lifted, you may put it to the test."

Liam could feel the shimmer of magic slip away from the room around them, but something remained. And despite his hesitance at deals and gifts from the Fae, he couldn't hold back a smile. All right, Ducky. Well played. This was a rather large check in his favor in the demon-contracted man's life. Liam held out his hand for Riley's, expectant and trying not to look shy about handholding again. "Here goes nothing, Angel."

Declan retrieved his coffee cup and sipped at it once more, quietly pleased with himself. There were few things that could make this morning any better, and even if he didn't know it, one of those was about to walk through the door and flood his day with light and song.

[eblouissant]

Within the sight of god and man did their hands twine together; the veil had lifted and everyone was in their place. There was a student in the corner that recognized him, and launched a friendly wave. One of the dorm guys that was on the second floor. But there was not a single acknowledgement that the Priest was doing anything untoward.

A little bit bolder, he brought the back of Liam's hand to his lips to press a kiss. But no reaction whatsoever. He then allowed his cheek to rub up against it.

"You may have to launch your own tests, Liam. I've done some on my end but you know.. quality assurance."

[giveanything]

Liam's heart skipped at the touch of those lips to the back of his hand. Who gave Riley permission to be so charming? It was entirely unfair and he nearly had stars in his eyes looking at him.

He forced his attention away from Riley, from that gaze that was every bit the sky clearing after a gentle rain condensed down to two eyes, and looked around. They were seen, that was clear enough, but they weren't seen. It was exciting, thrilling to think that they could act how they wanted without worrying about their secret being out before they were ready for it to no longer be a secret.

"Definitely. Better to be thorough about it." Liam's smile widen. Riley set out that challenge for him, and a mischievous spark lit up dark eyes. Liam's hand shifted from where Riley was nuzzling his cheek against it, slipping into soft blond hair and gripping as he moved to close the distance between them and kissing Riley for all he was worth.

[eblouissant]

Right in front of Declan's salad too.

But it was fine because Riley was quite happy with the development of being kissed into oblivion by the other man, feeling that warm kiss while fairytale butterflies danced in his chest; but there was also something possessive about it and quite honestly carnal that had him seeing stars. So much that a flush did cross over his chest at the kiss that was not quite chaste.

Then he was gripping Liam's own scarf and then hiding his face in the neck as he muffled something out.

"Are we being stared at? Did we get away with it? " with his mouth a little bit swollen by the very passionate kiss that he had felt all the way into his toes

[giveanything]

It was true. Declan's attention was not diverted by the glamour, after all. But he was enjoying the show. They were precious, these two.

Liam had forgotten about Ducky entirely at this point in time. Riley gripped his scarf (Riley's scarf, around his neck, wrapped there with care by the pretty blond priest who had his entire heart) and really, what else in the world mattered? He smiled as Riley went and his his face.

"Mm... don't know. I stopped caring right around the time I tasted your lips." Oops. But he risked a glance around and found that, as expected, Declan's enchantment had held. "We're in the clear, Angel."

[eblouissant]

It was probably Liam's scarf now.

Point in fact, Riley would insist on Liam keeping the scarf so that he could get his musky woodsy scent on it, then he would steal it back for himself-- thereby creating a cycle that was point-in-fact never-ending.

A huffed sigh of pleasure that escaped Riley's lips that they had escaped notice. This gift was an inordinately good one and he peeked over at Declan with those smiling eyes that held open secrets within them. "Thank you, I am sure that you are already aware but this gift is inordinately special to us. And I think that when both myself and Liam get married you can definitely officiate."

Honestly, Riley did not think that it was too much of a stretch to give Declan that after this magnanimous boon.

[giveanything]

The circle of scarf would move them all. But Liam would happily participate if it meant he could always have Riley's warm faintly sugared scent wrapped around him.

Declan's smile brightened. "I am glad it can bring you some happiness." And quite glad to get to officiate. Really, Declan's true calling in life was probably neither Fae King nor Cafe Owner, but matchmaker.

Liam's fingers were still in Riley's hair, and since their magical gift seemed to be working, he saw no reason not to step closer and slip his free arm around the other man's waist. It was his turn to press his face into Riley's neck, smiling against warm skin before laying a kiss there.

"Mmhmm. Ducky gets to officiate, and Trick can be the flower girl." Another kiss just beside Riley's ear before Liam added, "I bet you'll look beautiful in lace."

[eblouissant]

The thought of a very recalcitrant Patrick walking down the aisle filled Riley with so much life; though all of this was-- the proximity and the way that they seemed to be sharing space as if it was a buffet that they wanted to become plumb and full upon. It was time to walk as if they were joined at the hip, make sure that this magicked glamour remained between them and so that no one could tear them asunder.

"Hush you.." though he did not mean it. He was already leading Liam away from the counter, though not without a wink over his shoulder at Declan and another mouthed 'thank you'. It was likely that Liam would have no further qualms with fae-duties or knighthood any longer.

That was an extremely fortunate thing.

[giveanything]

Riley totally understood Liam's vision here. This was one of the reasons he couldn't help but fall in love with the priest. Without the concern of being seen and discovered and getting Riley into problems with the church he did not need or deserve, there was nothing that had Liam keeping his hands to himself. They had drifted into one another's space, and it felt so much like home that Liam had no idea what to do with himself.

So what he did was decidedly not hushing. Emotions were hard. Liam had so many of them, and had tried his damnedest (pun intended) to keep them bottled up for years. Carnality on the other hand? That came easy enough, so what he said was only a little wicked, "I wonder how much we could get away with in public now," murmured into Riley's ear even as they headed out the door.

But wickedness aside, Liam too cast a glance back at Declan. All right, Ducky. Well-played. Liam had effectively been out-maneuvered by Riley's infuriatingly rational arguments and Declan's obvious kindness.

Damn it all.

Declan offered them both a smile and then fell into humming cheerfully to himself as he let Liam and Riley leave and turned his attention to his day job.

[eblouissant]

If Riley had not loved Liam as much as he did, he would have shoved him into a wall or something.. especially with such a cheeky and slightly impetuous remark as that-- that was absolutely top tier gremlin behavior, and he was rather enlightened to see exactly where Trick got it from. The apple did not fall far from the tree, it appeared.

"Are you suggesting we try that out?" he said with an almost horrified hiss as they walked out the door hand in hand, arm in arm and with none-the-wiser; thereby and quite unknowingly passing by the man that they had just talked to Declan about (and given advice in regards to.), they were in their own world now.

Nothing could drag them out save an act of god, and at this moment Riley did not think that would happen.

[giveanything]

Oh it absolutely ran in the family, and underneath the guilt and sadness and fear, the little bits of who William Leary actually was were starting to stir. He had a gremlin streak, a playfulness. Now if he could just understand how to properly handle emotions other than guilt, he'd be unstoppable.

A laugh at Riley's thoroughly appalled reaction and he leaned in to press a sweet kiss to his cheek. "I mean, it would be the only way to find out how far this magic goes. Or would that be tempting fate, you think?"

And then because he could he leaned his head against Riley's shoulder.