: 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]

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.

[eblouissant]

Being a priest, it was a wonder that Riley was not filled with more catholic guilt, but here they were in all of their flawed and human glory; together filling in the puzzle pieces until they became someone a little bit more together. Even though healing had to happen individually, still the support helped; ah, did it help.

"I am..." and he said this very tentatively, glancing around, "up for it, as long as we sort of give this time to settle." give them a little time to grow a bit bolder. "We do not know if others would be able to see us naked when we are together and making out and that may be a slippery slope."

No jokes Liam.. none.

[giveanything]

"...wait really?" Oh wow okay Liam was not expecting Christmas to come quite so early, but here it was. And look at his Riley looking around like he was revealing state secrets how adorable was he?

He lifted his head to look over at his... oh god what were they? Boyfriends? That seemed so official and simultaneously not nearly significant enough for what he felt for Riley. In any case, he couldn't help another dangerously mischievous smile, nodding. "We'll give it time. But Angel, you're underestimating how much fun you can have mostly clothed."

Because the whole running around naked was a good point. Declan's spell didn't make them invisible, after all.

[eblouissant]

"What did you expect, we have engaged in..." and then he leaned in to bump his nose lightly against Liam's temple, he was two inches taller, so it was no real hardship to do so. "..carnal activities." thus his tongue was starting to grow a bit too used to being profane. This was of course all Liam's fault (despite the aura of light that would always hang onto Liam like icicles dripping off a tree).

"But the lead up is always important.." then a huff because he understood what Liam was suggesting. "I suppose that I have much learning to do, and a very willing teacher to show me his ways." who would have thought half-clothed shenanigans? Certainly not Riley.

[giveanything]

"Carnal activities..." Liam repeated in a hush, affecting his best scandalized tone. "Do you take communion with that mouth?" He teased with a smile that he failed entirely to hide.

He lifted their joined hands up to press a kiss to the back of Riley's palm. "I'll teach you everything I know and we'll find out everything I don't know yet together." Half-clothed shenanigans were thoroughly enjoyable, though they came with an increased bit of tension and frustration, but oh that was half the fun.

A smile over at him. "I love you, you know. More than I knew I could love someone..."

[eblouissant]

"They are very carnal activities!" he said with a hushed tone even as they walked side by side and now with the boon of their bodies standing close together, holding hands-- and with Liam doing something so irreparably romantic by kissing the back of his hand in such an eloquent gesture. This made his heart thrum as fast as possible in his chest, he found himself biting his lower lip as he glanced upon Liam with those sparkling eyes.

"I trust that you will corrupt me quite thoroughly." though he did add in, "You could not corrupt me truly though, because I love you.. and love is what matters, love is what makes what I feel for you sacred." and ah, Gregory would have a hard time convincing him of anything otherwise.

[giveanything]

Another laugh, but he nodded in agreement. "They are extremely carnal, Angel." Carnal and delightful, and Liam believed they'd only scratched the surface so to speak. Looking over at Riley and seeing the way his priest was biting his lip and looking at him that way, Liam had to fight for his life to not reach over and pull Riley into a kiss until both of them were breathless.

But Riley was speaking and saying the most impossible things to him. His eyes widened. How could anything associated with him be sacred, least of all someone like Riley choosing to love him? He'd spent his entire adult life being shown and told over and over again how tainted he was, how damned and hellbound. Here was Riley offering him the gentle grace that was simultaneously so human and entirely divine.

"Loving you is what kept me losing the last of my humanity. I'm sure of it. You're the miracle I was never brave enough to hope for."

[eblouissant]

"Then I suppose I will just have to stick around you to keep you on a virtuous path." Riley said, giving that hand a squeeze, the proximity was something he could get used to and he was not too keen on drawing away anytime soon. "And if we stray into less virtuous territory? Well I suppose we shall do it together."

He looked right to Liam though. "Though I am afraid that I will have to tell a lie tomorrow on why I wasn't able to attend Mass." he then attempts a sniffle, which only causes his nose to twitch a little bit.

"Because I will be laid up in bed sadly enough." not laid up in bed, attending some fairyland ceremony more like. "Feel my head, do I feel feverish to you?" he was not given to dramatic so the fact that he was doing this with utmost sincerity was both touching and cute.

[giveanything]

"You can keep me from straying too far from the path of virtue, and I can make sure you don't miss out on the more enjoyable parts of the road to ruin, mm?" They would be a good balance for one another.

The twitching nose and the attempted faux sniffle and that oh so sincere attempt at his adorable little ruse was impossible not to melt at. A wonderstruck shake of his head, and he leaned up, maybe on tiptoe, that small difference in their height eliminated so that he could press his lips to Riley's forehead, lingering there. "Oh yes, quite feverish. I'm afraid there's no help for it. You'll have to skip mass."

For their fairyland appointment, yes.

"...and if you want to make it less of a lie, I'll be happy to make sure you're good and properly laid in bed once we get back from Ducky's."