Mag opens the door to the room and peels his coat off. Williams is standing behind him with a faint smile.
"Nice room," Williams says softly.
"It suffices," Mag pokes the fire in the fireplace a little and sits on the bed, "It's getting colder out there, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Williams pulls off his jacket and sits next to Mag. He shivers a little and cuddles close to him, "You're warm."
Mag tucks an arm around them, "Thanks."
"Mag?"
"Yeah?" Mag tucks Williams' hair back a bit.
"Would you - cuddle me? Like before? It'd . . . be warmer. And . . . it -"
"Would feel nice?"
Williams smiles and nods.
They climb under the covers. Mag predictably blushes, and hugs Williams to him. Mag missed this so much. Williams always smelled like safety to him - then again when they met, Williams was safety.
Williams snuggles against him.
Mag smiles, "Is this nice?"
"Yeah." He manages a small smile. The smile made him look more attractive, and Mag really shouldn't be thinking about that. "It's nice and warm. I can forget," he whispers, and buries his face in Mag's shirt.
Mag gently touches Williams face, "You shouldn't have to forget. I just wish -"
"What?"
"I don't know - that you didn't have this - this mess in your life - that we were - I don't know - normal."
"Normal?" He gives a little laugh, "Normal has its atractions. I'd settle for a little more freedom."
"Yeah - silly to apply it to us, isn't it?"
"Considering."
"Yeah."
Williams smiles again. "I spent the summer learning Kerionesse," he says thoughtfully. "I think it was Kerionesse."
"Is it a nice language?" Mag lightly brushes his fingers against Williams' hair.
"It's musical. I think it's musical, if I'm mapping the letter right. I can make things rhyme, but my accent is probably atrocious." He paused a little, "They don't have werewolves on Kerionesse, or humans, for that matter."
Mag nuzzles Williams head resting his nose against the hair - it smells of soap, a litle of Williams, and a little of Liz. The soap is preferable. "You could write poetry."
"I tried to, once." Williams settled closer, "I can't write poetry. I can translate it, though."
"Really? What was the poem about?"
"My brother. I thought I'd send it too him. Something hopeful and humourous."
Mag decides to kiss Williams hair. He pauses, "Sorry. I should have asked . . ."
"Why?"
"Because - I . . . . didn't have your permission. And besides with - I didn't want to remind you of something bad."
"You can do whatever you want to, Mag." Williams closed his eyes a little, "It felt good."
"It was supposed to - I enjoyed it myself."
"Good. I like it when you're happy."
Mag smiles, "I'm happy often - it's you that I worry about."
"You shouldn't have to. I can take care of myself, Mag, really."
"I hope so," Mag kisses Williams' hair again.
Williams snuggles against him. "You know, it's amazing how large werewolves are in human form," he mumbles into Mag's shirt. "Where does the extra mass go when you transform?"
"I don't know really -"
"I mean, even on Kerionesse, they say that gyneagles are always larger than any true eagle and as small as a child when they aer women." Williams sighed a little, "One of the innumerable mysteries fo magic, I supose."
"Well - maybe it all goes somewhere else - like were the Aelder walk?"
"Maybe."
Mag cradles a hand flat on Williams back enjoying the warmth and the shifting as he breathed. Williams wriggles a little, happily, and pulls himself closer to Mag. "Is this all right?" Mag moves the hand on WIlliams back slightly.
"It's wonderful."
Mag smiles. He stares into Williams eyes. "Your eyes are beautiful," Mag says suddenly.
Willaims looks up (Well, sideways) at him with pure adoration. "Not really," he mumbles.
"No - they really are," Mag kisses Williams forehead, "Very few eyes are that clear of a grey - and it's lovely."
"Your eyes are gold," he whispers, "Gold's more valuable than silver."
"I always thought it was more of an amber shade - but it's hard to see your own eyes."
"Unless you have a good mirror."
"They're hard to find," Mag pauses, "Can I kiss you again?"
"If you like. Whatever you want, Mag."
Mag looks at him seriously, "Williams - I want . . . I want you to feel happy and safe - even if it's only for a short while. My desires come second." "I do feel happy and safe," he whispers. "As long as you're with me. I want you to be happy too, Mag. And . . . kissing does feel good."
"Williams - I'm happy just laying here with you, but -"
"But what? What do you want to do?"
Mag looks down and blushes a little, "I . . . also think you're beautiful - and I'd like to kiss you, and hold you, and I wish that you could know that sex could be good."
"I know. I've read about it," Williams touches Mag's nose, "And if you want to keep kissing me, you can."
Mag smiles sweetly, and leans forward to gently kiss Williams' nose, "Have I ever told you that you are impossibly sweet for a man with as bad a life as you've had?"
"No."
"You, dear friend," Mag kisses Williams nose again, "Are the most impossibly sweet man for such a bad life as you've had. Or not had."
"I didn't think I was sweet. I thought I was rather bitter, actually."
"You're bitter in a sweet way?"
"Is there a sweet way to be bitter? Not had?" Williams sounds completely puzzled.
Mag sighs, "Well - not had if you're asking some sources. And yes. You're bitter, but not the kicking puppies kind of bitter. Tell my mind to stop wanting to nibble on your ears." He stops, "I shouldn't have said that."
"You can nibble on my ears if you want to," he says, sounding confused but curious.
Mag blushes a little, "I'd . . . really like to."
"Then do it." "What did you man about the life I haven't had?"
Mag leans forward and nuzzles Williams ear a bit, "Just - what some people would have you say." His voice is soft and tickles Williams ear.
Wiliams takes a deep breath. He feels odd, and nice, and warm. Nice. Safe.
"But I don't really wanna talk about how awful your life is - or what the Duke doesn't want you to say about it," Mag kisses Williams' ear softly.
"Oh." Williams shivers, but pleasantly. He hugs Mag.
Mag purrs softly, and gently licks at the very upward curve of Williams ear.
Williams arches his back a little. "That was nice," he says, sounding confused.
"I guessed it would be," Mag laughs softly - his breath tickling Williams ear, "Dmitri would just melt when I'd do that -"
Williams hugs him again. "Yeah," he whispers.
Mag thinks a little, "Would you like to try?"
"Try what?"
Mag chuckles softly - though it's more of a rumble, "Anything. Anything that makes you feel warm."
"Sure, if you want."
"I would," Mag says only little huskily.
"Then go ahead." Williams shifts a little and watches him.
Mag smiles at him, "Then - what would you wish to do?"
"I don't know," Williams spread his hands along Mag's back, "What to you want?"
Mag blinks, "That I would deeply enjoy? Or that I think you would enjoy?" He stokes Williams' back a little.
"Whatever you want." He smiles up at Mag again, adoringly.
Mag blinks, "Then - I think I'd like you to kiss me. If you would. And then - maybe we could lie here a bit? And enjoy the warmth?"
"Okay."
He leans forward and kisses Mag. Mag melts into the kiss - wrapping Williams closer. Williams tenatively touches Mag's lip with his tounge. Mag's mouth opens - Williams closes his eyes. Mag's toungue in turn touches Williams upper lip lightly - and nearly brushes Williams toungue. Williams's purring in the back of his throat. Williams taps at Mag's tounge with his own.
Mag makes a faintly startled but happy sounding noise and clutches Willaims to him. Willaims' tounge snakes into Mag's mouth. He makes another purring noise.
One of Mag's hands gently cradles Williams head - not pushing it toward him - just supporting it. Mag makes a soft but distinct moan. It's the happy sort though. Williams presses as close to him as possible.
Mag gasps a little and then brushes a hand against Willaims side. Williams gently puts his hand on the back of Mag's neck.
His other hand finds its way to Mag's hip.
Mag purrs softly and lightly touches Williams' toungue with his own again. He gasps at the touch on his hip.
Williams's hand starts to move up under Mag's shirt.
Then stops dead as it touches skin.
Mag purrs again softly. He wiggles a little moving Williams hand up a bit in the process.
Willaim tenatiely moves his hand up further. "Is this okay?" he breathes into Mag's mouth.
Mag rumbles something resembling a "yes," and then brushes his hands against Williams back again.
Williams moves his hand up further. "I'm going to push your shirt off," he says, sounding vauegly irritated and apologetic.
"All right," Mag leans back a little and pushes himself up to help.
Williams blinks. "That's good?"
"Yeah," Mag smiles looking a little dazed, "This's really good."
"Oh." He pulls off Mags' shirt and kisses his chest.
Mag gasps and lays limply back down again. "That's also nice," he manages.
"Good." He moves a little bit lower, and tentatively licks Mag's chest.
Mag moans slightly again, and his breathing becomes deeper.
Williams smiles at him. "I did that right?"
"It's . . . hard to do wrong, and yeah - that was nice," Mag smiles looking a little dazed, "Wouldn't mind if you did it again?" He sounds hopeful.
"Oh." He blinks up at Mag again, with that cute little adoring expression, and repeats the action.
Mag gasps again and his breathing gets faster.
Wlliams smiles again. "That's good," he says, "Are you happy?"
"Yes," Mag says softly, "I'm happy."
"Good." He moves a little lower hovering over Mag's lower chest. Williams smiles.
One of Mag's hands touches Williams knee, and the other clenches the sheet.
Williams kisses Mag's stomach. "I'm doing this right, then," Williams whispers.
Mag makes a soft moan again, "Y - yeah. You are."
"Good." He moves down again - his breath brushing against Mag's navel and making Mag squirm a little. Williams looks up. "You pants are in teh way," he says, sounding innocent. "Should I take them off?"
Mag blinks, "Do you want me to?" He's pushed himself up a little on his elbows, "I mean - be without my pants?"
"I can do it, if it's alright." He blushed furiously.
Mag blushes a little, "I wouldn't mind - if you don't mind that I'm . . . erm." Mag leans back and blushes some more, "I . . . am . . . attracted to you."
"I don't mind" says Willaims, with the same adoring smile. "This would be rather pointless if you wern't." His hand brushes the front of Mag's pants.
Mag jumps slightly with another gasp.
"Did I do something right?"
"You . . . could say that," Mag says sounding rather out of breath, "That . . . feels good."
"Good." He brushes his hand against Mag's erection again, and with his other hand begins to undo Mag's pants.
Mag's hips jerk just a little and Mag bits slightly on his lower lip.
"Are you okay?" He looks concerned. And innocent. And young.
"I'm all right," Mag smiles at him, 'Are you sure you . .. know what you're doing?"
"Yeah. I think so, anyway. I read about this," he adds idly. He begins to work Mag's pants down.
"Ah," Mag blushes a little. He looks at Williams, and then blushes again.
Williams pulls Mag's pants down off his hips. Willliams gains a slight smile,and kisses his hip.
Mag gasps and his leg muscles tense and relax.
He kisses again, closer to the inside of Mag's thigh. Williams begins to pull the pants down off Mag's knees.
Mag gasps again and makes a faint purring sound. Mag raises his legs a little to make getting his pants off easier.
Williams pulls them all the way off and smiles at Mag.
Mag smiles back. Mag reaches a hand out to where Williams was kneeling, "Come back?"
Williams pulls himself up to chest level again, and kisses Mag's chest. "This is nice," he whispers.
Mag makes appreciative sounds and clenches the sheet. "Really?" Mag manages.
"Yes," Williams thinks for a while and adds, "Very. Do you want me to take off my shirt?"
"I was thinking more fantastic myself," Mag says and then smiles, "If you'd like."
"Alright." He manages to pull it off and deposit it on the floor. Williams kisses Mag on the lips again.
Mag purrs into the kiss and holds Williams. His hands skim along Williams back -
Williams arches his back and pushes his hips down.
Mag follows the curves and lines and muscle - and trying to ignore the occasional scar.
Williams smiles.
Mag's hips thrust again slightly, but Mag controls it.
"Shall I get back to what I was doing?" Williams purrs.
Mag nods, "If you'd like." His hips twitch again, "I wouldn't protest at all."
"Mmm." He kisses Mag's stoumach. Then his navel. Then his thigh.
Mag purrs and his knees unconsciously part a little. Mag makes a soft moan at the gentle kiss on his thigh.
Williams runs his hand along the inside of Mag's thighs. He purrs gently again. Williams then leans forward a little and takes' Mag's erection in his mouth.
Mag gasps suddenly and his hips tremble a little.
Williams moves his hands to grasp Mag's hips. He pulls back. "I did that right?"
Mag pants for a bit, "Yeah - that . . . felt right."
"Good." He leans forward again this time, using his tounge.
Mag makes a soft moan and throws his head back.
Williams gives a tiny half-laugh. He lifts hiself up and smiles up at Mag. Innocently, adoringly.
Mag attempts to say something coherent. Or think something coherent.
Williams licks his lips and bends back down to gently enclose Mag's erection with his mouth.
Mag makes another gasping sound and abandons his question.
Williams runs a finger up Mag's stomach. His touch is gentle - no hint of nails. They both have seen the harsher side of touch -
Mag's stomach muscles contract a little, and Mag makes a soft moan.
Williams finds a hand and gives it a gnetle squeeze.
Mag smiles at him, and then manages a, "Williams?"
"Hmmmm?" This vibrates in his throat since he's still using his tounge to good advantage.
Mag makes a soft surprised sound mixed with a moan. Mag tries again, "You . . . don't have to do this - if you don't want."
Williams moves his other hand to the inside of Mag's thigh. He lifts his head again so he can talk comfortably. "But I want to. I want to make you happy."
"I'm . . . very happy," Mag says out of breath, "But - I wouldn't want to force you to do anything." His leg muscles tense and relax under Williams' hand.
He gives Mag a sweet and peaceful smile, "You're not. This was my idea, remeber?" Williams strokes Mag's thigh, "Now stop feeling guilty about it."
His legs move a little and his hips twitch. Mag smiles back at him, "Thanks - I'll try not to -"
"To what?
"Feel guilty," he says. Mag rubs a foot slightly against Wiliams leg, "And this is very nice."
"Good."
Mag's hips twitch a little again, and he blushes.
Williams moves his mouth down again.
Mag gasps again and clutches the blankets with his hands. His hips arch up a little, but he attempts to control his urge to lean into the warmth of Williams' mouth. And for someone unskilled - Williams was doing very well.
Williams moves his hand to Mag's hips, holding them loosely.
Mag squirms a little and makes a sort of purring noise. His hips twitch again slightly - but it seems that he's trying not to move.
Williams makes a faint confused noise, but he's not exactly in a good spot for talking right now. He grips Mag's hips a bit tighter and moves further down.
Mag makes a faint sound - a sort of moan / scream, and his legs curve to be behind Williams.
Williams lifts himself up a bit and takes a breath. He smiles at Mag again.
Mag pants a little and manages, "Very . . . nice."
"Why are you trying not to move?" he asks, sounding completely puzzled.
"It . . . might startle you?" Mag says and then blushes a little.
"I'll be fine," he smiles again, "Do you want me to stop?"
Mag blushes again, and says softly, "No." He looks up at Williams, and then sits up enough to kiss him before laying back down.
Williams closes his eyes as he lays back down. Carefully, he moves to take Mag's erection into his mouth again.
Mag's hips twitch again - just a little, and Mag makes a soft sound.
Williams opens his eyes for a moment, but without focusing on anything. He pauses briefly before moving as far down as he can.
Mag moans a little louder, and his hips twitch again.
Williams would murmer something encouraging at this point, but, he's .. occupied. Instead he lets go of Mag's hip in favor of holding his hands.
Mag's arms tense, and then his legs. His hips twitch again, and his hands clench Williams. Not too hard so as to bruise - but tightly.
Williams gently clutches back.
He pulls back momentarily, long enough to take another deep breath, and then goes down again. He rubs his shoulder againt Mag's thigh in a cattish kind of motion.
Mag makes another gasp / scream - then pants for a bit. Manages to gasp out, "Williams - I -"
Williams stops moving. He makes a tiny questioning noise deep in his throat.
Mag gasps and says something in Mainlander. He orgasms with a high pitched keen -
Williams closes his lips more firmly and lifts his head to accomodate the arching of Mag's back.
Mag shivers a little and relaxes. It's the good sort of shiver though.
Williams waits for a moment and then pulls away, gently. He closes his lips and wriggles up until his head is resting on Mag's chest.
Mag blinks at him sleepily.
Williams makes a pleasant noise in the back of his throat, then look up at Mag with the same adoring and innocent smile. "Was that good?" he asks quietly.
He tries a few times, and then succeeds at curling an arm around Wiliams, "Yeah. More then good."
"So I did it right, then."
Mag smiles, "Feels like my knees melted."
"Mmm," he pulls himself up, wraps his arms around Mag's shoulder, and kisses him firmly. The fabric of his pants is scratching Mag's ankles.
Mag purrs and hugs Wiliams closer.
Williams buries his head in Mag's shoulder again.
Mag runs a hand along Williams' back, "Thanks." He blushes a little - probably glad that Williams can't see it, "I can . . . return the favor - if you'd like."
"Nah. You don't have to do that, Mag."
"Okay," Mag snuggles content to cuddle, "Are you warm?"
"Very." He snuggles up against Mag's chest and purrs again.
Mag purrs a little as well, and gently kisses Williams forehead, "Mind if I drift off?"
"I'm tired too."
Mag kisses Williams' hair,"All right."
He looks up at Mag, the same adoring smile on his face. He looks much younger than eighteen right now.
Mag curls on his side, and smiles back, "Are you comfortable?"
"Yeah. You're here."
Mag purrs softly, and closes his eyes.
Williams holds him closer.
"Williams?"
"Yeah, Mag?"
"Was . . . it that bad? I mean - did you . . . well, enjoy that?" Mag blushes.
"You liked it a lot."
"I know - but . . ." Mag sighs, "I'll admit - you're handsome - and I . . . enjoyed . .. what you did." He blushes, "But - I just - want to know if - if you - didn't mind that. If it wasn't bad for you?"
"I told you I didn't want you to be guilty. I didn't mind. I wouldn't have done it it if I'd minded."
"That's good," Mag kisses Wiliams, "I . . . wouldn't want you - to add something else to your lists of bad sex." He blushes again. "You'd think I could talk about this with a straight face, wouldn't you?" Mag says with a faint smile.
"Probably. You've done it before."
"Yeah," Mag smiles, "I have."
Williams snuggles against him.
Mag holds him gently, "I guess I - hope that - you might get something good - a good memory - maybe?"
"This is a good memory," he says quietly, "You holding me like this is enough to go on with."
"Good," Mag closes his eyes, and holds Williams.
Williams presses as close to him as he possibly can. "I wish I could stay," he whispers.
"As do I," Mag says softly, "Are you sure that we couldn't talk to a Monger? Or - something?"
"I should go back before they realize I've been gone. I know if Yon comes to his sense's he'll just send me something nasty."
"We could try to hide?"
"He'll find me."
Mag sighs and then yawns slightly. "Maybe some day?"
"Maybe some day. If - " Williams swallows around a sudden lump in his throat. "If he realizes I've talked to you he'll try to make me hurt you."
"Williams - I understand - I know you'd never want to hurt me."
"I have to go back. I'm sorry," Williams looks down. "I'm sorry," he whispers again, and stars to cry.
Mag holds him, "I understand." He rocks him a little, and tucks the blankets tighter around them.
He clings to Mag, crying quietly into his shoulder. "Mag," he whispers, "will you promise me something?"
Mag swallows, "What?"
"Keep an eye on my brother. If you can. Just - I know he take care of himself, but he needs someon e to look after him every once in a while, and I can't do that for him anymore. If he's ever in trouble - "
"I will."
"Thanks."
He kisses Mag's collarbone.
Mag looks at him gravely and says "Everything's not fine, is it."
"No. Not as long as I have to leave."
"I meant - with . .. Yon and you."
"I can't say," Williams whispers. He trembles quietly.
Mag holds him, "Can - you phrase a hint for a question for me to ask? So I'll know? So someboady knows the truth?"
He considers this. "Try being hypothetical, and asking yes-or-nos."
Mag closes his eyes, "I'll try Mainlander then. It's easier to be hypothetical in your native tounge." He thinks for a bit. "If anything was wrong - different wrong, I mean, not that I'm saying that something is, but if it was - what might it be?"
"If it was - The Duke might be ... trying to control my actions."
"Ah - probably an off shoot of his earlier mind - I mean - his earlier stuff."
Williams kisses his neck again.
Mag smiles and then awkardly pulls himself up, "I'm gonna see the fire so that it won't go out - so it won't get too cold."
"Okay," Williams rolls over into the hollow space where Mag was.
Mag walks across the room (ignoring the fact he's wearing no pants) and pokes at the ashes a little, "Want another blanket?"
"I was warm enough with you here."
Mag smiles over his shoulder, "Then I'll be back there in a bit."
He flops onto his back and stares at nothing in particular.
Mag finishes poking the ashes and adds a thinnish log to the fire since it was getting a little low. He walks over to the candle, "Mind if I blow this out?"
"No." Williams pulls up the blankets.
He blows out the candle, and the room resolves into blue shapes and shadows from the moon. Mag stretches a little and walks back over to the bed.
Mag blinks down at him, "You . . . don't mind if - I sleep with you?"
"I wanted you too, remeber?" he murmers. Williams stretches out a hand and turns down the corner of the blanket.
Mag climbs in and then tucks the blanket over him. He glances over at Williams.
Williams rolls onto his side and hugs Mag.
Mag hugs him back and cuddles against him - trying not to put icy feet on him.
Williams wraps his legs around Mag. "Thanks," he whispers.
Mag purrs a little. Mag shifts a little, "You comfortable?"
Williams kisses him again.
Mag leans into the kiss - obviously enjoying it.
Williams pulls him as close as possible.
Mag gently rubs Williams back, "I'm . . . glad you're here."
Williams kisses him again.
Mag strokes Williams hair and brushes a finger along the curve of Williams' ears.
Williams shivers again.
Mag freezes, 'Is . . . that something I shouldn't do?" His voice is innocent.
"No," Wiliiams whispers. He hugs Mag again.
Mag snuggles, "Then why the shiver?"
"Memories."
"Of . . . bad things?"
"I have to go back in the morning," he says this in a hurry.
He brings his hands through Williams' hair enjoying the feel and then runs one along the curve of Williams' neck - just gently, "I know." Mag sighs softly against Williams' shoulder, "And when you return - things will be . . . as they have been. But - for now, you aren't there." Mag sighs, "For now at least, you are with a friend." He smiles slightly, "I assume I'm a friend?"
"More than. You're all I have, Mag."
Mag looks at Williams with a sweet smile, and then presses a gentle kiss on his lips.
Williams melts against him. He's hardly shaking at all.
Mag pulls barely away and looks at Williams smiling slightly. His mouth is a little open.
"Mag," Williams whispers. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be leaning on you like this. You've got your own life."
"I can take it, Williams. Lean all you want," Mag says looking into Williams face.
Williams looks away, closing his eyes.
"Williams?" Mag says softly, "I . . . don't mind you . . . wanting my company. It's . . . nice."
"Oh, Mag," he whispers, burying his face in Mag's shoulder.
Mag blinks his eyes trying not to cry.
Williams hugs him closer.
Mag sniffles a little, and immediatly tries to clamp down on it, "It's okay, Williams - it's - just all right."
"Mag," he whispers again, and hold him close, "I don't belong here. You should just forget about me."
"I can't." Mag ignores the tear going down his cheek. It's . . . a freak thing. Yeah.
"Why not? You have your own life to live," Williams says softly, "I told you I'll be okay, if you and Trevor are happy. And you said you'd look out for Trevor, so you don't have to worry about me."
"But I worry about you Williams," Mag sniffles again, "I - can't forget you. I want you to be safe. Is that too much to ask of the world?"
"But you can't keep me safe."
"I can hope," Mag rubs at his face, "I can hope, can't I?"
"Yeah," whispers Williams, "But not much else."
Williams leans forward and kisses his on the cheek. "I'll be fine," he says, gently. "If you and Trevor are safe."
Mag purrs a little at the kiss. "I'm safe here," Mag kisses Wiliams cheek. He snuggles, "Are you comfortable?"
"Yeah."
Mag smiles.
Williams looks away.
"Williams?"
"Mag - " His whisper is harsh, forced.
"Yeah?"
Williams shivers a little.
Mag rubs his back a little, "I'm - just glad - okay? I'm glad you're here."
"I wish I could stay."
Mag tucks his head against Williams shoulder, "So do I."
Williams is not crying. He's not. He'd never cry, right?
Mag sighs deeply his entire chest moving.
Right. Never. Williams nestles his head against Mag's shoulder. At least he's safe for now. For now. Here - and now.
Williams pulls Mag closer.
Mag blinks up at him sleepily. His leg sort of curls around Wiliams.
Williams holds him a little tighter.
"'s warm," he mumbles finally.
"I'm sorry," Williams whispers, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I shouldnt' have coem here."
"Hurt me?" Mag blinks looking a little more awake, "I'm not hurt."
Williams shivers. "But I have to leave in the morning," he says.
"Yeah, I know," Mag sighs, "I can live with it."
Williams hugs him, "I'm still sorry."
"So am I," Mag kisses him, "But I can accept it."
"You shouldn't have to worry about me."
"Why not?"
"Because - I shouldn't have come here," Williams swallows, "You - I shouldn't impose myself on you. Make assumptions. I've no right."
Mag blinks, "It's not an imposition, WIliams."
Williams starts to cry.
Mag blinks looking lost.
Just a little. Quietly.
He rubs Williams' shoulder slightly, "What were you assuming?"
"This never should have happened," he whipsers, trying to sound dignifed. "None of it. You've been hurt enough without my problems on your shoulders as well. I thought --"
He cradles Williams in his arms, "I love you."
Williams looks up at him, looking scared and lost.
Mag touches his face slightly, "I love you. I care about you."
"No," Williams whispers, sounding resigned. "No. You don't love me. You'll find someone better."
"I might. But for now, I love you."
Williams holds him close again, "That's why I shouldn't have come here."
"Why not? I'm glad that you're here. And I can handle you leaving."
"I'm not sure that I can," he whispers.
"I'm sorry," Mag touches Williams face again. Williams leans up and kises him, with a bit of desperation. Mag leans into the kiss.
"I tell myself that I don't need to worry," Williams says, quietly. "That you and Trevor will be fine, and that I don't matter, next to that." He shivers slightly.
"You do matter," Mag says softly.
"I can't think that I do."
Mag blinks at the phrasing, "Why not?"
"I might start beleiving it. I can't affors to act on my own behalf. I might hurt someone." Williams shudders as he says this.
Mag looks baffled. Sympathetic. But baffled.
Williams hugs him.
Mag snuggles in the hug. He understands hugs.
"I'll stay here for a bit longer," Williams says. "Just a little while."
"That'll be nice," Mag says softly. He runs a hand through Williams' hair.
Williams snuggles against him. "Take care of yourself," he says quietly.
"You to," Mag says softly.
"I can't make any promises, Mag."
"I know," Mag kisses him, "But I don't want that bastard to win."
"He won't. One way or another." He does not meet Mag's eyes as he says this.
Mag touches him, "Williams - I . . . just . . . I want you to - um."
Williams looks up at him. He looks calm and collected now. "Mag?"
He tries again, "Just - don't pass up a chance if it comes to you? You're worth it."
"A chance? For what?"
"A chance to . . . to . . . make your life better."
"I don't intent to miss a chance," says Williams carefully, "To make a change."
"Change can be good," Mag offers softly. He kisses Williams forehead, "And you deserve . . . that change as much as your brother - more so even."
"My brother has his life," says Williams, "and I have mine. I know I can't protect him any longer."
"I'll try to, though," Mag says, "Williams?"
Williams shivers slightly.
"Has . . . has Yon showed any interest in . . . having your brother visit?"
"No," Williams says, "But I don't think he ... approves of him."
"Oh," Mag thinks for a bit. "I see," he says finally.
"And I'd ..."
"I'd," Williams says, "I'd feel better about his safety if I knew he had some trustworthy friends."
"I'll try. At the least I can hang around. He lives with the Evanhearts?"
"He's there now," Williams says, "I don't know where he'll be in a year."
"I can find him eventually."
Williams says, "He's just quit the priesthood, and our father will probably insist he take up a trade."
"Army - likely," Mag says.
"If he joins the army like he's threatened to do, I'll feel a bit better. He would make a fine leader of men and a troup of loyal soldiers would certainly keep him safe from all ... danger."
"From what you said, his troops would be loyal," Mag says, "Aren't you going into the army as well? You haven't served your time yet, have you?"
"I don't intend to join."
"Ah."
"There's no reason to, and I would be ill suited to the military life."
"Your father may want you to just work in it for the title - maybe an envoy."
"Perhaps," Williams sighs, "And of course I shall have to."
"You know - WIlliams, if anything should . . . threaten Trevor - I would . . . stop them."
"I beleive that I can trust you to keep my brother safe. No matter what may become of me."
Mag touches him gently, "I'll try to keep you alive, Williams. That's the best I can promise."
"I don't care about my own life, Mag. As long as my brother is safe."
Mag looks at him sadly, "I think . . . I think I know . . . what you're not saying. Do . . . if anything should have us on opposite sides - are you saying that I should kill you?"
Williams looks away. "It won't come to that," he says, perfectly calmly.
"Very well," Mag snuggles him, "Are you tired?"
"Yeah," Williams offers him a sleepy smile. He kisses Mag gently, and Mag kisses back. WIlliams tries to breathe evenly. Mag finally pulls away a little.
Williams kisses his chest gently. "Sleep," he says, quietly, "I would love you if I could."
Mag blinks sleepily at him.
Williams sighs quietly and lays his head on Mag's chest.
He curls against him, and tucks an arm around him. ""s comfy?"
"Yeah." Williams smiles, a little.
"'s good," Mag says, "How come - I can sound utterly awake and then just crash?"
"I don't know." He hugs Mag. "It doesn't matter."
"Must be from traveling w' my parents when I was little," Mag yawns, "Or somthin'. You're warm." He snuggles a little closer. Mag purrs at the hug and nuzzles Williams ear.
"Goodnight," he says quietly.
"Good night," Mag replies. His breathing slows.
Williams kisses him gently on the lips.
Mag purrs a little in his sleep and whispers something that could be, "Dmitri," or could be, "Williams."
Williams waits until he's throughly asleep before kissing him again on the forehead. He gets up quietly. The room is quiet and dark save for the coals of the fire. Williams gets his shirt from teh floor and puts it on. Then he finds his boots and jacket.
Mag rolls over a little in his sleep and mumbles sleepily. Mag snuggles with his pillow.
Williams belts his coat. Pats the reassuring wieght of his little eating daggar at his side. He considers for a bit. Williams rummages amoung Mag's things until he finds Mag's daggar, which he still carries dspite the fact that in any sort of fight his claws would be far more effective, if only because in the north you still used daggars to eat with. And the meat needs a good knife to make it edible . . .
Williams takes off his scabbard.
Williams lays it down on the table, where Mag will see it when he wakes.
He takes Mag's and fastenes it to his belt.
He walks back over and kisses Mag on the forehead again. And walks out the door.
Mag's dagger is similar enoguh to his own that Yon will never notice. With luck.
But the knife was different enough that just by touching it he'll know that this night wasn't a dream. He struggles back across the road. The snow has slowed a little, but it's cold and the snow is heavy and wet.
The inn is cold and mostly dark. The waitress is polishing tables inside. He nods absently to her.
The waitress looks up, "Oh? You're back." She smiles, "Want something hot to drink?"
"I could use it. It's cold outside," Williams says, "I still haven't any money, though."
She pours him a cup of broth, "This is free." She takes a seat and pats a spot for him.
He sits down and sips at it, looking distant.
"Argument?" she says finally.
"No." He stares off into the distance some more.
She sighs, "Can't stay with him?"
"Yeah."
"Pity that," she pours her own cup of broth. There's a pot still over the fireplace with the broth. It likely hasn't been moved since the inn was built.
"I hadn't expected to meet him here," Williams turns his mug in his hands, "Any time with him is a gift."
"Ah," she glances upward, "Duke doesn't argree with you being with him?"
Williams nods. "Hypocrite," he adds under his breath. And even that makes his heart clutch.
She blinks at him, "You okay?"
"I'm fine." He takes another sip of broth, and smiles gently at her.
She sighs and pats his shoulder. "Listen, mister," she says sipping her own broth, "If you - ever need somewhere to go - ask for me, 'kay?"
"Somewhere to go?"
"Like if that Duke fires you or something," she sips her broth, "I can find somewhere to take you in - and pay you for something. Writing maybe."
"I don't even know your name."
"You know," she comments idley, "Him being all - hide bound like that hurts your personal life."
"Hidebound?"
"Not accepting that you like that frankly handsome and rather nice guy."
He shrugs.
"He works here in a book store in the summer. Could marry any girl in town in a heartbeat."
"But he doesn't want to," Williams says.
"I know," she smiles, "And I can see why. You're a sweet kid."
He gives her a little smile, "We're not lovers."
She nods, "Whatever you say." Her smile clearly indicates that she believes otherwise.
"We aren't. Really. Just old friends, who havn't seen each other since we were children," he says quietly.
"So, your employer has a problem with you meeting old friends?" she shakes her head.
"He doens't approve of me fraternizing with the populace," Williams says mildly, "And he's probably draw the same conclusions you did."
She blinks, "What - that you were sleeping with him?"
"Yes."
"Nothing wrong with that," she pauses and looks a little more serious, "Or would he be jealous."
He blinks. "Whatever make you think that, ma'am?"
She shakes her head, "I know - I know, the Duke's a Peer and all that -" She sips her broth a little and looks serious. "But -" she looks at him, and then shakes her head again, "I'm jsut offering a hand if you need one. Ever."
"Thanks." He smiles at her.
She smiles and finishes her broth.
Williams gets up, nods to her, and retreats upstairs.
Mag wakes up blearily and notices that half the bed is empty. Not that it was a large bed, but it looks bigger without Williams in it.
Where is Williams anyhow? He sits up carefully, and looks around the room. There's a chair, his bed, the fireplace, the table -
It's fairly dark, but the sun must be up by now, right? He blinks, and then fumbles for his shoes. He puts on his shoes and walks over to the window. The sky is grey and dark, but it's not snowing. The sun's up. He turns.
There's a knife on his table. A small one - more of an eating dagger than a fighting sort. There's some enamel work in the hilt. He picks it up and looks it over. The knife smells faintly of Wiliams - though the room smells faintly of Williams -
He pulls on his pants over his house shoes and sits in the chair. He doesn't remember this knife - it's not his sister's. He checks for his own knife, but it's gone. So . . . . He stares at the strange knife again.
"It's Williams'," his mind finally says. He's holding Williams knife - his dagger - Williams left him his dagger.
Mag sets the knife down and looks out the window. His eyes sting a little - but he won't cry. He'll . . . jsut watch the sky a little. Trading daggers means - that - you claim someone as kin. Or as a lover.
He smiles a little, and then closes his eyes. He'll . . . need to talk to his sister. They'll need to go to where the Evanhearts live.
Williams - said that he loved him - if he could - but he couldn't - so - he left his knife, maybe. Or maybe he just said that Mag was trusted with his brother and was family. But he left his knife. So - he loved him? . . . Mag rubbed at his eyes. He was _not_ going to cry. He was . . . jsut going to sit for a bit. Yes. And . . . not think.
Mag walked over and poked the fire into life, and then added more wood. It crackled nicely. He put the dagger on his belt, and then sat back in his chair again. He'd just - tell his sister that he was moving. Yes. And . . . if she asked about the dagger?
If Ann asked about the dagger - then -
He'd tell her the truth -
Or that he just met a nice man - finally. Either way - She'd smile and understand, right?
Mag closed his eyes. Yeah, she'd understand.
Williams claimed him as family. Mag smiled slightly. Well, time to see about living up to that.
Eventually. Once his eyes stopped stinging.
Yes.