Abrose let out a sigh as Easton caressed his sides and pushed them back on the bed. He was surprised by the deeper kiss, but was even more surprised in himself when he found that he had been craving this for so long. He gladley fed into the heated kiss, gasping softly when Easton trailed down to his neck. He hugged Easton closer, whispering sweet words into his ear and teasing kissing the tender place between his neck and shoulder. His eyes flickered open when he felt Easton pull away, fearing he had gone too far for their comfort level. Abrose let Easton go and propped himself up on his elbows. He tilted his head slight "you didn't. At least not to me." He murmured, heaving in a breath to calm his thundering heartbeat. He gently carresssed Easton's cheek, brushing asise hair that had fallen over his features. "Don't apologies, my dear. We can stop here if you're more comfortable with that, I don't mind at all." He suggested softly, trying to catch Easton's eyes.
Easton shook his head, swallowing the lump in his throat. "No, I-I want to. If that's okay with you?" Easton moved his hand to Abrose's, moving his thumb back and forth. "You said to wait, and if you still want to wait, I'm perfectly okay with that." He smiled, kissing his forehead. "But considering the way you pulled me down, I feel like you this too." He held his breath, nervous like he always gets when he's with Abrose. He down at Abrose's stomach seeing his shirt halfway off, and his cheeks couldn't help but turn red. He looked back up, and this time, meeting Abrose's eyes.
Abrose nuzzled into Easton's hand, blinking at the gentle kiss to his brow. He breath a small laugh. "I do want you, dear. In any and all ways." He murmured, a light blush on his cheeks as he saw Easton's gaze travel to his exposed stomach. "But you are right," he said softly, slowly sitting up and pressing their heads together. "I want to wait a bit. At least until we move. And maybe not in my best friend's house." He laughed and kissing Easton's cheek. "Think you can wait just a bit longer, dear?" He teased brushing through Easton's hair.
Easton flopped next to Abrose with a laugh. "Maybe doing it in Mel's place is not ideal." Easton turned his head towards Abrose. "I can always wait as long as you need, my love. Besides, somehow I feel like Mel would be pretty mad at us if we did anyway. He's pretty scary." Easton pulled Abrose's shirt down, moving closer to him. "What do you say to start to pack or at least have a plan when Mel comes back with your stuff. I don't need to get anything from my place. All of it can be replaced, but you." He snuggled his head into his lover's neck. "I left quite a few marks on you, my apologies."
Abrose gave a laugh and nodded his head, tilting it so that he could watch Easton. "Yeah he can be. I think Veda's the only one who can truly put up with him. The rest of us try to be more gentle." He sighed softly and inched up on the bed so that Easton was tucked beneath his chin, and so that his legs wrapped around his hips. He pressed a kiss to the fae's hair and hummed softly. "We can start packing. I don't have much here other than some spare clothes and the box. I doubt Mel will find much at home if the queen already got there. You sure you don't want to drop by your place just in case? Or at least to say goodbye to everyone?" He asked as he made tiny braids in Easton's hair. "You forget, I'm a fragile human dear." He joked, caressing Easton's jaw, seeing what had been left behind from his own kisses. The skin had started to redden but nothing was bruising like Abrose'. He breathed a laugh. "Don't apologies Easton. Not for any of this, please. I love you. If there was something I didn't like, believe me I'd tell you."
Easton thought for a moment frowning. He rubbed his hand up and down Abrose's shoulder. "No, I don't think I need to say goodbye. If I did, I'm afraid the queen would come after them, and if they did, I don't know what would happen. They shouldn't even know I left. It's safer for them. Maybe when we get settled and everything dies down over here, then maybe I'll say hello and tell them that I'm doing just fine. I doubt my parents would even want to know if I were gone. I don't think they care." He watched Abrose with curiosity before figuring out that his hair was braided and couldn't help the smile growing on his face. "Okay, I won't apologize so much. I'll try not to, at least." Easton kissed his forehead. "You're anything but fragile my dear."
Abrose nodded slightly. "For their safety, it's probably be best." He reasoned, a frown tugging at his lips at the mentioned of Easton's parents. "I'm sure they'd care about their son's wellbeing, no matter how distant they were before." He replied, a small smile appearing on his lips as he toussled Easton's hair to get the braids out. He trilled softly at the kids to his forehead and curled up against Easton's form, soaking up the warmth and comfort he felt when beside him. "thank you dear. I like to think with all that I've been through I've grown a bit stronger." He laughed softly and closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself relax in Easton's embrace. "We should probably pack, huh?" Despite his words, he nuzzled deeper into the warmth of the bed
"But if we start packing that means we'll have to get up. Once we have to get up that means we have to be productive, so why even start the cycle when we can just stay here as you braid my hair and I can move my hand up and down your waist slowly as we gaze at each other. I think that sounds like a perfect way to spend our time." He laughed. Easton moved his hand from Abrose's shoulder down to his waist. He did as he said he would do and traced Abrose's frame. "If you really want to we could get up and start packing, but I'd rather lay here forever."
Abrose gave a little chuckle as he started to rebraid Easton's hair. "While that does sound absolutely wonderful, you know we'll have to get up eventually, darling." He cooed, hand covering Eastons out if instinct as it returned to his waist.
"Sorry," he breathed, "still getting used to that." He pressed a kiss Easton's nose. "Think about it this way, if we pack now, we can cuddle all you want til Mel comes back. If we cuddle now, we'll have to get up eventually, before Mel's back to start to pack, giving us less time to cuddle." He reasoned, lightly toying with the collar of Easton's shirt
Easton placed his hand on Ambrose's cheek. "Don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. It's okay to feel like that, I promise." Easton stopped moving his hand and sat up. "I guess you're right and we should start packing." Easton hopped off the bed. "Let's be productive." Easton groaned pulling Abrose off the bed. "I guess I'm stealing the spare clothes in Mel's drawers. I need clothes to at least hold me through the next few days." He moved a strand of hair behind Abrose's ear before his hand returned to his lover's. "What are you going to do clothing-wise."
Abrose sighed softly in relief and pressed a kiss to Easton's free hand before he sat up. He pouted and flopped back onto the bed. "I mean, we could have stayed here a bit longer, it's very warm." He trilled softly as he curled up in the bed after Easton had gone. He giggled as he was pulled off the bed but eventually let go of the blanket as he was enveloped by Easton's arms. He nodded slightly and waved to the drawers behind them. "I'm sure Mel wouldn't mind." He tilted his head into Easton's palm, pressing another kiss to his palm. "I have some spare clothes around her somewhere from when I stayed over night sometimes. I'll ask to take some spare clothes just in case though." He replied, glancing around with a small sigh. "Ready to start?"
He groaned, "If we have to." Easton moved away from Abrose, letting his fingertips linger on his hand before searching for bags to put the belongings in. Once he found two in the closet, he sighed in relief and dropped them on the bed. "Let's be productive." He searched the drawers for something his size with something he would wear. Anything he found, he folded neatly and put it in the bag. "Remember to pack toothbrushes and the major self-high gene products, okay? Once we get there, we're probably going to stay at some hotel before we find jobs and some place where we can live."
"unfortunately, we do." Abrose laughed and found a bag of his own to start putting things in it. He fikded his old clothes from yesterday as well as fee from Mel's guest closer. He set those aside, intending to ask Mel about borrowing them later when he returned. He glanced up and nodded, running into their bedroom bathroom to grab the towels they had used as well as anything Abrise thought they'd need. "We'll have to ask Mel if he knows a place to stay." He said, snapping his attention up as someone knocked on the door. He walked over and opened the door to find Esther standing outside. "Mel's back." She said with a small and relieved smile. A ride released a relieved sigh if his own and nodded. "We'll find him once we're done here packing." He promised, giving the young woman a grin as he spotted Kira a few feet away.
"Okay." He kissed Abrose's temple and continued to back. "Wait he might have some stuff you want to take, shouldn't we find him first then continue to pack. You don't want to have your bag filled up and not have any room left." He looked at his bag, it being pretty empty. Easton didn't have that many things and his bag was nearly empty. He frowned. "This is one sad bag I've put together. Let's go find Mel so we can finish packing."
Nick had been asleep till now. He could smell Mel and opened his eyes. He groaned tiredly. He rubbed his eyes blinking quickly. "Mel's back.." he whispered. He wanted to move or at least sit up, but he was too tired, there was too much pain, and he had no reason to greet Mel at the door. "Doesn't matter…he wants nothing to do with anyway." He turned over on his side and stared around the room trying to fall asleep again, but not being able to.
Abrose glanced down at his half full bag and nodded "yeah, you're probably right." He decided to take out a few of the thicker clothes he had packed in case if cold weather and rearranged a item to make more room for anything he thought Mel would bring from his home. He laughed lightly and shook his head, more room in case we pick anything up along the way." He reasoned, lacing their hands together and gently tugging Easton towards the door. "I wonder what he managed to find."
The two eventually found Mel as well as Veda speaking quietly in one of his favored open studies. Aveise knocked lightly at the threshold and have a small wave.
"Good, I was just about to come find you." Mel waved them both in and gave Abrose a once over, noticing the missing corset. He arched an eyebrow in silent question and smirked before pulling out a large box filled with a variety of Abrose' items. Abrose' held in a breath as he stepped forwards and peeked in, surprised to find mostly everything intact. "Was the house saved?" He asked softly. Mel shook his head sadly. "It wasn't burned but…not much of the house or the garden was left. This was anything I could find under the rubble." Mel explained, reachingbiver and gently squeezing his friend's shoulder. "Take all the time you need to sort through anything. I'm going to go check on our guest."
"Well, if you look at it like that, it makes me feel a lot better." He allowed Abrose, giving a small wave to Mel. Easton nodded in thanks to Mel. "That was nice of him to bring back your things even though it was such a dangerous journey." He opened the box and scoffed. "You have so much stuff. I'm glad we found Mel first. This is going to take a while. It shouldn't take forever, but it'll definitely take some time to sort through all of this. Should we take this to the room? It might be better, and I would hate to make a mess in the living room?"
Nick turned to face the ceiling, the lights still dimming, but tiny rays of sunshine illuminated some places. He took a deep breath out and prepared himself to put on a smile. He rubbed him, breathing slowly. His headache was gone, and there was minor pain; he was just extremely sore. Nick groaned softly, running a hand through his hair as it was messy.
"I'm surprised if they didn't burn it all," Abrose muttered, scooping up the box, a familiar scent arising from what he could only assume to be a few of the salvaged herbs and medicinal items Mel had managed to save. "I would have thought you'd be happier at seeing that there weren't any plants to save in here." He teased, lightly nudging Easton with his shoulder as he started back towards their bedroom. "This should mostly fit in our bags." He reasoned, searching the box for any seeds or saved sprouts. Some seeds could be seen but no sprouts.
Mel shucked off his riding jacket and tossed it over his arm as he strode towards where Nuck had been staying. He had pointedly dismissed Veda halfway to the study, ignoring the physician's glare if warning. Now alone in the halls, Mel frustratingly wiped away his tears, also ignoring the guilt in his stomach. He had lied when he told Abrose and Easton the home was rubble. It was far less than that now, barely even ashes. All now that was left was the stone foundation. He had managed to go in before the Queen had come and desintegrsted Abrose's little cottage and garden. How many time had Mel gone over and found that place more of a home than the estate? How many times had he helped Abrose with his work and with the customers, slowly gaining their trust and affectionately become Abrose's handsome assistant. Now that was no more, at least until they'd all move to the southern continent. He sucked in a breath and straightened his crimson blouse. He swallowed that guilt and sadness before gently knocking on the study door. "Nick? I-its Mel. May I come in?"
Easton grinned. "Alright then let's get to work. Is there anything in particular that you're searching for?" He walked with Abrose. "Do you need help with the box? If it's too heavy I would gladly take it. I wouldn't want you to stress too much." He offered. He didn't want to make him feel like he couldn't do it by himself, he just wanted to be helpful.
Nick looked at the door and took a deep breath in. "Yeah feel free to come in. You can…come in at any time," he grunted as he sat up just a little bit. "How was going to retrieve Abrose's stuff?" He took one look at Mel and sucked in a breath. "What happened? Is something wrong? Did someone hurt you or something? You look like you are in pain. Not physical pain but…" He snapped. "Something is troubling you. Sorry, I can read emotions and try to decipher them. I apologize if I was overstepping my boundaries."
"mostly anything to start rebuilding the garden or to replenish the inventory list. Mostly anything else can be replaced."or at least he hoped. He knew there were personal items that he had lost but right now, he couldn't be bothered with missing them, not when he knew Easton and Nel were safe and that he had his lost family's heirlooms with him. "I'm alright, I don't mind carrying it for now. Thank you though." He lightly nudged Easton's shoulder. He felt sentimental, and oddly enough didn't want to let got of the box so soon, even if it was just to their room.
Mel slowly entered tthe room, pressing a gentle hand to the nearby wall to slowly illuminate the area, just enough so that he could see where he was walking and to see Nicj without being uncomfortably blinding. He breathed a small light "thank you, but I'd doubt you'd like my constant company. He settled down in a nearby lounge chair, nearly melting into the plush cushions. "It went fine," he mumbled, tilting his head curiously and slightly narrowing his eyes at Nick. He wasn't used to someone analyzing his emotions. His features softened when Nick explained it was his fae ability and nodded slightly, running a hand through his honey gold locks. "Don't apologies. You're right. I'm not feeling the best at the moment. I'm not hurt or anything. " He took a deep, tired breath and curled up on the couch. "Do you ever get the feeling that you're doing everything wrong, even when it feels so right?" He but his lip and shook his head with a humorless laugh. "I've been a rebel leader for years now, but I'm still considered a Lord solely due to my estranged father's lineage. Everyday, needing to laugh and pretend I enjoy the damn parties and be like these rediculous people, while keeping a secret that could get me and those I love tortured. For all those facades, all that fake life I've lived, what's it all for? My best friend was hurt, his home is destroyed, his family ripped away." She closed his eyes and took a deep stedying breath. "I'm sorry," he said weakly. "I shouldn't vent, especially to you. After all you, Easton, and Abrisr have gone through. The least you need is my problems stop of you're own."
Easton smiled when his shoulder was bumped. "I think we'll find somewhere for the both of us that has a beautiful garden that no one could match." He still hated everything about plants, but he would do anything for Abrose. Seeing him happy would make him happy. That's all he needed. "While you cook and garden, I will clean the house and run errands. Once I find out how to clean a house and do everything my maids do. I can find a way to be helpful." He had a childish determined look on his face, which he called his "serious face."
Nick stayed silent. He reached to touch Mel but ripped his hand away, grabbing it and rubbing it. He took a gulp; he chewed on his inner cheek. All of this heartache, sadness, and stress Mel has been through were because of him. There was no way around it; there was no sugar coding it. He did it. The more he thought about it, the more his gut fell, and his heart hurt. He didn't even know what to say, and there was nothing he could say. "No, no, don't be sorry." He took a deep, shaky breath and looked away towards the door. "I've had that feeling for as long as I can remember. I never had my own choices, and I was fine with that. I never had a relationship that wasn't a one-night stand, and I was fine with that. I killed people, destroyed homes, ruined lives, and for a while, I was fine with that. I had messed-up thoughts. I would always justify it with 'this is what the queen wants, which is absolute' or 'I'm just purging the towns of its monstrosities, I'm doing nothing wrong' no matter the screams and cries for help, and I sat there and watched. Now everything has gone to shit. I hurt everyone I cared about, I hurt everyone around me, and I hurt you…which I can never forgive myself for. Not in a million years. No one wants anything to do with it, and maybe that's a good thing. I mean, I'm a monster, Mel. I can see memories, I can feel and sense people's emotions, and I can hear their thoughts, and living with that every day knowing I could've saved them kills me." Nick's hand was scratching the other one as he talked. "You don't have it easy because you been through the pain I caused. This isn't about me. I just wanted to say that everything that happened to Abrose and everyone else…it's not your burden to bear." His hand was red from all the rubbing and scratching. "I probably said too much. I'm sorry. I have no right to talk about my problems…They aren't even real problems. It's just the truth."
Abrose gave a warm smile at themention of having a garden, plans already racing through his head about the layout and what he's grow in different climates. He hadn't even consider if he wanted more than just a garden like a gazibo to hang out in or a lounge areas or something else until now! He looked over at Easton and shook his head with a laugh at seeing his expression. "You are a very helpful person. We'll both find a stable job and settle in well." He reassured as he pushed open the door to their bedroom and set the box on the floor. "Alright," he huffed "time to got through all this as see what's worth bringing with us." He flipped down on the floor and patted the spot beside him.
Mel's expression slowly turned from one of exhaustion to soft sadness. "You're not a monster dear. Believe me, I've met others far worse. And not all of this is fall from you. This has been a long building issue I've been slowlyearning to deal with. It just so happens this recent problem has suddenly pushed all those pent up emotions to the forefront." Mel slowly leaned forwards and gently took Nick's hand in his own, hoping to offer comfort and to get him to stop scratching. "It's not yours to bear either, Nick. It's goibgbtibbe hard getting past what you did because in truth, not much has been great but you're learning, right? Some might have take longer to accept all of that than others and that's completely fine. He shook his head and offered a small smile "you're more than welcome to talk about anything you like. I don't mind one bit."
Easton sat down next to him and started to pick things out through a box filled with jewelry and some clothes and picture frames with slightly burnt pictures inside. "I found some clothes." He announced and put them aside. The sorting went by pretty smoothly and they seemed to finish pretty quickly. "If you need to put anything in my bag just tell me. I don't mind." he offered.
Nick looked away his eyes filled with regret and pain. He looked at his hand that was being held by Mel's. It felt warm and soft. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find the right words to say. "The…The same goes for you. If you ever need to talk about anything, you know where to find me. I mean, I know you have Abrose and everyone, but I can be another person." For the first time since they've met, Nick looked into Mel's eyes. He could get lost in them but like looking for a second. He didn't know it but his pained expression turned into a shy smile. "Anyone ever tells you to have the most amazing eyes?" he shook his head and pulled his hand away from Mel. "I'm sorry, that is not what I-…it wasn't the right things to say in this sort of situation." He laughed. "We just had a really deep conversation and I saw your eyes and I…I'm going to stop talking now." He looks down bitting his lip.
Abrose glanced over and nodded, noticing the picture Easton had set aside with the clothes. A frown tugged at his lips as he gingerly picked up the photo of his family along with Mel, one of his personal favorites, so much so that he had put it on display in his back work room. Tears pricked at his eyes when he saw that it had a burned at the edges. He took in a quiet shuddering breath, knowing that his home truely was lost, in the same way that his family had. He set it aside and swallowed his sadness, not wanting to cry again. He carefully set it aside and went back to sorting through some broken vials and some of his tools that had been salvaged.
Mel let out a small light and bowed his head "I'm glad to add more individuals into my life to vent my trials and tribulations to." He joked, gaze flickering up to Nick's for a moment. A smile pulled at his lips, even as Nick pulled his hand back. Mel took the hint and leaned back into his lounge chair, head tilted slightly as he patiently waited as Nick rambled. Another laugh bubbled in his chest as he shook his head. "Veda tells me you're doing better. I'm glad, especially after that fainting spell. You're more than welcome to explore the rest of the waste if you're up for it." He suggested, waving around the room to give it more of a brighter warm glow. "Or just around here."
Easton watched Abrose and didn't say anything except kiss his cheek. He looked at him with a warm gaze before going back to sorting. "We're almost done. What have you put aside that you aren't bringing?" He decided to change the subject, hoping Abrose wouldn't feel too sad when looking into the case full of his things. "Remember what I told you okay?" He pointed to Abrose's chest. "Right here. They're all right here." He leaned on his shoulder sorting through the last of his things.
"I don't mind staying here as long as you're here." Nick pushed himself to sit up straight. "Do you have a guitar laying around somewhere?" The smile from before didn't disappear. If anything, it got bigger. "I would love to play…for you…" The last part, he said under his breath. "If you don't, that's okay, and I just wanted to play something. I don't know if you would like it, but I think it fits the mood."
Abrose leaned into the kiss, turning his head slightly to catch the corner of Easton's kiss. He waved to a small pile he had gathered, mostly of broken glass viles and dead plant sprouts. "This so far. Not many of the containers I keep things in were saved so we'll have to find more once we've settled in. Thankfully most of the seeds were saved, though." He showed Easton a few small containers full of tiny seeds. "These should be a good start to the garden." He managed a small smile as he set the seeds carefulynaside with the rest of the things they'd bring with them. He glanced over at Easton and blinked, instinctively glanced down. He sighed softly and nodded, "I know." He breathed, gently nudging Easton head affectionately. "It just feels like all those years ago when they died. I still felt like I had something of theirs with the house and garden. Now that's fine too, so I kinda feel..lost." he shrugged, trying to shake off the sad feeling. He curled up in Easton's lap and closed his eyes, waiting for the heavy feeling in his chest to lift.
"I have some in the music room, but I can bring them here if you prefer to stay." Mel said, an excited smile on the Lord's lips. "I'd love to hear you play. We unfortunately don't have all that many musicians in the family so any chance we get to hear someone play we take." He stood from his chair and strode to the door. "I'll be right back." He promised, closing the door to the study behind him with a soft click.
