SPECIAL THANKS FOR AZUSASAN FOR BETA-ING! HUGS AND KISSES TO AZU!
Fear of Falling – The Third Day"Bleh. It's early. Why are we waking up now? I can still see the moon out there, you know."
"Silly Piers... you haven't even looked out the window. It's near midday already. You really need to kick these ridiculous hours you've been keeping lately."
"Well, what do you want? I've had to pilot a ship to and from Lemuria, alone for a collective amount of forty-three days. Late nights, Felix. Extremely late nights."
Felix snorted as he bounced onto the bed next to the nestled Lemurian, swinging his arm around him over the covers. Smirking, he leaned in close to the lump of sheets and pillows. "I'm sure you got to know the palm of your hand very well, with all those all nighters you pulled."
Piers head shot out from under the covers. "What?"
Felix's only answer was the grin plastered across his face.
Piers shook his head vehemently. "When did the roles switch? Can you tell me? There's something wrong when it's you that's sexually harassing me, and not the other way around."
"About the same time you decided to make passionate love to me in the moonlit meadow outside Tolbi." Felix winked.
Piers recoiled. "Waaahhh? When did that happen? Why don't I remember it? Was it good for you? Was it good for me?"
Felix laughed jovially. "Don't worry, Piers. Nothing happened. Or at least," he added with a wicked smile, "nothing that you'll ever find out about."
"Wait..." Piers fazed out, attempting to recall what had happened the previous night. "Nothing happened! You dirty liar..." He glared as he snuggled back underneath the covers.
"Oh, come on, Piers! Get up! It's a beautiful day! The birds are chirping! The sun shining! The wind is... eh... blowing!"
A mop of blue hair popped out from the mess of blankets. "Who are you, and what have you done with Sexy Legs?"
"Piers! Get up!"
"You're not supposed to be this happy! It's scary! It goes against at least five laws of nature."
"Piers... I will start to tickle you soon."
"Oh. Scary," Piers remarked dryly. Felix, seeing Piers's fear (or lack thereof), decided to educate the Mercury adept in the art of forcing others out of bed.
"Gah! Felix! Stop! Stop! Hehhh... Stop! I mean it! Hehhh..."
"Well, I got half of the covers off you, at least," Felix said, satisfied at his work. "Now, for the other half..." An evil grin was stretched across the Venus Adept's features, with a glint in his eye that Piers had seen rarely before in situations regarding himself. Once, with Jenna, and quite frequently with Garet, Felix had given this look of mischief and childish disobedience in the past.
It was found that this look was, under all circumstances, not a good thing for the intended recipient.
"Oh, leave me alone, Felix," Piers snapped, snatching the blankets back from his waist to cover himself back up.
"Oh, I don't think so, my fiendish little Lemurian. You're getting up, whether you like it or not – "
Felix found, much to his abrupt surprise, that Piers had latched himself, rather tightly, onto his waist.
"Er... Piers... what are you doing?"
"Mmmm... pillow," he mumbled, dragging Felix down with him under the covers and huddling himself next to the Venus Adept.
"I am not your pillow, Piers."
"Mmmm... puppy."
Felix raised an indignant eyebrow. "I am not your puppy, either, Piers. Now let me go."
"Be quiet, puppy. It's time for sleepy. Night night." Piers snuggled closer to Felix, draping himself on top of Felix's chest.
Felix sighed and rolled his eyes. "Piers... there will be no sex after this if you don't get up."
"EH?"
"Wow. That worked well."
"What are you talking about? We're both still in bed together."
"At least you're not calling me puppy anymore."
"Bleh. You're my puppy."
"Why am I a puppy?"
"You're loyal," Piers remarked dryly.
"I betrayed Vale for Saturos and Menardi."
"But only to, in turn, save it. Which is therefore classified as loyalty."
"But... uh... crap, I am loyal, aren't I?"
"You are," Piers said righteously, clutching Felix tighter to him.
"Oh! I've got one! I betrayed Karst and Agatio!"
"Not really. They were trying to kill you. So technically, they betrayed you first, which eliminates any betrayal that may have taken place on your part."
"Darn..." Felix scowled. "You thought too much about this."
"Darling, I think too much about everything. I've had hundreds of years with nothing better to do."
"How many hundreds of years?"
Felix felt a sharp poke in his side.
"Don't think you can weasel my age out of me, you uncivilized heathen. The only person that will ever know that piece of valuable information is me. Now be quiet, I'm trying to sleep."
Felix sat up in bed, an aggravated scowl illustrating his mood. "And I'm trying to get you up! Now come on! Stop being such a – "
Felix found himself dragged back down onto the bed.
"Mmmm... Talking pillows are a hassle."
"I am not your pillow!"
"You feel like one..."
"I am not your pillow!"
Piers craned his neck to look up at Felix. "Oh, calm down. It's not like we have to go anywhere. We're safe in Kalay. No one's chasing us here. We have a day and a half before we even need to think about heading back to Vale. So just – relax, for once."
Piers snuggled closer to Felix, content to be holding the Venus adept in silence, for once.
Felix's mind, meanwhile, was a rush of turbulent emotions.
'Ohhh... this is not good. Bad, bad, bad. He's so soft. And comfy. And –
'Oh gods, it's so wonderful. Damn you, Piers! You're – so – wonderful! No!
'This isn't supposed to happen... I'm not supposed to actually – like him! This was not part of the plan! Not that I really ever had a plan, per se... but if I did, I know that this definitely wouldn't be a part of it!'
Felix's lip quivered as Piers let out a small, contented sigh.
'I wonder if he actually likes me. Maybe it's just a game to him... How depressing. What if I actually decide I'm gay and then he says "hah! I was just giving you a massive mindfuck!" Bleh. This is all getting very disturbing.
'Ehhhhh... I hate this.
'Ohhh... but I love him.'
ii ii ii
"Hnnhh... Piers, what time is it?"
Piers popped his head out from under the covers. "Err... near sundown?"
"What?"
"Well... the sun is setting. There's a nice purplish-pinkish sort of color radiating through the room. And I heard someone outside the room asking his friend is he was going to head home for the night. Thus, I have inferred it is near sundown."
"Agh... we've slept the day away."
"Indeed. Now go back to sleep."
Felix raised an eyebrow as Piers buried himself back under the blankets. "Are you still tired?"
"No... I just like having you here with me."
"You're such a romantic. Soon you're going to be writing poetry to my legs."
"Only if you write poetry to my earlobes."
"But earlobes are hard!" Felix complained. "What am I supposed to write? That they're round and pinkish colored?" Piers snorted and slithered his legs between Felix's.
"Err... Piers?"
Piers simply grinned as he leaned forward to lightly kiss Felix's collarbone.
"Piers? What are you – doing?"
Piers chuckled softly. "Why, you, my darling. Wasn't it obvious?"
Felix's eyes widened. "What?" He placed a hand on Piers's chest to push him away.
"Heh... just lie back and enjoy it," Piers muttered as he easily brushed Felix's hand aside and leaned forward onto his chest.
"Ah! No! Stop! What are you doing?"
"This," Piers clarified as he brought his mouth close to Felix's ear and licked.
"Ahhhhh... NO! STOP! What – ahhhh... Hehhh... that tickles... Hehhh... stoppp..."
"I knew you'd see it my way." Piers grinned as he gently kissed the area below the lobe.
"Eep! No! This is not – good!"
"I know. It's very bad..."
"Ack! You know what I mean! Oh, gods, how did you do that? That's an... odd sensation."
Piers giggled. "You're so cute."
"Never cease to amuse you, right?"
"Precisely. Now stop squirming so much. You're making this difficult."
"But... but..."
He was silenced by Piers's lips on his. It was a different feeling, to say the least. He had always envisioned kissing as something sweet and playful. Not in the least like this. He supposed that it could be those things, under certain circumstances, but the way Piers was making it –
It was warm and messy and wet at the same time. Piers's fingers gripped his cheeks almost painfully, forcing Felix's lips against his. Their bodies touched at any available location, thigh against thigh, chest against chest, with Felix's arms wrapped tightly around Piers's back. Felix could feel, acutely, the pressure of lips against his own, smooth and damp from both their saliva, and the press of hip against hip, arching in one continuous, perfect cycle...
When Piers's lips left Felix's the first time, the Venus adept felt sad, almost disappointed. When they returned, there was mild happiness, bliss, and joy.
When they left for the second time, Felix felt heartbroken and gloomy. When they returned, he felt elation, euphoria, and rapture.
When they left the third time, it was as if a sword had been plunged into his heart, twisted itself around inside of him, and jerked back out, leaving him to bleed to death.
And when they returned – he fell in love.
"But..." Felix breathed, breaking away from Piers for one final time. "We can't – "
"You're fighting a losing battle, lover. It's time to hold up the white flag and give up."
So Felix did. And gods, was he a happy man for it.
ii ii ii
Piers was annoyed. Thoroughly and truly annoyed. It seemed, that no matter how much he had attempted fall sleep in Felix's arms, no matter what methods he used to try to propel himself into a land of dreamy wonder, he found himself otherwise incapable of doing so.
'Hnnh. This is irritating. I finally have the man of my dreams in my arms, and like any other moment that would be picture perfect, if not for that one detail that ruins it, I can't fall asleep.
'Perfect. Just – perfect.'
Felix shifted lightly underneath him, a small noise emitted from his throat as he miraculously pulled Piers closer to him.
'Well. At least I know that his subconscious likes me. That's always a plus, I guess.'
Felix reached around Piers's back to crush the Mercury adept against him.
'Woah. His subconscious really likes me then. Interesting...'
Felix moaned lightly as he rubbed Piers's body against his.
'Eep. Is he – dreaming? Oh dear, this isn't good... His subconscious is dirty...'
"Pi..." A silky whisper against Piers's skin.
'What was that? Was that a Pi? Oh my... Don't tell me...'
"Piers..."
'Eep!'
"Love... you..."
Piers's eyes widened. 'Ohhh... gods... that's... He loves me. Okay. He loves me. I can handle that. Sure I can. I should be – happy. I am happy. He loves me. Love love love.'
'Dear gods, what have I done?'
Piers struggled against Felix to extricate himself from the enthusiastic Venus adept. 'Gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get out...'
"Mmmm... Piers... where ya going?"
"Uhh..." Piers blanched. Seeing that Felix was still asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm ah... going to get some real fun stuff, if you get my meaning... Okay? Just – keep your eyes closed, Felix. All right? Closed. It's going to be a surprise."
"Hmm... kay."
"Good."
Piers gently removed himself from Felix's grip and tiptoed silently over to the door, grabbing his shoes and shirt along the way. 'Of all the days for me to sleep half naked...' Twisting the doorknob, he quietly opened the door just enough to slip through. He was about to leave when –
"Piers?"
"Uhhh... yes, darling?"
"Come back soon..."
"Uh... I will, love."
"And Piers?"
"Yeah?"
"You love me, right?"
Piers froze. It was one thing to entertain the thought in your head when no pesky Jupiter adepts could overhear, but a whole other story to actually say it aloud. "Uhh..."
Felix's face twisted into a slight frown. Piers sighed. 'Ah, well. It would probably come out eventually. At least he thinks he's dreaming.'
"Of course I do, Felix. I always have."
Piers looked fleetingly at Felix before exiting the room, unbeknownst of the tiny grin that had replaced Felix's frown.
ii ii ii
Felix was tired.
He had waited for Piers for what had seemed like hours, and still, he hadn't come back.
Of course, the hours it seemed like he had waited had been stretched and distorted because of his hazy, dreamlike state. In reality, it had been no more than a few minutes that Felix had waited for his blue haired Lemurian.
'I wonder what he's doing. It's getting awfully late...'
It was then that Felix looked out the window.
'Wait. I thought that Piers said that it was sundown...'
For it was not, as Piers had said, sundown, but a bit past noon, from what Felix could see by looking outside.
'That's funny. Why did he say...?
'Wait.
'I know I didn't just dream all of that.
'Oh, that's just – utterly horrible.'
Moaning to himself, Felix forced himself to sit up in bed. 'Why, Venus? Why? Goddess of Love, do not forget your follower! Please do not tell me I just dreamed that!'
'WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN REAL?'
'Oh... poppycock.'
Looking around him, Felix saw that the room was precisely how he left it in the morning. His clothes from the day before were sprawled out of the floor, just as his sword rested against the dresser. The only thing that was missing was –
'Piers.
'I didn't dream that when he was still here. I know I didn't. Because then... he might have heard me. And if he heard me, he would know how slightly crazy I am for him. And that would be bad.
'Very, very bad.
'Think, Felix, think! When did you wake up? What part of the conversation was it? When did you figure out it was noon and not sunset? THINK!'
'Oh... crap.
'Gods in the heavens above, why couldn't you have just let me die? You had so many opportunities... Couldn't you have just picked one and been done with me?
'Oh... what if he ran out when he heard me talking to him? Oh Gods, that's what happened, isn't it? He heard... and he said he was getting something to have fun with or something... and then he said...
'He said he loved me.
'Hnnh.'
Felix blinked to himself.
'Watch that be the one thing that he didn't say while I was dreaming. Just – watch.'
'Oh... this is so wrong.'
'You're horrible, Piers. You're ruining my life. Couldn't you have just allowed me to be a contented old bachelor? Did you have to go and intrude on things that you weren't meant to take a part in?
'Oh, if I didn't love you, you would be so dead right now.'
ii ii ii
Piers had taken to aimless wandering during his time traveling with Felix and company. It was found that this type of wandering was a necessary tool in solving the mysteries of the strange places they had visited in the search for alchemy. In fact, with out aimless wandering, he was sure that they wouldn't have discovered half of the types of psynergy that had eventually joined their repertoire.
Now, he had decided that aimless wandering was a useful tool in drowning out one's sorrows. You see, Piers had never been a graceful sort of fellow. He needed to watch the ground in front of him, for when he didn't, he was prone to falling flat on his face, much to his horror and his friends' amusement. Thus, concentrating on walking properly, for Piers, anyhow, was a very distracting hobby.
'One step in front of the other. There you go, Piers. You can do it. Just – left, then right, then left... yes, you have it, Piers. Simple. One and two and one and two...
'Oh, this is just horrible. Why aren't you working? You're supposed to distract me! You've always done so before! Where are some interesting tree roots to trip on when you need them?'
Piers exhaled deeply as he sat down on a nearby bench. 'Who am I kidding? This is too big for distractions. Or... they'd have to be really big distractions. Like... a monster popping out at me from that bush over there.'
'... Any minute now...
'Just... wait a bit longer...
'Stupid monsters. Why are they never around when you need them?' Piers scowled unconsciously. 'No, it's always when you're nice and warm in your sleeping bag and you're having the most amazing dream about the love of your life and then one of them just pops out at you...
'Love of my life? When did I start referring to him as the 'love of my life'?
'Oh, that's right. When I fell in love with him. Bleh.
'I should get back. What if he wakes up and is worried about me?
'Overprotective, much? I need a better hobby! Something that isn't fawning over Felix at every corner... Maybe I should take up skiing. That looks interesting. Or acting. Or guitar! All the girls love a guitar player...
'Oh yeah, because I care so much about what the girls think anymore...
'Shut up, subconscious. I'd like to live in denial land for a bit more, if it's not too hard.'
Piers sighed.
'Oh, if they could see me now. Conservato would be having a field day. Oh, who cares if I'm in love with him? I heard rumors about Conservato and King Hydros when they were younger... a bad breakup started all this fighting between the two of them. So hah, Conservato! Hah!
'Oh, Gods, I'm sad. I've just had five minutes of self-conversion. Soon I'll be talking to myself and they'll send me off to an institute somewhere that no one's ever heard of. They have those in Lemuria... lots of people go crazy there from boredom and the old age...
'Compared to this, it'll be a joy.'
Piers moaned softly to himself and stood up. 'I can't just sit here all day. I'll slowly go crazy if I do. I'll go check on Felix. Maybe he'll be awake and I'll be able to talk to him like a normal, civilized human being.
'A normal, civilized, human being who wants to jump his sexy, Venus Adept bones.
'Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...'
ii ii ii
"Uh... excuse me, Sir, but have you seen my companion today? He ah... well, he has blue hair... and yellow eyes, and he's eh... built, you know? And... uhm..."
Kalay's innkeeper blinked.
"Well, did you see him leave?" the strange, dark haired boy before him asked. The boy was slight of build, but with a certain aura about him that commanded attention. His dark eyes hid secrets of adventures long past, his look of one who had seen too many things in his relatively short life.
Kalay's innkeeper was good at figuring these sorts of things out, after all. He was a master of observation. He had seen so many people pass through Kalay, either on their way to Colosso or en route to trade in the famed halls of Master Hammet, that he could pick out the smallest detail about a man and practically piece together his life.
"Uhm... sir?"
The innkeeper jumped momentarily out of his reverie. "Ah, well... yes, I have. He said he was going to have a look at the city, since he had never been here before."
"Oh." The boy paused, seeming to stare into space as he processed the information. "Thank you."
"Are you worried about him?" the innkeeper asked as the boy made his way out. The boy glanced back at him questioningly.
"He's my friend," he answered simply.
"Just a friend?"
The boy paused as, for an instant, a look of unadulterated shock crossed his face. That look, however, passed just as quickly as it came.
"What's it to you?"
"Well," the innkeeper began. "I can tell you exactly where he is, if you want."
The boy's nostrils flared. "I don't think that's any of your business. Besides, I can find him on my own."
"Sure."
"Oh, now what is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. You said you could find him on your own, so..." The innkeeper grinned.
"Ohhh... fine. He's er... special to me. Now where is he?"
"Oh. He's right outside. Sitting on that bench across the street."
The boy stared. Then, grumbling, he made his way outside.
'Ohhh... I am good. I am so getting nosy innkeeper of the year this time around. The wife was so iffy about me losing last year...'
The innkeeper smiled.
ii ii ii
"Hey."
Piers blinked. Someone was talking to him.
"Hey. Are you listening?"
What was that? No matter, he would just pay it no attention. He had to go back to contemplating life's eccentricities.
"Hello? Earth to Piers? Please don't tell me you're asleep. You slept enough, thanks very much. And how would one sleep with one's eyes open, anyhow? I mean... it's rather improbable, when you think about it."
Piers frowned. It was forming long sentences now... soon It would start shouting...
"PIERS!"
"What?" Piers snapped, looking up at The Voice. "Oh. It's you."
Felix scowled. "Who else would it be? Are you all right? You look... pale."
"Oh... I'm fine. I was just – thinking."
"You can think?"
"Very funny. You know very well I probably think more than you do. Which isn't very hard, granted, but still."
"Ohhh... Shush."
"Did you have a nice nap?"
Felix's nose twitched. "Eh. It was okay."
"Sorry I had to leave you. I couldn't fall back to sleep. I was getting restless."
"Sure. It's no problem."
"Well – just in case you were worried or mad or something."
"Why would I be?"
"How should I know? I just – left you there, after all. For all you knew, a sociopath could have come into our room, kidnapped me, and subsequently sliced off all my fingers before finally killing me."
"And I would care because...?"
Piers frowned. "Oh, now, don't be like that."
"Ugh. Sorry. I feel – strangely nauseous."
"Are you all right?" Piers asked, concern emanating in his voice. "Do you need to lay down?"
Felix snorted bitterly. "All I've been doing is laying down today, it seems."
"I'm only thinking of your health, Felix."
"Well. I don't need to lie down, thanks."
"Well, do you want to sit down, then?"
Felix eyed the seat next to Piers. After a pause, he concurred. "Why not?"
Seating himself next to Piers, Felix noticed the strange behavior Piers was engaging in. He was quieter than usual. Nicer, even. He had shown a concern for Felix's heath that would rival his mother's. And –
He wasn't hitting on him.
'Oh gods.'
'He knows about The Dream.'
'Why didn't I just avoid him like any other normal human being would have done?'
"Do you want anything?" Piers inquired, angling himself so that he faced Felix. "Something to eat? Or... not... considering the fact that you're considering regurgitation... Hmm."
"Actually," Felix began. "Something to eat would be nice. Something – sweet. And fattening."
Piers raised an eyebrow. "Having boy troubles, sweetheart?"
Felix scowled. 'Oh, thank the gods; he's acting normal again. Maybe he doesn't know...'
"I mean..." Piers corrected himself. "Oh, sorry, I know you hate it when I tease you," he apologized, sounding a bit flustered. "Forgive me?"
'Oh, he definitely knows.'
Felix edged a bit away from Piers. "Yeah, whatever. Just – I want chocolate. Get me chocolate."
"Sure thing, Felix," Piers said, getting up from his seat. "It would be my pleasure."
And with that, he was gone.
'Ohhh... kay. He's gone. I can breathe now. This is good.
'Oh gods, this is so incredibly wrong.
'Did he have to wear those tight shorts? He always wore them before, but I never really thought about it that way until...
'Ahhh! Bad thought! You're a virgin, Felix! Keep the side of you that Piers has corrupted at bay!'
Felix sighed. 'I wonder how many people he's done it with. There's been so many... I wonder if he even knows the meaning of making love.
'I wonder if it would be making love if we had sex...
'Why am I even thinking about this?
'I wonder if it's because I'm desperate. If I had a girlfriend, would I even be going down this path?'
Felix cried inwardly at the answer. Because the answer – with all its implications and complexities – was unfortunately – and undeniably –
'Yes.'
"Oy. Felix. Are you all right? You look upset."
Felix looked up to see Piers staring down at him; a vision of glowing gold and blue, in contrast to Felix's dark and muddled browns and grays.
"I'm fine, Piers. Just – fine."
"Well, good. I've got your chocolate. Do you want to walk around the city for a bit? This is my first time here, after all. I'd like to see what everyone talks about when they speak of this place."
"Of course. What do you want to see?"
"Well, I'd like to see Hammet's palace. And whatever else is around here that the tourists come for."
"Sure." Felix remained motionless on the bench. Piers glanced down at him with concern.
"Are you sure you're all right? You look more sad than sick."
"Oh, like it matters," Felix mumbled, turning away from Piers.
The Mercury adept frowned and sat himself next to Felix, facing his back. "It's all right, you know. I can be useful in select comforting situations. I know I can be a brash, insensitive, uncaring ingrate at times, but there is a deeper side to me that just screams 'Tell me! Tell me!' In the non-nosy, entirely wanting to make you feel better way, that is."
Felix gave a small grin, unbeknownst to Piers, who was sitting behind him.
"You know, Mercury adepts are supposed to be calming spirits," Piers relayed matter-of-factly. "I'm sure I could be of some help."
"Not with this," Felix replied softly. Abruptly, he leaned back into Piers's chest nestled himself into his friend's embrace. Piers, caught by surprise, stiffened for an instant, but quickly relaxed, shifting to make Felix more comfortable.
"I think we're having a moment," Felix remarked drowsily after a minute.
"Indeed. You're not being a raging homophobe for once."
"And you're not being a disgusting pervert."
"Ah. Well, I think we'll call it even, then."
"Agreed."
There was more silence on both their parts. It was, however, not tense or awkward; there was a true sense of peace that emanated from the two adepts. A light breeze rustled Felix's hair as Piers leaned his cheek against it. Children played nearby while mothers gossiped enthusiastically to each other. A leaf fell in precisely the spot where Piers had been standing minutes before.
"What are we doing?" Felix asked suddenly.
Pier disengaged himself slightly from Felix's embrace. "I thought we agreed we were having a moment."
"No, I mean, really. What are we doing?"
Silence radiated from Piers. Then – "I don't know. What are we doing? It feels like sitting to me." He smiled as Felix looked back at him in frustration.
"You know what I'm talking about."
"But are you really ready for the answer?"
Felix stopped. He had thought about what the answer would be before he had asked the question. In his head, it had sounded perfectly normal, but in truth, having someone say it aloud to him –
"No. Maybe. I don't know."
"Hn. Then just relax for now."
Felix nestled himself back into Piers's hold, content to just be with the man, if only for a few moments.
'Damnit. He smells good. Stupid soap. Stupid shampoo. Stupid conditioner. Stupid everything. Why didn't I just die on top of the Mars lighthouse? I wouldn't be in this predicament right now... Stupid Piers...'
Felix cried inwardly some more.
"Are you ready to go?" Piers said after sitting with him for a couple more minutes.
"Sure," Felix replied wistfully as he got up to leave.
'I'd follow you anywhere.'
ii ii ii
Felix had to say – he had had fun today.
Piers had chased him around for a bit after Felix had stolen his hot dog and ate it, all remaining "nausea" gone for the time being. This had, it turn, caused Felix to run straight into a statue of Hammet's father, whom had been appointed head ambassador to other towns and cities and such before he had died. While the pain was, at the time, a searing hot flash of agony, it was worth it to be held in Piers's lap as he used ply on Felix's head to make it feel better.
Of course, things started to look a bit down when the guards arrived to see their beloved statue in pieces on the ground (Felix has a very hard head), but when they escorted the pair to Hammet's castle and Felix and Piers explained who they were, the two adepts were treated like kings. Hammet was so excited for news of his Valian friends that he forgot all charges placed against the two. Of course, he would have heard all this news the next day at the wedding, but who were they to disappoint? Felix and Piers wove a tale of great intrigue and betrayal, telling the story of the joining of the two parties and how the last two lighthouses were lit. It was well past nightfall, therefore, when they returned to their rooms in the inn, avoiding the nosy innkeeper who sat near the fireplace by feigning sickness, Piers carrying Felix carefully back up to their room.
Of course, the innkeeper smiled knowingly at all of this.
Climbing sleepily up the stairs, Piers cradled Felix against him, holding the man steadily as he reached the landing of the stairs.
"Get down, sweetheart. You're heavy."
Felix scowled as Piers put him down. "I resent that remark. I've maintained a healthy weight for the sustention of the journey across Weyard. Actually," he added, "I probably lost weight."
"You sound more like your sister each and every day," Piers remarked as he turned the lock to open up the door to their room.
"Oh... what else is new? I'm tired."
"You and me both, hon."
"I didn't know it would take that much effort to entertain them!"
"It's better than being sent to jail."
"You know, I find that I'm narrowly escaping prison sentences more and more with you around."
"It's a gift and a curse."
"Hmmh. Give me a hand, I can't get this off," Felix said, motioning towards his sword sheath as he stepped into the main area of the room. He had gotten a new one in town that slung over his shoulder and he was finding it a bit difficult to get used to.
"Sure," Piers replied as he stepped behind him to remove the piece of weaponry from Felix's back. Flinging the sheath (and the sword) over into a pile, he stopped to observe what had been laid before him.
Felix stood in front of him, a white, button down shirt and a tight pair of brown pants all that laid between him and bare skin. The first few buttons of the shirt had come undone throughout the course of the day, and of course, Felix hadn't bothered to fix them. The opened buttons and the added chaos of removing the sword sheath were causing the shirt to slightly ride up, revealing a thin line of flesh ranging from one shoulder to the other. It just made Piers want to touch -
Felix stiffened as he felt the light stroke of fingers running delicately over his shoulders. "Piers...?"
"Mhmm," was Piers's only reply as he gently pulled Felix closer to him from behind.
"You're – Remember what I said about touching? That it was off limits?"
"Mhmm." Piers slowly wrapped his arms around Felix's chest.
"And - and you should respect that. Shouldn't you? I mean... I asked you, so you should take me seriously."
"Mhmm." Piers nuzzled his cheek against Felix's neck.
"Piers, are you even listening to me? Say something other than mhmm!"
"Mmmm."
"That's no different!"
"There was no stress on the 'h' in that one."
"So? Hs are silent half the time anyway!"
"I still made a different noise. If you failed to recognize it, it's not my fault."
"Pier... piers..." Felix's voice trailed off abruptly as Piers placed a soft kiss where his neck and shoulder met. "We... we can't... it's wrong..."
"Why?" Piers asked suddenly, removing himself and spinning Felix around to face him. "Just because some old ninnies say it is? I don't think so."
"But – "
Piers placed a finger on Felix's lips. "Felix." Piers looked intently at the young Venus Adept. "Please. Let me just – say this before I lose my nerve."
Silently, Felix nodded.
"You remember," Piers started, "how a couple of days ago, I said I would never sleep with you?"
Felix nodded.
"Did I tell you why?"
Felix shook his head.
"No. Well, then, I'll tell you. You want me to tell you, right?"
"Yes, damn you, just get on with it," Felix snapped.
"Right. No need to get touchy..." Piers complained. "Anyway. My reason for not sleeping with you. Which was... err..."
"Don't back down, now," Felix whispered jokingly.
Piers scowled. "Don't you have anything better to do than opening your mouth all the time? I'm trying to tell you something!"
"Than tell me and be out with it!"
"Oh, all right," Piers conceded. "Well... the reason why I said that... was because... I was afraid that if – that if I did sleep with you, that I would fall in love with you."
Felix blinked. "Oh. Well, that wasn't so bad, now, was it?"
"I'm not done, damnit! Now, something happened! Something I didn't plan on! You see..." his voice trailed off as he searched for the right phrase. "It didn't take sleeping with you to fall in love with you. It just – happened. It happened all on its own. You just being – you. It made me fall in love with you. I – I love you! You're – you're stupid! Why did I fall in love with a stupid person like you? Why?" Piers exclaimed as glared up at the heavens.
Felix blinked -
- and suddenly began to laugh.
"Oh, so it's funny, now? My emotional turmoil is funny to you?"
Which only made Felix laugh harder.
"Oh, what's so funny?"
"Nothing!" Felix explained between gasps. "It's just – I thought you were just playing with me all this time! I thought you were just fucking with my head, pardon the language... And now – you love me! Like that!" He snapped his fingers.
"Oh, wonderful. The man I love thinks I was fucking with his head. You're just – horrible, Felix. You are a horrible, horrible, person."
"Oh, shush," Felix silenced him by kissing him shortly on the lips. "You talk too much."
Piers gave him a look akin to shock. "Wait. You mean – you actually do love me?"
"You are possibly the stupidest person I have ever met, Piers. And yes, I do love you." Felix smiled.
Piers blinked. "You're not lying, are you?" he asked suspiciously. "Because if you're just toying with my heart, I know people. They could take you out, and you wouldn't even know what happened."
Felix snorted. "Well, I would be dead. So obviously I wouldn't know what happened."
"Err... Well. Yes. But still! You're – not, right?"
"Of course not, Piers. Why would I? It's not like I have anyone better to be with. All the eligible girls are taken, after all."
Piers glowered for a moment before breaking out into a playful smile. "We really have reversed roles since the beginning of this adventure, haven't we? I'm the insecure, obsessed with love freak and you're the self-contented, arrogant asshole."
"I think you were harder on yourself than you were on me."
"Ah. Well, I've still retained my obsessed-with-sex-ness. I do plan on getting you into bed in a few moments, you know."
"Oh? And how do you plan on doing that?"
Piers grinned. "Like this," he explained before he pounced.
"So wait," Felix interrupted as Piers attempted to lick his ear. "We agree on this now? I love you, you love me, that whole deal?"
"Yes, Felix. Stop moving so much. You're making this hard."
"But – how do I know you'll make a commitment?"
"Felix. I love you. I've never said that to anyone, save my mother, Hades rest her soul. What else do you need?"
"We should get married."
Piers eyed Felix skeptically. "And where do you propose we do that?"
"Uhm... I'm sure we could dress up one of us in drag and pretend to be a normal, heterosexual couple. Well, you, more specifically."
"Felix... shut up and let me make love to you."
Uh... okay."
"Good."
"But...!"
"Felix."
"Oh. Okay. Letting you make love to me now."
"Good puppy."
"I am not your puppy!"
"Good pillow."
"Shut up!"
"Nice dream you had this morning..." Piers felt Felix frown as he grinned against the Venus adept's skin.
"You knew?"
"Obviously. I was there."
"Wait. So did you actually say that – "
"That I loved you? Yes. I did."
"Oh. I was thinking about something else. But that's nice to know, too."
"Really? What was it?"
"Oh. It was something about... chocolate."
"Ooo. Interesting. Thus the craving, I assume?"
"Correct."
Piers giggled and pulled Felix in for a rough kiss. "I can tell you're going to be a dirty talker in bed."
"Oh, I can be dirty," Felix replied as he brought Piers's mouth back onto his.
"Really?" Piers asked, breaking away from the kiss. "I was actually just kidding."
"Sure I can!" Felix protested. "Why... you little minx. You've been a bad boy. Daddy's gonna... punish..."
And that was as far as Felix got before he burst out into laughter.
"Leave the dirty talk for me, sweetheart," Piers voiced soothingly as he led Felix over to the bed. "After all," he added. "I've been doing this for longer than you have."
"Hm. Did you have to remind me?"
"Oh, don't worry, lover," Piers said, smiling lovingly. "I'll steer you around the curves."
And then there was silence.
For the most part, anyway.
ii ii ii
A/N: AHHHH!!!! IT'S 4:43 IN THE MORNING AND I HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP AND I HAVEN'T BECAUSE I FELT SO INSPIRED AND I JUST COULDN'T STOP! I HAD TO KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING AND I AM THE ENERGIZER BATTERY AND HAH! HAH HAH HAH!
Oh god, I'm so not getting up in the morning.
Hope you enjoyed. I had a great time writing it. Chapter dedicated to Azu and Asaka, who are both making me steadily fall in love with them. My hat's off to you, ladies. Thing at the end was a reference to buffy... with the steering you around the curves thing. Faith says it in... Doppelgangland? I don't know, it was an ep. in season 3 with a weird name... Which I just realized doesn't entirely apply, since they're both guys and in essence, have no curves, but I just really liked the way it sounded, so it's staying. MAJOR OOCness, I know. But strangely, I think it fit. ONE MORE CHAPTER TO GO! I really like what I have planned for the next chapter… of course, I don't know exactly how everyone finds out about them yet, but there're a lot of random, humorous ideas floating around in my head. Hmmmm... Very exciting. This may be the first fic that's more than a one chapter stint that I actually finish! (rejoices) Maybe one day I'll finally get around to finishing UtS...
Riiiight.
Anyway. It's tres late and I am tres fatigué. Maybe I'll post this tomorrow. Maybe not. Eh. Whatever. Love you all. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Raiknii - it doesn't matter as long as you reviewed. Take as long as you want. Hopefully, that will mean that you will review speedily, but eh. Talas – thank you a whole bunch. (feels strangely happy someone called me mate) Azu – I'm ready and willing. Just - take me, already... and Asaka – you goddess, you. Stop flattering me so much. I just may have to chain you down and make love to you like a bunny rabbit.
God I get way too intimate with my internet friends.