by Shadowy Star
April 2006
Disclaimer: I don't own the Coldfire trilogy. It belongs to C.S. Friedman. I do own this story. Do not archive or translate or otherwise use it without permission.
A/N: Even in a new world, miracles still happen.
Lying sprawled across Damien's broad chest, with his head resting comfortably on this warm shoulder and those strong arms around his waist, Gerald wondered how easy it was to make the other man happy.
It was a main quality of the loving and caring ones – that they didn't need much to be happy. He didn't understand this, not really. It seemed unfair that someone who would give so much to others needed so little for himself in return. Did Damien have even the slightest idea of his own generosity?
Gerald smiled faintly to himself at the memory of their first meeting and the kindness in these warm brown eyes that had fascinated him, first making him wonder if he could turn it into abhorrence, then –as he'd succeeded in doing so by revealing his true name– desperately wishing for it to return to those eyes. More than that, he'd wished for that kindness to be directed at him. And somehow, it did happen. He was thankful for this, and would be always, but … he simply didn't understand. But then again, had he to understand this? Since they'd found each other again, he kept learning there were things that needn't to be questioned. Such as this.
But, he asked himself, was that really different from his own? What did he need to feel happy?
And it occurred to him that sometimes answers were just that simple.
"Damien," he said.
The other man opened his eyes, giving him a questioning gaze.
"You do know what means happiness to me, don't you?"
The look in Damien's warm hazel brown eyes turned suddenly into one of startled vulnerability that went straight to Gerald's core. He reached out to touch Damien's face, running his fingers along the other man's cheek-bone.
"You," Gerald said gently. "By my side."