Beads and Rattles

Chapter 1

Moving

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Emily Dickinson wrote, 'One need not be a chamber to be haunted; one need not be a house; the brain has corridors surpassing material place.'

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

"It needs a lot of work," Aaron said doubtfully, "And it is rather expensive."

It was the fourth time they'd been back. Spencer was slowly talking him round.

He was jumping around like a kid.

"Yeah Babe, but just look at what we could do with it!" He pointed out of the window. "Just look at the terrace. We could fix it up! It's beautiful!"

Aaron could see that Spence's mind was made up He pulled a face.

"We can afford it. I won't be paying for the apartment, so we will have that, and I've saved loads." Spencer looked at the face Aaron was pulling.

"Oh, go on, Babe." Spence put his arms around Aaron's neck and kissed his nose. "Please, I love it!" He looked into the dark eyes. "Pretty please?"

Aaron detached Spencer's arms and held them by the wrists.

"You know I'd do anything for you, Spencey." He bent down to him and kissed his nose back. "Let's have a walk in what passes for a garden."

They walked hand in hand to the end of the garden and looked back at the house.

"It is rather lovely," Aaron admitted.

"It's a little castle!" Spencer said. "It's so English!"

"You really want it, don't you Spencey."
Spencer nodded, a huge smile that melted Aaron's heart.

"Ok, let's confirm it with the agent."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Aaron was staying at Spencer's apartment while the workmen got the house habitable. It was exciting, especially for Spencer. He had packed his books in boxes, and was looking forward to having his own library. Aaron had offered to buy him a new chair and desk, but Spencer wanted to keep his old ones. There was a little turret room right at the top, which Spencer had taken care of himself; Lovely oak shelving and original polished wood floor. The fireplace had been restored. He couldn't wait to get in.

Aaron was delighted with how it was all coming together. He would never have considered buying a place like this, but seeing it through Spencer's eyes, it was a new experience, and he liked it.

He knew that Spencer needed solitude sometimes, and the turret room was perfect.

The night before they moved in, neither of them slept. They spent the night on the sofa in what had become their normal places.

"What shall we do first Spencey, when we get in?"

Spencer furrowed his brow, pretending it was a difficult question. "Espresso machine first I think, then bed."

Aaron laughed and pulled Spencer down to him.

"Sounds like…" He kissed him. "…a plan!"

"Aaron, sweetheart…." Aaron pulled back and looked at him.

"Please would you read to me?"

"Go get a book then." Aaron sat back. "And a hair brush. I want to brush your hair while I read."

Spencer returned with the book that Morgan had brought him in hospital, The 10th Kingdom. "I have read it, but it's not the same. I don't get the feelings from it when I read."

Aaron took the book with interest. Spencer sat on the floor in front of Aaron, and Aaron started to brush his hair. The soft curls bounced back into his neck as he brushed.

He opened the book and read:

"'Virginia rested her elbows on the windowsill…….'"

Spencer closed his eyes in pleasure.

……………………………………………………………………………………………...

The next day wasn't as frantic as they expected. While they had been at work, the removal men left Spencer's furniture in the main living area, and took the boxes of books up to the library.

Although Spence did have furniture, there wasn't much when they were moving from a little apartment to a castle.

"I think we might need some more stuff." laughed Aaron when they had unpacked that night. Spencer giggled. Their things did look a bit lost and lonely in the huge room.

They were standing in the kitchen drinking fresh espresso. The kitchen was huge too, although neither understood why. Aaron couldn't cook, (although to give him credit, he did try!) and Spencer would rather eat out.

But it was nice – all new, but in perfect keeping with the house. Spencer looked out of the window dreamily. Outside was the covered terrace and below that, the tangle of growth that Spencer loved.

"In the summer, we will get wildlife in our garden, Aaron." He turned away and smiled at him. "Raccoons and squirrels and foxes and badgers…."

"And bears and snakes…." continued Aaron with a grin.

Spencer laughed, then….

"Thank you so much, Love, for doing this for me." Spencer was now getting teary. Aaron crossed the room and put his arms around him.

"I love you Spencey. I am going to love living here with you." He kissed Spencer lovingly. Spencer held him tight.

This was a new beginning for both of them.

They had put the bed together in a lovely room, with a balcony onto the porch. They lay together in the crisp new white cotton sheets. Aaron had his arms around Spence, Spence holding Aaron's hands against his chest. Aaron was nuzzling Spencer's newly washed hair, breathing in the scent of shampoo and soap.

"Tomorrow," he said, "When you are ready, I'd like to help you put your books away."

"Hmmm….." Spencer was asleep.

Aaron closed his eyes, amazed at the contentment he felt.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

It was fun, putting the books away. Aaron couldn't really understand in the past why Spencer kept them all. After all, he could recollect every page in every book he had ever read. But when the shelves were full, and the desk and chair were in the window, Aaron understood.

The musty smell of the old books, and the feel of the wood, the soft faded covers of the old leather bound volumes, and the sound of the creaking floor boards. It was wonderful, like a trip into another world.

He was happy that Spencer had this, and was even happier that he was willing to share something so close to his heart.

It had been Spencer's Mum that introduced him to the joy of reading. He had only met her the once, when she came to the BAU to help on the Fisher King case. He decided that he would ask Spence if he could go and visit her with him.

"This is amazing, Spence. I just love this room!"

Aaron sat on the wide windowsill, allowing his senses to be filled with the sensations of the little library.

Spencer came and sat by him.

"It's your room too, Sweetheart. It won't ever be closed to you." He took Aaron's hand. "I want to share everything I have with you."

Aaron took Spencer's face in his hands. Gently he kissed his neck and Spencer turned his face and kissed him.

"Thank you, Spence, for everything." he closed his eyes and rested his head on Spencer's shoulder, breathing in the lovely scents of the room mixed with the perfect scent that only Spencer had.