Pain and Love: Forever Entwined
Chapter 2
Murtagh was overcome by emotions again, sobbing into Eragon's strong ,tan chest and clutching the boy. The young brunette rubbed his back and kissed the top of his head, in an attempt to comfort him. He felt Reilyn shift and move closer, and he shrank away in shame.
"I'm sorry!" he cried. "I'm so sorry, Reilyn!"
"Shhh, Murtagh, shhh," her soft voice soothed him.
Cool hands cautiously wiped the tears from his face and ran in his raven hair, comforting him more than Eragon ever could. He opened his hazel eyes and was met with gentle brown ones as she continued to run her hands in his hair.
"Explain please," Eragon whispered, kissing his face. "When you've calmed down."
Reilyn stopped touching him and sat against the headboard, flinching away when he moved and sat with his back against Eragon. The brunette snuggled into his back, kissing him softly, and laced their hands together. They waited patiently for him to begin, he sucked in a long breath to soothe his nerves and to compose his voice, then slowly began.
"It started out as a memory," he whispered, tightening his grip on Eragon's hands. "Then morphed into a nightmare. A very real nightmare. . ."
"Murtagh," the young brunette soothed, kissing his neck.
"Reilyn. . .I stabbed you in the chest, twisted the blade. . .inflicted ungodly amounts of pain, but I couldn't make myself stop, no matter how much I tried. . .then. . .Eragon I killed you. . ." he paused to slow himself down. "Reilyn when you woke me, I couldn't focus, was unable to tell reality from nightmare. . .I didn't think you were really alive, but that doesn't really excuse my actions. I'm deeply sorry."
Her brown eyes looked at him gently. She was still wary of him, and he could see the vicious battle within her. She fidgeted, wanting to move close but not sure of what to do. He stayed put, leaning into Eragon, and waited.
She'll get close if she wants, he told himself. So just wait. . .
Eragon kissed his neck, making Murtagh's eyes flutter shut, and slowly started easing from behind him. Murtagh held the boy to him, seriously terrified that the boy was going to force him to be alone and confront Reilyn.
"Eragon?" he whispered into his ear.
"Confront her," the brunette breathed into him.. "Work it out, you'll have to have her trust to release the seal."
The young man placed one last kiss on him before leaving the room. Reilyn gaped at the boy, much like Murtagh was. She went to move but a glance from the sweet caramel eyes stopped her. She sank back against the headboard, knees drawn up, and refused to look at Murtagh.
Thorn, I've obliterated that small shard of trust, haven't I?
No, not obliterated, but you have managed to put some spider web cracks all over it, making it very weak. . .you may have to start all over again to restore its strength.
We don't have that kind of time, Thorn! I have to release their seals today!
Be patient, Murtagh. . .One task at a time. . .Make me proud, Brave one.
------------------------------------------
Reilyn wanted to trust Murtagh, desperately wanted to, but she had just been exposed to the darker side of the pale teen. He had been demanding, eager, forceful, and aggressive. . .trying to force his way into her mouth, he had terrified her. Now, she was left alone with him in the room and didn't know which was worse.
The older boy was keeping his distance, just as uncomfortable as she was, but she wondered how long that would last. She felt him shift closer and she tensed, closing her eyes, but stayed still. She forced her body to keep put, to not flinch when a hand just barely brushed her face.
"Rei. . .can I? I won't if you don't want. . ." he whispered.
She kept her eyes closed, staying still. She didn't trust her mouth enough to answer him so she used what she knew: body language.
He inched closer to her, gently touching her hair and face. She felt her trust build back slowly as he carefully got closer, she longed for that feeling of closeness. She leaned into his warm, strong hands, sighing and relaxed into his gentle caress. Suddenly, she felt warm breath on her neck and she shivered, not unpleasantly but a little uneasy. He supported the other side of her neck and she tensed.
"Reilyn?" he murmured, breath blowing warmly on her. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, eyes still closed, and relaxed as much as instinct would allow. He nuzzled into her neck softly, testing her response. She flinched away and giggled.
"Tickles," she snickered.
"What this?" he asked innocently, lightly nuzzling her again.
She smiled and squirmed, turning and putting her hands on his chest. His hazel eyes glowed warmly as she stared at him, a soft smile on his lips, and he pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, voice full of emotion.
"I know," she breathed, entranced by those eyes.
He made no move, waiting to see what she would do. Reilyn slowly pulled her eyes from his and let them wander the bare torso, examining him for the first time completely. The older boy breathed slowly and evenly, permitting her to touch him, trace his every scar, memorizing his features. Carefully, she touched his collar bone, tracing the bones over and over, gently fingering the many small scars that broke the smooth skin. As she memorized him, his breathing picked up and grew uneven, but he held still for her. She felt him shudder involuntarily when her hands brushed his stomach and she glanced up.
The hazel eyes were shut, his head tipped back, teeth sunk into his lip, and his breath labored. His hands clenched the sheets as he forced himself still.
"Sorry," he managed to gasp out. "I've never really let anyone. . .memorize me quite like this. . ."
Reilyn removed her hands from the strong torso, her exploring left unfinished, and gently touched his hands. She avoided his eyes, which she was keenly aware were on her, and examined the battle-roughened hands. They were strong, powerful, yet gentle and caring. Lightly she traced the lines in his hands, looking up when a small noise emitted from the raven haired teen.
"Tickles," he smiled.
"What this?" she asked sweetly, tracing the lines again.
He smirked, eyes closing, and held still to the best of his ability. Suddenly, Reilyn felt his strong hands enclose her and she jumped. Immediately she blushed, closing her eyes, and turning away. She bit her lip in embarrassment.
Fool, she scolded.
-------------------------------------------
Murtagh stared at the stunning red-head, still trying to convince himself that he hadn't destroyed the trust between them. She had shown that she still trusted him, letting him nuzzle her, and then some.
When her cool hands had first touched his torso, he managed to keep cool, but as she moved and brushed his stomach it was near impossible. Now, as he held her hands he was battling with himself.
Kiss her or no? Try or not?
He finally made up his mind to at least try. Slowly, he moved his mouth to her pale neck, listening intently for a sign to stop. When none became evident, he kissed, then flicked his tongue to the cool skin, being careful the whole time. She relaxed, exposing more of her neck to him, and he gently nibbled at it. Her hands tightened on his carefully, making him stop.
Reilyn turned and gave him a confused look, her brown eyes full of bafflement. He smiled and kissed her lips gently, removing one of his hands from hers to run it through her hair. He didn't want to test her just yet, he already figured he had the very clear answer: she did in fact like it.
Now, this could be different, he thought. If she does indeed like it, will it be gently- like Eragon likes to be bitten? Or could she hopefully be like me. . .the more, the harder-the better
He silently prayed that it was the latter rather than the former. Murtagh longed for someone of his own rough tastes, but knew he could survive if she were like gentle Eragon.
"Why-?" she whispered.
"Not yet," he murmured moving her to him. "Just not quite yet."
She let out a small growl, one filled with confusion and some frustration, and leaned her head on his shoulder. He laughed and kissed her skin, moving to just below the jaw line.
"Murtagh?" she breathed, sleep evident in her voice.
"Hmmm?" he muttered, tending to her neck with his lips and tongue.
"I. . .forgive you. For earlier. . .it just scared me, that's all. . . ." she whispered.
"Thank you," he sighed, feeling sweet relief.
"You should call Eragon back in. . ."
"Right," he shifted his head from her neck. "Er! Come back in here! We've smoothed things out!"
The brunette strolled into the room, smiling proudly at the two. He crawled onto the bed and promptly collapsed.
"Good," he giggled. "I was about to fall asleep in the damn hall. . . ."
Murtagh snickered, gently shifting and getting comfortable, then closed his eyes. As sleep curled around him, Thorn offered his thoughts on what went on.
You never cease to amaze me, Brave one.
How's that?
You're starting to think before you act, you just proved that to me with Reilyn. . .'Not yet' was a very decent choice.
Murtagh glowed with pride form his dragons kind words as he cuddled the sleeping girl and pulled the sleeping brunette to him. Reilyn sighed and settled comfortably into him, her hand on his heart. Eragon moved to the other side of Murtagh, snuggling in, and slept soundly. Murtagh fell into a dreamless sleep, surrounded by the two he loved most.
