I'm starting this pretty much right after finishing the last chapter. I'm excited to write again, especially after a really motivating review from SomethingI'veForgotten. Like I said, knowing that even one person is reading this is enough incentive to continue this. Besides, the last chapter was really enjoyable for me, since it's getting into the relationship between the characters as opposed to crap about cities and churches.
Lucien is pronounced loo-see-en, not loo-chee-en. I just really, really hate the name Lucien with that chee sound. Guh.
I know it's weird, but if you want to read this with music, listen to "Bliss" by Muse, when David and Lucien start arguing after the river… that's what I wrote it with. (Pay special attention to 2:10 in the song )
Let's move on, shall we?
xx Deus Ex Machina xx
The two sat against the wall of the tool shed. They had been silent for the better part of two hours, largely due to the fact that David had accidentally fallen asleep. Lucien knew all he needed to do was delicately slip off the knight's right boot, feel for the protruding flap of leather, and reveal the dagger underneath. It would be that simple.
But Lucien had never had any real desire to kill the other; perhaps save for the moment he had seen David's sword plunged into his sister's chest. Strangely enough, Lucien felt the memories of his sibling already growing darker and less effecting. Nevertheless, while Lucien was uncertain of what he wanted to do with the younger knight, he was positive he did not want him dead quite yet. That would require many more hours of sophisticated, late night plannings, while David slept like a child beside him.
He turned to look at said man, unconsciously raising his thumb to his mouth. He was very handsome indeed, strikingly even. Lucien had never been particularly interested in the beauty of anything but art or piece of music, but in this moment he freely allowed himself to admire David's features.
While Lucien had outwitted his companion on a few occasions already, there was no question of the knight's incredible intellect. One needn't even listen to David speak to understand that; the way the man carried himself, and especially his eyes bespoke genius levels of brain activity beneath the russet hair. Indeed, given other circumstances, another time and place perhaps, the two would have been the greatest of friends or more. If Lucien was not so intent on eventually bending the knight to his will and regaining power for himself, and if David didn't hate him so much… Lawliet found himself imagining that he wouldn't mind developing a camaraderie of some sort; he had never found his equal in anything and he had high hopes that David could break this rule.
The young man stirred. Lucien stared at him with great interest, gazing at the man's strong jaw line, the nose like a roman sculpture, the delicately arched eyebrows, and the full, blossom colored lips. What Lucien appreciated most about the other, however, were his eyes. Lawliet's sister had once been given a precious stone from an admirer, the man who would eventually become her husband. His brother in law had then regurgitated a rehearsed spiel he had doubtlessly heard from a scientist or alchemist: the stone seemed to be produced from some kind of liquid that hardened over time, most likely tree sap. Often, pieces of it were found with tiny insects trapped inside… it was called amber. It was that stone that Lucien was reminded of every time David looked at him.
If he had explained this verbally to an objective observer, Lucien would have sounded lovesick or cliché. However, the former prince didn't find reference to amber romantic at all, he actually found it rather ironic. Amber was known to trap small helpless creatures in an eternal prison, and Lucien privately decided that David seemed to enjoy doing the same thing. Hardly something that would make one's heart skip a few beats. Still, it was David's subtle megalomania and merciless attitude that made Lucien such an avid observer.
I want what you have, Lucien thought to himself, looking at David's sleeping face. I want to be sure of myself. I want to have unbreakable conviction like you have. Such peace of mind knowing that you must be right about everything.
Lucien had no idea how very wrong about David's personality he was. But he did find himself a little discomfited at how weak he felt when comparing himself to David, but it was only the truth. The knight acted with immediacy and efficacy, and he was sure of himself. Lucien however, had lost his city, his crown and his sister because he had thrown away precious months that could have been used for preparation. Instead he had endlessly mulled over the right course of action, his heart bleeding over every little detail. He had done the same thing in the farmhouse; he had crouched for minutes, collecting information about the intruders, weighing every risk, every possible plan. Had he acted with urgency, he could have easily saved the lives of Henry and his wife. The bottom line was this: he had been considering what to do with the dagger he had stolen, and trying to anticipate possible advantages over David he could reap from the opportunity. He silently regretted being so selfish, but soon dismissed the thought. He was working for something greater than a farming family, and he was sure he needed to use David to do that. Yes, this was much bigger than some curmudgeon of an old man, his wife and son.
David stirred, apparently dreaming. Lucien was again intrigued. Small sounds emitted from the knight's mouth, and the prisoner's eyes became ever wider and darker. The thumb crept imperceptibly further into its owner's mouth.
David woke with a start, breathing heavily and sweating. For the second time that day, he awoke to his companion crouching over him. It took him a few moments to realize he had fallen asleep, and mentally cursed his carelessness. He didn't particularly feel like having his throat slit by his own dagger in some rickety tool shed.
He sat, rubbing his eyes. In a way, he was glad he been sleeping, because that meant what was making him breathe hard and sweat had been a dream. Of all the things to have a nightmare about, he thought. He questioned himself: what did it mean? Was it a premonition? Was it because he had spent so much time with the other? Was he starting have feelings? Was it simply because he had never had a chance to release the torrid energy of sexual cravings? He didn't care to think about it any more, but the images kept returning behind his eyelids, as if someone had stained them on his retina. All the while, he was watched by a pair of onyx eyes, his every moment, inhale and exhale observed and noted carefully.
"What?" David questioned hoarsely, admittedly uneasy at the thought he had been watched while slumbering.
"Light was dreaming," Lucien stated quietly.
"I know that," David spat. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried get some cool air against his scalp. He despised sweating.
"What was Light dreaming about?" Lucien inquired, with the faintest hint of his real curiosity.
David ignored the question, instead asking two of his own. "What time do you think it is? Is there a river in the forest?"
"It is approximately five in the morning, and a stream stretches through the forest in close proximity to this house. Does Light wish to bathe?"
"Yes, Light wishes to bathe. Don't you?"
"I had not thought about it." Lucien lied. He had in fact, given a great deal of thought to all the possible and very uncomfortable situations that would arise because of their handcuffs. David began to think about it now, and suddenly, unbidden, his dream returned into his stream of consciousness. He could try to keep his face stoic, but a deep blush crept across his features. He prayed to God that in the dark, the other wouldn't notice. Lucien didn't, but instead blindsided the knight with a completely random question.
"Did Light know that he has a freckle right above his mouth?"
"What are you talking about?" David was cranky, and found himself consumed by the desire to punch his prisoner.
"Right here," Lucien said in monotone, as if he were reciting his list of things to do, and outstretched a long, slender finger. He placed the lightest of touches at the place where David's lip began to blend with his skin. "You have a small freckle there."
"And?" David struggled with his composure.
"I once heard that a freckle in such a place signifies a talented kisser."
"Jesus Christ," the knight sighed with exasperation, half in sin and half in a genuine plea for divine help. Lucien ignored the opportunity to provide a pointed remark about the Ten Commandments, instead opting to torture his companion a little further.
"Has Light ever kissed someone?"
Lucien didn't duck in time to avoid being punched squarely in the eye.
"I like you much better when you're silent." Light hissed, standing up. His legs were swept out from under him, thanks to a low kick from the French royal. David crashed to the shed floor, but quickly yanked his arm, Lucien flying forward into the ground beside David. The knight instantly mounted him, knee on the other's solar plexus, and grabbed hold of Lucien's collar. "You may think you're smarter than me you son of a bitch, but you will never beat me when it comes to strength." As if emphasizing his point, David slammed a few dizzying punches into Lucien's face, satisfied when he could smell blood. He drew back his fist for another onslaught, but stopped himself. The two breathed heavily for a few moments, both listening to the sound of their pounding heartbeats. Eventually, David lowered his arm, and released his grip on Lucien's shirt. Something deep inside him felt intense guilt at hurting this man so much.
He rose to his feet, roughly pulling his captive up with him. He dusted off the other's robe, and blushed again, this time out of a shame he wasn't sure he wanted to feel. The dark haired man didn't say a word, mostly out of shock. He coughed a few times, spitting his blood into the dust. David averted his eyes before they could meet with Lawliet's. Instead, he mumbled a hurried comment about it being high time for them to start walking again. Picking up the rucksack he had assembled with things from the house, the knight pushed open the door of the shed, and surveyed the land in the early morning rays. The stable was completely burnt to the ground, and the house lay empty, like a leering skeleton against the dawn. Lucien stumbled behind him, head still spinning from the knight's violent administerings.
They walked not a few minutes, slowly approaching the forest when a quiet word fell hoarsely from Lucien's lips.
"Stop…" He almost whispered, clutching his face uncharacteristically. David turned, too guilty to fire back a sharp reply. Lucien hated with a passion to admit weakness like this, but he could barely see, his vision was swimming so badly. He rationalized that it was better to stop now than faint later and have to be carried into town bridal-style by David.
"Light, I can't see out of this eye," he said, in reference to the rapidly swelling mouse developing over his eyelid. The bruise was already as dark as an eggplant, and the color looked even worse against Lucien's pale skin. David really did feel bad now.
Why the hell am I so guilty for giving this little bastard what he deserves? He thought. Not to mention falling on the ground like that hurt me too…
Lucien crouched in his favorite position, but couldn't take his hand away in order to chew his thumb… the pain truly was excruciating. David kneeled beside him for a few moments, allowing the older man to regain some of his bearings.
"Look, a wash off in the stream will help with the pain. It should only be a short walk from here, right? I'm sure you can make it. Come on, get up." David ushered, his tone a little softer than usual. He helped his prisoner rise, albeit slowly, and they continued down the path at a loping pace.
xx
The two stood staring at the river, Lucien even comical with his hugely swollen eye, trying desperately to squint through the other.
"I'm not taking the handcuffs off you," David said, attempting in vain to keep the nervousness out of his voice. He was unsure of how he was supposed to handle bathing nearly naked with such an abnormal person chained to him. "I guess the only thing to do it take off our pants, and let our tunics drape over chain, trying to keep them dry." He tried to sound as matter of fact as possible. After a few moments delay, they both began to strip off their already filthy garments, and since David would not unlock the handcuffs, the hand to allow their robes drape over the shackles by the armhole, David taking care to deposit his chain mail far from the water.
David was the first to step into the water, Lucien was forced to follow. Only in their undergarments, both felt extremely uncomfortable, and it was the only time neither could look the other in the eye. After washing his hair and face, David glanced at his companion and realized the other hadn't moved at all.
"Come on, Lucien…" he urged gently. The dark haired man remained with his back facing towards the knight. David sighed, not out of a frustration, but out of something one might be daring enough to label sympathy. He reached out tentatively and laid a tender hand upon the older man's shoulder.
"Lucien," David whispered. Around them birds chirped, and the warm rays of sunshine began to penetrate the fresh, green leaves of the forest canopy. "I'm sorry about punching you so hard." This muttered apology finally merited the royal's attention, and he turned slightly. His face was more purple than white, it really was hideous.
"It is not that, Light. I am embarrassed about being in my underclothes for the first time in front of a stranger." This comment, stated so matter-of-factly, it prompted the knight to smile for the first time in front of his prisoner.
"You completely deserved to be punched," David joked, and he shoved Lucien hard enough to topple him. Topple he did, and both men lost their balance and crashed into the river. Lucien's unguarded expression of shock was enough to make David smile again, and the knight laughed with genuine mirth. Sitting up, David turned, grinning to look at the other. Lucien had quickly rearranged his face and was back to the same blank stare as if he hadn't just fallen on his behind in a stream.
They sat, staring at each other for a while, the water flowing calmly around them. The grin faded to a subtle smile, and he sighed. It had been many months since he had truly lauhed. It felt nice.
"Lucien," he started, his tone markedly that of a man speaking to a close friend. "You have nothing to be ashamed of." Neither man could decide whether or not that had been a compliment. "Here," David whispered, cupping his hands and filling the cavity with water. With care, he began to wash the blood off Lucien's face. David, as a soldier of sorts, was very familiar with how painful injuries like this could be, and his ministrations were as tender as any nurse's. For his part, Lucien showed no emotion other than the occasional, momentary contortion of pain when David's fingers hit an especially tender part. All in all, the cool temperature of the water eased the pain and lessened the swelling.
"Thank you, Light. That is much better."
Neither of them would have guessed this is where they would be, and this is what they would be doing a few hours prior to this. Every so often, David's dream would return into his head, but with every new remembrance of it, his embarrassment and discomfort lessened. As unaware of it as he was, the smallest part of David was beginning to accept that perhaps, perhaps he wouldn't really mind all that much if the dream became a reality.
xx
The atmosphere between the two had changed completely by the time they had dried off and donned their clothing once again. They resumed their walk down the now brightly lit forest path. After a long while, Lucien ventured a question, but not without testing the waters first.
"Light, may I ask something?"
"Yes, Lucien," it was obvious the knight was in a noticeably better mood.
"Perhaps I should specify. May I ask something without being punched in the face?"
David laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "I really shouldn't have done that. But yes, Lucien. You should take advantage of my good mood and ask me all of your annoying, inappropriate questions right now while my guard is down." Lucien noticed that the way the knight said that carried a disguised reminder that they would return to hating each other and planning each other's demise.
"Has Light ever kissed someone?" Again, stated so devoid of inflection that it didn't give David a particular reason to suspect why the other was asking. The knight decided to treat it as if the other might as well have been inquiring about his favorite color (which happened to be red).
"No, and… yes." David knew that wasn't going to be enough information for the prying, nosey man, so he elaborated before the other could complain. "You already know I was raised by the Church, and when I was very young, girls and boys were still allowed to go to school together. Before they separated us, we all used to play games in the schoolyard. Our favorite was pretending to be knights rescuing princesses, and when a knight found his fair maiden, he had to kiss her… I had my fair share of sweethearts back then, I guess." David said, blushing. His embarrassment received no perceivable reaction from Lucien.
"But that was only when I was a young boy. The Church separated us at age seven anyways, but when we were caught giving each other little kisses we were whipped pretty badly. Naturally, I was whipped the most," David finished with a devilish grin.
"But after Light had passed the age of seven his attitude towards females had changed?" Lucien prompted. The knight figured the conversation would have little potential to turn into an advantage for Lucien later, so he indulged the other; speaking about things he had never thought to discuss with another.
"Yes, it did." He paused. "Well what about you? You hardly seem to be a lady's man, Lucien." The other was unfazed by the joke at his expense.
"No, I am not."
"You've never kissed a woman, then?" The knight's eyes had taken on a gleeful sparkle, and in the depths of his subconscious Lucien remarked that David's growing level of comfort around him was a huge asset. For now, though, he found he was enjoying this time despite himself.
"I have not." Lucien replied, squinting at David through his less damaged eye.
"Is there any reason for that?" The gleeful sparkle turned into a mischievous glint.
"Not one that I had purposefully decided upon, Light."
"Good," was David' evaluation.
"Why is it good, Light?"
"Because if you were homosexual, I would kill you where you stand." The knight had meant it more as a joke, but his tone had accidentally come out very serious. And with that comment, their relationship returned to what it was a few hours prior.
"Why would Light do that?" Lucien asked without sounding like he really cared.
"Because, being gay is probably a worse crime than blasphemy, and rightly so. It's disgusting. Under orders from the Church, I myself have already destroyed three brothels filled with such filth, and the townspeople thanked me for it." For the first time in a while, they spent the next few moments in a dark silence.
"I want what Light has," Lucien stated abruptly.
"I beg your pardon?" David's former air of irritation with Lucien returned to his voice. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"I am merely repeating the same thoughts I had earlier. I believe I would have been a much stronger ruler, and I could have easily prevented this situation if I had the same conviction of belief that Light does. Self-doubt had delayed me from making many important decisions, thus allowing others to make them for me." David was irritated that for the millionth time, he heard no emotive tones in the other's voice befitting such a self-deprecating monologue.
"Yes, it is wonderful." David snapped. "I never stop to think about anything, nothing ever bothers me, except people like you."
More silence
Finally David continued, "You have no idea how to talk or deal with people, do you?" Lucien looked at him, and for once, David thought he saw more than a vacant blankness in the other's black eyes.
"What I said was inappropriate?" Whatever David had seen disappeared.
"Inappropriate isn't the right word for it, Lucien. You just shouldn't say some of the things you say. Or, if you do say them, you're supposed to sound like you actually mean it when you're making such a comment. See, that's why you and I will never get along, we could never be friends. You sound like you couldn't care less about the conversation. When I talk to you, I feel like the Church physician is examining me. Smiling, frowning, even putting inflection in your voice doesn't hurt," David half lied. He wondered why he was bothering to say any of this at all.
"None of this should matter to Light, since I believe he would not be interested in 'friendship' with me regardless of my expression of emotions." Lucien pointed out adroitly.
"You're absolutely right. So just be quiet until we get to the next town, where I'm going to have this chain extended. At least then you will walk behind me like a proper prisoner." He said without really meaning it. He had still not forgotten the feeling of camaraderie he had shared with the other just minutes ago.
"Light is bothered by our physical proximity? Then what happened in the river-" Lucien was interrupted.
"Just shut up! I told you to never forget that I would never trust you. What happened in the river was a mistake on my part, I should have punched you again." This time, David was lying outright, but he refused to let it show. He stopped, yanking his arm to force Lucien to turn and look at him. "Just because I smile and laugh does not mean I am comfortable with you. Just because I tell you I kissed the little nuns when I was a boy does not mean we are friends. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can manipulate me into believing you are no longer a threat to me, Lucien." David glared, the emphasis of his point impossible to miss. "I say with all seriousness: be quiet until the next town."
Lucien calculated the risks, and his throbbing black eye was enough to dissuade him from making any further comments. The two walked on in silence, David traveling noticeably faster than before, while Lucien meditated on his lost advantage over the other.
xx
AnsemMesna asked a question: who will be the uke and seme in the relationship. I really hadn't thought about it, but in the next few chapters, one of them is going to take control. I'm not sure whether that person will stay in control per se… But after reading this chapter, L seems to be weaker than David physically and maybe that will contribute. Then again, Lucien also seems to be much smarter than David, and intellect is important for both. Perhaps I should make a poll. But my thoughts are that it might turn out to be equal control. (I'm nervous about writing a lemon, I've read so many that are terrible… But it will happen.)
What do you guys think?
Remember folks, reviews are very appreciated, but not required from you.
Aaaaand, I'm still looking for a good beta reader!
