His eyes opened slowly, the orbs gritty and dry as the flesh scraped open. His chest was on fire and every movement sent pain skittering through his system. The involuntary cry that wrenched itself from his dry and cracked throat burned as if he had swallowed a burning coal and washed it down with flaming tarrow. His entire body felt as if it were caught under a large boulder and his head as if there were thousands of tiny horses stampeding through it.
"Shh, you're fine my child."
The kindly voice sounded from his right and he struggled to move so he could see the speaker. As always her lively blue eyes twinkled and her silver blonde hair was bunned at the nape of her neck.
"Helga."
"Shush Matthew. Rest your boice my dear, I'll go get you some warmed mead with honey to help soothe the pain."
"No." Matthew croaked when she rose, his face shining already with a light sheen of sweat. "Don't leave me...please."
"Matthew my child, calm down. I only be gone a moment or two. I can send Master Irvine in you don't want to be alone."
Matthew paled; his eyes darting around the room, realization dawning on him that was in the Masters Chambers in Irvines long house.
"No Helga, and please don't tell him that I'm awake."
"I'm afraid I have to tell him my dear. He's been worried that you'd never come around again."
"At least for now keep my status to yourself Helga. I fear that my eyes are already heavy again."
Helga smiled knowingly and patted Matthew's shoulder, moving to her hand to cup his face gently as she spoke quietly.
"I understand. I shall keep your secret for now, and if you are among the dreams when I return I'll leave the drink on the night table."
"Thank you."
The words were sincerely grateful and Helga nodded with a soft smile before she turned and left, the fur flapping gently behind her. The muted sound of the fire popping in the hearth caught Matthew's attention and he turned his head to stare at the mesmerizing flames. Hate and anger welled up in his chest and hot angry tears rolled down his face as the flames flickered and danced; unaware of the dark thought swirling in the mind of the man on the bed.
"DAMMIT!"
The word exploded from his lips, shattering the silence as his hands clenched at his sides; balling the fur and tugging at it. He turned his gaze away from the fire and back to the fur divider; his lids slowly drifting back down as the soft pops and crackles from the fire lulled him back into a state of semi sleep. Before he could go back under however the sound of speaking jarred him back to consciousness and he opened his eyes to mere slits, closing them just as quickly when he seen Christopher pacing at the edge of the bed.
"Matthew, you have to come back. Your brother is a nervous wreck, he hasn't eaten in over five days."
Matthew's hand was grasped and it took everything in his power to keep from yanking it back and giving up his game. Something warm and wet landed on his wrist; startled his eyes popped all the way open and he caught Christopher on his knees with his head bowed and his shoulder shaking in silent sobs.
"And I need you Matthew. Please come back. You add so much to my hall; even your hate makes a difference. I seen in you that spark of life from the very first time I laid eyes on you. I knew then that there was was something different about you Matthew...and you remind me so much of Adam. I think that I sometimes find myself confusing you with him and wondering if what I feel for you is a residual of what I felt for Adam back then." Feather soft lips ghosted over his hand and Matthew didn't have time to close his eyes when Christopher raised his head. "Matthew..."
Silence reigned between them, Matthew's body vibrating and his face blank while Christopher's were awash with tears as his body stilled completely.
"Matthew? Pray this not be a vision of my over reactive brain. Have you come back to me-us Matthew?"
The words were laced with a hope that made Matthew's heart constrict painfully and his breath catch in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak but the words lodged in his throat as soul consuming hate for the entire Viking race slammed back to the forefront of his mind; erasing the vision of Christopher concerned and sad and instead replacing it with an image of him laughing and holding a whip; poised to strike at a moment's notice. His brow furrowed as he yanked his hand away from Christopher and snarled as much as he was able to do with his raw throat.
"Do not touch me you foul son of a goat!"
"M-Matthew?"
Christopher blinked in confusion at the surly tone of voice and harsh words; Matthew had always shown a marked dislike for his people but never once flung epitaphs in anger. He reached again for Matthew's hand but the dark haired man once more snarled and yanked the appendage away.
"I said do not touch me."
Matthew struggled to get up from the bed, the hate burning in his gut and forcing him from the mattress with the strength that only a strong emotion could call forth. Horrified Christopher started towards the wobbling and feeble looking man, his hand raised and his voice full of fear.
"Be still Matthew!"
"Nay! You do not control me." Matthew snapped as he took a wobbly step forwards.
"But I do. You are my thrall Matthew and therefore subject to my demands and wishes."
Matthew growled weakly, his body trembling violently as he tried to move forwards. His efforts gained him all of about two paces before pitched forwards, the flooring rushing up to meet his face hard. Hands grabbed him and drug him close, keeping him from his harsh introduction to the cold stones beneath his feet. Even though his body was weak from the exertion he fought; struggling against Christopher's chest until black crept into his line of vision. All at once his body went limp and he sank against Christopher; molten tears flowing down his face at the obvious sign of his weakness.
Slowly Christopher rocked them; his hands running up and down Matthew's spine as he lips caressed the sweaty and furrowed brow.
"S-stop. Don't touch me. I'll disembowel you while you sleep and parade your entrails around the village." Matthew stuttered out; his voice airy and holding not one bit of true threat.
"And then you shall be put to death."
"A paltry price to pay to be away from this cold land."
"What of your brother then Matthew? What will happen to him if you decide to sentence yourself to death?"
Matthew swallowed and closed his eyes, his voice a little stronger than before but not any louder.
"He has made his place here. He will survive."
Silence once more enshrouded them and Christopher gently cupped Matthew's face, his thumb stroking the stubbled cheek. Matthew jerked away from the soft touch; trying to hold onto his anger but it slowly ebbed away under the gentle ministration and tears soon prickled behind his eyelids.
"I was worried Matthew that you'd never make your way back." Christopher said softly, his blue eyes shimmering behind a sheen of tears as he stared deeply into Matthew's earth tone orbs.
"Why do you care?"
"Because Matthew..." Christopher's voice faltered, followed by the words dying on his tongue and leaving him speechless.
"Because you need a thrall to keep your house? To harvest and plant your crops?" Matthew bit out; the words bitter.
Christopher's heart dropped, settling down in the bottom of his feet at the words and it slowly dawned on him that no matter what he did Matthew would always hate him. His arms fell away and he moved himself away, getting back to his feet and moving towards the entrance way.
"You really believe that don't you Matthew?"
"Aye."
Closing his eyes against the pain Christopher pulled in a deep breath and waited for a moment so as to gather his composure. When the cerulean depths were visible again it was clear that he was going to say was hard; his breath catching audibly in his throat before he could even get the first word out. After a couple of failed attempts the nearly silent, halting words blossomed into the still air.
"On-once you are completely healed Matthew you'll have your freedom."
"What of my freedom price?"
"A non-issue."
Matthew's mouth hung opened as he blinked, his brain not comprehending the words that Christopher had said. In the growing silence Christopher turned and walked from the room; the flapping of the curtain the exclamation point to his declaration. The sudden aching feeling of loss that began to eat away at Matthew confused him and terrified him at the same time; he had been given his freedom without price and yet his heart felt as if it were cracking and shattering into thousands of tiny shards. During his extensive exploration and re-questioning of the feeling that he was certain shouldn't have been there, he missed Helga re-entering the room and the feel of her hand on his shoulder startled him. With a hoarse yelp he jumped, wincing from the movement and coloring a deep dark red as Helga smiled kindly down at him and offered him the drink.
"Careful my dear, tis hot and you'll burn yourself."
"T-thank you."
Matthew wrapped his hands around the horn cup tightly; his thoughts still swirling as he watched Helga move about the room tidying things just to keep herself busy.
"I would ask Matthew as to why you are on the floor, but I know that you are stubborn and were probably up to no good as usual."
The words were said playfully and Matthew couldn't help but laugh, nodding his head as he downed the rest of the drink; the warmed mead hitting his belly and spreading nicely along his nerve endings.
"Yes, yes I am that. I fear that I have always pushed myself."
"It's an admirable trait to be sure my child, but it must also be your worst downfall as well."
Matthew nodded his assent and rolled his eyes as Helga clicked her tongue and moved over to where he was sitting on the floor. She took the empty cup from him and sat it on the chair at the foot of the bed and held her hand out to him, clicking her tongue in a disappointed fashion.
"Come Matthew, lets get you back into bed before Master Irvine comes in and finds you thus. He normally comes about this time to lay with you through out the night if your brother hasn't already claimed the spot next to you as his own."
The frank admission brought Matthew up short; allowing Helga to easily pull him to his feet in his shock. As they shuffled over to the bed he managed to find his voice once again and caused in a measured tone, the words trembling slightly on his lips.
"H-he's slept with me?"
"Of course he did Matthew. He didn't want you awaken alone. Master Irvine is a lot of things but he's not discompassionante. Now come child, back to bed with you and then I'll take a look at your chest to make sure you haven't ripped it back a sunder with your flailing about."
Between the two of them they managed to get him back into the bed and comfortable in very little time; the furs pulled just to his waist as Helga gently unwrapped the bandages about Matthew's chest. The wound itself was a pinkish color with a long nasty gouge in the middle but there was no heat coming from it to signal an infection. Quickly Helga sponged the area down and after applying a cool balm that took away at least the physical pain his chest, she re-bandaged the area, scowling Matthew and telling him that he'd better not take another trip out of bed by himself. Smiling and agreeing so as to keep peace Matthew yawned and before Helga could even take her seat at bedside again his eyes were closed; a small frown pulling his lips downwards in slumber.
Christopher fought the sirens call of the injured dark haired man in his chambers; his hand tipping back tankard after tankard of ale in the bid to shut his mind down and banish the heart killing pain in his body. Soon his eyes were blurred and the only thoughts in his mind were about his bed and before he could gather his inebriated wits he found himself stumbling towards his quarters; visions of Matthew with the furs tangled around his legs floating hazily behind his eyelids.
The fur brushed against his face and he hesitated as the figures of Matthew and Helga gyrated and pulsated in his vision and caused an almost instaneous migrane. For a moment he just stood, hoping that his inactivity would help calm his mind and after a few minutes it seemed to help and he walked nearly normally over to the bed; tapping Helga on her shoulder to get her attention.
"He's sleeping peacefully Master."
"Good, you may find your bed for the night goodwoman."
Helga nodded and left him once more alone with Matthew. Tears sprung to his eyes as he slowly stripped down to nothing; his finery left in a crumpled pile at the foot of the bed. As gently as he could he slid into the bed and pulled Matthew towards him; nuzzling his neck softly as his hand rested over the steadily beating heart, a silent assurance that Matthew hadn't indeed left them. The nuzzling soon turned to light kisses and then gentle nips; Christopher's hands wandering Matthew body before coming to rest on his meaty hips.
Tears once more obscured Christophers vision and he left one last kiss to Matthew's full lips before settling down next to him and holding him close as the drink pulled him under, the phantom feeling of fingers trailing through his hair and over his face chalked up to copius abouts of ale clouding his mind.