Title: Blessing
Author: mispel
E-mail: mispel9yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Previously innocent displays of affection provoke Will.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Feedback: Any comments would be welcome.
Waiting his turn in the joust, Will watched the two knights preparing to go against each other. Geoff came close and leaned over to speak into Will's ear. Will didn't even hear what he said - something about his opponent's horse. Will felt the familiar breath on his neck and the long arms encircling him. Will pushed them away, not looking at Geoff. Everyone else was a little bit away from them, not paying attention
"What's the matter now? Is your armor chafing? Maybe you can have Kate..." Geoff started to say making a joke of it.
"Keep your distance," William told him keeping his voice low so that it came out like a hiss.
Geoff drew back.
"Did you want everyone to hear?" Geoff said haughtily, obviously not liking Will's tone. But not wanting to be overheard wasn't the reason Geoff had been hanging on him like a vine.
"I don't want everyone to see," William said in a slow, significant whisper. Geoff only crossed his arms. By his look, it seemed that Geoff had chosen to play the fool at that moment.
"There's nothing to see," Geoff insisted, his eyes at once stubborn and innocent.
"Then keep off me," Will told him.
Geoff looked a bit confused at that.
"I always do that sort of thing. I'm an affectionate fellow, I'll have you know." Geoff still played it innocent. He turned away a little as if to look at the match which was ending. But his eyes were clear, like he wasn't really seeing it.
"Not any more, not with me," William said.
Geoff stood still, turned away. Maybe he wasn't even breathing. William could see him from the side - the unkempt hair, his arms folded against his skinny chest. Geoff might have looked absorbed in the contest except he didn't even flinch when a knight took a lance to his middle and fell hard off his horse - the kind of jolt you can feel even if you're just watching it.
When Geoff turned to him, Will could tell that Geoff wasn't sure what he meant. Now William wasn't sure either. He had only meant that Geoff couldn't be like that in public now that they had something private to hide. But maybe he meant more. Maybe Will's mouth had done him a favor. He could end it now. Geoff half believed he had. Will just had to answer the questioning look Geoff was giving him. The look hadn't spilled over into hurt yet, but with a few words it would.
"Time to mount up, Will," Roland told him, interrupting.
Bless him, Will thought as he went off, and Geoff's puzzled look went unanswered.