Love Song

By Dixxy

"Hello"

Dixxy's Notes: This is a sort-of prologue to Prisoners of War that focuses on the relationship between Elliot and Glenn and, furthermore, why they broke up before Elliot ended up part of the rebellion movement. Mostly I'm writing this because I wanted to practice a few intimate scenes (not full-blown lemons, mind you) – I'm not a very experienced yaoi writer as of yet, so this is the first "heavy" yaoi fic I've done.

Instead of naming each chapter with something like "Chapter One" or what-not, they're named after the different love songs that appear throughout the fic.

Elliot glanced across the mess hall, his fork hanging from his bottom lip and his elbow on the table as he stared at the Dragoon he knew only as "Glenn". He really didn't know much about him, except his name, who his family was, that he liked to read and was part of the sword division of the Acacia Dragoons. His hair was a soft, platinum blonde in color, his eyes a deep blue, and his skin a deep bronze from many sunny days spent in the sun.

Most people called him "Dario's brother", usually with a choice of "kid", "baby", or "little" between the other two words. Unquestionably, the Dario they spoke of was THE Dario – Grandmaster of the Einlanzer, leader of the Devas, escort to Lady Riddel, and more than likely next in line to General Viper's post once the old man died or decided to retire. Furthermore, that also made Glenn the son of Garai, who was perhaps the greatest Deva of all-time and would remain there until someone – probably Dario – did something greater.

Though it made sense to Elliot that the kid would want to at least come CLOSE to where his brother and father stood, he was doing everything but that. Elliot guessed this was because he was afraid that he would look like a snot if he performed too well, and probably wanted to stay out of the lime light for the time being. Besides, some of the other Dragoons were jealous of him – he was only sixteen, which was very young for a Dragoon, AND from perhaps the most famous line of noble Dragoons to ever live aside from the Viper family line itself. He was taunted when his brother or one of the other Devas weren't around, but Glenn seemed to scared to stand up to them.

But when Glenn was by himself or sparring with his older brother when the Grandmaster had spare time in his busy schedule, he was magnificent. Simply wonderful to watch. Sure he wasn't a match for the Deva, but the younger put up a fight and came very close to winning on a few select occasions.

Elliot loved watching those matches (though he never watched them in the open – technically he was eavesdropping, and for that charge he was sure Dario would give him latrine duty for a month). Usually they sparred in a private training ground reserved for the Devas, so they had a lot of freedom to move around unlike the over-crowded sparring field user by the lower-ranking Dragoons. The matches were heated and furious, almost as if it were a well-planned dance routine. Sword against sword, parry to parry and leap for leap.

About halfway through the match, they would pause briefly to begin removing their shirts – by this point they were sweaty and the clothing only got in the way. Elliot loved that part of the sessions – that meant things would begin to pick up now that they were warmed up. At that point they were more into the fight, almost as if they were arch rivals locked in a life and death battle rather than brothers having a friendly sparring match.

Elliot also loved watching the way their muscles moved beneath their tanned skin. Though neither of the brothers were what Elliot considered to be buff (in Elliot's mind, buff meant muscles that rivaled the size of the head), they were both muscular. Dario was slightly more so – he was, after all, in his early twenties and Glenn was still a teenager – quite simply it was just a matter of Dario having used a sword longer. Glenn's frame, though lean, had signs of developing muscle and one day he would likely be in the same physical shape his brother was in.

Now if I was in THAT physical shape I'd be one happy little Dragoon.

After all, the only reason he bothered watching the matches was because of the younger man.

I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams, I've kissed your lips a thousand times

Unfortunately, Glenn dodged ALL of his advances. Though Elliot KNEW that the kid was just like him, it didn't appear as if he wanted out of the proverbial "closet" as of yet. Technically, Elliot wasn't out and about yet, either – a lot of the other Dragoons weren't very accepting of alternate lifestyles. Especially his choice of alternate lifestyle.

Elliot sensed Glenn knew this as well, and tried to hide it from the Dragoons. As far as every skirt chasing Dragoon Viper had recruited, Glenn was doing a fine job – Elliot was fairly sure even Dario didn't know. But to someone like him? No sweat. Elliot had a second sense when it came to knowing which way the door swung for a person, he was convinced Glenn's door swung his way.

Elliot didn't quite remember when his obsession began. Maybe it was the first time he saw Glenn in the barracks, when he was packing his belongings into his pitiful excuse for a dresser, which looked exactly like every other pitiful excuse for a dresser in their bunk room. That always amused Elliot – brother of a Deva or not, he still had to suffer through the lower ranks. Elliot had greeted him with a friendly hello, and Glenn had answered with a wave and a smile.

But something about him drove Elliot's senses crazy. He was somewhat handsome in a youthful, rugged sort of way. He did have that deep tan from being outside so much – Glenn was a Green, and Greens tended to like being outside (Elliot himself was a Red, and he only liked to go outside when it was warm – he despised the cold). His hair wasn't particularly well kept, but it was held back with a long lilac ribbon he used as a headband – he was teased relentlessly about it, but Elliot thought it was charming. The only noticeable flaw he had (aside from the unavoidable minor cuts and scrapes Dragoons tended to acquire) was the cross-scar that adorned his cheek. Granted the mark had faded to show its age, but it was still a dull red-brown in color that stuck out against the rest of his skin. It seemed like this was something Glenn was sensitive about, and sometimes when he got worried he covered the scar with his hand as he tried to melt into the shadows, away from whatever it was that was making him feel on edge.

I sometimes see you pass outside my door
Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Oh, how Elliot longed to take him into his arms and tell him it would all be all right. But every single time he tried to get close to Glenn since their first encounter in the barracks, a panicked look would set onto the younger Dragoon's face and he would make as fast an exit as possible. Rarely did Elliot get more than an "excuse me" or the occasional "I really must be going – good-bye!" before Glenn was out of sight or a good distance away. That made Elliot's heart sink. Why was Glenn avoiding him?

Elliot's first thoughts directly correlated to Glenn's family. Glenn probably thought he was going to end up the butt of some prank, or joke, or hazing incident all because he was who he was. That didn't quite explain the fear Glenn seemed to have, but it was the best explanation Elliot had.

I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted, and my arms are open wide

Well, Glenn had no reason to be with him – they weren't exactly friends or anything. But Elliot was having one hell of a time trying to get even that far.Even if he could just be friends with him. . . no. That would drive him even more insane. Having him at a distance and out of reach was one thing. . . but that CLOSE and out of reach? Elliot knew he would barely be able to handle it. Dragon Gods, he'd probably start stuttering like a fool and fidgeting like mad every time Glenn asked him to borrow boot polish. No. He had to have all or nothing.

Cause you know just what to say and you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much I love you.

Feeling brave, Elliot took the last bite of. . . whatever it was Orcha had made for dinner ("Mystery Meat – I don't know what it is so it's a mystery! Clever, don'tCHA think?"), dropped his dish off for the new dishwasher and began to march towards Glenn's little table in the corner. Today, he was going to make conversation if it KILLED him.

The object of his desire was reading a book and sipping coffee, one leg crossed elegantly over the other, that foot bobbing back and forth idly as his large, bright blue eyes were glued to the page. Elliot grabbed the chair across from Glenn's, pulled it out, and sat down. He placed his elbows on the table, pressed the heels of his palms together, and rested his chin in his open hands. This created just enough noise to get the other Dragoon's attention. He was barely able to swallow his coffee as he stared at Elliot in surprise, almost like that of a Bubba Dingo caught before a band of travelers.

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care

"Lovely weather we're having, aren't we?" said Elliot, smiling brightly.

Much to his dismay, Elliot watched Glenn flap his jaw for a few seconds before quickly taking his book, dropping off his empty coffee cup at the kitchen window and walking hurriedly to the door. Elliot dropped his head onto he table in defeat, and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Ow. That hurt."

One thing that Elliot liked about being a Dragoon was that the bedtime wasn't so much as a rule as it was a "suggested guideline". Though most of the Dragoons went to bed around that time, many stayed up for an hour or so with friends in the recreation rooms Lady Riddel had lobbied for last year, or went to Termina for drinks at the bar, or spent nights with ladies they had been eyeing. Once in a while Elliot went out as well, but he didn't go out often. Only his parents and sister were alive – all living in Choras – and it wasn't often he found a one-night stand to occupy his time.

Glenn was the type who went to bed at the same time every night – Elliot was sure he could set a clock by Glenn's habits. But, strangely enough, Glenn's bunk lay unoccupied and neatly made – he was late. Elliot found that odd – what was keeping him? Ignoring the other Dragoons, Elliot fastened his belt around his waist, patted his sword, and decided to go look for him.

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I've just got to let you know

Elliot checked every nook and cranny he thought the young Dragoon might be (or at least the areas he could access – if Glenn had wanted to see his brother he could very easily slip into places the other Dragoons weren't allowed in). Everywhere he looked he found either no one or everyone BUT Glenn. Not in the mess hall, not in any of the recreation rooms, not even doing guard duty in the jail or at the front gates.

Elliot felt disappointed. . . then worried.

Cause I wonder where you are and I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you?

Elliot felt his head begin to beat wildly. What if Glenn was somewhere hurt, like at the bottom of the well? Frantic, Elliot ran to the well, crashed into the wall, and dove his head and torso into the well, balancing himself on his stomach. "HELLO!? IS ANYONE DOWN THERE!?"

He only heard his own echo answer him. . . and a few snickers from some of the nearby guards. Elliot growled in response – vultures. Oh well. They knew who he was by his uniform – they probably wouldn't remember him being outside at all come the next morning, unless someone got in, which was unlikely – no one got into the manor uninvited. It just wasn't done.

Out of the corner of his eye, Elliot saw the Dragon stable. He scratched his head – the old man never slept in the stable, and it was a good place for someone to go if they wanted to avoid human contact. Since Glenn was avoiding him. . . Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. He was probably in the stable. It was an ODD hiding place, but a very good one.

Elliot made the short jog to the stable without incident. None of the guards patrolling the Bluffs paid him any heed, which was just fine for Elliot. He wanted to have a talk with Glenn and it would be best if no one else knew about it. Even though he had tried to avoid being alone with him, it had to be done. Something about Elliot was bothering Glenn, and he hoped and prayed it wasn't that the other Dragoon was uninterested or felt stalked.

But if Elliot knew the problem, he could fix it.

The door was slightly ajar, so Elliot was able to open it without making too much noise. He closed it tight behind him, then sighed. The end of the stable he stood in was almost pitch black – it would have been pitch black if it weren't for a light source coming from the loft at the far end of the stable. Elliot silently cheered.

That's him. Now what?

Tell me how to win your heart, cause I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you.

Nervously, Elliot made the walk to the far end of the stable. Some of the dragons snorted a little, and he hoped that this was something they did anyways. Then he wouldn't know that he was coming – if he KNEW, he'd run. Again. This was an opportunity that Elliot had to take – if he didn't, then he may never get another chance like this.

The ladder was up against the loft, which CLEARLY meant someone was up there. The stable master pitched a fit if the ladder was left out when no one was up there. The only time he didn't get mad was when it was the only safe way for someone who was up there to get down. Getting an idea, Elliot let a grin cross his lips as he began to climb the ladder.

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Elliot was more than pleased to see Glenn sitting with his back to the wall, an almost blank look on his face as he stared into the light source – a lone oil lamp. Lost in thought, Elliot mused. It appeared as if he planned to spent the night out there – he'd brought some pillows and blankets with him as well as the lamp and a book sitting near one of the pillows. Even after Elliot was entirely on the floor of the landing, Glenn was still lost in thought. . .

. . . that is, until he kicked the ladder down.

THAT got Glenn's attention VERY quickly. His head snapped up in surprise and he stared at Elliot in shock. "Elliot!" he said. "What. . . what. . . the ladder!" he said, getting up and scrambling to the edge. Fearing the younger knight would fall over, he held out and arm and gently caught him. Glenn began to squirm in his grip, turning his head to glare at Elliot. He stopped moving, his eyes turning to ice. "I know that you know about me," he said. "I can still kick your ass."

"That I don't doubt," said Elliot, though Glenn's attitude was frightening. Elliot never heard Glenn swear like that before, so he wondered why he was doing so now. What the hell did I do to him anyways!? I only want to tell him I've gone mad for him! "But what do you mean you know that I know?"

Glenn gulped, closed his eyes, and winced. "That I . . . like men." He then turned back to Elliot, beginning to struggle against the other Dragoon again. "There, I said it – are you happy now? Or are you going to hang me with my own belt or something? I know you have been stalking me. Go ahead – no one cares about Dario's gay little brother. Someone will find me in the morning and that will be it, won't it?"

Suddenly, everything fell into place. Glenn KNEW that Elliot was keeping an eye on him all right, but the poor kid had the wrong idea. He thought Elliot was homophobic and wanted to kill him. Though he wanted to laugh at the sheer magnitude of the misunderstanding, he bit his tongue. Elliot let him go, but Glenn didn't run (as if he had any place to go now that Elliot had taken care of their only exit). He did, however, begin to back himself towards a corner, trying to melt into the shadows again. He was afraid. Petrified of the figure standing before him. "Well? How are you going to kill me?"

Elliot began to step towards him, until Glenn was completely in the corner. Elliot put his hands on the walls surrounding his crush and leaned in, a grin on his face. Not a sinister one, but a happy one. "Glenn, I don't want to kill you. You got it all wrong." Glenn seemed confused – he was still a little afraid, but he also didn't seem to know what was going on until Elliot moved in and captured his mouth with his own.

Cause I wonder where you are and I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you?

A second that felt like an eternity passed before he felt Glenn wrap his arms around his neck, returning the gesture and sending Elliot into paradise. The two stumbled away from the corner, falling into a pile of hay as they began to tumble and kiss more fervently, running fingers through hair and tongues over the insides of the other's mouth.

He was finally able to pin Glenn in the pile after several minutes, holding his hands above his head with his left hand and running his right index finger down the center of Glenn's chest. The teen shivered, throwing his head back in desire, his hair rustling the hay beneath his head, some of the yellow grass already speckling his shirt and mixed in with his pale yellow locks. "No one has ever kissed me before," he said quietly, mostly because he was slightly short of breath from the surprise of it.

Elliot laughed. "I don't want to kill you – I wanted to kiss you, dummy."

Glenn moved his head back down and gazed into Elliot's eyes. "I am sorry. . . I did not realize you fancied me. . ." he said. He blushed. "I must admit I thought you were handsome as well, but I did not dare say anything for fear that you hated what I am. . . but evidently enough, what you are as well."

"I'm queer and proud."

"Queer?"

Elliot shrugged. "I picked it up somewhere. Means gay."

Glenn blushed. "Oh."

Placing his knees on either side of Glenn's waist, Elliot removed his hands so he could sit up. "I've been smitten with your for a few months now, Glenn. You make my stomach feel funny and my heart beat out of control. I bet you don't even know just how sexy you are."

"That's not true – I'm not special looking."

"My ass it's true!" said Elliot. He dove back down, eliciting a yelp from the other Dragoon as he began to trail kisses around his face. "Your tan – delicious. Your eyes – gorgeous. Your body – delectable. You – are – incredible!" He ended his barrage of kisses on Glenn's mouth, eliciting a soft moan that made Elliot's heart flutter. He was liking it. Nah. LOVING it.

"You want me. . . I don't believe it," Glenn said softly. Elliot caressed the sides of his face as he kissed him again, making the younger want him even more. Inexperience showing, Glenn tried to clumsily return the gesture, eliciting soft laughs from them both at his attempts.

Growing impatient (and unbearably horny), Elliot started to unfasten his belt. He noticed Glenn's eyes widen at the prospect, but once again it was with mild fear – not excitement. Elliot tossed the belt aside and gazed quizzically at the other Dragoon. "Glenn? Is something wrong?"

Glenn frowned. "I'm. . . I'm a virgin."

Elliot's eyes widened – that wasn't something he'd taken into consideration, or been very experienced with. Oh sure he'd rolled around the bed sheets with a few guys before, but the only time he recalled being in a sexual situation with a virgin was when he'd lost his own virginity – he'd NEVER slept with another virgin before. Of COURSE Glenn's a virgin you dolt! He's not out of the closet yet – of COURSE this is his first time!

If Glenn was a virgin, he might not want to loose his virginity just yet – never mind in a dragon stable of all places! Elliot's first time had been in a half-decent room at an inn with a nice, soft bed, warm blankets, and tastefully decorated scenery. Here they had the makeshift bed Glenn had brought to camp out with, hay, and kind of ugly walls with some dragons down below.

Glenn gave Elliot a nervous smile. "Just be gentle. Please?"

With those words, Elliot lost what remained of his composure.

Within just a few minutes shy of an hour (or at least, that's what Elliot guessed), everything had gone quiet. There was a general pile of clothing lying a few feet away, their boots, belts, and swords throw hastily against the wall. The two lovers were lying naked beneath one of the blankets, their arms and legs still tangled together as the younger rested his head on his lover's shoulder, sighing contentedly as he nuzzled closer. Elliot had a dopey smile on his face, more than estatic to have the other knight held tightly in his arms. Almost half-asleep, Glenn murmured something into his lover's shoulder. "Elliot. . . that was amazing. . ."

Elliot laughed. "How would you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just an hour ago you told me you were a virgin – since no one else has come up here, what do you have to compare me to?" Elliot thought aloud. Glenn gently backhanded him. "However, you are right. That was unbelievable," he said, kissing Glenn again. The younger sighed happily, returning the gesture. "I guess all that practice paid off."

Glenn frowned. "If I can ask. . . how much practice?"

Elliot shrugged. "Oh, I don't know – most of 'em were one night stands." Glenn looked down, lowering his eyelids as he made an "o" with his mouth. Elliot frowned, gently lifting his lover's chin. "Oh, come on, now. I'm not going to make THIS a one-night stand. I've spent far too much time chasing after you to have it end tonight."

"Are you serious?" asked Glenn, wide eyed in excitement.

Elliot kissed Glenn on the cheek, then traced the scar on that cheek. "But of course!" He reached down, trying to find Glenn's hand (but purposely missing once or twice to entice cries of surprise). Once he found his hand, he gently brought the loosely clenched fist to his mouth to gently nibble on it, ending with a kiss. "Even though this is our first night together, you already mean more to me than all of the others combined."

"Oh, Elliot," he breathed, reaching to kiss him again as Elliot gently pushed him onto the back. He gave his lover a wry grin, licking his lips, teasing the young man. Glenn smiled back, daring him into taking him again. Elliot raised an eyebrow, slowly bending down to kiss him again.

"Glenn. . .?"

Glenn looked up at Elliot expectedly. "Yes?"

Tell me how to win your heart, cause I haven't got a clue

But let me start by saying . . .

". . . I love you."

Considering the crazy hour I wrote this at, I think I did pretty good. In fact, I should probably get to bed. Like, right now.

(Dixxy goes to bed as random clock nearby reads 3:30 AM)

Sometime the following afternoon. . .

What can I say? I'm a night owl. Stay up all night and sleep all day long. That's the ticket!

The song used is a classic love song by Lionel Ritchie. I though the lyrics fit Elliot's initial feelings towards Glenn as I've portrayed them, since, in a way, it is about a secret admirer (or a stalker). I'm trying to decide the next song and setting.

This will be a fairly short fic (for me, at least). I'll probably cap it off at three-to-five chapters tops, with the last either being the break-up or the event that sent Elliot to the mainland. Keep in mind this is what you might call a "companion" story – it simply adds more dimension to the existing storyline. Part two is nearly done but I still feel like something is missing from it.

I've actually got some other companion stories going for some of my other stories, as well as some completed companion stories. One completed story is a Christmas fic for a Ronin Warriors story I wrote called End of Innocence – another, is, of course, "Frightening Prospects, aka THE LOST CHAPTERS" from Memories.

There is also a companion fic in the works for Thick as Thieves that replaces the El Nido chapters and follows what would happen to Serge and his adventure minus several characters who, because of the events of Thick as Thieves, are unable to, well, partake in them.

I'm really proud of this.

Dixxy