Author's Note: Is anybody reading this? Nobody has a comment, loves it, hates it…?
Methos crept down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. He didn't actually know why, he was just used to keeping out of the way, trying to be unnoticed. Of course, when he entered the breakfast room, all eyes turned toward him, making Methos feel exquisitely uncomfortable.
Duncan noticed the young man's discomfort immediately. Methos stood just inside the doorway, with his eyes down, looking like he wanted to bolt and wringing his hands. Duncan didn't know what to do to make Methos lose that hunted look in the gold eyes. The immortal stood, moving to Methos' side and greeting their guest with a smile.
"Come, let's get you some food."
"Oh no, I'll get it, you just sit right down." Mrs. Carmichael's voice accosted them, startling Methos who looked to Duncan for help. That fact made the immortal smile and press the young man closer to his side.
He led Methos to the table and sat him next to Duncan's own place. Methos looked up to see Joe and he smiled, but then his eyes fell on the fair-haired young man from the previous night and Methos dropped his eyes to the table again. The other Mr. MacLeod did not look happy to see him there.
A plate slid under his nose. Actually Mrs. Carmichael placed two plates in front of him. Methos stared at them in dismay. The food looked and smelled wonderful, but he would never be able to eat all of it. But if he didn't, it would upset his hosts.
Once again, Duncan noticed the other man's mood and attempted to reassure Methos. "Don't worry. You don't have to eat it all. We know you're not used to this kind of food, or this much. Just eat what you want."
Connor watched as his cousin gentled the young man and Methos began to eat very tentatively. The older Highlander couldn't help viewing their guest critically, the young man was like a wild animal that had been caged and now was suspicious of his newfound freedom, liable to snap even at the comforting hand.
He could clearly see that his younger cousin was smitten and determined to lure the guarded young man into his bed. But Duncan hadn't yet told Methos about immortality or the young man's own pre-immortal status. Two immortals in love were a target and Connor knew his cousin, knew that Duncan would attempt to protect and coddle his younger partner. It would be dangerous, for both of them.
Methos' eating had slowed already, after years of subsisting on milk and hard bread, the rich food did not sit well in his stomach. But he had taken the time while eating to bolster his courage. He had some questions.
"Mr. MacLeod…"
"Duncan, please, call me Duncan." The handsome man's warm smile was disconcerting to Methos. He still didn't understand why the man was being so nice to him, it couldn't just be that he wanted into Methos' pants, could it?
Duncan could tell that Methos was suspicious of his kindness, but there was nothing that he could do. Methos would learn to trust him, in time.
"Duncan," Methos continued slowly. "What is it that I'm supposed to do?" Duncan simply stared at him, uncomprehending. "To earn my keep, what is my place here?"
Duncan nodded. "What would you like to do?"
Desperation colored Methos' voice as tears sprang to his eyes. "I don't know." This gentleness was more painful than his stepbrothers' cruelty. He had had dreams once, plans for the future, activities that he enjoyed doing, but now…he had lived without hope for so long, he didn't know if he was still capable of the emotion.
Duncan realized his error, understanding suddenly that Methos did not know how to respond to freedom. Joe spoke up then, remembering how the frightened young man had been as a child, so curious and questioning, happy and bold. "Why don't you come with me. I think I know of something that you would enjoy."
Methos ducked his head and simply nodded. He was still confused that they apparently weren't expecting him to do any work, but he acquiesced to the other man's wishes and stood, wanting to hide how emotional he'd become. God, he couldn't stop crying, it was like a floodgate had been opened and he couldn't get it closed again.
Joe stood up as well, leaning on his cane. In the past ten years, the older mortal had developed arthritis in his knees that hampered his movements, but he was not about to let it slow him down. He gripped Methos' elbow with his free hand and led him down another hallway.
Duncan followed the two other men, realizing what Joe was planning when the older mortal stopped in front of the closed double doors. Joe opened them with a flourish and gestured for Methos to step inside.
Methos looked astonished. He stepped into the middle of the room and looked around it like a kid in a candy store, except they were in a library. Duncan shared a look with Joe, both men smiling at Methos' joy. They both knew that the young man had had precious little joy in his life in the last ten years.
After a long moment, Methos moved forward, running his hands over the spines of the books like they were a lover. He wandered around the room, occasionally pulling a book out and reading a few pages, smiling at familiar passages. Such a simple pleasure, Duncan thought, and yet another example of all that Kronos had taken away from young man.
Methos spent the rest of the day in the library, Joe and Duncan wandering in and out periodically. For a while it was like the last ten years had never happened as Methos lost himself in the written word.
Eventually Duncan came in to pry the books away so that Methos could come to dinner. The young man blushed furiously and apologized for wasting the entire day.
"It wasn't wasted," Duncan assured him. "Knowledge is very important and reading makes you happy. Perhaps you'd like to go to university…some day, you don't have to decide anything right now. Here, you can take a few books to your room."
Methos still appeared suspicious but was obviously excited at the prospect of the books being available to him later. He smiled, that genuine smile that made Duncan's heart skip. Duncan walked Methos down to his room and then back to the dining room.
Mrs. Carmichael loaded Methos' plate again. They talked of inconsequential things, Duncan wanting to make Methos more comfortable by drawing attention away from the young man. Connor wanted to talk about getting ready for Kronos' revenge but didn't want to do so in front of Methos so he held his tongue. Methos didn't speak but he did seem to be avidly following the conversation.
After dinner, they congregated in the drawing room and Duncan served them all a glass of port. Methos had never had any alcohol before and he was already feeling a little warm from the wine at dinner. Duncan sat next to him on the love seat, wanting to stick near the other man.
He noticed about a half hour later that Methos seemed very sleepy after the drink. Smiling, he said their goodnights and led the young man back to his room. Connor glared at him, irritated that he was being ignored.
Duncan led Methos over to the bed and pushed him to sit on the edge. "Take off your shirt, so I can put more salve on."
Methos' fingers were feeling slightly uncoordinated and he struggled with the buttons of the borrowed shirt. Duncan laughed softly and took over the job himself. He couldn't help commenting, "This seems familiar, didn't we do this last night?"
It chastened the younger man. Methos pulled away and attempted the job again. "I'm sorry, you must have other things to do."
Duncan lifted Methos' face. "Nothing more important to me than you."
The Highlander watched as a tinge of pink crept into Methos' countenance. The other man looked so adorable, Duncan had to lean in for a kiss. This time, Methos responded eagerly, opening his mouth to invite Duncan in and even meeting the Highlander's tongue with his own.
Duncan brought up on hand to caress the pale chest, letting his fingers play over a suddenly taut nipple. Methos pulled away from the kiss with a gasp. The hand playing at his breast was causing all kinds of strange sensations. His breath quickened and Methos could feel his member hardening.
"Please…please…" he whispered though he didn't know what he was pleading for.
Duncan was entranced at the sight of his dark skinned hand on the pale skin. He leaned over and let his lips close over a rose colored nipple, suckling and laving the pebbled flesh. Pulling away, he looked at the effects his ministrations had had on Methos. The young man was breathing heavily and his eyes were slightly glazed looking. And Methos' eyes were green, emerald green in his passion.
Methos reached out a hand, running his fingertips lightly down the buttons of Duncan's linen shirt. The older man smiled, understanding Methos' unspoken question. Duncan unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it from his shoulders, watching Methos' expression.
Methos stared at Duncan's naked chest, the well developed musculature, the dusky skin covered by wiry curls. He couldn't help reaching out a tentative hand to touch, gratified when Duncan responded by letting out a soft sigh.
Duncan leaned forward, capturing the other man's mouth again and pressing close, wanting to feel Methos' skin against his own.
Methos felt the softness of Duncan's skin, the coarseness of the chest hair, the strength of Duncan's arms holding him close, and…the length of the other man's erection pressed against his belly. The younger man pulled back, fear cutting through the fog of desire he had been immersed in. "Stop, please."
Duncan knew that something was wrong before Methos spoke. He had felt the sudden tension in Methos' body and knew that things were moving too fast for the inexperienced young man. He stroked the back of his knuckles along Methos' cheek before speaking.
"Don't worry, love. Slow, we'll take it slow. Now lay down and I'll put this salve on."
Obediently, Methos lay down on his stomach. Duncan spread the salve on the welts again trying to be as gentle as possible. Before leaving, he ruffled Methos' hair playfully.
Leaving Methos' room, Duncan almost ran into his cousin. Connor did not appear happy.
"We need to talk."
Duncan sighed. "Yes I suppose we do. Is Joe still up?"
Connor nodded and then led the way back into the drawing room where Joe was waiting in an armchair.
His cousin wasted no time in coming to the point. "You need to be ready. Kronos won't let this go and he has a reputation for scheming. If he were going to outright challenge you, he probably would have been here by now."
"Do you think I don't know that, Connor?"
"He will try to wear you down and now he knows that Methos is your weak spot. He will try to exploit that."
The thought of Methos being hurt again and worse, hurt because of him was sobering to Duncan. His voice was soft as he said again, "I know."