Um.. Yeah. I do not know what to say here so most of my comments will be at the bottom where they cannot spoil the chapter. ENJOY THE ANGST. THERE IS A LOT OF IT IN THIS ONE.
When I woke up, I found myself laying in a bed. From the look of the simple room around me, I guessed that this was a hospital.
So I was free.
N had done it. He had gotten me out of that place alive.
The pain throughout my body made me want to scream, but even that was dwarfed by the agony in my heart. Forcing my arms up, I looked at the mass of bandages wrapped around my hands; irreparable evidence of my worst mistake yet.
I had kept telling myself that I was strong enough to save him, strong enough to survive the torture, all because I had to be– for his sake. But in reality, was it just my stubbornness? My pride, even? Had I been so determined to resist Ghetsis that I neglected to consider how N felt? Was I the one who had ultimately driven him to make that decision?
N had known that the only way to save me was to give Ghetsis what he wanted, and he had known that in order for that to happen, he had to be the one to break my spirit. He knew just how to do it, too. Condemn himself to that fate, tell me that it was my fault, and then take away my ability to use the strength I had so desperately relied on. But how much of what he had said to me was genuine? Could I have spared him even a small amount of pain had I just given in like he had begged me to?
But even as I filled my head with all these questions, they could not help me avoid the one I did not want to think about.
Had I broken him first?
"Black! You're awake!"
I looked over to see Bel in the doorway. She leaned back out into the hall and called out to someone. "Come quickly! He's woken up!" Then she rushed over and sat down on a stool beside my bed, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Oh, Black! What happened to you? We've been so worried!"
Cheren burst in next, and I don't think I've ever seen him so frantic, but when he came to sit down with Bel, he spoke calmly.
"Don't just flood him with questions, Bel. Black, is there anything you need?"
It took a few tries to get my voice to work, but at last I was able to ask for water. Bel quickly poured some from a nearby pitcher into a cup, and gently lifted my head as she held it to my mouth. But as I drank the cool liquid, memories suddenly flashed into my mind of water being forced down my throat, into my lungs..
Choking, I jerked away as far as I could, my arm flying up to knock the cup away. The action sent agonizing pain shooting through my hand, and I cried out, my sight fading out for a moment. When it came back, I opened my eyes to see Cheren and Bel staring at me in shock and realized how I had acted.
"I.. I'm sorry." I said quickly, looking away. "I didn't mean.."
"It's ok, Black.." Bel reassured me softly. "Don't worry about it.."
For a long moment there was a tense silence, which I finally forced myself to break.
"How long.. Um.. How long have I been here?"
"You were unconscious for three days." Cheren explained. "The doctors say you'll make a full recovery.. Except.. Except for.."
I saved him from having to finish. "I know."
Several more beats of silence went by before Cheren spoke again. "Black, the official word is that you were injured in battle, but.. I've seen your wounds. There's no way you were hurt like that in a fight. Black, what hap—"
"A battle?" That interested me just slightly. "Tell me what you heard."
He blinked a few times before looking down. "According to what was announced, a group of rebels tried to assassinate the king. You defeated them all and saved his life, but.. But as a result, your hands are.. Um, once you recover there's going to be a ceremony to offer you a medal of honor— Black?"
A pain was consuming me again, but it was not physical. Without thinking I had forced myself up, but Cheren grabbed me before I could get out of bed.
That bastard. THAT BASTARD I'LL KILL HIM.
As if everything he had done wasn't enough, he was going to rub my failure like salt into my wounds and make me a hero? I needed no sword– I will tear his throat out with my teeth if I have to.
"Black, stop it! Lay back down! Your injuries are going to reopen!"
"I don't care!" I heard myself shouting through the rush of blood in my ears. I was too numb to feel the effects of my struggling on my body, but I was also too weak to keep Cheren from pushing me onto the bed and holding me there. "Let me go! Just let me go!"
Bel was sobbing. "Please, stop! Stop it, I'm begging you!"
N?
I went limp as N's voice suddenly echoed in my mind, triggered by Bel's familiar words. His desperate pleas, his carefree laughter, screams of pain, moans of pleasure, and then—
"Please don't torment me with your presence anymore."
Cheren gingerly climbed off of me. "..Black..? Are you alright?"
"Leave me alone." I whispered.
"But—"
"Please."
Bel and Cheren looked at each other, but silently they left the room.
I lay still for a very long time, my mind drifting through the haze of pain, sinking further into despair.
There's nothing left.
Time passed. My body slowly healed. I told no one what really happened, and eventually people stopped asking. Cheren and Bel visited me every day along with my mother, even though I said very little to them.
The situation in the kingdom was apparently growing worse, but I did not care to pay attention. My days were spent sleeping or sitting in front of the window, breathing the fresh air and lost in memories.
When I no longer needed bandages, I took the time to examine my body in the mirror, taking in the multitude of scars that were spread across my skin. Having lived the life of a swordsman, scars were nothing new to me, and I had always rather liked them, as souvenirs.
N had been fascinated by that idea when I explained it to him.
As for my fingers, they sported two small dots each, on either side of the joints. The nails had been only just big enough to sever the bone, making a clean heal impossible. The doctor informed me that I would no longer have the strength or dexterity to use a sword, but I already knew the price of those scars.
To not cripple me completely, only just enough to serve as a constant reminder of how close I was to saving him– was that also N's idea? I hoped that it was. If he hated me, even a little, that must surely be better for him than continuing to feel guilt, to miss me.
And I? I would suffer with my guilt, my regrets, my scars, and my love for him. That was all I could do.
After I was released from the hospital, fingers still in splints, I confined myself to my bedroom, hiding from the world in general. Every night I woke up screaming as my mind took me back to that dungeon, until at some point my mother could not take care of me by herself anymore and Cheren moved in to help and slept next to me on the floor. I'm sure I must have occasionally said something in my sleep that hinted at what had happened, but he never mentioned it. I felt terrible for wearing him down that way I knew I was, and told him and my mother many times that I should just get my own place and live there alone where I could be a bother to no one. However, they and Bel all refused adamantly.
I wished they would stop being so kind to me. Not only did I not deserve it, but every softly spoken word and gentle gesture reminded me that N had no one who cared about him. He was alone with a monster, all because I was a selfish fool who could not understand his warnings.
When people came to announce that the ceremony to award me a medal was being prepared, I locked my door and ignored everyone who knocked and begged and demanded I at least let them bring me food and drink. I think I might have been in there for days, but I had also shut up my window, so I had no way of knowing how much time passed. I would have been content to rot away just like that, but I had promised myself that I was going to live with my pain and loneliness for at least as long as N did. It was my own personal punishment for myself, and yet it felt like not nearly enough to atone.
Now I lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling and wondering if it was safe to leave without having to hear about the celebration. I should probably get some water soon, at least..
As I mulled the thought around, barely even bothered by the hunger and thirst that had been clawing at me for quite some time, the door was suddenly slammed right off it's hinges.
I gaped in shock as three people walked in, followed by Cheren who looked angry, Bel who actually looked rather impressed, and my mother who looked very worried.
The three people in question were very familiar, and I felt I ought to know them, but I was either too stunned or too malnourished for my brain to work properly until I had taken in their appearances.
The one who had apparently kicked down the door was an unkempt man with wild orange hair who was currently reassuring my mother that the door would be fixed. With him was an elegant man with black hair and a long yellow scarf, sighing in exasperation and picking the door up off the floor to set it aside. The third was a tall young man with frizzy auburn hair and interestingly-coloured clothes. He ignored the situation entirely and came over to kneel beside me.
"Honestly, Sir Black.." He said, helping me up off the floor. "You made your mother worry terribly by locking yourself in here. Even pulling the shutters on your windows.. Let's get these open and let some light and fresh air in."
The tall man went over to my window, and as sunlight streamed into the room, I remembered. They were knights. In fact, the man who had ruined my door was none other than Sir Alder, the former "strongest swordsman" who had relinquished his title to go wandering. Having left no students, he had been the one to suggest a tournament to decide his successor. The two others with him were Sir Arti and Sir Grimsley, as I recall.
I lurched back and instinctively reached for my side, but my sword was of course not there. "What do you want?" I demanded, weakness making me sound less defensive and more defenseless than I had intended.
"Don't worry, Black." Cheren told me, apparently understanding my thoughts. "They are among the knights who defected months ago."
That made me feel significantly better. But even so, why were they here? "What do you want?" I repeated more civilly, sitting down on the bed.
"We'll get to that later." Sir Arti said, folding his arms. "But first you had better get some nourishment in you."
Bel rushed forward then, a tray sporting a plate of very good-smelling food and tea in her arms. "I was so worried, Black!" She sniffled. "And so were Cheren and your mother! Why did you lock yourself up like that?"
"I'm sorry." I apologized sincerely. "I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble."
"Just don't do this again, ok? Now here." Bel held out a spoonful of stew. I still was unable to use my hands, so she had always volunteered to feed me, and by this time I had gotten over my feeling of uselessness and just accepted her help.
"While you eat, let me redo your bandages." Cheren said as he sat down beside me.
"They're fine." The knights were still in the room, watching me closely. Whatever they were here for, letting them see the injuries on my hands would only complicate things. But when I noticed the way he was looking at me, I realized that they had come for something that had very much to do with the true nature of my wounds.
Glancing over at the three, I decided that it would only be a waste of energy to keep resisting, so I offered Cheren my hands and silently kept eating.
Just as he began to unwrap the bandages, he stopped and looked up at my mother and Bel. "Um.. Perhaps you both should leave for a few moments.." At my request, Cheren had made sure that the two of them did not know the exact details of all that I now hid beneath clothes and bandages.
"But what about your food.." My mother protested.
"This won't take long." Sir Alder reassured her.
"..Alright.." Bel got up and left with my mother, both casting worried glances back at me as they did.
Once they were gone, the knights came forward as Cheren finished removing the bandages and splints on one of my hands. "Here." He said, holding it up for them to see the pale scars and faint crookedness to my fingers.
"Oh, you poor thing." Sir Arti breathed.
Sir Grimsley also looked astonished. "Why would such a.."
"To keep me from ever holding a sword again." I answered dully. What do these people want from me? I'd rather do without their sympathy.
Sir Alder nodded solemnly. "Then it must be as you suspected, Cheren." His eyes turned back to me. "But what we're curious to know is, if you sparked Ghetsis's anger, why are you even still alive, let alone being honored as a hero?"
I pressed my lips together. I was not ready to talk about this. "Just say what you came here to say and then leave me be."
Sir Arti sat down on my other side. "We knights who left the king's service are doing our best to help the citizens. When we heard what happened to you, a prodigy in the art of swordsmanship, we were all shocked. After waiting for you to recover some, it was decided that a few of us would come here and find out what happened. Your friend Cheren has told us about your wounds, and the way you reacted to the award ceremony."
"What he's getting at is that odds are you have suffered at Ghetsis's hands. We would like to recruit your aid in the revolution we are planning." Sir Grimsley explained.
"But I can't—"
"That's not your fault." Sir Alder interrupted. "And even though you cannot fight with us, as my successor you are a symbol to the people. So many would stand bravely beside you."
A symbol? How amusing. For someone like me to serve as some sort of iconic motivator for a revolution is nothing less than absurd. Would a mere rebel army, although led by the kingdom's finest knights, even be able to overthrow Ghetsis? I had my doubts.
I shook my head. "Sorry. I'm not what everyone seems to think I am. I just want to be left alone."
There was silence for a while, but I did not look up from the floor to see anyone's reactions. Cheren was the one to first speak up as he finished bandaging my hands.
"Can't you at least tell us what actually happened?"
No. I couldn't if I tried. "It doesn't matter now. Besides, even if I could still wield a sword.. I can't save anyone. Not even one person." In the end it was my life that had to be saved– a disgrace I will never be able to forgive myself for. "Good luck with your revolution, but I deserve no part in it."
The knights said nothing as they left, or if they did, I was too lost in thought to hear. Bel came back in and continued feeding me, and for the next few days, life returned to normal.
I did not look around when I heard my –since repaired– bedroom door open one afternoon as I sat at the window, staring out blankly as the sounds of children in the street below filled my mind with bittersweet memories.
To my surprise, the voice that spoke belonged to Sir Arti. "Do you really intend to wallow in misery like this for the rest of your life?"
Still not leaving my view of the sky, I remained silent.
Just go away.
I heard him sigh. "I'm not here to lecture you. I only came to let you know what the result of this revolution is going to be."
"What makes you think I care?" I asked quietly.
"Oh, I think you will. Because Lord Nwill die."
A chill entered my bloodstream.
He continued. "The people blame him for their suffering– he is the king, after all. They won't be satisfied until he pays for it, and who knows what they will do with him."
No. Oh god, no.
"You believe that you cannot save even one person? Just how many times have you tried? Your hands are crippled, and so that means your heart is, also?"
I stood up and spun around so fast that the chair fell over with a crash. "What do you know?" I shouted, tears stinging my eyes, but I stopped when I saw the serious expression on his face.
"Just keep in mind what we said. You are probably the only person who can save him now. If you truly love him, then nothing should be able to stop you." He smiled. "Well, that's all I came to say." With that, he turned and walked back out, leaving me to stand there in shock.
Slowly I picked the chair up and sat back down. I knew he was right about one thing at least. The citizens would not know who was truly to blame, and so of course it would fall on the king. The mere thought of that made my gut clench painfully, and I felt sick.
But he said I was the only one who could save N? Just how can I possibly—
"You are a symbol to the people. So many would stand bravely beside you."
Then did he think that I would be believed if I told everyone who was really behind the monstrosities being committed? I remembered the plans I had made so long ago now, of getting N away and waiting for the revolution to settle our problems for us.
However, even if I could really make people understand that N was innocent, how would I keep him away from Ghetsis? That man would surely take everything out on him.
And then of course I had to take into account the fact that I would be seriously risking everything to once again defy Ghetsis. After all that N had done to get me out alive, I could not consider my life as my own to gamble. It would be a betrayal of both our sacrifices.
"If you truly love him, then nothing should be able to stop you."
I winced as those words seemed to stab me. Yes, I truly love him. But I had already been stopped before when I tried.
"Just how many times have you tried?"
I closed my eyes tightly.
Shut up.
Just shut up!
"I can't.." I whispered. "I can't do anything.. I... I'm sorry, N..."
For hours I sat there, thinking. About N; his smile, the sound of his laughter, his innocence.. I thought about his tears and the way he would cling to me. I thought about the sound of his choked sobs and hopeless acceptance of the abuse he suffered. Most of all I thought about the things he had said to me. That so long as he could know that I loved him, he was able to bear it.
N had forsaken his gentle nature and cast me away in ruins to save my life. But what had I ever done for him that did not just cause him more pain in the long run? I had risked everything and lost once– was it worth it to try again?
Third Person POV
Cheren turned at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. "Black? It's so late.. Are you al—"
"I need you to help me get dressed." The young man said shortly. "We're going out."
"..What?"
"You know where the knights are, don't you? I want to meet with them."
Cheren stood, looking dumbfounded. There was a strange gleam in Black's eyes, a spark of determination he had not seen since his friend had made it his goal to become a knight. Were it not for the darkness that also lurked there, he would have looked like himself, again.
Closing his mouth which had opened to protest, Cheren nodded. "Alright."
Several hours later, they arrived at a cabin deep in the woods. Cheren knocked, and after whispering a password of some sort to the person behind the door, they were let in.
Gathered around the large main room were the kingdom's finest knights, deep in conversation, but everyone fell silent as all eyes turned to Black. From his place leaning against a wall, Arti smiled.
"I changed my mind." Black announced. "I will help you in whatever way I can. On one condition."
"And that is?" Grimsley inquired with a raised eyebrow.
Black's eyes hardened. "No one is to touch the king. His life belongs to me, and me alone."
~One Year Later~
Black's POV
It was as I was sitting in my room one day that they appeared. I had been half-waiting for them for quite some time now, but now at last they were here, just suddenly in the room with me– like phantoms.
The Shadow Triad.
"I was wondering when you'd show up." I said calmly.
"Lord N wishes to see you."
That I had not been expecting, and my heart leapt up into my throat. "..N..?"
"There is a carriage waiting outside."
Of course it could be a trap. Of course my compliance could mean the end of me. Of course I had no choice in the matter anyway. But it was that one piece of information that made me get up and follow the ninjas. They were more than capable of subduing me, so there was no need for any charade like this.
N wanted to see me.
I knew why. He must have at last gotten word of my involvement in the brewing revolution. More than brewing, it was nearing a boil, and the entire kingdom was tense.
Although it had not been easy for me to do, I had told everyone who would listen the truth about the situation in the government. N was Ghetsis's puppet, and every bit as much of a victim of that tyrant as anyone. The prophecy foretelling N's ability to lead this country to a new era was either fabricated by Ghetsis, or suppressed by him.
Keeping the true darkness of N and Ghetsis's relationship a secret, I revealed my scars and said that both the king and I had suffered for our feelings and my attempt to free him. As the one who knew him best, I was adamant that N was not at fault, and that my loyalty belonged to him alone.
Now after this long, I would see him again, and that fact was at once exhilarating and terrifying.
I was certain that I had become a different –a better– person since that last moment of ours. I was stronger in many ways, and my will would never be broken again, of that I had no doubt.
But had N changed?
While my thoughts swirled, it was to the castle garden that I was led, deep into the hedge maze where a gazebo I knew well stood. N was there, sitting on the stone bench inside with his back to me.
The Triad vanished as I stood still and quiet, a familiar sensation of affection filling me.
At last I broke the silence. "It's been a while, hasn't it."
When he said nothing, I took a step forward and continued hesitantly. "How have you been—"
"I did not bring you here for small talk." N interrupted, and I stopped my approach.
"If you wanted to see me, then you could at least look." I said softly.
My words were ignored. "What are you doing." He whispered, still not turning around. "What are you doing?"
"Exactly what I promised. I'm going to save you, N. I'm sorry that it's taking so long."
N stood up, but still he did not turn. "You fool! Even now you insist upon throwing your life away!"
"I've already told you that I don't plan on dying. I would not leave you like that."
"And you really think it has been by your power that you're alive right now? Do you have any idea what I have endured to keep him away from you?"
I walked towards him again, stepping around the bench and catching him in my arms when he tried to avoid me. "Then tell me. Tell me everything."
He flinched away from my touch as though it burned, but I held on, pressing my chest against his slim back.
"Stop. Please." N whispered.
"No." I murmured, pulling off my gloves. "I love you too much. Did you honestly believe that this would keep me away forever?"
He whimpered when I gently placed my hands over his face, and I felt tears. "N.. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Forgive.. you..?" He made a sound that should have been a laugh, but it sounded more like a sob. "How can you say that.. after what I've done to you?" His own shaking hands came up to brush against my scarred fingers.
"This is nothing. I just need to know that you still love me. That you won't give up on me this time."
"I... I didn't.. want to talk about this..."
"Tell me, N. Tell me if you love me or hate me."
"..Will you stay out of the revolution if I say I hated you..?"
"Not a chance."
N sighed, then turned around. For a moment he still would not look at me, but then at last he opened his eyes.
Of course he was the kind of person who did not look a day older even after two years. But he did look worn, drained even. And yet still so beautiful.
As for myself, I had let my hair grow out just enough to tie back in a low ponytail, and now I was only a few inches beneath him.
I could not help but grin cheekily. "I thought I had grown, but you're still taller than me."
N's lips twitched, and he reached up to trace his finger down along my jaw and over my chin. "You almost have a beard.." He mused, feeling the light stubble there.
"I hope you don't mind. Shaving is such a chore."
This made him blanch, and he tried again to jerk away from my arms. I grabbed him just in time and pulled him back against me tightly. "Don't." I said, both softly but firmly as I took his face in my hands and pressed our foreheads together. "Don't run away from this. You still haven't answered my question."
"I'm sorry." He whispered shakily.
"That still is not an answer."
"I had to.. Please understand, I had to–!"
"N, stop. I know you had to. You saved my life when I was too stupid to care about what I was doing to you. Now tell me if you still love me or not."
Timidly, his arms came around my waist. "I... I still love you... Black..."
I closed my eyes, letting those words wash over me. "Thank you." I whispered, closing the gap between our lips.
For a long while we kissed, and we almost seemed to be trying to drink each other dry, as though it was possible to swallow a person whole.
Then we sat down, as close to each other as possible, and stayed like that quietly, contentedly. Our time together, since the day we had met, has been so short, and yet it felt enough to fill a lifetime.
"Come with me." I said at last.
"I can't."
"Yes, you can. We can run far away, where he'll never find us. You know, I traveled this past year, and far to the west, just outside the kingdom is a remote mountain range so beautiful it can make you cry. The rolling hills are covered in soft grass and wild flowers, and you will never see a bluer sky. I would lay there on the mountain, looking out across the green valley, and think about you. About how we could live there together, just the two of us.
"I couldn't help but picture what it would be like, to spend our days in the open air and warm sun, making love like we were the only people in the world. The scenery was beautiful, but it could never be perfect unless it was a backdrop for you, naked and sun-kissed and happy."
"That sounds nice." N said with a small smile. "I can't even imagine it."
"Well, I promised myself that once this is all over I will take you there. I'll build us a little cabin, and without anyone else we can live in our own private paradise."
"..Black.." He began, his face falling. "It's wonderful, but.. You realize that can never happen.."
"Yes it can. It will. We'll leave tonight."
"Black.."
"No, listen." I cupped his cheek, smoothing my thumb across his soft skin until he met my gaze. "Tonight at two A.M. I will be waiting at the pond. Meet me there, and we'll all-but fly from this place."
"That's too dangerous for you! Ghetsis doesn't even know I've brought you here, and I can only keep the Triad silent for so long..!"
I nodded, having to admit that. "I can only stay for an hour. From two until three I will wait for you."
"Please, don't—"
"I'm not leaving you behind again! If I have this chance to free you I will take it! So many strong knights will be helping me keep you safe, even those ninjas won't be able to drag you back. Please, N. Trust in me."
He closed his eyes, saying nothing as I carefully wiped away the tears that had resumed their flow. At last he nodded. "I.. I will think about it."
"You have to be willing to take the risk, N. Isn't your freedom and happiness worth it?"
"It's not worth your life."
I scowled, but leaned forward to kiss him anyway. "I have no life if it is without you."
N pulled me tightly against him for a moment before standing. "You should go. We've taken too long already."
"Promise me you will come?"
He looked down. "I told you I would consider it."
Then that would have to be enough for me. Nodding reluctantly, I kissed him once more. "I love you, N."
"I.. I love you.. too.."
Turning, he walked away, and just like before, he did not look back.
Third Person POV
N sat at his vanity, absently running a brush through his hair. Every few seconds he glanced at the clock. Time at once seemed to be racing and crawling towards three A.M., the moment when it would be too late.
Five minutes left. Four.. Three...
He would not be going. He had even dressed for bed to remind himself that he was staying, that he could not run through the dark night and escape from this place.
Two minutes. One...
'I'm sorry.' N thought as he began to shake. 'I'm sorry, Black. But you know.. You know I can never leave.'
Ten seconds.
'Please understand..!'
The clock chimed three.
The brush fell from N's hands as he covered his face. That was it, then. Black would leave, and he would stay. It was just like last time.
"So you're still here."
N looked up with a jump to see his father walking in. "Ghetsis.."
The man smirked and came over to stand behind his son, placing his hands on his thin shoulders. "Yes, I knew. No, I'm not mad. You made a wise decision."
"..Yes, Sir.." Fingers drifted along his neck, tracing the line of his jaw, and despite Ghetsis's reassurance, N wondered if that feather-light touch was going to choke him.
"Why have you stayed?"
"..Because this is the only place for me. I don't want to leave."
"Good boy. But you know.." Ghetsis leaned down to whispered in his ear. "He's still there. That intrepid boy is still waiting for you. In fact it seems that he intends to stay for at least another hour."
N's eyes grew wide. "..What..?"
"To think that even now he refuses to give up on you. Isn't that endearing?"
'Black, you fool!'
"How long will he wait, I wonder? Risking so much for your sake.."
'Get out of here before he captures you again!'
"Just let him be." N said softly. "He's harmless to us, now."
"Oh, but is he, really? Don't you want to go to him?"
"..I already said that I—"
"That's what you said." N flinched when Ghetsis's tone hardened. "But I know you, N. You want to run off with that filth."
"I don't–!"
"Then why did you sit here, watching the clock as though it was your very life ticking away?"
N shook his head firmly. "I will keep my word! I want nothing more to do with Black! ..Besides.." Standing up slowly, N turned around and pulled loose the ties of his nightdress, letting it fall to the floor. Wrapping his arms around Ghetsis's neck, he leaned in close until their lips brushed together. "I belong to you.."
With as much fervor as he could muster, N returned the rough kiss that followed his whispered words. He did not hesitate when Ghetsis pulled him over to the bed, and instead straddled his waist, eagerly tugging away the folds of clothing while he did.
"Such a good boy.." Ghetsis growled against his son's slender neck as he moved a hand down between the young man's legs. "You deserve a reward, I think."
N moaned at the touch and began rocking into it, winding his fingers through Ghetsis's hair.
Go, Black.
Please just leave me here.
I was never meant to be free.
Letting his head fall back, N slowly took Ghetsis inside him, and the hand that was pleasuring him moved faster.
The dream of us together was naive.
N gasped and clung to the larger man's shoulders, riding him almost desperately now. The pain was forgotten in his passion.
This is where I belong.
Liquid heat burst deep within as Ghetsis groaned, and N cried out, following soon after.
But don't you ever forget me.
Both falling back on the bed, N lay panting against his father's chest until he was pushed away. After a long while of waiting and listening to the man's breathing, until he was certain Ghetsis was asleep, N got up and went to the rug in front of the fire as he always did.
"Is he gone?" He asked quietly.
A dark figure appeared in the shadows nearby. "No, my Lord."
N closed his eyes. "Tell me when he is."
"As you wish."
In the end, Black did not leave until the sun began to rise, and then at last N fell asleep.
First of all, I hope it wasn't as hard for you to keep from giggling at "Sir" Arti and "Sir" Grimsley as it was for me whenever I wrote it. "Sir" Alder kind of fits, though. Hooray for guest appearances.
Now that that is out of the way, yes of course Black was not fooled by N's act in the last chapter. Because he's ALPHA AS FUCK. No, seriously, it always bugs me to no end when this sort of thing happens, where one lover is forced to drive the other away for his/her sake and that person just accepts that they are hated so easily. As if it's never COMPLETELY OBVIOUS that they're lying to save them. I mean, yeah it would hurt either way, but damn it sure pisses me off when they can't see through it. /end rant
And OMG timeskip! My mental image of slightly-older Black with long hair and stubble is delicious and I will draw it sometime soon.
Next chapter is the LAST ONE aside from the short epilogue which may or may not be uploaded as it's own chapter. It depends on how sadistic I'm feeling at the time. LOOK FORWARD TO IT.