Notes: Got an actual outlined typed up with detailed notes. Now I won't lose it. And I ended up added more chapters. Again. This was only supposed to have 5. Oh well. I'm on a roll. A second update and I didn't wait months. I'm really trying to get back into writing. :P

Chapter 5: Is It Scary?

Eragon bounced from one foot to the other as he waited outside the door. "Just knock." He told himself as he glared at the closed door. But again, he was feeling nervous. He was at Murtagh's place. Thorn hadn't even known where the guy lived. And now here Eragon was standing inches from where he lived. Where they lived. With her. His glare narrowed and he shook his head. He hadn't even met Arya but from what he'd heard about her from everyone that did, she didn't deserve them. They didn't deserve to be treated the way she treats them.

Though… what did Eragon really know? He had known the man and his daughter less than a week. More like a few days. Had it really only been that long? Why did it feel like so much longer? Shaking his head slowly, he reached out and knocked on the door softly.

Not a moment later, the door opened and Murtagh stood, smiling at him. "I was wondering how long you were going to stand out here."

Eragon's eyes widened slightly. "You knew I was out here?"

Murtagh nodded as he stepped aside and let Eragon enter. "Thought I heard something so checked and saw you through the peephole."

"I was just… uh…" He looked down and scratched at the back of his head.

"Forget it." Murtagh fished his keys out of his pocket. "I got to run. Feel free to make yourself at home. I'll be at the Mud Slide around noon if you want to bring her over around then. Gasey has a set of keys. Make sure it's locked when you leave."

"Will do." Eragon said with a nod.

Murtagh paused at the door and turned slightly. "I really appreciate this." He slipped out the door without waiting for a response.

Eragon smiled as he set his computer bag down on the couch and looked around. The tour didn't take long. The place was small. And it was very impersonal. There were no pictures or knickknacks around, nothing that showed a family lived there. It felt very empty. Eragon shook his head slowly and once again felt sorry for Murtagh and his daughter.

"Morning Eragon." Gasey yawned widely and wiped at her eyes as she walked down the hall towards him. "Did you eat before you came over?"

"Me?" He shook his head as he turned around towards her. "Uh… no. Not up so early usually."

She smiled. "Do you like pancakes?"

"Yeah…"

"Come on." She grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the kitchen. "I make good pancakes."

"You cook by yourself?" He asked as he let go of his hand.

She nodded as she pulled a chair from the table and pushed it towards the counter.

Guessing she was using the chair to get into the high cabinets, he pulled it from her and returned it to the table. "At least let me help."

She nodded and let Eragon help her make breakfast. When it was done, they sat at the table and ate. Afterwards, Eragon helped her with the few dishes that were in the sink. Then she excused herself and went to take a shower and get dressed. When she came skipping back into the living room, Eragon smiled and shook his head. "What?" She asked with a quizzical expression.

Eragon leaned back on the couch, where he was sitting, and folded his arms behind his head. "Are you sure you just 10?"

She nodded her head as she took a seat on the couch beside him. "Yes I am sure."

He shook his head again. "You're just the strangest kid I've ever met."

She frowned slightly and shrugged. "I know. People tell me that a lot."

"Oh don't make that face. I didn't mean anything by it. You're perfect just the way you are." He leaned over and patted her on the arm. "Seriously. There's nothing wrong with being different."

She slumped down slightly and continued to pout. "But I don't understand why I'm so different."

Eragon shrugged. "Kids your age aren't so…" He couldn't quite think of the right word to describe it. "Well… kids just aren't like you. You're way too well behaved and you do things without having to be asked. You never make any noise and keep to yourself when your dad's working. Very smart and very observant."

She frowned again. "How is any of that bad?"

"It's not." Eragon said, shaking his head. "It's just… different… than kids…" He was having trouble trying to explain. With a sigh, he shook his head and just said it. "You're different than kids with normal parents."

"Normal?"

Eragon nodded again. "With a mom who takes care of you. Who cooks and cleans and loves you. And a dad who doesn't have to work himself to death. Who comes home at a normal hour and fixes things and spends time together with his family."

"Or either way." She said as she straightened up and turned more towards her. "Gender roles don't have to be so specific anymore. If a dad wants to stay home with the kids and the mother wants to work, that's perfectly fine. Or both equally sharing all the responsibilities."

Eragon's mouth dropped open. "See? Things like that. Normal kids don't think about that. Even when you have an adult watching you, you still think you have to cook for yourself. And for me. You clean up after yourself; you get yourself up and dressed without being nagged."

She shrugged and looked down at her hands in her lap. "I don't have a mom like that. I've been cooking as long as I can remember. Dad tries his hardest when he's with me. But he has to work so hard. So I guess… I just want to help him. If I keep things clean and do stuff for myself, then dad doesn't have to worry about it when he's home and we can spend time together and he doesn't have to worry."

Eragon leaned over and ruffled her hair. "It's not right, kiddo. You shouldn't have to worry about all that. You should just… I don't know… play? You should have birthday parties and sleepovers."

She smiled slightly and pushed his hand away. "I'm okay. I don't mind being different. And the kids at school think I'm weird. So I doubt I'll ever get invited to a sleepover."

"Overrated anyways, I'm sure."

She nodded slowly. "Yeah." She was silent a moment before she smiled up at him. "Thank you Eragon."

"For what?"

She looked away, feeling slightly bashful. "For talking to me like you do. You explain things to me and treat me differently than most adults. None of my teachers like me very much either."

Eragon felt incredibly sad for Gasey as he sat there, listening to her. "Why don't we stop talking about this and do something else."

"Can I see where you live?"

"Me?"

She nodded. "Yeah! I want to go to your house."

"I don't know if your dad…"

She shook her head. "He won't mind. We're all friends now, right?"

Eragon shook his head slowly but smiled. "Fine. Grab your keys and we'll go. But if I get yelled at, it's your fault."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Gasey bounced up and down on the stool as she waited for her father to finish with an order.

Eragon laughed slightly as she leaned back on his stool and watched her. "If you don't stop that bouncing, you'll fall off the stool."

She turned slightly and stuck her tongue out at him. "I had fun today. I want to tell daddy!"

"Tell daddy what?" Murtagh asked as he finished up and walked over.

"Hi daddy! I had fun with Eragon today. We cooked breakfast and talked and he showed me where he lived and it's really weird looking. With these tall walls and his bed is like on the ceiling." She didn't pause as she spoke and said it all in one breath.

"Oh really?" Murtagh raised an eyebrow as he looked over at the brunette.

Eragon held up his arms and then pointed at Gasey. "It was her idea."

Murtagh smiled and laughed. "It's cool with me. Did you do anything else?"

She nodded. "He took me to the art store and I got to talk with one of the girls who work there. She told me the difference between the paints and other stuff in the kit he got me."

Murtagh nodded. "Good. Because Eragon failed art."

"Hey!"

"Sounds like you had fun."

She stifled a giggle as she nodded. "Can he watch me again?"

"Well… we'll see. You're mother should be back sometime next week."

Her mouth dropped open and she quickly closed it and dropped her gaze to the countertop. Her bouncy demeanor changed quickly and Murtagh sighed. "But if Eragon doesn't mind, I'm sure your mother would enjoy the free time to meet with agents or… whatever the fuck she does that is so much more important than taking care of her own daughter." He trailed off and it took him a moment to realize he said it out loud. His eyes widened and he looked at Gasey. "I didn't mean to say that. It's not nice to say such things about your mother."

Gasey and Eragon both smiled and laughed and Murtagh joined them. Murtagh went back to work and Eragon and Gasey went into the break room. The rest of the afternoon went smoothly. Eragon stayed the whole time and Murtagh was getting to the point where he wasn't surprised anymore and he didn't mind. Had the energetic brunette really been stalking him less than a week? It seemed like longer.

"Hey Tag."

Murtagh looked up as the large redhead came walking through the door. "Hey Thorn. What're you doing here on your day off?"

Thorn shrugged. "Would you believe after all the excitement of yesterday I forgot to pick up my paycheck? Whole reason for working in this hellhole."

Murtagh laughed and shook his head. "I think Nas' office is unlocked. You should be able to get it."

Thorn nodded as he leaned on the counter. "Where's the little one?"

Murtagh pointed towards the break room door. "In there with Eragon."

"Eragon?"

"She spent the morning hanging out with him."

"Uh huh."

Murtagh eyed him a moment. "What's that look for?"

Thorn's smile widened and he shook his head. "Nothing man. But I was thinking. Saph and I are going to a karaoke bar Sunday night. You and Eragon should come. It's not like a date thing." He added quickly. "Just hanging out. Saph mentioned inviting Eragon. You should come too. I've never seen you outside of this place. Sometimes I think you don't do anything except work. You never go anywhere, do you? I mean… don't get me wrong." He leaned back slightly. "That little girl of yours is a real sweetie and I know being a father is the best thing that's ever happened to you and she's your life. But dude. Seriously. She can't be your whole life. You have to be able to come and hang out with friends or something. And I really think…"

Murtagh was laughing by then and he shook his head. "Will you shut up for a minute?"

"Uh… sorry. Go ahead and say no."

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "I'd love to come. Assuming my mom can come over and watch Gasey."

"Seriously? You'd come out with us? You've never come out before."

Murtagh shrugged. "I guess I've never had the time before."

"Or a reason."

"Reason?"

"Sitting on the couch in there with your daughter."

Murtagh frowned. "What's that mean?"

Thorn smiled again as he slipped off the stool. "Nothing dude. Happy you're coming with us. Don't change your mind, okay? You'll have fun, I swear. But I got to get going."

Murtagh watched his friend disappear back behind the counter and shook his head. He grabbed his pen as customs came in and sat down.

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Sorry again I left my computer here. Completely escaped my mind when Gasey wanted to leave."

Murtagh shrugged as he walked down the hall from Gasey's room after having put her to bed. "No problem. Probably would have found it in the morning if you hadn't remembered."

"I wasn't worried about getting it back." He said quickly. "Just didn't want to seem intrusive."

Murtagh laughed. "Don't worry about it. You're not. Gasey's pretty much attached to you."

"Yeah." Eragon said with a nod. "She's a sweet kid." And her dad's not so bad either, he added mentally.

Murtagh shifted slightly and turned around. "So… Thorn invited me out with him and Saph Sunday night. He said Saph was going to invite you."

Eragon did know. Saphira had asked him yesterday. And he had accused her of trying to play matchmaker or some shit. He nodded as he picked his bag up off the couch. "Yeah. She did."

"Were you… going to go?"

Eragon shrugged. "Probably. I have no other plans and I've learned that it's best to go along with whatever Saph wants. She's sort of my boss. In a way." He smiled and shook his head. "When she's happy, it's better for me."

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah…" Murtagh said slowly. "Thorn sort of guilted me into it. Assuming my mom can come over."

"I hope she can."

The way Eragon was smiling at him suddenly made Murtagh feel a bit uncomfortable. He turned slightly and looked away. "I'll… uh… see you tomorrow."

Eragon smiled at his nervousness and nodded. "Yeah. Goodnight Tag. I'll see you tomorrow."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Murtagh didn't sleep well. Once again dreams plagued him and he woke up several times feeling cold and alone. He couldn't shake the empty feeling. With a sigh, he grabbed a pillow and covered his head with it. He wanted to drown out his head. It seemed to be taunting him more and more lately. The accidental slip about his displeasure with his wife's antics in front of his daughter and Eragon was out of character for him. He had the thoughts frequently but he would never voice them, and certain not in front of people, let alone his daughter. And when others would say negative things about her, he would jump to her defense. But this time, it was him putting her down. If Arya found out, she'd be pissed. If his mother found out, she'd use it as fuel. If it had just been Gasey, he was certain she wouldn't say anything. More out of fear of her mother's reaction than keeping his secret. But with Eragon…

Murtagh let out a groan and flipped over on his stomach. He pulled the pillow and blanket further over himself, attempting to block everything out. And still thoughts of the younger brunette plagued his tired mind.

"Daddy!" Gasey bounced into her parents' room and jumped on the bed. "Are you up yet?"

Murtagh pulled the bedding off himself and peered at her. "I am now."

She looked down and chewed on her lip. "I'm sorry."

With a yawn, he sat up and glanced at the clock. He was pretty sure he didn't get even an hour of sleep. He was completely exhausted. But he smiled. "Don't be. We need to get going anyways. Don't want to be late."

She smiled and jumped off the bed. "Then get in the shower and get dressed. I made breakfast and a pot of coffee."

"Gasey. You know I don't like you cooking when I'm home."

"Aw. But you were sleeping. You can't sleep and cook at the same time. Now hurry. Eragon called. He said it opens at 9 and we should leave early to get there before it gets packed. He wants to pick us up soon."

Murtagh yawned again as he stripped off his shirt and grabbed his robe off the back of his door. "He's what?" He followed her out into the hall.

"He said it would be easier if he drove since he knows where it is."

He got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he slipped inside the bathroom and shut the door.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Murtagh stumbled through the door and would have fallen if a hand hadn't of grabbed him from behind. "Real graceful there, hotshot." Eragon said with a laugh. He threw Murtagh's arm around his neck and helped him hobble down the hall. "Dude. You're got to learn to sleep."

"I… ugh… dreams… couldn't."

Eragon laughed again as he practically drug the taller man down the hall.

"I'm going to call grandma." Gasey called after them.

"Okay. Just going to put your dad to bed." Eragon called back. He could hear her giggle as he kicked open the door to Murtagh's room. Murtagh grumbled something incoherently and Eragon let him plop down on the edge of the bed. "What was that Cinderella?"

"Fuck… you…"

Eragon laughed as he bent down to unlace Murtagh's boots. "I'll just pretend I didn't hear that." He removed the boots and socks and after a bit of a tussle, was able to strip off Murtagh's jacket and shirt. "Okay Sleeping Beauty. Into bed now."

"Not a fucking fairytale princess."

"Little more verbal now, huh?" Eragon laughed softly. "I'm probably dead if you remember any of this when you wake up, right?"

"Yep." He stretched out on his back and let out a sigh when he felt Eragon sit down beside him. No more talking, he thought as he closed his eyes.

Eragon was quiet for a moment and he knew he should just leave. But he was worried. Passing out while at the zoo wasn't a good thing. "You said dreams were keeping you from sleeping? Too much stress?" Murtagh grunted a yes and an idea sprang to Eragon's mind and he smiled. Saphira would die if he told her. "Roll over."

"Hmm?" Murtagh turned his head slightly and opened his eyes a bit to peer at him.

"You're probably just too overworked and stressed. Let me give you a back massage. It'll help you sleep."

"I don't think…"

"Just do it." Eragon pushed against his shoulder. "Got any body lotion or anything?"

With a sigh, Murtagh rolled over on his stomach and laid his head on his arms. "Bathroom closest." He said with a yawn. "Arya's got a bunch of shit in there." His voice was partially muffled as he spoke.

Eragon left the room and returned a moment later with a bottle he deemed the most non-girly among Arya's assortment. It wasn't glittery or pink or smelled like perfume. Cucumber melon had to be manlier than the one called Baby Doll or the one scented like rose petals or the other various stupidly named ones. Eragon was glad he was gay. And that he was a guy. Girls seemed way too confusing and complicated to him.

"Got something I think will work." He said as he climbed up on the bed beside Murtagh. "Now just relax, alright? And stop thinking about things." He popped the lid off the lotion bottle and squirted a bit in his hands. He rubbed his hands together for a minute, trying to warm the cold lotion up. Then he gently pressed them against Murtagh's back.

Murtagh inhaled sharply when he felt Eragon's weight and again when the cool hands on his tired skin. But the movements where slow and gentle, and the pressure just enough to feel good and not hurt. He let out a loud sigh and closed his eyes. He really was tired. And what Eragon was doing really felt good. "Sorry." He mumbled.

"For what?"

"Ruining everything."

"Don't worry about it." Eragon said as he ran his hands along Murtagh's spine, digging in slightly where it met with his ribs. "You didn't. Today was about you and Gasey getting out and doing something. She enjoyed the time we were there. Used up half the space on my camera. Curious to see what she took so many pictures of." He laughed softly and shook his head. "As for you… can't enjoy something when you're stumbling around and yawning so much. Surprised you didn't pass out on the way back." He was silent for a minute. "You should have told me you didn't sleep. Could have rescheduled or something."

"I didn't want to disappoint you guys. I wanted to go."

Eragon rolled his eyes and bit back the urge to slap him. That would be counterproductive. "Stop worrying about everyone else so much and take care of yourself."

Murtagh smiled as he inhaled deeply. "Thanks."

Eragon smiled and said nothing more after that as he moved his hands in small circles, working out any muscle kinks he found.

"I called… grandma…" Gasey popped up in the doorway and stopped when she saw Eragon bent over her dad. "Uh… what're you doing?"

Eragon smiled. "Just giving your dad a back rub." He answered softly. "Trying to help him relax and sleep."

"Is it working?" She stepped closer and lowered her voice as she peered at him. He looked like he was asleep.

"I think so. What'd grandma say?"

"She'd love to come over tonight and watch me. So you and daddy can still go out."

"Cool." Eragon stilled his hands as he heard a snore and smiled. "Come on." He climbed off, rubbing the excess lotion on his arms as he ushered Gasey out and closed the door. "Let him sleep for a while. If he's better tonight, have him call me, okay?"

"Aw!" She pouted slightly. "Do you have to leave?"

"Yeah, I really should." He said with a reluctant nod. "Saph'll have my head if I don't at least try and work. Will you be alright by yourself while he's asleep?"

She nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Okay. Call me if you need anything, alright kiddo?"

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Feel better now?"

Murtagh ran a hand through his hair and stretched out his arms and back. There were a few pops and cracks as he did so. He did feel surprisingly good; better than he had in weeks. "Yeah. How long was I asleep?"

Gasey shrugged as she jumped on the bed with him. "Maybe eight hours? You didn't even move."

He laughed and ruffled her hair. "Guess I was tired. Sorry for screwing your day up."

"You didn't. It was fun. Here." She held out his cell phone. "Eragon said for you to call him if you were better. And grandma got here a couple hours ago. She's got some dinner saved for you if you want to eat before you go."

"Go?" Murtagh took his phone and stared at it. "Yeah. I don't know if…"

She crossed her arms and sent him a stern look. "You said you wanted to go. And you said you feel better." Her voice took on a whiney tone. "You can't not go. They expect you to. It wouldn't be nice."

He shook his head slowly. "You're lucky I love you so much."

She stuck out her tongue and hoped off the bed. "You want to go. I know you do. I'll have grandma heat the food up." She dashed out the door without another word.

Murtagh shook his head as he watched her go and then glared at his phone. "Fine. I'll call." He hit a few buttons and then pressed it to his ear.

"Hey Tag. Still alive?"

He smiled as he scooted up and leaned against the headboard. "Thanks to you, I think. The… uh… backrub was nice."

"Ah. So you did remember."

"Yeah. But I'll probably put off killing you for the fairytale princess remarks. At least until after tonight. Thorn and Saphira might not be too happy if I showed up without you."

"So you still want to go?" Eragon asked slowly.

"Gasey said I had to."

Eragon laughed over the phone. "Oh that's great. Your daughter's making you go."

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "Shut up."

"I'll swing by and pick you up. Half hour?"

"I can drive myself."

"You don't know where it is."

"How do you know…"

"You don't know where anything is."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Murtagh was thumbing through his closet when he was interrupted. His mom walked in without knocking and leaned back against the doorframe. "So Gasey tells me you're going out with Eragon."

He smiled and nodded. "Yeah. We're meeting some friends. Nothing big."

"The friends I met Friday?"

He nodded again and stood back to glare at his closet.

She watched him and stepped closer, catching the look. "What? Something wrong?"

He glanced over at her and then back at the closet. "Nothing to wear."

That made her laugh. "A bit overdramatic, aren't you? Acting a bit like a teenage girl getting ready for a date."

He turned fully towards her and pointed towards his door. "Out, mom. Now!"

"I'm just teasing. You can be so sensitive sometimes."

"OUT!"

She rolled her eyes but slipped out the door.

Murtagh sighed and pulled something to wear out of his closet and dresser. He dressed quickly and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "I'm not a teenage girl." He said to the reflection as he ran his brush through his hair a few times. "And it's not a date." Sometimes he really wondered at the way his mother's mind worked.

"Dad! Eragon's here."

Murtagh looked over at his open bedroom door as he heard his daughter's voice. He suddenly felt very nervous and he wasn't entirely sure why. "I changed my mind." He said loudly. "I don't want to go."

"Too late."

He sighed softly as he heard Eragon's voice.

"Oh Eragon! Sweetie you look nice."

"Thank you."

"You should have seen Tag earlier. He was really in a panic."

"Panic? About what?"

His mother just wouldn't stop. "That's enough." Murtagh practically ran down the hall to the living room where Eragon stood smiling with his mother and daughter. He grabbed the brunette's hand and hauled him towards the front door. "We have to go now or we'll be late."

"But your mom was…"

Murtagh opened the door and pushed him through. "Now."

"Alright, alright. No need to push."

"Just open the damn door before I change my mind."

Eragon laughed as he hit the unlock button on his keys and slipped into the driver's seat. "It won't be bad. Just hanging out, okay? Maybe get a drink."

Murtagh slunk down in the seat slightly. "You think I'm that bad, huh?"

Eragon looked at him out of the corner of his eyes and nodded. "When was the last time you went out with friends?"

Murtagh shrugged and looked out the window. "I'd say I don't have time. But you'd probably make some stupid ass comment about making time."

The rest of the ride was quiet. Eragon said nothing more and Murtagh was content to stare out the window. He had to admit though that Eragon was right when he made the comment earlier about him not knowing where anything was. "Are we still in town?" He asked as he stepped out and shut the door behind him. He didn't recognize the bright street lights or the various buildings.

Eragon smiled as he pointed. "This way."

Murtagh took a deep breath before following after Eragon. He kept pretty close, more out of fear of losing him in the crowd of people than anything else. How was it possible that this many people actually live in town? And the inside of the karaoke bar was just as bad. They had to weave their way through people before they heard Saphira's voice.

"Eragon! Over here!" She and Thorn sat at a table near the stage. Both waved as they neared.

"Hey! You actually came." Thorn said, clearly surprised. "Didn't think you had it in you."

"What?" Murtagh looked like he was going to be sick.

"Yeah. We're all happy you could make it Murtagh. Aren't we, Eragon?" The way Saphira smirked at Eragon implied way too much.

"Uh… drinks?"

Eragon watched as Murtagh fled the table and then turned to glare at Thorn and Saphira. "Lay off him, okay? He's already a bit freaked out. You guys are just making it worse."

Saphira smiled. "Oh alright."

Eragon jumped up and hurried to catch up with Murtagh at the bar. "Hey. You okay?"

Murtagh sighed and nodded. "Call me an anti-social outcast. Just not used to places like this I guess. More into hanging out at home on the couch."

"Sorry we pressured you into coming." Eragon felt guilty. "Do you want to leave?"

Murtagh shrugged and smiled. "No… I think I'll stay. I'd never hear the end of it if I bailed."

"Just ignore them." He looked at the bartender and slid a card over to him. "Here. Drinks are on Saph."

"You stole you her card?"

Eragon winked. "Teach her to mind her own damn business. Thorn too. But he doesn't leave his purse lying around my place." He slipped her card back in his pocket when it was handed back to him and helped Murtagh carry the drinks back to the table.

Thorn and Saphira were thumbing through a song book. Saphira smiled slyly as she accepted the drink.

Eragon knew that look. "What did you do?"

"Signed you and Murtagh up for singing."

"What?" Eragon's mouth dropped open.

"Oh come on. It'll be fun. Thorn and I are doing that Sunny and Cher song."

Murtagh fingered his glass as he looked between the two connivers. "I don't sing."

"Eragon does." Saphira said with another sly smile. "In the shower."

Eragon glared at her. "Give me my key back. You are not allowed back in my place ever again."

"Oh yeah. Lack of a key will stop me."

Eragon rolled his eyes and leaned back.

"You guys don't have to." Thorn said softly after a few minutes.

"Whose side are you on Thorn? Of course they do!"

Eragon leaned closer to Murtagh. "Still think staying is a good idea?"

All eyes turned to him and he smiled. "What are we singing?"

-X-X-X-X-X-

"I'm going to murder Saph. I swear!" Eragon insisted as he followed Murtagh to his door. "I promise. She's dead."

Murtagh laughed as he unlocked the door. "Coming in?"

Eragon nodded slowly as he looked at his feet. "For a minute... unless you don't want me to."

Murtagh shrugged. "Wouldn't have asked if I minded."

Eragon waited until they were inside and the door was shut before he continued his banter about killing Saphira. "My parents have money. I'd they'd do anything I ask to prove they love me. I'm sure dad can find a hit man. It can't really be that hard to…"

"Calm down." Murtagh said with a laugh as he headed for the kitchen. "It was fine. I had fun."

"But… oh god!" Eragon followed close behind, an apologetic tone in his voice. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun?"

Murtagh shrugged as he laughed loudly. "But the look on Thorn's face when we got up there was worth it."

"Tag, honey? Is that you?" Neither of them had noticed Murtagh's mom asleep on the couch as they came in.

"We're in the kitchen." He said as he turned and rooted around in the cupboard for a glass.

"We? Eragon with you?" She of course knew the answer, as she had heard his voice as well.

"Yes ma'am." Eragon answered as he watched Murtagh abandon his glass and turn towards him.

"Let me just use the restroom, then I'll get my things and get out of your hair."

"No hurry, mom. You're always welcome here."

Eragon watched the other man for a few minutes until the silence settled around them. Internally, his mind was torn. He had a urge to jump Murtagh. He wanted to rip the man's shirt off and run his hands along him without the excuse of a massage. But, his mind reasoned, even if Murtagh was secretly gay and attracted to him, which he was pretty sure the answer was a big fat yes… but anyways… if Murtagh was… he was clearly either unaware of it yet or too shy or confused about it yet. So it would be a bad idea, Eragon reasoned with himself, to scare him off.

But… then again… Murtagh looked damn good in those too tight clothes and just a couple hours ago they were singing a song that was practically a gay anthem. Fuck it. With a smile, he took a step forward. "Did I tell you how good you look tonight?"

The compliment slash question caught Murtagh off guard. He couldn't have heard it right. "Uh?"

"Really hot." Eragon glanced down at the tight black shirt as he got closer.

The words and implications finally sunk into Murtagh's head. His breathing quickened as he started to panic. Eragon pretty much had him cornered in his suddenly too small kitchen. There was nowhere for him to run.

"Shhh!" Eragon cooed as he slowly drug his fingers up Murtagh's chest.

The movements where close and sent tingles through Murtagh's whole body. He felt his throat close up and practically choked on the name. "Eragon…"

Eragon stood on his toes, making up for the difference in height. "It's okay." He whispered as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against Murtagh's. When the other man didn't immediately pull away, Eragon pressed harder against him and let his fingers drift lower.

"You boys have a good night."

At the sound of his mother's voice, Murtagh regained control of himself and pushed Eragon away.

With a sly smirk, Eragon ignore him and pressed closer, his hands once again on the reluctant Murtagh.

"I'll see you later sweetie."

"I'll walk you out." Murtagh silently cursed the way his voice cracked and the smile it earned him from the shorter brunette.

"No need to. I know the way."

"Eragon was just getting ready to head out too. I'll walk you both."

Eragon looked disappointed but finally took the hint. He dropped his hands to his sides and stepped away.

With a way out in sight, Murtagh finally tore his gaze away and practically bolted out of the kitchen.

"Feeling alright? You look a little flushed."

"Just drank too much. I'm fine."

"Well alright." She peered around him as Eragon walked out and smiled. "Bye." She said with a little wave.

Eragon nodded and smiled at the woman and followed her out. Once both were gone and he was left along, he turned and leaned against the door. His legs were suddenly weak and he slid down to the floor. "Fuck…" He breathed out as he dropped his head to his knees.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: Kissy kissy?