From Little Flame to Raging Fire
I don't own anything but my OC's.
Chapter 12
Rodney's eyes fluttered open. He clenched his teeth and shut his eyes again. His head hurt like hell! Rodney paused when he felt his head was resting on something - something that was certainly not his pillow. Rodney raised his head and opened his eyes to slits. Something grey. Rodney's eyes widened. Something grey and familiar. His eyes travelled up the grey, which changed to pale cream and black. Rodney jumped up into a sitting position, covering his mouth with his hands to silence his squeak. Montarg. Montarg was the thing he had been laying on. Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God, Rodney thought in panic. Why was he laying on Montarg? Why couldn't he remember anything from last night? Oh, God! Rodney looked at the blanket that had been draped over them. If Montargo's naked under there…
Well, Montarg had his shirt on, but…
Rodney gulped nervously and took hold of the blanket in his index finger and thumb. His hand was trembling greatly as he lifted it, shutting his eyes. Nothing happened. Montarg didn't wake up. Rodney built up some courage and opened one eye. He almost sighed in relief. Montarg had his clothes on. Rodney smiled, then the smile quickly dropped when he realized something. Perhaps they'd put their clothes back on afterwards…Maybe Montarg dressed Rodney after they were done. Rodney didn't know! Oh, God. He couldn't help it this time. He squeaked.
And Montarg's eyes opened.
Rodney slapped both hands over his mouth as Montarg looked at him. "Good morning."
Rodney was about to say something, when he was aware of something hot coming back up his throat. Montarg saw his friend's worried expression and grabbed the waste bin nearby and held it out. Rodney snatched it and leaned over it and yellow-brown vomit poured from his mouth. Montarg sat up. Rodney gagged and lifted his head. "Montargo…" He whimpered, as though he expected Montarg to fix everything. "What happened?"
"You drank all of my wine." Montarg said, now standing. He was holding one of the little white saucers. "I'm going to have to go and get more."
"I…got drunk?"
"Yes. You did."
"Oh!" Rodney shot up, sure that he wasn't going to vomit again (seriously, how embarrassing would it be if he vomited on his leader?), and rushed forward to stand in front of him. His brow creased. "Montargo! Please tell me if I did something stupid! Please, tell me! And you have to be honest!"
Montarg looked over Rodney's head. Stupid? Like what? Drinking all of his wine? Flirting with him? Kissing him? Trying to seduce him? Montarg's brow creased for a second as he thought then looked back to Rodney. He looked into those brown, innocent eyes that, last night, had been full of, what? Lust? Love? Or just plain alcohol? "No. Nothing stupid."
Rodney sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God." He stopped and looked back at him, "You're being honest, right?"
"Yes."
Rodney smiled. "Oh, good. See, Montargo," He took Montarg's hands in his. "I know you'd never lie to me."
Montarg's lips fell. Rodney suddenly winced and put a hand to his head. "Ow…"
Montarg grunted. He picked up his coat, just as Marcus and Richard poked their heads in. "Hey, Monty, where's brecky?" Marcus asked.
All four men paused, Marcus and Richard staring with wide eyes and Rodney staring right back. Montarg was simply looking at them. Suddenly, Marcus and Richard laughed. Richard walked in and patted Rodney's back. "Not a virgin anymore, eh, Rodders?"
Marcus patted Montarg's back. "Ah, Monty, I'm proud of ya, mate! We knew something was going on between you two, but we didn't know you'd lose your virginities together! Ha!"
Montarg's eyes narrowed. Virgin? Virginities? What did those words mean?
"N-No!" Rodney exclaimed, blushing bright red. "You don't understand! We didn't d-do that! I-I got drunk and M-Montargo helped me!"
"Oh, I get it." Richard suddenly said. "Taking advantage of my cousin, huh? God, Montarg, who knew you were one o' those guys!"
Montarg tilted his head. Those guys? What did that mean?
"N-No! Please, boys, we didn't do anything! Please, believe me!" Rodney pleaded. Rodney cared for Montarg, of course. And, uh, the thought of doing, well, that with Montarg was…Gah! Rodney tried to bring his mind back to reality. He didn't want rumours to spread around about him and Montarg.
"Yeah, yeah, alright, cuz." Richard waved a hand. He hadn't said it in a joking manner, either. Quite the contrary, he sounded like he believed it. "We believe ya. Don't we, Marc?"
"Yeah, sure thing." Marcus added. "C'mon, Rich, we'll tell the lads why breakfast is taking a while." The two men left the room.
Rodney and Montarg watched them, then Montarg turned his head to look at the rock sorcerer, "What is a virgin?"
Rodney spluttered. "Oh, n-nothing, Montargo. Don't worry."
…
Montarg bit into a piece of toast. He chewed on it, almost bored. Rodney was unusually quiet this morning. Usually, he'd be blabbing Montarg's ear off. Today, he was simply staring at his plate, pouting. Montarg glanced at him for at least the tenth time that morning. Rodney hadn't moved. Richard looked at Montarg. "Is he ok?"
Marcus chuckled. "Didn't ya satisfy him, Monty?"
Richard nudged him then turned to his cousin. "Hey, Rodders, you ok?"
Montarg, Marcus and Richard looked to Rodney expectantly. Rodney sniffled suddenly, then shut his eyes and yelled, "Cameron!" before slamming his head down onto the table and sobbing.
Montarg, Marcus and Richard all looked at each other, brows creased.
…
"He's so cute!"
Alan grinned and sat back on the bench, adjusting his hat.
"Oh, look at him!"
"I want to cuddle him!"
Alan felt proud and boastful. All these girls in one go, all around him, what a bonus! Alan didn't look up as he said, "Girls, please, let's not surround the poor lad."
Maverick was sitting in his buggy, looking out at the ladies who were cooing and smiling at him. He simply blinked his big, curious eyes at them all. Why were they smiling at him like that? Alan reached over and smoothed the brown hair on Maverick's head. Maverick smiled, knowing his dear uncle was there, and giggled; reaching out for him. The girls cooed louder, letting out a loud, "Aww!"
Alan's grin widened. He leaned over and picked Maverick up, settling the lad onto his lap. Maverick reached out to touch his uncle's face and Alan gently took Maverick's tiny hand in his large one, shaking it slowly. The ladies began fussing over them. Alan leaned down to Maverick and whispered, "Ya doin' great, kid. I'm getting more girls then usual. Keep it up."
Maverick simply giggled and touched Alan's cheek.
…
Montarg approached what was now known as the gambling table and tapped Richard on the shoulder. Richard waved a hand. "Not now, Marcus. I'm winning."
Montarg cleared his throat and Richard's head snapped up. He turned. "Oh, hey, Montarg. Whatcha doin'?"
Montarg crossed his arms. "I wish to cheer up Rodney. You are the only blood relative I know. What pleases him?"
"Men hunting."
Montarg's eyebrow raised. "Men hunting?"
"Yeah. 'e looks at all the hot blokes in town. Gives 'em a number, ya know, one to ten."
Montarg's eyes narrowed. "I don't want to do that."
"Well, it cheers him up."
"What else?"
"Hm…'e likes shiny things. I once waved a spoon in front of his face and 'e got distracted for, like, an hour." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Good times…"
"What else?"
Richard sighed through his nose. "I dunno. Shopping, I guess."
Montarg tilted his head. "Shopping? Like…meat and groceries, yes?"
"No. Like clothes, jewellery, other girly, frilly things."
"The jewellery store does not allow sorcerers."
"Eh, 'e just likes to look."
"He likes to shop?"
"Yep."
Montarg thought about it, then nodded. "Yes. Thank you, Richard. You have finally been some use to me."
Richard snorted. "No problem, bro."
Montarg tilted his head. Bro? What did that mean? God, all of these words he wasn't familiar with were hurting his dear brain. "Now," He pointed toward Rodney's room. "Go and get him."
"Why do I have to?"
"Because I cannot be bothered."
Richard huffed and got up, handing his cards to Montarg. "Don't let 'em see 'em." He muttered as he walked passed.
Montarg looked at him, then the cards.
"Hey, Montarg,"
Montarg looked at one of the sorcerers at the table. "What cards has he got?"
Montarg looked back at them. "A three with a pumpkin on it, a…jack? with a skull on it and a king with Arachnid Skellington on it."
The sorcerer grinned, almost deviously. "Thanks, mate."
Montarg tilted his head. He never understood these games.
Meanwhile, Richard tapped on the side of the wall in Rodney's room. "Hey, cuz," He said, seeing his cousin at the end of the room; knees to his chest and chin resting on them, his back to the wind sorcerer. "Whatcha doin'?"
"Wallowing in my own self pity." Rodney replied.
"Sounds like fun. Listen, Montarg wants ya."
"I don't care…"
"Ya don't? But I thought ya liked Montarg."
"I don't need to be around men right now."
"Well…bit screwed then, ain't ya? We've only got guys in 'ere, no girls. And Amanda's gone, so she can't spend any time with ya."
"I know…"
Richard approached him. "Ah, c'mon, Roddy. Montarg wants ya."
"No…"
"But 'e wants to spend time with ya."
"I've known him for ten years, isn't that enough time?"
Richard huffed. "Jus' get on out there, would ya? I'm in the middle of my game with the lads."
"No…"
Richard crossed his arms. "Rodney, get out there, or I'll tell everyone your real name is Roderick!"
Rodney suddenly turned, a petrified look on his face. He both hands to his cheeks. "Oh, cousin, you wouldn't dare!"
"Like hell I wouldn't, Rod!" Richard told him, hands on his hips and eyebrows raised.
"Your real name is Roderick?"
Rodney gasped and Richard turned. Montarg stood in the doorway, staring at them. After wondering what was taking so long, he had gone to see what Richard was doing. Montarg's head tilted and his eyes narrowed. "You did not tell me this."
"Oh, well done, cousin!" Rodney exclaimed angrily, standing up. "Montargo is the last person I want knowing my real name is Roderick!" He stomped passed the two men angrily.
Montarg watched him go, then turned to Richard. Richard looked nervous. "Hey, uh, could ya tell 'im I'm sorry? I didn't know he was so sensitive about that name…"
Montarg grunted and turned, following a very angry Rodney out.
…
"So, your real name is Roderick?"
Rodney continued frowning, knees to his chest and arms hugging them. Montarg stood next to him. "Yes…" Rodney muttered.
"You did not tell me this." Montarg replied.
Rodney didn't respond.
"I told you my real name, but you did not tell me yours." Montarg said.
"I hate my name…"
"And I hate mine, yet I still told you of it. This is because I trust you. What do you think this now tells me?"
"I'm sorry, Montargo. I do trust you, really. It's just…God, that name makes me so angry!"
"Angry enough to transform?"
"Not that angry." Rodney flinched. He still remembered the first time he'd seen Montarg transform into his full form. They'd been attacked by a man who absolutely despised sorcerers and he'd gone after Rodney first, with him being weaker and all. When the man managed to cut Rodney's arm, making it bleed, Montarg had seen this. Rodney had tears trickling down his cheeks. The blood, the tears, the sweat - it had all reminded Montarg of his father, how he used to hurt him and blame him for everything. It had reminded him of when he finally snapped, when he finally fought back and decided he wasn't going to be pushed around anymore. It reminded him of the anger and the hurt and the pain and the snapping sound his father's neck made. And those emotions returned in a frenzy and Montarg had let out a scream that shook the Heavens as his hair flew up into a flame style and his eyes began glowing. Rodney hadn't heard of the sorcerer transformation so, naturally, he'd gotten scared when his friend suddenly changed and began beating the man to a bloody pulp. Rodney had gotten so scared that he had crawled away from Montarg, even as Montarg tried to calm him; tell him that he was still Montargo. He'd managed to, in the end, and then sat him down and explained the sorcerer transformation. He explained the first time he'd changed, how powerful he felt when he did. Rodney had said he wouldn't want that kind of power, but he seemed proud and almost happy when Montarg said that not many sorcerers had achieved transformation.
Montarg grunted. He took Rodney by the arm and pulled him up then began walking down to Halloween Town.
"Where're we going, Montargo?"
"Shopping."
…
Rodney let out a loud squeal and pressed his palms to the shop window. Montarg stood next to him, staring at the suit in the window. In the shop's display, a mannequin stood, wearing a pink suit. Everything but the crisp shirt was pink. Even the shoes! Montarg's brow furrowed. Pink was certainly not one of his favourite colours. But…if Rodney liked it…
"I didn't know they sold pink here!" Rodney exclaimed.
Montarg didn't respond and certainly didn't tell Rodney that he had talked (or well, tried to. Montarg had a short temper) to Arachnid and had made him tell some of the owners of the shops in town to sell the colour pink at least a few times a year. After all, pink was rare in Halloween Town, especially the bright shade that Rodney favoured. Some other citizens (of both genders) liked the colour as well, but still favoured the tradition of black and orange. "Oh, Montargo," Rodney squealed. "I have to have it! I bet they made it just for me! I bet, when they put this in the window, they thought 'Rodney's going to buy this fabulous suit!'!"
Montarg took a glance at the door. "Probably not."
"Hm?" Rodney looked over at the sign. NO SORCERERS. Rodney saddened. "Oh…" He moved away from the window and began walking, sadly, down the street. "C'mon, Montargo, we can shop somewhere else…"
Montarg watched him go. Well, so far the whole 'cheering Rodney up' thing was going perfectly.
…Not.
…
Maverick giggled as he was placed in the shallow water of the bathtub. Amanda smiled at him and gently ran the cloth along his back. Maverick smiled up at his mother, then noticed the bottle of shampoo on the side. He reached out for it, accidentally knocking it into the water. Maverick's lip began to quiver and his eyes filled with tears. Amanda picked up the bottle and handed it to her son, who took it happily in both hands. He squeezed the bottle experimentally and a bubble rose out of the top. Maverick watched it then laughed and reached out to touch it. The bubble popped and Maverick giggled harder.
Amanda grinned as her son laughed and began squeezing the bottle multiple times, making bubbles grow out from the top. Maverick laughed his cute baby laugh. Amanda gently ruffled her son's hair and continued giving him a bath.
…
"Are you sure you don't want any, Montargo?"
Montarg frowned. Rodney sat next to him on the grass, holding out the chocolate bar Montarg had bought him. "I'm fine, Rodney."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
Rodney pouted and bit into the bar. He nibbled on the chocolate. He and Montarg had been searching through the shops, looking into the windows and looking at the items (even if they did get kicked out of a store because of Montarg stealing something). Rodney was having a great time. Finally, it was him and Montarg - his dear, strong Montargo. He wondered when the last time they could spend quality time together was. He knew he missed it.
"Rodney,"
"Hm?"
"What does Cameron look like?"
Rodney paused, the emptiness in his heart returning. He sniffed. "…Brown hair, red eyes, vampire, cape, pale skin."
Montarg nodded slowly. He paused. "…You dated a vampire?"
"So?" Rodney pouted. "Vampires are sexy." He reached into his pocket and took out a small bottle of water, then began drinking from it.
Montarg narrowed his eyes. Sexy? What did that mean? Did it mean attractive? It must do. "Am I sexy?"
Rodney suddenly spat out the water in his mouth. He coughed several times and Montarg tilted his head. What was wrong with asking? Rodney cleared his throat. "W-What?"
"Am I sexy?"
Rodney went to clear his throat again, then spotted something. "Oh, look, Montargo! They're selling books! I need some more books! Let's go!" He stood up and jogged down to the stall, leaving Montarg sitting on the grass. Montarg grunted and got up from his seat on the grass and followed his chef into town.
…
Rodney looked into the cardboard box of books in his arms. Montarg had paid for everything he had bought. The fire sorcerer had not let Rodney pay a penny. Rodney had kept on getting out his wallet to pay, but Montarg would either beat him to it or would put a hand on his wrist, shake his head slowly, then give some money to the owner of the item they wanted to buy. Rodney blushed as he and Montarg walked down the street. It's almost like we're on a date! Rodney thought enthusiastically.
"What did you get?" Montarg asked, peeking into the box.
Rodney pulled the box away. "Oh, just romance!" He waved a hand. "You wouldn't be interested!"
Montarg leaned away. Rodney smiled at him. "Thank you for spending the day with me, Montargo. It was very sweet of you."
Montarg grunted and frowned. He was not sweet.
"I know you didn't really want to, though,"
Montarg looked back at him. "What?"
"You just wanted to focus on your training, didn't you?"
Montarg stared at him, then took hold of his chin tilted it so that Rodney was looking at him. "What makes you say that? Just because I enjoy violence while you enjoy romance does not mean that I will not cut back my training hours to spend time with you. I like spending time with you. Besides," His hands returned to their place behind his back. "Sometimes, I need a break…"
Rodney blushed bright red. "Montargo, do you really mean that?"
"What? That I need a break? Yes. Marcus is an idiot and so is your cousin."
"Well, yes, Richard is. But I meant about spending time with me. You really like it?"
"I do."
Rodney grinned. "Oh, Montargo, if I wasn't holding a box full of books, I'd hug you!" He suddenly pouted. "The only thing that would make this day better is if I had that suit." He perked up and smiled at Montarg. "But I suppose I can live without it, right?"
Montarg didn't respond. If Rodney wants that suit, he thought, he's going to get that suit…
…
"Why're we doing this again, sir?" Lucas asked, trailing along behind Montarg.
"Because Rodney wishes to have that suit, so I shall get it for him."
"But…why am I here?"
"Shut up."
Lucas gulped. He could admit it, he was afraid of Montarg. He didn't know how Rodney did it, hanging around Montarg all the time. Montarg looked like the type of person to bite your head off. Lucas could imagine that he'd done that.
Montarg led him over to the clothes shop with the suit in the window. "You are a rock sorcerer, yes?"
Lucas nodded slowly.
"Then you can tunnel underneath the shop. I'll go in and get the suit."
"Uh…"
"Just do it, boy."
Lucas crouched down and put both palms to the ground. He shut his eyes in concentration and, suddenly, the earth and cobblestones fell as a hole was formed. Lucas remained there, his hands now on the sides of the hole. Montarg could see the earth moving away, creating a tunnel. Montarg nodded slowly, then jumped down into it. He walked through the dark tunnel, soon reaching the other, lighter side. He climbed up into the shop and approached the mannequin. He slipped off the coat, tie, shirt and trousers, then picked up the smart shoes. The shop was light, but it was closed. Montarg grabbed a paper bag from the hook behind the counter and stuffed the clothes inside. He jogged over to the tunnel and jumped back in, quickly climbing out of the other side. "Close it."
Lucas did as he was told, using magic to make the rock and earth cover and fill the tunnel. Montarg nodded at him, in some sort of praise, then spotted something. "Lucas, go back to the cavern."
"But why, sir?"
"Just do it. Don't tell Rodney."
Lucas gulped and quickly sped off. Montarg watched him go, grunted, then turned back to the thing he'd spotted. Or, well, the person he'd spotted. He tapped the man on the shoulder. The man turned. "Hm? Yes?"
"Are you Cameron?" Montarg asked.
"Yes…?" Cameron said unsurely.
"Oh, good. Then I don't have to look for you anymore."
And the punching began.
…
Rodney cut up the vegetables with expert skill, listening to the chopping sound as the knife connected with the board. What a perfect day he'd had! A whole day, just him and Montarg! Nothing could be more perfect! Well…if he and Montarg were in a relationship, maybe -
Someone cleared their throat.
Rodney turned, eyes wide. Montarg stood at the entrance of the kitchen, one hand behind his back. Rodney smiled, then paused once he saw the bruises on Montarg knuckle. "Montargo! You're hurt!" He ran over and took Montarg's right hand in both of his, caressing it gently. "How did this happen…?"
Montarg hesitated, then said, "Tis been there all day."
"Has it? I didn't notice…"
"Perhaps it is because you were so focused on that suit. Speaking of which," He brought his left hand out from behind his back and held out the bag. "Here,"
Rodney took the bag from him, looked in, then squealed loudly. "Oh, Montargo!"
Montarg smirked. In your face, vampire. I have never heard him say your name like that.
Rodney suddenly threw his arms around Montarg's neck, hugging him tightly. "Oh, Montargo! This is so sweet! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He leaned back and planted a kiss to Montarg's cheek.
Montarg's lips fell and he paused. The image of last night flashed through his mind, of his chef - his dear, beloved chef - kissing him, right on the mouth. Montarg didn't think much further of it and watched as Rodney looked in the bag again. "I can't wait to try it on!"
Montarg grunted and turned to leave. He stopped as he reached just outside the kitchen, then turned his head to look at Marcus and Richard, who were grinning deviously. "What?"
"We heard 'im say ya name, Monty." Marcus grinned.
"C'mon, what's going on?" Richard asked.
"I presented him with a gift he thoroughly enjoyed. That is all." Before Marcus and Richard could speak once more, Montarg called, "Men, the tables!" a little more panicky then he'd wanted.
The men worked in clusters to assemble the dinner tables. Rodney called for his little helpers to get the food and drink out.
The sorcerers took their places, except one. "Where's Rodney?" Montarg asked, looking to the place where his friend would usually sit.
"Boys,"
All the sorcerers looked at the entrance to the kitchen, at the sorcerer who had broken the silence. Rodney was standing there on one foot, his other foot lifted like a girl who's gotten a kiss from the boy she liked. He held up two plates in both hands. What really caught the sorcerers's attentions was the pink suit Rodney was wearing. The trousers fit him perfectly, hugging his thighs and leaving room for the rest of his legs. The pink tie reached his belt and the coat left room for his arms to move around without struggle. He also adorned a frilly white apron, tied around his neck and waist; protecting his new suit from harm of stains. Rodney was smiling widely, eyes closed, "Soup's up!"
The sorcerers all stared, wide-eyed, some blushing.
Marcus grinned and nudged Montarg. "Gettin' a bit hot in 'ere, eh, Monty?"
Montarg didn't respond.
…
Author's note:
Me: In some hidden scene, Montarg totally gets a nosebleed. XD Well, what a very Rontargo-y chapter. Aw, Monty, you so protective. :D Still, this chapter cracks me up. 'What is a virgin?'. My God, Montarg, you know nothing. Seriously, though, in the land of gore and blood and violence, Montarg is pretty good. In the land of romance, fluff and relationships, Montarg is the most innocent man you could get. And there's Rodney's dirty little secret: he's still a virgin.
Mav: Lookit me, blowing bubbles with a shampoo bottle. Man, I'm awesome!
Me: Yes. Nothing more awesome then blowing bubbles…That was sarcasm by the way.
Mav: *Sad face*
Me: So, Montarg's cheered Rodney up!
Mav: Uncle Alan's using me to pick up girls!
Me: And Rodney seems to be finally over Cameron! So, what'll happen to our sorcerers now?
Mav: Will I learn anything else?
Me: And what's going on with Arachnid?
Me + Mav: Find out next time!
Mav: Indeed, MissBliss8527, two minutes is a long time to be gigglin'. I like how, before this story, all you guys were Amantarg supporters. Now, well, now ya like Rontargo. *Grins* Better then with my mum, that's for sure.