Nothing Is Sweeter Than Love (ZX-MetalMonster x Snoopycake)

[Snoopycake]

Noy played with the corners of the pristine hymn book as he stood beside the rest of the choir, knowing the full reason why he was placed in the back row today. Continuing to mouth the words to the afternoon hymn of ‘At this high feast the Lamb hath made’, the gorgeous could feel the children around him giving him side looks once the verse had finished; keeping his head forward to prove his rebellious point. Glancing over at the priest standing by the edge of the pew, the beautiful boy found himself inwardly smirking once they immediately made eye contact; enjoy the smidge of power he held over the man for a second, knowing that the religious male would not stop the session of worship.

 

Closing the hymn book whilst sitting down after the song was over, the feminine-looking boy stared at the back of the head in front of him; continuing to feel the eyes of the priest on him whilst he gave the group the sermon.

 

On love.

 

Ridiculous.

 

Shifting a little in order to sooth the dull pain from his lower back, Noy let out a small shaky break; the fingers on his robe bunching at the fabric. Glancing up at the priest for the final time, the light grey-eyed man met his look for longer than he should have; noticing the way that the much older man in the red and gold attire bristle at the lack of respect he held for him after he narrowed his eyes.

 

After the final prayers were over for the afternoon, the gorgeous looking man quickly stood from the wooden bench; eager to leave the chapel and be free from the hour-long service. Although the likelihood of that being slim, with one of the nuns gently held his shoulder in order to keep him in place; a sorry expression painted on her face, obviously being ordered to do so by the higher-ups.

 

“Father said that he wishes to speak to you in the Rector.”

 

Fucking hell.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

The dirt path under Sheridan's leather boots turned to cobblestone as he and his travel party of a dozen men entered the city. They walked down a narrow street that was framed by tall houses on either side and littered with citizens. Passing through would have been troublesome but no one wanted to come too close to him or his companions so the crowds dispersed in front of them. Sheridan was thankful for their fear and disgust and glad he'd decided against dressing to fit in with the locals. The combination of thin white fabric and leather that each of them had on, as well as the symbol sewn onto their clothes, revealed which infamous community they were a part of and which castle they'd arrived from.

 

They'd set out at first light and traveled down a steep mountain path and through thick forest to reach the city in the grasslands. Their chatter had died out hours before but now they started to talk among themselves again, their mood improving because they knew they wouldn't have to walk for much longer.

Sheridan had rotten luck though. The youngest of the men, a lanky twenty year old he knew only from passing, began to open up to him and gave him his undivided attention. Being an archer, the young man had never ventured down the mountain, the wilderness just beyond the castle walls provided all the prey his arrows needed. It was his first time seeing people who dressed, spoke and behaved differently than himself and he was blind and deaf to it all, in stead using the moment to inform his superior how hard their trip had been on him. He pilled complaints one on the other and started over once he'd run out of thins to whine about, leaving Sheridan amazed at his own patience and tolerance.

 

Sheridan had descended to the grassland a hundred times, his body didn't feel heavy from exhaustion, nor did his legs ache or feet throb from traveling over sharp rocks and tangled roots. The previous night, his sleep had been burdened with a nightmare that painted over the city to guide him through the streets. This is why when his companions invited him to sit and drink with them he declined and chose to wander about in stead, eager to see where the set trail would lead him.

 

Unlike his brother who was clever enough to learn all the symbolism of his visions and his sister who saw images so crystal clear she had nothing to wonder about, Sheridan was always guessing what his visions meant and sometimes worried if they had any meaning at all. So he kept his eyes wide open, studying passers-by and old stone buildings carefully while he walked at a steady pace, taking turns based on what he could remember of his nightmare. He was well acquainted with the city and noticed he was getting far from the outskirts where he'd left his men and was already approaching spacious squares and large, extravagant buildings.

 

The only thing of note he found were scattered white feathers and upon investigating where those led, a lifeless dove that judging by the blood that stained it's body had been caught by some predator. He lowered himself on one knee and picked the dead creature up, turning it over gently in his hands to see if there was anything unusual about it. A number of people caught a glimpse of what he was doing and grimaced at him in disgust, one woman muttered something angrily to her friend as they hurried by. "... are like. Of course one of them would..." He couldn't make out the rest but wasn't about to waste time wondering what nasty things a pair of servant girls were saying about him. From what he could see, there was nothing special about the dove and he started to worry his nightmare had just been the result of his mind trying to fulfill his wish of proving himself as able as the others. All he had to show for his effort was a handful of hollow bones but he'd studied birds like this years before and already knew how all of it's insides fit together. He'd seen the small pieces that make up it's wings as well as the tissue that binds them, he'd studied how it's wings moved in flight... there was nothing left for him to learn from it, so he left it for some animal to claim.

[Snoopycake]

Stumbling through the large heavy door of the Rector out into the stone hallways, the light grey-eyed straightened the blood red collar of his robe; making the purple handprint that throbbed underneath. Roughly shutting the wooden gateway, the feminine-looking boy let out a huffed breath; narrowing his eyes at the pairs of passing children through the halls. Clicking out his previously bent back to its previous position of straight, the orphan rolled his shoulder as he pushed off the studded door; making his way down the pathway, trying hard to ignore the burning sensation spreading from his rear down his thighs as he moved.

 

Swiftly walking towards the food-hall at the end of the stone hallway, the delicate looking boy hovered around the entrance to admire the food counter; reaching over to pick up a pomegranate before rushing out of the busy area. Noy kept his head high as he threw the fruit to himself, meeting the eye of every other orphan that so much glanced at him in an aggressive manner; making his way out onto the courtyard. He moved out to the far corner of the grounds, towards his secluded spot beside the large trees and stone wall; sitting on the base of the roots.

 

Pulling out the large book from under the roots, the feminine-looking boy opened the text to his favourite page; admiring the artistry of letters and small illustrations, slowly reading the passage out loud in order to understand it.

 

“ …. for … as long as a ….. hun .. dred of us … are left … alive … we will … yield in no … least way to … English … dom … inion.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan turned on the heels of his boots and started to march back to the tavern where he'd left his men. He was familiar with the city and didn't have to back track, he only hoped none of his companions had ventured out and gotten lost during his absence.

 

It stung that he'd accomplished nothing, he wished he could take back the time he'd wasted wandering around, following false clues. However, his subconscious was still looking for signs, evidence he'd had a cryptic vision and not just a bad dream. So when he glimpsed the church and it's garden, hidden behind a wall save for it's treetops, his hope was rekindled. He drifted closer to the building and it's large yard, convinced that something waited for him after all, just out of sight.

 

It wouldn't do for him to come in through the front door though, there was no telling how the residents would react to seeing a man bearing the twin skull symbol enter their home and place of worship. Perhaps they wouldn't chase him away but Sheridan doubted their eyes would leave him even for a moment and he wouldn't be able to take a look around without giving the impression that he was up to no good.

 

He walked the length of the wall that hid the garden and after turning a corner, hoisted himself up and over it with ease, careful not to be caught by anyone passing by. Thick shrubbery and the shadow of an old tree concealed him on the other side but he cursed softly at the plant life, knowing that it would make it more difficult to find anything, if there was something to be found in the first place.

 

Sheridan studied what he could see of garden from his hiding place, it was a well looked after place but dominated by a number of large trees that had grown tall and thick, their tangled routs protruding from the soil. There were other things planted there but Sheridan knew very little about flowers and herbs and couldn't guess their names or for what purpose they might have bee grown them. His interest had always been in creatures that moved and looked like mechanisms when cut open, with parts that came together and worked by rules he could come to understand.

 

From his vantage point, it looked like there was nothing of note even here but he was stubborn and kept low to the ground as he started a more thorough search. Time trickled by, he explored the garden and the longer this went on, the more angry he became with the outcome. This is when he heard a quiet voice and froze in place, thinking for a moment that he'd been caught or was about to be, however no one approach and there were no hints that he needed to run. Carefully, he adjusted his position, trying both to stay well concealed and discover who it was keeping him company in the shade of the trees.

 

The sight that greeted him was a pleasant one, he'd expected to find some decrepit old priest and was happy to be wrong. The man sitting not far from him was young and attractive and now that he could hear his voice better, Sheridan wondered how he'd made the mistake in the first place. After all the effort he'd put into sneaking over the wall and searching, he believed he deserved at least something and this young man seemed like an amazing consolation prize.

 

Sheridan quietly stepped out of cover and approached the beautiful stranger. "You're all alone here.. with a dusty old book? You could use some company love."

[Snoopycake]

With his fingers lightly brushing at the slightly worn out page corners, the feminine looking child’s head flooded with images of the battle described in the chapter of the book; his vision turning into a wet, murky battleground filled with fighting men and wounded soldiers. The violence didn’t disturb him, instead, it was quite the opposite; making the orphan become more interested in the brutality of mankind, different from what was drilled into his head every day.

 

Staring at the archer’s to the right of him, the gorgeous looking boy could only watch in awe when they pulled the spear-like object back; aiming at their enemy. After watching the arrow pierce through the targets eye causing the socket to explode, the beautiful looking boy found his own beginning to burn with his vision slowly being intruded with white specks; deciding that he couldn’t continue much longer.

 

Focusing out of the dreamlike situation, the delicate looking boy found himself blankly staring at the page he had previously been reading about the battlefield; this time in a harsh cold sweat.

 

Trembling a little from his realistic illusion, the pretty boy closed his eyes in order for them to calm down; leading back to rest on the large tree. Listening to the bustling city in the silence of the church gardens, the light grey-eyed man only waited a short while until his perfect vision returned; picking up the old book once again.

 

“ ….. The eye through … which I see God … is the same … eye through … which God sees me ……. my eye and … and God’s … eye are …. one eye …. one seeing ….. one knowing ……. one love …. ”

 

Practically jumping out of his skin at the presence of the much older man, the feminine looking beauty let out a small yelp; stumbling to get up from his position whilst gripping at the large book. Staring at the intrusive man dressed in odd clothing, the gorgeous boy’s confused and surprised expression turned into one of anger and annoyance; holding the book only tighter.

 

“W-Wha … The church grounds aren’t open day, come back tomorrow for the morning service. As for the company offered, use your little brain to figure out why I am in a hidden area. Because I wish to be A L O N E.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan was skilled at brushing off insults and in stead of being angry at the young man for snapping at him, he chuckled softly and smirked. His step didn't falter while they talked but he tried to appear non-threatening and slowed his advance towards the boy. Of course he could use force or employ the sharp steel he carried hidden under his clothes to make the young man warm up to him, however he was hoping to do things peacefully despite the apparently bad first impression he'd made.

 

-"Don't be angry. I was just flirting with you, it's not the worst thing I could have done." Sheridan opted to be honest, hoping he could calm the beautiful stranger and put him in a friendlier mood, but he didn't notice how his words could be taken as a thinly veiled threat.

 

He was one step away from being chest to chest with the grey-eyed man when he stopped and lightly caressed his cheek, however his touch then turned harsh and he forced the boy's chin up so he could better study his face. This is when he caught a glimpse of the marks that had been concealed under the stranger's collar and hummed as he tilted his head to the side.

 

-"Do you like it rough... or did you have a bad time with someone?" Sheridan forgot to be tactful and his eyes locked on the bruises, his mind shifting focus, recalling images of human anatomy. His lust still burned steady though, despite thoughts of morbid illustrations and a cut open throat. "Whatever you like, I can do it for you." Sheridan promised when his gaze finally drifted back to the young man's face.

[Snoopycake]

Gripping tightly onto the large traditional book that was pressed against his chest, the delicate looking boy stumbled back a little against the oversized tree roots; feeling uncomfortable at the stranger's presence coming closer. His stomach twisted in a disturbing manner at the small smirk and chuckle that emitted from the older man; his fingers twitching and curling against the jagged edge of the old pages.

 

Holding a long breath in shock at the closeness of the other man, the younger man felt his knees begin to shake; staring up at the odd-coloured eyed man with a confused expression, the previous threat not helping his panic.

 

It would be true to say that he had never held of a conversation with anyone who wasn’t another orphan or member of the church, even the citizens that attended the services were not allowed to speak to them.

 

Flinching naturally once the other man caressed his cheek and tugged sharply his chin, the smaller man’s fingers turned white from the pressure against the book; allowing the burning spread through his hands.

 

‘Do you like it rough?’

‘Do you like it rough?’

‘Do you like it rough?’

‘Do you like it rough?’

‘Do you like it rough?’

 

What the fuck was he doing?

 

Feeling a rush of adrenaline flow through him in the form of a surge of energy, the gorgeous looking man immediately kneed the strange man in the crouch; lifting the heavy book up to violently bring down on the top of his head. Using the moment of attack to immediately sprint back towards the stone church, the beautiful boy felt his lungs and throat burn from the uncommon exercise of running; not stopping to look back once.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan yelped from the sudden pain and stumbled backwards as he folded in on himself, however he didn't retreat quickly enough to avoid the strike aimed at his head. The heavy tome impacted with force and he dropped to one knee, momentarily disorientated and unable to go after the young man. He hissed and cursed viciously at the boy but had enough reason left not to raise his voice despite the immense anger that filled him. Looking over his shoulder he only glimpsed the beautiful man disappear into the stone building and knew it was too late to catch him.

 

Fearing the grey eyed stranger was going to get help, he scrambled up to his feet despite his head still spinning and the the pain from the hits not having subsided. He was unwilling to endure more punishment and while he doubted anyone from the church could do more than chase him off, he knew there would be hell to pay if this reflected badly on his family. He'd learned to dread his brother's fury and there was nothing that set the man off like bringing more shame to the castle and their name.

 

Sheridan dashed for the bushes that had previously provided him concealment and peeked over the wall to make sure no one was passing by before he jumped over, onto the briefly empty city street. Despite wanting nothing more than to sit down and wait for the pounding in his head to stop, he straightened and started to walk away, the anger radiating off him being the only clue to what had happened.

[Snoopycake]

As he ran through the stone halls of the large building, the feminine-looking boy’s heart burned along with his feet; his brain rushing to decide what he should do. ‘Should he tell someone? Report him? Maybe he should-‘ His thoughts were short-lived after a large hand wrapped around his thin wrist; his arm burning in pain from being suddenly pulled to a halt. Staring up at one of the priest’s who’s grip only increased in pressure, the flustered boy managed to calm his breathing down enough to speak to him.

 

“I-I There … I-I was outside and the-ere was this-“

 

“What are you doing out of the sleeping quarters?!”

 

“Father-“

 

“Azemar. Do not make me lose my temper. Do as you are told.”

 

“P-Please I-“

 

Gasping for breath once again when he was slammed against the cold stone wall beside him by his throat the feminine looking boy immediately gripped around the large hand holding him unwillingly against it; making noises of discomfort whilst attempting to get free from the hold.

 

“You do not answer back to me, child. Do you understand? Go to the sleeping quarters now or do you wish for a punishment?”

 

Trying his hardest to give an obedient nod whilst continued in the vice-like grip, the beautiful boy could only stumble a little once he was let go; rubbing at the blooming mark his neck.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Despite taking a shortcut Sheridan felt it was taking him longer to return to the outskirts of the city than it had to reach the church, however he suspected his perception was skewed by the head ache he'd earned by upsetting the beautiful stranger. The young man's attractive face wouldn't leave his thoughts but he couldn't make out if he was still plotting his death or had started fantasizing about him again.

 

To add to his troubles, dark clouds started to roll overhead and despite hurrying to the tavern Sheridan was caught out on one of the narrow streets when rain started to fall. The storm made his clothes and hair wet before he arrived inside and his grim mood didn't subside even when the warmth of the crowded room enveloped him and he found his men gathered closest to the fire pit.

 

On his approach, Sheridan spotted the young archer who'd spent the last leg of their journey trying his patience. The boy had settled on a bench a distance away from the others and his position seemed painfully uncomfortable to Sheridan but he appeared to be fast asleep. Thankful that he wouldn't be treated to another round of complaints, he didn't disrupt his rest and in stead motioned to another one of his companions to make space for him to sit by the fire.

 

Now seated and leaning towards the warmth with elbows resting on his knees, Sheridan noticed the smoke laced through the air and when it crept into his lungs he recognized it's taste on his tongue. His pale eyes combed through the gathered men and sure enough he spotted his friend with an ornate pipe resting on his thin lips, producing the intoxicating fumes. The lanky male looked out of touch with reality but Sheridan knew his mind was sharper than the edge of their blades and the poisons he inhaled rarely managed to dull it. The others seemed to be disregarding him which meant he was no doubt listening carefully for secrets that might slip up in their casual chatter. This is why when another one of his companions questioned Sheridan about his venture deeper into the city and his sullen face, he picked his words and skillfully brushed the topic off.

 

Hours passed and his men disappeared to their rooms one by one, leaving him alone surrounded by a crowd of strangers who'd gathered to drink and paw at the women who'd also started to roam the tavern. Drinking his troubles away had never worked for him though and he was lusting after a body different than what the spirited girls were offering him. The drunks and whores had overlooked that he is an outsider but his unwillingness to join in their vices quickly turned the room against him. Sheridan took the hint but before he could march off to his chamber in a quieter part of the tavern, he noticed the young archer now seated upright with two locals grumbling at him for taking up space. The boy looked disorientated and despite the complaints he wouldn't get up so Sheridan approached to order him to come along. He helped him up the old wooden staircase and wondered what the young man had done in his absence to end up in such bad shape, however he didn't ask, doubtful that he would receive a coherent answer. They retired to a pair of small beds in a shared room and the residue of a head ache ensured he drifted off within minutes of laying down.

[Snoopycake]

...

 

Noy didn’t really remember how he arrived back in his chambers that night. Flickers of flashbacks and memories occasionally came back to him in his thoughts, however, it hardly pieced together. Stiffly removing his warm nightwear to put on his everyday clothes, the feminine-looking boy gently pulled the white cloth over his head; smoothing down the fabric with his fingers until it laid perfectly, slipping on some soft shoes for his feet.

 

Silently creeping out of the sleeping quarters, the beautiful boy made sure not to disturb the other orphans; making no sound as he escaped into the outdoors. Breathing a small sigh of relief once he felt the souls of his shoes become wet from the fresh damp grass, enjoying the icy air consume his body as he moved through the church grounds towards his usual spot.

 

He was pleased to see that the light moving dew did not disturb his book that had been carelessly thrown to the ground, the large oak tree covering it from the small amount of rain.

 

Picking up the large paper book, the gorgeous looking boy felt a soft, genuine smile spread across his lips as he sat on the large trees roots, not minding the way the cold air made his white cheeks flush pink along with his fingertips.

 

Opening the hardback book to a random page, the beautiful boy got to work with reading; basking in the silence of the undisturbed morning.

 

“ ……Justice is …. the constant and … perpetual wish …. to render every …. one his due.”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

A knock on the door of his shared room woke Sheridan up before first light but he drifted back to sleep in a matter of minutes, another loud reminder to get up and come out was necessary to make him comply. He yelled angrily to dismiss the man at the door, meanwhile the boy who occupied the second bed stired and muttered curses, however unlike him he didn't give any sign that he intended to get to work. Sheridan rubbed his face with both hands and dressed himself in mostly the same clothes as the previous day but now added a robe to his apparel, both for warmth and to help him go unnoticed. The night had been peaceful, he'd slept unbothered by dreams and rested well but it angered him that he'd again been overlooked and hadn't received any signs to guide him.

 

On his way out, Sheridan took a detour to study the archer who was still wrapped in a thick blanket, he shook the young man to help him regain his senses but noted he was hot to the touch and looked ill, in no shape to join them. It was unlike him to worry about someone who was little more than a stranger, so Sheridan told himself he was only pitying the boy when he reassured him that they would be back soon and he wouldn't be left alone for long.

 

The dozen of them were meant to seek out people in the city, to deliver on old agreements, reap profit from previous deals but also to warn anyone who'd been careless enough to disappoint them. Sheridan participated in the work but his thoughts were elsewhere and he didn't wait long before making an excuse to break away from the other men, too restless and eager to find satisfaction in one place or another.

 

He willed himself to keep a steady pace and not draw attention by hurrying down the street towards the garden, all the while mocking himself for expecting the beautiful man to be out alone again after how he'd spooked him the previous day. The miserable, cold weather had given him an advantage by keeping citizens from crowding the streets and he had little to worry about as he looked over the garden wall and crept in. Sneaking through the undergrowth, he kept his eyes wide open, cautious not to reveal himself to anyone other than the beautiful young man.

 

When the boy's pleasant voice gave away his presence among the old trees, Sheridan's face light up with a genuine smile but it grew faint as he remembered how he'd been bashed over the head the previous day. He was tempted to be cruel again, his lust for the gray eyed man was casting a fog over his thoughts but he also wanted to repay him for being so bold as to attack him. Repeating what he'd done before would have been pointless though and he forced himself to stay put in the shadows until he had a better hold on his temper. It was relaxing to sit in the grass, watching and listening to the young man read a text he didn't give a damn about and a long peaceful moment passed, he spoke from his hiding place in stead of coming out in the open.

-"I didn't think you would come back here alone after what happened yesterday, my little maggot." The insult sounded sweet, like the endearment it had replaced and there was no anger in Sheridan's voice.

[Snoopycake]

With his hand reaching down into the wet grass below him, the gorgeous looking man bunched his hands up in the green plant; allowing his nails to dig into the mud as well. He enjoyed to feel things. He couldn’t help himself. Running his fingers over the pages, the beautiful man gasped at the pain of a small cut across his index finger; immediately sucking the blood in the hopes that the flow would stop.

 

Waiting unlike the cut seemed to still as well as the pain turning numb from the cold, the feminine looking man continued to read the heavy book; giving his index finger small kitten licks in-between.

 

“ … Nothing is sweeter than love … nothing higher … nothing stronger … nothing larger … nothing more joyful … nothing fuller … and nothing better in heaven … or on earth”

 

The quote made the young smile, feeling is heart bloom a little at the romantic ideal of love. Secretly, he wondered if he would ever feel it. It seemed amazing.

 

Practically jumping from his spot against the tree at the intruding voice, the delicate looking boy yelped loudly due to fear; slamming his book shut whilst spinning around to find the source of the scary voice.

 

Trembling violently with his knees shaking, the young beauty held the large book against his chest; his eyes darting around the gardens.

 

“W-W-Wha- … W-Where … W-Who … “

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan had a hunch the young man wouldn't be elated to see him again but was taken aback by his reaction. The boy looked terrified, so much so that Sheridan worried he would run inside the stone building before he had a chance to say another word and convince him he bore him no ill will. He regretted not approaching him more carefully, though he doubted there was a polite way to introduce himself when he was hiding among the trees in a place he likely wasn't allowed to enter.

 

-"Wait. I'm not going to do anything to you... I'll stay away this time." Sheridan avoided raising his voice and for a few seconds sat perfectly still in the shadows, afraid that if he moved it would set the other man off. He'd found good concealment close by the spot the beautiful stranger always seemed to occupy, so when he picked himself up off the ground it became apparent that there already wasn't much space separating them.

 

-"You said you come where to be alone, I remember... but if I sit and stay quiet while you read, I won't bother you, will I? It will be like I'm not even there." If all Sheridan had wanted was to hear more of the text, he would have staid in the shrubbery and wouldn't have drawn attention to himself. However he prioritized keeping the gray eyed man in the garden over being honest and assumed it would be easier to start a conversation if he made time for the tension to slowly bleed away.

[Snoopycake]

With his shaking fingers practically clinging at the heavy book in his arms incase he needed to protect himself, the gorgeous boy bit at his bottom lip to stop it’s trembling; hating how he was acting in a threatening situation. He felt vulnerable and defenceless. He hated it. Was he hiding from him? Who was this person? What did he want from him? Why was he tormenting him?

 

All he could do was listen to the other man speak to him as if he was invisible. He tried to process all of the other man’s words, figuring out what do; if he should reply or run. Why was he even considering letting this man stay with him? Shouldn’t he even go and tell someone? But … he had never met someone outside the church before. Maybe he didn’t believe like everyone else. Maybe he went to that market that he could hear from behind the wall. Maybe he likes reading. Maybe he does Archery. Maybe he’s travelled. Maybe he’s lived.

 

He found himself ….. wanting to talk to him.

 

Watching the much taller man arise from his previous ‘hiding spot’, the gorgeous looking man trembled at the sight of the familiar man who had scared him the previous day; immediately recognising his voice. With his book practically shaking in his hands, the beauty’s breathing began to hyperventilate as he sat back down in his spot; opening the book to his desired page, opening his mouth to read. But nothing came out.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Contrary to how he'd approached the young man the previous day, it didn't cross Sheridan's mind to try grabbing him even though he was within reach. In stead he waited, deathly still until the other sat back down. Convincing the boy to trust him felt like advancing towards an easily frightened animal in the wild and Sheridan felt out of his depth despite the effort he was putting into being patient and soft spoken. He hadn't notices how nervous he was until the boy complied and the tension started to bleed out of him. However, his own discomfort was nothing compared to how unsettled the young man looked and he wondered how to make himself appear less frightening.

 

Staying at a distance was a proven method now, so Sheridan walked away from the gray eyed man and settled down beside one of the old trees that were abundant in the garden. He leaned back, the thick cloth draped over his shoulders keeping him dry despite the damp tree bark and the droplets of water in the grass. His gaze was locked on the young man, all of his attention devoted to him even though he knew he should sharpen his senses and be on the look out for other strangers who might come out of the church and catch him trespassing.

 

Sheridan had no delusions about why the boy suddenly couldn't speak, however he genuinely disliked seeing the men he was attracted to afraid or in pain and wished he could comfort him. Trying to be intimate would ruin everything but he overlooked that and imagined holding the young man against his chest until he was calm. He thought of caressing his cheek like when they'd first met, imagined kissing his lips before moving on to his neck where dark bruises must have still stood in stark contrast to pale skin.

Even when he felt sympathy for the boy, Sheridan was still selfish and his day dreaming quickly escalated to less innocent thoughts. It amused him to picture himself taking the beautiful man right there in the garden, a wall away from the citizens who'd glared at him and right under the noses of the stiff old church dwellers who undoubtedly hated anyone like him. He thought of having the young man on his back, believing that any other way would be a waste with a face as lovely as his, and wondered what expressions those perfect features could make and what sounds a voice as sweet as his could create.

Despite having promised to be quiet, Sheridan spoke to the gray eyed man again in a hushed, warm tone. "You don't have to push yourself... just take a deep breath and calm down love."

[Snoopycake]

Perhaps he would die here.

 

He hoped he would make out of these walls before he came to his end.

 

All hope was lost of that ever happening.

 

He contemplated death many times before.

 

But why now did it find it so scary?

 

He watched drops of water fall from his eyes, soaking the pages he was reading.

 

“ …… When I investigate …. and when I discover that … the forces of the … heavens and the … planets are within … ourselves ……. then truly I seem to be …. living among the gods.”

 

Noy used reading to escape from his harsh reality, completely zoning out from the world surronding him. But this stranger was distorting his pattern from his mere presence, even if he attempted to convince him that he was going to stay far enough away from him.

 

Turning the thin page of the book with trembling fingers, the gorgeous looking man no longer felt the desire to read; slowly closing the heavy book in his lap. Pulling up his favourite text against his chest in a childish manner, the beautiful boy glanced a little at the intruding stranger beside him.

 

He was scared. Really scared. But this strange, weird man seriously piped his interest.

 

“ …………. H-How are you? …… W-Why are you here …….. A-Are you going to kill me? …. W-Wait why would you even care if I’m panicking?!”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan took the boy's questions the wrong way and his expression became grim withing a heartbeat. He'd killed enough men in his life that he'd stopped counting but even the previous day when he'd been less considerate the worst he'd planned to do to the young man was threaten him. Today he was doing everything he could think of to make him feel safe, to be forgiven for the fear he'd put him through but all his effort seemed to be for nothing and the boy only dreaded him more. He was used to being shown anger and fear and disgust and a hundred other ugly things but it was so undeserved now, part of him hated the gray eyed man for accusing him of being a senseless monster that would kill fr no reason at all.

 

-"Don't be intentionally stupid, I've told you twice already that I'm not going to hurt you." Sheridan snapped but knew he shouldn't say cruel things when the other man just started talking to him.

 

-"I had a dream about a place like this, that's why I came here..." He wondered if that explanation sounded insane to the beautiful boy. As far as knew, the citizen's faith kept all of it's miracles and messengers in the pages of old books, they believed but nothing ever happened to prove their god's powers.

 

-"That was yesterday... today I came to see you." Sheridan corrected himself more quietly, unsure if it was wise to honest about his motives.

[Snoopycake]

His fingers curled around the large book against his chest, shakily playing with the corner’s of the frayed ends. Patiently waiting for the intimidating looking man to speak to him, the gorgeous looking boy flinched when he snapped at him; letting out a whimpering sound in reply.

 

Stupid? He didn’t mean to be …

 

“A d-dream? I-I don’t really understand … L-Like a vision? Was it God? Are you here … W-With a message?”

 

The beautiful looking boy’s eyes practically sparkling, holding the heavy book tighter against his chest; standing up from his position of sitting in the roots.

 

“Wait, can you talk to him?? Can I talk to him?? I have so many questions I want to ask!!”

 

Noy gushed, a genuine smile forming onto his face as he spoke. Is this really happening? He had been praying every night for 6 years for this day. He couldn’t help but blush at the larger man’s finishing statement.

 

“M-Me?’”

 

He hadn’t blushed so hard in his life.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan's face light up too at seeing the young man smile, though it was astonishing how excitement and curiosity could overpower the boy's fear within a few sentences. He was still eager to have his hands on the beautiful stranger and it took some restraint to keep himself seated when the gray eyed man finally risked standing up and coming closer to him. The mood had finally lightened and he wasn't about to do anything to compromise that, the bashing the stranger had given him was still fresh enough in his memory to keep him in line and the reward he imagined he would get if he behaved himself helped improve his manners too.

 

 

Sheridan worried that telling the young man the full truth would disappoint him so he nodded slowly to bide his time until an acceptable answer occurred to him.

-"Yes, it was a vision." He still didn't know if his dream had any meaning or if he'd just remembered while asleep a part of the city he'd seen and overlooked a hundred times in daylight, however his confident tone made it impossible to guess he was having these doubts. "The god who led me here..." The real god, he nearly added but snuffed out that thought before it could slip by his lips, he knew better than to question a man's faith while trying to forge a bond with him. "...he isn't the one people pray to in that stone building of yours and we can't talk to him... he doesn't care about what we have to say."

 

Sheridan hurried to think of something to say that would preserve the young man's enthusiasm but the frown that set on his lips gave away how annoyed he was with himself for failing. "I'm sorry... my visions are a bigger disappointment to me than to you, I promise." He grumbled finally and allowed himself to sink lower along the trunk of the great tree until he was nearly laying on his back in the wet grass with arms crossed over his chest. "Maybe I can answer some of your questions though. I've been to a lot of places, read books... and if there's something I don't know, I'll gladly go and find someone who does. Anything to make you happy love." It hadn't gone unnoticed how red the boy's face had turned and Sheridan was hoping to make it more so.

[Snoopycake]

He didn’t flinch nearly as much as he thought he would once the large stranger started to advance on him. Noy’s smile only widened as he watched the pale haired man nod in reply, his muscles immediately relaxing from its previously tense hold; his cheeks no longer red with embarrassment once happiness overcame him.

 

Not my god?

 

The beautiful boy’s brows knotted together in confusion, his head naturally tilting in curiosity as if a small animal.

 

It was clear that there must be a god, anyone who thought otherwise were shunned; so obviously their beliefs were more superior and realistic. Otherwise why would anyone believe them?

 

“ ….. A different god? That’s impossible. You must be confused. That’s okay though! So God lead you here? To me?”

 

His eyes sparkled once again, hope soaring through him.

 

“Your visions aren’t a disappointment! God must be trying to say something to you! Or me! Maybe we were fated to meet! I’ve been praying for this day for years! To be saved from this place, I knew God would never punish me without a reason!”

 

The light grey eyed beauty sat back down at the bottom of the tree trunks, instantly crawling closer to sit right next to the older man; his book still tucked under his arm with an expression of pure bliss. “Questions? Oh! Umm … Are you an archer? Archery is so amazing! All these books describe them to be hero’s, I want to be a hero! Do you enjoy music? We only have organs play in the church, but I’ve seem pictures of all these other instruments! I wish to know what they sound like, especially the Psaltery! Maybe even play them too! You like flowers? We often have lilies grow in the garden but occasionally we have cowslip grow at certain times in the year across the church boarders. Have you seen more flowers? I want to see those foxgloves, oh! Or Marigolds, they are gorgeous aren’t they?!”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Sheridan had been told many times that he's confused, talking about things he knows nothing about. He never tolerated it coming from his people and even less from his brother who liked to dismiss him with one of those lines rather than have to argue against his thoughts. However, now spoken by the gray eye man the words failed to even annoy him, likely because the boy's excitement had gripped him and he could feel nothing else himself.

 

A satisfied smile brightened Sheridan's face when the young man forgot himself and dared to sit right beside him. It caught him off guard that he worried if the boy was cold and rather than straighten up and sit properly against the trunk of the great tree, he shifted down and closer to the stranger until he was lightly pressed against his side. By the time he settled down he was nearly laying in the grass but was comfortable and tentatively sharing warmth with the smaller man.

 

After the barrage of questions, Sheridan was unsure where to begin and questions formed in his own mind that he would rather have had answered than talk about music and flowers. However he'd promised the other he'd answer his questions to know to the best of his ability and he didn't plan on disappointing him.

 

-"Where I live they play music often, on many different instruments too, but I'm not sure you would like it." He thought of the somber sound that seemed to quietly echo in every room of the castle and wondered if the young man would find it eerie, or calming like he did himself.

-"There are singers and performers moving from one spot to another in the city. We're staying in a shady tavern, it's not the kind of place you should go to, but you could catch them somewhere else. As for flowers, I could have brought you a handful if I'd known I was going to meet you. We came down a mountain path, there were many different ones beside the road. You could still ride out a short way and see them." Sheridan had paid the colorful plants little attention during the trip but now that the boy had asked he could remember them vividly and could even recall some of their names.

-"I can use a bow and arrow but no, I'm not much of an archer. One of the men who came with me is. He's likely still in bed now but he's bound to get better soon, I can convince him to show you whatever you'd like to see... Everything you're curious about is close by, so why are you passing time hidden away in this garden?"

[Snoopycake]

The gorgeous looking boy found his gaze lingering a little longer than usual at strangers satisfied smile that graced his lips. It made his heart flutter a lot and he wasn't too sure why. The light press of gentle human contact made his skin burn; even if it was just to his side. He could ever remember that the last time he sat with someone so close, especially in a non-malicious manner. The warmth was unrealistically pleasant; unconscious forces gave him feelings as if he wanted to move closer.

 

Listening intently to his god-given gift answer his array of questions, the wide-eyed beauty's smile only spread further at the answers he received; leaning in a little into the handsome man's personal space, softly placing his hand down on the taller man's leg as if it would support his body weight whist he moved.

 

"Often? Wow ... That sounds amazing. I believe that I could like any music. The sounds described by some of them makes me wish to experience them."

 

"Singers and performers?" He questioned, tilting his head in. "I've never been outside the church. I don't believe that I'll ever be able to see them. What's wrong with it? Shady? What does that mean?" Noy asked excitedly, believing it to be something of a positive regard.

 

"I would have loved some ... " He wondered curiously whilst the older man spoke about the types he had seen on his travels whilst fate was taking place. It made him a little sad that his gift from god continued suggesting that he should leave to visit these places; acting as if was an easy task.

 

"You know an archer too? ... This all sounds too good to be true." He wavered a little, nervously playing with the corners of the hard paperback of his book.

 

" ... I wish to see the world ... But I cannot leave. I'm not free. I'm owned. I'm a possession. If I step foot out of the church walls, they'll be sure to find me; resulting in a fate much worse than I'm currently living." Noy spoke up, eventually glancing up at the larger man. "Not you. You're free. Like a bird. I envy you. Maybe God brought you to me to punish me again; teasing me with something I can never obtain. Stuck to read and dream about it instead."