"Arabian Nights"
Part 42
by Beryll
Sean could hardly believe that he had been living in Karl's quarters for - was it truly several weeks already? - without ever really paying any attention to them. Standing in front of a shelf, studying the various objects it held, he tried to guess what significance they held to Karl, why he had kept them.
Some where easy: a set of daggers, encrusted with jewels - clearly gifts by some important person, too valuable to discard but useless nonetheless. The hilt of a sword, well worn with the blade broken off - a weapon used for many use, now retired but never forgotten.
Other Sean could not place like a small engraved box holding some ends of string and some small stones. Maybe token from a childhood long past.
This was Karl's life spread before him in a way, open for him to see and yet he had never cared to look. He had been too caught up in the darkness threatening to devour him to see anything but himself, endlessly reviewing all the pain and humiliation he had suffered, completely ignoring that they had already become a thing of the past. That he had - against all odds - found his lord again and found a new home as well.
With a small sigh he closed his eyes, fighting down those images rising before his mind's eye.
A warrior, Karl had called him. That he would be proud to fight by his side.
But Sean had not been fighting lately. He had wallowed in misery and defeat. In the rare clear moment he was now enjoying he could see that and he vowed silently, that he was a warrior still.
Do not give up, do not let them win, Karl had said in despair. And Sean intended to heed that command.
Slowly he ran his fingers over the smooth surface of a large animal skull on the top shelf. Huge canines gave it a fierce grin and Sean wondered, if Karl had bested this beast. It probably was a story well worth telling and with a small smile Sean realized that he felt curiosity stir in his heart. So he was not dead, after all. Not yet.
Still he flinched slightly when there was a soft knock on the door.
Karl was not back yet. He had been gone from his office when Sean had woken up from the short nap he had drifted into after his talk with Viggo, the exhausting night of nightmares taking its toll. Assuming that he would meet the Captain back at his quarters Sean had returned there. But so far Karl had not shown up. And Sean realized with slight amusement that he actually missed the other warrior.
"Come in." he called, knowing that he should at least take a message for Karl from whoever was calling on the Captain.
But it was no guard opening the door, but a boy Sean had not expected to see again so soon. At least this time Elijah wasn't drowning in his own tears, Sean noticed as the boy opened the door a crack just wide enough for his head to fit through. His eyes scanned the room cautiously and Sean realized, that he must be looking for Karl.
"He's not here, little one." He said gently. "Are you to deliver a message from the prince?"
Sean was again surprised, when Elijah's pretty blue eyes settled on him and he saw that they were not full of tears but showed an almost wild mixture of various feelings, the most obvious ones fear and a deep insecurity.
Elijah slipped into the room fully, closing the door behind him. He was only wearing pants, Sean noticed, and his body was slightly flushed as if he had run. For a moment he looked like he was about to rush over into Sean's arms but then he stopped himself, remaining by the door, staring down at his own naked feet as he spoke.
"No," he said so quietly Sean immediately stepped closer to hear him better as well as to offer comfort to the distraught boy.
When Elijah didn't say any more, Sean closed the distance between them. "What is it, little one?" he asked, worry now stirring in his heart. "Has someone hurt you?" He wished to take the boy in his arms but wasn't sure if he wouldn't startle him away with such an act.
"No, I... it's... I..." Elijah looked up at him shyly through his lashes. "You... you said I could come to you..." he concluded unhappily, obviously not at all sure if he was welcome.
Sean smiled at him reassuringly. "Of course you can."
Now knowing that the boy had indeed come seeking comfort, he gently pulled him into his arms. For a tiny second Elijah stiffened but then he melted against Sean, seeking closeness like a newborn kitten seeking warmth in her mother's fur.
"Ssh... it's all right." Sean whispered softly, stroking the boys raven curls gently.
"I... I failed the prince..." Elijah suddenly whispered, muffled against Sean's chest.
Before Sean could begin getting worried about what the boy might have done, he already continued with his tale, still hiding his face against Sean.
"We... were dancing... for him. Me and Orlando... like we practiced..." he explained haltingly, "...and then... we were through... and he... kissed Orli... and then me... and I... I just couldn't... I was so scared... he's so... so... scary... Orli... he really loves him... they kissed more... and he said... he wouldn't force me... but he looked so... I don't know... disappointed... and now..."
Clutching at Sean's shirt, Elijah finally looked up, open fear written in his face. "Will he now send me away?" he asked, his eyes pleading for a reassuring answer.
Thankfully that was an answer easily given. "Of course he won't send you away, silly." Sean chided softly, ruffling Elijah's hair. "You are dear to his heart, you know?"
He thought back to the way he had shied away from Viggo only yesterday himself. He knew his prince too well and therefore could tell that Viggo would be blaming himself.
"Did Orlando stay with him?" he asked and was relieved when Elijah nodded. At least Viggo wasn't all alone.
"He won't hurt Orlando, will he?" Elijah asked worriedly and Sean smiled. "No, little one, I'd wager right about now Orli is very happy to have the prince all to himself and would be quite unwilling to share with you."
At that Elijah blushed violently and quickly lowered his gaze.
At first Sean thought this was because of his comment about Orlando, but when Elijah kept nervously shifting from one foot to the other he prodded the boy gently. "What is it, little one?"
Elijah's blush even intensified. "I..." he stuttered and then drew a deep breath, visibly fighting to calm himself. When he looked up at last, Sean was startled at the deep longing and fragile hope he saw shining in the boys blue eyes. "I was just thinking... that I was quite happy to have you to myself too." He said, trying to sound dignified and mature.
His sweet, honest declaration touched Sean deeply.
Only this morning he had told Karl that nobody would ever want him - could ever want him. That he was soiled and broken beyond redemption.
He had believed Karl, when the other warrior had told him that he was still wanted and he had believed his prince when he said he would wait for him however long it took.
But neither man had managed to reach so far into Sean's troubled soul as Elijah did with the innocent, pure love that shone in his eyes. So blue - like the summer sky in the north. Like a homecoming.
Slut. Whore. Wretched, used creature.
None of those words held any meaning suddenly, as Sean smiled down at Elijah. They could not touch him while he basked in the warm glow of Elijah's blooming smile.
Leaning down and gently meeting Elijah's mouth with his own seemed the most natural thing. And he felt like drowning in the boys sweetness, when their lips parted, when their kiss intensified without ever growing fierce or demanding. Like lovers they kissed, lovers just discovering the wonder of each other.
Sean could not have said how long they stood entwined like that, drinking from each others breath, arms encircling the other, not grabbing and confining but lending safety like a protective wall against the world outside.
They separated with a soft sigh.
Looking down at Elijah Sean realized what wonderful a gift he had just been granted. It was life he held in his arms. To the core of his being he was warrior, his chosen task had ever been protection of his lord. But his lord had long ago stopped truly needing his protection. But this boy, this beautiful trusting boy who had graced him with his love - he was a reason to live for all in itself.
"Will you teach me how?" Elijah asked softly, all fear now gone from his voice. "You I trust never to hurt me." And unspoken his eyes added 'you I love'. "Will you teach me how to serve our prince?"
Sean expected to feel cold fear race along his spine at the mere thought. But instead his body reacted with warmth spreading from his heart and with a distinct tingle of arousal he had not expected ever to feel again.
But despite the longing he could see in Elijah's eyes he gently asked: "Do you really want this, little one? The prince will neither force nor rush you."
A slight blush again crept to Elijah's cheeks. "I know." he answered shyly. "But... I want you."
Sean knew the boy's words to be utterly honest but still he felt quiet amazement at the fact how much he was loved and wanted. Had been love and wanted ever since he had come to the palace without being able to see it.
"I will be honored, little one." He said, caressing Elijah's cheek with a thumb and again feeling that tingle of heat run through him as the boy leaned into the touch, his eyes partially drifting closed.
Again they kissed, this time with more passion but still as much tenderness. And Sean smiled into their kiss as he felt Elijah's slender hands creep under his shirt, seeking the warmth of is skin. The boy might be very scared of the prince but he obviously was not entirely inexperienced and not scared of Sean at all.
Curiously Elijah's fingers explored the expanse of Sean's back, lingering on the various scars they found. Marks of battles fought and the newer marks of humiliation. Sean shivered as he recalled the whip ripping his skin where now cool fingertips lingered.
It was not Elijah who would have to fight against fear in their encounter, he realized.
In silent agreement they steered each other over to the bed. Karl's bed, Sean thought, wondering what the Captain would think of what was happening in his quarters. Which brought to Sean's attention another small detail.
He separated from Elijah with a small peck to his nose and then quickly went over and locked the door. Probably Karl wouldn't be happy to find himself locked out of his own rooms but that was still preferable to having him walk in at the most inappropriate moment.
Turning back to Elijah he was a bit startled to find that the boy had shed his pants and was now sitting on the bed completely naked, his slim body arranged in the most enticing and yet concealing way. Ian truly had taught the boys well. Sean couldn't help but wonder what else the old fox had taught them.
But there also was that hint of innocent insecurity in Elijah's eyes that made his posture all the more arousing.
Sean pulled off his shirt on the way back to the bed and then pulled Elijah back into his arms, both of them sinking onto the bed. There were a thousand flippant remarks that came to Sean's mind to ease the tension he felt building inside of him, but he voiced none of them, not wanting to break the incredible mood of trust and closeness they shared.
Instead he again kissed Elijah, first his mouth, then working his way down the milky white throat, marveling at the smoothness of the boy's skin, unmarred by age or battle or cruelty.
Elijah responded with a soft gasp, his fingers fluttering over Sean's skin like excited butterflies. The boy's body arched into Sean's seeking as much contact as possible in youthful passion.
Sean shuddered as those questing fingers found their way into his pants, touching him.
Images flashed before his mind's eye, the darkness of his memories threatening to overwhelm. Being used, his body not his anymore, his pride shattering with his resolve as rough hands grabbed and squeezed and rubbed him, robbing him of his last shreds of control.
Forcefully Sean shoved those memories back down to the blackest pits of his mind, instead concentrating on the slender fingers curiously caressing him now, concentrating on the texture of those soft fingertips, on their shyness, their complete lack of demand.
A low groan escaped him, as his body responded to this entirely different coaxing.
And he delighted in the small sound of wonder from Elijah, as his cock started to fill in the boy's hand.
Looked down at him, Sean felt his heart beat faster as he surveyed the exceptional beauty spread before him. Elijah smiled back, shyness slowly waning and being replaced by a cocky pride at being able to arouse Sean.
Sean's gaze wandered down Elijah's body and he couldn't suppress a smile as he realized just how excited the boy was already, his slender cock hard and straining. Sean ran a thumb along the boy's member and Elijah's eyes glazed over with passion. He whimpered softly, his fingers tightening on Sean's cock in response, making the warrior groan.
For a little while Sean kept teasing Elijah till the boy was squirming and writhing beneath him, every little gasp and moan wordlessly begging for more, for something to satisfy the need the boy felt mount inside.
Still Sean took care not to rush.
On the low table beside the bed he found the salve the Captain had used to sooth his wounds. It now came in handy as Sean spread some between his fingers, then reached down to Elijah's virgin entrance.
A small frown appeared on Elijah's brow and he bit his lower lip, gazing at Sean, seeking reassurance, as Sean circled his opening with slick fingers, teasing him.
Drawing in a deep breath through his nose, Elijah spread his legs wider, nudging Sean on with a small nod.
Careful not to hurt the boy, Sean slowly pushed one finger inside, watching how Elijah visibly concentrated on relaxing. He watched for any signs of pain, but Elijah even managed a small smile. He gradually relaxed more and more as Sean continued preparing him, his body growing accustomed to this intimate invasion.
When Elijah easily accepted three fingers pushing into him deeply and was actually starting to hungrily move against Sean, the warrior leaned down and kissed the boy again.
"Ready?" he asked softly, wanting to make sure one last time that Elijah truly wanted this as much as he did by now.
Elijah laughed shakily, shuddering on Sean's fingers. "As ready as I will be." He answered, his bright blue eyes filled with trust and lust alike.
Not giving the boy a chance to doubt his decision, Sean withdrew his fingers and replaced them with his cock, nudging Elijah's opening. Whatever dark memories had plagued him when Elijah had first touched him - they were now forgotten as his body remembered better times. Slowly, inch by inch, he entered, his gaze remaining locked with Elijah's, savoring the numerous expressions he saw reflected in them.
Finally he was fully sheathed in the boy's tight heat and a shudder rippled through him as his body remembered what pleasure was.
Elijah in turn gasped, his eyes wide open and filled with disbelieving bliss.
"This is... good." He whispered, wrapping his legs around Sean's hips, opening himself even more.
Sean agreed wholeheartedly. He rocked into the welcoming heat of the boy's body in shallow thrusts and Elijah moved with him, rolling with the rhythm Sean was setting.
There was no urgency in their love making. It was slow and sensual and everything they both wanted and needed - closeness, tenderness and the knowledge of completely safety.
They moved in perfect unison, driving each closer and closer to completion, kissing and caressing the whole time in silence.
And when they finally both were so close to the edge they could feel their bodies tense up and draw even closer together, they kissed again, staying locked together, sharing their breath and their orgasm most intimately. Not being crushed by the intensity but instead floating on it.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Beryll
go to PART 43