"Arabian Nights"
Part 85
by Mel
This dinner felt so much better then the last. There was no silly pranks that backfired, no hatred towards each other, well, at least no more than usual. Aside from the fact it was to say goodbye to Eric there was little to upset the night. Karl was here and the lion cub Dave snoozed happily in his lap.
"Shall we dance?" Elijah asked across the table from his place next to Sean making Orli grin. Even Elijah seemed to be having a good time for a change, much more then last. His bruises were fading and here, with the people he felt most comfortable with, Orli actually heard him laugh on occasion. It was such a change from the vicious, troublesome boy Orli had thought lumped at his side a couple of months ago.
He passed Dave to his left, Jared taking the cub in a way to disturb it the least. Jared had also changed a lot. He was shy at first, and a little unsure of his place in the palace. His mouse like behaviour had rapidly changed when he had begun to realise how out of place and unsure they all were, from Viggo and Sean, to Billy and even Dominic. While Eric seemed to watch over them all like an older brother, Jared fussed and cared like a Mother Hen over everyone. Even Karl.
When Viggo had told him the other man would be coming to dinner Orli could do very little to contain his excitement, which he had been happy to shower Viggo with. Karl seemed somewhat reluctant, but he had turned up which was the important thing. And after a few minutes, with Jared and Sean setting a friendly pace with the Captain the rest of the Kitten's followed their example. Soon Karl was laughing at Elijah and Dominic's storytelling of trying to fit Billy into a robe.
Billy laughed along with everyone else, even he letting loose in the comfortable atmosphere. Billy was never overly stiff or nervous around the Lords and dignitaries that had visited, but the change in being with just them was obvious. He was happier amongst them, forcing many of the shadows from his eyes that Orli sometimes saw. Seated beside Dominic Orli was happy to see how animated they both were, how they seemed to feed off each others joy.
Dom was still the street rat Orli remembered. It was something that was different from the rest of the boys. Whilst everyone else had changed it was like Dom hadn't. He never seemed to relax, his eyes always shifted towards exits. Even though he was enjoying the dinner there was the slight turn of his head whenever a foreign sound went past the door. He appeared friendly with everyone, but not close. He had also sat himself as far away from Karl and Viggo as he could manage.
Viggo had been quiet at first. Even though he seemed to be trying, having Karl so close was difficult. Orli knew the Princes fear, that he couldn't quiet forgive the other man for what he'd done to Jared or how he had hurt Sean. But being seated between Eric and Sean, both of whom were enticed by the relaxing night and the honeyed mead they were drinking, began telling increasingly embarrassing stories. It was a rare chance to hear of what life was back in their homeland and Orli got caught up as much as the rest of the kittens.
Orli had never been able to tell if Sean was upset or not, but with the happiness from both Elijah and Eric being as contagious as it was, he was sure Sean was doing better. The blonde man had to try and fend off increasingly probing questions as Eric's stories took on a decidedly more interesting turn involving Sean's first time with a woman. The curve of his ears turned red which seemed only to fuel the questions but he managed to keep most of the details to himself, stating that while she was a lovely girl, his interests had lain elsewhere.
Eric had grown louder and more boisterous the longer the night had lasted. Last dinner he had entertained but not to this degree, and with the whole room happy and content he fed off it. He soaked up the atmosphere, listening, laughing and talking more then any around him. Orli could see the looks he sent in Sean's direction in the quiet pauses. They made Orli happy, especially when Sean, who had drunk quiet a bit, returned them.
At Elijah's request for a dance, as rare as it was, Orli couldn't say no. Not that he wanted too. Bouncing up he took Elijah's hand, walking beside him for a change instead of being led. Dom's lyre started, the sounds more uplifting then usual, filling their feet with the urge to lift and move. They acted completely spontaneously, taking the cues from each other, smiling and giddy, their laughter bounding through the room.
With Dom's final notes they were left breathing heavily, smiling brightly and bowing to the applause of their friends. The night, which was so lovely, was coming to an end.
Eric opened his arms and Orli fell into them, being held tenderly in the giant man's embrace. It was all too much, to know that Eric was leaving so soon, Orli wondered when he'd ever see him again. It could be years, it could be never. He held on extra tight.
"I will come back little Kitten," Eric soothed his fears some, stroking his back. "Till then I expect that you will have to look after Viggo. He's completely incapable of looking after himself."
"I am sitting right next to you, you know?"
Orli laughed, it gave him a good chance to dry his tears and nod. He removed himself from Eric's lap, he wasn't the only one who wanted to say good bye.
"No one can keep him in line as you can," Eric winked as if not hearing a word Viggo had said.
Jared, Billy and Dominic were all courteous, thanking him again for helping Elijah, but they didn't hug him. When he finished his bow Jared moved over to Karl, bending and whispering in his ear before leaving the yard, heading for Viggo's office room.
The change in Karl was immediate. He lost most of his normally healthy colour and finished his drink in a swift gulp. He said goodbye to Eric calmly, but Orli could see the slight tremor in his hands. Still he left the yard without a backward glance or a word of complaint and Orli kept the urge to run after him at bay. He and Jared must still have some things to work out.
In contrary to the other goodbyes Elijah also crawled into the big warrior's lap. He held on just as tight as Orli had. Dom and Billy moved off to the Kitten’s room, both saying a good night to Orli and Viggo. Eric was talking soothing words to Elijah, none of which carried in the night. Sitting beside his Prince Orli took his hand. Eric’s presence would be missed.
Sitting back Elijah nodded, his eyes dry, but sadness written over his face. As he got up Eric took up Viggo. At least Viggo wasn’t entirely dwarfed by Eric’s size, hugging him back.
“Keep an eye on them all, Little Brother,” Eric said against Viggo’s neck, “and no more getting into stupid situations, unless you want me to come back and deal with them.”
“That’s hardly a reason to keep me out of trouble,” Viggo smiled, “I will miss you, Eric. You have been a good influence on my Kittens. And on me.”
Eric gave him a look as if he didn’t quiet believe the words and looked to Orli and Elijah. “Keep an eye on him please. He gets in trouble ridiculously easily.”
Orli laughed, nodding, giving Eric a quick kiss. Fingers threading into his hair stopped him from moving away too quickly, deepening the touch. When Orli finally managed to pull away he was breathless.
“Something to look forward to when we next meet,” Eric grinned, kissing the tip of his nose just as Elijah tugged him to his feet, saying goodnight to Eric and Sean.
“Come my Lord, I believe it’s time for bed.”
Viggo looked just as surprised as Orli felt when Elijah held his hand out for the Prince to take. It was the first time Orli could remember Elijah asking for anything from Viggo. The hand in his squeezed and Orli thought he could rise off the ground with the happiness spread through him at the simple act.
Taking his Kitten’s hand, Viggo stood, bidding his friends good night and allowing both Elijah and Orli to lead him to the bedroom.
***
Elijah led both Viggo and Orli into the Prince’s room. Eric and Sean needed some time to themselves and as much as Elijah wanted to spend more time with them, he knew how important the last night was to them.
Besides he had spent hardly any time with anyone else of late. The look of delight on Orli’s face when he had lifted Viggo to his feet was testament enough of that. Orli was his first friend in this place, and though he loved Sean, Orli was just as important. The Prince as well.
The bedroom was already lit for the night, the candles about the bed shining in the dark. The shadows across the bed made him pause just past the threshold. Stretching he let Orli’s and Viggo’s hands fall, lifting the shirt from his body and letting it fall to the floor. Viggo, who had never once forced what was rightfully his to take, brushed his fingers almost unconsciously against the bare skin of his back.
Elijah stepped towards the bed, but away from the touch. Orli followed his example, ridding himself of his shirt as he sat on the edge of the bed beside Elijah. Viggo reached the bed soon after, his clothes remaining on, standing between Orli’s legs, cupping his face in his hands. He kissed him firmly, Orli returning the touch, as if he was trying to taste Eric against the boy’s lips.
When he pulled back, Elijah reached out, cupping Viggo’s face, dragging it towards his own. The kiss was a little unsure but the Prince melted against his lips, a soft sound escaping between them, entering Elijah’s own mouth.
“We don’t have to do this,” Viggo gasped when Elijah let him speak again.
“No, we don’t,” Elijah agreed, impatient hands tugging the Prince’s shirt over his thoroughly surprised head. “But I want to.” While Sean’s chest had been almost completely bare of hair, Viggo’s had a light spattering of fine hair. Elijah ran his fingers through it, intrigued by the difference in texture. Viggo also had scars that he brushed his fingers over, delighting in the gasp it caused.
“But-“
“No buts,” Elijah whispered against the skin, "no questions or worries. No thoughts. My brother had all the wrong ideas, and only served as a reminder too how special being here with everyone is." He smiled up at Viggo. "So I want to be with you tonight."
For a moment Elijah thought Viggo might refuse him, the look in his eyes said as much. But he said nothing, leaning forward, taking Elijah's lips in his own. Orli's fingers danced up his spine and Elijah wrapped himself around his Prince, finally content in the place that was his home.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 86