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fellowshippers2005-02-22 02:45 am
saklani2.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2005-02-22 02:45 am
NEW: Servitus 8/21 (Viggo/Elijah AU) [NC-17]
Title: Servitus
Author: Saklani (saklani@wildmail.com), Wushu and Iocane
Codes: Viggo/Elijah, ELijah/Sean B. AU RPS
Rating: NC-17
Part- 8
Disclaimer: I do not own these men, or anything else I mention here. I am not looking to make money from this... God forbid. And I am NOT them nor is what I put down here real. Thank you.
Summary: Roman Elijah buys Spaniard Viggo as a slave, but finds that he is worth more to him than he ever imagined.
Author's Notes: This is my favorite part of the entire story... well, one of them anyway. We are definitely getting into the angst here! I hope you all enjoy!
Viggo pulls on some clean clothes, still refusing to dress in traditional Roman garb and choosing soft breeches and a silver tunic instead. He tosses the blood stained clothes into a fire, making sure they burned before heading back to join Elijah. Entering the room stealthily, he gives Elijah a look to embolden his courage before assuming his bodyguard persona.
Smiling gratefully at Viggo, Elijah composes his expression as Sean enters the room.
"Good day, my prince." Sean saunters in arrogantly, looking every inch the general he was. "How does the afternoon find you, my prince?" He stands just a little too close, so his bow put him well inside Elijah's personal space.
Resisting the desire to step back from Sean, Elijah just frowns at him, "What do you want Sean?" His tone borders on the edge of rude.
Sean's eyes narrow at the younger man. "I only came to visit an old friend. You father has asked about you."
Elijah snorts, "We can be called many things, Sean, but friends is not one of them. If you are here, you want something. Tell me and leave. I have things to do, and you are interrupting." He leans back very slightly, so the hand he held behind his back brushes Viggo's clothes, for reassurance before he straightened again.
"Yes-" Green eyes flicker up to Viggo and narrow "-yes, I am sure you have things to do," he sneers. His eyes return to Elijah. "I would speak to you alone."
Viggo's mouth flinches very slightly, although it cannot be seen as his head is bowed. His own hand clenches out of view.
"I think not. I am entitled to have my guard with me at all times." His expression is colder than his voice. "Now tell me what you want or I will have someone escort you from my home."
"Do you think I would be so stupid as to harm you now? It is known that I am here, if you were to be injured, everyone would know it was me. No. I will not speak where a slave can hear me."
Elijah frowns and glances over his shoulder at Viggo, before looking at Sean. "Then I believe you can leave Sean. I will not bother seeing you out, I am sure you know where the door is."
"Shall I give your sister your regards?" he purrs, using the same tone he had often used to whisper into Elijah's ear while they were lovers.
Elijah stiffens, not looking around as he orders, "Viggo, would you please go to the kitchen and arrange for lunch, I'll call you back when you're needed."
His eyes blaze at the order, but he nods simply. "Of course, Master." He turns on his heel and walks out the door without any deference to Sean.
As soon as Viggo was out of the room, Elijah hisses at Sean, "Keep your dirty hands off my sister."
"He should be beaten," Sean growls, eyes watching Viggo leave. His attention turns back to Elijah. "My hands are not dirty -- you loved them once. Begged for my touch, if I recall." He lays a hand on Elijah's arm. "And your sister will beg me too."
Elijah slaps Sean's hand away violently. "Your hands are soiled with your lies and the deaths you cause. If you ever touch my sister I will kill you myself. As for my slave, he is *NO* concern of yours. What do you want Sean? Answer me now or get out of my home!!"
"If you are so adamant that I keep away from your sister," the General purrs, tracing a finger up Elijah's arm. "Perhaps we can come to an arrangement..."
Elijah freezes, eyes blazing, "What do you want Sean? You made your opinion of me quite clear some time ago." He steps out of Sean's reach. "So that can not be why you are hear, stop stalling."
"I would have you in my bed again. Make your body available to me, and I will cease to court your sister. If you please me, that is."
"Is that why you came into my house? To offer me a deal- my body and your pleasure for my sister's peace from you?"
"It is not the sort of arrangement one can trust to parchment. Will you accept?"
"Your touch sickens me Sean. My sister is not interested in you. You have no power here." He backs further away from Sean. "Now get out of my home."
Sean gives a dangerous, knowing little smile and turned without a word, striding away, planning to go directly to visit Elijah's sister.
Elijah pales as he watches Sean striding away before he chokes out, "Stop." He spins away, looking out over the garden, seeing Meda playing. "Withdraw your suit with my father, tell him that you are interested in someone else... court and marry someone else."
Sean turns with a smirk, striding back to Elijah. "In exchange for free use of you body?" He rests a hand on Elijah's thigh.
"Why do you want it Sean? There are many who would throw themselves on you... looking to attach themselves to your destiny." He flinches from Sean, away from the hand on him, his mind running in circles as he tried to find another way to protect his sister, his morning with Viggo standing out in his minds eye. "Why someone who finds your very presence let alone your touch sickening?"
"Because she is the daughter of the king," he says simply, stepping closer again. "But I prefer the son to the daughter."
Elijah stiffens at Sean's proximity. "I despise you. Everything you are and everything you stand for. Before I touch you, you will withdraw your suit for my sister and announce your marriage to another woman. Unlike you, I am a man of my word. Marry someone other than my sister and I'll keep my end of the agreement."
"Then I withdraw my suit, and you deny me, and I am made to look a fool if I try and reinitiate it. I need some proof that you'll keep your word."
"My word! That which, unlike others, has never been broken. Not even to you. That is my proof. You should need no more."
"Not good enough, It's customary when making a contract to offer a gesture of good faith." He takes Elijah's hand and presses it against his firm stomach.
Elijah's fingers curve slightly, his eyes dulling and going as grey as a cloud filled sky. "Good faith? There is no good faith between us Sean you killed it years ago. I have given you my word. I will not touch to pleasure you in any way until you are no longer courting my sister. If you wish the pleasure of my company, send for me and I will come. I will have my home free and uninterrupted. I will not have you terrorising my household or my daughter." By his last word Elijah's eyes blaze again at Sean, his protective instincts roused.
Sean growls, deciding that arguments would not sway the youth. Instead he holds Elijah's arm with one firm hand, the other twisting it slightly, not painfully, just guiding his hand down under the leather skirt to Sean's cloth covered crotch, pressing his fingers against it.
Elijah flattens his hand so hard his fingers were more than slightly bent backwards, lessening the contact between them as much as he could. "I mean it Sean. NOT until my sister is safe from your machinations." And he twists his wrist with all the power he could, trying to break Sean's hold.
Not giving in, Sean simply moves Elijah's hand so his palm was doing the touching, rubbing against the gentle depression there. "I will withdraw my suit this very night."
Elijah glares at Sean. "I cannot find the words to express how much I hate you Sean of Rome." He keeps trying to pull his hand away, trying to break Sean's hold, anything he could think of short of violence. Damning his slight stature for the millionth time, Elijah knows that if things got too aggressive between then he could find himself taken against his will in this very room.
"Best to stop fighting it," he growls, his voice silken. "Get it over quickly and get back to your over grown lapdog."
Elijah's fingers suddenly grip at Sean, tightening beyond pleasure and into pain. "My what?" The words are almost whispered, the tone cold and bleak. "You know nothing, Sean. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut on subjects that do not concern you."
"Let... go... of... me..." Sean hand tightens on Elijah's wrist, clearly able to break it if the fingers on his groin didn't loosen.
Elijah winces slightly, his face not hiding the pain Sean's grip was causing, "Do we understand each other Sean?"
"Unhand me now, or I will continue to court your sister until she consents to wed."
Elijah lets his fingers release, looking at Sean his eyes deep pools of shame with anger mixed in. "Withdraw the suite, and I give you my word I will be at your home this evening if you wish it."
"I wish it," he growls, still holding Elijah's arm. Stepping forward, he presses Elijah back against the wall. "I've taken you right here once before." He knees Elijah's thighs apart. "Perhaps I should again..."
Looking up at Sean, the emotions in his eyes totally hidden, his face veiled, Elijah says, "A yell and my guards are in here. They will kill you for attacking the Emperor's son."
Sean just chuckles . "I'll wait for tonight to take my pleasure from you, It will be sweeter for the delay." He steps back, not showing any sign of being affected by or even having heard Elijah's threat. "I will send for you." With that, he turns and strides out.
Elijah stands there, leaning against the wall, shaking with reaction to the scene. He cannot move until the sounds of Sean's leaving reach his ears, and he almost slides down the wall. Once his legs are steady enough, Elijah almost runs to his bedroom.
Once there, he starts washing his face and hands, feeling ill about what he had just agreed to do. Although he delayed Sean, demanding that he withdraw his courting officially before Elijah did anything, it would not be long before he would have to bed Sean... He had not been lying when he said the thought made him sick, and he clings to the counter trying to control his rolling stomach. Washing his face again, he calls softly to one of the servants, ordering Viggo found and brought to his chambers. Elijah almost falls into the nearest lounge, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around his legs. He has not moved when Viggo came in.
Viggo walks into the room and stops just in Elijah's line of sight, His face is a cold mask, lips pressed flat. He stands at attention, fists curled a little. "How can I serve you?'
Elijah closed his eyes, whispering, "Viggo please do not be angry with me. Please?"
"I told you to fear Sean," Viggo says quietly, "and you chose not to listen. You assured me there was no way he could hurt you..." He snorts and tosses his head slightly. "So, what have your promised him or is that a foolish question?"
Elijah opens his eyes, showing the pain he felt, the fear and loathing... and the sickness. "He... for my sister."
"As a man of his word," Viggo says with utter contempt, "I am sure he will do exactly as he has promised." He shakes his head and walks to the window. "Everything we have planned, everything we have built between us... you have seen fit to tear down. Perhaps your motives are good, but your actions are rash at the very least. And utterly stupid at the worst."
"She's my sister. I... I cannot just..." He closes his eyes and lays his cheek on his knees. "I love you. I was wrong about him not being able to hurt me... he's managed it better than he will ever know... but I love you."
"You treated me like a slave. For the second time in all the time I have known you and the first since that very first day, you acted like I was less than you. And in front of him..." His hands clench the sill. "He shall find a way to kill me. It will not matter if he catches me freeing slaves or not. One way or another, he shall make sure I am disposed of."
"How did you want me to treat you in front of him? If I treated you any differently than he expected, he would have had more reason to suspect my feelings towards you. I was trying to protect you Viggo." He pushes himself up from the couch, walking on slightly unsteady legs to where Viggo stood. "She is my sister Viggo... it is my duty to protect her. What... what would you have me do, kill him? I cannot. I am not strong enough. I... I only tried to protect the people I love. I... I am sorry."
"You ordered me out. I was the only thing standing between Sean and what he wanted, and _you_ ordered me to leave." He turns to face Elijah. "I understand trying to protect your family, Elijah. I understand only too well. But there are times when the costs must be weighed. You have bought you sister a little time, perhaps, until Sean tires of you again. And in the meantime, you will give him what he wants...." He looks at the ground, anger tightening his face. "Well, what do you wish me to do now?"
"I need you, Viggo... I need you now more than I needed you before." His knees shake as he looks up at Viggo's bowed head. "Please, Viggo?" He reaches out with a trembling hand, touching it to Viggo's cheek in a feather light caress.
Viggo looks up at him, eyes lit with a cold fire. "Do you not understand? I am as good as dead, Elijah of Rome. How can I help you now?"
Elijah shakes his head violently. "I will not let him hurt you... I cannot lose you... I cannot live without you anymore, I do not even care to try."
Viggo bites off the vile truth, swallowing it in a bitter lump. He turns away from the other man, unable to look into his face. Staring into the courtyard, he sees Meda and her mother cross, looking happy. His eyes shut at the unfairness of life, the urge to just be away from here, back with his people, sings its siren song through his blood. But his promise to Elijah rings stronger...
Elijah slides to the floor, arms wrapping around his legs as he had been on the lounge, eyes full of tears. A single silent sob shook his body, breaking his control and the tears fell, wetting his face and then his legs as he continues to cry, still silent, not alerting Viggo to the almost violent shaking of his body.
Viggo turns back and finds Elijah on the floor, curled up on himself. His heart sighs with regret for his anger and harshness. The blame lies with the General, not the man at his feet. He kneels, wrapping his arms around the slight man and lifts him. Walking to the nearest chair, he sits and cradles Elijah to his chest.
Elijah turns into Viggo's body, still shaking but trying desperately to control himself again, whispering over his sobs, "I am sorry! So sorry. So sorry."
"Go on, cry," Viggo says softly. "Cry, my Elijah." He strokes the small back, rocking him like he used to rock his sister's children when they cried.
At the words of encouragement, not shame, Elijah does not even attempt to control himself anymore, crying for much more than the now, but crying for the fifteen year old boy he'd been when he'd first fallen for Sean, the boy who had been hurt and never cried. He cries for the pain he could feel coming to them, for his fear of losing the lover he had just found, and for more, things he could not name, even if he tried.
Viggo nuzzles into his hair and continues rocking him gently. His eyes shut tiredly, as his mind worries at the problem now facing him. He feels moisture soaking through his tunic and on to bare skin, but he does not mind, knowing Elijah needs his tears now.
It seems eons later when the tears finally stop. Although Elijah still shakes, occasionally with dry sobs, he slowly, so achingly slowly, gathers himself into some semblance of control. Later still, he rests quietly against Viggo, even the shudders fading from his breathing. "Thank you."
"You needed the tears," Viggo says softly. "How long have you denied them to yourself?" He shakes his head, not needing an answer. "I have been thinking, but my thoughts on this matter are incomplete. I need this night to ponder further what to do. If I am to die, I shall not go alone..."
Raising his head slowly, Elijah looks up at Viggo, his eyes red and swollen, looking paler than Viggo had ever seen him. "I... If you die, I will be beside you."
Viggo touches his cheek and shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "There is too much you have to do with your life. If Sean succeeds in his quest to dispose of me, I swear he shall go with me, but you cannot follow. Rome needs you."
"I do not know how to be strong without you, Viggo. I do not even know where to start. If I am to do anything for Rome, it must be with you by my side."
Viggo kisses his forehead. "My Elijah, you cannot think that way. You must not. There has always been a risk that I might not survive. Sean will try to make that a certainty. Do not tie your life to mine. Rome needs you. The people who live in slavery need you. _My_ people need you."
Elijah almost whispers, "And I need you Viggo. I hardly understand how much, how can I hope to explain it to you."
Viggo looks over his head, out the window at the sun setting. "Then you must break off the arrangement with Sean," he says quietly. "You must tell your sister what he has done and refuse to see him again."
Turning slowly so he looks Viggo full in the face, Elijah says, "I cannot, Viggo, I gave my word."
Viggo glares down at him. "Break it," he says coldly.
Elijah flinches back from the cold tone, his expression showing his hurt. "If I break my word, how am I any better than he is, Viggo? If I break the word I give to him, how can you ever believe what I tell you? How can anyone? If I don't have my honour, how can I look myself in the eye? Or Meda..." His last two words were a whisper, "Or you?"
"Honour?" Viggo tosses his head. "Why should you be held to a word given in deceit, trickery and threat? There is nothing honourable in the arrangement, except your attempt to protect you sister. And that shall not work, as well you know. Sean will pursue her when he wishes power again, after killing me and breaking you. And what good comes of that?"
"Because I gave it, Viggo. I gave it my honour when I gave S-him my word. Just as there is honour in my word to you that I would free you a year and day from when I bought you."
"If I had given you my word against my will, I would no longer be here," Viggo says, his anger evident. "I suppose that makes me dishonourable along with _him_."
Elijah looks Viggo dead in the eye. "You would never give your word against your will. That I believe." He sighs and stands, almost staggering as he took a step away, but unable to stay in the arms of the man he loves speaking so coldly to him. Walking back to the window, he grips the ledge and looking out at the courtyard he sighs, deep and heart sore.
"If it was the only way out, I would," Viggo says, still sitting. He rubs a hand over his eyes, tired beyond belief. "So, you shall keep your word to Sean... what am I to do while this goes on?"
"I don't know, Viggo. I don't know *ANYTHING* any more." Turning around slowly, he leans against the wall looking at Viggo with eyes that were ancient. "I never, ever, even in the strangest and most horror filled wanderings of my mind, thought he would do anything like this. I am at a complete loss. The thought of what stands before me this evening fills me we a rolling sickness that I don't know how to quell. I had hoped, prayed to all the Gods of now and old, that I would spend this day and night in your arms- learning, tasting and loving. My highest ambition was to see you laying with me, breathless and sated with our lovemaking. So I have no cursed idea what has become of my life."
"All you have to do is refuse him," Viggo says, standing in one smooth motion, "and tell your sister what he has done. With that one motion, you can sweep away this evil act. Or you can cling to your 'honour' and lose everything. Myself included. While you are with him, I am less than your slave."
"Viggo, my sister already knows what he has done. My sister wishes NOTHING to do with him. It is my father who makes the decisions, not Hannah. Can you believe, as close as Hannah and I are that I didn't confess my shame long ago? It is my father's wishes that Hannah needs protecting from, not her own."
"This shall not stop your father's plans, nor Sean's..." Frustrated and heartsick, Viggo turns away from Elijah. "What does it matter now? You made your decision, gave your word... and if you will not break it, there is nothing for me to do. May I go, _Master_?"
Elijah flinches back, pressing into the wall as if trying to hide in it. He looks more broken by Viggo's words than by everything Sean had done to him. "Please do not use that word between us." There is no pride left in his voice, or in his stance, not even the inbred pride Elijah never quite rid himself of, having grown up heir to Rome.
"I am nothing more than a slave now," Viggo says. "You no longer listen to me nor respect any of the things I say. You make deals behind my back, after ordering me away so it may be done. You refuse to go back on that deal and call me dishounrable for suggesting, begging you to do so. You give Sean free rein to kill me and then refuse my pleas to go on living when I die. What else am I but a slave?"
Elijah closes his eyes, Viggo's words hitting him harder than any fist. "I did everything I could to protect you, Viggo. I've always done every thing I could to protect you. I have listened, I do respect you and your words. I never thought he would want ANYTHING like this when I sent you away. I will not let Sean kill you. I specifically made it so he would not come here, so you... you two would not meet and..." His voice trails away as he pictured what could happen if they met now, and he starts shaking. "Everything I have done is to try and protect my sister and you, Meda... the people I love. What else are you? The person I love above all else." He slides down the wall, ending up in an untidy and uncomfortable pile at its base. "I don't have your strength, but I still have people I must try and protect." He takes a long, deep breath before looking up at Viggo, blue eyes clouded over and swimming in tears. "I don't have another way of protecting them... or you."
Viggo kneels and takes his chin gently, lifting those blue eyes to look into his own. "I do not want to be protected this way," he says softly. "And nor would your sister or Meda, if she understood. I would rather suffer a long and agonizing death than see you used. I will not sit here while you do this. I will not allow you to sacrifice for me." He wipes away a stray tear from Elijah's face. "If you love me, you will understand that I will seek my death before letting you give in to Sean. As you wish to protect me, so I wish to protect you. Beyond that, I am sworn to do so. If the reason for your suffering is my life, than my life must end." Hauling Elijah into his arms, he carries him to the bed. He sets him down, carefully pulling the covers over him. "I beg you one last time, break your word with Sean. Or lead him on without fulfilling him... but give up this path you have chosen."
Author: Saklani (saklani@wildmail.com), Wushu and Iocane
Codes: Viggo/Elijah, ELijah/Sean B. AU RPS
Rating: NC-17
Part- 8
Disclaimer: I do not own these men, or anything else I mention here. I am not looking to make money from this... God forbid. And I am NOT them nor is what I put down here real. Thank you.
Summary: Roman Elijah buys Spaniard Viggo as a slave, but finds that he is worth more to him than he ever imagined.
Author's Notes: This is my favorite part of the entire story... well, one of them anyway. We are definitely getting into the angst here! I hope you all enjoy!
Viggo pulls on some clean clothes, still refusing to dress in traditional Roman garb and choosing soft breeches and a silver tunic instead. He tosses the blood stained clothes into a fire, making sure they burned before heading back to join Elijah. Entering the room stealthily, he gives Elijah a look to embolden his courage before assuming his bodyguard persona.
Smiling gratefully at Viggo, Elijah composes his expression as Sean enters the room.
"Good day, my prince." Sean saunters in arrogantly, looking every inch the general he was. "How does the afternoon find you, my prince?" He stands just a little too close, so his bow put him well inside Elijah's personal space.
Resisting the desire to step back from Sean, Elijah just frowns at him, "What do you want Sean?" His tone borders on the edge of rude.
Sean's eyes narrow at the younger man. "I only came to visit an old friend. You father has asked about you."
Elijah snorts, "We can be called many things, Sean, but friends is not one of them. If you are here, you want something. Tell me and leave. I have things to do, and you are interrupting." He leans back very slightly, so the hand he held behind his back brushes Viggo's clothes, for reassurance before he straightened again.
"Yes-" Green eyes flicker up to Viggo and narrow "-yes, I am sure you have things to do," he sneers. His eyes return to Elijah. "I would speak to you alone."
Viggo's mouth flinches very slightly, although it cannot be seen as his head is bowed. His own hand clenches out of view.
"I think not. I am entitled to have my guard with me at all times." His expression is colder than his voice. "Now tell me what you want or I will have someone escort you from my home."
"Do you think I would be so stupid as to harm you now? It is known that I am here, if you were to be injured, everyone would know it was me. No. I will not speak where a slave can hear me."
Elijah frowns and glances over his shoulder at Viggo, before looking at Sean. "Then I believe you can leave Sean. I will not bother seeing you out, I am sure you know where the door is."
"Shall I give your sister your regards?" he purrs, using the same tone he had often used to whisper into Elijah's ear while they were lovers.
Elijah stiffens, not looking around as he orders, "Viggo, would you please go to the kitchen and arrange for lunch, I'll call you back when you're needed."
His eyes blaze at the order, but he nods simply. "Of course, Master." He turns on his heel and walks out the door without any deference to Sean.
As soon as Viggo was out of the room, Elijah hisses at Sean, "Keep your dirty hands off my sister."
"He should be beaten," Sean growls, eyes watching Viggo leave. His attention turns back to Elijah. "My hands are not dirty -- you loved them once. Begged for my touch, if I recall." He lays a hand on Elijah's arm. "And your sister will beg me too."
Elijah slaps Sean's hand away violently. "Your hands are soiled with your lies and the deaths you cause. If you ever touch my sister I will kill you myself. As for my slave, he is *NO* concern of yours. What do you want Sean? Answer me now or get out of my home!!"
"If you are so adamant that I keep away from your sister," the General purrs, tracing a finger up Elijah's arm. "Perhaps we can come to an arrangement..."
Elijah freezes, eyes blazing, "What do you want Sean? You made your opinion of me quite clear some time ago." He steps out of Sean's reach. "So that can not be why you are hear, stop stalling."
"I would have you in my bed again. Make your body available to me, and I will cease to court your sister. If you please me, that is."
"Is that why you came into my house? To offer me a deal- my body and your pleasure for my sister's peace from you?"
"It is not the sort of arrangement one can trust to parchment. Will you accept?"
"Your touch sickens me Sean. My sister is not interested in you. You have no power here." He backs further away from Sean. "Now get out of my home."
Sean gives a dangerous, knowing little smile and turned without a word, striding away, planning to go directly to visit Elijah's sister.
Elijah pales as he watches Sean striding away before he chokes out, "Stop." He spins away, looking out over the garden, seeing Meda playing. "Withdraw your suit with my father, tell him that you are interested in someone else... court and marry someone else."
Sean turns with a smirk, striding back to Elijah. "In exchange for free use of you body?" He rests a hand on Elijah's thigh.
"Why do you want it Sean? There are many who would throw themselves on you... looking to attach themselves to your destiny." He flinches from Sean, away from the hand on him, his mind running in circles as he tried to find another way to protect his sister, his morning with Viggo standing out in his minds eye. "Why someone who finds your very presence let alone your touch sickening?"
"Because she is the daughter of the king," he says simply, stepping closer again. "But I prefer the son to the daughter."
Elijah stiffens at Sean's proximity. "I despise you. Everything you are and everything you stand for. Before I touch you, you will withdraw your suit for my sister and announce your marriage to another woman. Unlike you, I am a man of my word. Marry someone other than my sister and I'll keep my end of the agreement."
"Then I withdraw my suit, and you deny me, and I am made to look a fool if I try and reinitiate it. I need some proof that you'll keep your word."
"My word! That which, unlike others, has never been broken. Not even to you. That is my proof. You should need no more."
"Not good enough, It's customary when making a contract to offer a gesture of good faith." He takes Elijah's hand and presses it against his firm stomach.
Elijah's fingers curve slightly, his eyes dulling and going as grey as a cloud filled sky. "Good faith? There is no good faith between us Sean you killed it years ago. I have given you my word. I will not touch to pleasure you in any way until you are no longer courting my sister. If you wish the pleasure of my company, send for me and I will come. I will have my home free and uninterrupted. I will not have you terrorising my household or my daughter." By his last word Elijah's eyes blaze again at Sean, his protective instincts roused.
Sean growls, deciding that arguments would not sway the youth. Instead he holds Elijah's arm with one firm hand, the other twisting it slightly, not painfully, just guiding his hand down under the leather skirt to Sean's cloth covered crotch, pressing his fingers against it.
Elijah flattens his hand so hard his fingers were more than slightly bent backwards, lessening the contact between them as much as he could. "I mean it Sean. NOT until my sister is safe from your machinations." And he twists his wrist with all the power he could, trying to break Sean's hold.
Not giving in, Sean simply moves Elijah's hand so his palm was doing the touching, rubbing against the gentle depression there. "I will withdraw my suit this very night."
Elijah glares at Sean. "I cannot find the words to express how much I hate you Sean of Rome." He keeps trying to pull his hand away, trying to break Sean's hold, anything he could think of short of violence. Damning his slight stature for the millionth time, Elijah knows that if things got too aggressive between then he could find himself taken against his will in this very room.
"Best to stop fighting it," he growls, his voice silken. "Get it over quickly and get back to your over grown lapdog."
Elijah's fingers suddenly grip at Sean, tightening beyond pleasure and into pain. "My what?" The words are almost whispered, the tone cold and bleak. "You know nothing, Sean. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut on subjects that do not concern you."
"Let... go... of... me..." Sean hand tightens on Elijah's wrist, clearly able to break it if the fingers on his groin didn't loosen.
Elijah winces slightly, his face not hiding the pain Sean's grip was causing, "Do we understand each other Sean?"
"Unhand me now, or I will continue to court your sister until she consents to wed."
Elijah lets his fingers release, looking at Sean his eyes deep pools of shame with anger mixed in. "Withdraw the suite, and I give you my word I will be at your home this evening if you wish it."
"I wish it," he growls, still holding Elijah's arm. Stepping forward, he presses Elijah back against the wall. "I've taken you right here once before." He knees Elijah's thighs apart. "Perhaps I should again..."
Looking up at Sean, the emotions in his eyes totally hidden, his face veiled, Elijah says, "A yell and my guards are in here. They will kill you for attacking the Emperor's son."
Sean just chuckles . "I'll wait for tonight to take my pleasure from you, It will be sweeter for the delay." He steps back, not showing any sign of being affected by or even having heard Elijah's threat. "I will send for you." With that, he turns and strides out.
Elijah stands there, leaning against the wall, shaking with reaction to the scene. He cannot move until the sounds of Sean's leaving reach his ears, and he almost slides down the wall. Once his legs are steady enough, Elijah almost runs to his bedroom.
Once there, he starts washing his face and hands, feeling ill about what he had just agreed to do. Although he delayed Sean, demanding that he withdraw his courting officially before Elijah did anything, it would not be long before he would have to bed Sean... He had not been lying when he said the thought made him sick, and he clings to the counter trying to control his rolling stomach. Washing his face again, he calls softly to one of the servants, ordering Viggo found and brought to his chambers. Elijah almost falls into the nearest lounge, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around his legs. He has not moved when Viggo came in.
Viggo walks into the room and stops just in Elijah's line of sight, His face is a cold mask, lips pressed flat. He stands at attention, fists curled a little. "How can I serve you?'
Elijah closed his eyes, whispering, "Viggo please do not be angry with me. Please?"
"I told you to fear Sean," Viggo says quietly, "and you chose not to listen. You assured me there was no way he could hurt you..." He snorts and tosses his head slightly. "So, what have your promised him or is that a foolish question?"
Elijah opens his eyes, showing the pain he felt, the fear and loathing... and the sickness. "He... for my sister."
"As a man of his word," Viggo says with utter contempt, "I am sure he will do exactly as he has promised." He shakes his head and walks to the window. "Everything we have planned, everything we have built between us... you have seen fit to tear down. Perhaps your motives are good, but your actions are rash at the very least. And utterly stupid at the worst."
"She's my sister. I... I cannot just..." He closes his eyes and lays his cheek on his knees. "I love you. I was wrong about him not being able to hurt me... he's managed it better than he will ever know... but I love you."
"You treated me like a slave. For the second time in all the time I have known you and the first since that very first day, you acted like I was less than you. And in front of him..." His hands clench the sill. "He shall find a way to kill me. It will not matter if he catches me freeing slaves or not. One way or another, he shall make sure I am disposed of."
"How did you want me to treat you in front of him? If I treated you any differently than he expected, he would have had more reason to suspect my feelings towards you. I was trying to protect you Viggo." He pushes himself up from the couch, walking on slightly unsteady legs to where Viggo stood. "She is my sister Viggo... it is my duty to protect her. What... what would you have me do, kill him? I cannot. I am not strong enough. I... I only tried to protect the people I love. I... I am sorry."
"You ordered me out. I was the only thing standing between Sean and what he wanted, and _you_ ordered me to leave." He turns to face Elijah. "I understand trying to protect your family, Elijah. I understand only too well. But there are times when the costs must be weighed. You have bought you sister a little time, perhaps, until Sean tires of you again. And in the meantime, you will give him what he wants...." He looks at the ground, anger tightening his face. "Well, what do you wish me to do now?"
"I need you, Viggo... I need you now more than I needed you before." His knees shake as he looks up at Viggo's bowed head. "Please, Viggo?" He reaches out with a trembling hand, touching it to Viggo's cheek in a feather light caress.
Viggo looks up at him, eyes lit with a cold fire. "Do you not understand? I am as good as dead, Elijah of Rome. How can I help you now?"
Elijah shakes his head violently. "I will not let him hurt you... I cannot lose you... I cannot live without you anymore, I do not even care to try."
Viggo bites off the vile truth, swallowing it in a bitter lump. He turns away from the other man, unable to look into his face. Staring into the courtyard, he sees Meda and her mother cross, looking happy. His eyes shut at the unfairness of life, the urge to just be away from here, back with his people, sings its siren song through his blood. But his promise to Elijah rings stronger...
Elijah slides to the floor, arms wrapping around his legs as he had been on the lounge, eyes full of tears. A single silent sob shook his body, breaking his control and the tears fell, wetting his face and then his legs as he continues to cry, still silent, not alerting Viggo to the almost violent shaking of his body.
Viggo turns back and finds Elijah on the floor, curled up on himself. His heart sighs with regret for his anger and harshness. The blame lies with the General, not the man at his feet. He kneels, wrapping his arms around the slight man and lifts him. Walking to the nearest chair, he sits and cradles Elijah to his chest.
Elijah turns into Viggo's body, still shaking but trying desperately to control himself again, whispering over his sobs, "I am sorry! So sorry. So sorry."
"Go on, cry," Viggo says softly. "Cry, my Elijah." He strokes the small back, rocking him like he used to rock his sister's children when they cried.
At the words of encouragement, not shame, Elijah does not even attempt to control himself anymore, crying for much more than the now, but crying for the fifteen year old boy he'd been when he'd first fallen for Sean, the boy who had been hurt and never cried. He cries for the pain he could feel coming to them, for his fear of losing the lover he had just found, and for more, things he could not name, even if he tried.
Viggo nuzzles into his hair and continues rocking him gently. His eyes shut tiredly, as his mind worries at the problem now facing him. He feels moisture soaking through his tunic and on to bare skin, but he does not mind, knowing Elijah needs his tears now.
It seems eons later when the tears finally stop. Although Elijah still shakes, occasionally with dry sobs, he slowly, so achingly slowly, gathers himself into some semblance of control. Later still, he rests quietly against Viggo, even the shudders fading from his breathing. "Thank you."
"You needed the tears," Viggo says softly. "How long have you denied them to yourself?" He shakes his head, not needing an answer. "I have been thinking, but my thoughts on this matter are incomplete. I need this night to ponder further what to do. If I am to die, I shall not go alone..."
Raising his head slowly, Elijah looks up at Viggo, his eyes red and swollen, looking paler than Viggo had ever seen him. "I... If you die, I will be beside you."
Viggo touches his cheek and shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "There is too much you have to do with your life. If Sean succeeds in his quest to dispose of me, I swear he shall go with me, but you cannot follow. Rome needs you."
"I do not know how to be strong without you, Viggo. I do not even know where to start. If I am to do anything for Rome, it must be with you by my side."
Viggo kisses his forehead. "My Elijah, you cannot think that way. You must not. There has always been a risk that I might not survive. Sean will try to make that a certainty. Do not tie your life to mine. Rome needs you. The people who live in slavery need you. _My_ people need you."
Elijah almost whispers, "And I need you Viggo. I hardly understand how much, how can I hope to explain it to you."
Viggo looks over his head, out the window at the sun setting. "Then you must break off the arrangement with Sean," he says quietly. "You must tell your sister what he has done and refuse to see him again."
Turning slowly so he looks Viggo full in the face, Elijah says, "I cannot, Viggo, I gave my word."
Viggo glares down at him. "Break it," he says coldly.
Elijah flinches back from the cold tone, his expression showing his hurt. "If I break my word, how am I any better than he is, Viggo? If I break the word I give to him, how can you ever believe what I tell you? How can anyone? If I don't have my honour, how can I look myself in the eye? Or Meda..." His last two words were a whisper, "Or you?"
"Honour?" Viggo tosses his head. "Why should you be held to a word given in deceit, trickery and threat? There is nothing honourable in the arrangement, except your attempt to protect you sister. And that shall not work, as well you know. Sean will pursue her when he wishes power again, after killing me and breaking you. And what good comes of that?"
"Because I gave it, Viggo. I gave it my honour when I gave S-him my word. Just as there is honour in my word to you that I would free you a year and day from when I bought you."
"If I had given you my word against my will, I would no longer be here," Viggo says, his anger evident. "I suppose that makes me dishonourable along with _him_."
Elijah looks Viggo dead in the eye. "You would never give your word against your will. That I believe." He sighs and stands, almost staggering as he took a step away, but unable to stay in the arms of the man he loves speaking so coldly to him. Walking back to the window, he grips the ledge and looking out at the courtyard he sighs, deep and heart sore.
"If it was the only way out, I would," Viggo says, still sitting. He rubs a hand over his eyes, tired beyond belief. "So, you shall keep your word to Sean... what am I to do while this goes on?"
"I don't know, Viggo. I don't know *ANYTHING* any more." Turning around slowly, he leans against the wall looking at Viggo with eyes that were ancient. "I never, ever, even in the strangest and most horror filled wanderings of my mind, thought he would do anything like this. I am at a complete loss. The thought of what stands before me this evening fills me we a rolling sickness that I don't know how to quell. I had hoped, prayed to all the Gods of now and old, that I would spend this day and night in your arms- learning, tasting and loving. My highest ambition was to see you laying with me, breathless and sated with our lovemaking. So I have no cursed idea what has become of my life."
"All you have to do is refuse him," Viggo says, standing in one smooth motion, "and tell your sister what he has done. With that one motion, you can sweep away this evil act. Or you can cling to your 'honour' and lose everything. Myself included. While you are with him, I am less than your slave."
"Viggo, my sister already knows what he has done. My sister wishes NOTHING to do with him. It is my father who makes the decisions, not Hannah. Can you believe, as close as Hannah and I are that I didn't confess my shame long ago? It is my father's wishes that Hannah needs protecting from, not her own."
"This shall not stop your father's plans, nor Sean's..." Frustrated and heartsick, Viggo turns away from Elijah. "What does it matter now? You made your decision, gave your word... and if you will not break it, there is nothing for me to do. May I go, _Master_?"
Elijah flinches back, pressing into the wall as if trying to hide in it. He looks more broken by Viggo's words than by everything Sean had done to him. "Please do not use that word between us." There is no pride left in his voice, or in his stance, not even the inbred pride Elijah never quite rid himself of, having grown up heir to Rome.
"I am nothing more than a slave now," Viggo says. "You no longer listen to me nor respect any of the things I say. You make deals behind my back, after ordering me away so it may be done. You refuse to go back on that deal and call me dishounrable for suggesting, begging you to do so. You give Sean free rein to kill me and then refuse my pleas to go on living when I die. What else am I but a slave?"
Elijah closes his eyes, Viggo's words hitting him harder than any fist. "I did everything I could to protect you, Viggo. I've always done every thing I could to protect you. I have listened, I do respect you and your words. I never thought he would want ANYTHING like this when I sent you away. I will not let Sean kill you. I specifically made it so he would not come here, so you... you two would not meet and..." His voice trails away as he pictured what could happen if they met now, and he starts shaking. "Everything I have done is to try and protect my sister and you, Meda... the people I love. What else are you? The person I love above all else." He slides down the wall, ending up in an untidy and uncomfortable pile at its base. "I don't have your strength, but I still have people I must try and protect." He takes a long, deep breath before looking up at Viggo, blue eyes clouded over and swimming in tears. "I don't have another way of protecting them... or you."
Viggo kneels and takes his chin gently, lifting those blue eyes to look into his own. "I do not want to be protected this way," he says softly. "And nor would your sister or Meda, if she understood. I would rather suffer a long and agonizing death than see you used. I will not sit here while you do this. I will not allow you to sacrifice for me." He wipes away a stray tear from Elijah's face. "If you love me, you will understand that I will seek my death before letting you give in to Sean. As you wish to protect me, so I wish to protect you. Beyond that, I am sworn to do so. If the reason for your suffering is my life, than my life must end." Hauling Elijah into his arms, he carries him to the bed. He sets him down, carefully pulling the covers over him. "I beg you one last time, break your word with Sean. Or lead him on without fulfilling him... but give up this path you have chosen."