Title: Honor Bound Chapter 2/?

[sairalinde.livejournal.com]

Title: Honor Bound Chapter 2/?
Authors: sairalinde & anorienbean
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker
Disclaimer: No money was made from this fic, and we do not mean to imply anything about the sexual preferences of anyone mentioned within.
Summary: A knight in the King's service, attacked by thieves and lost in the forest in the dead of winter, finds himself on the doorstep of a kind farmer who takes him in and cares for him. Falling in love with his savior, the knight is bound by an oath taken years ago against his better judgment.



David awoke and for a moment wasn't sure where he was or who was in the bed with him. He wasn't accustomed to sleeping with anyone and at first it took him a moment to remember it was Craig. Turning slightly, he watched the other man sleep. He had finally stopped shivering and was resting peacefully with his head against David's shoulder with his leg still draped over him. He lay there for a few moments drinking in the sight of the handsome man and enjoying the feeling of his lean strong body pressed so tightly against him. If only it weren't just for the need of warmth and comfort.

David had been thinking about just how lonely he truly was living as he did, but he had little choice in such things. The few times he did travel into Oxmoor or to other neighboring farms for trade were for business only. The friends he did have, he rarely saw because their lives were as wrapped up in their farms as his was. Just trying to scratch out of the earth enough to live on and enough to sell or trade. It wasn't an easy life, but it was all that he knew.

As he watched the handsome knight sleeping he took in the way his long dark lashes lay against his skin. His eyes, when he had looked into David's, had been strikingly blue. Like none he had ever seen before. David wondered how it was possible for him to feel as he did for a man he just met and hardly knew anything about. The man had stirred his very soul, but yet he knew already that they were too different. Craig was a knight and David merely a farmer. Besides a knight as handsome as this one was no doubt spoken for.

At that thought, David sighed and disentangled himself from Craig's embrace. Carefully he tucked the warm covers around him and quickly pulled his clothes back on. Before leaving the bedroom he stoked the fire once again to make sure it stayed warm enough.

Back in the main room, he set about preparing a late lunch for them, and hoped that Craig would be able to eat a bit of the soup. He poured more of the healing herbs into Craig's bowl and stirred it, then grabbed the book he had been reading the night before.

Sitting down beside the bed with the tray on the table next to him, he debated waking the other man. //Maybe he needs rest more than he needs food?//

Lost in a hazy landscape of dreams, Craig stirred restlessly when his bedmate moved from the bed and left the room. Moving over to snuggle into the warmth David had left behind, he curled his arms around the pillow…a poor substitute for the man he’d been curled against all night, but better than nothing. He was still feverish and tired, but the soft sounds of someone moving in the room caused him to open his eyes and stare at the man sitting next to him. “Is it morning already?” he asked sleepily as he burrowed deeper under the covers so that only his eyes and forehead peeked from above them.

David smiled, "Actually it's afternoon, you fell back to sleep after breakfast," he said softly not sure if he should remind Craig he'd shared his bed with him again for half the day. "You've had a fever, but you seem to be doing a bit better now. If you're hungry I have lunch ready, it isn't much, just vegetable soup," he said scooting his chair a bit closer to the bed. "Are you feeling any better at all?"

Craig tried to take a deep breath, but found that it was still hard to breathe. Wincing as a tight band seemed to wrap around his chest, he wiped a weak hand over his eyes and nodded. “A little,” he whispered hoarsely, “though I still find it hard to breathe. I think I must have wandered many days and nights without food or rest or any kind of warmth.” He slowly managed to sit up, fighting off the urge to cough. “I’m sorry you are having to take care of me, but, at the same time, I’m also grateful that you are willing to.”

David quickly moved forward as Craig tried to sit up and helped him as he had that morning. "Don't be sorry, I'm just glad that you landed up here where I could help and not somewhere out in the wilderness," he said as he leaned back. "You do look a bit better, but your breathing has had me worried all morning. I have put more healing herbs in your soup, hopefully they will help," he said watching Craig's face which did seem to be less pale than it had been earlier in the day. If the herbs didn't help, he would need to make a trip to Hugo's to get more of them and see if he had something for a cough. He found himself profoundly worried about Craig and wanted to heal him, though that meant he would probably leave as soon as he felt better. What reason would he have to stay there? David would return to his lonely life and Craig to his life doing whatever it was that knights did.

Craig let his body relax as David gently helped him sit and propped pillows behind his back. He was sure David had countless other, more productive things to do, and was thankful that he’d managed to make time to make him breakfast and lunch. Then he remembered the soothing arms that had held him as he’d slept…The thought had drifted through his mind during the night that those arms weren’t Karl’s. They were more tender and soothing than Karl’s arms had ever been. And he’d liked the feeling of those arms…he liked it very much, even though he immediately felt the heavy burden of guilt weighing on his heart. //But I’m sick…Karl would understand. I think I was close to dying and this man saved me. Did he stay here with me the entire time?// “I..my breathing had you worried all morning? Does that mean you stayed here with me the whole time I slept?”

David was slightly startled by Craig's question and looked down at his hands, "Well...you were shivering again...so yes. I...I crawled back in bed and offered my body warmth. You were so cold, I...I had clothes on though," he said blushing brightly. Sick or not Craig could have taken offense at some strange man, caregiver or not, crawling into bed with him unclothed.

Craig regarded David in silence for a moment, fighting the urge to reach out and touch his hand. //He is a kind man, caring for someone who was lost and alone and freezing. And this….attraction….you feel for him is natural, since he saved your life. He cannot be attracted to you as well, and nothing can come of it, even if he was. Karl is waiting for you to return to him.// That thought didn’t bring much comfort, Craig noted with surprise. He looked forward to seeing Karl again as one looks forward to seeing a friend he hasn’t seen in a while…not as one should look forward to returning to a lover’s embrace. “David,” he said softly, pushing his thoughts of Karl aside. “I owe you my life. I remember being colder than I’ve ever been before, and I remember being immensely grateful for your warmth. Please don’t be embarrassed for giving me that.”

David looked up as Craig spoke and shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, Craig. I am just glad I could help," he whispered, not addressing the fact that he could feel his face still slightly warm from embarrassment. "Would you like some soup? It has some herbs that may help with that rattle in your chest. If you are not doing better tomorrow I will go and get something that will help you more. I have a friend who grows healing herbs and knows far more about healing than I do," he said looking up and feeling his body jerk from the way that Craig was looking at him. His expression was so kind, and the way that he looked at him, David felt that he could almost see into his soul. Blinking, he looked down again feeling silly. //This man feels nothing for you short of gratitude, and that is all he will ever feel for you.//

“I’d love some soup,” Craig smiled before starting to protest against David leaving to get more herbs…he’d been enough trouble already. Before he could speak again, however, he began coughing, harsh, wet coughs that made him gasp for air and finally fall weakly back against the pillows. His hand automatically reached out and wrapped around David’s arm, squeezing hard as he tried to catch his breath and his entire body trembled with exhaustion. “Sorry…,” he wheezed, not even realizing he was holding on to the other man. After a moment, he saw his hand clutching at David, and immediately loosened his grip. He moved his hand and reached out shakily for the soup as he tried to smile. “Perhaps we can try that again. Soup sounds delicious.”

David froze as his hands reached for the bowl of soup when Craig's hand wrapped around his arm in a tight grip. He frowned as he watched the warrior cough and try to catch his breath. When Craig whispered an apology and loosened his grip on his arm David reached up and patted his hand with his own. "It's all right, Craig. Nothing to be sorry for," he smiled. As he removed his hand from Craig's he almost sighed from the loss of contact but instead took the bowl and spoon. Shifting closer to the bed, David ignored Craig's outstretched hand. "You are still too weak, I think. I don't mind helping you, Craig if that is your wish," he said softly. He knew this must be difficult for one such as Craig, to be a knight in the king’s service and reduced to being bedridden and having to be fed by someone so far beneath his station.

Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Craig’s hands fell to his side and his eyes closed for a moment. “I…I would greatly appreciate your help,” he whispered. “I seem to be barely able to lift my head, and my arms feel like lead.” Settling back against the pillows, he relaxed and let David feed him. Weak as he was, he was still starving, having gone far too many days without food, yet he knew that if he ate too much, or too quickly he would become ever sicker. The soup warmed him and almost as soon as the bowl was emptied, he was drowsy once more. He almost hesitated to go back to sleep, for fear that David would need to attend to his duties and would leave the room. Feeling ridiculous, Craig nevertheless worried that he would stop breathing and no one would be around to rouse him. He forced his eyes open and smiled. “I suppose you need to tend to your farm now?” he asked softly, unwilling to give voice to his fears. //I am a knight…I do not need someone to watch over me like a child! He undoubtedly has far more important issues on his mind.//

David had simply smiled and helped Craig eat slowly. His own bowl of soup sat on the small table getting colder by the second but he never once looked away from Craig, nor did he mind. As Craig ate, David simply watched him, and thought about how incredibly beautiful he was. Even sick as he was, he was beautiful, the few times he smiled at David had seemed to make his heart swell in his chest. Just being the reason for a smile from those perfect lips was almost a heady feeling. Noticing as Craig took the last bit of soup that his eyes were starting to close of their own accord, David sat back as he spoke. "Not yet, I still have a few hours before I need to feed the animals. This time of year I have much free time on my hands. That is why I brought this," he said holding up his book. "Would you like me to read to you as you rest?"

Craig’s smile stretched from ear to ear and he nodded, relieved that David was going to stay after all. “I would love for you to read,” he whispered. He looked over toward the nightstand and narrowed his eyes. //He has not eaten. He was too busy taking care of me.// “But not until you heat up your meal and eat. It will do you no good to get sick as well.”

David started to protest but knew that Craig was right. "I don't mind it cold," he said softly but decided that the look in Craig's eyes meant he might argue the point. "I'll be right back," he said standing and patting Craig's arm gently as he carried the tray back to the kitchen. Quickly, he added a bit of warm soup to his that had gotten cold and took a few bites that would hold him over until dinner. Less than fifteen minutes later, he returned to the bedroom and saw that Craig was still awake, though he looked immensely tired again. "Now that's taken care of, I'll read to you a bit," he smiled and sat down in the chair beside the bed again.

Craig snuggled back underneath the covers and watched David through half lidded eyes. He enjoyed watching him, he realized. Enjoyed simply *looking* at him, hearing his voice. And he had certainly enjoyed feeling his arms around him as he’d slept. //Body heat. That’s all he was offering. And you are in no position to ask for or accept more.// Stifling both a yawn and another round of coughing, Craig finally let his eyes close and waited for David to begin, already relaxing as he anticipated the soothing sound of his voice.

David settled back in the chair, opening the book and began reading softly. He noticed that Craig had a slight smile on his face as his eyes closed and he continued reading for quite some time. As he read, he would look up and steal glances at the handsome man in his bed. //He is not for you, David. You know this. Even if he is not spoken for, he would not saddle himself with someone like you.// Continuing his story, he read quietly until he heard a soft snore come from his patient. Smiling warmly, David closed his book and simply watched Craig sleep. After a few minutes, he quietly leaned forward and tucked the covers more securely around Craig. As he leaned over the beautiful prone body he couldn't resist the urge to press his lips gently against Craig's forehead. "Rest well," he whispered.

~~~


David felt warm pressure against his lips and felt a soft warm slick tongue trail over his bottom lip. Sighing he opened his lips to his lover. Craig. His hands slid up his lover's back as a warm weight settled in his lap, his entire body immediately reacting to Craig's. He felt completely lost as the gentle tongue explored his mouth so tenderly as strong fingers wound through his hair. //Please, Craig. I want you so much.// He didn't know *what* he wanted, just that he needed this incredible man's touch. He'd wanted him from the first moment their eyes had met. If he were being completely honest with himself, he had loved the man from that moment. Drawing away from the amazing kiss, he looked into sparkling blue eyes, "I've been waiting forever for this, for you, Craig," he whispered and then was lost in another deep kiss.

Craig’s dreams were far from the sweet dreams David was having, though, of course, he had no way of knowing that. Not the faintest ray of light pierced the heavy darkness surrounding him. His first thought was that he’d fallen into the moor surrounding the castle, and was being dragged helplessly down through the black water. His mouth opened in a silent scream and immediately filled with water, which poured down his throat and into his lungs. He couldn’t breathe, and each struggle made the tightness around his chest squeeze harder, pushing out what little air had been there before he’d fallen. His hands clenched and he reached up, vaguely wondering why he couldn’t even see the sun shining on the surface of the water, knowing the moor wasn’t *that* deep.

The water was cold…devastatingly cold and even as he was drowning, his body shivered violently, expending energy he should have been using to breathe, in a hopeless effort to warm itself. //My armor…it’s dragging me down. I’m not ready to die! I want to live…to live for…..to serve my king. And…// Oddly, he couldn’t think of one single thing other than his duty to his king at the moment. Thoughts of someone…..someone who cared for him *should* have been there, but deep in his heart, he realized that no one cared for him as anything more than a friend, or as one of the King’s guards. Still, he wanted to live. There had to be more out there…there had to be. His eyes flew open and he sat straight up in bed, still gasping and struggling for air, not realizing where he was, and not even seeing the soft moonlight filtering through the window.

David startled from his extremely pleasant dream as he heard *something*. //Craig!// He practically leapt out of his chair as he saw the man sitting up struggling for air. //God, I'm sitting here dreaming about kissing him and he's laying there struggling for breath. I should be ashamed of myself!// "Craig?" he asked shakily as he settled on the bedside and began rubbing the man's back unsure how to help him.

Craig’s eyes were wide and he was still struggling to breathe. As a soothing hand rested on his back and David sat beside him, he clutched at the soft cotton shirt covering David’s body, pulling him close, and hanging on to him as if his very life depended on it. At this moment, it felt as he life *did* depend on it. His body took over, overriding his mind, which was still telling him that he couldn’t breathe, and he collapsed against David’s chest as his lungs managed to drag in a small amount of air. He was still panicked and clung to the other man desperately, still unsure what had happened and how he’d gotten out of the water.

David was slightly shocked as Craig clung to him and fell against his chest heavily. "It's all right, I've got you. Slow down...just try and take a slow breath if you can," he whispered worriedly as his hand continued to move soothingly over the smooth skin of Craig's back. His mind kept going over cures he'd heard of, trying to think of anything for a cough like Craig had and finally his mind grabbed onto something. Feeling Craig drag in a struggling breath, David sighed in relief, "There you go...just slow and steady," he whispered closing his eyes and resting his chin against the top of Craig's head. He wished he knew more, that he could do *something* to help him.

Finally, Craig felt blessed, cool air filling his lungs. Not much, but enough to drive his panic away a bit, and clear his mind. His arms wound around David’s waist and he concentrated on breathing, letting the other man’s hands slowly soothe and calm him. He couldn’t draw in enough air to fill his lungs, but the shallow breaths he could draw in were at least managing to help him regain control of himself. Resting his head on David’s chest, he closed his eyes and let himself be comforted, hoping David didn’t mind that he’d practically crawled into his lap, but not having the strength to move even if he did. “Couldn’t breathe,” he said between breaths. “I….nightmare, and I thought….drowning…”

David closed his eyes, feeling guilty for what he had dreamt while Craig had been dreaming of drowning. "Shh, it's ok," he whispered as he continued the slow soothing movements of his hands. Craig's skin felt clammy again, and he worried that the fever had returned, or if it was simply from the exertion of trying to regain his breath. "I've got you...I think I remembered something that might help. Once you've caught your breath, I'll prepare it for you," David whispered softly. He felt horrible. //I should have been awake watching over him, not lusting after him in my dreams!//

“Don’t leave,” Craig pleaded quickly as his arms tightened around David’s waist. //Stop it. He is not your nursemaid and if you’re going to die in your sleep, you’re going to die whether he’s here or not. Stop clinging!// Allowing himself a few more moments of relaxing into David’s embrace, he reluctantly pulled away. “I’m so sorry…I…was just…//afraid. Terrified. I thought I was dying.//…it was just a nightmare, made worse by my illness.” He leaned back onto the pillows and absently closed his fingers on the sleeve of David’s shirt for a moment, then looked down at his hand in surprise, almost as if it were no longer under his control. //Please don’t leave…Don’t leave me alone.// Forcing himself to close his eyes, he drew in another shallow breath and let his hand rest back on the bed. “Better…now…” he whispered. “Thank you…”

David felt his heart leap in his chest as Craig tightened his arms around him and whispered 'don't leave'. He could kick himself for wanting those words to mean more than they did. "Don't be sorry, I'm sure I would have reacted even worse myself," he said softly. Thinking for a moment as Craig lay back looking at him, David reached out and ran his hand over the top of Craig's. "I just need to do a better job taking care of you. I wish I'd remembered this before. I've kept water over the fire all day just in case you needed tea or well or anything. Won't take but a moment," he said reassuringly. He stood and went to the door. "I'll leave the door open just in case you need me," he said before going into the other room and quickly rummaging through the herbs that he had from Hugo.

Craig’s heart jumped as David’s hand ran lightly over his own. Even though he was sicker than he’d ever been in his life, that simple touch made his heart skip a beat. //What’s wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? How can I already miss the feeling of his arms around me?// Trying to push those thoughts from his mind, he watched as David walked out the door, appreciative beyond words that he’d left the door open….just in case. Forcing his eyes to stay open for fear of going back to sleep while he was alone, he looked around the room, noticing how warm and cozy it felt, unlike Craig’s own quarters back in the city. Simply hearing noises in the next room calmed him, and he found himself looking forward to David’s return with an inexplicable eagerness that he’d never felt for anyone else. //He will be glad for you to get well and be on your way. I’m sure he does not desire to be your nursemaid for one moment longer than necessary.//

David threw the herbs he needed into a small basket and grabbed a bowl and pestle and a cup of water and placed them on the tray he used to take Craig his meals. Starting to go back into the room he stopped and stoked the fire again and poured another cup of water and made him a cup of tea with honey and more of the herbs. Picking up the tray, he moved back into the bedroom and set it all on the table. "Here we go," he said smiling and lighting the lamp on the table. He crossed to the fireplace and put another log on before moving back to the table. "I brought you a bit of tea, and I'm going to make something for your breathing. Maybe it will help," he said softly. He helped Craig sit up and gave him the cup of tea, which he'd been careful not to fill too full in case Craig were to cough.

Craig’s breath wheezed in his throat and his hands closed around the cup David offered. “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you,” he said quietly, “but I will never forget your kindness.” Taking a small sip of the warm tea, he let his eyes fall shut again and moved one leg across the sheets to press against David’s leg, needing the simple assurance that he wouldn’t be alone when he could no longer see the other man. He drank the tea slowly as he listened to David mixing and grinding fragrant herbs. The scent drifted over him, and relaxed him, but not nearly as much as David’s presence did. He was still having difficulty breathing, but at least he was no longer panicking.

David frowned as he heard how labored Craig's breathing was and he prayed that the tea and this poultice would help. "You don't have to thank me...I haven't healed you yet," David said with a grin and was infinitely happy to receive a small smile in return. "Don't worry, Craig. You'll be back to your old self soon enough," he reassured as he mixed a small bit of water with the ground herbs forming a thick paste. The smell of mint, chamomile, and comfrey seemed to fill the room and he hoped that they would work. "All right....lay back for me, and I will spread this over your chest," he whispered and swallowed hard as he realized just what he had to do. Not that he didn't *want* to touch Craig, but he knew that same desire would drive him insane.

Craig’s eyes opened wide as David spoke. //Lord in Heaven. He’s going to…// Quickly pulling the covers up to his waist he moved his legs so David wouldn’t see the results of what would surely happen if he actually rubbed the ointment over Craig’s chest. //Stop it. Pretend it’s Karl.// Strangely enough, that thought did absolutely nothing to make him feel better, and he realized with a start that he didn’t *want* it to be Karl. He wanted it to be David, who’d held him so gently and given up his time, his food, and his bed to care for Craig, and who looked at him with the kindest, most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen in his life. He relaxed against the pillow and struggled for another breath as he let his eyes close again and waited for David’s more than welcome touch.

David took the almost empty cup of tea from Craig just as he settled back down into the bed. As Craig shifted the covers around his waist David took a deep breath and picked up the fragrant bowl of herbs. Taking some onto his fingers he slowly began to spread the thick solution across the smooth skin of Craig's chest feeling his own breaths coming faster as he worked. He bit his bottom lip and tried to concentrate on the fact he was taking care of Craig nothing more. He needs help and David was providing it that was all. As the scent of the poultice wafted around them David smiled as he saw Craig start to relax slightly. His fingers continued in slow circles smoothing the thick poultice over Craig until his entire chest was coated. Setting the bowl back on the table David wiped his hands on a small towel and then picked up another that he had soaked in boiling water with peppermint oil. Unrolling the damp warm cloth he lay it over Craig's chest to help the herbs stay damp and release their scent. "There," he said sitting back smiling and grateful that his shirt was long enough to cover his arousal. "Hopefully that will help, just need you to lay like that for a few hours, and then I'll take it off," he whispered laying a dry cloth over him and pulling the covers up. He took the last vestiges of the poultice and scraped it into a cauldron and carried it to the fireplace in the bedroom to let it release the vapors into the room.

Each breath was easier than the last as David tended to him, but, just as Craig knew would happen, he quickly became aroused. //What’s happening to me? I’ve never wanted anyone else…but God, his hands make me forget my very name!// Opening his eyes, he watched as David moved around the room, wishing there was more salve to be applied, or at the very least wishing he would simply come lie next to him as he had the night before. He kept the blankets down around his waist as the salve slowly soaked into his skin and couldn’t suppress a shudder, though it wasn’t one borne of coldness. He wanted to thank his friend again, but couldn’t seem to get the thoughts of David holding him again out of his head. //I crave his touch as much as I was just craving the very air that I breathe. And that is so very wrong. I have no right to wish for such a thing, even if he should desire to offer it. No right at all.//

David finished up at the fireplace and turned around to find Craig watching him. He swallowed hard as he looked into the deep blue eyes and shook himself slightly. "I...I'll be right back," he murmured as he quickly collected the tray and hauled all of the paraphernalia back to the kitchen. Standing by the fireplace for a moment, he wasn't sure what to do. Return to the room and sit beside the bed again or sleep here. After the way Craig had awoken earlier in the night, he decided that it would be best to return to the bedroom and watch over him. He glanced up at the window and noticed that the rain had turned back to snow again. He checked on Craig's clothes that he'd washed earlier that afternoon, and noticed they were almost completely dry. Checking his cloak he noticed a few tears and thought about mending it for him. Can't have one of the king’s knights in tattered clothing, he thought, trying to push away the thought that he only wanted to do it not because he was a knight in the king’s service but because he was an amazing, beautiful man he wished to care for. Shaking his head at the silly notion he walked back into the room and smiled. "You are already starting to sound a bit better," he said noting that the rattle wasn't nearly as bad. He sat down in the chair next to the bed and almost wondered what to do with himself.

Craig started to protest as David sat down on the chair. //Please…lie with me. Let me know you’re close, if only for one more night.// Biting his bottom lip to keep the words from escaping, he nodded and took a slightly deeper breath than he’d been able to before. //Well, it *is* his bed. And he can’t be comfortable on that chair, and….who am I kidding? I want him here. It’s selfish and wrong, but I do.// His mind worked in grim silence for a few moments, until he convinced himself that simply asking David to hold him would not be breaking his promise of faithfulness to Karl. Besides, if he needed help during the night, and couldn’t talk, as had happened earlier, he’d need David close by. “David?” he asked softly, opening his eyes again and gathering his courage. “You’ve done so much for me already, but….may I ask one more favor of you?”

David smiled as Craig spoke, "Anything," he said honestly. //I would do anything for you, Craig. I'd walk to the ends of the earth if you just said the word, and I have never, ever felt that before about anyone.// He waited patiently as Craig seemed to be gauging his words.

“I…” Craig paused, thinking how utterly ridiculous he would feel if David refused him. “I…when I woke up, I…couldn’t speak. I thought I was dying, and that I was dying alone. I wondered if…well,…if….and you can feel completely free to say no, and I will understand, but….I wondered if you would…lie here with me again? I…don’t think I can rest well lying here alone.”

As Craig stumbled through his question David found himself smiling softly. A man such as Craig asking for that couldn't have been easy. "Of course," David whispered. Going around to the other side of the bed he slipped off his shoes and crawled under the covers. He wasn't sure how to lay next to Craig to not disturb the healing medicine on his chest so he scooted closer and lay an arm across his waist and rested his head against Craig's shoulder. "This way I can both hear and feel you breathing," he whispered knowing that at any moment a lightening bolt might come right through his bedroom window and strike him down for lying and not quite caring.

Craig’s arms automatically wrapped around David’s shoulders and he took another, slightly deeper breath. True, he could breathe easier, and with the thick salve on his chest, he didn’t think he’d be dreaming of drowning again during the night, but he honestly loved the way David felt in his arms. He’d seen no signs of David being married, and no signs that anyone else lived here, but surely a man such as he wouldn’t be alone. //Does the word *honor* mean nothing to you? And your promise to Karl?// Now, more than ever, he regretted making his promise to Karl…an oath he felt oddly uncomfortable with in the first place, even as the words had left his lips. But Karl had been convinced that what they had together was all the world had to offer. These past few hours had made Craig realize Karl had been wrong. //You must be true to your word. You will be gone from this house, and from these arms, soon enough, and David will scarcely remember your name.// “Thank you, David,” he whispered sleepily. “It is good knowing you are here next to me….in case….something happens again.”

David felt Craig's arms wrap around him and he snuggled slightly closer unable to help himself. "I'll be right here, not going anywhere," he whispered. He listened as Craig went to sleep and simply lay awake listening to him breathe, glad to hear he wasn't struggling quite so much. Now all he needed to figure out was what to do about how he felt about him. He won't need you to be like this forever. He won't be staying much longer, once he's well, he'll leave. He won't even remember your name. And why should he?// David sighed and raised his head to watch Craig sleeping. //How can I be in love with you? I don't even know your last name.//

~~~
TBC