Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Sanctuary ❯ But It's Worth the Risk ( Chapter 12 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Miko No Hoshi 
A little piece of reality settles in.
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.14.2005 | Updated On: 09.02.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.5K | Visits: 210 | Status: Work In Progress
A little piece of reality settles in.
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.14.2005 | Updated On: 09.02.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.5K | Visits: 210 | Status: Work In Progress
’s Notes: I’ll ask you to excuse the OOC on Tira this chapter, it’ll get better (I hope) in the next chapters. Also, a little bit longer chapter this time (just for you Cody-san), which I hope will be an ongoing trend.
Sanctuary
Chapter Twelve: But You're Worth the Risk
The morning found Gateau in extremely good humor. Though he realized the work ahead of him was great, he took to it with exuberance now that Marron had offered to him some hope of success. Several times throughout his day Gateau would find himself pausing, by the conference table, by the water cooler, or just staring from behind his desk, completely disconnected with the real world as he remembered the feeling of waking up with Marron in his arms.
When he left for work that morning, Gateau had left the younger man sleeping in his bed, and it was with the improbable notion of finding him there still that the blonde returned home. Not letting himself be carried away by idle fantasies, Gateau was determined to go to the kitchen first, as always, before going upstairs. Once there a note headed him off completely. It seemed that Marron had gone shopping with Tira to 'take her mind off things'. Deciding that it was good for the other to get out once in a while and that one day out from under his careful supervision could do no harm, Gateau went about his daily routine.
The entire house seemed empty. He knew Marshal was about, and that it was the same space that he always occupied, but there was some haunting quality that hinted not only at the present state of lacking, but of a future one. No, Gateau would not think of that.
Thankfully he was shortly spared the trial of managing his own time as Tira and Marron returned, arms full of bags and what looked like newspapers. Gateau rushed to the foyer to meet them, and, forgetting all the rules about ladies first, retrieved the things from Marron's arms before even greeting the other.
"Well, I can see where I stand," Tira commented as she situated her things on the floor. Any real sting from the comment was taken away by her smile.
"What is all this?" Gateau poked through one of the more delicate looking packages, catching the barest hint of lace before it was snatched away.
"That," Tira smiled, a little darker, "is what dear Carrot's credit card was worth."
Gateau looked back to Marron, half expecting a defense on the part of Carrot. But whether earlier attempts at such had been made and failed or whether the last meeting of the brother had been enough to remove the necessity of such from Marron's mind, no defense was forthcoming. As Tira went on to show several pieces, Gateau watched Marron as he took a seat in the nearby living room. Though the younger man looked tired and a little ruffled by the day, he sat with a content smile on his face that made Gateau decide that he should indeed get out more often.
"And the newspapers," Tira lifted them up, "are for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. It is okay if I stay one more night? Marron and I are going apartment hunting!" She looked over at Marron. "Right?"
He nodded, not too energetically. Already his head had fallen enough to be supported by his hand. As Tira wandered upstairs to wash up for dinner, Gateau knelt beside Marron's chair.
"Okay?"
"Of course."
"Tired?"
"A little. Tira was...quite excited today. I do fear for my brother's credit..."
"Ah, don't worry about him. He deserves," noticing the darkening of Marron's eyes, Gateau left off the rest of it. "Come on, Marshal made chicken for dinner."
~***~
"Your brother is an idiot!" Tira stormed into the room, taking no notice as its two previous occupants separated quickly. "He is so, so, ugh!" Walking in small circles, Tira shook her head in frustration.
"I'm sure my brother didn't. . . "
"Oh," she came too close to Marron for comfort, directing a finger at his face, "he did!"
Gateau crossed his legs and leant over his arms. He had little concern for what a certain unbeautiful boy had done to get himself in trouble.
"He forgot! Even after I hinted and hinted all week, he forgot!"
"My brother has alot on his mind with midterms and"
"One time, Marron, one time he could think of me! I hate him so much," she took a seat between them.
"No," Marron stated quietly, "you don't."
A sad look was offered to him. "Why do you have to be right all the time? I bet you...you wouldn't have forgotten."
Marron pretended not to notice the hand that rested on his thigh.
~*~
After dinner they sat in the living room together. As Gateau watched TV, Tira and Marron sat on the floor nearby and sorted through several papers they had gotten circling ads for apartments. Gateau left them alone to work, caught up in some reality show and imagining himself and Marron lost together on a deserted island.
"Gateau," Tira spoke quietly.
"Huh?"
"Look," she pointed.
Drawing his attention away from the scantily clad women on the screen, he turned to look. Marron had fallen asleep on the floor, his head resting against the corner of the couch.
Tira smiled, "Cute, right?"
"Yeah." It was a grunt as Gateau pulled himself up off the couch. He hefted Marron into his arms and headed up the stairs, feeling Tira's eyes upon him the whole way. Even though he knew he was expected back to some kind of conversation (though he couldn't begin to fathom what it was about), Gateau couldn't resist taking a moment to look down on the sleeping form as he laid the dark haired man out on the bed. Even the innocence of sleep couldn't hide the slight hollowing of a cheek, but the beauty in Gateau's mind made up for anything lacking, which in truth, was still very little. After a lingering touch to the other's hair, Gateau returned to the living room and his chat with Tira.
"You know," she began after he had settled in with a fresh beer, "it was really nice of you to take him in."
"Huh?" What did she know about it?
"Onion told me, before, about how he was. He said Marron had gotten himself into a real mess out there. What was it? Drugs?"
Gateau was genuinely lost. "What are you talking about?"
She looked at him, apparently trying discern exactly how much he knew. "Well, it's obviously something. He's too thin, for one, and just...everything. I worry about him."
"Shouldn't you be more worried about your husband?" Again Gateau marked himself as being to harsh to her. But to insinuate that he, Gateau, was not properly taking care of Marron; and after all he had done for the boy!
Tira seemed taken aback. Standing, she didn't look at him. "I've been trying not to think of him."
As he watched the redhead ascend the stairs, Gateau marveled at the tension between them. He hadn't expected it, and he sure as hell did not like it.
~*~
They stared at the wall with it's peeling paint, it was all there was to look at in the tiny space. Turning back to the expectant landlord with his balding, sweating forehand and pleading smile, Tira offered to think about it before she and Marron made a hasty exit.
"Well, that was a no." As they sat in the car, she crossed out one add in the third newspaper. "We've still got a few to choose from."
Marron nodded, leaning back against the seat.
"I need to go pick up a few of my things. I could drop you off..."
He easily realized she wanted him to say no. And really she shouldn't go alone. So he conceded to once again seeing his brother.
~*~
Though it had only been two days, Gateau felt badly deprived of Marron's attention. True they had spent the last weeks mostly in emotional turmoil, but they had been focused on each other. With plans of a nice dinner and perhaps a walk alone afterwards, Gateau was quick to dismiss Marshall and meet them at the door.
"I cannot believe him!" An obviously frustrated Tira stalked in, turned, and shook a stack of papers at Gateau. "He's a damn moron, but if this is how he wants to do it I'll take that goddamn idiot for all he's worth. Mind if I use the phone?"
He nodded dumbly, turning around just in time to stop Marron from walking past. Catching the sleeve of the younger man's jacket, he pulled him back a little. Carefully Gateau brushed the hair from in front of dark eyes and looking down into them asked Marron if he would care to join him for dinner.
"No, thank you," the sarcastic tone he'd grown so accustomed to was missing. "I think I'm going to lay down."
"Oh," he released his hold. "Come back down and watch some TV if you want."
"Okay."
~*~
After assuring that Tira had indeed found so quickly somewhere she could live (of course, it was a simple thing for a pretty woman like herself) and did not need any help moving in (no, she was sure her new neighbors would be more than willing to help), Gateau saw her off early the next morning. For the next few hours he occupied himself with little tasks like eating breakfast and calling work to check in. He even managed to wrap, not without difficulty, a 'little something' he has picked up for Marron. But when eleven o'clock had come and gone, he decided that he was entitled to a visit to Marron's room.
When he knocked there was a quiet, vague response that he hoped meant he was welcomed. He went in anyway. The blinds were drawn and the room was dark. Reaching behind him, Gateau hit the light switch. Marron closed his eyes and lifted one hand to shield them against the light. He was still in bed, gray silken top barely visible over the thick coverlets that had been pulled up around his shoulders.
"You awake?"
"No."
"Come on, it's almost noon."
"Rather not..." it was a quiet denial.
"Okay. Been a hard week for me too. I don't know about you, but I could do with a rest." He reclined on the bed, a respectable distance from Marron who look at him with tired eyes. "Tira seemed upset last night. What'd Carrot say to her anyway?"
At the mention of the name Marron almost flinched. Gateau had suspected as much. "Take it he got a few good ones at you too."
"Ah."
"Don't worry about it." Trying to brush the hair from Marron's eyes, a move that had had great success in the past, Gateau's big hand paused on his forehead. "You're hot."
"You always say that," Marron mumbled a little, turning away.
"You're sick!" It was an accusation. Marron gave him a look that translated pretty directly as 'no shit'. "Do you need to go to the doctor? There's a good physician about fifteen minutes from here; I have insurance." He was already on his feet, a ball of panic building in his stomach.
Marron, sitting now, raised a hand to halt him. Though he leaned forward to support himself, one hand over his stomach, his expression was calm if a little frustrated. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" The earnest concern on the man's face was enough Marron pause.
~***~
"It's just a cold, Gateau!" Marron pushed the older man away playfully.
"You, beautiful, missed school today."
"I jut wanted to rest. I'm fine!" Gateau doubted Marron would have been so vocal if he hadn't been in the process of poking about him, pulling up his shirt and so forth.
"Well, if that is the case...at least let me take your temperature." He leaned in for a kiss, but two firm hands on his chest halted the operation.
"You'll catch it," Marron warned.
With the mischievous gleam in his eyes doubling, Gateau took firm hold of Marron's waist. "If I can't take it that way..." With all the grace he could muster, Gateau flipped the younger man onto his stomach and, having already managed to undo the fly of his jeans, soon had them down around his ankles. Parting the two symmetrical globes of Marron’s bottom, he pressed his tongue against the tight entrance, pausing just long enough to finish his thought "...then I'll take it this way."
~*~
Marron's condition didn't improve much during the day, and a fretting Gateau worried as it worsened in the afternoon hours. Marron's resisted, and at more than one point seemed entirely frustrated by, his repeated offers to call a doctor. His only request was a drink of water which might have been made just to get the other out of the room for a few minutes. Thankfully around three a.m. the fever broke.
Gateau returned from a failed attempt at sleep to find Marron sitting in bed picking at his pajamas. Again settling on the bed, Gateau helped him out of the sweat-damp top. For a moment they sat there with Gateau's arms around his waist and his head resting on the blonde's chest.
"Do you really think," Marron asked quietly, "that this is what you want?"
"Yeah," Gateau brushed a hand down his back, feeling the soft skin under his hand and the little tremble even that touch caused. Gently he reached to tilt Marron's chin so that their eyes met. "I think I could take care of you forever." There was a little smile now, and Gateau thought to capture it with a kiss. A hand stopped him.
"You might catch it."
"It's worth the risk."
~tbc~
Thank you for reading. And even more for reviewing.
Sanctuary
Chapter Twelve: But You're Worth the Risk
The morning found Gateau in extremely good humor. Though he realized the work ahead of him was great, he took to it with exuberance now that Marron had offered to him some hope of success. Several times throughout his day Gateau would find himself pausing, by the conference table, by the water cooler, or just staring from behind his desk, completely disconnected with the real world as he remembered the feeling of waking up with Marron in his arms.
When he left for work that morning, Gateau had left the younger man sleeping in his bed, and it was with the improbable notion of finding him there still that the blonde returned home. Not letting himself be carried away by idle fantasies, Gateau was determined to go to the kitchen first, as always, before going upstairs. Once there a note headed him off completely. It seemed that Marron had gone shopping with Tira to 'take her mind off things'. Deciding that it was good for the other to get out once in a while and that one day out from under his careful supervision could do no harm, Gateau went about his daily routine.
The entire house seemed empty. He knew Marshal was about, and that it was the same space that he always occupied, but there was some haunting quality that hinted not only at the present state of lacking, but of a future one. No, Gateau would not think of that.
Thankfully he was shortly spared the trial of managing his own time as Tira and Marron returned, arms full of bags and what looked like newspapers. Gateau rushed to the foyer to meet them, and, forgetting all the rules about ladies first, retrieved the things from Marron's arms before even greeting the other.
"Well, I can see where I stand," Tira commented as she situated her things on the floor. Any real sting from the comment was taken away by her smile.
"What is all this?" Gateau poked through one of the more delicate looking packages, catching the barest hint of lace before it was snatched away.
"That," Tira smiled, a little darker, "is what dear Carrot's credit card was worth."
Gateau looked back to Marron, half expecting a defense on the part of Carrot. But whether earlier attempts at such had been made and failed or whether the last meeting of the brother had been enough to remove the necessity of such from Marron's mind, no defense was forthcoming. As Tira went on to show several pieces, Gateau watched Marron as he took a seat in the nearby living room. Though the younger man looked tired and a little ruffled by the day, he sat with a content smile on his face that made Gateau decide that he should indeed get out more often.
"And the newspapers," Tira lifted them up, "are for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. It is okay if I stay one more night? Marron and I are going apartment hunting!" She looked over at Marron. "Right?"
He nodded, not too energetically. Already his head had fallen enough to be supported by his hand. As Tira wandered upstairs to wash up for dinner, Gateau knelt beside Marron's chair.
"Okay?"
"Of course."
"Tired?"
"A little. Tira was...quite excited today. I do fear for my brother's credit..."
"Ah, don't worry about him. He deserves," noticing the darkening of Marron's eyes, Gateau left off the rest of it. "Come on, Marshal made chicken for dinner."
~***~
"Your brother is an idiot!" Tira stormed into the room, taking no notice as its two previous occupants separated quickly. "He is so, so, ugh!" Walking in small circles, Tira shook her head in frustration.
"I'm sure my brother didn't. . . "
"Oh," she came too close to Marron for comfort, directing a finger at his face, "he did!"
Gateau crossed his legs and leant over his arms. He had little concern for what a certain unbeautiful boy had done to get himself in trouble.
"He forgot! Even after I hinted and hinted all week, he forgot!"
"My brother has alot on his mind with midterms and"
"One time, Marron, one time he could think of me! I hate him so much," she took a seat between them.
"No," Marron stated quietly, "you don't."
A sad look was offered to him. "Why do you have to be right all the time? I bet you...you wouldn't have forgotten."
Marron pretended not to notice the hand that rested on his thigh.
~*~
After dinner they sat in the living room together. As Gateau watched TV, Tira and Marron sat on the floor nearby and sorted through several papers they had gotten circling ads for apartments. Gateau left them alone to work, caught up in some reality show and imagining himself and Marron lost together on a deserted island.
"Gateau," Tira spoke quietly.
"Huh?"
"Look," she pointed.
Drawing his attention away from the scantily clad women on the screen, he turned to look. Marron had fallen asleep on the floor, his head resting against the corner of the couch.
Tira smiled, "Cute, right?"
"Yeah." It was a grunt as Gateau pulled himself up off the couch. He hefted Marron into his arms and headed up the stairs, feeling Tira's eyes upon him the whole way. Even though he knew he was expected back to some kind of conversation (though he couldn't begin to fathom what it was about), Gateau couldn't resist taking a moment to look down on the sleeping form as he laid the dark haired man out on the bed. Even the innocence of sleep couldn't hide the slight hollowing of a cheek, but the beauty in Gateau's mind made up for anything lacking, which in truth, was still very little. After a lingering touch to the other's hair, Gateau returned to the living room and his chat with Tira.
"You know," she began after he had settled in with a fresh beer, "it was really nice of you to take him in."
"Huh?" What did she know about it?
"Onion told me, before, about how he was. He said Marron had gotten himself into a real mess out there. What was it? Drugs?"
Gateau was genuinely lost. "What are you talking about?"
She looked at him, apparently trying discern exactly how much he knew. "Well, it's obviously something. He's too thin, for one, and just...everything. I worry about him."
"Shouldn't you be more worried about your husband?" Again Gateau marked himself as being to harsh to her. But to insinuate that he, Gateau, was not properly taking care of Marron; and after all he had done for the boy!
Tira seemed taken aback. Standing, she didn't look at him. "I've been trying not to think of him."
As he watched the redhead ascend the stairs, Gateau marveled at the tension between them. He hadn't expected it, and he sure as hell did not like it.
~*~
They stared at the wall with it's peeling paint, it was all there was to look at in the tiny space. Turning back to the expectant landlord with his balding, sweating forehand and pleading smile, Tira offered to think about it before she and Marron made a hasty exit.
"Well, that was a no." As they sat in the car, she crossed out one add in the third newspaper. "We've still got a few to choose from."
Marron nodded, leaning back against the seat.
"I need to go pick up a few of my things. I could drop you off..."
He easily realized she wanted him to say no. And really she shouldn't go alone. So he conceded to once again seeing his brother.
~*~
Though it had only been two days, Gateau felt badly deprived of Marron's attention. True they had spent the last weeks mostly in emotional turmoil, but they had been focused on each other. With plans of a nice dinner and perhaps a walk alone afterwards, Gateau was quick to dismiss Marshall and meet them at the door.
"I cannot believe him!" An obviously frustrated Tira stalked in, turned, and shook a stack of papers at Gateau. "He's a damn moron, but if this is how he wants to do it I'll take that goddamn idiot for all he's worth. Mind if I use the phone?"
He nodded dumbly, turning around just in time to stop Marron from walking past. Catching the sleeve of the younger man's jacket, he pulled him back a little. Carefully Gateau brushed the hair from in front of dark eyes and looking down into them asked Marron if he would care to join him for dinner.
"No, thank you," the sarcastic tone he'd grown so accustomed to was missing. "I think I'm going to lay down."
"Oh," he released his hold. "Come back down and watch some TV if you want."
"Okay."
~*~
After assuring that Tira had indeed found so quickly somewhere she could live (of course, it was a simple thing for a pretty woman like herself) and did not need any help moving in (no, she was sure her new neighbors would be more than willing to help), Gateau saw her off early the next morning. For the next few hours he occupied himself with little tasks like eating breakfast and calling work to check in. He even managed to wrap, not without difficulty, a 'little something' he has picked up for Marron. But when eleven o'clock had come and gone, he decided that he was entitled to a visit to Marron's room.
When he knocked there was a quiet, vague response that he hoped meant he was welcomed. He went in anyway. The blinds were drawn and the room was dark. Reaching behind him, Gateau hit the light switch. Marron closed his eyes and lifted one hand to shield them against the light. He was still in bed, gray silken top barely visible over the thick coverlets that had been pulled up around his shoulders.
"You awake?"
"No."
"Come on, it's almost noon."
"Rather not..." it was a quiet denial.
"Okay. Been a hard week for me too. I don't know about you, but I could do with a rest." He reclined on the bed, a respectable distance from Marron who look at him with tired eyes. "Tira seemed upset last night. What'd Carrot say to her anyway?"
At the mention of the name Marron almost flinched. Gateau had suspected as much. "Take it he got a few good ones at you too."
"Ah."
"Don't worry about it." Trying to brush the hair from Marron's eyes, a move that had had great success in the past, Gateau's big hand paused on his forehead. "You're hot."
"You always say that," Marron mumbled a little, turning away.
"You're sick!" It was an accusation. Marron gave him a look that translated pretty directly as 'no shit'. "Do you need to go to the doctor? There's a good physician about fifteen minutes from here; I have insurance." He was already on his feet, a ball of panic building in his stomach.
Marron, sitting now, raised a hand to halt him. Though he leaned forward to support himself, one hand over his stomach, his expression was calm if a little frustrated. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" The earnest concern on the man's face was enough Marron pause.
~***~
"It's just a cold, Gateau!" Marron pushed the older man away playfully.
"You, beautiful, missed school today."
"I jut wanted to rest. I'm fine!" Gateau doubted Marron would have been so vocal if he hadn't been in the process of poking about him, pulling up his shirt and so forth.
"Well, if that is the case...at least let me take your temperature." He leaned in for a kiss, but two firm hands on his chest halted the operation.
"You'll catch it," Marron warned.
With the mischievous gleam in his eyes doubling, Gateau took firm hold of Marron's waist. "If I can't take it that way..." With all the grace he could muster, Gateau flipped the younger man onto his stomach and, having already managed to undo the fly of his jeans, soon had them down around his ankles. Parting the two symmetrical globes of Marron’s bottom, he pressed his tongue against the tight entrance, pausing just long enough to finish his thought "...then I'll take it this way."
~*~
Marron's condition didn't improve much during the day, and a fretting Gateau worried as it worsened in the afternoon hours. Marron's resisted, and at more than one point seemed entirely frustrated by, his repeated offers to call a doctor. His only request was a drink of water which might have been made just to get the other out of the room for a few minutes. Thankfully around three a.m. the fever broke.
Gateau returned from a failed attempt at sleep to find Marron sitting in bed picking at his pajamas. Again settling on the bed, Gateau helped him out of the sweat-damp top. For a moment they sat there with Gateau's arms around his waist and his head resting on the blonde's chest.
"Do you really think," Marron asked quietly, "that this is what you want?"
"Yeah," Gateau brushed a hand down his back, feeling the soft skin under his hand and the little tremble even that touch caused. Gently he reached to tilt Marron's chin so that their eyes met. "I think I could take care of you forever." There was a little smile now, and Gateau thought to capture it with a kiss. A hand stopped him.
"You might catch it."
"It's worth the risk."
~tbc~
Thank you for reading. And even more for reviewing.