Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 16, 2009 21:31:26 GMT -5
Jason chuckled softly at Zeph's joke. "Well... I'm just so used to living a scheduled life, it's hard to adjust to change very well. I come from a long line of soldiers; it's in my blood, so all I can do is 'soldier on', really... in a manner of speaking." He smiled briefly, and then his face sobered. "But it's hard. You understand that."
He nuzzled Zeph gently. "You're right, though... our love is the one thing that will never change, no matter how we might. It's our anchor in the storms that life seems so eager to throw at us, just when we think we have a chance for a moment's peace."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 16, 2009 22:25:38 GMT -5
Zeph nodded as best he could with his chin on Jason's shoulder. "I understand it better than most. Now... breakfast. Awkward it will be, but necessary unless you want a passed-out boyfriend on your hands."
He kissed Jason's cheek and pulled away, working on getting the rest of breakfast figured out. "So... your parents are still asleep... Think there would be an objection to waffles?"
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 16, 2009 22:47:26 GMT -5
Jason grinned. "As long as we clean up after ourselves, I don't think that'll be a problem." He rummaged through the fridge, pulling out eggs and milk, as Helen and Ariadne retrieved other ingredients and utensils from the cupboards. "The waffle iron is in the drawer under the oven, Zeph, if you want to get that out..."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 16, 2009 22:55:43 GMT -5
Zeph dug it out carefully, putting a hand against his chest for a second as he set it down on the stove. Taking a careful breath, he paused and closed his eyes a little. "Okay... So I know how to fry eggs, even though I don't eat them very often... it's a fairly clean process and makes an okay midnight snack when I don't want to wake anyone at home or leave a mess. But anything more than that will require coaching. I just had an idea."
He gave an embarrassed grin, putting a hand against the back of his head a little.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 16, 2009 23:20:42 GMT -5
Jason smiled, plugging in the waffle iron and washing his hands before starting to get the batter ready; he began measuring flour into a bowl Helen set in front of him, while Helen cracked eggs into a smaller one.
"Zeph, could you fill that glass measuring cup with cold water, please?" Jason asked, telling Zeph how much was needed as he wiped up a bit of spilled flour from the counter and brushed it off of his hands into the mixing bowl.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 16, 2009 23:51:26 GMT -5
Zeph grabbed the cup and turned on the water, filling the cup to where Jason told him. Carrying it carefully over to him, he set it near his boyfriend and getting a damp sponge to wipe up what flour Jason had missed. "Surely there's more I can do than that."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 0:18:26 GMT -5
"Hmm..." Jason added sugar and water to the flour in his mixing bowl and stirred as Helen added the eggs she had cracked and beaten. "Well, I don't want to force you into doing the muckier jobs like washing all the dishes once we're done with them... I can always do that myself."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 0:23:06 GMT -5
Zeph grabbed the dishes they were already done with and started washing them, just to prove to Jason that he intended to be helpful however he could. "I can wash dishes even if I can't cook."
He turned his head and stuck his tongue out at Jason, then got the bowl Helen had used perfectly clean. "It's not forcing if I do it by choice."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 0:42:25 GMT -5
Jason had to laugh. "That's sweet of you, Zeph. Thank you."
He stirred the batter some more to get out the lumps, glancing over at the waffle iron. He wet his finger with a drop of water and flicked the drop onto the iron, listening to it sizzle. Good, the iron was hot enough. He ladled some batter onto the iron and closed the lid, then stood back a little to wait.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 0:45:10 GMT -5
Zeph chuckled, "Sweet nothing. It's stubbornness, pure and simple. The best way to get me to do something is to tell me not to do it. And you should know that by now."
He paused when he ran out of dishes to clean, turning with his hands resting on the sink.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 1:44:55 GMT -5
Casper came out of his bedroom, sniffing the air curiously. Someone was cooking something... he could hear his childrens' voices coming from the kitchen. That was odd; normally he or Heidi was the first one awake. He looked into the kitchen, watching with interest for a few moments before he spoke, a grin coming over his face.
"Well, this is a surprise," he said cheerfully. "And not a bad one, either."
Jason looked up at his father with a grin and a laugh. "Good morning, Father. I hope you and Mother like waffles. We figured she needed a break from slaving over a hot stove for once."
"All the better since, I'm not the one making them," Heidi laughed, coming up beside Casper. "Hmm... I could get used to this."
Jason laughed again, turning back to the waffle iron and opening it when it beeped. He lifted the waffle carefully onto a plate and filled the iron with more batter, closing the lid again. "We could start a tradition. Waffle Wednesday."
Casper laughed. "I see no reason why not!"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 1:57:42 GMT -5
Zeph blinked, looking confused for a moment. He winced and put a hand to his ribs lightly, knowing that backed into the corner of the kitchen like he was meant no one was likely to notice his discomfort that was quickly becoming pain. Closing his eyes, he breathed slowly and evenly, listening to what was going on around him. "Well, I wasn't trying to start a tradition. I just was hungry and wanted to do something nice. Unfortunately, I'm useless."
- - -
After breakfast, Zeph made sure he was the one to wash the dishes, giving himself time to build the courage to speak with Casper. His stomach twisted a little at the thought and he froze for a moment. Shaking his head and drying his hands after the last of the dishes, he moved into the living room. Licking his lips, he took a slow careful breath and moved over to Casper. "Mr. Hiller? Can I... speak with you? Privately? Please?"
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 2:50:45 GMT -5
Casper looked up at Zeph, his expression curious. He noticed Zeph's nervousness, but made no remark about it. "Of course," he said with a smile, standing up and leading Zeph toward his study.
Once they were both inside, he closed the door, sat down in his desk chair and swiveled it to face the boy. "What's troubling you, Zeph?"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 3:40:30 GMT -5
Zephyros swallowed and closed his eyes. "I know... you're uncomfortable with Jason and I even sharing a room... But I think there's something you need to know before you get too upset.
"Jason didn't even know this when he asked for you to allow me to come," he said, pacing a little. His breath caught in his throat and he choked, pausing to regain his control. "I'm sorry. This is... it's... hard to talk about."
He bit his lip, closing his eyes again. Running a hand through his hair, he sat down and covered his face. "I want you to know why you have no concern about Jason and I doing something you wouldn't approve of. More than what I said in the van, more than Jason's own conviction, more than how I would never hurt him by trying to force him..."
His voice trembled and he pressed his hands a little closer to his face. Tears slid from his eyes, hidden by his hands. Feeling himself shake, Zephyros bit his lip fiercely to hold back sobs. Just as he had before, he knew he could fight through his distress. This was harder, though. This wasn't telling his other half, this was telling his other half's father... When he hadn't even told his own parents. Though his mother would have had a heart attack if she knew... and hold him so close he'd die of suffocation. Thinking of that helped him calm down enough to try to arrange his words. Which completely reversed the effect and caused him to tremble again. "When I... I was..."
He took several shaky breaths, trying to stifle his tears and the sobs that fought to get loose. Getting a decent breath, he started again.
"When I was kidnapped... I wasn't... wasn't just... just beaten. I was their third victim... The first... first two were.... two young men, in... in a relationship. They were beaten to death and..." His breath quickened again and he gasped, shaking. He covered his mouth, unable to hold back his tears. "It was because they were together, and..."
He gasped again, shaking. "And... they weren't just... beaten. And neither... was... was I. Jason and I won't do... anything you... you would.... disapprove... disapprove of be... because... I-I was..."
Breaking down, he just curled up in a ball and began sobbing, his face covered as he shook. He couldn't say it, though he'd probably implied it often enough by now Casper knew what he was talking about. Memories rose unbidden and he gasped, moving one hand from his face to clutch at his heart as the other hand moved to cover his mouth and stifle his sobs. Jason had to know he was still distressed by thinking of... what had happened, but he didn't think Jason knew how much and he didn't want Jason to hear. Pressing his hand closer to his mouth, he sucked breath between his teeth and fingers in an attempt to control himself again. There was no way he was going to leave this room without having regained control and repaired the damage crying like this had done to his face. Though if Casper reacted the way he half-expected, he was going to start crying all over again.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 11:32:08 GMT -5
Casper was silent throughout Zeph's explanation, his concern escalating to pity and sorrow mingled with horror, as exactly what Zeph was implying sank in. The thought of it made his stomach clench... what kind of monster would do that to a child?
When Zeph was unable to speak anymore because of his distress, Casper knelt in front of him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, using the other to wipe away his tears.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am that this happened to you," he said softly, avoiding use of the word in question for the sake of Zeph's distress. "I wish I could..."
He cupped Zeph's chin gently, looking into his tear-filled green eyes and wondering how on earth he could comfort him like he so desperately needed. What could he say? 'Time heals all wounds'? But it didn't... and tragic wounds like this took especially long to even begin to heal.
"Knowing that, I understand better now why you would never hurt Jason that way... and I trust you just as much, if not more than before. I appreciate your bravery in telling me this. I know that there's little I can say to comfort you without it sounding empty, but I promise I will pray for God to give you healing. For what it's worth."
He slipped away from Zeph for a moment, picking up a glass of water from his desk, turning back to Zeph and holding it out to him in silence.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 20:02:27 GMT -5
Zeph took it gratefully, sipping it carefully as he wiped his tears away. It took him a moment to recover his voice. "I just... Jason and I both sleep better when we feel the other next to us... and I... wanted to ask you if that would be acceptable. We've been cuddling until we felt tired and then pulling apart... That's when Jason had his nightmare last night. If we're sleeping together, the nightmares usually aren't as bad. Or at least, waking from them isn't as bad.
"Both of us... our nightmares tend to involve losing the other, Jason's especially. When for him to wake with me... not there... it seems to distress him more. He won't tell me what his dream was last night... And I don't remember the nightmare I was beginning to have when he woke me."
Green eyes looked appealingly at Casper. "We need each other... Now more than ever before, and we've felt very strongly for each other since... well, since we got together early October."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 20:20:46 GMT -5
Casper nodded slowly, his eyes compassionate as he smiled gently. "Of course it's acceptable. I trust you both to share a bed without doing anything I wouldn't approve of. I know Jason matters more to you than that. I want you both to be well and happy, especially in light of everything that's happened. Letting you sleep together is one small way to achieve that."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 21:01:39 GMT -5
Zephyros smiled gratefully, the impression similar to the first breath of spring warmth after a long winter. "Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much it means to me that you would trust me. Your son is my life..."
He looked at his wrists, his expression solemn. "I would be dead if it weren't for him... Several times over."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 21:09:55 GMT -5
Casper nodded again, standing and holding out a hand to Zeph to help himto his feet. "Love conquers all, they say. Even death, in some cases, as you and Jason have shown. I'd hate to be the one who tried to come between you two."
His expression hardened for a moment as he remembered Hargrove and his men, the anonymous voice on the phone, and Zeph's kidnappers. But he pushed the thoughts away and smiled again. "I hope you'll be alright now..."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 17, 2009 21:32:08 GMT -5
Zeph accepting his help gratefully, wiping his face again. "I'll... be okay. As long as I have Jason, I'll survive."
He gave Casper a trembling smile, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't... tell my parents. My mother at least doesn't know, and I want to keep it that way. She would... it would probably hurt her even more than it hurts me." His smile grew just a tiny bit stronger, though it still trembled badly. "I always was her favorite..."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 17, 2009 21:53:19 GMT -5
Casper nodded, laying a hand lightly on Zeph's shoulder. "I won't tell them," he assured him. But someone should. These kinds of things shouldn't be kept secret.
He reached out with his other hand, resting his fingertips lightly on the doorknob. "Are you alright to face the world again?" Zeph probably wanted to wash his face, and the bathroom was quite a distance from the study.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 18, 2009 0:15:44 GMT -5
Zeph rubbed his face and just sat for a moment, his eyes closed. "In a moment, please..."
I can't tell them. I can't and I won't. It was hard telling Jason, and nearly impossible to tell you. My parents... they'll never let me out of their sight. Worse, my mother would never let me GO. I'd be just about literally stitched into her side. No, I won't tell them.
He took several slow breathed and nodded, "Yeah. Okay. I think I'm alright now. Thank you... for..." he floundered, looking for the right word. "For everything."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 18, 2009 0:28:45 GMT -5
Casper nodded. "It's the least I can do." He opened the door to let Zeph leave first if he wished, then slipped softly out himself.
Jason looked up as his father and Zeph entered the living room, staying silent at first and just watching. Zeph would tell him what had happened when he felt up to it. He could wait and hold his peace.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 18, 2009 12:22:36 GMT -5
Zephyros moved into the bathroom and washed his face, then came and sat close to Jason, leaning his head on Jason's shoulder with a slightly blank expression. Wrapping one arm around Jason's torso, he just snuggled as close as he could, trying not to shiver. Closing his eyes, Zeph just held Jason tight. Opening his eyes with a gasp, he turned to bury his face in Jason's shoulder. Just as he had told Casper... he needed Jason. More than he had ever needed anything before, he needed Jason.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 19, 2009 2:25:51 GMT -5
Jason wrapped his arms carefully around Zeph, rubbing his back and stroking his hair. He knew Zeph was deeply upset... he only clung and cuddled like this when something was really bothering him. The memories he had brought up in front of Jason's father must have shaken him up badly...
"Shh, my heart," he whispered into his boyfriend's ear. "It's okay..." He nuzzled Zeph tenderly and kissed the top of his head. "They're only memories. They'll fade away."
Casper watched the two boys quietly from a distance, wincing slightly at the pain in Zeph's body language, but smiling at the tenderness in Jason's. Zeph had been right... he needed Jason, a man who knew and understood his every fear and desire, and who constantly worked to make sure Zeph was well. And Jason needed Zeph just as much for the exact same reasons. Surely a love that had defied death so many times could not be wrong...
He glanced away from them for a few moments, lost in thought. The Bible spoke very clearly against men having sexual relations with other men, but Jason and Zeph had pledged themselves to abstinence, despite Zeph's obvious physical desire for Jason... Casper doubted either of the boys were anywhere near physically ready to feel such desires in their current state, having both narrowly escaped death so recently. Their love had stemmed and bloomed from a pure friendship; hormones could easily be blamed for the physical desire.
He relaxed, reassured again that his son was not doing anything really wrong... loving another man from the heart was not the same as loving another man with one's own body. Right?
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