I love these two.

So I've been writing. And I am falling so in love with two of my characters that I needed to share some moments with them. 

He was perched upon the cushioned windowsill, knees pulled to his chest his chin rested upon them. The long black braid he usually wore was undone, allowing his hair to cascade in waves down his back and rested upon the gold embroidered pillows. A sigh left his lips as he observed sunset like he usually did when he awaited his master. Sometimes Sevaran would join him but tonight he was busy as his cousin Dimitri was visiting. More like discussing business. Nights like these were lonely and kept Sevaran away for hours sometimes. Laeon hoped deep in his heart that tonight Sevaran would join him, if only for a little while. It would help chase the memories away. Laeon was steadily becoming accustomed to his new life as Sevaran’s most trusted servant. He still struggled with apologizing for mistakes, even minor ones but Sevaran kindly assured him that all was well and he needed not to apologize. Like whenever he would drop a tray of wine or knocked over something, he would immediately fall to his knees his forehead touching the floor in a submissive manner expecting to be beaten but Sevaran would give him a gentle touch to his shoulder and would lift his chin to meet his gaze. It was slow but it became easier to subdue the reaction to apologize. The area where his collar had once been had ceased to itch like it used to and he felt warmer in the new clothes that Sevaran had tailored for him.  They covered much more of his body than the thin loincloth ever did. Laeon hugged himself with a sigh closing his eyes a bit as he turned his head slightly resting it upon his knees as if he were dozing but soon he felt a hand grasp his shoulder lightly and opened his eyes. Silvery grey glanced up and met chocolate brown.

Dimitri.

“Cousin what in blazes do you think you are doing?!” Sevaran’s voice echoed throughout his chamber as he entered. Dimitri only ignored him and gently grasped Laeon’s chin in his hand but Laeon flinched away in fear of him, memories of the man’s father springing up in his mind. Dimitri resembled King Nikolias in so many ways. The shape of his brow to the chisel of his jaw, even his nose, but the only difference was there was no trace of lust glinting in his dark eyes. Just mere curiosity.

“Dimitri!” Sevaran’s hand grabbed his cousin’s large shoulder to whirl him around. A stormy expression swirled in his blue orbs as he glowered at the man.

“He’s got a talent Sevaran.” Laeon had never heard Dimitri speak before. His accent was thick like those of the eastern kingdoms, but his common tongue was easier to understand than his father’s. Sevaran glanced at him confused and still rather annoyed. Laeon hadn’t moved from his perch but rather shrunk into the corner of it, fearful that the past would come back to haunt him. Without a word Dimitri closed the door to Sevaran’s chambers and locked it. The sound caused Laeon to tremble slightly. Locked doors and the clicking of locks triggered memories of old for him. King Nikolias would always lock him in chains or lock him in a room for hours at a time in a cage. Fear began to wash over him, especially with an image of his tortured past standing in the room. Sevaran noticed this and rushed towards his servant’s side placing both of his hands on the smaller male’s shoulders.

“Laeon.” The sound of Sevaran’s voice soothed Laeon as he slowly glanced up with teary silvery eyes. Sevaran brushed some of the silky black hair out of Laeon’s face and tucked it gently behind his ear, his hand now cupping his servants’ face, thumb stroking his cheek tenderly.

“It’s alright Laeon. It’s alright. They can’t harm you anymore.” Sevaran spoke softly as he pulled the trembling male into his arms. Laeon slowly relaxed in them as his hands clung to his master’s clothes. Dimitri only stood back observing the two, heaving a heavy sigh.  

“Cousin.” He said softly.

“Don’t speak Dimitri.” Sevaran retorted nearly livid that his cousin had almost undid the work he had put in to help Laeon cope with his new life.

“It’s important.”

“Shut up!”

Blue eyes blazed at Dimitri as Sevaran cradled the smaller male against his frame. Laeon continued to cling. He felt safer and wanted in Sevaran’s arms. Home even. Gradually his breathing went from shallow and panicked to deep and regular. It was merely Sevaran’s presence that helped, as well as the scent of opium upon him.

“Sevaran. He has a talent.” Dimitri said, his voice low.

A talent?

“I know this cousin. I saw it when I first laid my eyes upon him.”

Sevaran’s expression calmed as he glanced down to his servant. Laeon’s silvery eyes met his as Sevaran gingerly brushed his thumb against the smooth tanned cheek of his servant.

“He has dragon’s blood in him…” This time when Sevaran spoke, his voice was low. Dragon’s blood? No it wasn’t possible. The filth of the earth like Laeonaron couldn’t possibly have dragon’s blood running through his veins.

“Yes…and he is not the only one.”

“I know.”

Blue orbs glanced to Dimitri once more as if to say ‘you know who else has it don’t you.’ Dimitri simply glanced away. He wasn’t about to risk revealing who else he knew that came from dragonkin lineage.

“I must leave.”

And he started for the door.

“Dimitri.”

He lingered, not even glancing back to Sevaran.

“Be careful. I would rather not see my favorite cousin killed.”

This brought a smile to his face as he regarded Sevaran.

“I would rather not bring sadness to those I care most about.” He replied, then bowed slightly to him and exited the room intending to head to the shore to visit his favorite tavern wench. As soon as the door was closed once more Sevaran sighed and embraced Laeon close to him again.

“Forgive me Laeon…I should not have let him enter and touch you.”

He sensed his servant still trembled within his embrace, copper skin glossed in a light sheen of sweat. Sevaran had an inkling that it may take a while for Laeon to come out of his memories. After all he knew that Dimitri was the spitting image of his bastard father, but lacked the cruelty his father displayed. Times like these Sevaran had learned a soft Draconic lullaby. It had always soothed Laeon and eased him into a sense of safety. His baritone voice carried the melody softly as his firm embrace kept Laeon close, bearded cheek perched atop of the silky black locks Laeon had. He closed his blue eyes as he continued to sing the melody, granted his Draconic pronunciations were not the best but at least he put forth the effort to try. Finally he felt Laeon breath a deep breath and released it slowly before sensing an all too familiar nuzzle his servant would give him when he felt a bit better. Seas of blue met swirls of silver as he glanced down to his servant and he pressed a small kiss to Laeon’s forehead.

“Dimitri is right you know…about you having dragon’s blood in you…no one in the world has eyes as brilliant as yours.”

Laeon flushed slightly, silvery eyes flickering away before meeting the brilliant sapphire blue eyes of his master. A smile flashed upon Sevaran’s lips.

“The shine so brightly, like the moon.”

The words easily floated off of Sevaran’s lips.

“Master…” Laeon spoke softly.

“You needn’t call me that Laeon.”

He felt embarrassed by his mistake…but somehow he couldn’t help but feel that if he didn’t call Sevaran Master he would receive punishment.

“Prince Sevaran…” He corrected himself. ‘Eh I supposed I could live with that…’ Sevaran thought.

“What is it?”

“Prince Dimitri…he knows…someone else…like me.” The statement was no question but an affirmation. Sevaran heaved a heavy sigh and nodded.

“He does and I sense he cares deeply for them.”

“What did he mean by….talent…”

Their eyes met once more. Sevaran shifted so he could relax against the wall and Laeon could relax against him.

“He means you have a gift Laeon. Anyone born with dragon’s blood has it.”

By this point the room began to grow dark as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon. Laeon shifted his gaze away from his master as he leaned against him.

“I don’t have-”

“You were never given the chance to explore it.” Sevaran cut him off before he could retort and he smiled. “I want to offer that to you.”

Laeon truly did not believe that he had a gift let alone had dragon’s blood in him and he sighed.

“I know it is difficult for you to believe Laeonaron but I can sense it.”

Sevaran cupped Laeon’s cheek in his hand and turned his head to face him. He smiled a cheeky smile before pressing a kiss to Laeon’s cheek, catching the corner of his lips. Light pink tinted Laeon’s cheeks as the heat rose up to them. No wave of fear enveloped him, but a light flutter in his chest replaced it instead.  

“Sir…we should be preparing to rest…” Laeon pointed out as darkness began to cloak the room. Only a few candles, resting on iron pedestals, in the corner burned and Laeon moved to light some more and fetch his master’s bedclothes, like a good servant should. Sevaran sighed heavily, pouting slightly at the loss of touch. He was growing fond of Laeon…perhaps too fond as far as most of his family was concerned…but nonetheless he enjoyed his servant’s company and he only hoped that he could bring Laeon out of his former mentality. When his servant returned placing the clothes upon the bed Sevaran reached out to grasp his wrist and gently tugged his servant towards him. The glow from the candles glimmered in Laeon’s silvery eyes. His copper skin glowing warmly from the flicker of the flames. Even now Severan could see traits of Laeon’s kind in his features.

“Laeon?”

The grip on Laeon’s wrist was firm but not forceful. Silvery orbs met sapphires again as Laeon looked to his master. He was beginning to get used to looking people in the eye. Something he had never done in his life. Sevaran reached up with his other hand to cup his friend’s cheek.

“I would very much like it if you slept with me in my bed tonight.”

At such a request Laeon’s first instinct was to say no. Many beds he has been in before and all of them with men who only wanted him for a good fuck. A shuddering breath released from his lips but one look into Sevaran’s eyes mollified his unease. Within those swirling blue eyes there was no touch of lustful intentions or desires. Before he could open his mouth to answer Sevaran pressed a finger to his lips.

“I can understand if you do not wish to stay with me tonight.” He stated softly, slowly lowering his hand. Sevaran could never fully understand what Laeon had been through in his lifetime but he knew better than to force a slave with traumatic memories of a haunted past to do anything. With a deep breath Laeon hesitantly sat on the edge of the padded mattress his own fingers curling around his master’s wrist.

“I…I want to stay…with you…” he stated. It was truly a bold step for him, placing his trust in this man. But had Sevaran given him any reason not to trust him? All the prince had done for him was treat him like he was a person, with thoughts and feelings, wants and desires. Sevaran was the first person to come along that treated him like he was more than just property. He treated Laeon like he was human. A smile curved upon Sevaran’s lips as he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to Laeon’s cheek like he always did before bidding his servant farewell or good night. This time Sevaran took great care in not catching the corner of Laeon’s lips, even though he would love to see the flush of pink upon the copper cheeks of his servant. It was a small token of Sevaran’s gratitude for Laeon’s services as well as a perk of being the prince’s personal servant. For the first time in his life Laeon actually felt his heart thunder with delight in his chest. There was something different about this elf. He had noticed this when he was first summoned by the prince but now it shone even further. Laeon smiled at his prince, sighing deeply. This man had given him more freedom than he had ever known….it was possible that Laeonaron could have a life with him…but that thought was just a small glimmer of hope in his mind. What life could a noble elf prince have with a mere elf slave like him?