Careful
11 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew, Matthew
Matthew peered around the corner of the doorway and bit his lip. Stepping into the room, he said, “Andy?”
Andrew whirled away from the window. His cheeks flushed with color when he saw who it was. “M-Mattie,” he breathed. He ducked his head and fussed at the hem of his robes, which were identical to the ones his brother wore.
Before he could say anything more, Matthew bounded forward and caught him in an embrace. “Are you all right?” he asked, not pulling away.
“Yeah,” Andrew said, closing his eyes. He sighed and set his head on Matthew’s shoulder. “What about you? Are you all right?”
Matthew pulled away and then smiled. “Emrys and I have an arrangement,” he said, nodding. He dropped his gaze and added, “So long as I remain within the boundaries he’s set forth for me, I’m allowed a certain amount of latitude.”
“Are – are you allowed to see me?” Andrew said, his brows furrowed. He bit his lip and glanced around. Then, looking back at his brother, he added, “Is that within your boundaries?”
“Technically… I’m supposed to ask permission,” Matthew said. He tilted his head and caught Andrew’s gaze. “I wanted to see you, though. I needed to make sure that – that Tristan wasn’t… hurting you.”
“I’m fine,” Andrew said. He hugged Matthew and said, “You should get back to your chambers. I – I don’t want you to get into trouble on my account, Mattie.”
Nodding, Matthew pulled away. He glanced at Andrew and said, “Take care of yourself, Andy.”
“You too.”
Matthew flashed a sunny smile at his brother; then he slipped away, heading back towards his own room. He had figured out how far he could push before Emrys felt the need to punish him. He just had to be careful not to cross that invisible line.
All I Wanted
10 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew
Andrew sighed softly. He felt as if everything he did to try to escape only succeeded in making his situation worse. He looked over as the sound of a boot scraping the stone floor echoed in the darkness. “Hello?” he called, blinking.
Tristan stepped into view. “Hello, Andrew,” he said, his voice soft. “I came to see if you were ready to concede defeat yet or if you were still going to resist me.”
For a moment, Andrew didn’t answer. He simply bowed his head and slumped against the wall. Then, he nodded. Without lifting his gaze, he said, “I… won’t resist you any further.”
“Good,” Tristan said. His boots scraped against the floor as he stepped into the cell. He unlocked the shackles on Andrew’s wrists and neck. Then, he drew the smaller man to his feet. “You’ll see,” Tristan murmured, “it isn’t so bad and, you’ll finally get to see your brother.”
Andrew swallowed thickly and lifted his head. Nodding, he said, “Yes… Master.” He wanted to be free, but he needed to see Matthew – to know he was all right.
Being the hottest thing in this room
25 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew
“Why are you always hovering so near the fireplace?”
Andrew glanced over his shoulder. Tristan stood, framed in the doorway by the light from the hall. He sighed and rolled his eyes. Turning back to the flames, he said, “Shynia is warmer than here,” he said, his voice soft. His voice cracked slightly as he added, “I’m cold.”
Heavy footfalls approached him. Andrew bit his lip. He tensed, squeezing his eyes shut, when he felt Tristan settle a robe over his shoulders.
“I’m not a ogre,” Tristan murmured. “You are our hostage and a servant, but you do have the right to be comfortable.”
Andrew nodded silently. The footsteps retreated and he turned, as Tristan was reaching the door. “Thank you,” he said.
Tristan merely nodded and then left the room.
Tiny little erosions
20 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew
Andrew stood at the tiny window and stared across at the window where his brother was staring down at the water. He could feel his brother’s sadness from there. They might never see their home again. They might never escape now and rescue was an even dimmer possibility.
He sighed and closed his eyes. Leaning his head on the cold stone of the wall, he could think of only one thing. Each of those things wore away at his hope the same way that the crashing waves broke down the stones they washed over. How long would it be before he had no hope left?
Marks left by tape
18 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew, Matthew
Matthew shook his head slightly as he cleaned the wounds on his brother’s arms. “What were you thinking?” he asked. The words might have been scolding, except that Matthew sounded more concerned than angry.
Andrew grimaced. “I… thought it was a chance to escape,” he said, his voice faint. His eyes closed and he sighed. “Now, I probably ruined any chance either of us might have had.”
Sighing, Matthew said, “You’ll be lucky if they don’t decide it’s just easier to kill you and have done with it.” Tears welled in his eyes, but he shook them away. “We’re all we have, Andy! You – you have to be more careful. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’ve already lost so much,” Andrew whispered. He looked down at his arms and hissed between his teeth. The wounds were healing, but the bandages were leaving red patches wherever the tape touched his flesh.
Matthew fell quiet as he wrapped gauze around Andrew’s arm. “Don’t leave me, Andy,” he breathed. “If – if you see a chance again, please…” he trailed off and shivered.
Andrew nodded. He had physical wounds from his escape attempt and from the bandages necessary to treat them. How many wounds had Matthew suffered that left no physical marks?
And keep my name safe in your mouth
17 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mini-story, Tale of the Past Tags: Andrew, Matthew
Andrew watched as his brother was half-dragged out of the room. Part of him desperately wanted to fight back. However, he’d been warned. If he tried anything, Matthew would be the one to suffer.
“Matthew,” he whispered, closing his eyes. Somehow, saying the name was like a prayer. If he kept saying it – remembering his brother – somehow it felt like he would keep his brother safe.
