Five Centimetres a Moment

[Markhis Sham]

There were leaves falling outside somewhere. Drifting towards the ground like a red and gold rain that was slow enough to dodge. Markhis sat at the window, somewhat content that here was where his master liked to sit - so even when Theophile was not in the room they were in some way close.

It was a strange thought - to be so confined. He had never needed to be, not even before with his old master. He had then been allowed to wander the fort at his will - except when they were out at war or battle, or when he had been particularly angering. And now the door was not so much locked as he feared to leave. the cat sat outside the door of the birdcage and licked its lips.

He had an idea that Theophile's bastard of a brother wouldn't be unwilling to try to get to Theophile through him again. It was his responsibility to make sure this could not happen. But that did not mean that he could not look out the window and wish to be free to walk under the falling leaves.

[Théophile Sleepe]

Heavy sounds as the door opened and closed, and Théophile entered with a small chest in his hand.

"Hello." He was in his fine garb, what one oft wears to jousts. Fidelle had been unusually apologetic lately since her return. She'd had nothing to do with the assassination attempt, but he couldn't rule out her servants. At least that was something. That his wife didn't want to kill him. They'd sat together in front of mother and father. Leonine had the corner under the checked awning and had kept silent.

The match had ended with both knights impaling each other at the same time. They hadn't died so much as became a dumb-bell with the points wedged in their breastplates.

Markhis was framed by the autumn evening and he looked sad. He came over and placed the chest beside him on the window sill.

"It's for you." Within was a necklace with red and blue gems, fine silver filigree and pearl. Something far too lavish for the age that Felice had been when it had been given to her. He'd had it polished and scrubbed and there were a few reductions to make it simpler, which he thought would suit Markhis better.

[Markhis Sham]

He could feel Theophile coming even before he could hear him - it was a comfort - even more of one when the door was closed behind his master and they were finally alone together again. It had been strange to share with the wife - the princess whom he did not know and who Theophile himself did not seem to love. Not - anyway - in the way a man should love a wife.

"Thank you," he took the casket and turned it over several times before opening and touching the gems gently. These rich gifts were still surprising - he still wondered why he was getting them and where and when his fortunes would change and they would be taken away again. He had wondered once whether he could simply tell his master that he had no need for riches or gems or strange wonders - but simply to be loved and cared for and allowed to feel truly useful.

However it seemed ungrateful to do so, so he simply smiled his appreciation and put the necklace on before hugging his master around the chest tightly.

[Théophile Sleepe]

Eyes darting about. He hated it. He knew it. It wasn't the sort of thing he liked at all. But it did look lovely...

Swallowing, stroking his hair. "It was my sister's. I thought...you don't need to wear it. Urh...She didn't really like it either." Blushing and bumbling and wilting prematurely.

[Markhis Sham]

"It is not that I do not like it, my lord," Markhis held on tightly still, needing the contact worse than he liked to admit to himself. "I just am not used to gems. They - are not exactly plentiful where I grew up and slaves generally never own any."

He found he didn't want to move, and so loosened his grip slightly and leant his weight on Theophile in the hopes that he would not be detached.

[Théophile Sleepe]

Clearing his throat. Yes. Yes. Jumping about and being a fool.

"Are you all right...?" Looking down at him with concern. He was clinging, not that he minded, but it worried him. "I'm sorry, the tournament was extended and we had to help Mother remember a few things. Her mind is fading."

[Markhis Sham]

No. He bobbed his head anyway, unsure if he could explain how now - being on his own for too long made him jumpy and frightened - or how greatly Theophile's presence comforted him. How much he needed and wanted him, always - deep down in his heart of hearts.

"Was it not too unpleasant?" It was inconsequential really but it felt good to ask it, to divert attention onto family issues and marriages and brotherhood instead of his nerves.

[Théophile Sleepe]

"Dreadful." He picked him up and laid him out on the bed lovingly, then went fumbling around the room, stripping down to his smalls and splashing water on his face from the basin by the fire. Getting caught up in half-thoughts and blinking as if they surprised him before going to the bed again to lie next to him.

"It won't do for you to stay in here all the time...I think you should just come out when I do. He can't do anything when I'm there...I would not let it be so..."

[Markhis Sham]

He brightened and turned to face Theophile, smiling a little. "Oh - my lord, i would like that." For many reasons. Not just to get out of the room and be free, but also so that he could be certain his master was all right and not beig oppressed by his brother - or by those in his brother's pay.

It frightened him now - the idea of what these cold mindless ones could do in their bought anger.

[Théophile Sleepe]

Smiling brightly then, curling up and petting down along his chest. Realizing just how badly he'd missed him. "The next joust you can come to. Yes...I'm sure no one would mind. It's interesting sometimes, but I've seen it far too much. There's a festival soon, you will come to that too, if it pleases..." Kissing his shoulder deeply.

[Markhis Sham]

The warmth soothed away his internal aches and pains, he needed this touch - needed it close to his skin, on his skin so he could feel Theophile at his heart, and then feel their hearts beating together - their souls, the deep throb of emotion. He curled in closer, trying to press the whole expanse of his body against Theophile at once.

"As long as I'm with you," he said quietly.

[Théophile Sleepe]

He'd been sure to toe carefully. It was always hard to say what one wished for about touching after a violation. A little surprised for it now, but he wrapped his arms around him. He felt thin, and fragile. It was worrisome. Slaves were won to be so, but it didn't need to be that way...One could choose what his slave ate, couldn't he? Choose that he could choose.

"If you need things...you should ask me for them. We can fetch them together, or I can get someone to fetch them. Or I can fetch them. Or nothing, could get nothing if you want nothing but..." Clearing his throat and blushing, burying his nose in his hair.