Maefyl awoke slowly and stayed perfectly still as he watched the scene in the doorway to the bathroom. The realization that their lives had once again been drastically changed sinking in as he saw Gory standing in front Gabriel instead of sitting on his shoulder.
“If you were to ask I would never take this form again, Lord Gabriel.” Gory spoke softly but with her usual grace. “It was never my intention to cause you any pain. I care too much for you.”
“Do not worry yourself.” Gabriel laid a hand on her head to soother her. “I gave my blessing. I don’t intend on rescinding it. Just don’t ask more of me. You know I can’t…”
“I never would.” Gory bowed her head slightly before lunging forward to hug him. Her smile when he returned her embrace was radiant.
Maefyl heard the tiny sniffles from Sanguine as she watched from a comfy spot on his pillow. After a very long ordeal the two of them decided to sleep it off and let things settle down a bit. It seems like they both woke up to see the tender moments of the others and quietly enjoy them. Maefyl rolled onto his back and ran his fingers into his hair.
“The lazy ones have decided to join us.” Gory laughed as she took her preferred size and landed gracefully on Gabriel’s shoulder.
“We have plans?” Maefyl tossed a pillow across the room at them. “If not I’m going to continue being lazy.”
“Council.” Sanguine yawned and stretched out admiring the dainty bands of red on her wrists and ankles. Tiny reminders of an impossible marriage. She smiled and crawled up Maefyl’s hair to his forehead to look down at him. “Can I go big?”
“Do what you want.” Maefyl poked her until she fluttered off.
“Is that advisable?” Gabriel sat at the edge of the bed and reached for his tea. “Do we really need more attention?”
“I do.” Maefyl sat up and kissed Gabriel’s neck. “Lots of it.”
“You have two hours.” Gabriel grinned and placed his cup back on the bedside table. Smiling as Maefyl pulled him down into a blissful kiss and invitation of what lay beyond.
After bringing Sanguine home, Maefyl had collared each of their beloved companions. For Gory it was bittersweet. A moment of defining permanence in their life, but one that solidified the truth she always knew. Gabriel’s love was not for her. It was a compromise she could accept for love of him.
For Sanguine it was a moment she had been dreaming of since her heart first woke. Not just words, but a deep spiritual promise to be together always. A bond so deep it burned. Sanguine hadn’t even winced, she smiled through every second of the pain, to her it was a relief. Her Maefyl was now hers for always.
Once each of them had deep bands of red at their wrists and ankles, and Sanguine had a smile that made her face ache. Gabriel offered to leave the room for a time. Sanguine had giggled at the fear on Maefyl’s face and suggested they need a chaperone. Gory agreed with a warm smile and they had just piled together talking letting Sanguine enjoy cuddling until they decided to sleep. No one saw the need to rush into the physical. Gory doubted she would ever feel inclined to burden Maefyl with her desires and Sanguine wanted Maefyl happy. The rest was just going to happen when it happened.
As for Gabriel, the evening had shown him his decision would not haunt him. Gory and Sanguine were as they always were, they had just grown. As had he and Maefyl. Now entangled in sheets and punctuated by the laughter of those same fairies, Gabriel had his arms wrapped around his happiness as it stifled a moan by biting him.
“We are going to end up late again.”Sanguine fluttered into the bathroom and started kicking around Maefyl’s eyeliners. “Hey Gory. Come here…”
Tsuriai 