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 Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:16 pm
Alastor was in an uproar, but Devyn couldn’t really think of a time when everyone wasn’t waiting for a chance to be up in arms about something.
The violent murders of several dozen people, most of which served high political office or were experts in their field in some way was certainly a good reason to be upset. And, this time he couldn’t be frustrated that they were blaming him for it because he had taken the blame for it. Like they’d planned.
It wasn’t technically a lie, anyway.
A few weeks had passed since he and Percy and Marius returned from Villefort, but most of them had passed in a blur. The first few days had been busy. Privately, behind closed doors, Marius had gone on trial. The Council weighed everything against him and chose to grant leniency.
Devyn understood it, of course. He wasn’t unsympathetic. But, his pride had been wounded. His legacy had been wounded.
Marius was a fifteen year old boy who found a powerful artifact–strong enough to sync his life to Devyn’s and strong enough to curb his free will. He was young, with too much power, and too much responsibility, and too much grief and desperation.
The youngest in his village, the healthiest. The only one with the strength or means to get help, and when he’d tried, he’d been ignored.
But, he was clever.
He’d done the work, the research. He could prove that his village had been deliberately abandoned when the plague first started to spread. He could prove that it was a malicious intent to destroy them. He could prove that they had been isolated and abandoned by everyone who should have helped them.
And, when no one cared about that, he’d started killing them.
Or, really, Devyn had, but it wasn’t like he’d had much of a say in it. Marius’ plan had worked. It had attracted attention. And when the plague threatened to spread elsewhere, when it was finally to be unleashed on the rest of the world so someone would have to help them–they did.
Percy, with his infinitely large heart, and his cleverness, and his desire to do good, had come to find Devyn. They’d called in all the help they could get. They found a cure.
Villefort had been saved. Marius freed Devyn from his curse. He’d been prepared to die, prepared for execution, even, if the sickness didn’t take him first. He’d lived.
And then, he’d come back for his trial.
He was too clever for the Council to condemn, and they couldn't punish him for his desperation. And, Percy cared too much for him to let anything bad happen.
Devyn swallowed his hurt pride. His shame. He couldn’t blame Marius. He might have done the same if he’d been in his position.
It didn’t change the fact that he’d still been trapped, doing another’s bidding for so long.
And now, he was still cleaning up his mess.
There were still too many unanswered questions, and as word of Villefort’s struggles began to spread again, and out of a need to explain Devyn’s disappearance, they had to explain it.
They had to send a message.
Devyn had never wanted to be known as a murderer, but the blatant abuse of power with intent to kill of an entire population was unjustifiable on all levels. Villefort wasn’t a military unit, they weren’t fighting for land or rights. They just wanted to survive. And, their forests had been poisoned. They’d been poisoned.
What used to be a thriving town decayed. There were a small handful of people left, and Marius had taken care of them all as best he could.
He wasn’t a bad kid, he was just desperate to save them.
So, Devyn made the announcement that he was responsible for the execution of everyone involved. He used it was a warning. A new leaf. It wasn’t the start to the future he’d wanted, not when he’d tried so hard to stick to politics and diplomacy and creating a good name for himself.
But, the people would never be happy. They wanted a reckless senshi, out for blood and entertainment. They wanted glory in battle, they wanted blood and war. Or, at least, the louds ones did, and convinced the others that’s what they should want, too.
Devyn wanted safety for them, and security. Long, happy lives, where they could grow and build thrive.
No one was surprised to hear that their Senshi wasn’t actually capable of following through on peace.
But, he’d persisted, and carried himself with pride and strength, and when he told them why he’d killed them all, it was with a threat in his voice as if to remind them that he could do it again if he had to. And, maybe it scared some of the leaders into an early retirement, or to take their job seriously, or to avoid bribery and greed and self-serving power.
Some of them were snide. Some butted heads, and threatened him, and tried to goad and mock him. He couldn’t say that it hadn’t worked, but he could say that he hadn’t acted on it. He could handle the abrasive response better than he could handle the blatant ignoring and avoidance he saw from smaller towns. From people he’d known. People he’d helped before. People who lost faith in him.
That hurt worse than anything else, because it wasn’t just starting over a new, now he had to deal with a perpetually backsliding reputation and try to convince others to let him help while they were still doubtful and hurt.
But he couldn’t tell them the truth–what, that he’d been controlled by a child? He’d be better off angry and murderous than fragile and weak.
This was the least terrible of two awful options, and while Percy had been with him for a good portion of his first rounds, Devyn had made this last bit on his own. Percy had too much to do at Sessrumnir, and neither liked Marius being left alone at the Hall.
For different reasons, but still.
Devyn was traveling on foot when the Hall first came into view; he’d come from the south so didn’t even have the luxury of stopping by Arista on the way in. Though, as sour as his mood was, he doubted he’d have wanted to, anyway. He just wanted to be home.
Just wanted to see Percy.
Just wanted to go somewhere quiet, and private, and away. Somewhere to calm down. He’d been traveling all morning and he was tired. He should have been hungry, but his mood had sunk past a point where he was aware of such things. He’d set his priorities and now he just had to get home.
It had been only six days since he’d left, and he was arriving back perfectly on time. About twenty minutes earlier than he’d estimated, but he hadn’t taken the break he’d been planning on after he left the last village this morning.
There was still so much work to be done, but at least he’d had something positive to offer–a direct link to the Hall, to ensure that they had all of the resources they needed. In a few short weeks they’d have a representative to work with them on whatever needs or assistance they’d require. He would make sure they knew he wanted to help, and this was just the first step. The groundwork was being laid, and when they had the chance, he’d prove that he only had their best interests at heart. So far he had requests from some of the towns already–small gestures of assistance that they’d asked for to see if he would really come through. One town had asked for a bridge, another four cows, another two teachers, one wanted a doctor, one asked for a patrol route from trained guards to keep bandits at bay.
They were reasonable requests–and easily accommodated. He’d start there and let them work their way up. Percy would help, he knew that. He was kinder with words, and sweeter in demeanor. Some of the locations he’d visited had even asked about him, and sent well-wishes, so the trip hadn’t been completely horrible.
And, now that the Hall was in sight, Devyn picked up the pace because he half expected to find Percy already waiting outside for him.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:36 pm
Devyn had guessed right. Percy was outside waiting for him. There was a small garden to the south of the Hall where he and Devyn had planted various flowers over the years. It was one of the places around the Hall that Percy loved to sit outside in the shade and paint.
It wasn’t clear how long he’d been hiding out on a bench just around the corner of the Hall. He had a portable easel and bag of supplies with him, and a small canvas, but the easel was closed and canvas still blank.
His face was dry, but his eyes were red and a bit puffy, and it was maybe a little too obvious that Percy had been lost in thought, because instead of jumping up the moment Devyn came into view, he only stood from the bench when he noticed him nearing the garden.
Stood… and immediately abandoned his art so he could rush out and greet his husband with a tight hug.
“I’m okay,” he mumbled against Devyn’s chest before he could voice any concern. He knew Devyn would be worried. Devyn knew him better than he knew himself a lot of the time. Tears were probably the first thing he looked for when they first saw each other after a while.
“Some… people came to the Hall, looking to start a fight. Demanding to see you. Calling you all kinds of things. I guess they were related to one of the people who got killed. They didn’t believe what their relative had been accused of. Lukas suggested I come out here while the guards and Council tried to handle it, instead of waiting inside with him. I missed you.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:50 pm
Devyn saw the red puffiness in his eyes and hoped that it was only allergies. He knew better, but he still hoped. He wrapped his arms around Percy, and while he might have been satisfied with just a hug, he still took the opportunity to hold him close enough that he could lift and spin him a little, just to try and get his mind off of everything.
Truthfully, Devyn didn’t want to go back and deal with anyone. He hardly wanted to see anyone but Percy to begin with, so angry relatives and trouble makers were at the absolute bottom of his list.
“Oh, is that all? I was worried something bad had happened,” he said, kissing Percy’s cheek as he set him back down on the ground. He didn’t let him go, though; he tucked Percy’s head under his chin and held him tightly.
“I missed you, too. How long have you been out here? You look a little pink.”
From tears or sun, he didn’t know, but he worried about both, anyway.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 1:07 pm
Somehow, Devyn always had a way of easing his heart. The little spin in greeting was welcome, and Percy managed a small smile as he was tucked against Devyn.
“What time is it…? I came out here a little after lunch,” he said, and then glanced up to see where the sun was in the sky. “Maybe a few hours then.” And all that time, he hadn’t managed to paint a single thing.
“Are you okay? How did everything go? Is there anything I can do to help?” Percy then asked, tilting his head back to look up at Devyn. He didn’t want to let go. So he didn’t.
“I finished catching up with what I needed to at Sessrumnir. Serge is making me take things easy so he’s been doing a lot of the work that had piled up. I know I shouldn’t let him spoil me, but I’m grateful to be able to spend more time here.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 1:19 pm
“I’m glad he’s helping you, I was worried they’d try to work you too hard while I was gone.”
He held him in his arms, partly for Percy and partly for himself, and even when he shifted positions to kiss the top of his head, he didn’t release Percy from his arms.
“Besides, you are supposed to be resting. So it’s not spoiling you, it’s just making sure you’re taken care of. Were you painting in the garden? Let’s go get your things and get you inside.” He scooped him up easily; he could see the easel from here, and he was all too happy to have his husband in his arms while he did the heavy lifting. Percy was supposed to be taking it easy, after all.
“Everything went as expected. A lot of resistance, but people are happy to take advantage of our generosity while we’re handing it out. I’ve got a list of requests, nothing too obscene. They don’t trust me,” he said, and managed to sound like this didn’t upset him greatly. He didn’t want to upset Percy so he kept his emotions out of it and focused instead on what he could do to earn it again. “Mixed feelings on the representative of the Hall making rounds. Some of them think he’s going to be there to spy, but some of them are optimistic. It’s a waiting game, for now but I’ve got time. They’ll understand that we’re on their side soon enough. Oh, but they love you, Percy, as always. I’ve even got a few letters for you. The irrigation system you helped install in Aitan last year saved their entire crop. This is the largest yield they’ve ever had. They weren’t particularly impressed with me, but they sent me back with some for you. I hope you aren’t tired of potatoes.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:36 pm
Percy was more than happy to be scooped up into Devyn’s arms, and he held on tightly. Not because he thought Devyn would drop him. No, he knew he could have let go entirely and Devyn would have made sure he didn’t fall -- but he wasn’t going to do that to Devyn. He held on because he missed him and wanted to be close while they had a moment together.
“It’s been a few weeks since I was really sick. I’ve been taking it easy and resting, I promise. But I can’t rest forever. And I tried painting, but nothing was speaking to me,” he sighed softly, but was happy to carry the easel and canvas in his lap while Devyn carried him.
He let out a sigh of relief to hear that Aitan was doing well with their crop. It had been a huge project that had some resistance at first, but in the end he was glad they let him help out.
While in Devyn’s arms, Percy reached up to brush some of Devyn’s dark bangs from his face, tucking them behind his ear, and holding his palm to Devyn’s cheek. He just wanted to be able to look at him, that was all.
“I’ll make sure to write them back and ask that they kindly not give you a hard time,” he frowned, because Devyn was trying his hardest. “They’ll come around. They should know you have their interest at heart more than you do some corrupt politicians. But I love you and am glad you’re home. And in one piece this time.”
The last time Devyn had left on his own to travel, he disappeared. So of course Percy had been nervous about his trip he just returned from.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:44 pm
Devyn leaned forward just a bit, partly because he wanted to make it easier for Percy, and partly because he very badly needed that gentle contact. Even if he wouldn’t say it, even if he wouldn’t show it, the time on the road had been hard. Time spent with people, harder.
This wasn’t how he wanted things to be, and even if he was making the best of it, this whole thing had still been a significant step backwards for him.
“I was in one piece the last time, too,” he reminded, but he knew what Percy meant. He smiled down at him with nothing but love in his eyes. “If nothing was speaking to you, you haven’t rested enough, you’re still worrying. And if you weren’t thinking about all the work you have to do, that means you were worried about me. You don’t have to write them, Love of my Lives. They’re just confused and scared. It’ll all sort out.”
Or, it wouldn’t. But it wasn’t going to stop him from trying.
“What else have I missed while I was gone? Aside from some unpleasant guests.”
That he hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with as soon as he got home, but better to have them handled and gone sooner rather than later so he had a chance to actually relax for a bit before he went back to work.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:55 pm
Percy pressed his lips together. He didn’t argue with Devyn, but he thought he could see more in Devyn’s expression than he was letting on.
Besides, Percy had felt every time Devyn’s heart was shaken, every moment of insecurity, every time he felt lost. The necklace was tucked under his clothes, and even now he was paying attention to it, since Devyn liked to try and not let him worry.
He settled his hand to the back of Devyn’s neck and gently massaged it. He could feel the tension, but didn’t say anything about it.
“Marius has been working hard on his studies. He’s been helping out a lot, too. Anything that he’s asked to do, he does. I bet he’d even offer to make us something with all those potatoes they sent back with you for me,” he said quietly. Maybe there was a bit of joking in his voice, but it didn’t linger. He hadn’t felt like joking very much in the past, well… few months now.
“I really think he wants to make you proud, or at least try to help make your life just a little easier. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already researching those people who came to bother you, looking for connections in their backgrounds that will end with them in prison for their crimes. But… I hope they were just upset, and not actually criminals.” They’d had enough of those to deal with already.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 6:14 pm
Devyn approached the canvas with one brow raised; he adjusted slightly so Percy could grab it easily, but he didn’t seem like he was in any rush to get inside now that he had Percy. If the group hadn’t been dealt with, that meant they were still waiting inside. So, the longer he took to get there, the more time he had before dealing with them was on the agenda.
And, he certainly wasn’t going to complain about the way Percy was massaging his neck. There was plenty of tension, but some of it melted instantly just by nature of having Percy there with him.
“I’ve had so many potatoes, Percy,” he whined, but he would never say no to a meal. And, to be entirely honest, they were good potatoes.
Marius was still a sensitive topic, but conversations about him didn’t make him immediately moody, at least. “What makes you so sure he wants to make me proud? You’re the one he likes.” And, Percy was the one who liked him.
Devyn was…trying.
It was hard to want to give Marius more than the most basic chance right now. He’d agreed with Percy that they could adopt him, and give him the proper guidance he needed, because they both knew he hadn’t meant to do anything wrong. And he wasn’t a bad kid. And, he wrong[i]had[i/] helped save Percy’s life.
Not that Percy knew, but they’d all wanted it that way.
When Percy got sick, he was too weak for their medicine. Marius had been the test subject, because if he died–oh well. He’d have sacrificed himself for everyone in the village, anyway.
But, he’d been cured. Because of Percy.
So, of course Marius had put his life back on the line for a chance to save him.
And now, Devyn was stuck with the kid. But, he had Percy, so. It was worth it.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 6:50 pm
“He likes you too, Dev. He always asks about you, wants to know if there’s anything you don’t like so he doesn’t bring it up if you ever talk. I really think he wants to make up for what he did,” Percy said, but he was trying not to make it too obvious that he fully supported Marius. He supported Devyn the most, of course! He always would. But now that they adopted Marius…
Yes, it worked for the story Devyn had to put together. It made sense that they would adopt the only child in a village that everyone else had tried wiping out of existence. It meant that Marius had an excuse to be around the Hall while they kept an eye on him and made sure he didn’t get into more trouble.
They would likely get some credit for taking care of the sickly child -- now healthy, thanks to Devyn. Because in the end, it was Devyn’s tolerance for poisons and other toxins that led to the discovery of a cure.
He rubbed the back of Devyn’s neck a little more when he whined, but smiled and leaned close to press a kiss to his lips.
Percy knew Devyn was trying. He knew he was doing his best to accept Marius, especially now that he was a permanent fixture in their lives. He appreciated Devyn more than ever because of it, but also felt guilty for basically cornering him into taking Marius in.
“I’ve missed you. Missed your voice, missed your eyes. Like midsummer suns,” he smiled, glad for a peaceful moment with his husband during a very turbulent time. They would figure things out. It would get better, or they would just have to keep working to make things better.
“Once everything gets a little more settled, you owe me a vacation, remember?” Percy teased, adjusting himself in Devyn’s arms so he could hold onto him easier.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:04 pm
“Oh, please. Like I could forget that. I’ve been dreaming about it,” Devyn sighed, and allowed himself the few extra seconds of relief that came with Percy’s massage. And the kiss! That was enough to rejuvenate him, at least a bit. “There’s a thousand different places I want to take you, and a thousand more that I haven’t thought of yet. The moment I get a few days free, I’m going to disappear with you.”
He knew it wouldn’t be for a while, which was all the more reason to dream about it now. He needed something to keep him going.
Percy was enough, he was always enough. He just wanted better for him. For them.
“I’ve missed everything about you, Perce. Your smile, your laugh, your voice. Your eyes, your freckles. I can’t tell you how much I daydreamed about you. But nothing’s as good as the real thing.” He helped himself to a kiss or two before he gave up formality and just peppered his face with them.
Percy knew Marius better than Devyn did, despite the fact that Devyn had spent more time with him. Technically.
He wasn’t sure if Marius liked him or if he was just trying to make amends for what he’d put him through. Either way, he was trying, and Devyn wasn’t going to let a kid outdo him. Especially when it meant so much to Percy.
“Do you think Marius would be all right if we left him alone? I know he trails after you. I’m sure Dr. Eld could look after him, but if we let Marius stay with him for any amount of time, he’ll just come back insufferable.” Marius had taken care of a village on his own, while he was dying. Even before he’d had Devyn’s strength to fuel him. He’d probably be fine on his own, but he knew Percy would worry, anyway. “Is he settling in any better? Or still the nightmares?” That he knew Marius was trying to hide. He wasn’t sleeping well before he’d left and often woke up in the middle of the night either to pace or study. Not that Marius was admitting it, but Devyn knew that he was having a hard time adjusting to being somewhere other than home. He was compensating by overworking himself to exhaustion, but he didn’t know if Percy had gotten him to take better care of himself or if he was just waiting for Madison to stop by and scold the boy for it.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:43 pm
Percy couldn’t help but squeal and giggle with delight when Devyn finally kissed all over his face. His cheeks were warm, and he looked up at Devyn with nothing but utmost adoration and love.
“They do have a lot in common, if you think about it,” Percy let out a quiet, slightly distressed sigh, but he was still smiling. Dr. Madison Eld wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, and definitely not an easy person to please. He was prickly and brash and didn’t sugar coat things, but he was a good doctor and took his patients’ health and well being very seriously. Percy still wasn’t sure if Madison actually liked him, or if he just tolerated him. But the doctor adored Marius.
“He’s still having nightmares. I’ve tried staying with him at night, but he keeps getting up, or jolting awake, or having cold sweats. We might want to have Madison look after him, anyway. I think he makes Marius feel safe at least. I mean… I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side,” Percy said and forced a shiver.
“I know Madison is still trying to work out letting the Council train Marius. And get him to start taking poisons.”
Now Percy’s smile fell. He didn’t like it when Devyn took poisons to help boost his immunity to them, and he knew he was going to absolutely hate it when Marius did the same. But it would be for his own safety, especially as the adopted son of the Senshi.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:59 pm
Devyn frowned visibly. “Already? He should put on some weight first, he’s too skinny. And if he’s not sleeping well, that’s not going to help him.”
He wanted to think that Marius had some sort of resilience because of the conditions he’d grown up in, but he didn’t want to risk that that had only weakened his immune system. Marius already seemed perpetually sick, but Madison had assured them it was likely just him adapting to the new environment.
Marius wasn’t complaining. The last Devyn had heard of it was the day before he’d left, when Marius hadn’t shown up on time for his first lesson.
He’d been distracted with things so hadn’t paid much attention; at first, he thought Marius must have been bratty and was being ungrateful for all of the opportunities they’d given him instead of tossing him into some pit for the rest of his life, but they’d just been talking about what to do when he’d shown up, frantic and disoriented. He’d been sent back to bed, but he’d been back again after lunch doubling down on his studies.
It was admirable, and though Devyn didn’t want to admit it, he did feel a bit bad for how easy it was to give Marius a hard time. He sighed heavily and glanced at the Hall. He didn’t want to go back and see what trouble was waiting for him. He could stay out here with Percy for the rest of the day and not feel bad about it.
“Is he feeling better yet? Before I left, the Council said he was moving faster than they anticipated. Is he actually retaining that information? I don’t want him taking on more than he can handle. He’ll just make himself sicker.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:19 pm
He didn’t point it out because he didn’t want Devyn to be more conscious about it and stop, but he thought it was really sweet that Devyn was worried about Marius. He didn’t have to ask about him. He didn’t have to worry about him gaining some more weight first, before doing something potentially dangerous. He didn’t have to be concerned about Marius making himself sicker.
But that was something Percy loved about Devyn. He was so compassionate and truly cared for others, no matter what.
Percy only wished others were as kind to Devyn.
“I’ve been helping him with his studies. He seems to be retaining things well. He’s very good at picking up information and storing it away to use later. But he does seem very tired all the time.” And there was only so much Percy could do to help him.
“Would you like to sit down, Dev? If you don’t want to go inside yet, we can at least rest out here. You’ve been on your feet all day,” Percy pointed out, and then glanced back over to the bench where he’d been sitting. But there were also plenty of other places they could sit in the shade. “Have you eaten recently? I hope your answer isn’t ‘yes, raw potatoes’...”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:27 pm
“I’ve eaten,” Devyn said, but spared Percy the rest of his answer. He’d eaten a sandwich, and when that hadn’t been enough, he’d had two potatoes. But, he was almost home! He could have more soon.
This time of day, there was more shade under a nearby tree, and though the bench was probably more comfortable, he didn’t want Percy’s skin to burn. He carried him to the tree and sat down carefully, moving in a way that guaranteed Percy would fall comfortably into his lap when he settled on the ground.
“I’ll rest, just for a moment. The flowers smell nice, I should get to enjoy them with you while they’re blooming. I suppose things will be busy when I get back, anyway.” And, he had skipped his break earlier! There was no harm in taking it now.
It was probably the responsible thing to do; he could calm down and be ready to deal with trouble inside.
“Do you ever have any studies out here with him? The Hall can be a little dark. I imagine the garden’s distracting, too, but at least there’s some sunlight. He’s working too hard, we should send him to Arista for a few days. Maybe Madison can talk some sense into him. Atrius gives very nice tours, it might do him some good to get to be somewhere a bit more lively. There aren’t any festivals coming up, but there’s always something to do there. Maybe he could make friends with someone his age.”
It wasn’t like he’d had anyone his age in Villefort, and there certainly wasn’t anyone that young at the Hall. The entire fortress was designed for dignitaries and advisors and special meetings and diplomatic arrangements. The receptionist, Lukas, was probably closest to Marius’ age, but even then a good few years separated them.
Devyn remembered how lonely it was when he’d been growing up there.
He didn’t want Marius to go through that, not on top of everything else he’d been through.
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