Rainbow and onwards, evening, Various
They made quite an uproarious group in their booth near the stage. All the usual suspects were there. All of Arcane, though Nick was carrying a pager in case Phil couldn't cope, plus Charlie and Seth. Also Andras, sadly alone since Eamon had drawn one of the many short straws. Very few of the security staff were spending Hallowe'en partying this year. But despite that they were having fun.
Andras was having great fun indeed: - wearing long horns, and a swirly opera cloak over black clothes, he made a very suave devil, and smouldered theatrically at anybody that happened to look at him. He was sipping red wine from a large glass, and grinning.
Nick watched him and nudged Charlie who looked both out of place and very on edge in a severely tailored full length cassock of Anglican cut. "Way I see it," Nick said, "is my soul could go one of two ways tonight."
"Dunno about that," Charlie said. "Seth's a leprechaun - I think they trump both Heaven and Hell."
"Are there any angels?" Andras said, looking around. "There must be some! Either big white wings, or the rumpled trenchoat type, as in 'Supernatural'. That would be Heaven, properly!"
"I've never seen an angel in a trench coat," Nick said. "Saw a kid done up like who's his face out of Queer as Folk earlier on. Very fluffy, but a bit too fleshy to carry it off."
"Which one?" Andras asked. "There's several guys in QAF." He grinned at Charlie.
"The one who dressed up like an angel," Nick explained.
"Ahh, Emmet!" Andras said, nodding. "Oh, look, the hippie's there after all!" He pointed.
There was Ricky, wearing parts of an Army uniform and a Hawaii shirt, looking like something straight out of MASH.
Nick raised a hand to wave him across and got up to summon a waiter. "Hey," he said. "Want a drink? And I hope you can find your own girl because Jack's got all ours."
"Drink sounds great!" Ricky said, wandering over. "Beer -- cool! This is a fun place! Look at all the costumes! Aren't they great?"
Thw waiter took the order and headed off as Nick said, "Some of them have gone to a lot of trouble. There's one girl dressed like Marie-Antoinette. God knows how she got into the frock. She must have an eighteen inch waist."
"Cool!" Ricky said, fascinated and curious. "I'll have to find her and ask her!"
The waiter came with the drinks, and Ricky gratefully drunk half his beer on the spot.
Nick distributed the other drinks then sat back with a sigh. Hallowe'en - you had to love it. "How's Traffic Violation?" he asked.
"Working on an album, actually!" Ricky said. "They've got a few vids up on YouTube, and their MySpace profile is doing fine, and they've got lots of RSS subscribers for their Me2Me2 blog. I think they're ready for it now."
"Oh cool," Nick said and those band members who had heard all grinned. "Send 'em our love, huh?"
"Will do!" Ricky said. "Ooooh -- I think I see Marie Antoinette!"
And he went off, in search of the eighteen inch waist.
Andras chuckled, and shook his head. "Straight blokes, huh?"
"Yeah," Nick said then nodded to the crowd. "Oh look, there's the little QaF lookalike now. You should ask him to dance."
"Oh yes!" Andras said, and was gone even faster that Ricky.
###
Charlie chugged a little more beer and watched Deacon dance with great appreciation. As usual his love was getting admiring and lustful looks from all sorts, and as usual was lapping it up and playing to the peanut gallery.
Charlie grinned as someone looked at him and did a double take. The room was full of dog collars but most sported rather more in the way of leather and spikes than his simple and discreet flash of white. He assumed that some of the audience thought he was the genuine article and - boy oh boy - would he be in trouble with the bishop come Sunday!
But the looks he was getting from Deacon was probably worth it. No, Deacon did not really have a secret fetish for priests but he'd spotted this particular costume in a store, had a sudden image of Charlie in it, and had gotten very worked up. For one - Charlie looked the part and could play it well. And Deacon thought that 'tempting the priest' could be quite fun. Of course in the outfit Charlie had put him in he could tempt just about anyone and was doing just that, but he kept glancing over at the booth and giving Charlie wicked looks and making sure that all the best dance moves were in clear view of his love.
Nick leaned across to Charlie and said, "How do you stand it? Why haven't you gone over there and ripped his breechclout off?"
Charlie smiled. "Practice," he said. Ever since seeing the lacrosse game bit of Last of the Mohicans he had had a pleasant dream of seeing Deacon in those fringed leggings and high mocassins and a scanty breechclout that gave glimpses of muscular thighs and buttocks. Deacon in that get up - plus the requisite beads and teeth necklaces, strategically placed feathers and a big grin - more or less explained why the West was wild.
He sighed and looked over the top of his little gold glasses and Nick sighed too and said, "Want another drink, your Holiness? Perrier with a twist?"
"Thanks," Charlie said and bunched up to let Nick past.
Seth was watching them both and then glanced back out to Deacon. "I can't decide who's hotter," he said. "You, Deacon or Nick. Well I mean Nick sorta wins by default but you and Deacon? Damn that's a tough one."
Seth had forgone the Hobbit costume he usually wore in favour of a Leprechaun. It worked just as well.
"Awww," Charlie said. "But you know, in that get up, you could make an awful lot of dreams come true. And Nick ..." He chuckled at the big figure in the striped jersey and mask. "He could crack my safe any time. Do you want to dance?" he added. "You could pretend to be teaching me. I think some of the other guests think I'm a real priest come to try and save a few souls."
Seth laughed and slid out of the booth. "You bet, your Holiness," he said and held out a hand. "And if Deacon cuts in I won't even be upset because just... damn." He grinned and then caught Nick's eye and motioned to the dance floor before leading Charlie over there.
Charlie tugged his cassock straight, and he had to admit that the lean tailored lines of it made him look very tall and slim even if it was, basically, a frock! He put a hand on Seth's waist and offered the other at shoulder height, ignoring the gyrating dancers around them, and gave his hips an experimental swing to see if the skirts would flare out.
They did.
Seth grinned. A little ways away so did Deacon. He allowed someone to put his hands on his waist but then quickly moved away and shook a finger at them when those hands had tried to wander. The man who'd been making the move pouted at him and Deacon winked and then danced his way towards Charlie and Seth.
"Well that didn't take long," Seth grumbled good naturedly and bowed out as Deacon moved in and took his place.
"Evenin' Father," he drawled, slipping an arm around Charlie's waist.
Charlie stood very tall and somewhat rigid [not just in stance, either. A lungful of fragrantly sweaty Deacon wearing his prowling cologne did dreadful things to his dignity] and nervously adjusted his glasses.
"Yes, my son," he said. "It has been - so far. Are you having fun?" Try as he might, this close to Deacon, with this particular beat ringing in his ears and making the dancefloor vibrate, he couldn't quite manage to stand still.
"Oh yeah," Deacon replied, making the words into a naughty purr and pulled him closer, forcing him to move to the music. "But I'm afraid I've been a naughty boy. Might need to go to confession."
Charlie shot Seth a manically panicky look as if to say "Don't leave meeeee - just LOOK where his hand is!" then took a deep breath - guh - and said, "Wrong denomination, dear boy. I'm strictly Anglican. Very - strict - in fact." He licked a little sweat off his top lip and carefully placed his hands on Deacon's arms, closing his eyes and whimpering at the feel.
"Ah." He moved his hips in such a way as to brush the skirts of Charlie's cassock and sucked in a breath. Yeah - Charlie in that get up did things to him all right. "You'll have to educate me on what your vows are then. Seein' as how I'm a heathen and all."
Charlie opened his eyes and leaned close, his lips almost brushing Deacon's ear. "There's only one vow I ever wanted to make," he breathed. "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
Deacon's arm tightened around him and he turned his head slightly to rest again Charlie's, suddenly unable to speak around a lump in his throat. He took a slow breath and swallowed. "Maybe we'll just have to make those vows some day then," he said softly then lifted his head enough to look at Charlie, eyes soft and oh so loving and happy, then cupped his face in one warm hand and kissed him.
Charlie melted against him, arms tight around his back and kissing him in a very unpriestly manner. After a moment he tilted his head to tear his lips away so he could take a breath and let it out with a shiver. "Before God," he sighed, "I - ohhhhh bugger - no matter what!"
Deacon laughed softly. "No matter what, Mouse. In this life and the next." Holding him close he continued to dance, ignoring everyone else around them, then decided to lighten the mood a bit. "Ya know, I'm really glad I got you this costume. Can't wait to undo alll those buttons. With my teeth."
Charlie whimpered again, leaning against Deacon so he could feel how Charlie felt about that. "That's going to take you AGES," he said and smiled. "Whereas I can get yu down to business by undoing just a couple of knots. Oooh the power!"
"Oh but makin' you wait is so - much - fun," Deacon replied, grabbing Charlie's hips and lifting him so that they aligned just right. He groaned and licked his lips. "Maybe we should play dress up more often."
"Mmmm, it's fun," Charlie agreed, thinking of a few of the options that he would never dare wear in public but that he suspected Deacon might thoroughly enjoy.
Deacon grinned and as the song came to an end he wiped sweat off his brow with his arm. "God I need a drink," he said. "Who'd have thought I could get so hot wearing this little clothes." He smirked. "Back to the table?"
Charlie, somewhat heavy eyed and kissy lipped, stepped back and nodded. "Nick was getting a round in," he said. "He should be back with them by now." He licked his lips. "After you," he said. The whole point of Deacon's attire was so Charlie could admire his rear view.
Deacon smirked then obligingly turned and headed for the table, swinging his hips just enough to make it even more worth the look. Glancing over his shoulder at Charlie Deacon groaned softly to himself again. God what was it about that outfit? Silly maybe but it made Deacon really want to just leave and find out just how long it would take him to get him out of it. He wondered briefly how long they'd have to stay at the party because, from Charlie's expression, he was wondering the same thing.
~~~
Midnight came and went and the party got wilder and hotter and Charlie began to flag a bit. The Rainbow was his favourite club but even so Hallowe'en seemed to bring out the worst in the clientele and he got sick of being buffetted on the dancefloor and very nearly decked someone in the mensroom when they wanted to know what he was wearing under his cassock.
Next time he managed to get close to Deacon - the dance floor was packed - he cut in mercilessly, crossing the surprised Dresden Sheperdess and clung close.
Deacon - hot and sweaty from the party and dancing - immediately held him close and looked concerned. "What's up, Mouse?" he asked.
Charlie leaned against him, feeling better but horribly tired, and pressed his lips to Deacon's ear. "Have you danced with everyone?" he asked. "Because I think I have and - if you don't mind - I'd like a bit of quiet, with just you."
Deacon smiled softly and ran his hand down Charlie's back. "We can go," he said, speaking in Charlie's ear to be heard. "Gallery's closer than the Manor..." Charlie chuckled. "Needs to be with you dressed like that," he murmured. "There's spare clothes and toothbrushes there too. Even some coffee and breakfast." He smiled. "I think ahead."
"You're a very smart, Mouse," Deacon said and the hand on his back slid lower and he bent his head to brush his lips across the other man's. "Do I get to undress you with my teeth when we get there?"
Charlie blinked sweat from his eyes. His little specs had long since steamed up. "When we get there," he promised, "you can do anything you like. Though I may be modestly hard to convince if I've still got the energy. I feel I should try and live up to my costume."
But here and now he gave into temptation and ran a hand down Deacon's bare chest and groaned very very softly.
Deacon pressed into that touch just a bit. "Oh I think I can convince ya," he said then took Charlie's hand. "C'mon, Mouse. Let's get outta here."
For one moment utter relief and gratitude shone on Charlie's face - he knew very well that alone Deacon could have gone on til dawn - then he gathered himself again and followed Deacon regally, cassock sweeping the floor, to the booth where they had left their things. Charlie squeezed Deacon's hand and swung his little cape around his shoulders.
"You two leaving?" Nick said, his arm tight around Seth, his other hand dangling a beer bottle.
"Yep," Deacon replied. He had nothing really to get since his outfit didn't exactly have pockets. He'd given his ID and such to Charlie to keep. "Callin' it a night. Don't think you guys really wanna watch me tempt the clergy."
"Yes we do," Seth said immediately and smirked - eyes a bit glazed and leaning heavily on Nick. As any good Irishman he'd had a lot to drink.
Charlie grinned at him. "Well you'll just have to use your imagination," he said with a chuckle. "But in any case D's taking me home because I'm sleepy so the tempting may be lower key than you might imagine."
"Okay," Nick said. "Deacon, we rely on you to tempt Charlie just as thoroughly as I plan to burgle Seth later. You take care now."
Seth beamed and Deacon chuckled. "Consider it done man," he said and slapped Nick's shoulder. "Night all. Be safe gettin' home."
He reached back and took Charlie's hand and lead him towards the door.
Charlie held his hand and proceeded across the club with a benign smile for everyone. He even blessed a few since that seemed to be what they wanted. Chester chuckled enviously as he passed, "Have fun converting the heathen," he said and waved them away.
Outside in the chill of the night Charlie unbuttoned his cape and put half of it around Deacon's bare back. It was only a couple of blocks to the gallery but there was moisture in the air and he feared that even Deacon might feel the chill.
He didn't but he did smile at Charlie in thanks. After the heat of the club the cool air felt good. And besides it was amusing to see the looks they got as they walked down the street. By the time they made it to the gallery Deacon was laughing - the last group they'd passed and whistled appriciatively and shouted a few suggestions about what they'd like to do to both Deacon and Charlie.
"Pax vobiscum, nils desperandum corborundum illegitimati and nunc dimittis to you too sweetie," Charlie was calling then he hurried to catch Deacon up, delving for his keys in the big pockets of the 'frock'. He opened the door and made his usual dive for the alarm panel to turn it off then waited for Deacon to pass him so he could lock the door again. "So," he said. "We're alone at last."
"Why yes we are." Two long steps had Charlie pressed against the door and Deacon leaned in to kiss him - deep and long and intense. He hummed in pleasure when they finally came up for air and licked his lips. "Now then, Father," he drawled softly, fingers playing with one of the many buttons on the cassock. "Do ya really think you can convert the heathen?"
"Do YOU really think you can corrupt the pure?" Charlie asked, a little anxiously because he really hoped the answer would be 'yes'. His fingers flexed on Deacon's waist, thumbs slipping under the edge of Deacon's belt and he licked his lips. "Either way it's going to be an interesting conversation. For instance, where do you stand on transubstantiation?"
"I think," Deacon said, and the hand that had been playing with the buttons slid down Charlie's front to press, briefly, on his groin before Deacon stepped back, "that any conversation needs to take place upstairs."
He turned and began walking up said stairs, well aware of how his costume would show off his rear in the process.
Charlie had sagged back against the door as he was touched but opened his eyes and stared as Deacon began to climb the stairs. "Oh God," he groaned softly and followed as though drawn by a magnet.
Up the stairs to the big room where Sean framed the pictures and where they soon hoped to have more exhibition space. Across the laminated floor and then up the next flight of stairs to the little apartment under the eves of the building. The bedroom would be warm, Charlie knew. As he had told Deacon, he had thought ahead and the bed was turned down and there was a tray with drinks and candles to be lit.
Most important, though, there was Deacon - looking good enough to eat. And with him it wouldn't have mattered if it had been cold and dark and bare boards.
Deacon lit the candles, casting the room in a soft glow then turned and smiled at Charlie. He curled a finger, beckoning him closer. "I do believe I said somethin' about those buttons and my teeth..."
"You did indeed," Charlie said, drifting close. "Your teeth undoing them." He looked down. "There's an awful lot."
"Mm hm, " Deacon agreed. "I'll have to work for it." He slipped his hands around Charlie's waist then smirked and bent, capturing the first button between his teeth. It took him a moment to figure out the best way to do it but soon enough it was undone and, slightly smug, Deacon moved to the next one.
The buttons were nice little black ones and Charlie hadn't counted them when he had done them up but he did now. "Two - three - four."
By the time he got to 'fifteen' his voice was deep and soft and the little stripe of skin between the open edges of the cassock was goosefleshed with excitement.
By this point Deacon was on his knees and reaching up tall to keep at the buttons. He growled softly as he got to Charlie's belly and nuzzled his way between the open folds to nip at the warm skin there.
"S-ixteen," Charlie whispered and brought his hands up from his sides to stroke Deacon's hair and smooth across his shoulders.
Deacon continued until he had the cossack open enough to reveal - joke boxers. Deacon chuckled. Only his Mouse would wear joke boxers beneath a cassock. He glanced up at Charlie and licked his lips.
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned," he purred then leaned in and pressed his mouth in an open kiss to the hardness behind the silk of the boxers.
Charlie had drawn breath to trot out one his barely remembered Latin tags but made a laughing, whimpering, groaning noise instead that ended with his trademark Deacon-related guh. "D," he whispered. "Ah - ohgod - I think we may be getting perilously close to blasphemy here. " He screwed his eyes shut and groaned again.
Deacon just hummed - which probably didn't help matters - then moved down and got the last few buttons undone. Charlie in an open cassock, boxers, and socks pulled up to his knees was rather amusing and he laughed softly (and with deep affection) as he slid his hands up Charlie's legs and into the legs of his boxers.
Charlie laughed too, wriggling around so the cassock swung from his shoulders and Deacon's hands missed everything sensitive. He thought he looked daft - dress shoes, well polished and long black socks - but as long as Deacon didn't mind, neither did he.
"My turn?" he asked, letting the cassock slide down his arms.
Deacon removed his hands then stood with a smirk. "If ya want," he said and helped Charlie remove the cassock completely.
Charlie folded the smooth black fabric carefully and set it aside then kicked off his shoes and took off his socks to try and regain a little dignity. Barefoot in boxers, he felt, really meant business.
That didn't stop him smirking though as he paused, deciding which bit of Deacon to undo first. "Now, let's think," he said. "How do we get these leggings off? Ah, yes. Moccassins first."
Deacon sat on the edge of the bed and offered first one foot and then the other for Charlie and as the moccassins came off he wiggled his toes. One foot - naughty thing that it was - tried to work it's way up Charlie's boxer's leg again.
Charlie did his best to ignore it as he unlaced the legging from Deacon's belt and then worked the tight buckskin down his legs. He bit his lip as Deacon's toes moved and stifled a giggle at the though that the last time he had done this sort of thing he had been reverently removing a lady's nylons.
Deacon chuckled again, a mischievious grin on his face but he didn't bother Charlie anymore as the other moccassin was removed. "What next?" he asked, looking down at himself. There really wasn't all that much to work with.
A few feathers, a necklace of 'bearclaws' and 'teeth', Deacon's arrowhead [which would be staying on], a belt and a long strip of velvet soft hide. Charlie looked him over and decided to leave the nacklace on as well - and the feathers. Very carefully he moved the front flap of the breechclout aside to work on the belt buckle. Try as he might, and that wasn't much, he couldn't help the heels of his hands from brushing a little, applying light pressure, and he held the strip of hide in place when the belt fell away.
Deacon inhaled slowly and let out a shakey breath. That little bit of cloth really didn't do much to hide the fact that he was very aroused one bit. With a grin he hooked both legs around Charlie and tugged him closer.
Charlie leaned in until his nose was in amongst the 'bear claws' and he nuzzled down Deacon's chest, hands working gently. Down - and a little further - and a bit further. He paused to fit the tip of his nose in Deacon's navel - he smelled so good everywhere - then tilted his head, mouthing, humming, cheeks bunching up in a smile.
Deacon groaned. "I think I've thoroughly tempted you," he said, one hand going to Charlie's shoulder and the other carding through his hair as he watched him.
Charlie slowly raised his head, lips still working, then looked up, heavy eyed. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he murmured, then bowed his head again.
Deacon let his head fall back and eyes close, just savouring the feel of Charlie's mouth for as long as he could. But this wasn't the way he wanted the night to end. "Stop," he breathed after a while and tugged on Charlie's hair. "Ohhh - stop, Mouse."
Charlie obeyed achingly slowly, then looked up at Deacon with his heart in his eyes. "Yes, D?" he said, moving close again, kissing his way up Deacon's chest. He puased to nuzzle a nipple and bit it carefully.
Deacon swore softly then pulled Charlie up by the hair - gently but firmly - to claim his mouth in a searing kiss. Breaking the kiss he mouthed up Charlie's jaw until he could breath in his ear. "I want to see you ride me."
"Then so you shall," Charlie whispered, standing, though he kept his lips at Deacon's ear, feeling his way around it, breath warm.
Deacon smiled, nipping Charlie's earlobe before his hand snuck down and between them to massage him through the materials of his boxers. They'd played all night. He was done playing.
Charlie was in a state of considerable need as well and so let Deacon hear how good that felt by gasping against his cheek. He caught his balance and slid both hands back to slip off the boxers, then brought them forward again and gripped Deacon's upper arms to turn him and guide him back against the pillows. Charlie followed him down, nipping and mumbling at his neck , until he was kneeling on the bed at his side, tail up and mouth busy sucking Deacon's adam's apple.
Deacon tilted his head back to give him more access then reached for the familiar tube he'd seen on the bedside table. Oh yes, Charlie had prepared for everything. On handed he flipped the lid, coated his fingers, then dropped the tube within easy reach before reaching around Charlie and gently preparing him. The gentle touches were accompanied by soft moans and growls as Charlie moved astride Deacon's hips and arched his body so that Deacon could reach and he could carry on kissing him. He whimpered softly against Deacon's cheek and reached down between them to do a little preparation of his own.
"Oh," he sighed. "I'm ready - I really am." then he lifted and directed and settled back just as he covered Deacon's mouth with his own. He cried out, panting with the sharpness of the pleasure.
Deacon's hands gripped Charlie's waist tightly, his kiss growing more intense as the man impaled himself. Relaxing his grip Deacon slid his hands slowly up and down Charlie's thighs, staying still by sheer force of will until he felt the tale tell signs of Charlie's body adjusting and relaxing and then he tilted his hips upwards, just a little bit, and made them both groan again.
Charlie kissed Deacon hard, grinding their mouths together until his head swam through lack of air then he drew away, sucking in a breath. He licked his tingling lips, eyes fixed on Deacon's, then slowly pushed himself up.
"Oh!" he said as he settled more firmly onto and around Deacon, then he tilted his pelvis and gasped, brows frowning. His hands flexed on Deacon's belly and he stilled for a moment, getting used to the feeling, before moving again.
Deacon echoed that with his own gasp and kept moving his hands on Charlie's thighs slowly, making small circles with his thumbs on the inside. His hips only moved a little, lifting to meet Charlie's downward movements, but his eyes were fixed on his face, watching with intensity.
It felt good - so good in fact he knew he wouldn't last very long. So one hand stopped its small circles and slid up to lightly grip and stroke.
That was a signal to Charlie that, tonight, Deacon didn't want to spin this out for ages. That was fine by him. He'd had a wonderful evening, had thoroughly enjoyed himself and this was the cherry on the cake. However, there were things he could do, and he knew that Deacon enjoyed seeing Charlie beside himself with pleasure.
So he moved up and forward a little so that his next movement was more directly stimulating and he arched his body, posing for Deacon's delight. The pleasure was real though, and after a couple of thrusts, he no longer had to pose but was moving naturally, gasping and moaning, head back.
"You are so - damn - hot," Deacon panted, his grip tightening and pumping and his hips moving a bit more. "C'mon, Charlie - wanna see you come...."
Charlie looked down at his little bowsprit, held fast in Deacon's hand, then leaned back to get that nudging sensation inside, as he put his hand over Deacon's guiding it. Two final strokes and he gasped again and cried out as he spilled, catching most of it in his hand. Panting he said Deacon's name, and rocked hard, jolting back to take him deeper inside.
Deacon had been watching, entranced, but that movement made him cry out and buck his hips up once - twice - and then he was coming as well, pulsing hard in the tight heat of Charlie's body and then sagging against the bed.
Swaying with tiredness, Charlie reached for the tissues at the bedside and used them to clean himself and Deacon up a bit, then he settled beside him and pulled the duvet over them both. It was warm now but the heating would be turning down soon and they would get cold. He smiled at his love and reached over him to snuff the candles. "Warm enough?" he asked.
"Perfect," Deacon replied, wrapping Charlie up in his arms. "Happy Halloween, Mouse," he added then kissed him again. "No matter what."
Charlie smiled and kissed Deacon as he settled down beside him. "No matter what," he sighed and closed his eyes, relaxing every muscle.
Soon they slept, tangled together at first, then Deacon rolled onto his belly and Charlie curled up, the arc of his spine pressed to Deacon's side, duvet pulled up over his ear. The room grew colder as the night went on and both shifted uneasily a time or two as, a few blocks away, things began to happen at the Manor.
It was just before dawn that there was a shimmer in the chilly air of the bedroom and two figures appeared as though coming from different directions. Both looked at the two men in the bed then at each other and the smaller of the two smiled broadly and the larger gave him a welcoming nod.
"I was going to wake them, to warn them," Henry said.
James shook his head. "Let them sleep," he advised. "I wouldn't want any one of mine stuck in that place."
"No," Henry agreed and smiled again. "But - well, someone ought to go and keep an eye on things, don't you think? We could - supervise?"
James just stared at him for a moment then snorted. "Yeah, supervise," he agreed.
Both spirits stooped for a moment over their respective descendents, Henry dropping a quick kiss on Charlie's hair and James moving one floppy lock back from Deacon's eyes with a disapproving sigh. Then they were gone, leaving their great-grandsons to sleep the sleep of the partied out.