Athelstan Wilder (whereareyoulord) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-06-06 20:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, brother athelstan, eli |
Who: Eli and Athelstan
What: A late-night hike
When: June 1
Where: A hiking trail in Newport Beach
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
Athelstan was, not to put too fine a face on it, terrified. Everything was all happening so fast; he still expected that Eli’s papa would show up along with her for their hike that night. Or worse, come alone and threaten him. And yet Eli had said she wanted to be his girl. Surely she wouldn’t let anyone stand in her way? She wasn’t the sort.
Either way, Athelstan was standing at the car park where they’d agreed to meet, nervously worrying his bottom lip. He just hoped she showed up. He’d picked the nicest bit of trail he could find - it started amongst the trees, then at the end, came out onto the beach, which might be very pretty by moonlight.
Eli was practically skipping as she ran to meet Athelstan. She was trying out her newfound powers; the speed that had snuck up on her practically overnight. Fueled by Logan’s blood, she was a blur through the trees as she jumped, leaped, flipped and giggled her way to the trail. By the time she popped up next to Athelstan, her hair had escaped the long braid she’d put it in, and her dark blue eyes reflected strays of lights, resembling a cat’s. She was wearing a blue dress and combat boots for the trip.
“Hello,” she laughed.
Athelstan jumped when she seemingly just appeared in front of him. “Good lord!” Erm. How awkward. At least it didn’t seem to hurt Eli physically when he said things like that. “Hello, Miss Eli!” He knew he didn’t have to call her that anymore, but now it was kind of an endearment. She acted like a lady, after all. And he was just glad she was there.
She gave him a little bow. “Sir Athelstan.” Her show of propriety done, she wrapped skinny arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “Did you bring any water for yourself? I got some, just in case.” And trail mix.
He returned the hug, smiling brightly when he pulled her tight. “I did, thank you, but more wouldn’t go amiss. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble keeping up!” Maybe a veiled question about her new ability to move fast, but also just a statement of fact.
“No, I do not think so.” She smiled sheepishly. “It’s rather new, and I admit a lot of fun.”
“When did it happen?” Athelstan was curious. He offered his arm, figuring they could set off as they talked.
“A few days ago. I dreamed that I saved someone and we ran away, and ... suddenly I can climb up walls.” She blushed a little to herself as she took his hand.
“Oh.” Athelstan raised an eyebrow. “That must be so strange, to wake up ... different.” He shook his head. “I mean, I’ve awoken recently to strange dreams, as so many of us have, but I’ve yet to acquire any powers. Except perhaps the ability to write in ancient Saxon?”
Her eyes lit up. “When do you dream? Mine started in the twelve hundreds, and now they’re in the nineteen-eighties.”
“You mean, what time period do I dream of?” Athelstan reached up to hold back a branch. “I believe it’s around 700 AD. I dream I’m a monk, living in what would be Northern England today. I dreamt that I was living in Lindisfarne, working on the Gospels - such beautiful things!” His eyes shone. “But then the Vikings came ... the last one I dreamt was going back to the Viking city with a rope around my neck. As a slave.”
Eyes that were delighted went back to being upset. “It was a lord who was devout to the old ways that ... changed me.” She hugged him again, a little tighter. Not too tight, though.
“The old ways?” Athelstan echoed. “Do you mean Viking beliefs?” She’d been changed by a Viking?
Eli nodded. “He said he’d converted to Christianity, but in my dreams, I was ... the youngest son of five.” She blushed hotly, looking down at her boot-clad feet. “The lord wanted a blood sacrifice, so he petitioned for all of the unwanted sons in families and paid them. They were all slaughtered. The lord fell in love with me, and ... he emasculated me, fed it to me, and ... then he turned me.”
Athelstan stopped, looking at her. “My God,” he said softly. “What terrible dreams to have!” He wanted to hug her, and risked it, pulling her close gently. It didn’t matter to him that she was a boy in her dreams; she’d be just as beautiful even if she turned into a boy here. “My master was a bit kinder, but still. Vikings ... raids, the whole thing.” Horrid.
She closed her eyes, trying not to cry and get bloody tears on his shirt. “I was scared you’d push me away, if I said in my dreams I wasn’t a girl. I ... presented as such, but didn’t really feel like either.” Here, she felt like a girl because she’d always been one.
Athelstan raised an eyebrow. “Eli, you’ve nothing to worry about, you know that. I’m ... bisexual. You know that.” It was still a bit strange to say the word, but it was what he was. He’d have fancied her even if she didn’t identify with any part of the gender spectrum, probably. She was enchanting.
“I know, but even if I were a boy, I’d be of more use to you than without ... anything.” She bit down on her lower lip. “So far, it’s ... irrelevant.” She still had her eyes closed, head against his chest.
“Eli, I think you’re absolutely amazing. If this is a relationship, I want far more out of it than just sex.”
... Had he just said that? Athelstan felt all the blood in his body rush to his cheeks, and a dizzy sensation overtook him. He tried to clarify, but only gurgles came out.
Eli giggled. “Oh? You are lucky. I want more out of this than sex too. Though I will not turn it down.” It was a lot easier to be honest when she was teasing.
He was still mortally embarrassed. “You ... I mean. I don’t want ... Let’s just say. Your gender is irrelevant to me.” Athelstan finally managed, eyes pinched shut in something approaching anguish.
There was really no way to get his brain off of the self-destruct course it had decided to race toward. Well, no way but one. Eli tiptoed up to kiss him, gently pulling him down to meet her. “Shh,” she murmured.
Athelstan would have said thank you, if he could. As he couldn’t, he just decided to go with her actions, sighing and trying to return the kiss. “Sorry,” he murmured. He got a bit stuck at times. Especially when talking about sex, for heaven’s sake.
“No need to be sorry,” she murmured. “For what it’s worth, when you’re ready ...” She covered her cheeks with her hands. “Ai, now you have me nervous too!”
“Let’s discuss that later on,” Athelstan said sweepingly, trying not to giggle. He offered her his arm again, and started to set off down the path. “This is my favorite trail; I thought you might enjoy it.” When in doubt, denial did work sometimes.
That made her giggle too, and she took his arm, walking with him and looking at the stars at the same time. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured reverently. “How did you find it?”
“Blind luck.” Athelstan chuckled. “I was walking on the beach and found the other end. I decided to see where it led, and it was back to that car park. But it was really lovely. As you’ll see.” He just wanted her to see how peaceful it was out here. It made him happy; he hoped it made her happy, too.
The air smelled like salt from the water and the trees. She fairly vibrated with joy, skipping ahead down the path to pick a dandelion and blow the fluff. “Make a wish!”
Athelstan laughed, obediently closing his eyes and thinking. Honestly, he just wanted his loved ones to be happy. Well. Loved ones and Eli. He wasn’t sure if he loved her yet.
She liked that not only did Athelstan indulge her childish whimsies, he participated. She grinned when she stood up, wiping her palms on her dress. “What did you wish for?”
“For those I care about to be happy. I’m sorry, I’m dull.” He grinned, feeling almost shy. She had a way of both setting him at his ease and making him feel on the spot at the same moment; it was exhilarating, up until the moment it was scary.
Eli shook her head. “No, you are wonderful. I wished for those I care about to be safe.” She reached out to take his hand again, ducking her head. “Is it awful that I like being this way because it means I can help keep you and Papa and Velma safe?”
“I don’t think it’s awful, no.” Athelstan chose his words carefully. “I think that others might weep and gnash their teeth, but you seem to be trying to find the best in the situation. Honestly, it speaks well of your character.”
“I did for a day or so, then I was done.” She chuckled, wrapping her arms around his waist. “It is hard to be sad when the people in my life are supportive of me.” Running her fingers around his wrist, she was delighted when she could feel his pulse throbbing strong.
“You’re very practical, as well.” Athelstan was half teasing, half serious. He appreciated that. “You’d never be the typical hysterical female, Eli.” He risked leaning his head down and lightly bussing the top of her hand.
“It’s hard to be when you are what I am.” When one dreamed what Eli dreamed. Tearing out someone’s throat with her teeth? Not exactly a swooning girl activity. She did blush when he kissed her hand, and she stopped for a moment. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Athelstan couldn’t help but be amused, that a vampire was blushing.
“Letting me be yours.” She kissed his knuckles, still chuckling. “You’re lovely.”
It was his turn to blush. “I was just thrilled you’d be mine,” Athelstan said softly. “I really think you’re amazing, Eli.” And he couldn’t have given a tinker’s dam about her gender, for that matter.
She tiptoed up to kiss him again. “Everything you see in me, I see in you, Athelstan. You’re amazing.”
“Oh, I think not.” He sighed against her mouth. “I’d have done a lot better at ... a lot of things if I was.” Not being terrified of her father, for one.
“Like what?” She cocked her head to the side.
“Being honest with people,” he said as they kept walking. “I mean. I don’t lie - not unless my life depends on it, really - but it took me a long time to be honest with people about some of the things I wanted.” His parents, most of all. Aidan.
“That is not a failing, Athelstan.” Eli gave him a perplexed look. “That is being human.”
“It bothers me that I can’t sometimes just go up to someone and tell them how I feel.” Athelstan shrugged. “Honesty is always the best policy, after all.”
“So practice now!” Eli grinned impishly. “How do you feel about me?”
Honest. Right. Yes. Athelstan breathed. “I find you fascinating and very beautiful, but I worry you’ll grow bored with how simple I am.”
“Simple? You’re not stupid, Athelstan.” Eli moved closer to him. “How is it that you think I am so complex?”
“I don’t know. You’ve seen quite a lot. I’m rather sheltered, and probably naive, and I don’t know. I just think you’re fascinating, as I said.” He was deeply embarrassed, and his skin probably showed that.
She reached up to stroke his cheek. “I do not think we’re that different. And it simply means that if we are, we have much we can teach each other.” She smiled at him, kissing his chin.
“Perhaps that’s the right way to go about it.” Athelstan agreed. “Just ... it sounds silly, but I’ve never dated a girl before. I’ve only ever even had one boyfriend.”
“I’ve never dated anyone before. You were my first kiss.” She smiled and tugged his hand gently, pulling him into a hug. “Things will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right.” Athelstan knew he had to trust her, and said as much. “I don’t think ill of you, Miss Eli. I just wonder sometimes what the Lord has in mind for me. And by the way, I certainly don’t expect you to go to church with me or anything. That’s my faith; it doesn’t have to be yours.”
She smiled. “I have faith, but I don’t know how much I would be okay in a church.” She’d never really been part of one, if only because she’d moved around so much.
“Well, I meant it, luv.” He smiled. He’d meant ‘luv’ in the English way, and hoped belatedly that she understood.
Eli smiled and kissed him again. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t kiss you so often.”
“I can’t say I mind.” More honesty. Athelstan smiled shyly.
“Nor I,” Eli blushed.
Athelstan took her hand again. “I think we’re near the end of the forest. Are your shoes all right to walk on the beach?” He didn’t want anything to go wrong. Not with the view that awaited them on the beach.
Reaching down, Eli unlaced her boots and wiggled out of them. After tying the strings together, she let them rest on her shoulder. “There. I like my toes in the sand.”
Athelstan chuckled. “Careful, though, we still have a bit of the forest to go.” Clearly, he’d have to make sure her feet didn’t get punctured by anything. He had to act without thinking or he’d be too embarrassed; he just walked over and picked her up, settling her into a fireman’s carry as he began to walk toward the trail’s end.
Eli giggled when Athelstan picked her up, entirely amused by everything going on. She liked when he was impulsive. “You need to think less, Sir Athelstan.”
“Do I?” He began to carry her, relieved when she was just as light as he expected her to be.
“Yes. You’re having more fun now, aren’t you?” She ran her fingers through his hair.
“It makes me smile to see you smile,” he answered truthfully, ducking his head to get under a branch. He was beginning to see moonlight through the trees.
“And it makes me smile to see you smile, so we have found ourselves in a lovely vicious circle, haven’t we.” She kissed his cheek lightly.
“Indeed we have.” They finally got to the edge of the trail, though, and Athelstan gently set Eli down. “Turn around, Miss Eli.”
The trail had dead-ended out on a stretch of lonely beach, where no one had placed any tables or anything. It was literally nothing but sand and water, and it was one of Athelstan’s favorite places in all of the county.
Eli’s jaw dropped. With the stars and the water, she couldn’t help but feel like she was in a fairy forest. “Oh, Athelstan. This is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.”
Even though he hadn’t exactly created it or anything, Athelstan couldn’t help beaming. “I love it here. I wanted to share it with you.” Did that sound hopelessly naive?
She turned and took his hands in hers, raising them to her cheeks. “Thank you.” It was like he was showing her his soul, and she couldn’t help but smile.
He couldn’t help but beam at the closeness. Athelstan sighed, closing his eyes. “Thank you.” He really did feel blessed that she’d accepted him and was here with him.