WHO: Lochlan King and Wyatt Mills WHAT: Finally finding time to meet up, maybe talking about past lives WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 WHERE: Loch's apartment RATING: Light innuendo and so much mutual pining
Lochlan had half expected tonight's plans to get pushed back again—more than half, really—so he'd been surprised when Wyatt had confirmed this afternoon that they were still on. For once, Loch's own work was caught up enough that he could spare the evening, thus leaving him no excuse to avoid the encounter. He didn't want to avoid Wyatt, but he was uncharacteristically agitated while waiting for the other wizard to show up. It seemed like that was all he had lately: nerves and very little time to soothe them. Probably it was a good thing that he didn't expect relief tonight; he'd gotten too used to needing Wyatt around since this latest divorce, and that wasn't a habit he needed to continue.
The table was set for two and the wine already opened by the time he heard the telltale pop of apparation. "In the kitchen," he called, spooning the last of the sauce onto the serving dish. It wasn't homemade, but takeout was better on real dishes. "I hope you don't mind mushroom risotto and bruschetta. I dropped by Perfezione on the way home."
For the first time in weeks the stars had aligned and allowed himself and Lochlan a window of opportunity to meet up outside of work. Or more to the point, Daniel was out of town giving a seminar, and Loch wasn’t tied up with work. Wyatt was uncomfortably aware just how much time he had been spending at his new(ish) boyfriend’s place, but he hoped he hadn’t been too neglectful of his friends. One friend in particular.
Smoothing down the front of his shirt, he considered his reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing the black jeans and green plaid shirt. A moment of two’s hesitation followed, wondering if it was too casual, but then he told himself not to be stupid and apparated to Loch’s new place. Following the sound of Lochlan’s voice through to the kitchen and smiling as he saw the table so nicely set.
“Not at all, I’ve been craving Italian all week actually,” moving to Loch’s side, he brushed a kiss against his cheek in greeting. “Can I help with anything?”
"Bring the drinks to the table?" Loch flashed him a smile that was probably too brief, but it was what he had. He nodded toward the counter where he'd set out glasses and wine, along with the non-alcoholic options. It was far more formal than he might have done another time, but considering the effort it had taken to arrange the evening, he felt it deserved the attention to detail. "I've been craving it, too. More specifically, craving this." He carried the serving dish over to the table, and a flick of his wand had the bread basket following behind him. It occurred to him belatedly that the craving extended far beyond the food itself, but he quashed that thought as quickly as it came. "I knew this month would be busy, but even I and my pessimism underestimated it."
"Sure," the smile was welcome, however brief and Wyatt obediently went to collect the drinks. Pouring the opened wine into their glasses and carrying them back to the table. Everything was beautifully presented, including his host, though Wyatt valiantly tried to ignore that thought as it chased through his mind. "Me too," the utterance was quiet, but heartfelt, he had missed spending time with Lochlan. He'd greedily become used to the other man just dropping by his place whenever he fancied since being free of Naomi. "Things have been a lot more full on for you than I thought they would be. I'm sorry for being wrapped up with Daniel so much. Have I been terribly neglectful? More importantly, will you allow me to make it up to you?" A blush crept up his neck at the connotations of his words but that in itself was so familiar that he couldn't help but smile.
"No, you haven't neglected me," Loch said, this time making a bit more effort with the smile he offered. "And you shouldn't be sorry, either. You deserve it." He wasn't entirely sure if this particular boyfriend was worthy of the spot, but it wasn't his place to judge. Merlin knew he was wrong about his own entanglements most of the time, but Wyatt was still his constant supporter. "But I won't say no to making it up, even if it isn't necessary. Who else is going to put up with my constant moaning about actors and the studio and schedules and sets?" He took his usual seat at the table. "Your busy schedule has been worth it, though, I hope?"
“I do hope I haven’t.” Wyatt offered a small smile in return, truly hoping that Loch wasn’t just humouring him. But the next words from his best friend had him smiling properly, not realising until that moment how much Lochlan’s approval of Daniel meant. Though perhaps Loch was more in approval of his happiness than the cause of it. “Tonight, I’ll be most attentive to your moans.” A tiny smirk curved his lips and one eyebrow lifted, knowing very well how differently those words could be taken. “Ari’s brother is back now, isn’t he? That’s one less trouble to deal with. Can I help with any others?” Wyatt slipped into the seat opposite Lochlan, his usual, and nodded. “It has. I’ve been in research mode and it’s paying off finally.”
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Loch said, winking across the table. Probably the innuendo in that statement should have made him uncomfortable, but it seemed instead to loosen up a little of the tension in his shoulders. Maybe things wouldn't be entirely different after all. He dished out a bit of food onto his plate and pushed the serving platter across to Wyatt. "He is back, so I can't even say I have any reason to complain right now, other than the usual small things. Maybe I just like whinging." He paused long enough to take a bite and chew. Delicious, just like always. "What are you researching now?"
Chuckling at the comeback, Wyatt inclined his head in a nod, glad to notice a little of the tension shift from the other after the lighthearted tease. Taking a portion of his own from the serving platter as it was slid toward him, Wyatt inhaled deeply before actually tasting the meal. It really did smell incredible and he knew it was going to taste just as good, even before he popped the first forkfull into his mouth. “Small things can warrant a good whinge, especially if there are multiple small things.” Taking a sip of wine between bites, he licked a drop from his lips before replying. “The Prince and his Knight. Daniel managed to find some very specific texts to that region and era which have proved incredibly insightful.”
Loch frowned slightly, though it was out of thought rather than discontent, then felt a little silly when he realised what the other was referencing. "Your past lives," he said, more statement than question, and smiled a bit sheepishly. "Sorry, I was trying to attach that to some Wizzywood project and was coming up blank. This was...Eadred, was it?" He wasn't sure why that particular detail stuck in his head when he hadn't even made the connection at all at first, but it seemed an important one. "Do you know yet what happened to them?"
At the frown Wyatt wondered for a second if he had spoken out of turn, but recognized that the look was a thoughtful one soon after. “That’s right.” The sheepish smile was met with a warm one of his own and he nodded, taking another bite of food. “Mmhm that’s the one. Eadred was me and Dynadin was... the knight.” He’d almost slipped up and said you, but he didn’t think they were at the stage of the evening where those bombshells should be dropped. “I’m getting closer, it’s actually a little mysterious. He was magical, apparently could talk to dragons.”
Loch's eyebrows went up at that. "Were his people magical? Or was he one of those unfortunate Muggleborns who were missed? Talking to dragons, that's—" He huffed a laugh and topped it off with a wink. "You were impressive in your past life, Wyatt."
He was quiet for a moment, eating and testing out the wine. It also gave him an opportunity to watch Wyatt without the need for comment except for a pleased noise at how good everything—company silently included. He wiped his mouth. "It occurs to me that having a personal knight is slightly superfluous when you have a dragon. Well, assuming he got along with the dragons and didn't spend all his time arguing with them. Listen to me, already writing the script." He grinned.
“From what I can gather, he was a muggleborn, and his abilities were kept secret for the most part. But their kingdom enjoyed bountiful harvests whatever the weather conditions and were never troubled by dragons. Supposedly because he could talk to them.” It all sounded a little far fetched, he very much doubted someone could actually speak to dragons and understand their response. But all he had to go on were words written ages ago and things could have been lost in translation.
An amused noise filtered past his mouthful and he nodded, swallowing his food before replying because he remembered good manners. “He probably did argue with them, I should think Dragons have very strong opinions. As for his knight,” Wyatt’s gaze lifted from his plate and a soft smile came to his lips, “there were things they did together that a dragon definitely wouldn’t be good for.” Another sip of wine was taken, “you could turn this into an incredible script, I’m sure. Personally, I’d like to hear more from the knight’s perspective.”
Loch's response to the suggestiveness of that statement was only an answering smile and the briefest twitch of his eyebrows. Another time, he'd have continued in that same vein, but right now it felt off the table. "Hmm, yes, I imagine the knight's perspective could be an interesting one. Not only does he have a clandestine and potentially guilt-ridden relationship with his prince, but he's also afraid that said prince is losing his mind. The real question is whether he ever learns the truth about the magic and the dragons, or a piece of it. Or perhaps that's what ultimately drove them apart?"
He primed another bite of food, but rather than eating he studied Wyatt across the table. He'd long since memorized all those features, but he never minded the refresher. "If you truly don't mind...it does have the threads of a truly exceptional script. Have you run out of materials, or do you think you may learn more about them? I confess, I'm curious. And not only because it's a good story."
“It could well be what drove them apart.” Wyatt mused, a sad look in his eyes shining through before he could smother it completely. He still hadn’t found out the latter half of their tale, so it was a plausible explanation for why they didn’t have a happy ending. “If I was a nomaj in the 500s and my partner told me he could speak to dragons I’d be questioning his sanity too.”
His attention went back to his meal, missing the way he was being studied for a moment or two. “Of course I don’t mind.” Wyatt smiled, wiping a smudge of sauce from the corner of his mouth. Strangely buoyed by Lochlan’s curiosity, wondering if there was more to his former love’s interest. “Daniel is actually seeking out more material as we speak, he’s lucky enough to have far more contacts than I do in Historian circles. I only taught at High School level. So hopefully, I’ll find answers to all the questions currently rattling around in my head and we can fill up that script.”
Loch tried to imagine it, automatically placing himself in the role of the knight and Wyatt, naturally, as the prince. It would be difficult to find out something unbelievable like that, a struggle between knowledge and faith, but.... "I'd believe you," he said, his smile also a little sad, though he wasn't entirely sure why. "If you told me you could talk to dragons."
He didn't visibly react to the name of Wyatt's boyfriend, but he could feel it in the center of his chest. He ignored it. "Give yourself more credit than that. It's not all about the credentials. My projects certainly wouldn't survive without you." He smiled as he got another bite of food. "I'm pretty sure I could fill up the script without it, but I'd rather have more complete source material."
Savouring another fork full of risotto, Wyatt felt a flood of warmth through his being that had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with Lochlan's answer. Knowing somehow that Dynadin’s would have been the same. “Thank you.” He smiled gently, recognising the sadness in Loch’s expression and wondering what the cause was. Could he be remembering some of his past feelings? “I like knowing you would always be on my side.”
Dipping his head a little he tried to ignore the fluttering in his stomach that inevitably occurred whenever he was around his former husband. “I’ll try to remember that. But your projects are usually sturdy enough to stand without too much of my nitpicking interference.” He chuckled then, recalling how the costume department had initially balked at his input. “As soon as we find out more I’ll let you know. Or if I remember anything further. That particular life seems to be featuring more in my dreams of late. Although perhaps that has more to do with how dashing Knights are.”
It wasn't a compliment directed at him, but it felt like it was for all that it flowed through him until even his toes were tingly. It didn't help that Wyatt's smile still hung in his head, repeating along with the knowledge that he would always be on the wizard's side, and he was sure Wyatt would always be on his. The sudden urge to reach across the table and hold his hand—or touch him at all—was almost overwhelming. Some dashing knight he was, unable even to let this go when Wyatt was attached.
"How's everything else? Any new freelance projects? Ophelia?" Loch forced himself to keep the questions light along with his expression, but he couldn't help the way his stomach dropped as he added, "Daniel? Things are...good?"
Unbeknownst to him, Wyatt's own inner turmoil matched Lochlan's, that desire to take hold of the other wizard's hand just as strong as it always had been. But he couldn't. Not now he was seeing someone else. Daniel was the only one he should want to hold.
"I've been trying to reorganise my study, but have made very little progress." Wyatt chuckled, "too easily distracted when I happen across books or papers I'd forgotten about. O is well, she's still trying to get the rewrites done on her novel."
Setting his fork down on his almost empty plate, Wyatt picked up his last slice of bruschetta and considered it for a moment. "Things with Daniel are good, yes." His answer was a little hesitant, unsure if Loch really wanted to know. "He's really interested in my other selves. Though I suppose that's only natural."
Despite having asked the questions, Loch wasn't sure what to say after that. He knew it was because of that last answer, and that no matter how much he tried to convince himself it was ridiculous, he didn't like that Wyatt had a boyfriend. He'd never say it, but he couldn't push the thought away. Rather than say anything, he only smiled and nodded, then stood up with his mostly empty plate in his hands. "Cake? Let me spoil you a bit before you go back to your organizing and work and research."
There was a feeling of discomfort that skittered down his spine at the moment of silence which followed his answer. He knew the reason for it, or could take a guess, he'd often lapsed into a similar silence whenever Naomi had been mentioned while she and Loch had still been together. "Cake too, you're really spoiling me." Finishing his last bite, he stood, following Loch with his own plate. "I won't want to leave if you carry on tempting me with deliciousness."
"That's always an option," Loch said automatically, without really considering the truth that was under the words. He chastised himself as he served a piece of cake for each of them. He'd said it because it was safe, because it wasn't an option right now, and he kind of hated himself for it. He pushed one of the plates and a fork down the counter toward Wyatt. "I can't claim credit for it, though. Perfezione makes me look like a far better host than I am."
The automatic response made a warmth swell in his chest that had absolutely no right being there considering he was with Dan, but he couldn’t help the feelings he still had for Loch. Not when there was so much history between them. “Mmm, I do love your sofa.” It was a nonsense reply, but a safe one, both of them knew better. “I haven’t been to Perfezione since the last time we went.” Wyatt mused, picking up the fork as it was sent in his direction and admiring the cake for a moment. The restaurant had been one of their places, and he selfishly didn’t want to share it with anyone, not even Daniel.
Loch exhaled, and it was half breath and half laugh. "Merlin, I lo—" he caught himself just in time, covering it with a cough. I love you. It wouldn't have been the first time he'd said it. Possibly he could have construed it as a friendly thing, a joke that ran as far back as their short-lived marriage, but it would have been a lie. That knowledge hit him squarely in the chest, nearly knocking the breath out of him in truth. He managed to speak again, but it was weak at best. "I love Perfezione enough that I could go every night. It's a good thing my schedule doesn't allow it, and my assistant would call me on it if I tried to have her do it."
He sneaked a look at Wyatt as he took a bite, not because he was avoiding looking at the man, but because he was afraid Wyatt would see the difference in his expression. He tried to remind himself that it wasn't truly new information. Wyatt had been important to him for a long time. More than important. They'd been married and stayed close even after the decision to legally separate. So why did it suddenly feel like the ground had fallen out from under him?
Loch reached for his wine glass, determined that tonight was going to be a normal night, regardless of the turmoil in his head. He lightly touched it to the side of Wyatt's glass. "Thank you for coming over, despite being so busy. Seeing you keeps me sane."
The tiny hesitation got him thinking along a track he definitely shouldn’t be treading, it seemed like both of them were withholding their truth. Perhaps Rafe was right and they were destined to be together in this life? Or maybe their past lives were their real truth? “Me too, though I think all the carbs would take their toll on me.” He gave a little chuckle, but it didn’t sound as strong as it should, not when it felt like the world was suddenly upside down.
Any glances were unnoticed by Wyatt as he tucked into the delicious cake, a noise slipping past his lips that was definitely not suited to the kitchen. He snuck a peek at Loch while they ate, wondering what was on his mind, but carefully looking back to his plate when he sensed he might be caught in his staring.
“Thank you for inviting me.” He tapped his glass to Lochlan’s in return, the smile on his face soft and fond, probably too much so, but he couldn’t help it. “I’m glad our schedules aligned because honestly, I feel exactly the same.”