Khaos and Gwen
Khaos watched Mordred thoughtfully, and then decided to help him maybe get closure.
She floated up and found Gwen, explaining the situation to her.
"You have exactly twenty-four hours. Use them well."
With a simple click of her fingers, Gwen was sent back to Mordred
for one day.
"Mordred?"
Mordred.
Mordred stirred sleepily.
He'd cried himself to sleep after he'd put the kids to bed after
the funeral. And cleaned up. And then had to sit and just look
around at Gwen's things and cried some more.
"Mmm..."
He turned, not fully conscious yet and snuggled slightly closer
to her, one arm coming up to rest across her legs.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and bent down, kissing his forehead.
"You need to shave, my love."
She ran a finger over his jaw softly.
Mordred.
"Gwen?"
Mordred stared at her dazedly, lifting his head slightly.
"You can't be here. You're dead. I buried you..."
Gwen
Gwen gently cupped his face.
"I've been given one day, just so we can say goodbye."
She kissed his nose.
Mordred.
"Gwen, I love you."
Mordred wrapped his arms around her, chest already tearing up
with anguished sobs.
"Oh god. I don't want you to leave again."
Gwen
Gwen put her arms around him, kissing his neck.
"Darling, I can't. I'm sorry. I love you so much though, and I'm
always watching."
Mordred.
Mordred keened softly for a moment.
"I love you, mo cariad. I watched the video..."
Gwen
Gwen smiled and kissed him gently.
"Not my best speech, but it had to do, I suppose."
She ran a hand through his hair.
"I love you too, amin liy."
Mordred.
"I love you..."
Mordred kissed her desperately, wanting to memorise every aspect
of her and knowing with time it would fade. God please no.
Gwen
Gwen kissed him back, and rubbed his cheek with her hand.
"I love you, my love, my darling."
Mordred.
Mordred kissed down her neck, breathing in her scent.
"I wish we didn't have just the one day. I want all the days with
you."
Gwen
"I know, love. I know. But... if she brought me back forever...
then things would go wrong. I'd come back wrong."
Gwen hugged him tightly.
"Come on, you go have a shower, and I'll go see the kids."
Mordred.
"Yeah..."
Mordred kissed her again, then got up off the bed.
Gwen
Gwen hopped up and went into Faolan's room first.
"Fao?"
Mordred & Faolan.
Mordred went to have a shower and to shave.
Faolan rocketed out of his bed and clung to her legs, shivering
slightly.
"Mum."
Gwen
Gwen bent and picked him up, cradling him in her arms.
"Hey you."
Faolan.
Faolan clung to her neck with his arms, breath coming in short
huffing pants.
"How long? How long until they take you back?"
Gwen
"A day."
Gwen kissed his head.
"I wish I could stay longer."
Faolan.
"Me too."
Faolan clung to her a bit longer, head buried in her shoulders
and slow tears wetting her clothes.
"Seen the twins yet?"
Gwen
"I was just about to."
Gwen lowered Faolan to the ground.
"Come on."
Faolan.
Faolan reached up and hugged around her waist.
"I love you, Mum."
Gwen
"I love you too, little cat."
Gwen held his hand as they walked to the twins room. She opened
the door and switched on the light.
Mordred, Eavan & Bryant.
The twins were asleep, breathing evenly.
Mordred stepped out of the shower and ran an appraising hand over
his jaw. Yeah, definetely needed a shave.
Gwen
Gwen walked over to the beds and bent down in front of Eavan's
first, running a hand lightly over her daughter's face.
"Eavie, baby girl."
Eavan
"Mum?"
Eavan stirred slightly, opening her eyes slowly to look at Gwen.
Gwen
"Hi darling," Gwen said softly.
She touched her cheek.
Eavan.
"Mum!"
Eavan sat up and hugged Gwen.
"Bry, wake up!"
Gwen
Gwen hugged Eavan and lifted her onto her lap, as Bryant woke up
and blinked slightly.
"Huh?" he said.
Eavan.
"Silly," Eavan scolded, hugging Gwen then kissing her cheek.
"Look, it's Mum!"
Gwen
"Mum!"
Bryant jumped off his bed and into Gwen's arms.
Gwen hugged the twins close to her.
"I'm sorry to wake you all up."
Eavan.
Eavan yawned slightly.
"But if you didn't, then we would have had to have words."
She nodded seriously.
Gwen
"You, are remarkably like your father."
Gwen lifted Eavan and Bryant up into her lap.
Eavan & Bryant
"We no longer have anyone to contain his...what's the word, Bry?"
Eavan asked.
"Baneful sphere of influence," Bryant said, nodding.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and kissed each of their cheeks.
"Come on, let's go see how your father's doing."
She picked them up and led them back to her and Mordred's room.
Mordred.
Mordred dragged on some clothes and turned to face the door when
it opened.
Faolan jumped onto his bed and bounced.
"Brat," Mordred said fondly.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and set Eavan and Bryant down on the bed, where they
started to bounce with Faolan.
Gwen shook her head and walked over to Mordred. kissing his cheek
gently.
"Mmmm."
Mordred.
Mordred turned his head and kissed her softly.
"You're all hideous brats."
"Yeah, but you love us!" Faolan crowed.
"Don't push it, mate."
Gwen
Gwen felt a tiny pang as she watched the kids jump around. She
wished she could stay forever.
"Obviously taking after you, I'm in no way a brat."
She nodded and leaned against him.
Mordred.
"Love you..." Mordred whispered into her mind, a soft
telepathic sigh.
"They can't get it all from me. Some of it has to be you."
"No it's not, cos Mum's just lovely!" Eavan chimed in.
"And you're vile!" Bryant added, bouncing on the bed.
"You're just a-"
"Finish that sentence and you don't get to touch the PS2, the
DVD, video or tv for a week," Mordred cut in.
They pouted at him.
Gwen
Gwen squeezed Mordred's hand gently.
"I love you too, my darling."
She laughed and took a step back as Bryant and Eavan launched
themselves at her again.
"Whoa!"
Mordred.
"They missed you. I don't know how..."
Mordred's eyes turned dark with grief. How was he going to
explain it to the twins when she had to leave again?
Gwen
"We'll get through this."
Gwen set Eavan and Bryant down again.
"Why don't you guys go downstairs and watch some cartoons for a
bit, and your father and I will be down soon, ok?"
Eavan grinned slightly and pulled on Bryant's arm.
"Ok!"
Mordred.
Faolan glanced at both of them and then walked after the twins.
"Bet they got Scooby Doo on now."
"You think?" Eavan said excitedly.
"Gwen, I..."
Mordred wrapped his arms around her waist, shaking as he leant
his head down on her shoulder.
Gwen
"I know baby."
Gwen kissed him gently.
"I love you, please don't ever doubt that."
Mordred.
"I love you."
Mordred kissed her again.
"And I can't fight this. There's nothing I can do."
Gwen
"I know. And I've tried, believe me... I've been begging and
begging, but... His decision is final, it seems."
Gwen led him over to their bed, and sat down.
"But I'm always watching you, and I'm always here... always,
just... not... physically."
Mordred.
"I know. I know."
Mordred kissed her again, sliding his hands around to cup her
butt.
"I love you. I'll never stop loving you."
Gwen
"I'll never stop loving you, either."
Gwen kissed him back, one hand sliding down the waistband of his
pants.
Mordred.
Mordred bucked and moaned into her mouth.
"Oh god, Gwen!"
Gwen
Gwen kissed him deeply, pushing him down onto the bed, and
undoing his pants. She slid them off his legs and licked across his
length gently.
Mordred.
"Gwen!"
Mordred's hips bucked reflexively as he moaned.
"Goddddd, Gwennnnnn..."
Gwen
Gwen took him in her mouth, humming slightly.
One hand went up his shirt and tugged on his nipple rings.
Mordred.
"God!"
Mordred managed not to shout, hand fisting in the sheets. Too
long. Since the fight after Tav and all that...
He came into her mouth, moaning softly.
Gwen
Gwen swallowed and pulled back, moving up to kiss him gently.
Mordred kissed her back, fingers fumbling with her shirt.
"Love you."
Gwen
"Love you back."
Gwen closed her eyes slightly, fingers still twisting his nipple
rings.
Mordred.
Mordred slid her shirt down off her shoulders and kissed her
collarbones.
Can't forget this. Ever.
He nipped his way down to her breasts, unclipping the clasp at
the back and taking her bra off before taking her nipple in his
mouth and rolling it slightly with his tongue. His fingers got busy
with undoing the button and zipper of her pants to get them off as
well.
Gwen
Gwen moaned softly as she lifted her hips to help him get his
pants off.
"Love you so much."
Mordred.
"Mmm..." Mordred hummed.
He kissed his way down her body, pushing her down onto the bed as
he sucked hard on one of her hipbones. He licked across her softly.
Gwen
Gwen moaned and her hips bucked up slightly.
"God..."
Mordred.
Mordred flicked her stud slightly, before sliding a finger into
her.
"Hmmm..." he hummed against her.
Gwen
Gwen's eyes rolled back in her head.
"Ah God..."
Mordred.
Mordred slid another finger into her, still humming.
Gwen
Gwen's hips bucked up slightly as she came.
"Mordred..."
Mordred.
Mordred hummed as he licked her clean, then moved up to kiss her.
"Love how you taste, cariad."
Gwen
Gwen kissed him back, sliding her hand down to rub his length.
"Mmmm."
Mordred.
Mordred moaned into her ear.
"Goddd..."
He thrust into her hand slightly, then kissed her as he entered
her slowly.
Gwen
Gwen moaned, her hips thrusting up to meet his.
"Godddd Mordred..."
Mordred.
"Gwen..."
Mordred kissed her face softly, nipping at her lips lightly as he
started to move his hips slowly.
Gwen
Gwen kissed him properly, her tongue delving deep into his mouth.
"Love you."
Mordred.
"Love you too, cariad, my heart..." Mordred moaned as he started
to thrust slightly harder.
He slid a hand down between them to rub her lightly.
Gwen
"God, Mordred..."
Gwen moaned, nipping at his neck and giving him a large hickey.
Mordred.
"Mark me..."
Mordred kissed her neck.
"So I can look at it when you're gone. Make it last."
Gwen
Gwen nipped harder, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"Harder," she whispered in his ear.
Mordred.
Mordred groaned, then started to thrust his hips harder.
"Gwen!"
Gwen
Gwen's head fell back as she scratched down his back, drawing
blood.
"GOD!"
Mordred.
Mordred moaned loudly.
"Ah god!"
He sank his teeth into the bitemark he'd left there, drawing
blood. He lapped at the welling crimson liquid, hips continuing to
thrust into her hard.
Gwen
Gwen moaned and her hips bucked up.
"Ah... f*ck..."
She bit down on his shoulder. Hard.
Mordred.
Mordred howled, hips bucking hard.
"GWEN!"
He rubbed her harder with his fingers as he came.
Gwen
Gwen moaned loudly as she came.
"Oh God..."
Mordred.
Mordred nuzzled her neck, panting lightly.
"Love you."
Gwen
Gwen smiled and kissed his forehead.
"Love you too."
Mordred.
"Should go check on the kids..."
Mordred didn't make an effort to move off her, supporting most of
his weight on his elbows as his fingers traced the planes of her
face.
Gwen
Gwen smiled at him, hand trailing over his shoulders.
"We should."
Mordred
"Hmm..."
Mordred licked across the bite.
"Didn't hurt you?"
Gwen
Gwen shook her head.
"Nope, did I hurt you?"
She trailed her fingers over the scratches on his back.
Mordred.
Mordred grinned slightly as he shivered.
"But I asked you to."
Gwen
"Hmm, I guess you have a point there."
Gwen licked along his neck gently.
Mordred.
"You keep doing that," Mordred said.
"And we're never going to leave the bed for this 24 hours we got."
Gwen
Gwen grinned innocently and licked his neck again.
"Why?"
Mordred.
Mordred eyes gleamed gold for a few seconds and he nipped at the
bite mark on her neck again.
"You know why."
Gwen
Gwen shrugged slightly.
"Do I?"
She twisted one of his nipple rings.
Mordred.
Mordred grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head, almost
growling.
"You really like to play with fire."
Gwen
"Hmm, or maybe..."
Gwen shocked him and rolled them so she was on top.
"Maybe I just like playing with you."
She sank down over his length.
Mordred.
Mordred hissed and clutched at her hips with his hands, leaving
fingerprint bruises forming.
"You really are a brat."
Gwen
"No, didn't you hear Eavie? I'm lovely. You're vile."
Gwen rocked slowly, inscreasing rhythm.
Mordred.
"Stupid menopausal women making books that get turned into
movies," Mordred muttered.
He ran his fingers across her stud lightly, hips thrusting up to
met hers.
Gwen
Gwen moaned and bent slightly to kiss him.
"That was a good movie. You loved it, I saw you get teary as we
watched it."
Mordred.
"Did not," Mordred moaned.
He kissed her again as he pressed firmly down on her stud.
Gwen
"AH F*CK!"
Gwen bent and bit into his shoulder, breaking the skin and
lapping up the blood.
Gwen
"AH F*CK!"
Gwen bent and bit into his shoulder, breaking the skin and
lapping up the blood.
Mordred.
Mordred hissed, hips bucking up.
"Gwen!"
He continued to rub her stud wuth his fingers.
Gwen
Gwen clenched around him as she came, moving faster.
"God!"
Mordred.
"Ah god!"
Mordred came, moaning softly.
Gwen
Gwen rolled off him gently and kissed his neck.
"Mmm, maybe we should check on the kids."
Mordred.
"Mmm, yeah."
Mordred nodded slightly, tracing a hand up her stomach.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and rested her head on his chest for a moment.
"I love you."
Mordred.
"I love you too."
Mordred kissed her gently, then started to dress.
Gwen
Gwen sat up and got dressed, then went to the dresser and sprayed
on some perfume.
"Come on, let's go see the kids."
Mordred.
"Yeah."
Mordred kissed the side of her neck gently, then walked
downstairs. The kids were all happily glued to the television.
Gwen
Gwen watched him for a second, then followed.
"Anything good on?" she asked.
"Scooby!" Eavan exclaimed.
Mordred.
"Scooby Doo...oldie but a goodie," Mordred said, watching his
children.
"How's does everyone feel about pizza as a midnight snack?"
"Pizza! Yay!" Eavan and Bryant exclaimed.
Faolan gave his father a thumbs up.
Gwen
Gwen hopped onto the couch, and lifted Eavan into her lap.
"Mmmm pizza."
She looked at Mordred for a second.
"I was kinda curious... why wasn't Angel at my funeral? And
what's doing with Bek and Jono? They looked all... close."
Mordred.
Mordred paused on his walk through to the kitchen to order pizza.
"Apparently Bek and Jono are going out now. Rogue slept with
Gambit while she and Jono were still going out..."
An edge of sheer rage filled his movements for a moment. He
didn't like people who cheated on their partners.
"Ian died. Bek and Jono hooked up. I don't even know how that
happened. And Angel and Spike are soulless now. Except as you saw,
soulless Spike isn't really that different from souled Spike. But
Angelus is a real bastard, Vort says."
Gwen
"Ah... I wondered a bit. Nice speeches. Could've lived without
Faith calling me a shit stirrer. However true that is."
Gwen set Eavan down on the chair as she followed Mordred,
wrapping her arms around his waist.
Mordred.
"Didn't hear the speeches after mine," Mordred said softly.
"I kind of lost it after I tried to sing."
He reached out for the phone and started dialling the number for
the local pizza place that would still deliver.
Gwen
Gwen nodded and perched on the table, watching him.
"Love you," she said softly.
Mordred.
Mordred mouthed 'I love you' back to her, then returned his
attention to the pizza guy and ordered. After a few minutes of
conversation, he hung up.
"Pizza'll be here in about half an hour."
He walked over to the fridge and leant down to grab a beer.
"Want one?"
Gwen
"Yeah why not."
Gwen took the beer from him and they headed back to the living
room.
"I can't believe pizza places are still open."
Mordred.
"I actually think that place is run by demons, but I'm not game
enough to ask," Mordred said.
He drank from his beer deeply, and sighed slightly in
satisfaction.
Gwen
"Well that's... a little odd."
Gwen shooed the kids off the lounge, then unfolded the bed and
let them all jump on again.
Mordred.
"Really good pizza though," Mordred said, joining the kids on the
couch.
"Sit down, Mum!" Eavan said.
Bryant crawled over Mordred and his father ruffled his hair with
his free hand.
Gwen
Gwen sat down next to Mordred, smiling.
Eavan crawled into her lap and curled up slightly.
"Let's watch a movie!" Eavan suggested.
Gwen took a sip of beer and nodded.
Mordred.
"Fao, you pick one to put one," Mordred said.
Faolan grinned and slid in a DVD.
"I feel it in the waters..." Galadriel's voice whispered
in English, followed by the Elvish.
"Oh, not again!"
Gwen
"You'd think going there would be enough for him."
Gwen set her beer on the coffee table and lay down on the bed,
shivering slightly.
"Do we still have that blanket down here?"
Mordred.
"Have to remember," Faolan said softly, eyes riveted on the
screen.
"I have things to do there."
He nodded to himself and Mordred looked a bit worried, then
reached over and grabbed the blanket, throwing it over Gwen.
"There, love."
Gwen
"Thanks."
Gwen eyed Faolan, then decided she'd just keep an eye on him
later. She lay with her head in Mordred's lap, smiling slightly, and
running a hand through Bryant's hair.
"You need a haircut, baby boy."
"Don't."
"Do."
"Da, I don't, do I?"
Mordred.
"Doesn't have to if he doesn't want to," Mordred said.
"But if you're gonna keep it long, you're gonna keep it clean and
presentable looking."
Bryant screwed his face up in indescision. Faolan chuckled,
letting his own untamed fringe hang over his eyes.
"I don't get mine cut. But it just grows back anyway when I shift
human."
Gwen
Eavan giggled.
"Bry can't do that. He's too lazy."
Gwen shook her head.
"Don't be mean to your brother."
"Wasn't. Did you see Bry blew his nose on Bobby's shirt?"
Gwen laughed.
"Yeah... nice work, Bry."
Mordred.
"I thought so," Bryant said and preened slightly.
"He did what?" MOrdred asked curiously.
"Um, bad boy yeah. Pssh, who am I kidding? I don't like Bobby.
Anytime you feel like faking tears to cry and rub snot into Bobby's
shirt, feel free."
Gwen
"I love how no one likes that kid."
Gwen grinned and nudged Mordred so he'd lay down too.
"My funeral was nice, lots of tears. The way it should be."
Mordred.
Mordred lay down obediently.
"Octavian and Demetria like Bobby. Vortigern does as well."
He grinned slightly.
"Here's something you wouldn't know. Bobby and Julie are in love
and they're trying a mostly exclusive relationship...and Tavvie's in
love with Bobby and Bobby, hopeless blind gowk that he is, doesn't
have a bloody clue."
Gwen
"How very 'Young and The Restless' of them."
Gwen lay her head on Mordred's chest, and she traced patterns on
his stomach.
"Ok, so answer me this... what happened to Dem and Bek? They
didn't look very healthy. And anytime anyone went near Bek, Jono did
this snarl thing."
Mordred.
"I'm not sure..."
Mordred sighed slightly.
"I know the signs of a beating when I see it. And Dem was walking
strange. That's rape, I think. But both of them were locked up
tighter then a virgin nun's thighs for telepaths."
Gwen
Gwen kissed his neck.
"Well, she's walking, that's a good thing, I guess."
She smiled a small smile.
"Jono and Bek... that still really surprises me, but anyway..."
Mordred.
"I find out who touched either of them, they're dead," Mordred
said in a low voice.
"I can't get through Xavier's shields, and he's put them on all
the students now. Not including the ones who already knew how to
keep most 'paths out."
Gwen
"That's probably a good idea."
Gwen shrugged.
"Telepathic attacks are not fun. Neither is mind control. But
they seem ok now... not completely good, they were both still really
nervous about everything."
She sighed.
"Not pleasant to watch."
Mordred.
"You don't mind when I..."
Killed Kate with his mind. Killed Leila too.
Mordred tilted his head slightly, looking into her eyes.
Gwen
Gwen paused thoughtfully.
"Hmmm, yeah... well... I mean, Bek and Dem are pretty much
innocents, they don't deserve it. And some other people did."
She looked up as the doorbell rang.
"PIZZA!" Eavan and Bryant yelled.
Mordred.
Mordred got up and grabbed his wallet on the way. He paid the guy
and came back, setting the boxes down on the table.
Gwen
Gwen opened a box and grinned.
"Awww, food, I've missed you."
She picked up a slice and took a bite.
Mordred.
"What, you don't eat in heaven?" Mordred asked before he took a
large bite.
The kids were silent for once as they started t gorge themselves
on pizza slices.
Gwen
"Oh we do, but not pizza. And anything other than pizza is not
real food."
Gwen nodded and took another bite, chewing thoughtfully.
"It's nice you assumed I went to heaven... which reminds me...
watcher angel is going to be spitting chips when I get back.
Strictly speaking, I'm not actually allowed to leave."
Mordred.
Mordred nodded, swallowing the food in his mouth.
"Point him out when I get there, and I'll kick his ass for ya."
Gwen
"Thank you, love."
Gwen grinned and kissed him gently.
"You're going back?" Eavan asked, suddenely.
Mordred.
"She has to, sweetheart," Mordred said gently.
"But she doesn't have to go for quite a bit."
Gwen
Eavan nodded slowly, moving slightly closer to Gwen.
Gwen closed her eyes for a moment.
Mordred.
Mordred leant over and kissed her gently.
Faolan giggled as Gimli tried to destroy the Ring and failed
miserably.
Gwen
Gwen kissed him back and snuggled into his side again.
God, she didn't want to leave again.
MOrdred.
They watched the movie through, and Mordred snickered at Frodo
and Sam at the end.
"If I didn't know them, I'd swear they're gay."
Gwen
Gwen smiled faintly as she dozed lightly.
"She's asleep," Bryant said.
"No I'm not," Gwen replied quietly.
Mordred.
"Still say that we should Dem and Tav to Middle Earth and throw
them in Elven society," Mordred said.
"Watching Glorfindel try to deal with them would be better then
good. Watching Legolas would be even better."
Gwen
"Think they'd gone to Undying Lands now anyhow."
Gwen sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"So, what now?"
Mordred.
"So we figure a spell for the Undying Lands and go there,"
Mordred said.
He didn't want to think that this meant Pippin, Merry and the
other of the Fellowship who weren't Elves would be dead.
Gwen
"No I meant like... you know... what now today? I have... about
20 hours."
Gwen yawned.
Mordred.
"Hmm..."
Mordred rested his head on hers.
"We could do this all day Just be...family-like."
Gwen
"Well, if we're gonna vege..."
Gwen hopped up suddenly.
"I'm putting pj's on."
Mordred.
"K, love."
Mordred watched her leave with lazy eyes, then slid a new movie
into the player. 'The Nightmare before Christmas.'
Gwen
Gwen skipped upstairs to their room and changed into her pyjamas,
then toddled off down the stairs again.
She hopped onto the bed and wrapped the blanket around herself
and Mordred.
Mordred.
Mordred wrapped his arms around her and they watched movies until
the kids dropped from exhaustion.
"Hmm..."
Mordred looked at Bryant and Eavan, who were both asleep. Faolan
was fighting it, but he was very close. It was about noon.
Gwen
Gwen smiled slightly and snuggled into Mordred, her arm around
Eavan and Bryant.
"We should put them to bed, but I don't want to leave them until
I have to, really."
Mordred.
"One of the things I missed most, was just holding you while we
slept," Mordred said.
"Can we do that for a bit?"
Gwen
Gwen nodded and kissed him gently.
"Of course."
Mordred.
Mordred sighed softly as he closed his eyes. HE leant his face
into the curve of her neck and wrapped an arm around her middle.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and closed her eyes, entwining their fingers gently.
"Mmmm."
Mordred.
They slept for a few hours, while the sun slipped below the
horizon. Mordred stirred as he woke up and then settled again,
listening to her breathe.
Gwen
Gwen sighed in her sleep as she rolled over, putting an arm
across his stomach.
Mordred.
Mordred kissed her forehead gently, and watched her sleep.
"Love you," he murmured softly.
Gwen
Gwen opened her eyes slowly and smiled sleepily at him.
"Love you too."
She kissed him softly.
Mordred.
Mordred traced his fingers over the skin of her stomach lightly.
"What do you want to do?"
Gwen
"You."
Gwen sat up and blinked a few times.
"Nah, anything, I don't mind."
Mordred.
Mordred leant in and kissed her gently.
"I never showed you my Da's farm. Well, it's not his anymore, but
that doesn't mean we can't go snoop."
Gwen
Gwen smiled.
"Sounds good."
She got out of the bed.
"I'm going to have a shower then."
Mordred.
"Hmm..."
Mordred watched her thoughtfully.
"I could probably use one too."
Gwen
"Is that a hint?"
Gwen smiled and headed for the stairs.
Mordred.
"Might have been."
Mordred got off the foldout bed and stretched lazily as he
followed her.
Gwen
Gwen peeled her clothes off as soon as she reached their room and
she went into the bathroom, turning the water on.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she realised this was the last
time she'd be doing this.
Mordred.
MOrdred closed the door behind him and slid his jeans off, then
threw his tshirt towards the bed. He walked into the bathroom and
put his hands on Gwen's hips, nuzzling her neck.
Gwen
Gwen turned her head and kissed him properly.
"Mmm, love you."
Mordred.
"Mo cariad..."
Mordred kissed her again as they got into the shower. He kissed
her as he got the soap and started to wash her slowly.
Gwen
Gwen kissed him back, running one hand over the scratch marks on
his back.
Her other hand went between them to stroke him gently.
Mordred.
"Gwen..." Mordred sighed.
He kissed her neck, letting the water from the shower rinse the
soapsuds from her body.
"Love you."
Gwen
Gwen took the soap from him and gently washed him.
"Love you too, amin liy."
Mordred.
Mordred kissed her again, putting his hands on her hips.
"I wish..."
Gwen
"I know..."
Gwen kissed him back, tongue playing with his stud.
Mordred.
After the 'shower', Mordred threw a towel to Gwen, grabbing
another one to dry himself. He ran it over his hair briskly, trying
to dry his hair at least a little.
Gwen
Gwen dried herself off, and towel dried her hair slightly.
She ran a brush through the now long again, wavy hair.
"We should go wake the kids up."
Mordred.
"Yeah. Wales is...safe."
Mordred smiled at her and went to get dressed.
"The whole country is like, look, there's a paddock. With some
cows in it. Wow."
Gwen
"You were a farm boy, that's quite cute."
Gwen grinned and dressed.
Mordred.
"Why is that cute?" Mordred said, walking over to her.
"Hmm?"
He started to lay nipping kisses along her neck, hands resting on
her hips.
Gwen
"I don't know. You, in overalls and a straw hat."
Gwen giggled.
"And straw hanging out of your mouth."
Mordred.
"Never wore overalls. Wore jeans and heavy cotton shirts, big
wooly jumpers Mam knitted. Oilskins when it was raining. Boots."
Mordred tugged on her earlobe gently with his teeth.
"And you don't chew straw. It's dead. You chew the new grass,
tastes sweet."
Gwen
"I think I'll stick to being a city girl, thanks muchly."
Gwen kissed him gently, then headed for downstairs.
"Chewing grass..."
Mordred.
"What's wrong with it?" Mordred protested as he put his boots on,
then followed her.
"And like cities are any better."
Gwen
"Nothing, it's just cute."
Gwen grinned as they entered the living room.
Eavan stretched.
"Mum? Da?"
Mordred.
"Odd girl."
Mordred picked up Bryant when the boy held his arms up.
"Have a good sleep?"
Gwen
Gwen lifted Eavan up.
"We're going to see your Da's old farm, ok?"
She headed for the stairs.
"I'll get them dressed."
Mordred.
"I can dress myself," Faolan informed Mordred coolly.
"So you go do that thing," MOrdred said, walking after Gwen as he
held Bryant.
Gwen
Gwen shook her head slightly as she entered the twins room. She
grabbed some clothes for Eavan and dressed her quickly, then brushed
back the young girl's hair and tied it up.
"I missed you, Mum," she said softly.
Gwen kissed Eavan's head.
Mordred.
Mordred put Bryant down when they reached the twins room.
"Want to dress Bry too?" he asked Gwen softly.
Gwen
"Yeah."
Gwen held her arms out as Bryant came running over.
She dressed him quickly and brushed his hair away from his face,
then kissed his cheek.
"We all ready?"
Mordred.
"Yes!" Faolan said as he came in.
Mordred ruffled his hair and then gathered everyone close.
"Wales it is then."
He closed his eyes and took them to what was his childhood home.
Small thatched cottage off to their right, green velvety fileds
spreading out, an orchard to the left. Barn. Sheep and cows, a
henshed.
Quiet, peaceful and welcoming.
Gwen
Gwen looked around and smiled faintly.
"Nice..."
Mordred.
"I always thought so," Mordred said.
"I...used some of the money Nyx left to buy it out and put a
caretaker in place. For Fao. You don't mind?"
Gwen
"Yeah, that's ok..."
Gwen hoisted Eavan higher on her hip.
Mordred.
"This place..."
Mordred looked around.
"This is home. Anywhere I go, I'm always thinking about this
place. My family, we go way back. Came into sign the deeds...guy at
the courthouse said it was right a Llewlyn should be living here.
Just is our land."
He watched Faolan run, fourfooted into the shadows.
"And I'm rambling. Anyway. No one's up at the house. Want to
explore a bit?"
Gwen
"Sounds good."
Gwen put Eavan down next to Bryant, and they walked slowly behind
their parents.
"It's peaceful... I like it."
Gwen reached for Mordred's hand slowly.
Mordred.
Mordred took her hand and held it gently.
"Mary came early, I remember. Mam had her out in the yard,
screaming and cursing at my Da like no one's business because the
car had broken down. Couldn't get to the hospital, you see. Have to
go all the way to Carnethon, almost. And that's a ways from here."
Gwen
Gwen nodded, wondering what it would've been like to have had a
nice family life.
"How long were you guys here?"
Mordred.
"Mary was...seven when we left. Had a couple of bad winters,
things got hard, the bank got nasty. We moved to London when they
foreclosed."
Mordred looked over the land, a bitter twist to his lips.
"Kowtowing enough now I bought the place outright with more money
then they usually handle in fifty years. year after that, Da got hit
with a car, Mam met the Bastard and we moved to New York not long
after that."
Gwen
Gwen nodded and squeezed his hand.
"So, what are you planning to do with this place?"
She wanted to come back with him, stay forever...
Mordred.
"Keep it for my kids," Mordred said.
"Live in New York, spend holidays and weekends out here. Does
kids good to know where their food actually comes from."
Gwen
"Sounds like a good plan."
Gwen closed her eyes for a moment as a voice told her she had a
little less than 3 hours left.
Mordred.
Mordred pulled her into the house, flipping on the lights.
Wavering unsteady electric lights flickered into existence.
"Most of the old stuff is still here. See."
He ran his finger down the doorjam, counting off the notches. He
tapped the top one, which was about 6"2.
"Da was a tall old bugger. We started doing it when me and Vort
were about five."
Gwen
Gwen smiled and ran her fingers over the notches.
"How sweet," she said softly.
Mordred.
Mordred looked suddenly embarrassed.
"Yeah, well..."
He looked around for Bryant and Eavan, who were now measuring
themselves off against the marks on the door.
"I'll find a knife and we'll put your marks on it too."
"Yay!" Bryant cheered.
"You too, Mum!" Eavan said.
Mordred smiled slightly and disappeared further into the house.
Gwen
Gwen smiled and bent down to examine the marks at a closer view.
"Me? Why me?"
Mordred.
"Cos I said so," Eavan said.
"Well, that pushy nature she gets from you," Mordred told Gwen.
"Here, stand up straight now."
Eavan put her back against the wood and stood straight while
Mordred nicked the wood behind her head, putting an 'E' above it and
a '04.
Gwen
"Me? Bossy, I think not, amin liy," Gwen said, smiling.
Eavan darted away and looked at the doorframe, grinning proudly.
"I'm tall!"
Mordred.
"Yes, you are," Mordred said, talking to both Gwen and Eavan.
"My turn!"
Bryant stood against the wood and Mordred did the same thing
again, putting a 'B' and a '04.
"I'm taller then you, Eavy!"
"Nuh uh! DA!"
Gwen
Gwen shook her head and lifted Bryant up.
"She might outgrow you though, Bry."
"Never happen."
Mordred.
Faolan skittered in, looking wild and freaked out.
"Anything wrong, Fao?" Mordred asked in a little concern.
Faolan zoomed upwards from his cat form, eyes large and his
pupils almost fully dilated.
"So much life! Everywhere, so peaceful, so full...you have a
Green Man in the orchard, and there's a naiad in the stream. And
pixies through the grass. They pulled my fur, but then they..."
Faolan shook his head, eyes looking feral and wild.
"I like this place."
Gwen
"Measure Fao!" Eavan said suddenly. "And you still have to do
Mum!"
Gwen chuckled.
"Yes."
Mordred.
Mordred got Faolan to stand against the wood, although getting
him to stay still took a bit of effort. Then he nocked the wood,
carving an 'F' and the '04 into the grain again. He smiled at Gwen,
and gestured for her to take Faolan's place.
Gwen
Gwen obediently took Faolan's place and raised an eyebrow.
"A test of how short I really am."
Mordred.
"YOu're perfect, and I wouldn't change a thing."
Mordred leant in and stole a kiss, before he put her mark on the
door. He thought of something, and sighed slightly.
"I've been pretty selfish. Any friends you want to say goodbye
to, before you go back?"
Gwen
Gwen shook her head.
"No, I'd rather just be with all of you."
Mordred.
"Love you, mo cariad," Mordred murmured to her, kissing her
softly.
"And again with the face sucking," Faolan said in disgust.
Gwen
"Getting the impression Fao doesn't like that. Or me."
Gwen hugged Mordred gently, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Mordred.
"Oh, I like you just fine, Mum," Faolan said.
"It's the kissing that gives me the wig."
Mordred chuckled softly.
Gwen
"Reassuring then."
Gwen squeezed Mordred's hand.
Mordred.
"So, where'd you sleep, Da?" Faolan asked.
"Up in the attic. Big enough for Vort's paintings, you see. Big
windows you could open up so the room didn't stink like oil paint
and turps. Still twitted him on it though."
Mordred squeezed Gwen's hand back softly.
"So, can we see?" Faolan prompted.
"Sure thing, Fao."
Mordred started towards where the stairs to the upper part of the
house were.
Gwen
Gwen followed slowly, holding onto Eavan and Bryant.
"This seems a little familiar."
Mordred.
"Deja vu, just another glitch in the Matrix," Mordred quipped.
He led the way up the old stairs to the attic and opened the
door. It was a large room with a sharply pointed ceiling and
enormous loft windows at either end of it. The stairs came up near
the middle of the room. One corner of the room's floor was spotted
with drops of paint in many different colours.
"So, here it is."
Gwen
Gwen took in the room slowly, wondering why it seemed familiar to
her.
"Is that where you hung your overalls?" she asked, grinning
cheekily.
Mordred.
"Never wore overalls," Mordred said with a mock sigh.
"But over there's where I parked my clobber."
Gwen
"Your what?"
Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, does that mean clothes? Because... man, weird slang.
Shirty."
Mordred.
"Yes, it does mean clothes. And I'm not shirty. Smartass."
Mordred shook his head.
"You're so smart, tell me where the beds where."
Gwen
Gwen stepped forward and closed her eyes, trying to piece
together fragmented memories, then grinned.
"There, and there."
Mordred.
Mordred stared at her for a minute.
"You're exactly right. You sure you're not poking around in my
head?"
Gwen
"You're the telepath. Not me."
Gwen shrugged.
"I told you it felt familiar."
Mordred.
"Mmm," Mordred said noncommitedly.
He looked around the room, then crossed to where his bed had
been. He knelt and pressed down on a plank of wood. It came up and
moved aside, revealing a long, narrow cavity.
"Found this mucking around one day. Put my hand down, the board
came up..."
He rummaged through the childish belongings, then picked out a
small spinning top.
"Let's see if I remeber how to do this."
He wound string around it, then flicked it out and sent it
spinning crazily all over the floor.
Gwen
Eavan and Bryant clapped and looked like they were going to chase
the top.
"And then your mother walked in..." Gwen said, thinking out loud.
Mordred.
Mordred looked at her funny.
"How did you know? Yeah, she did and said that she'd get Da to
nail it back down. I lied to Da about which board it was."
Gwen
"And then he double nailed that one," Gwen said, pointing.
She furrowed her eyebrows and then nodded in realisation.
Mordred.
"Yeah..."
Mordred looked at her, then shook his head.
"I must be leaking my memories to you."
Gwen
"No, I forgot... when I... they let me see our lives."
Gwen wrinkled her nose.
"Mine wasn't completely pleasant."
Mordred.
"Yeah..."
Mordred got up from the floor and kissed her gently.
"Still love you. I don't care, except you got hurt, are still
hurting."
Gwen
Gwen kissed him back.
"Don't you remember? You and I... had... sex... for the first
time here... except we didn't really. We were teenagers and it was
different."
She realised she sounded insane.
Mordred.
Mordred gave her a quizzical look.
"Gwen..."
Gwen
"I swear I'm not insane..."
Gwen walked around.
"It was weird... and my parents were actually... nice-ish. And,
and, and... ok, I'm not crazy..."