Pas de Trois (Part Seven): gift for roga

[stuffitmod.livejournal.com]

Back to Part Six

The next morning, Brendon woke late, despite having gone to bed so early. But he felt like a huge weight had been lifted from him--George was gone, his funeral was dealt with and now they could move on.

Ryan was already sat at the dining table when Brendon went down for breakfast.

"Good morning, Ryan!" Brendon said cheerfully. "Isn't it a beautiful morning?"

"Good morning, Brendon." Ryan didn't look up from his book.

Brendon's smile faltered and he sat down next to Ryan carefully.

"Tea, sir?" Johnson already had the pot in hand.

"Please. And the usual for breakfast."

"Very well, sir."

Johnson retreated in the kitchen. Brendon served himself breakfast. "Where is Spencer this morning?"

"He already left," Ryan said. "Business at the harbour."

"I see," Brendon said. He felt disappointed that he couldn't talk to Spencer--Ryan seemed in a rather taciturn mood this morning, and Brendon had learned that it was best to just let him be.

"I will have to leave soon, too," Ryan said, carelessly almost. "Right now, actually, I believe."

"Your carriage is ready, sir," Johnson announced.

"I'll see tonight then," Brendon said to Ryan.

"Quite possibly," Ryan said.

Brendon found Ryan's reply very odd--as far as he was aware, all social obligations were cancelled for the moment, so he couldn't think of any place else where Ryan would this evening.

It might not mean anything, but together with Ryan's distant attitude this morning, Brendon didn't have a good feeling about it.

He turned out to be right.

In the evening, Spencer arrived home at the same time as Ryan, and it seemed that they had been having a fight, too.

"I don't wish to talk about it any longer," Ryan said, and brushed past Brendon without greeting him. He rushed up the stairs.

"What?" Brendon looked after Ryan. "What's going on?"

"Grief, I think," Spencer said. He sounded sad and frustrated. "He's been in a bad mood all day, taking out his anger on everyone, even though none deserved it."

"It's a very hard time for him," Brendon said quietly. "And you have to take care of all the businesses, too."

Spencer sighed. "Please don't remind me. We've been going through the books and--" He shook his head. "There's more work than we can manage, I feel."

"Then you must tackle it bit by bit." Brendon hooked his arm into Spencer's. "I think I have the right remedy for you, though."

"You do?"

"I think Cook has prepared a wonderful roast," Brendon said. "And you get a shoulder rub, but only if you want."

Spencer smiled. "Of course I do."

"Should I call for Ryan?"

"No, give him a few more minutes to himself," Spencer said. "He prefers to be alone these days."

Spencer sounded so sad that Brendon leaned up to kiss him. "It'll be all right," he said.

"You're blocking the door," Ryan said behind him, and Brendon startled so badly he jumped forward, hurtling against Spencer.

"I'm glad you came down to dinner," Spencer said.

"Are you really?" Ryan looked between Spencer and Brendon in a way that made Brendon feel ashamed that he was holding his own husband in his arms. "You two look very cozy--I wouldn't want to interrupt."

"Interrupt--Ryan," Spencer said sharply. "You're speaking nonsense."

"If you say so," Ryan said and sat down at the table. Brendon could only stare at him as Ryan started to eat without paying any attention to him.

"The food's getting cold," Spencer said, his voice tight and barely hiding his anger. "We should sit down as well."

It was one of the most awkward meals Brendon had ever shared with anyone. No one talked and the atmosphere was tense, as if the smallest spark could set them on fire.

Brendon felt he could breathe more freely after he'd swallowed the last bite of the very excellent roast.

"I shall go retreat to my room," Ryan said dryly.

"Please don't," Brendon said. "I've hardly seen you in days." Despite Ryan's behaviour, he missed him -- and he didn't think that being by himself this much helped Ryan to deal with his grief.

"It seems that the two of you don't require me downstairs," Ryan said. "I wouldn't want to inflict myself where I'm not wanted."

"Ryan!" Spencer stood up. "Have you lost your mind?"

Ryan stood up, too. "Please don't try to deny it," he said. "I am not blind."

"Whatever you think you're seeing, it's obviously not the truth," Brendon said. "You--you're not unwanted here."

Ryan didn't even react. "Please don't mind me leaving," he said in a bored tone. He turned to leave and that was the final straw for Brendon.

"Oh no," Brendon said and jumped up. He wasn't fast enough to cut Ryan's way off, but he grabbed his arm in the hallway and dragged him into the sitting room.

"What are you doing?" Ryan asked. He didn't sound unaffected anymore and there was a quaver in his voice.

"I'm sitting you down to give you a good talking to," Brendon said. He pushed Ryan onto the couch. "I'm done with your attitude."

"You don't have to compensate for your guilt with anger," Ryan said, but there were cracks in his casual demeanour.

"I'm not guilty, but, yes, I am angry," Brendon said. "Spencer and I, we have nothing to hide from you. You know--it's been months now, you don't get to react like a spoilt child who has to share his toys! You," Brendon leaned forward and poked Ryan's chest with his index finger, "haven't been open with us."

"Oh, you feel like that."

"I feel the same way," Spencer said. He closed the door to the hallway carefully. "There's something you're not telling us."

"Oh, quid pro quo, I'd say." Ryan gave them a pointed look. "You haven't been telling me things, either."

"But you knew!" Spencer put his hands on his hips.

"You told me about sex," Ryan said. "There was no mention of feelings."

Spencer looked startled. "They tend to come with the territory," he said. "You also knew that I'd liked Brendon from the start. You approved of it."

"You did?" Brendon turned to Spencer. "Why?"

"The way you smiled at me," Spencer said. "At our second meeting, you told my mother the most outrageous stories without any semblance of embarrassment. It was--"

"Adorable was the word he used," Ryan said. "Also he jerked off that night thinking about you."

Brendon blinked. "How would you know?"

"I made him tell me," Ryan said blithely. "So I believe that the two of you will be--well, happy."

"Hold on," Brendon said. "Regardless of who liked whom first, there are still three people in this marriage."

"Are there really?" Ryan studied his hands and didn't look at either of them.

Spencer squatted down in front of him, directly in Ryan's line of sight. "Ryan, please tell me what you mean," he said.

"I want to annul the marriage," Ryan said. "It's never been consummated."

Brendon was stunned, speechless. He felt like he couldn't breathe anymore. Spencer fell heavily onto the sofa.

Ryan continued, as if he wasn't breaking their hearts. "If I remember them correctly, the contracts won't keep you from marrying each other--with a third spouse of your choice."

"I chose you," Spencer said slowly. "I chose you and I will always choose you and what in the devil's name is going on here?"

"It'll be better this way," Ryan said. "You don't have to feel obligated to keep to the old arrangement."

"Ryan." Brendon sat down next to Ryan and took his hand. "But why would we?"

"I'll understand if you don't want to stay," Ryan said.

Spencer got up onto his knees and put his hands on Ryan's cheeks. "Look at me, Ryan," he said, his voice shaking. "We don't understand what this is about."

Ryan closed his eyes. "I read the contracts," he said--so quietly Brendon had to strain to hear him. "I--I'm sorry, I didn't know that--that he--" He broke off and swallowed heavily.

Spencer frowned. "But the contracts ... the marriage contracts? There wasn't anything unusual in them."

"I didn't know," Ryan whispered.

"What didn't you know?"

"How much money he had to pay to get your parents to let you marry me," Ryan said. "I--I found the letters and--you are free to go if you don't want to stay."

"But we do," Spencer said. "And the money--" He sighed. "Ryan, he also gave my parents the same amount. It was what he thought suitable as dowry."

"Oh." Brendon leaned against Ryan. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "My parents--"

Spencer stroked Brendon's face with his left hand. "Ryan, he didn't have to buy us."

"He only bought my name," Brendon whispered into Ryan's ear.

"I don't care about that," Ryan said. "I don't put any value on which family you come from."

"Neither do I," Brendon said. "But I care about you, you have to believe me."

"Ryan, you've known my feelings for you ever since we were children," Spencer said.

Ryan looked between them. "But the two of you--"

"We were waiting for you," Brendon said.

"We still are waiting," Spencer corrected.

Ryan opened his mouth, gaped for a long moment and then shook his head. "So I was being an idiot for no reason at all?"

"Yes," Brendon and Spencer said in unison.

Ryan looked at Spencer and Brendon. The corners of his mouth started twitching, and for a moment Brendon was afraid he would start to cry--at this point, nothing would have surprised Brendon. But Ryan started to laugh--first quiet chuckles, but then he began guffawing loudly, head thrown back, his whole body shaking.

Brendon shared a look with Spencer who was grinning wryly. "Release of tension, I hope," he said. "Hysterics, I think, is what they call it."

Ryan calmed down slowly. "Trust my father to create problems for me even from the grave," he said.

"We were so worried for you," Brendon said. "And all of this because of a few stupid contracts?"

Ryan rubbed his eyes. "You didn't know--the things he said."

"Well, we know some," Spencer said. "You should've told us."

"We have to work on that," Brendon said. "You need to talk to us from now on."

"Because we're married?" Ryan looked at Brendon.

"Yes," Brendon said. "Because we're married." He reached for Spencer and pulled him close. "The three of us."

Ryan put his arms around them and held on tight. Brendon thought, Finally.

"But in one point you were right, Ryan," Spencer said suddenly, after a few moments of silence.

"What? No, he wasn't," Brendon said. "We love him and care about and--"

"Not that," Spencer said. "We haven't consummated our marriage yet."

"Oh," Brendon whispered. He felt hot and his insides were quivering. He looked at Ryan and found him studying Brendon in return.

Spencer slowly got up. He reached out, offering both Brendon and Ryan his hands. "Shall we share a bed tonight?"

Brendon stared at Spencer's hand. It felt similar to that very first night--desire and fear warring with each other. But this time he already knew Spencer, knew how to kiss him and where to touch and--Brendon wanted. He'd lain awake at night, wondering how it would be, how it might happen, and he'd felt that void both inside and in his bed where two other people were supposed to be. Every single of their touches, of their looks, was filled with true affection. Brendon's heart gave a happy start as he thought back to his juvenile fantasies. He might have married two strangers, but he was consummating his marriage with two people he loved.

Brendon took Spencer's hand.

It was the signal Ryan had apparently been waiting for, because he immediately took Spencer's hand, too, and got up, reaching for Brendon's other hand. "Let's," he said.

Brendon looked at them and thought, Yes.

Ryan smiled softly. "I wish to," he said. "But tonight I'm--I'm not--"

"It's all right," Brendon said. "We're moving too fast."

"Brendon's right," Spencer said. "I'm sorry, but ... I miss you."

"We can still share the bed," Ryan said softly. "Just to sleep."

"I'd enjoy that," Brendon said. It was a start, he thought, and it kept his disappointment at bay.

"Let's go upstairs," Spencer said. "It'll be a pleasure to simply be with you."

~~~***~~~

"These rooms haven't changed at all since the last time I was in here," Brendon said.

"Why should they?" Ryan said. "They were meant to be lived in by three people."

Brendon hummed as he studied the bed room. The bed seemed even bigger than the last time Brendon had seen it.

"Why are you still standing in the middle of the room?" Spencer asked amused.

"We were waiting for you," Brendon said. He wanted the three of them to go to bed together.

"Well, I'm here now," Spencer said.

Slipping under the covers felt just as much like a ceremonial act as their actual wedding ceremony. Ryan went first, with Spencer to his right and Brendon to his left side.

"Good night," Brendon whispered. Although he was hyper-aware of the two people in bed with him, he fell asleep easily.

Brendon woke up comfortably warm. He pressed closer to the body next to him.

"You're like a kitten," Spencer mumbled. "I'm sure if I petted you, you'd start purring."

Brendon mumbled, "'M not a kitten."

The arm wrapped around his waist tightened and Ryan whispered into his ear, "No, indeed, you're an octopus."

"An octo-what?" Brendon blinked his eyes open.

Ryan chuckled behind him and underneath him Spencer sighed loudly. "I told you he liked to cuddle."

"My bad that I didn't believe you," Ryan said.

Brendon lifted his head. He realised that at some point in the night he'd managed to work his way between Ryan and Spencer, so Brendon was sprawled out in the middle of the bed. "Oh."

Spencer kissed Brendon's neck. "We don't mind," he said. "But it makes getting up very unappealing."

"I'm sorry," Brendon said. "Why do you have to get up?"

"Work," Ryan said. He gently ran his fingers over Brendon's side. It tickled almost and made Brendon shiver.

"Do you have to go?" Brendon hoped they hadn't noticed his voice shaking.

"Unfortunately, yes," Spencer said. "Tonight," he whispered into Brendon's ear.

~~~***~~~

Ryan kissed differently than Spencer. He put a little more pressure into it, bit a little harder, but his hands were gentle, stroking the side of Brendon's face.

Brendon clung to Ryan, his hands tight in Ryan's hair. He wanted to map all differences between Spencer and Ryan. He could have kept kissing Ryan forever.

Spencer chuckled behind Brendon. "Let me," he said and tugged on Brendon's jacket. Brendon dropped his arms just for long enough that Spencer could pull it off, before he wrapped them around Ryan again.

"A little help would be welcome," Spencer said. He sounded more amused than annoyed, though. The feel of Spencer's hands pressed between Brendon and Ryan, as Spencer slowly unbuttoned both their shirts, sent goosebumps over Brendon's skin.

"We're bonding," Ryan murmured.

"Try not to suffocate," Spencer said.

Brendon had to break off the kiss to giggle. Spencer used the chance to slip Brendon's shirt off his shoulders.

"More nakedness, please." Spencer pulled Brendon away from Ryan. "You can kiss more later."

"I like him when he's so bossy," Brendon stage-whispered to Ryan. "He likes being in charge."

"Tell me about it," Ryan said. He still stripped out of his clothes obediently.

When they were finally naked, Brendon felt decidedly less giggly and much more nervous. Spencer's hands on his hips grounded him, though.

"Hey," Spencer whispered into his ear. "How do you feel?"

Brendon sighed. Spencer kissed his shoulder and gently bit down on the junction of his neck and shoulder. Ryan pressed a kiss against Brendon's palm.

"I feel good," Brendon said.

"Because you seem a bit anxious," Spencer said.

"Anticipation is more like it," Brendon said softly.

Ryan tipped Brendon's chin up. "We can do something else," he said. "Spencer likes--"

"No, no, I want to," Brendon said. "I want you. Both of you. Tonight."

"All right," Ryan said. He smiled. "Then I suggest we get you ready."

Ryan tossed the duvet back and Brendon laid down in the middle. He'd already cleaned himself properly and couldn't wait for it.

Spencer produced a small jar full of a sweet-smelling oil. "We'll be gentle," he said.

Brendon laughed. "Like you haven't been fingering me into oblivion," he said.

Spencer put the jar down next to Brendon on the bed before he leaned down to kiss Brendon. It calmed Brendon down and he relaxed against the sheets.

Ryan was stroking Brendon's side, running his fingers over Brendon's chest and belly. He flicked Brendon's nipple and Brendon moaned against Spencer's mouth.

"He likes that," Ryan said. He sounded delighted, and his delight filled Brendon with a sense of accomplishment.

Spencer chuckled while Brendon grinned. "It feels good," he said.

Ryan laughed. "I don't mind. I like that you like it."

Brendon wasn't prepared when Ryan leaned down and gently bit his nipple. He cried out and fisted his hand in Ryan's hair. Spencer kissed Brendon again, while Ryan sucked on Brendon's nipple.

Spencer whispered, "I gave him a few tips." He pressed a kiss against the corner of Brendon's mouth. "To give him a head-start."

"Cheater," Brendon gasped. But he wasn't truly cross with Spencer--the thought that they talked about this was thrilling. Brendon imagined them in bed, Spencer whispering into Ryan's ear how to please Brendon, while he was touching Ryan, getting Ryan off. He couldn't bite back a moan.

Ryan kissed his way slowly down Brendon's body, biting here and there: Brendon's hipbone, the fleshy part of his belly, his thigh.

Brendon still held on tightly to Ryan's hair and slid his other hand over Spencer's back, keeping him close.

Spencer hummed quietly and stroked his finger tips over Brendon's thigh, between his legs. Brendon spread them slightly, allowing Spencer to wrap his hand around Brendon's cock.

Brendon whimpered when Spencer stroked him firmly, pushing up against his fist.

"I think he's ready," Ryan mumbled from where he was pressing kisses against Brendon's thigh.

Brendon moaned, when Spencer flipped his thumb over the head of Brendon's cock. "Relax," Spencer said against the corner of Brendon's mouth.

Brendon took a deep breath. He let Ryan push his thighs farther apart. "This might be cold," Ryan said. "But it warms up quickly."

The warning didn't keep Brendon from startling when Ryan pressed his fingers against Brendon's opening.

"Shhh," Ryan said. "Breathe out."

It felt weird, Brendon thought. Ryan only pushed one slick finger in. It was good, though, hardly a stretch after all the times Spencer had done it to Brendon, and Brendon couldn't keep himself from pushing down more.

"Slow down," Spencer said and kissed Brendon's temple. "Let him open you up."

"But I want more," Brendon said.

Ryan laughed. "Don't be too impatient," he said, "or you'll feel it tomorrow."

The thought of being able to feel it, feel them, the next day still didn't seem very terrible to Brendon. In fact, the contrary applied--Brendon couldn't see a single bad thing about it.

"You are amazing," Spencer said.

Brendon leaned up to kiss Spencer. "You two are amazing," he said.

Ryan added another finger and Brendon moaned loudly. "No, Spencer's right."

Brendon fell back down against the pillows and laughed. "Can we agree that the three of us are amazing? And keep doing that."

Ryan slid his fingers slowly out of Brendon before pushing them back inside fast. "I was planning to," he said dryly.

Spencer stroked his thumb over Brendon's mouth. "Are you good?"

"I could be better if you kissed me," Brendon said.

Spencer laughed. "How negligent of me."

By the time Ryan added a third finger, Brendon was convinced he was ready. "Ryan," he whimpered. "Please."

"Oh no." Ryan leaned down to lick over the head of Brendon's cock. "Spencer's first."

"I don't care, I'm ready." Brendon spread his legs as far as they would go, kicking both Ryan and Spencer in the process.

Spencer chuckled. "Just let me--" He fumbled with something out of Brendon's line of sight. Ryan pulled his fingers out and Brendon moaned at the loss. Spencer laughed and finally rolled on top of Brendon.

"Hey," Brendon whispered.

"Hey," Spencer said. He put his hands under Brendon's knees and pulled them up until Brendon could wrap his legs comfortably around Spencer's waist.

"Take a deep breath," Spencer said. "And push against me."

Spencer was much bigger than Ryan's fingers, Brendon thought. But also so much better.

"You feel incredible," Spencer whispered. Brendon could only gasp in return.

When Spencer started to thrust, slow at first, Brendon blindly reached out for Ryan and gripped his hand tightly.

Ryan leaned up and kissed Brendon. "Relax and enjoy it."

"It's too good," Brendon said. "It's too much--Spencer."

Spencer chuckled and he pressed their foreheads together. "It'll be even better," he said.

Brendon could feel the familiar tingle in his belly, the way his skin seemed to be on fire, announcing his orgasm. "Spencer," he gasped. "I--"

It was Spencer's turn to whimper now and his hips thrust in an erratic rhythm as Brendon clenched down on him. Brendon could tell the moment he came and followed close behind. He gasped and the world erupted in a hot-white flash, leaving him unable to move a finger.

Spencer collapsed on top of Brendon, pressing him down against the mattress.

Ryan kissed them both softly. Brendon traded gentle kisses with him until Spencer rolled to his side and Ryan took his place. "Are you sure?" Ryan asked. "If you're too sore--"

"I want you," Brendon whispered. "Please."

Now Brendon understood why Spencer had gone first. Brendon didn't think he would have been able to take Ryan directly after his fingers, not this first time. Even now that Brendon was already loose, it was enough of a stretch that it hurt slightly.

"All right?"

Brendon nodded. "Come on."

Ryan kissed Brendon deeply while he fucked him. Spencer kissed Brendon's palm and sucked on his fingers. Brendon felt enveloped by them and, above everything else, loved.

Brendon didn't think he could come again, but Ryan still felt amazing inside him and Brendon crossed his ankles behind Ryan's butt to press him in deeper.

"Ryan," Spencer whispered. "Come on, let go."

Ryan whimpered against Brendon's mouth and his hips stuttered, then his rhythm grew frantic. Brendon gasped and grabbed Ryan's shoulder.

"Brendon," Ryan said in a broken voice. "Spencer."

"Please," Brendon whispered. "Let go."

Ryan thrust against Brendon hard, jolting the entire bed, and he came. Brendon wrapped both his arms around him, as Ryan shook so hard Brendon was afraid he might fall apart. Spencer leaned up and kissed Ryan's neck.

"God," Ryan sighed. "Can we do that every night now, please?"

Brendon laughed. "I'm not sure I would be able to take you both every night."

"Nobody said you would have to," Spencer said. He smiled and pushed Brendon's sweaty hair out of his face.

Brendon sighed. "That's good to know."

Ryan kissed Brendon softly. He pulled out slowly, but Brendon still whimpered. Now he felt empty, but the feeling of loneliness was staved off because both Ryan and Spencer were there, tangling their legs with Brendon's, holding him close.

"I love you," Brendon whispered quietly. He heard two I love you, toos back and fell asleep smiling.

~~~***~~~

Epilogue

"I can't believe it's finally happening," Brendon said. He straightened his new suit again. "After all this time."

Spencer laughed. "Don't you start, too," he said, tugging on Brendon's cravat. "It's been hell working with Ryan this week--all he could think about was the ball, he was absolutely useless for any business-related things."

"I don't understand how you can be so calm," Brendon said. "Our first ball!"

"I know," Spencer said calmly. "And if you don't finish getting dressed, you'll be coming late."

Brendon hurried. When the first guests were arriving, he was already pacing in the hallway to the ballroom, had double and triple-checked that everything was in order and Cook had already thrown him out of the kitchen.

His husbands were also threatening to tie him down.

"But what if they don't like me?" Brendon fidgeted.

Ryan sighed and took both of Brendon's hands. "Then I will tell them they have very bad taste and we will move on."

"They will love you," Spencer said. "Everyone we've talked to has been looking forward to our ball. Don't worry so much."

"Ah, Lady Chaplin!" Ryan exclaimed. "It's so nice to see you here tonight."

"It's my pleasure," an elderly lady said. Ryan kissed her hand and she laughed. "I see you haven't forgotten your manners yet. I was afraid my nephew would drive them all out of you."

"I assure you that Alex never had that kind of influence on me." Ryan smiled. "And even if, my husbands would make sure that I would remember my good upbringing in an instant."

"Yes, your husbands! You haven't introduced us."

"A grave oversight on my part," Ryan said. "Let me please--Brendon, this is Lady Chaplin. She's an old friend of my mother's. Milady, I think you've already met Spencer."

"But there's such a difference between a young unmarried man and someone's husband," Lady Chaplin said, while she winked at Brendon and Spencer. "You should always make sure to introduce them to everyone, lest they think you weren't happy to have them."

Brendon laughed. "Believe us, we know how he feels about us."

Ryan snorted. "There's Lord Sweetman," he said. "I should greet him."

"Feel free to do that on your own," Lady Chaplin said. "His wife cost me dearly during our last bridge game; I do not wish to speak to him."

"Very well, milady," Ryan said. "Excuse me, please."

Lady Chaplin put her hand around Brendon's arm. "You've done wonders here," she said. "I hardly recognised--everything."

"Mostly the room just needed a good scrubbing," Brendon said. "Oh, I'm sorry, that's--that's not appropriate to speak of, is it?"

Lady Chaplin laughed. "My dear boy, I wasn't speaking of the room, although I have to admit that you did some good work here." She smiled. "I was speaking of your husband."

"That wasn't just me," Brendon said softly.

"You changed him both," she said. "I haven't seen him like this since he was a young boy."

"You must tell me about those days," Brendon said. "I asked Spencer, but he will not admit to any of their mischief."

"Oh, I will, dear boy," she said. "Whatever you want to hear. But first you must meet someone."

She set forth to introduce Brendon to every single person in the room that she knew--which turned out to be most of them. Brendon tried to keep all the lords and ladies and dukes and simple misters straight in his head, but he was failing soon. He hoped that Ryan knew them and could help Brendon out.

Brendon was relieved when it was time for Ryan's speech.

"Where were you?" Spencer asked. "We've been looking for you."

"Lady Chaplin," Brendon said.

Spencer grinned. "Oh, she's taking you under her wing? Then you needn't worry--everyone who's someone in the city will want to know you."

Brendon glared at him, but put a smile on his face when Ryan stepped out in front of them and called for a moment of silence.

"It is my great pleasure to announce this ball," he said. "It's been many years since this house has seen so many people and I believe that we should make up for those years of silence. Let the music play."

Ryan turned to Brendon. "May I have the first dance?"

"You may," Brendon said, smiling.

Ryan led Brendon into the middle of the floor and at the first note they set off. They had spent many weeks practising this dance--first Ryan teaching Brendon the steps, then them slowly figuring out how to move together. It was a similar dance to the one they performed in bed--and no more but also no less difficult to master.

"Relax," Ryan whispered. "I love you."

"I know," Brendon said. "But I feel like they are judging me."

Ryan laughed. "They are judging you," he said. "But Elisa already broke the ice when she was the one to introduce you and lead you around."

"Elisa?"

"Lady Chaplin." Ryan led Brendon through a series of complicated steps which made it impossible for Brendon to concentrate on anything but his feet.

"I hope I didn't embarrass you," Brendon said when the song had ended.

"Brendon, they are charmed by you," Ryan said. "You could never embarrass me."

He led Brendon to Spencer. "He's fretting again," Ryan said. "Make him stop."

Spencer grinned. "I think this calls for more dancing."

"Well, I believe this is a ball," Brendon said. "Also I'm not fretting."

Spencer took Brendon's hand and twirled him. "Oh, you are," he said. "But I know ways how to make you stop."

It was impossible to be upset when Spencer led Brendon over the dance floor in the most ridiculous dance Brendon had ever performed. It involved a lot of skipping and turning in circles, and by the end of it Brendon was laughing.

Ryan was waiting for them with drinks. He handed them cool glasses of grape juice.

"To the future," he said.

"To love," Spencer said.

"To us." Brendon smiled at them both as they clinked their glasses.

"To us," they all repeated and drank.

Brendon wrapped his arm around Ryan's waist and leaned his head against his shoulder. He could feel Spencer doing the same, Spencer's hand resting high on Brendon's back.

They watched the dancers for a few minutes, then Brendon broke out of his reverie. "Oh, why are we standing here while we could be dancing?" He pulled a laughing Ryan and Spencer onto the dance floor.

As Brendon led them in a complicated three-partner dance he made up on the spot, he felt that he was home now.

Comments

[northern]

What a delicious long read! I enjoyed it very much.

[eledhwenlin]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :)

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

OH. So great. ♥ BRENDON.

[eledhwenlin]

Thank you, darling! <3

[roga.livejournal.com]

*placeholder comment of holy actual fucking shit*

*no really*

*no really*

[roga.livejournal.com]

It's after 3AM and it's going to take me like an hour to extoll about everything I loved about this fic but oh god, oh my heart. I will go on and on and on, just you wait <33333333333333

[eledhwenlin]

I'm so glad you liked it! :D

I had so much fun writing this story, and I'm glad that all the work I put into is has paid off. :D

[hermette.livejournal.com]

this is so absurdly charming! I can't stop grinning.

[eledhwenlin]

*g* That is an apt description, I think. Thank you, darling!

[gorgeousnerd]

Holy crap, what a great story. I'm a big fan of arranged marriages - particularly when there's more than two people involved - and this one was great in particular because, even though Ryan was so distant, he was really present the entire time. (And wow, the scenes with his dad, and with Brendon's parents, were really heartbreaking.) I expect I'll be rereading this one a lot!

[eledhwenlin]

*beams* Hee, thank you! :D

(I put the story up on AO3, for ease of reading.)

[gorgeousnerd]

Ooh, thanks for letting me know. I'm a big AO3 fan.

[roebling.livejournal.com]

This was so delightful! The world you created was utterly enveloping.

[eledhwenlin]

Thank you, darling! :D

[fiddleyoumust.livejournal.com]

Holy crap this is awesome! I spent all morning rolling around in it. A+++ job!

[eledhwenlin]

*beams* Thank you! :D

[littlerhymes]

This was so enjoyable!

[eledhwenlin]

Thank you! :D

[alasse.livejournal.com]

This was fantastic. I loved the setting, I looooved Brendon's point of view, and the slow and careful path Brendon, Ryan and Spencer had to take in order to finally be truly at peace and happy together. So, so wonderful.

[eledhwenlin]

Thank you! :D