More ficcage
Title: Fortunate Son (Part 2/?)
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairing: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Rhodes
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Taking place in feudal England, Cody's family comes from a long line of farmers who work the land belonging to the DiBiase family. Despite the enormous class differences, Cody and Ted meet and form an instant connection with one another, both learning things from the other that they otherwise never would have known.
Word Count: 8959
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried, haha. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot... Once again, since this is flocked on the comm, I'm posting it here, too.
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1
“Dammit,” Cody mumbled when he discovered one of the chickens had escaped from its coop. It ran around, slipping through Cody’s grasp as the teen followed it around. He could hear his father’s laughter booming from behind and he shouted, “I’m glad to have brought you some amusement, now do you think you could help me?”
Together they manage to corner the hen and bring her back to the coop, making sure all the doors were shut tight, not wanting anything to get out, or get in during the night.
Finally, the last of the animals were inside, and it was time for Cody to begin preparing their dinner. “Things would be so much easier around here if you had a wife, Cody,” his father said. “She could be in here preparing our meals, so you don’t have to once we’re done working in the fields.”
“I’m quite happy to cook for us. Or do you not like the food I make?”
“I never said that! But you’re tired from working for hours on end out in the fields. A wife would be in here, tending to the house, cooking our meals and she could harvest the eggs in the mornings, so that you wouldn’t have to.”
“Father, I like the way that we’re living now, really, I do. I don’t feel as though it’s necessary to marry right now. Maybe in a few more years,” he added.
“Layla won’t wait around forever.”
“I know, but there are other fish in the sea.” He swore his father became more persistent every day when it came to the subject of him marrying, and it took a toll on him. No wonder Dustin had run off to join the army.
Ted sat in his room, once again sitting by his window, staring down at the land below, instantly spotting the Runnels household, wishing he were still there. A knock came on his door just then, taking him away from his thoughts. “Come in.”
His mother opened the door and smiled at him. “I heard from your father that you had quite the day today,” she said, shutting the door behind her before she took a seat on the edge of his bed.
“I did. I walked around the barn with Cody, he showed me the animals. He even showed me how they harvest and let me try it,” he told her, his eyes lighting up at the mention of Cody’s name, and he didn’t even realize it.
His mother, on the other hand, did. “And Cody is…?”
“Oh, he’s Virgil Runnels’ son, just about my age, too, a little younger. After he let me try using the sickle to cut down the wheat, he showed me how he does it, and it’s fascinating to watch, the speed and the swiftness; it’s evident he’s been doing this his entire life.”
She watched and listened to him as he talked about Cody, and how happy he was just to speak about him. Very interesting…
Call it a mother's intuition, but Caroline DiBiase had never seen her son look so enthused when he had talked about anyone before, male or female, and so she already knew that this Cody person meant something to her son. Maybe it was just a mother's prerogative that her child be happy no matter what path they took to be so, that meant that Caroline wasn't opposed to the thought of Ted spending more time around the young farmhand and spending some time on the farm-- it'd be good for him.
However, Caroline also knew that she would have to keep her son's affection secret from his father; if Ted Sr. got even the smallest inkling that Ted was striving from the path he had lain out for him then that would be it. The blonde haired woman listened a little while longer as Ted talked about his day, seeing how genuinely happy being with Cody on the farm had made him.
"Are you going back again?"
"Virgil said that he didn't mind if I wanted to go back tomorrow, and Cody said he would be happy for me to be around too." Ted then paused and went pink with sheepishness as his mother held up the book he had taken to teach Cody with. "It's been a while since I've seen you read this..." she mused, her tone suggesting that she knew he hadn't been reading it.
Ted looked down at his shoes and then to his smiling mother; he had always gotten on better with her than his father, and he felt more like her favourite than his, even though people said he looked more like his father. Brett was like a mini version of himself with minute differences, whereas Mike looked like their mother. "I was showing it to Cody... He never learned to read." As he had expected his mother cooed softly and sighed, "Oh, the poor dear-- are you teaching him?" Ted nodded his head and she reached to stroke his hair, "Good boy."
Unaware that Ted and his mother were talking about him, Cody merely began working on preparing their evening meal. It was nothing fancy by any means, but it was edible and at least it was enough to fill their bellies until the following morning.
It was one of their chickens from the coop (that could no longer lay eggs) and a few vegetables from the crops. They were given a decent fare from Lord DiBiase according to his father as opposed to other Lords.
When the food had cooked he settled himself onto the floor, his father sitting on the only chair that they possessed. Cody didn't mind though, because he was used to it. Virgil groaned contentedly as he took a bite, "Delicious, Cody." Cody accepted the praise with a smile, same as always.
He was glad that his father had momentarily dropped the talk of a bride. He wouldn't have minded, but his father hadn't even started until Dustin had left... Maybe because Cody wasn't going to be the head of the household one day at that point. And it was a household, although not to the scale would one day have. However, if Ted was beside him Cody would have happily lived on the streets with nothing for the rest of his life without complaint.
It wasn’t long after finishing dinner that Virgil was off to his own straw bed to hunker down for the night. Cody stayed awake, cleaning the pans and plates on which he served dinner. As he scrubbed, he let the day replay in his mind, a lazy smile appearing on his face. Learning to read was frustrating, yes, but he had Ted there with him, guiding him along, and he seemed perfectly happy to do so. Of course he knew that nothing would, or could, ever happen between them, but they were called fantasies for a reason.
He put the dishes back on their shelves and hung the pot on the hanger by the fire, his brain running wild with thoughts of Ted. Silently, he slipped out of the house and went out to the barn so he could have a little privacy as he imagined Ted’s lips and hands all over his body on this very hay bale. Once he finished, he brushed himself off and tucked himself back into his loose pants and headed back inside to bed.
Rising bright and early the next morning, Ted prepared himself to head down to the farm, making sure that he placed the book back into his bag. He had a quick breakfast of ham and eggs with a bit of bread and jam, then scurried off to the stables where he mounted his horse and was off, hardly seeing any of his family before leaving.
Cody was waiting for Ted’s arrival, preparing some of their work animals with the necessary equipment for the day. Virgil was with him, hooking up another pair of ox when he heard the sound of horse hoofs approaching. “I’ll go greet the Young Master,” Cody offered, dropping everything to go meet Ted.
“Good morning, Cody!” Ted shouted while up on his horse.
“Good morning, Young Master Theodore,” Cody greeted, knowing that his father could hear him. “How are you today?”
Ted hopped down from the horse and tied him up while he answered, “I’m fine, thank you. Yourself?”
“Just another day in the life.”
Giving a sad smile to a man he was quickly beginning to call a friend, Ted asked, “What’s happening here today?”
“Follow me, I’ll show you.” Leading the way to the backside of the barn, Cody showed Ted how they were harnessing their ox together so they could pull the plows to till the land.
“I was wondering how you plowed the land,” Ted told him. “I never realized how much equipment and work really went into farming. I must say, I have a much greater appreciation for that bread I ate this morning. All of this to get wheat and corn and everything else that you grow here… It’s amazing. I wish I had seen this earlier.”
Even Virgil had to admit he was impressed with the boy’s curiosity and enthusiasm to actually go out in the fields and see what it was like to live this life. “That’s enough talkin’ you two, it’s time to get to work.”
Cody showed Ted how they were to guide the ox to keep him going, "Oxen can be very temperamental if you push them too hard," he explained, "If he goes into a temper then he could destroy everything that we've been working on, could harm one of us and himself at the same time-- slow is better for things like this. It's more effort but stronger results." It was obvious Cody had been brought up on such speeches because he was almost imitating his father word-for-word without even realizing he did so.
Virgil left the two to plough as he needed to go into town with some of the eggs for that morning; what was theirs of the mass they grew for the Lord and his household they split into half, keeping some to eat and selling the rest on. Ted Sr. didn't exactly care what they did with what was theirs, though Cody knew there were severe punishments for those who tried to lift extra from the main portions, regardless of consequences.
"Do you have to do this even when it gets hot?" Ted asked from where he walked besides the ox that was next to the one Cody was walking alongside, "Oh yes," Cody responded genially, "We have to do this in every weather we can... It's a nightmare when it rains though." Ted could only imagine; this field was huge and would probably get very muddy.
As they walked Ted found himself admiring Cody's profile. Cody really was a handsome young man; Ted didn't doubt that many a maid was probably seeking him out, and that realization was rather depressing. It was selfish, but he would have happily lived single and celibate for the rest of his life had Cody expressed that he would remain with him too, rather than to marry. Of course he'd keep this little thought to himself, because he hardly had grounds for requesting, asking, such a thing of Cody.
They walked the length of the field, turned the ox around and then went back. Ted felt that the task was incredibly taxing, but he was in high spirits because Cody was there with him. Cody must have been terribly bored and lonely doing this by himself in the past.
"Did you get into trouble with your father last night for being here with us?" Cody asked; he'd vaguely heard a shout the following day when they had left and recognised it as their Lord's.
Ted pinkened slightly but then shrugged his shoulders, "Not especially... It wasn't this he was mad at me about." Sensing that the conversation was heading into the territory that they seemed to have an unspoken agreement not to go into -brides- they veered off back into farming, and even then began talking about their families.
Ted learnt about Dustin, and how Cody's mother had passed on. Cody learnt that Ted's mother and father had an arranged marriage, and his younger brother was still in school-- Ted didn't mention his elder brother so Cody didn't either.
“How long does this usually take?” Ted asked as Cody turned the oxen once more down another row.
Glancing at Ted over the back of the ox, Cody replied, “I have no idea. As long as it takes. Dad starts at one end, I start at the other, and we meet in the middle.”
“I can’t believe it’s only you two in charge of all this land,” Ted said, completely in awe at their work ethic.
“There used to be more of us here. My grandparents had quite a few children, but only one of them can inherit this land, and that one was my father. Plus, we had Dustin until just recently… But, the more land we have, the more crops we get and the more money we receive in return.”
They continued down the strip of the field in silence until they reached the end. “Would you like to guide him?” Cody asked, holding up the reins.
“You’re going to let me?”
“You said you wanted to work, so I’m letting you work. Just remember to be gentle with them, they’re very powerful animals. You have to respect them, because if you don’t, very bad things can happen.”
“Well, that certainly boosts my confidence,” Ted joked as he gingerly reached for the reins. He wrapped his hand around the straps of leather, fingers briefly brushing against Cody’s, sending a jolt down his arm that spread into his entire body. Had Cody felt that, too? He looked up from his hands and at Cody’s face, only to find him looking away. “What do I do now?” he asked.
Turning back to the young son of their Lord, Cody fought to keep his composure. “All you have to do is walk. Bring him out just beyond the field and gently guide him back around to the next row,” he explained.
Slowly walking forward, putting light pressure on the reins, Ted began leading the oxen. He couldn’t help but smile the further along he got. He was the one doing this. He was actually guiding two giant oxen through a field of crops. The only time that he really jumped was when one of the oxen snorted and shook its massive head, causing Cody great amusement. “That’s not funny!” Ted said, though he was trying to not chuckle himself.
“Yes, actually, it is. I thought you were about to wet yourself!” Cody said through his laughter, the image of Ted’s face as he was frightened by the ox not about to leave his mind any time soon.
Still giggling somewhat to himself (the mock-pout Ted was sending him only sent him into further fits of giggles, whilst at the same time making Cody stare completely inappropriately at Ted's mouth) Cody indicated that Ted continue on with the oxen. After another few strips he took over again; he didn't want his father getting into trouble because he had been the one to let Ted overexert himself.
"Here, let me do it now." Ted was a little reluctant -he had really been getting into the swing of it- but it wasn't until he had stopped that he realized just how much of a physical exertion that leading the animals was. "Oh..." Ted rolled his shoulders as Cody took the reins back from the older male.
"Yeah, it does kinda sneak up on you." Cody said, flexing his own developed muscles, "Sorry, maybe I should have stopped you earlier." They continued on their way, occasionally stopping to let the animals have a rest, and have a rest themselves. After another hour, possibly two (Ted truthfully had no way of knowing, but it was quite a while) they met up with Virgil when they reached centre field.
"Good work boys." Virgil complimented, looking Ted over with a momentary concern which Cody watched him hastily remove from his face. "That's the plowing done for today. Did you do the seed too Cody?" Cody rolled his eyes and nodded his head, ducking the playful smack that his father aimed for his head, "Father, I know how this works, remember?" Ted blinked slightly; when had Cody been seeding?
He then recalled that he had noticed Cody dipping his hand into a leather bag upon his hip, his hand then coming up before going down again. He'd been so excited by the prospect of plowing that he hadn't even registered what he'd been doing until then.
"I'll bet you’re both hungry now," Virgil said, looking to Ted, "It's not much fare, young master, but if you'd like to dine with us we have more than enough." Immediately Cody knew what his father was going to do: he was going to ration down his own portion so that Ted had something to eat. Or, more accurately, he was going to have Cody do so considering Cody was the one in charge of the food. Cody wasn't going to let him-- he'd give up his food.
"Starving, sir." Ted admitted, and Virgil actually pinkened; no one but his sons and other villagers upon occasion had called him that, especially not a man of the higher stature such as Ted possessed.
“No need to call me sir,” he said, leading them into the house, “Virgil is perfect fine.”
“Of course, if you insist. But you are my elder, and I’m not about to forget my manners simply because you work on the land that my family owns,” he explained. He had been raised properly, and Virgil seemed to be a very kind man, especially opening his home to him like this.
Ted followed right behind Virgil, Cody bringing up the rear. And, because he wasn’t paying attention, he bumped right into Ted, who was standing stock still in the doorway. “Ted?”
“This is where you live?” he asked, taking it all in. The small fireplace, the one chair, the cabinet with just a few dishes on it… “This is really all you have?” He turned around and looked to Virgil and Cody, disbelief all over his face.
“This is it,” Cody told him with a shrug.
“And you have to prepare your own dinner, I take it.”
“Yes, I do all the cooking.”
“May I… watch?” Ted asked, never having picked up a pot or a pan in his life.
“I suppose, if you’d like. We’ve just slaughtered one of the cows who was too old to produce milk and the meat is stored underground. It’s really not the most pleasant thing in the world to see.”
“No, no, I want to,” he assured Cody, wanting to see just where his food came from and what the castle chefs had to do day in and day out.
“This is your last warning. I don’t want what you’re about to see turn your stomach. And you are our guest, you really don’t have to…”
Nodding his head, Ted told him, “I do want to see, please?”
“Follow me, then,” Cody said, leading him around back. They had dug up the ground ages ago, well before Cody was born, to create their own cool storage area for salted meats. He took off the cover, revealing hunks of meat. “Well?”
“You’re right, that’s not the most pleasant sight in the world. Did… did you kill the cow yourself?”
“Me and my dad did, yeah.”
Glancing up, Ted gave Cody a smile, admiring him more and more each day he got to speak with him.
Cody knew that Ted had received a massive culture shock when he had seen their home and the storage cellar; even though Ted was no doubt educated about the poorer classes in society it was obviously a watered down, pleasanter version that they were fed: no need to make the occasionally compassionate future Lord feeling guilty about those who worked for him, was there?
However, Cody couldn't bring himself to be bitter towards Ted; the other was just so different from how he had imagined the son of a Lord from being. He seemed to genuinely care about them.
Reaching down into the cold storage area Cody pulled out a good (but still decidedly small compared to what Ted was given for his meals) sized piece of meat before moving to the fire. Washing the meat lightly, Cody then began preparing it as Ted watched; he was almost like a child at Christmas time, whereas Virgil was merely sitting aside and carving at a small wooden figurine, obviously used to the routine their little family had going on.
Ted watched those dexterous, nimble fingers working. He deduced that Cody was making some sort of stew; he might never have cooked before but he had eaten enough to recognise a meal once it got cooking. It didn't look too pleasant to start off with, and Ted had never realised how much effort went into a single dish. When the pot of stew was lightly bubbling, the familiar smell enveloped him.
This stew was the most delicious he had ever smelt though, because Cody was the one who was cooking it. Rubbing the back of his neck, Ted asked if there was anything that he could do.
Surprised by the offer Cody smiled and shook his head, "No thank you-- feel free to go sit down and I'll bring it over; it'll be ready in a few minutes." Following the ravenette's suggestion Ted went and seated himself besides Virgil on a tiny stool.
Accepting the meal with thanks, Ted inhaled the delicious scent and took a bite. And it was honestly the best thing he had ever tasted. "Cody, this is amazing!" he complimented, causing the young man to blush. Virgil didn't comment then that Cody wasn't eating, and it took Ted a few minutes to notice.
Once he did, notice, though, he stopped eating from his bowl and quirked his head. “Cody, don’t you have any?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” he said, brushing off that comment.
“But you don’t have any food. Is it all gone?” Ted asked, feeling horrible about eating while Cody was having nothing. It made him flash back to all those feasts where all the excess food was thrown out, wasted, while these people here were starving.
“I… I can only make so much with our rations.”
“No, Cody, you can’t go without some nourishment. Here,” he said, holding out his bowl, “have the rest of mine.”
“I can’t, you’re our guest.”
“I insist. I can sneak into the kitchens tonight at the castle and have all the food I want. But I’m not going to eat while you’re not having a thing. Don’t make me order you to eat it,” he said, raising a brow.
Cody looked at him, mouth open wide. Would he really do that? Use his power to order Cody to eat the food that should all be his? “I can’t take food from a guest, I just can’t.”
“Then come with me to the castle!”
Eyes wide and mouth dropping even wider, Cody stared at his guest in shock. “That’s not my place,” he managed to say once he composed himself.
“It is if I say it is. Virgil, would you two like to come to the castle with me tonight?”
“I can’t, someone must stay and tend the house and listen for animals. But if you want to invite Cody, and your father has no issue with it, then I suppose he’s free to go.”
The one time Cody actually wanted his father to spout out his tract of, "Each class belongs where they belong, and they shouldn't cross," he decides not to use it. Hell.
"Father--" Cody looked to Virgil and the man shrugged, finishing his own food, "If you're being invited Cody, and as I say if the Lord doesn't mind, then you can go." he eyes his slightly muddy son and said lightly, "Make sure you go down to the river and wash up first though before you do go." Cody flushed.
Ted resolutely held Cody's stare; he knew that the younger man wanted to resist, but he didn't feel that it was because the other was averse to spending time with him. Shoulders drooping slightly, Cody sighed, "Ok Ted." It would be rude to refuse, and truth be told he did want to see in the castle-- but he was slightly wary of Ted Sr.'s reaction, and the reaction of Ted's other family members.
Once he was satisfied that Cody was going to come with him Ted finished off the stew (God forbid he wasted a meal that Cody had made) before then standing up to return to work.
Time seemed to fly by until it was time to call it a day with their working, and Cody looked to his father one more time before then looking to Ted, "I need to go to the stream first, before..."
Ted nodded, "I'll come with you." Cody doubted that Ted was going to stand there and watch him get naked, but the image brought forth all manner of fantasies that he knew he would explore in much more depth when he had the privacy and the time.
Together they walked down to the river, Cody growing more anxious about this invitation to the castle. “Are you sure your father won’t mind? I don’t want to be stepping on any toes,” he asked just before removing his shirt and placing it on the ground beside him.
“I think it’s only fair, don’t you? You show me your life, and I show you mine. You fed me lunch, now let me feed you dinner.”
“I still don’t know…” Cody said, about to slip his pants over his hips. “Do you mind?” he then asked shyly.
“Oh, right, sorry.” Ted turned his head and allowed Cody to slip his pants off and toss them to the side. He wanted to look, though, more than anything in the world.
“You’re ok now,” he said as he lowered himself into the water.
Ted managed to turn his head around as the rest of his backside sank under the surface. “I promise you that my dad will be more than fine with this. And if not, I bet my mother would be more than happy to help me sneak you into the castle,” he added with a laugh.
Cody couldn’t help but chuckle, either. Nor could he help staring at Ted’s face, lit up by the laughter. He continued to clean himself off as the two fell into a companionable silence. And then he saw Ted stand from his seat on the grass. “Ted, where are you going?”
“Oh, nowhere,” he replied as he walked towards Cody’s pile of clothes, a wicked grin on his face.
“Don’t touch those!” Cody shouted when he realized Ted’s plan.
“What? These?” he asked, bending down to pick up the discarded clothing.
“TED! I need those!”
“And what’s stopping you from coming to get them?”
Giving Ted a look, Cody stated what he thought was obvious. “I’m naked.”
“It’s not like you’ve got parts I’ve never seen before,” Ted teased. “So, are you getting your clothes, or not? I don’t think my father would appreciate you showing up stark naked.”
Dashing out of the river, Cody made a run straight for Ted, who tried to dodge out of the way. Cody was quick, though, all those years in the field really working his leg muscles, and he soon caught up to the Lord’s son, snatching his clothes out of Ted’s hands. They stood there, face to face, Cody dripping wet, both of them panting from their run.
“I…” was all Cody could say before tearing his eyes away from Ted’s. He took a step back and slipped his pants on, feeling Ted watching him the entire time.
“Come on, let’s head up to the castle now.”
Good Lord. Ted's mind was completely on what he had just seen in terms of the contents of Cody's trousers even as they began walking up the long path to the castle. Cody had nothing to be ashamed of, and a snide voice (that sounded horribly like his father) told him that any maid who ended up with Cody would not have anything to complain about in that department. Cody's body was smooth, hairless and muscular, and his shaft was big. Very big. Bigger than Ted, he thought, but it was hard to tell considering he'd only gotten a brief glimpse.
And, well, Cody was soft-- Ted couldn't be sure whether the other was thicker than him or not. And he really shouldn't be thinking about it because it was sending heat coiling in his abdomen and crawling up the length of his spine.
When they began walking along the front of the castle, Ted then nodded to the servant who was closest to the door. The uniformed man stared slightly when Cody appeared, no doubt looking down to the shoddily dressed man. This realisation made Ted frown somewhat.
"Where's my father?" Ted asked, the sharpish tone in his voice alerting the servant to where his attention should be and the man hastened to straighten up a bit more-- the redhead's name escaped him, but the horrendous speech impediment registered in the back of his mind.
"He's in his room sir, do you want me to go get him?"
"No, if he's busy. Just go and tell him that I'm back and that I have Cody with me, and he shall be joining us for dinner." On that note Ted motioned for Cody to follow, leading him up the giant staircase that took them up to the upper floors of the castle. "Come on Cody."
Hastening to keep close to Ted, Cody couldn't help the warm feeling in his chest that the other teen had stood up for him; that servant had been looking down his nose at him, and no doubt thought that he shouldn't be there-- something Cody knew, but didn't need others reminding him of.
When they reached the landing, they almost bumped into Ted's mother. Cody blushed when the woman's gaze lighted upon him and he immediately dropped himself down into a bow almost reflexively; it was one thing to not want to bow to Ted Sr., but when it came to women Virgil was even stricter when it came to how to treat a lady with respect.
"Mother," Ted kissed her hand, eyes still on Cody and smiling slightly at his reaction. "This is Cody. Cody, this is my mother Caroline. I invited Cody to dine with us this evening, as thanks for he and his father putting up with me."
“How thoughtful of you, Teddy. And it is very nice to meet you, Cody,” she said. “My son has come back these past few days talking about nothing but how he’s enjoying his time on the farm.”
Cody could feel the blush rising in his cheeks as Ted’s mother continued to smile at him. And when he heard that Ted actually talked to her about the farm (about him?), he was rendered completely speechless.
“You continue along, I’ll send one of the servants up once dinner is ready to be served. That should be soon. Is this what Cody is wearing for dinner?” she asked of Ted.
Ted glanced to Cody, who answered, “I’m sorry ma’am, but this is all I have. If it’s inappropriate-”
“You could let him wear something of yours, Ted. Your father, especially, is so concerned about appearing presentable around the dinner table. You should probably change, as well, as you’ve been out in the fields all day.”
“Of course, Mother. We’ll see you soon.” And with that, they were off. Once in Ted’s room, he looked to Cody, seeing that it was the younger teen’s turn to be standing in shock.
“Your room is bigger than my house.”
Unsure of how to reply to that, Ted tried to change the subject. “Did you want to try on something of mine?” he asked, going into his closet.
“These are… these are all yours?” Cody looked at everything in there, pretty sure that hanging in that one closet was more clothes than belonged to all the villagers.
“Those are all my casual clothes. My formal wear is in another room,” he told Cody, voice uncertain and shy. He wasn’t trying to brag to the younger man because of all the things he possessed due to his birthright, though he was sure that’s how it was sounding. Maybe brining Cody to the castle was a bad idea.
Turning around, Cody’s wide eyes looked at Ted. “This is amazing. And you’d actually let me… wear something of yours?”
“Of course. Pick out anything you’d like,” Ted told him, happy to see that there was no jealousy written on Cody’s face, mainly a look of awe.
It was incredible to consider that all before him was only a fraction of the clothing Ted possessed. However, unlike what he previously expected, Cody wasn't as pissed at the frivolous wealth as he might once have been... Meeting Ted just made it hard to feel such things.
Eventually Cody settled upon a pair of white pants and a dark blue shirt. "How about these?" he asked, shyly pointing to the clothing that had caught his attention... more-so than the other outfits besides them that was.
Reaching, Ted plucked the shirt and trousers from the collection and nodded his head as he held them up before Cody. "Yeah... Yeah, these will suit you really well; they'll bring out your eyes." he hadn't even realised that he was going to say that until the words had come out of his mouth.
Blushing, Ted went to backtrack (the last thing he wanted was to make Cody uncomfortable, and also to broadcast his somewhat conflicted feelings towards the younger man) when he noticed that Cody was blushing darker than even he was. "I'll wear these then." Cody said softly, accepting the clothing when Ted offered it. "Go change in the bathroom." Ted suggested, indicating the room that adjoined onto his bedroom, where he bathed.
Nodding, Cody padded towards the room. Ted had just been in the process of removing his soiled shirt and pants when he heard a gasp; he had never thought of the bathroom as especially big before, but then again he had never really realised how much he had until he had seen what Cody had to live with.
When he was changed, Ted turned his head. "Cody, you alright--?" the question caught in his throat as the younger man shyly exited the bathroom. The clothing was casual, not really that fine, but on Cody it looked like the most expensive outfit that he possessed. Cody looked like he had been made for the outfit. He looked...
He looked beautiful. That was a word that Ted never would have expected that he would attribute to anyone, let alone another man, but on Cody the word just seemed to fit. Cody was blushing once more, nervously fiddling with a sleeve, "How... How do I look?"
“You look… very handsome,” Ted answered, smiling at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you came from a neighbouring castle.”
Grinning, Cody looked down at himself, amazed at how well the clothes fit his body and how he himself actually thought he looked good. “Thank you so much for letting me wear this.”
“You can keep it, if you’d like,” Ted blurted out.
“What?!” Cody asked in surprise. “I… I couldn’t possibly…”
“Do you know how much you’ve taught me over the last couple days?” Ted asked of him, taking a few steps closer to the younger man. “You’ve opened my eyes to a side of life that I never thought I’d experience, and today you made me the most amazing stew I have ever had the pleasure to taste. This is the least that I can do for you,” he said as he pulled a small piece of red thread off the shoulder of the white shirt.
Watching that hand rise up to his shoulder, watching those fingers pluck off that thread, Cody couldn’t look away. “Thank you,” he whispered, talking about far more than that thread.
“You’re welcome,” Ted replied, biting his lower lip before returning his hand to Cody’s shoulder and letting it rest there. “I’m so happy you came here tonight. I know that…” he paused, thinking of what he was trying to say. “I know we’re not supposed to be mingling like this, simply because my family owns the land that your family works on, and yet I can honestly say I’ve never in my life met anyone that I have bonded with more than I have with you in these past few days.”
“I know my father wouldn’t like to hear me say this, but I’d say the same about you.”
Shaking slightly, Ted brought his other hand up to cup around Cody’s neck, fingers lightly brushing over his hair. Their eyes locked, uncertainty reading in both pairs. But, still, Ted leaned forward, gently pressing his lips to Cody’s.
Was this really happening? Cody thought to himself as he felt Ted’s lips on his. This can’t be happening. This has to be a dream. A dream both were awoken from by a knock on the door.
“Master Theodore, dinner is ready to be served. I do hope you and your guest are both dressed and prepared for the meal!”
Breaking apart, cheeks flushed, Ted replied, “Yes, thank you, Eric, we shall be right down.” He turned his attention back to Cody, grinning when he saw Cody’s face was just as red. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” he managed to say, about the only word he could form at the moment.
Then, both trying to fight down a blush, they headed out the door, Ted leading his guest downstairs into the dining room.
As he walked down the stairs besides Ted for dinner (and feeling acutely aware of the stares and whispers from staff who either A assumed he was a friend of Ted's from school they hadn't been told about or B knew he had been the farmer's son who had made an appearance earlier) Cody exhaled softly before he considered how Ted Sr. might really be averse to having him there, even if Ted's mother had given her blessing for it.
Fortunately though Ted Sr. seemed in too much of a good mood to be bothered about his presence; in fact, he even welcomed him with a jovial and manly clap on the shoulder before motioning that he sit down besides Ted at the table. Ted's younger brother (Brett, as he was then introduced to him) looked strikingly like him, and Cody almost did a double-take. Seating himself down as he tried to contain his nerves, it took all Cody's willpower to then not let his jaw drop at the sheer size of the appetizers that they were brought. And this was the food they got to eat before their actual meal? It boggled his mind.
Guilt settled in his stomach briefly as he considered that his father wasn't there with him, but if he could Cody was going to try and take something back for him-- his father worked just as hard, if not harder than he did after all, and he deserved this little treat too. Ted meanwhile was torn between watching Cody's eyes and face light up with each course (and trying not to focus on those luscious lips that he had only fleetingly gotten to taste) and wondering why his father was so happy... It was almost frighteningly happy. And that usually didn't bode well for him, odd as that night seem.
Underneath the covering of the table, Ted's thigh was pressed against Cody's and the raven haired male was so very aware of it; goosebumps rose up on his skin even though the clothing he had, and the room that they were in, were very warm.
Ted once again found himself subtly looking to Cody's mouth as the younger man ate. In a way he couldn't believe that he had actually had the balls to go through with it, but at the same time he was glad that he did. He had sworn that there was a connection deeper than friendship between them, and he knew it for sure now.
It might have been a short kiss that was broken because Eric had made his presence known at a rather inopportune time, but Ted had felt Cody about to kiss him back. Aside from seeming to discover that Cody liked him back in the same way, the confused feelings he had physically in regard for Cody seemed less confused... and much stronger, now that he had had that small taste of temptation.
Soon, plates were being removed as their entrees were placed in front of them. A few bites into their main course, Ted Sr.’s booming voiced asked from down the opposite end of the table, “Tell me, Cody, are you enjoying your meal?”
Looking up from his plate and jerking his leg away from Ted’s out of reflex (as though Ted’s father could actually see through the table), Cody turned his attention towards the Lord. “This is amazing,” he told him. “Thank you so much for allowing me into your home.”
“I’m glad to hear it! I was quite pleased when I heard my son invited you over. I appreciate everything that you and your father have taught him the last few days. His newly acquired knowledge will be invaluable down the line once he’s the lord of this castle.”
“It’s been my pleasure, Sir. Your son is a fast and eager learner, and he’s got a great work ethic,” Cody said, giving Ted a smile, but speaking so much more to him through his eyes.
“Now, Cody, what do you do in the winter?”
“Keep the house warm, try to keep the animals alive…” he answered. Winter was certainly a bleak time for them.
“I’ve never seen my son so excited for anything as he has been about going down to the farm. Therefore, in return, I’d like to offer you a position here within the castle as Theodore’s personal footman throughout the winter.”
Cody’s fork dropped from his hand, so in shock he was. “Excuse me?”
“Father, are you certain?” Ted asked, extremely surprised at his father’s generous offer.
“Of course. What do you say Cody?”
“I… I would love to. Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, Theodore, I also have some news for you,” he said, smile growing wider.
Ted swallowed. There’s no way this could be good. “Yes?”
“I’ve spoken with Kristen’s father, and he told me that she was very taken with you. He also said to me that he had never seen a more suitable man for his daughter.”
“Father, I thought I said I didn’t want to consider marriage yet? I hardly know anything about what it takes to run this castle and our enterprises,” Ted protested. Would his father never get the point? Wasn’t it just days ago that he said the exact same words to him?
“You learn as you grow older, Theodore. I can already see that running this castle comes naturally to you.”
“Must we talk about this in front of our guests?” he asked then, casting his eyes to Cody, the earlier glint in his eye now gone.
The food that had tasted so succulent moments ago now sat like a weight in Cody's stomach; such a feeling was one he was sure he had no right to, but that his heart was refusing to consider anything to the contrary- especially after what had happened before.
Caroline didn't miss the way that Ted's posture had tensed defensively upon his father's words, and how Cody's posture had slumped just so; as though he were intending to disappear underneath the table and not resurface again. Her husband, of course, was clueless. Which was perhaps for the best.
Ted Sr. began to talk to Cody about what would be entailed in his position for working in the castle instead upon Ted's words. Cody's excitement had dwindled significantly, and only minutely rose when Ted Sr. told him that he would be receiving a wage for his efforts.
Now, Cody could have assured them that he would work for free (he just wanted to be near Ted) but that money would aid his father greatly. His father was getting older after all, and Cody knew that the winter months were a struggle for the elder man because of his chest. Cody didn't like to think what one more terrible winter might cause for his father's condition.
The money could be put towards buying proper blankets, containers for water and food, and for buying wood and other materials to make the repairs around their little shack; there was only so much they could do with the meager resources that were given to them. Cody knew that even if his father was offered a position working in the castle somewhere, even in the stables or something, that he would never take it. The land was his life, and he intended to stay there until the end.
The mood was a strange combination of tension and delight by the end of the meal, and Cody forced himself to enjoy the dessert even though he found himself no longer hungry. He'd eaten about a fortnight's worth of food in one night when you compared the meal to what he and his father usually had, and he was feeling a bit ill.
"I'll walk Cody down to the top of the road." Ted said immediately as soon as they had been granted leave to get up from the table. "Good idea." Ted Sr. nodded as he accepted a glass of brandy from his closest servant. Cody once again thanked the DiBiases for having him, and then bowed before following Ted out.
The top of the road was a good way away from the castle, which was lucky considering that Ted had something in mind he'd rather not let anyone see. Not looking at Ted, Cody murmured, "Thank you for the clothing and the food. I'll see you tomor--" before he could finish he felt a hand on the back of his neck, and the next thing he was aware of were Ted's warm lips tentatively but lingeringly, resting upon his own.
Willingly melting into the kiss, Cody’s own hands rose, cupping Ted’s cheeks. He had never done this before, with neither man nor woman, so his movements at that moment were completely instinctual as their bodies closed in, chest pressing to chest and groin pressing to groin. Both could feel the heat below their waists the longer they stayed together.
Uncertainly, Ted slipped his tongue from between his own lips and teased at Cody’s. With the same measure of uncertainty, Cody parted his lips to allow Ted’s tongue inside. He could feel the muscle exploring his mouth, and he honestly had never felt anything as wonderful as this before in his life.
When both parties were desperate for air, they finally pulled their faces apart from one another, but remained looking into one another’s eyes, and their bodies were still touching. Instantly, a blush rose on Cody’s face, made even more adorable by the gap-toothed smile that accompanied it. “What was that for?” he asked, leaning his forehead in to rest it on Ted’s.
Meeting Cody in the middle, their foreheads touched as he replied, “Felt like it. Was it… was it good?” he asked quietly.
“Mmhmm,” Cody replied, placing a quick kiss on Ted’s lips.
“I wish you could stay longer,” Ted told him, gently stroking his fingers through Cody’s hair.
“But I will be soon,” Cody said, his eyes lighting up all over again. “I can’t believe your father offered me a position within the castle. It may only be for the winter, but it will help my father so much.”
“I couldn’t believe it, either. Do you know what that means, Cody?” he asked, his mind full of ideas that had that heat growing in his belly once more.
“That we can spend more time together.”
“Much more time together.” With that, Ted brushed his lips against Cody’s once again, and Cody returned the kiss eagerly. What they lacked in finesse, they certainly made up for in enthusiasm and sheer want.
Breaking apart once more, Cody said, “I should be getting home now. It’s late, and knowing my father, he stayed up for me.”
“Ok. But I’ll see you tomorrow at the farm?”
“Tomorrow at the farm, the cows should begin to give birth to their calves,” Cody chuckled. “I know you were to come down to the farm anyway, but I was intending to surprise you with that news. However, I don’t know if your stomach will be suited to handling such sights as a birthing cow.”
“Cody Runnels, are you trying to scare me off?” he teased.
“Not at all. I’m just giving you a fair warning. If you pass out tomorrow, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Fine. How long will these cows be birthing?”
“We only have a few cows, so depending on when they all decide to drop, it could be a week or so. After that, there’ll be nothing left apart from the daily routine of gathering chicken eggs, milking the cows and feeding the animals. All of which my father can handle on his own. And then I’ll be able to go to the castle. With you,” he added with a grin before placing one more kiss on Ted’s lips. “I’ll see you soon, Ted.”
“Goodnight, Cody,” Ted said as they parted ways, this time with matching smiles on their faces.
The walk back to the farm was one Cody had taken many a time, and considering that the only other people on their land were neighbours he wasn't especially worried about someone attempting to attack him-- the definitive muscles that he had obtained from farming weren't just for show, despite what some people might think. He could handle himself.
As he walked though his fingers went to his lips; the taste and feel of Ted still lingered, a headier and sweeter taste that had him hungry for more and tasted better than any of the gourmet food he had eaten that night. Once could be considered a fluke, but twice? More than twice? No... They both seemed to really mean it.
The heat in his groin was still persistently alerting him to his own body's awareness and unlike Ted (who had sought refuge in his room to do the same thing Cody was about to) Cody wasn't exactly afforded the luxury of privacy for what he wanted, needed right then to tide him over. Getting nearer his own home, Cody slipped down to the stream once more, knowing he had to be quick,
As it was though Ted's kiss and touch had enflamed him so much that it didn't take mere minutes for him to be biting down on his free fist as his body convulsed to muffle the scream of his... friend, lover? Whatever he was, it was Ted's name spilling from his lips like a prayer.
As Cody cleaned himself off and hastened home in the best mood that he had been in in years, Ted was currently twisting and undulating upon the expensive sheets of his bed, driving his aching manhood into his fist almost desperately; Cody's lips and sparkling eyes at the forefront of his mind before he finally exploded. His ragged, panting breaths and murmurs of Cody's name smothered in his pillow.
As he headed into the bathroom to remove all evidence of his activities (God forbid one of his parents somehow find out what he'd done) Ted then considered that he would definitely need to show Cody his bed. And, not just for intentions that had his recently sated groin stirring once more-- he wanted to spoil Cody, pamper him, and help him out of his current circumstances.
It might seem presumptuous of him, but he knew that if he helped Cody, and therefore by proxy helped Virgil (the wages would no doubt be put towards his father and his home knowing Cody) then maybe... Maybe Cody would stay with him even when he became Lord over all of this. He wanted Cody at his side, regardless of the dangers that he had no doubt they would ultimately face should anyone discover just how much the young farm-hand meant to him. Damn the consequences. Cody was worth it.
Cody remained up talking to his father about the evening (but obviously not the, ahem, more personal bits) and as he watched his smiling son get into bed Virgil had to concede that something about the DiBiase boy just seemed to really mesh with Cody. His son had never been depressed, but he had never been so bright and bubbly either. Virgil was asleep before too long, Cody remaining awake just a little bit longer, "Goodnight Ted." he whispered to the darkness. Back at the castle, an equally sleepy Ted murmured, "Goodnight Cody." before he allowed his subconscious to rest.
Part 3
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairing: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Rhodes
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Taking place in feudal England, Cody's family comes from a long line of farmers who work the land belonging to the DiBiase family. Despite the enormous class differences, Cody and Ted meet and form an instant connection with one another, both learning things from the other that they otherwise never would have known.
Word Count: 8959
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried, haha. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot... Once again, since this is flocked on the comm, I'm posting it here, too.
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1
“Dammit,” Cody mumbled when he discovered one of the chickens had escaped from its coop. It ran around, slipping through Cody’s grasp as the teen followed it around. He could hear his father’s laughter booming from behind and he shouted, “I’m glad to have brought you some amusement, now do you think you could help me?”
Together they manage to corner the hen and bring her back to the coop, making sure all the doors were shut tight, not wanting anything to get out, or get in during the night.
Finally, the last of the animals were inside, and it was time for Cody to begin preparing their dinner. “Things would be so much easier around here if you had a wife, Cody,” his father said. “She could be in here preparing our meals, so you don’t have to once we’re done working in the fields.”
“I’m quite happy to cook for us. Or do you not like the food I make?”
“I never said that! But you’re tired from working for hours on end out in the fields. A wife would be in here, tending to the house, cooking our meals and she could harvest the eggs in the mornings, so that you wouldn’t have to.”
“Father, I like the way that we’re living now, really, I do. I don’t feel as though it’s necessary to marry right now. Maybe in a few more years,” he added.
“Layla won’t wait around forever.”
“I know, but there are other fish in the sea.” He swore his father became more persistent every day when it came to the subject of him marrying, and it took a toll on him. No wonder Dustin had run off to join the army.
Ted sat in his room, once again sitting by his window, staring down at the land below, instantly spotting the Runnels household, wishing he were still there. A knock came on his door just then, taking him away from his thoughts. “Come in.”
His mother opened the door and smiled at him. “I heard from your father that you had quite the day today,” she said, shutting the door behind her before she took a seat on the edge of his bed.
“I did. I walked around the barn with Cody, he showed me the animals. He even showed me how they harvest and let me try it,” he told her, his eyes lighting up at the mention of Cody’s name, and he didn’t even realize it.
His mother, on the other hand, did. “And Cody is…?”
“Oh, he’s Virgil Runnels’ son, just about my age, too, a little younger. After he let me try using the sickle to cut down the wheat, he showed me how he does it, and it’s fascinating to watch, the speed and the swiftness; it’s evident he’s been doing this his entire life.”
She watched and listened to him as he talked about Cody, and how happy he was just to speak about him. Very interesting…
Call it a mother's intuition, but Caroline DiBiase had never seen her son look so enthused when he had talked about anyone before, male or female, and so she already knew that this Cody person meant something to her son. Maybe it was just a mother's prerogative that her child be happy no matter what path they took to be so, that meant that Caroline wasn't opposed to the thought of Ted spending more time around the young farmhand and spending some time on the farm-- it'd be good for him.
However, Caroline also knew that she would have to keep her son's affection secret from his father; if Ted Sr. got even the smallest inkling that Ted was striving from the path he had lain out for him then that would be it. The blonde haired woman listened a little while longer as Ted talked about his day, seeing how genuinely happy being with Cody on the farm had made him.
"Are you going back again?"
"Virgil said that he didn't mind if I wanted to go back tomorrow, and Cody said he would be happy for me to be around too." Ted then paused and went pink with sheepishness as his mother held up the book he had taken to teach Cody with. "It's been a while since I've seen you read this..." she mused, her tone suggesting that she knew he hadn't been reading it.
Ted looked down at his shoes and then to his smiling mother; he had always gotten on better with her than his father, and he felt more like her favourite than his, even though people said he looked more like his father. Brett was like a mini version of himself with minute differences, whereas Mike looked like their mother. "I was showing it to Cody... He never learned to read." As he had expected his mother cooed softly and sighed, "Oh, the poor dear-- are you teaching him?" Ted nodded his head and she reached to stroke his hair, "Good boy."
Unaware that Ted and his mother were talking about him, Cody merely began working on preparing their evening meal. It was nothing fancy by any means, but it was edible and at least it was enough to fill their bellies until the following morning.
It was one of their chickens from the coop (that could no longer lay eggs) and a few vegetables from the crops. They were given a decent fare from Lord DiBiase according to his father as opposed to other Lords.
When the food had cooked he settled himself onto the floor, his father sitting on the only chair that they possessed. Cody didn't mind though, because he was used to it. Virgil groaned contentedly as he took a bite, "Delicious, Cody." Cody accepted the praise with a smile, same as always.
He was glad that his father had momentarily dropped the talk of a bride. He wouldn't have minded, but his father hadn't even started until Dustin had left... Maybe because Cody wasn't going to be the head of the household one day at that point. And it was a household, although not to the scale would one day have. However, if Ted was beside him Cody would have happily lived on the streets with nothing for the rest of his life without complaint.
It wasn’t long after finishing dinner that Virgil was off to his own straw bed to hunker down for the night. Cody stayed awake, cleaning the pans and plates on which he served dinner. As he scrubbed, he let the day replay in his mind, a lazy smile appearing on his face. Learning to read was frustrating, yes, but he had Ted there with him, guiding him along, and he seemed perfectly happy to do so. Of course he knew that nothing would, or could, ever happen between them, but they were called fantasies for a reason.
He put the dishes back on their shelves and hung the pot on the hanger by the fire, his brain running wild with thoughts of Ted. Silently, he slipped out of the house and went out to the barn so he could have a little privacy as he imagined Ted’s lips and hands all over his body on this very hay bale. Once he finished, he brushed himself off and tucked himself back into his loose pants and headed back inside to bed.
Rising bright and early the next morning, Ted prepared himself to head down to the farm, making sure that he placed the book back into his bag. He had a quick breakfast of ham and eggs with a bit of bread and jam, then scurried off to the stables where he mounted his horse and was off, hardly seeing any of his family before leaving.
Cody was waiting for Ted’s arrival, preparing some of their work animals with the necessary equipment for the day. Virgil was with him, hooking up another pair of ox when he heard the sound of horse hoofs approaching. “I’ll go greet the Young Master,” Cody offered, dropping everything to go meet Ted.
“Good morning, Cody!” Ted shouted while up on his horse.
“Good morning, Young Master Theodore,” Cody greeted, knowing that his father could hear him. “How are you today?”
Ted hopped down from the horse and tied him up while he answered, “I’m fine, thank you. Yourself?”
“Just another day in the life.”
Giving a sad smile to a man he was quickly beginning to call a friend, Ted asked, “What’s happening here today?”
“Follow me, I’ll show you.” Leading the way to the backside of the barn, Cody showed Ted how they were harnessing their ox together so they could pull the plows to till the land.
“I was wondering how you plowed the land,” Ted told him. “I never realized how much equipment and work really went into farming. I must say, I have a much greater appreciation for that bread I ate this morning. All of this to get wheat and corn and everything else that you grow here… It’s amazing. I wish I had seen this earlier.”
Even Virgil had to admit he was impressed with the boy’s curiosity and enthusiasm to actually go out in the fields and see what it was like to live this life. “That’s enough talkin’ you two, it’s time to get to work.”
Cody showed Ted how they were to guide the ox to keep him going, "Oxen can be very temperamental if you push them too hard," he explained, "If he goes into a temper then he could destroy everything that we've been working on, could harm one of us and himself at the same time-- slow is better for things like this. It's more effort but stronger results." It was obvious Cody had been brought up on such speeches because he was almost imitating his father word-for-word without even realizing he did so.
Virgil left the two to plough as he needed to go into town with some of the eggs for that morning; what was theirs of the mass they grew for the Lord and his household they split into half, keeping some to eat and selling the rest on. Ted Sr. didn't exactly care what they did with what was theirs, though Cody knew there were severe punishments for those who tried to lift extra from the main portions, regardless of consequences.
"Do you have to do this even when it gets hot?" Ted asked from where he walked besides the ox that was next to the one Cody was walking alongside, "Oh yes," Cody responded genially, "We have to do this in every weather we can... It's a nightmare when it rains though." Ted could only imagine; this field was huge and would probably get very muddy.
As they walked Ted found himself admiring Cody's profile. Cody really was a handsome young man; Ted didn't doubt that many a maid was probably seeking him out, and that realization was rather depressing. It was selfish, but he would have happily lived single and celibate for the rest of his life had Cody expressed that he would remain with him too, rather than to marry. Of course he'd keep this little thought to himself, because he hardly had grounds for requesting, asking, such a thing of Cody.
They walked the length of the field, turned the ox around and then went back. Ted felt that the task was incredibly taxing, but he was in high spirits because Cody was there with him. Cody must have been terribly bored and lonely doing this by himself in the past.
"Did you get into trouble with your father last night for being here with us?" Cody asked; he'd vaguely heard a shout the following day when they had left and recognised it as their Lord's.
Ted pinkened slightly but then shrugged his shoulders, "Not especially... It wasn't this he was mad at me about." Sensing that the conversation was heading into the territory that they seemed to have an unspoken agreement not to go into -brides- they veered off back into farming, and even then began talking about their families.
Ted learnt about Dustin, and how Cody's mother had passed on. Cody learnt that Ted's mother and father had an arranged marriage, and his younger brother was still in school-- Ted didn't mention his elder brother so Cody didn't either.
“How long does this usually take?” Ted asked as Cody turned the oxen once more down another row.
Glancing at Ted over the back of the ox, Cody replied, “I have no idea. As long as it takes. Dad starts at one end, I start at the other, and we meet in the middle.”
“I can’t believe it’s only you two in charge of all this land,” Ted said, completely in awe at their work ethic.
“There used to be more of us here. My grandparents had quite a few children, but only one of them can inherit this land, and that one was my father. Plus, we had Dustin until just recently… But, the more land we have, the more crops we get and the more money we receive in return.”
They continued down the strip of the field in silence until they reached the end. “Would you like to guide him?” Cody asked, holding up the reins.
“You’re going to let me?”
“You said you wanted to work, so I’m letting you work. Just remember to be gentle with them, they’re very powerful animals. You have to respect them, because if you don’t, very bad things can happen.”
“Well, that certainly boosts my confidence,” Ted joked as he gingerly reached for the reins. He wrapped his hand around the straps of leather, fingers briefly brushing against Cody’s, sending a jolt down his arm that spread into his entire body. Had Cody felt that, too? He looked up from his hands and at Cody’s face, only to find him looking away. “What do I do now?” he asked.
Turning back to the young son of their Lord, Cody fought to keep his composure. “All you have to do is walk. Bring him out just beyond the field and gently guide him back around to the next row,” he explained.
Slowly walking forward, putting light pressure on the reins, Ted began leading the oxen. He couldn’t help but smile the further along he got. He was the one doing this. He was actually guiding two giant oxen through a field of crops. The only time that he really jumped was when one of the oxen snorted and shook its massive head, causing Cody great amusement. “That’s not funny!” Ted said, though he was trying to not chuckle himself.
“Yes, actually, it is. I thought you were about to wet yourself!” Cody said through his laughter, the image of Ted’s face as he was frightened by the ox not about to leave his mind any time soon.
Still giggling somewhat to himself (the mock-pout Ted was sending him only sent him into further fits of giggles, whilst at the same time making Cody stare completely inappropriately at Ted's mouth) Cody indicated that Ted continue on with the oxen. After another few strips he took over again; he didn't want his father getting into trouble because he had been the one to let Ted overexert himself.
"Here, let me do it now." Ted was a little reluctant -he had really been getting into the swing of it- but it wasn't until he had stopped that he realized just how much of a physical exertion that leading the animals was. "Oh..." Ted rolled his shoulders as Cody took the reins back from the older male.
"Yeah, it does kinda sneak up on you." Cody said, flexing his own developed muscles, "Sorry, maybe I should have stopped you earlier." They continued on their way, occasionally stopping to let the animals have a rest, and have a rest themselves. After another hour, possibly two (Ted truthfully had no way of knowing, but it was quite a while) they met up with Virgil when they reached centre field.
"Good work boys." Virgil complimented, looking Ted over with a momentary concern which Cody watched him hastily remove from his face. "That's the plowing done for today. Did you do the seed too Cody?" Cody rolled his eyes and nodded his head, ducking the playful smack that his father aimed for his head, "Father, I know how this works, remember?" Ted blinked slightly; when had Cody been seeding?
He then recalled that he had noticed Cody dipping his hand into a leather bag upon his hip, his hand then coming up before going down again. He'd been so excited by the prospect of plowing that he hadn't even registered what he'd been doing until then.
"I'll bet you’re both hungry now," Virgil said, looking to Ted, "It's not much fare, young master, but if you'd like to dine with us we have more than enough." Immediately Cody knew what his father was going to do: he was going to ration down his own portion so that Ted had something to eat. Or, more accurately, he was going to have Cody do so considering Cody was the one in charge of the food. Cody wasn't going to let him-- he'd give up his food.
"Starving, sir." Ted admitted, and Virgil actually pinkened; no one but his sons and other villagers upon occasion had called him that, especially not a man of the higher stature such as Ted possessed.
“No need to call me sir,” he said, leading them into the house, “Virgil is perfect fine.”
“Of course, if you insist. But you are my elder, and I’m not about to forget my manners simply because you work on the land that my family owns,” he explained. He had been raised properly, and Virgil seemed to be a very kind man, especially opening his home to him like this.
Ted followed right behind Virgil, Cody bringing up the rear. And, because he wasn’t paying attention, he bumped right into Ted, who was standing stock still in the doorway. “Ted?”
“This is where you live?” he asked, taking it all in. The small fireplace, the one chair, the cabinet with just a few dishes on it… “This is really all you have?” He turned around and looked to Virgil and Cody, disbelief all over his face.
“This is it,” Cody told him with a shrug.
“And you have to prepare your own dinner, I take it.”
“Yes, I do all the cooking.”
“May I… watch?” Ted asked, never having picked up a pot or a pan in his life.
“I suppose, if you’d like. We’ve just slaughtered one of the cows who was too old to produce milk and the meat is stored underground. It’s really not the most pleasant thing in the world to see.”
“No, no, I want to,” he assured Cody, wanting to see just where his food came from and what the castle chefs had to do day in and day out.
“This is your last warning. I don’t want what you’re about to see turn your stomach. And you are our guest, you really don’t have to…”
Nodding his head, Ted told him, “I do want to see, please?”
“Follow me, then,” Cody said, leading him around back. They had dug up the ground ages ago, well before Cody was born, to create their own cool storage area for salted meats. He took off the cover, revealing hunks of meat. “Well?”
“You’re right, that’s not the most pleasant sight in the world. Did… did you kill the cow yourself?”
“Me and my dad did, yeah.”
Glancing up, Ted gave Cody a smile, admiring him more and more each day he got to speak with him.
Cody knew that Ted had received a massive culture shock when he had seen their home and the storage cellar; even though Ted was no doubt educated about the poorer classes in society it was obviously a watered down, pleasanter version that they were fed: no need to make the occasionally compassionate future Lord feeling guilty about those who worked for him, was there?
However, Cody couldn't bring himself to be bitter towards Ted; the other was just so different from how he had imagined the son of a Lord from being. He seemed to genuinely care about them.
Reaching down into the cold storage area Cody pulled out a good (but still decidedly small compared to what Ted was given for his meals) sized piece of meat before moving to the fire. Washing the meat lightly, Cody then began preparing it as Ted watched; he was almost like a child at Christmas time, whereas Virgil was merely sitting aside and carving at a small wooden figurine, obviously used to the routine their little family had going on.
Ted watched those dexterous, nimble fingers working. He deduced that Cody was making some sort of stew; he might never have cooked before but he had eaten enough to recognise a meal once it got cooking. It didn't look too pleasant to start off with, and Ted had never realised how much effort went into a single dish. When the pot of stew was lightly bubbling, the familiar smell enveloped him.
This stew was the most delicious he had ever smelt though, because Cody was the one who was cooking it. Rubbing the back of his neck, Ted asked if there was anything that he could do.
Surprised by the offer Cody smiled and shook his head, "No thank you-- feel free to go sit down and I'll bring it over; it'll be ready in a few minutes." Following the ravenette's suggestion Ted went and seated himself besides Virgil on a tiny stool.
Accepting the meal with thanks, Ted inhaled the delicious scent and took a bite. And it was honestly the best thing he had ever tasted. "Cody, this is amazing!" he complimented, causing the young man to blush. Virgil didn't comment then that Cody wasn't eating, and it took Ted a few minutes to notice.
Once he did, notice, though, he stopped eating from his bowl and quirked his head. “Cody, don’t you have any?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” he said, brushing off that comment.
“But you don’t have any food. Is it all gone?” Ted asked, feeling horrible about eating while Cody was having nothing. It made him flash back to all those feasts where all the excess food was thrown out, wasted, while these people here were starving.
“I… I can only make so much with our rations.”
“No, Cody, you can’t go without some nourishment. Here,” he said, holding out his bowl, “have the rest of mine.”
“I can’t, you’re our guest.”
“I insist. I can sneak into the kitchens tonight at the castle and have all the food I want. But I’m not going to eat while you’re not having a thing. Don’t make me order you to eat it,” he said, raising a brow.
Cody looked at him, mouth open wide. Would he really do that? Use his power to order Cody to eat the food that should all be his? “I can’t take food from a guest, I just can’t.”
“Then come with me to the castle!”
Eyes wide and mouth dropping even wider, Cody stared at his guest in shock. “That’s not my place,” he managed to say once he composed himself.
“It is if I say it is. Virgil, would you two like to come to the castle with me tonight?”
“I can’t, someone must stay and tend the house and listen for animals. But if you want to invite Cody, and your father has no issue with it, then I suppose he’s free to go.”
The one time Cody actually wanted his father to spout out his tract of, "Each class belongs where they belong, and they shouldn't cross," he decides not to use it. Hell.
"Father--" Cody looked to Virgil and the man shrugged, finishing his own food, "If you're being invited Cody, and as I say if the Lord doesn't mind, then you can go." he eyes his slightly muddy son and said lightly, "Make sure you go down to the river and wash up first though before you do go." Cody flushed.
Ted resolutely held Cody's stare; he knew that the younger man wanted to resist, but he didn't feel that it was because the other was averse to spending time with him. Shoulders drooping slightly, Cody sighed, "Ok Ted." It would be rude to refuse, and truth be told he did want to see in the castle-- but he was slightly wary of Ted Sr.'s reaction, and the reaction of Ted's other family members.
Once he was satisfied that Cody was going to come with him Ted finished off the stew (God forbid he wasted a meal that Cody had made) before then standing up to return to work.
Time seemed to fly by until it was time to call it a day with their working, and Cody looked to his father one more time before then looking to Ted, "I need to go to the stream first, before..."
Ted nodded, "I'll come with you." Cody doubted that Ted was going to stand there and watch him get naked, but the image brought forth all manner of fantasies that he knew he would explore in much more depth when he had the privacy and the time.
Together they walked down to the river, Cody growing more anxious about this invitation to the castle. “Are you sure your father won’t mind? I don’t want to be stepping on any toes,” he asked just before removing his shirt and placing it on the ground beside him.
“I think it’s only fair, don’t you? You show me your life, and I show you mine. You fed me lunch, now let me feed you dinner.”
“I still don’t know…” Cody said, about to slip his pants over his hips. “Do you mind?” he then asked shyly.
“Oh, right, sorry.” Ted turned his head and allowed Cody to slip his pants off and toss them to the side. He wanted to look, though, more than anything in the world.
“You’re ok now,” he said as he lowered himself into the water.
Ted managed to turn his head around as the rest of his backside sank under the surface. “I promise you that my dad will be more than fine with this. And if not, I bet my mother would be more than happy to help me sneak you into the castle,” he added with a laugh.
Cody couldn’t help but chuckle, either. Nor could he help staring at Ted’s face, lit up by the laughter. He continued to clean himself off as the two fell into a companionable silence. And then he saw Ted stand from his seat on the grass. “Ted, where are you going?”
“Oh, nowhere,” he replied as he walked towards Cody’s pile of clothes, a wicked grin on his face.
“Don’t touch those!” Cody shouted when he realized Ted’s plan.
“What? These?” he asked, bending down to pick up the discarded clothing.
“TED! I need those!”
“And what’s stopping you from coming to get them?”
Giving Ted a look, Cody stated what he thought was obvious. “I’m naked.”
“It’s not like you’ve got parts I’ve never seen before,” Ted teased. “So, are you getting your clothes, or not? I don’t think my father would appreciate you showing up stark naked.”
Dashing out of the river, Cody made a run straight for Ted, who tried to dodge out of the way. Cody was quick, though, all those years in the field really working his leg muscles, and he soon caught up to the Lord’s son, snatching his clothes out of Ted’s hands. They stood there, face to face, Cody dripping wet, both of them panting from their run.
“I…” was all Cody could say before tearing his eyes away from Ted’s. He took a step back and slipped his pants on, feeling Ted watching him the entire time.
“Come on, let’s head up to the castle now.”
Good Lord. Ted's mind was completely on what he had just seen in terms of the contents of Cody's trousers even as they began walking up the long path to the castle. Cody had nothing to be ashamed of, and a snide voice (that sounded horribly like his father) told him that any maid who ended up with Cody would not have anything to complain about in that department. Cody's body was smooth, hairless and muscular, and his shaft was big. Very big. Bigger than Ted, he thought, but it was hard to tell considering he'd only gotten a brief glimpse.
And, well, Cody was soft-- Ted couldn't be sure whether the other was thicker than him or not. And he really shouldn't be thinking about it because it was sending heat coiling in his abdomen and crawling up the length of his spine.
When they began walking along the front of the castle, Ted then nodded to the servant who was closest to the door. The uniformed man stared slightly when Cody appeared, no doubt looking down to the shoddily dressed man. This realisation made Ted frown somewhat.
"Where's my father?" Ted asked, the sharpish tone in his voice alerting the servant to where his attention should be and the man hastened to straighten up a bit more-- the redhead's name escaped him, but the horrendous speech impediment registered in the back of his mind.
"He's in his room sir, do you want me to go get him?"
"No, if he's busy. Just go and tell him that I'm back and that I have Cody with me, and he shall be joining us for dinner." On that note Ted motioned for Cody to follow, leading him up the giant staircase that took them up to the upper floors of the castle. "Come on Cody."
Hastening to keep close to Ted, Cody couldn't help the warm feeling in his chest that the other teen had stood up for him; that servant had been looking down his nose at him, and no doubt thought that he shouldn't be there-- something Cody knew, but didn't need others reminding him of.
When they reached the landing, they almost bumped into Ted's mother. Cody blushed when the woman's gaze lighted upon him and he immediately dropped himself down into a bow almost reflexively; it was one thing to not want to bow to Ted Sr., but when it came to women Virgil was even stricter when it came to how to treat a lady with respect.
"Mother," Ted kissed her hand, eyes still on Cody and smiling slightly at his reaction. "This is Cody. Cody, this is my mother Caroline. I invited Cody to dine with us this evening, as thanks for he and his father putting up with me."
“How thoughtful of you, Teddy. And it is very nice to meet you, Cody,” she said. “My son has come back these past few days talking about nothing but how he’s enjoying his time on the farm.”
Cody could feel the blush rising in his cheeks as Ted’s mother continued to smile at him. And when he heard that Ted actually talked to her about the farm (about him?), he was rendered completely speechless.
“You continue along, I’ll send one of the servants up once dinner is ready to be served. That should be soon. Is this what Cody is wearing for dinner?” she asked of Ted.
Ted glanced to Cody, who answered, “I’m sorry ma’am, but this is all I have. If it’s inappropriate-”
“You could let him wear something of yours, Ted. Your father, especially, is so concerned about appearing presentable around the dinner table. You should probably change, as well, as you’ve been out in the fields all day.”
“Of course, Mother. We’ll see you soon.” And with that, they were off. Once in Ted’s room, he looked to Cody, seeing that it was the younger teen’s turn to be standing in shock.
“Your room is bigger than my house.”
Unsure of how to reply to that, Ted tried to change the subject. “Did you want to try on something of mine?” he asked, going into his closet.
“These are… these are all yours?” Cody looked at everything in there, pretty sure that hanging in that one closet was more clothes than belonged to all the villagers.
“Those are all my casual clothes. My formal wear is in another room,” he told Cody, voice uncertain and shy. He wasn’t trying to brag to the younger man because of all the things he possessed due to his birthright, though he was sure that’s how it was sounding. Maybe brining Cody to the castle was a bad idea.
Turning around, Cody’s wide eyes looked at Ted. “This is amazing. And you’d actually let me… wear something of yours?”
“Of course. Pick out anything you’d like,” Ted told him, happy to see that there was no jealousy written on Cody’s face, mainly a look of awe.
It was incredible to consider that all before him was only a fraction of the clothing Ted possessed. However, unlike what he previously expected, Cody wasn't as pissed at the frivolous wealth as he might once have been... Meeting Ted just made it hard to feel such things.
Eventually Cody settled upon a pair of white pants and a dark blue shirt. "How about these?" he asked, shyly pointing to the clothing that had caught his attention... more-so than the other outfits besides them that was.
Reaching, Ted plucked the shirt and trousers from the collection and nodded his head as he held them up before Cody. "Yeah... Yeah, these will suit you really well; they'll bring out your eyes." he hadn't even realised that he was going to say that until the words had come out of his mouth.
Blushing, Ted went to backtrack (the last thing he wanted was to make Cody uncomfortable, and also to broadcast his somewhat conflicted feelings towards the younger man) when he noticed that Cody was blushing darker than even he was. "I'll wear these then." Cody said softly, accepting the clothing when Ted offered it. "Go change in the bathroom." Ted suggested, indicating the room that adjoined onto his bedroom, where he bathed.
Nodding, Cody padded towards the room. Ted had just been in the process of removing his soiled shirt and pants when he heard a gasp; he had never thought of the bathroom as especially big before, but then again he had never really realised how much he had until he had seen what Cody had to live with.
When he was changed, Ted turned his head. "Cody, you alright--?" the question caught in his throat as the younger man shyly exited the bathroom. The clothing was casual, not really that fine, but on Cody it looked like the most expensive outfit that he possessed. Cody looked like he had been made for the outfit. He looked...
He looked beautiful. That was a word that Ted never would have expected that he would attribute to anyone, let alone another man, but on Cody the word just seemed to fit. Cody was blushing once more, nervously fiddling with a sleeve, "How... How do I look?"
“You look… very handsome,” Ted answered, smiling at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you came from a neighbouring castle.”
Grinning, Cody looked down at himself, amazed at how well the clothes fit his body and how he himself actually thought he looked good. “Thank you so much for letting me wear this.”
“You can keep it, if you’d like,” Ted blurted out.
“What?!” Cody asked in surprise. “I… I couldn’t possibly…”
“Do you know how much you’ve taught me over the last couple days?” Ted asked of him, taking a few steps closer to the younger man. “You’ve opened my eyes to a side of life that I never thought I’d experience, and today you made me the most amazing stew I have ever had the pleasure to taste. This is the least that I can do for you,” he said as he pulled a small piece of red thread off the shoulder of the white shirt.
Watching that hand rise up to his shoulder, watching those fingers pluck off that thread, Cody couldn’t look away. “Thank you,” he whispered, talking about far more than that thread.
“You’re welcome,” Ted replied, biting his lower lip before returning his hand to Cody’s shoulder and letting it rest there. “I’m so happy you came here tonight. I know that…” he paused, thinking of what he was trying to say. “I know we’re not supposed to be mingling like this, simply because my family owns the land that your family works on, and yet I can honestly say I’ve never in my life met anyone that I have bonded with more than I have with you in these past few days.”
“I know my father wouldn’t like to hear me say this, but I’d say the same about you.”
Shaking slightly, Ted brought his other hand up to cup around Cody’s neck, fingers lightly brushing over his hair. Their eyes locked, uncertainty reading in both pairs. But, still, Ted leaned forward, gently pressing his lips to Cody’s.
Was this really happening? Cody thought to himself as he felt Ted’s lips on his. This can’t be happening. This has to be a dream. A dream both were awoken from by a knock on the door.
“Master Theodore, dinner is ready to be served. I do hope you and your guest are both dressed and prepared for the meal!”
Breaking apart, cheeks flushed, Ted replied, “Yes, thank you, Eric, we shall be right down.” He turned his attention back to Cody, grinning when he saw Cody’s face was just as red. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” he managed to say, about the only word he could form at the moment.
Then, both trying to fight down a blush, they headed out the door, Ted leading his guest downstairs into the dining room.
As he walked down the stairs besides Ted for dinner (and feeling acutely aware of the stares and whispers from staff who either A assumed he was a friend of Ted's from school they hadn't been told about or B knew he had been the farmer's son who had made an appearance earlier) Cody exhaled softly before he considered how Ted Sr. might really be averse to having him there, even if Ted's mother had given her blessing for it.
Fortunately though Ted Sr. seemed in too much of a good mood to be bothered about his presence; in fact, he even welcomed him with a jovial and manly clap on the shoulder before motioning that he sit down besides Ted at the table. Ted's younger brother (Brett, as he was then introduced to him) looked strikingly like him, and Cody almost did a double-take. Seating himself down as he tried to contain his nerves, it took all Cody's willpower to then not let his jaw drop at the sheer size of the appetizers that they were brought. And this was the food they got to eat before their actual meal? It boggled his mind.
Guilt settled in his stomach briefly as he considered that his father wasn't there with him, but if he could Cody was going to try and take something back for him-- his father worked just as hard, if not harder than he did after all, and he deserved this little treat too. Ted meanwhile was torn between watching Cody's eyes and face light up with each course (and trying not to focus on those luscious lips that he had only fleetingly gotten to taste) and wondering why his father was so happy... It was almost frighteningly happy. And that usually didn't bode well for him, odd as that night seem.
Underneath the covering of the table, Ted's thigh was pressed against Cody's and the raven haired male was so very aware of it; goosebumps rose up on his skin even though the clothing he had, and the room that they were in, were very warm.
Ted once again found himself subtly looking to Cody's mouth as the younger man ate. In a way he couldn't believe that he had actually had the balls to go through with it, but at the same time he was glad that he did. He had sworn that there was a connection deeper than friendship between them, and he knew it for sure now.
It might have been a short kiss that was broken because Eric had made his presence known at a rather inopportune time, but Ted had felt Cody about to kiss him back. Aside from seeming to discover that Cody liked him back in the same way, the confused feelings he had physically in regard for Cody seemed less confused... and much stronger, now that he had had that small taste of temptation.
Soon, plates were being removed as their entrees were placed in front of them. A few bites into their main course, Ted Sr.’s booming voiced asked from down the opposite end of the table, “Tell me, Cody, are you enjoying your meal?”
Looking up from his plate and jerking his leg away from Ted’s out of reflex (as though Ted’s father could actually see through the table), Cody turned his attention towards the Lord. “This is amazing,” he told him. “Thank you so much for allowing me into your home.”
“I’m glad to hear it! I was quite pleased when I heard my son invited you over. I appreciate everything that you and your father have taught him the last few days. His newly acquired knowledge will be invaluable down the line once he’s the lord of this castle.”
“It’s been my pleasure, Sir. Your son is a fast and eager learner, and he’s got a great work ethic,” Cody said, giving Ted a smile, but speaking so much more to him through his eyes.
“Now, Cody, what do you do in the winter?”
“Keep the house warm, try to keep the animals alive…” he answered. Winter was certainly a bleak time for them.
“I’ve never seen my son so excited for anything as he has been about going down to the farm. Therefore, in return, I’d like to offer you a position here within the castle as Theodore’s personal footman throughout the winter.”
Cody’s fork dropped from his hand, so in shock he was. “Excuse me?”
“Father, are you certain?” Ted asked, extremely surprised at his father’s generous offer.
“Of course. What do you say Cody?”
“I… I would love to. Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, Theodore, I also have some news for you,” he said, smile growing wider.
Ted swallowed. There’s no way this could be good. “Yes?”
“I’ve spoken with Kristen’s father, and he told me that she was very taken with you. He also said to me that he had never seen a more suitable man for his daughter.”
“Father, I thought I said I didn’t want to consider marriage yet? I hardly know anything about what it takes to run this castle and our enterprises,” Ted protested. Would his father never get the point? Wasn’t it just days ago that he said the exact same words to him?
“You learn as you grow older, Theodore. I can already see that running this castle comes naturally to you.”
“Must we talk about this in front of our guests?” he asked then, casting his eyes to Cody, the earlier glint in his eye now gone.
The food that had tasted so succulent moments ago now sat like a weight in Cody's stomach; such a feeling was one he was sure he had no right to, but that his heart was refusing to consider anything to the contrary- especially after what had happened before.
Caroline didn't miss the way that Ted's posture had tensed defensively upon his father's words, and how Cody's posture had slumped just so; as though he were intending to disappear underneath the table and not resurface again. Her husband, of course, was clueless. Which was perhaps for the best.
Ted Sr. began to talk to Cody about what would be entailed in his position for working in the castle instead upon Ted's words. Cody's excitement had dwindled significantly, and only minutely rose when Ted Sr. told him that he would be receiving a wage for his efforts.
Now, Cody could have assured them that he would work for free (he just wanted to be near Ted) but that money would aid his father greatly. His father was getting older after all, and Cody knew that the winter months were a struggle for the elder man because of his chest. Cody didn't like to think what one more terrible winter might cause for his father's condition.
The money could be put towards buying proper blankets, containers for water and food, and for buying wood and other materials to make the repairs around their little shack; there was only so much they could do with the meager resources that were given to them. Cody knew that even if his father was offered a position working in the castle somewhere, even in the stables or something, that he would never take it. The land was his life, and he intended to stay there until the end.
The mood was a strange combination of tension and delight by the end of the meal, and Cody forced himself to enjoy the dessert even though he found himself no longer hungry. He'd eaten about a fortnight's worth of food in one night when you compared the meal to what he and his father usually had, and he was feeling a bit ill.
"I'll walk Cody down to the top of the road." Ted said immediately as soon as they had been granted leave to get up from the table. "Good idea." Ted Sr. nodded as he accepted a glass of brandy from his closest servant. Cody once again thanked the DiBiases for having him, and then bowed before following Ted out.
The top of the road was a good way away from the castle, which was lucky considering that Ted had something in mind he'd rather not let anyone see. Not looking at Ted, Cody murmured, "Thank you for the clothing and the food. I'll see you tomor--" before he could finish he felt a hand on the back of his neck, and the next thing he was aware of were Ted's warm lips tentatively but lingeringly, resting upon his own.
Willingly melting into the kiss, Cody’s own hands rose, cupping Ted’s cheeks. He had never done this before, with neither man nor woman, so his movements at that moment were completely instinctual as their bodies closed in, chest pressing to chest and groin pressing to groin. Both could feel the heat below their waists the longer they stayed together.
Uncertainly, Ted slipped his tongue from between his own lips and teased at Cody’s. With the same measure of uncertainty, Cody parted his lips to allow Ted’s tongue inside. He could feel the muscle exploring his mouth, and he honestly had never felt anything as wonderful as this before in his life.
When both parties were desperate for air, they finally pulled their faces apart from one another, but remained looking into one another’s eyes, and their bodies were still touching. Instantly, a blush rose on Cody’s face, made even more adorable by the gap-toothed smile that accompanied it. “What was that for?” he asked, leaning his forehead in to rest it on Ted’s.
Meeting Cody in the middle, their foreheads touched as he replied, “Felt like it. Was it… was it good?” he asked quietly.
“Mmhmm,” Cody replied, placing a quick kiss on Ted’s lips.
“I wish you could stay longer,” Ted told him, gently stroking his fingers through Cody’s hair.
“But I will be soon,” Cody said, his eyes lighting up all over again. “I can’t believe your father offered me a position within the castle. It may only be for the winter, but it will help my father so much.”
“I couldn’t believe it, either. Do you know what that means, Cody?” he asked, his mind full of ideas that had that heat growing in his belly once more.
“That we can spend more time together.”
“Much more time together.” With that, Ted brushed his lips against Cody’s once again, and Cody returned the kiss eagerly. What they lacked in finesse, they certainly made up for in enthusiasm and sheer want.
Breaking apart once more, Cody said, “I should be getting home now. It’s late, and knowing my father, he stayed up for me.”
“Ok. But I’ll see you tomorrow at the farm?”
“Tomorrow at the farm, the cows should begin to give birth to their calves,” Cody chuckled. “I know you were to come down to the farm anyway, but I was intending to surprise you with that news. However, I don’t know if your stomach will be suited to handling such sights as a birthing cow.”
“Cody Runnels, are you trying to scare me off?” he teased.
“Not at all. I’m just giving you a fair warning. If you pass out tomorrow, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Fine. How long will these cows be birthing?”
“We only have a few cows, so depending on when they all decide to drop, it could be a week or so. After that, there’ll be nothing left apart from the daily routine of gathering chicken eggs, milking the cows and feeding the animals. All of which my father can handle on his own. And then I’ll be able to go to the castle. With you,” he added with a grin before placing one more kiss on Ted’s lips. “I’ll see you soon, Ted.”
“Goodnight, Cody,” Ted said as they parted ways, this time with matching smiles on their faces.
The walk back to the farm was one Cody had taken many a time, and considering that the only other people on their land were neighbours he wasn't especially worried about someone attempting to attack him-- the definitive muscles that he had obtained from farming weren't just for show, despite what some people might think. He could handle himself.
As he walked though his fingers went to his lips; the taste and feel of Ted still lingered, a headier and sweeter taste that had him hungry for more and tasted better than any of the gourmet food he had eaten that night. Once could be considered a fluke, but twice? More than twice? No... They both seemed to really mean it.
The heat in his groin was still persistently alerting him to his own body's awareness and unlike Ted (who had sought refuge in his room to do the same thing Cody was about to) Cody wasn't exactly afforded the luxury of privacy for what he wanted, needed right then to tide him over. Getting nearer his own home, Cody slipped down to the stream once more, knowing he had to be quick,
As it was though Ted's kiss and touch had enflamed him so much that it didn't take mere minutes for him to be biting down on his free fist as his body convulsed to muffle the scream of his... friend, lover? Whatever he was, it was Ted's name spilling from his lips like a prayer.
As Cody cleaned himself off and hastened home in the best mood that he had been in in years, Ted was currently twisting and undulating upon the expensive sheets of his bed, driving his aching manhood into his fist almost desperately; Cody's lips and sparkling eyes at the forefront of his mind before he finally exploded. His ragged, panting breaths and murmurs of Cody's name smothered in his pillow.
As he headed into the bathroom to remove all evidence of his activities (God forbid one of his parents somehow find out what he'd done) Ted then considered that he would definitely need to show Cody his bed. And, not just for intentions that had his recently sated groin stirring once more-- he wanted to spoil Cody, pamper him, and help him out of his current circumstances.
It might seem presumptuous of him, but he knew that if he helped Cody, and therefore by proxy helped Virgil (the wages would no doubt be put towards his father and his home knowing Cody) then maybe... Maybe Cody would stay with him even when he became Lord over all of this. He wanted Cody at his side, regardless of the dangers that he had no doubt they would ultimately face should anyone discover just how much the young farm-hand meant to him. Damn the consequences. Cody was worth it.
Cody remained up talking to his father about the evening (but obviously not the, ahem, more personal bits) and as he watched his smiling son get into bed Virgil had to concede that something about the DiBiase boy just seemed to really mesh with Cody. His son had never been depressed, but he had never been so bright and bubbly either. Virgil was asleep before too long, Cody remaining awake just a little bit longer, "Goodnight Ted." he whispered to the darkness. Back at the castle, an equally sleepy Ted murmured, "Goodnight Cody." before he allowed his subconscious to rest.
Part 3