It Starts Just Where The Light Exists, 5
Title:It Starts Just Where The Light Exists
Author: heartsdesire456
Rating:NC-17
POV: 3rd
Pairing: Bill/Georg (maybe some Gustav/Tom later)
Summary:When Georg Listing's father dies, he and his mother discover that he had squandered away most of their wealth in his last years of life. His mother finds a solution to their problems and within weeks, Georg finds himself marrying a young man he has never even seen before. Georg's only hope is that his marriage isn't that huge of a mistake.
Disclaimer: ...i'm almost certain men couldn't marry back then...
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait!
When Georg awoke, he blinked at the sun’s rays. His first sight was the sun peeking over the horizon. He looked around, blinking sleepily, only to freeze. The stone was cold against his back, the cushions soft beneath him, but the warmth he felt was from Bill. Bill was asleep against his chest, body curled up between Georg’s legs, which were stretched out across the window seat. The cold are ruffled Bill’s dark hair, but the blanket that covered them kept him from waking.
Georg smiled, a bit shocked at how the early sun seemed to make Bill’s pale skin glow. Georg shifted his arms, tightening his hold around Bill. Though they had only been married a week, Georg was surprised at all the ways Bill seemed to catch him off guard, be it with his beauty or his personality. Georg hated dearly that the following few weeks he had much business to attend to, for he greatly wished he could spend more time with Bill. They were getting to know each other and finding likes and dislikes about each other in the way friends did, not as husbands forced to spend time around each other.
Georg felt more alive than he had since before his father became sick. Bill was youthful and vibrant, even after being married to a complete stranger. Georg could only imagine how excitable Bill had been beforehand. Georg looked out at the sun, then down at Bill and smiled. “Bill.” He shook him gently. “Bill wake up,” he said, pushing Bill’s hair from his face. “Come on, you have to see this,” he said, smiling at the sunrise.
Bill peeked open his eyes, cringing away from the light. He turned his face into Georg’s chest, only to frown and pat Georg’s chest with his hand absently. He lifted his head, and Georg chuckled at the sleepy look on Bill’s face. “Wha?” he mumbled, and Georg smiled.
“We spent the night here,” he said, and Bill grumbled, and pulled the blanket over his face. “None of that, look at the sunrise with me,” he said, shaking him slightly. “It’s so beautiful,” he said, looking out.
Bill shifted, leaning his back against Georg as he lifted his head and looked out over the trees at the sunrise. Georg smiled, noticing how the sunlight directly in Bill’s eyes made them glow bright amber. Bill hummed sleepily. “It’s lovely,” he said, and Georg nodded.
Bill let his eyes take in the sight for a few moments before closing his eyes so that the sun’s rays warmed his skin. He opened his eyes and turned to Georg, only to feel his stomach wriggle slightly as he saw him. He was absolutely captivating. Bill was once again reminded of one of the good things about Georg being his husband. Georg’s shirt was untied, revealing a good part of his chest and his clavicles. The muscles of his throat bulged as his head was turned to face the sun. His hair had mostly fallen from its tie, so that several strands of his hair hung across his cheek and face. His profile was one of completely exemplary masculine beauty. Georg turned and caught his eye. Bill flushed, but didn’t look away. Georg offered a confused smile. “What?” he asked, and Bill just shook his head.
The sun made Georg’s green eyes crystal clear. Bill tilted his head. “I never noticed your eyes were green,” he said, and Georg smiled.
“Yeah, my mother always loved pointing it out when I was younger and just came out. She thought it was a good selling point for an advantageous marriage,” he said, chuckling. “She always said I was handsome enough to steal the heart of royalty,” he said, blushing.
Bill frowned. “Why did you stop going out?” he asked, and Georg smiled sadly.
“My father became ill and spent the last few years of his life in the sick bed. Naturally, it was improper for mother and I to go to social events. I was,” he thought. “Probably eighteen when we last were out before I became the one in charge of father’s business,” he said. “I could still go out with my friends, of course, but I was no longer going to balls and dinners,” he said.
Bill turned. “When did you come out in society?” he asked, curious.
Georg smiled. “Fourteen,” he said. “Most parents wait until fifteen, but my mother thought I was mature enough,” he said. “I looked like a man early in life,” he said.
Bill chuckled. “I’m still growing,” he said, and Georg made a face. “What?” Bill asked, chuckling.
Georg huffed. “You grow much more and I’ll need a step to speak to you face to face. As it is I have to look nearly straight up,” he said with a teasing smile.
Bill giggled. “You’re short, but your friend Gustav is even shorter! I’d imagine he’s the shortest grown man I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Georg smiled. “Would you believe he was once taller than me? When we were fourteen he was just a hair taller, but I passed him once again. Though I’m not but an inch or so taller now,” he said. “I reached my maximum height around sixteen, sadly,” he said.
Bill smiled. “Well, I’m only a year older than that. I know one of our servant’s sons didn’t stop until he was nearly twenty-four!” he said, and Georg hummed.
“I need to find something heavy to put on top of your head for a few years,” he said, and Bill rolled his eyes.
“I promise, I’ll find you some shoes with wedges in them,” Bill said, and Georg groaned. “And I’ll bend my knees when we’re out in public,” he teased, and Georg just shook his head.
“You are too much, Bill,” he said, and Bill just smiled and shrugged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill was speaking with Tom and brushing down Sebastian when Georg came up, picking up Bearskin to ride into town. Bill saw him out front mounting and ran out to him. “Georg!” he called, and Georg looked back. “I was just curious as to when you’ll be back,” he said, and Georg smiled.
“Well, I’m just going to town to sign some papers. Gustav is coming over and we may go riding this afternoon. It’s been far too long since we’ve had an afternoon just to ourselves,” he said, then smiled. “If he gets here early, will you entertain him for me?” he asked.
Bill nodded. “Of course,” he said, then smiled. “Have a safe trip,” he said, backing off.
Georg just smiled. “I shall,” he said, then turned Bearskin, starting off at a trot.
Bill smiled, but walked back into the stables, going back to his brush and Sebastian’s flanks. Tom shot him a look from where he was filling the stables with fresh hay. “What?” Bill asked, frowning.
“You,” Tom said, shaking his head. “You really like him, don’t you?” he asked softly.
Bill blushed, but smiled. “It’s hard not to. We’ve been married a month now,” he said, and then smiled. “In just the first week we were already friends, and every day we learn more and more about each other,” he said, then giggled. “Like how Georg gets grumpy when he’s reminded how tall I am,” he said, smiling smugly. “He pretends to hate it, but secretly I think he likes me being taller,” he said.
Tom shrugged. “Most men like to be the obviously manlier one,” he said pointedly.
Bill shrugged. “Have you seen him? His face is the epitome of masculine, and from the glimpses I’ve had his body is perfect! A bit on the short side isn’t going to make him less manly.” He laughed as Sebastian nibbled on his waistcoat. “Besides, I believe he likes showing me off,” he said with a smile. “I don’t mind being a status symbol, because honestly, he sort of is for me too,” he said. “Not many men and women have husbands half as good looking as he is,” he said.
Tom smirked. “Why Bill, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were nearly smitten,” he teased, and Bill just glared.
“I’m not, but I like him,” he said, then smiled. “I’ve never met a man half as kind and handsome in my life,” he said.
Tom rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m handsome and kind,” he said, poking his brother in the side.
Bill shot him a look. “You’re a dishonorable rogue with misrepresenting good looks,” he said. “You are not a kind, honest man like my husband,” he said, earning an eye roll.
“And I still say all that purity stuff is as big a load as the pile of manure out back,” he said. “It’s ridiculous that society expect people to behave the way they do. Look at you! You were expected to remain pure until you married, and then you got married off to a man you’d never met!” He shook his head. “People shouldn’t have to marry people they don’t want to marry, and you shouldn’t have to remain pure until marriage,” he said.
Bill shook his head. “I may not agree with having to marry someone you don’t want, but I do think people should be pure until marriage,” he said, glaring. “Do you know what it’s like having a brother who’s visited more people’s beds than a common whore?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tom huffed. “I have not,” he said, going to get a bucket of water for the horse.
Bill rolled his eyes. “Have too!” he called.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill and Tom were running around the stables, slinging water at each other, when Gustav rode up on his horse. Bill stopped, flushing as he saw the blond riding up. “Gustav!” he said, smiling bashfully.
Gustav stopped and frowned down at him. “Why are you all wet?” he asked, eyebrows raised. He looked from Bill, eyes widening when they landed on Tom.
Bill looked over at Tom. “Oh! We were playing with the water,” he said, smiling shyly. “This is Tom.”
Gustav slid down. “I’ve never seen you here before,” he said, looking at him suspiciously.
Tom smirked. “Mr. Listing hired me to take care of Bill’s horse, since I have worked for Bill for a long time,” he explained.
Gustav gave him a look. “It’s not my place, but do you realize you just called your employer’s husband by his first name,” he said. “And that you two are running around like school boys,” he said, looking disproving at them both.
Bill sighed. “He’s my brother,” he said, looking away. Tom looked hurt by his brother’s tone as he said it. “And Georg doesn’t get the say in what my brother calls me,” he said. “Not that he would care either way, he’s too nice for that,” he said.
Gustav smiled. “Well, I do apologize then, but you have to see it the way I do,” he said. “Georg’s my best friend and I rode up to find his husband running around throwing water on some stable boy who calls him by his first name. That’s hardly proper,” he said. Tom glared and Gustav looked confused.
Bill just smiled. “Ignore Tom, he’s a terrible with people,” he said, smiling. “Come, let’s go inside, I think Georg bought me some new books, but he’s hidden them. You can help me find them,” he said, then looked back at Tom. “I’ll see you later,” he said, and Tom nodded, turning to head back into the stables. Bill cringed, knowing Tom hated being abandoned like that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Georg was headed down to go to town when his mother stopped him. “Georg, may I have a word?” she asked, and he nodded, going into her study. “You have to do something about your husband,” she said, and Georg frowned.
“What do you mean? Has something happened?” he asked.
She shot him a look. “He runs around like an excitable little boy! And he gets Mr. Schafer into it! Do you know the other day while you were still out and Mr. Schafer got her earlier than you, he and Bill ran about the house laughing and looking for something,” she said.
Georg frowned. “What’s wrong with that?” he asked, and she sighed.
“Georg, it is not proper! He’s a married man, not a child,” she said.
Georg shot her a look. “He’s seventeen years old, mother. He is a boy! What is wrong with him playing around? And if Gustav wants to join, he can! He is his own person, not our concern,” he said.
She huffed. “What about the stable boy? It is very improper for the husband of the master of the estate to be spending so much time alone with a stable boy. It looks bad,” she said.
Georg sighed. “He’s his brother,” he said, and she gasped. “He- was disinherited and given post as a stable boy. They’re twins,” he said, crossing his arms. “And he can spend however much time he wants with him,” he said.
She sighed. “Georg, he acts like a child-“
“Let him then!” Georg snapped. He sighed. “I’m sorry mother, but I want him to be happy, and I like how energetic he is! He’s just a boy. He never wanted to be a married man, but he was willing to do what he had to in order to save his family, and I won’t have him suffering. He can be himself at home, since he has to behave in public,” he said.
“He doesn’t even wear his hair back!” she argued, and Georg glared.
“He does when in public and THAT is what matters. Even if I’m the ranking heir, I’m not going to give him commands. He is my husband, not my slave. If he does anything too terrible, I’ll speak with him, but so far he’s done nothing but make the best of this,” he said. “Mother, getting married crushed some of his dreams, and I’m not going to make him start living a miserable life just to be proper,” he said, turning to walk out.
Author: heartsdesire456
Rating:NC-17
POV: 3rd
Pairing: Bill/Georg (maybe some Gustav/Tom later)
Summary:When Georg Listing's father dies, he and his mother discover that he had squandered away most of their wealth in his last years of life. His mother finds a solution to their problems and within weeks, Georg finds himself marrying a young man he has never even seen before. Georg's only hope is that his marriage isn't that huge of a mistake.
Disclaimer: ...i'm almost certain men couldn't marry back then...
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait!
When Georg awoke, he blinked at the sun’s rays. His first sight was the sun peeking over the horizon. He looked around, blinking sleepily, only to freeze. The stone was cold against his back, the cushions soft beneath him, but the warmth he felt was from Bill. Bill was asleep against his chest, body curled up between Georg’s legs, which were stretched out across the window seat. The cold are ruffled Bill’s dark hair, but the blanket that covered them kept him from waking.
Georg smiled, a bit shocked at how the early sun seemed to make Bill’s pale skin glow. Georg shifted his arms, tightening his hold around Bill. Though they had only been married a week, Georg was surprised at all the ways Bill seemed to catch him off guard, be it with his beauty or his personality. Georg hated dearly that the following few weeks he had much business to attend to, for he greatly wished he could spend more time with Bill. They were getting to know each other and finding likes and dislikes about each other in the way friends did, not as husbands forced to spend time around each other.
Georg felt more alive than he had since before his father became sick. Bill was youthful and vibrant, even after being married to a complete stranger. Georg could only imagine how excitable Bill had been beforehand. Georg looked out at the sun, then down at Bill and smiled. “Bill.” He shook him gently. “Bill wake up,” he said, pushing Bill’s hair from his face. “Come on, you have to see this,” he said, smiling at the sunrise.
Bill peeked open his eyes, cringing away from the light. He turned his face into Georg’s chest, only to frown and pat Georg’s chest with his hand absently. He lifted his head, and Georg chuckled at the sleepy look on Bill’s face. “Wha?” he mumbled, and Georg smiled.
“We spent the night here,” he said, and Bill grumbled, and pulled the blanket over his face. “None of that, look at the sunrise with me,” he said, shaking him slightly. “It’s so beautiful,” he said, looking out.
Bill shifted, leaning his back against Georg as he lifted his head and looked out over the trees at the sunrise. Georg smiled, noticing how the sunlight directly in Bill’s eyes made them glow bright amber. Bill hummed sleepily. “It’s lovely,” he said, and Georg nodded.
Bill let his eyes take in the sight for a few moments before closing his eyes so that the sun’s rays warmed his skin. He opened his eyes and turned to Georg, only to feel his stomach wriggle slightly as he saw him. He was absolutely captivating. Bill was once again reminded of one of the good things about Georg being his husband. Georg’s shirt was untied, revealing a good part of his chest and his clavicles. The muscles of his throat bulged as his head was turned to face the sun. His hair had mostly fallen from its tie, so that several strands of his hair hung across his cheek and face. His profile was one of completely exemplary masculine beauty. Georg turned and caught his eye. Bill flushed, but didn’t look away. Georg offered a confused smile. “What?” he asked, and Bill just shook his head.
The sun made Georg’s green eyes crystal clear. Bill tilted his head. “I never noticed your eyes were green,” he said, and Georg smiled.
“Yeah, my mother always loved pointing it out when I was younger and just came out. She thought it was a good selling point for an advantageous marriage,” he said, chuckling. “She always said I was handsome enough to steal the heart of royalty,” he said, blushing.
Bill frowned. “Why did you stop going out?” he asked, and Georg smiled sadly.
“My father became ill and spent the last few years of his life in the sick bed. Naturally, it was improper for mother and I to go to social events. I was,” he thought. “Probably eighteen when we last were out before I became the one in charge of father’s business,” he said. “I could still go out with my friends, of course, but I was no longer going to balls and dinners,” he said.
Bill turned. “When did you come out in society?” he asked, curious.
Georg smiled. “Fourteen,” he said. “Most parents wait until fifteen, but my mother thought I was mature enough,” he said. “I looked like a man early in life,” he said.
Bill chuckled. “I’m still growing,” he said, and Georg made a face. “What?” Bill asked, chuckling.
Georg huffed. “You grow much more and I’ll need a step to speak to you face to face. As it is I have to look nearly straight up,” he said with a teasing smile.
Bill giggled. “You’re short, but your friend Gustav is even shorter! I’d imagine he’s the shortest grown man I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Georg smiled. “Would you believe he was once taller than me? When we were fourteen he was just a hair taller, but I passed him once again. Though I’m not but an inch or so taller now,” he said. “I reached my maximum height around sixteen, sadly,” he said.
Bill smiled. “Well, I’m only a year older than that. I know one of our servant’s sons didn’t stop until he was nearly twenty-four!” he said, and Georg hummed.
“I need to find something heavy to put on top of your head for a few years,” he said, and Bill rolled his eyes.
“I promise, I’ll find you some shoes with wedges in them,” Bill said, and Georg groaned. “And I’ll bend my knees when we’re out in public,” he teased, and Georg just shook his head.
“You are too much, Bill,” he said, and Bill just smiled and shrugged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill was speaking with Tom and brushing down Sebastian when Georg came up, picking up Bearskin to ride into town. Bill saw him out front mounting and ran out to him. “Georg!” he called, and Georg looked back. “I was just curious as to when you’ll be back,” he said, and Georg smiled.
“Well, I’m just going to town to sign some papers. Gustav is coming over and we may go riding this afternoon. It’s been far too long since we’ve had an afternoon just to ourselves,” he said, then smiled. “If he gets here early, will you entertain him for me?” he asked.
Bill nodded. “Of course,” he said, then smiled. “Have a safe trip,” he said, backing off.
Georg just smiled. “I shall,” he said, then turned Bearskin, starting off at a trot.
Bill smiled, but walked back into the stables, going back to his brush and Sebastian’s flanks. Tom shot him a look from where he was filling the stables with fresh hay. “What?” Bill asked, frowning.
“You,” Tom said, shaking his head. “You really like him, don’t you?” he asked softly.
Bill blushed, but smiled. “It’s hard not to. We’ve been married a month now,” he said, and then smiled. “In just the first week we were already friends, and every day we learn more and more about each other,” he said, then giggled. “Like how Georg gets grumpy when he’s reminded how tall I am,” he said, smiling smugly. “He pretends to hate it, but secretly I think he likes me being taller,” he said.
Tom shrugged. “Most men like to be the obviously manlier one,” he said pointedly.
Bill shrugged. “Have you seen him? His face is the epitome of masculine, and from the glimpses I’ve had his body is perfect! A bit on the short side isn’t going to make him less manly.” He laughed as Sebastian nibbled on his waistcoat. “Besides, I believe he likes showing me off,” he said with a smile. “I don’t mind being a status symbol, because honestly, he sort of is for me too,” he said. “Not many men and women have husbands half as good looking as he is,” he said.
Tom smirked. “Why Bill, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were nearly smitten,” he teased, and Bill just glared.
“I’m not, but I like him,” he said, then smiled. “I’ve never met a man half as kind and handsome in my life,” he said.
Tom rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m handsome and kind,” he said, poking his brother in the side.
Bill shot him a look. “You’re a dishonorable rogue with misrepresenting good looks,” he said. “You are not a kind, honest man like my husband,” he said, earning an eye roll.
“And I still say all that purity stuff is as big a load as the pile of manure out back,” he said. “It’s ridiculous that society expect people to behave the way they do. Look at you! You were expected to remain pure until you married, and then you got married off to a man you’d never met!” He shook his head. “People shouldn’t have to marry people they don’t want to marry, and you shouldn’t have to remain pure until marriage,” he said.
Bill shook his head. “I may not agree with having to marry someone you don’t want, but I do think people should be pure until marriage,” he said, glaring. “Do you know what it’s like having a brother who’s visited more people’s beds than a common whore?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tom huffed. “I have not,” he said, going to get a bucket of water for the horse.
Bill rolled his eyes. “Have too!” he called.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill and Tom were running around the stables, slinging water at each other, when Gustav rode up on his horse. Bill stopped, flushing as he saw the blond riding up. “Gustav!” he said, smiling bashfully.
Gustav stopped and frowned down at him. “Why are you all wet?” he asked, eyebrows raised. He looked from Bill, eyes widening when they landed on Tom.
Bill looked over at Tom. “Oh! We were playing with the water,” he said, smiling shyly. “This is Tom.”
Gustav slid down. “I’ve never seen you here before,” he said, looking at him suspiciously.
Tom smirked. “Mr. Listing hired me to take care of Bill’s horse, since I have worked for Bill for a long time,” he explained.
Gustav gave him a look. “It’s not my place, but do you realize you just called your employer’s husband by his first name,” he said. “And that you two are running around like school boys,” he said, looking disproving at them both.
Bill sighed. “He’s my brother,” he said, looking away. Tom looked hurt by his brother’s tone as he said it. “And Georg doesn’t get the say in what my brother calls me,” he said. “Not that he would care either way, he’s too nice for that,” he said.
Gustav smiled. “Well, I do apologize then, but you have to see it the way I do,” he said. “Georg’s my best friend and I rode up to find his husband running around throwing water on some stable boy who calls him by his first name. That’s hardly proper,” he said. Tom glared and Gustav looked confused.
Bill just smiled. “Ignore Tom, he’s a terrible with people,” he said, smiling. “Come, let’s go inside, I think Georg bought me some new books, but he’s hidden them. You can help me find them,” he said, then looked back at Tom. “I’ll see you later,” he said, and Tom nodded, turning to head back into the stables. Bill cringed, knowing Tom hated being abandoned like that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Georg was headed down to go to town when his mother stopped him. “Georg, may I have a word?” she asked, and he nodded, going into her study. “You have to do something about your husband,” she said, and Georg frowned.
“What do you mean? Has something happened?” he asked.
She shot him a look. “He runs around like an excitable little boy! And he gets Mr. Schafer into it! Do you know the other day while you were still out and Mr. Schafer got her earlier than you, he and Bill ran about the house laughing and looking for something,” she said.
Georg frowned. “What’s wrong with that?” he asked, and she sighed.
“Georg, it is not proper! He’s a married man, not a child,” she said.
Georg shot her a look. “He’s seventeen years old, mother. He is a boy! What is wrong with him playing around? And if Gustav wants to join, he can! He is his own person, not our concern,” he said.
She huffed. “What about the stable boy? It is very improper for the husband of the master of the estate to be spending so much time alone with a stable boy. It looks bad,” she said.
Georg sighed. “He’s his brother,” he said, and she gasped. “He- was disinherited and given post as a stable boy. They’re twins,” he said, crossing his arms. “And he can spend however much time he wants with him,” he said.
She sighed. “Georg, he acts like a child-“
“Let him then!” Georg snapped. He sighed. “I’m sorry mother, but I want him to be happy, and I like how energetic he is! He’s just a boy. He never wanted to be a married man, but he was willing to do what he had to in order to save his family, and I won’t have him suffering. He can be himself at home, since he has to behave in public,” he said.
“He doesn’t even wear his hair back!” she argued, and Georg glared.
“He does when in public and THAT is what matters. Even if I’m the ranking heir, I’m not going to give him commands. He is my husband, not my slave. If he does anything too terrible, I’ll speak with him, but so far he’s done nothing but make the best of this,” he said. “Mother, getting married crushed some of his dreams, and I’m not going to make him start living a miserable life just to be proper,” he said, turning to walk out.