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Banner by aliensouldream
Title: Ezekiel's Way--11
Pairing/Characters: C/"E", OMCs, Mr. and Mrs. Connor
Rating: NC-17
Genre: AU period-piece, circa 1905
Author's Note: For my sweetheart, verangel, a lovely friend and confidant. :)
Disclaimer: Don't own!
Synopsis: Casey fights to help Ezekiel acclimate to his 'new world'.
Previous Parts
Knowing what he knew, it was hard for Casey to walk back into the sitting room with the others, wearing a smile. Leigh had come in for a few moments, all to congratulate the newly-engaged couple, but claimed she was “Exhausted,” and needed to head home to get some rest. Even with the excuse of her pregnancy, Casey knew she could have stayed for a bit-but with her mood, socializing wasn't at the top of her list. Insistence that she have an escort home had made her chuckle and decline, over and over again until she convinced them that the walk home was short enough. She'd made her leave, giving Casey a tight goodbye-hug; most of the household didn't catch on, but the most intuitive of them did.
“Is she... all right?”
Casey turned away from the phonograph; Ezekiel stood a foot or so behind him, wearing an inquisitive look. With a glance to make sure no one was listening in, Casey moved closer. “Later. It's... personal,” he replied. If he had his way, he'd take Ezekiel straight upstairs to vent, but with Mr. Connor's calling Casey over to help convince Seamus that a bachelor party was “essential”, Casey rejoined the family with a smile.
It wasn't until dinner was over that everyone dispersed; Seamus to the stables, Mrs. Connor and Dina to the kitchen, and Mr. Connor with his paper and pipe in his favorite chair. The excuse of their small gifts brought back from London-fine chocolate truffles-offered an out. Casey waved the large box Ezekiel's way and said, “Let's head upstairs to enjoy these.”
Ezekiel didn't pause, of course, both interested in tasting a new, exquisite dessert and in finding out what had gone on during Casey and Leigh's walk. Now in the bedroom, Ezekiel shut the door behind them and sighed. “So...”
“First things first, and this is extremely important...” Casey said with tension in his voice. He tried sitting on the bed, relaxing his body as he took a deep breath and went on. “No one is to know of what I'm about to tell you. It's very private-sensitive. Not that it's all news, but... you understand, right?”
“Yes,” Ezekiel said. He joined Casey on the bed; Casey began untying the ribbons of the box and went on.
“First, she knows. About us, meaning. I knew she did, but she confirmed it. Being my friend, well,” He paused to chuckle and shake his head. “She had some concerns.”
“Concerns?”
“About me, being with you.”
This made Ezekiel frown and flutter his lashes. “Does she think... I'm wrong, for you?”
“No, no, just that-you're a wildly-grown young man. You have to consider, she'd seen the 'evidence' that you'd... made a meal out of me,” Casey said, tapping the back of his neck and smirking a little. “And she just-wanted to know, really. As any good friend would. She's not worried about you, just wanted to be sure that everything was all right.”
“Hmm. Considering her choice of a mate...”
Casey let out a sad moan and nodded slowly. Though he'd gotten the ties free, he didn't open the box just yet, not wanting the distraction. “We talked about that too, of course. Again, nothing can be said to anyone, but... if Robert was here in front of me, he'd be wearing a steak on his face for weeks.”
“Steak...?” Ezekiel inquired with a cocked eyebrow. Casey almost chuckled at his careless, ho-hum way of speaking with the young man.
“When someone gets their faces beat in and bruised, putting a slab of cold meat on it helps numb the pain,” he explained.
“Oh. Why... what did she say?”
“Again, most was said yesterday. But Robert, he's done himself in and taken my dearest friend right down with him,” Casey said with a scowl. “His drinking and gambling has them in a fix, more than I'd thought. He owes a lot of money. A lot. If it hadn't been for Mrs. Everett, he'd have made his pregnant wife homeless.”
Ezekiel was blank-faced, but Casey could see a flicker of something hot flare in the young man's eyes. “How could he do that?”
“Who knows what goes on in the mind of a gambler? I swear to you, it can be like a disease,” Casey said.
“But he's married. He's going to have a child.”
“There are many out there that don't care, Ezekiel. Why do you think we all have to be so proper, get married, whatever else?” Casey leaned on a hand and shook his head. “It's rare, but there've been stories that have gone around about unwed mothers. Women who didn't think twice in bedding a man who would be so dastardly as to take what he wanted then leave when she turns up with child.”
“But... they're married. They ARE married,” Ezekiel said with all the innocence and confusion in the world. It almost made Casey coo sadly.
“Bad things happen. At any rate... he's now scrounging for 'old friends'... friends with money. When I tried suggesting that maybe I could get help from Uncle Bart, get a loan, she squashed the idea right out,” Casey said. “It took me some time to let it sink in. Frankly, I wish I hadn't offered what I did yesterday. If that man comes to me, begging for money... good god...”
Ezekiel sniffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “He made his mistakes. It's... they are his problems, not yours.”
“Yes, but... Leigh.” Casey finally took a plump truffle from the box then motioned for Ezekiel to take one. Surprisingly, he shook his head, apparently not in the mood for sweets. Casey shrugged and bit into the ball; it was delicious, but his mood was as soured as Ezekiel's, making it less enjoyable than it should've been. He put the box aside to enjoy the rest later before continuing on. “I'm so scared for her. She's been put in the middle of this, without any involvement or say. I just hope she keeps coming to me to talk, even if it's just to vent.”
“She will. I've seen the bonding between you both,” Ezekiel said. “It's-it is not often that men and women are friends, is it?”
Casey shook his head. “No. Social boundaries and all. Silly, I know... considering what good can come from it,” he explained. A sudden smile found his lips as he looked to Ezekiel. “Perhaps your primal ways are appealing to me more and more, eh?”
“I would say they have... breaking the rules you people have is fun, I must admit,” Ezekiel replied, his own grin widening.
“I must agree.” Casey proved his new-found love of going against the grain in leaning forward and stealing a kiss from the once-wild boy's mouth. Ezekiel stayed still, besides the light pursing of his lips against Casey's. A sweet moment of delight before Casey pulled away with a sigh. “Want to sit outside a while? We should get all the sunshine we can before it slips away.”
Ezekiel nodded, stood and pulled Casey up with him. They held hands in the two-second walk to the door, parting once in the hall. Rule-breaking was appealing, but no one had to know about it.
~*~
Dina had just brought out the last tray of lunch items when Mr. Ferst's carriage pulled in. Casey left his station at the bay window to go over to his father and Ezekiel, who were sitting on the couch on the far end. “He's here,” Casey told them.
“Ah, good.” Mr. Connor stood and went over, pausing by Dina. “It looks wonderful, Dina. Thank you.”
“Ms. Meredith helped, but you're very welcome,” Dina replied.
The sound of crunching footsteps outside grew louder, until the doorbell rang. Seamus, doing a last-minute fix on his collar, rushed down to hall to receive their guest. “Good afternoon, Mr. Ferst,” he greeted Adam cordially.
“Good afternoon, Seamus. Ah, thank you...”
Casey smiled and sat by Ezekiel, who wore a blank expression. A pat on the arm was given to him, along with a smile. “This will be done and taken care of before you know it,” Casey told him.
“What if there are questions... I can't answer?” Ezekiel asked, but Casey didn't get the chance to reply. Adam walked into the room then, carrying a large case and shivering a little.
“Brr! There's definitely a winter chill in the air,” he said.
“Adam, wonderful to see you. Thank you for coming,” Mr. Connor said. The men shook hands; Mr. Connor then motioned to the chair close to Ezekiel. “Please, sit down and relax. Would you like a hot drink, or something stronger? A little lunch?”
“A coffee would be lovely, actually, yes; a little cream, no sugar. Nothing to eat just yet. I cheated and had a quick bite on the way,” Adam replied.
Seamus nodded and went to the coffee set-up next to the food, while Adam sat, put his case down on the coffee table between them all and opened it. “Well now, there are a few things to go over. First off, I managed to get your case in for this coming Monday,” he said.
“That was fast,” Mr. Connor said.
“I applied for it the moment I received your documents in the mail from Africa. It was bare-bones then, but the judge was willing to get things started-ah, thank you, dear boy,” The man interrupted himself to thank Seamus, who presented him with his drink. Adam sipped, hummed in approval then returned to the task at hand. A stack of papers was brought out and handed to Mr. Connor. “These are the documents and other things you'd sent. Give them a look-over to be sure it's all there.”
Casey leaned in to look with his father. An old, faded document sat on top; scrutinizing it closer, Casey raised his eyebrows. “A birth certificate?”
“Mmm, for a small village, they keep good records,” Adam said. “It's not as official as I'd like, but it's something.”
“Wow. April 12th, 1886...” Casey looked to Ezekiel with a grin. “Almost exactly a year apart, you and I. My birthday is the tenth of March, 1887.”
“Mmm,” Ezekiel hummed noncommittally. He still looked stoic, even a little wary as he turned to Adam. “They still might not believe this is... me.”
“As I'd said, the resemblance to your father is striking. While you have no living relatives on Jack's side, we DO have a family member on Victoria's; her mother,” Adam said.
“Your grandmother,” Casey said to Ezekiel.
“I-I'll be meeting her?” Ezekiel said.
“I hope so. I've been to her home in London a few times, and... well, I must say that it could be complicated with her,” Adam explained. Mr. Connor frowned.
“She's difficult, from everything I know. But why 'complicated'?” he asked.
“After my last meeting with her, she finally agreed to go to the court-but when I asked her if she'd seen Ezekiel's picture in the paper, she trembled and shook her head, saying that she'd avoided that issue,” Adam said. He gave Ezekiel a quick, careful glance before going on. “She's said that even if she's to meet you, Ezekiel, she doesn't wish to continue seeing you as her grandson.”
Ezekiel looked confused, while Mr. Connor made a deep sigh of regret. “I know she was bitter over her daughter leaving, then her death-of course, but for her to pass any grudges upon her own grandson...”
“You would think she'd be happy in having a connection to her daughter,” Casey defensively added.
Taking quick glances between them all, Ezekiel blinked furiously as he asked, “What are grudges?”
All eyes turned to him. It was Mr. Connor who spoke first. “Your grandmother was very upset when your mother went with your father to Africa. Angry, even. And when news of their death reached her, she cursed Jack's name even more. Grudges... are bad feelings one holds against another,” he said. “It's to say that-if I wronged you somehow, you wouldn't forget it.”
“How did I 'wrong' her?” Ezekiel asked.
“You didn't, Ezekiel. You didn't,” Mr. Connor replied quickly. “But sometimes, if you're angry with someone's father, or best friend... it's not fair, but it happens.”
Ezekiel still wore a confused expression, but he sank back and stared at Adam's opened briefcase, saying nothing. Adam cleared his throat and tried moving on. “I don't think it will take much convincing. You're known as a very honest, trustworthy man, Frank, so your word carries weight. Once the judge and officials know that you've got nothing to gain from Ezekiel's name, there shouldn't be any trouble.”
“That's good to know, thank--”
“I don't want to meet her.”
Ezekiel's sudden blurt made everyone stop and turn to him. “Your... grandmother?” Casey haltingly asked. The young man nodded in quick jerks.
“Yes. I don't want to meet her,” he said.
“She's a piece to the puzzle, Ezekiel. In seeing you, I have no doubt that she'd tell the court that yes, she sees her daughter and son-in-law in you--” Adam tried to say, but when Ezekiel all but leaped to his feet, everyone jumped a little and stared at him.
“I do not wish to meet anyone who hates me before they even know me. No.”
All the threesome could do was stare after Ezekiel, who strode out of the room, into the hall then out the back door. The sound of it clattering to a close made Casey bite his lip. “I'll... follow him, make sure he's all right,” he said.
“Thank you, Casey,” Mr. Connor replied, solemn and sad.
Nodding and excusing himself politely, Casey walked double-time to go after the sullen, depressed boy. He made a small shiver once outside; Adam had been right, winter was on their doorstep. Casey cast a sympathetic look to the plants and flowerbeds, even the grass then looked to the woods ahead. He had no doubts as to where Ezekiel had gone, and why. He crossed the threshold of the forest's pathway and turned his head from side-to-side, searching from forest-floor to treetops. Once past the first, small slope, he bit his lip in seeing Ezekiel-not in a tree, but sitting on a large patch of moss, forearms resting on his bent-up knees, eyes cast downward. “Ezekiel?” Casey announced himself before approaching. Ezekiel didn't look up, didn't flinch, as Casey reached him and sat down a few feet away. “Ezekiel, are you... all right?”
Ezekiel flinched once then bit his lip. “I don't know who anyone... is,” he muttered.
“Who do you mean?”
“Family. All the people-the ones who say things about my parents. They say I look like them. My mother's hair, father's face. I don't know anyone,” Ezekiel explained. “The pictures, yes, but they're... flat.”
“I know, Ezekiel.”
“Are your parents dead, did you never know them?” Ezekiel's tone went from soft to sharp in an instant, along with his gaze which he now set upon the boy. It made Casey cower a little. Ezekiel sniffed hard and stood in one smooth rise. “Do not say you know when you do not.”
Casey bit his lip and averted his eyes. “I'm sorry. You're right,” he said.
A pause followed as Ezekiel began pacing, slowly at first; his steps became quicker as he broke the silence, “I don't know how to feel. I had a family... because the people I was born to died. Were killed. And I never knew them, while everyone in the world did. I lost them.”
“With your grandmother, though; she might come around. Once she meets you, sees your face--”
“Then she sees my father, who stole her daughter away from her, led her to her death,” Ezekiel interrupted.
“But what if she doesn't? What if she sees Victoria when she looks at you?” Casey asked. He stood and moved close to Ezekiel, though he tried keeping a little distance. Going by Ezekiel's sniffing, jerky movements and snarling, he didn't need anyone touching him. “She's just angry. It's not fair that she's putting it on you, but in seeing you...”
“If she comes to the court, I won't look back.”
“Ezekiel...”
“My father had every right to do what he did, and if my mother went with it-her right as well. They went to a land, my homeland, because they could. They could,” Ezekiel said. “She lost her daughter. I lost a mother AND a father. She can judge me for no reason; I won't acknowledge it.”
It was the first time Ezekiel had truly, honestly voiced any emotion when it came to the parents he'd lost. Casey realized this and let it sink in; even if Ezekiel's ape-family had raised him, cared for him, he'd faced so much danger, life-threatening varieties. Did he now find regret in his life as it should have been being taken away from him? Did he miss people he'd never known? “I know it's not fair, darling. But it's common. As I said, she might see past that and find actual worth in having you here, her closest link to her daughter--”
“I am NOT HERE to be anyone's 'link'!” Ezekiel bellowed so suddenly; Casey did, indeed, jump back a step or two in surprise. Ezekiel didn't seem to notice this, or care, as he went on his tirade, still pacing fast. “Do not think I am dumb, too stupid to know what people think of me! I can talk, learn to walk like anyone else in this country-I am still an ape to them. And to her? I'm less than that, I am a dirty animal, unworthy of her family-line.”
“No, no-stop, please...” Casey tried, but Ezekiel began shaking his head back and forth quickly.
“No. You see it, you know. But you understand, while nearly everyone else doesn't,” Ezekiel said, his words dotted with halting grunts. He gripped the front of his shirt tight in his hand; it was as if he was ready to tear it off in a rage. It stayed on, but the pull he gave it made the buttons stretch and strain to stay together. “I lost... everything.”
“You did have family, more than many even some here in our silly 'civilized world' have. Yes, it wasn't 'human', but it was love. Caring,” Casey said with a swallow. “Father told me of the despair your Aurugah mother went through in letting you go. She was your mother; one big 'sod off' to those who would discredit that.”
For the first time since Casey had met the young man, he saw tears forming in the corner of Ezekiel's eyes, the barely-noticeable shaking of his lower lip emoting emotional pain. The vision was so striking, Casey's own eyes tingled in empathy. “I don't... d-don't know if I can ever truly... do this,” Ezekiel murmured. “I feel afraid.”
“Listen to me. Please.” Casey finally closed the distance between them to take Ezekiel's face in his hands. The boy's lack of snarling or flinching away was encouraging, allowing Casey to say, “I don't care what the world, OUR world, thinks of you. Not your grandmother, not the courts, no cares or worries-because I do know you, and I love what I know. I love that I get to know you. We were to be friends as babes; we lost that chance, but have it back, now. You're here now, and I'll be damned if I let anyone tell you that you don't belong. Do you understand?”
A pause stretched between them. Finally, Ezekiel took a deep breath and nodded a little. “I'm cold,” he said.
“Let's go back; we can make a fire in the hearth, and continue working with Adam on getting you your rightful place as the Tyler's son. That's who you are, even MORE than that... you're England's son,” Casey said. “Let's make them all see that.”
“All right.”
Casey made a weak smile, took Ezekiel's hand and made to walk off; he was stopped by a strong pull, however, Ezekiel reeling him into a tight, warm embrace. They stayed there, holding each other for what seemed like hours, until Ezekiel whispered, “I love you,” into Casey's ear.
“I love you, too,” Casey tearfully replied.
~*~
It was understood by Mr. Connor and Adam that Ezekiel wasn't very interested in the process, and however involved and informed he needed to be, Mr. Connor didn't push the issue. “I'll be able to give whatever information they need,” he said as Ezekiel stared into the fire Casey stoked. After the flames were steady and roaring, Casey sat with Ezekiel on the rug, both of them resting upon the pillows and blanket they'd drug over.
“Better?” Casey asked. Ezekiel nodded and ran a hand over his long fringe, tucking it back behind his ears. Casey was tempted to run his fingertips through it himself, but didn't dare-not with the other two in the room. Instead, he put on a smile and said, “Perhaps we should get you another haircut. It was already left long, but it grows so fast.”
“I like it this way. My Aurugah mother didn't.” Ezekiel now wore a tiny smile while fiddling with a loose thread on his slacks. “She would make me take a sharp-edged rock to the most unruly strands.”
“Oh dear, a haircut with rocks!” Casey said, unable to help a chuckle. “I'm glad you were able to get a proper styling on the ship. It would have been a shock to all of England, you wandering about with that-no... offense, of course.”
“No, understand. Stood, under-stood. Ugh... language.”
“No issue, Ezekiel. As I've said before, stumbling on a word every now again, given how quickly you've learned? It's entirely excusable.”
“Excuse me, boys...?” Mr. Connor now interrupted their quiet conversation. They turned to him, finding him holding a document and pen. “We just need Ezekiel to sign a few papers.”
Ezekiel nodded, got to his feet and went over. “What... does my name, signing-do?”
“It's simply making certain statements official, and it will create a file for you-citizenship and the like,” Adam said. “As your parents were still English citizens up to their passing, it will be an easier process than if you'd been born to immigrants.”
“Passing?” Ezekiel inquired. Adam blinked.
“It's a word for 'death'.”
Ezekiel sucked his lips in a moment then murmured, “They were murdered.”
“Yes. I suppose... euphemisms do no good. Forgive me,” Adam replied with sympathy in his voice.
“It's all right,” Ezekiel said softly as he took the pen and moved it to where Mr. Connor pointed. “Forgive my writing, as well. It's something I need more practice in.”
Adam smiled and waved dismissively. “It will be your signature, unquestionably,” he said.
Smiling, Casey went over to witness Ezekiel's signing. It was a slight scrawl, but readable. After making each document official, Mr. Connor handed them back to Adam, who organized them into a folder. “All right, perfect. With these preparations, the case should go swimmingly,” the man said. “If there are any questions before we meet in London on Monday, you know how to contact me.”
“Yes; once again, thank you so much for coming,” Mr. Connor said.
“Yes. Thank you,” Ezekiel said.
“You're quite welcome. I'll admit, it's a thrill to be working on such an interesting case,” Adam replied with a grin. He closed his briefcase and stood; Seamus produced his jacket and hat and gave it to him. “Thank you, Seamus. Frank, be sure to let Dina and your wife know that their lunch was delightful.”
“Of course.”
The four men stood together now, shaking hands. When Ezekiel's turn came, Adam's smile grew. “Proud to have you in our country, young man,” he said. It made Ezekiel's smile grow.
“I'm getting used to it,” he said.
“That you are. Let no one insult you, as to how you'd grown; it's easy to see how intelligent and well-spoken you are, in such a short time.”
It did Casey good, listening to the kind man's praises which resembled his own that he'd given to Ezekiel. Ezekiel was sure to feel a boost of confidence as well; the boy nodded and stepped back, hands clasped behind him and standing straight. “Until Monday. Have a safe trip home,” he said.
They bade Adam goodbye and he was gone, walked back to his carriage by Seamus. Mr. Connor turned to the boys and clapped his hands together, a wide grin on his face. “This is exciting. Perhaps we could head to London on Sunday morning and spend a day and night there. It's been some time since you've taken the trip, Casey-and Ezekiel should take in the sights and sounds without it being from a carriage.”
The sudden idea that Casey had been invited to Carsten's two days from now, Friday, perked him up. The invitation had been extended to Ezekiel as well; surprising, as only certain young men were allowed into the inner sanctum created by the 'lads with lads only' grouping. One couldn't just invite someone off the streets, given the sensitive nature of their 'activities'. Had they sensed Ezekiel's preferences, even his and Casey's interest in each other? If they went, it'd be figured out the second they crossed Carsten's threshold. Casey needed to stop musing on it all, lest he start blushing in the here and now. “Actually, Father, Ezekiel and I... we'd been invited to Carsten's for a get-together this Friday. It's in London, so a weekend-stay, perhaps?” Casey explained, but quickly added, “You wouldn't have to join us for the whole time, of course.”
“Hmm. I suppose your spending Friday until Monday in the city won't be a problem. Feel free; Seamus could drive you out then return the same night, unless you wanted him to stay on for rides about London,” Mr. Connor replied.
“No, no. We can walk, or hire a cab if need be,” Casey said. He kept his excitement at this development deep down, shoving trembling fingers under his arms.
“All right, then. Go on and make your plans. I'm sure it will be great fun for the two of you,” Mr. Connor said with a grin.
“Yes-let's go upstairs, Ezekiel,” Casey said as casually as he could, adding a friendly clap to the boy's shoulder. Ezekiel nodded and followed Casey upstairs and into Casey's bedroom. The moment the door shut behind them, Casey turned on his heels to give Ezekiel a wild smile. “Oh, what a weekend to plan! I know London was a bit much for you, traveling through it, anyway, but-the fun we're going to have.”
“No, I'm not fond of that city, but... I suppose with the right guide, I could find some enjoyment,” Ezekiel said. He bit his lip and looked unsure, however. “Would we be staying at your companion's home?”
Casey gave it some thought. This, he wasn't sure on; while Carsten and the lot were nice, staying for an overnight could be awkward. “It'll be offered, I'm sure, but if it feels odd at all, we'll just rent a hotel room. Oh, hotels... we'll only stay in the best, of course,” Casey said. “The finest meals delivered to our room, enjoyed in bed; our own little parlor and bar, the works.”
“Maybe yes-nice,” Ezekiel said. His eyes darted over to the bedside table. “The chocolates...”
“Mmm, yes; we never enjoyed them, did we?” Casey said. He all but skipped to the bed, hopped onto it and grabbed the box. Ezekiel sat with him, a sweet smile on his lips. Casey wanted them sweeter, of course... wanted to make them sweeter, himself. A globe was plucked up and held an inch from Ezekiel's mouth. “Here, let me give you one.”
Ezekiel licked his lower lip then moved to bite down into it. Casey clucked his tongue. “Slowly, now; enjoy it,” he said. Ezekiel paused then stilled, his teeth cutting into the chocolate shell slowly. Feeling randy and sneaky, Casey made his grin devious as he slid a finger gently over Ezekiel's upper lip. Ezekiel narrowed his eyes, turned the bite into a suck and took Casey's fingertip in with the chocolate. “Oh...” Casey murmured.
“Mmm,” Ezekiel showed his enjoyment. His mouth was so warm; Casey felt the melting chocolate against Ezekiel's tongue, which began snaking around the digit. Ezekiel then slid a hand from Casey's wrist to his elbow, which he held firmly but gently. Casey shuddered lightly, reached to the truffles with his other hand and put one in his lips. Instead of biting down and enjoying it all for himself, he held it halfway, pulled his sucked-upon finger out and bent forward. Ezekiel didn't need to ask what the boy was doing; he opened his own lips and took the exposed half in, while pressing his mouth to Casey's.
Erotic. Casey's eyelashes fluttered and the lids closed while he hummed, his throat vibrating with the sound. He gave in to the passion, the heat growing between them and squirmed into Ezekiel's lap. The chocolate gone, they were left a deep truffle-flavored kiss, so decadent, delicious-everything Casey wanted.
~*~
Thursday had been a slow, tiresome day; it seemed that whenever there was a day of excitement planned, the time between the plans made and actual event went molasses-like. Of course, the weekend itself would be gone in a blink of an eye. Now that it was Friday, Casey was having a hard time packing without giggling rampantly. He had to keep it under control, as his mother kept bustling in and out, asking everything from, “You have a nice outfit for the courts, correct?” to “Don't forget your combs!” No matter how old Casey was, or how many times he'd shown her that he was packing everything he needed, she continued fretting over how he'd fare by himself.
“At least Ezekiel will be with you. I'm sure he could fend off any nasty baddies!” she said as Casey finally finished everything off with two snaps of his suitcase's clasps.
“Of course. Don't worry, mother; remember, I'm old enough to be on my own, never mind be away for a few days,” Casey reminded the woman, who scoffed.
“Until you have children of your own, you'll never understand, dear boy,” she said with a wink.
“Hah, I suppose.” Casey turned away to bite his lip. Giving his mother grandchildren, of course, was doubtful.
“Oh, if you knew how many nights I've spent, wondering how you'd grown up so fast...” Mrs. Connor sighed and shook her head. “I've even cried when no one was looking.”
Casey blinked furiously and turned back to her. The mystery of her weeping in the garden felt like it'd been solved, now. “Is that why... you'd wept that night?”
“What night...?”
“In the garden, years ago.”
Mrs. Connor sighed and made a sad smile. “Ah. Yes, I suppose it was,” she replied. “I think... yes, it was after you'd come home from Charlie's, excited about going to one of his riding shows; you'd asked if you could go by yourself. How hard it'd been, saying 'yes', even if I knew his family would be going later in the day.”
Getting the explanation after so long made Casey feel somber. “Oh, mother... I may be grown, but I'll never stop being your son,” he softly replied. The woman now wore a deep blush, and her eyes looked wet.
“I love you so,” she said, taking his shoulder and kissing his cheek. “And don't think I don't find any joy in watching you in your adulthood! It reminds me that I HAVE done a good job.”
“You have, Mother. You have,” Casey said before giving her a kiss back.
Mrs. Connor made another sigh then scoffed and waved her hand. “All right, enough. Ezekiel's just about ready himself, so you get on with your day. Seamus is ready outside with the carriage. You're going to have such fun, aren't you?”
“Indeed. Perhaps I'll send a postcard?”
“Hah! You'll be home before it arrives, silly boy!”
“And? It'll be nice to do,” Casey said.
“Whatever you wish, darling. Now-off with you,” Mrs. Connor said, winking.
Casey grinned, grabbed the handle to his suitcase and went to the door. When he opened it, he almost jumped at the sight of Ezekiel, who was standing just past the door with a hand raised to knock. “Oh-hah, I'm ready,” Casey said.
Smiling, Ezekiel led the way downstairs and to the front hall. Jackets were put on, hats perched upon their heads and they turned to Mrs. Connor. Mr. Connor then came from the parlor to give his goodbyes, as well. “Be safe, and have a wonderful time, boys,” he said.
“We will. Have fun without us,” Casey said as he gave hugs and kisses.
“Oh, we'll try,” Mrs. Connor said before giving Ezekiel a squeeze. “You're going to have fun, I promise, sweetheart.”
“I'm sure,” Ezekiel replied, smiling back. After Mr. Connor gave him a clap to the arm with more good wishes, the boys were off, heading outside to the carriage. Seamus was perched in the driver's seat, reins in hand and a smile on his face.
“Ready for a long haul?” he asked.
“Hah, with you driving? When it's just me, you don't mind quickening the pace,” Casey replied, winking.
Seamus laughed as the pair got into the cab. They sat across from each other, their luggage put onto the empty seats beside them. A moment passed before the slapping of reins was heard, and the carriage moved. After waving through the window to Mr. and Mrs. Connor, Casey allowed himself to show his nervous excitement in a big, toothy smile and quick slapping of his hands upon his thighs. “As Mother said-our fun is promised, indeed,” he said.
“It's a long drive, though. I remember from my taking the ride here,” Ezekiel said. He made a yawn and let his eyes droop. “Perhaps I could take a little nap.”
“With how we're bumping about?”
“Mmm, 'slept through worse...”
Casey hmph'ed and crossed his arms. How boring would it be, him being too excited to rest while Ezekiel snored away?
“Can we pull the curtains down?” Ezekiel asked, cringing with the sunlight falling on his face. Casey rolled his eyes and fulfilled Ezekiel's wishes; he'd just shut the second curtain when he stopped dead, finger still holding the string. “Thank you,” Ezekiel murmured, shifting his legs and settling into the seat cushions.
'Oh, really?' Casey thought with a deviousness. He reached to the case sitting next to Ezekiel and pulled it to him soundlessly, then just as quietly moved to sit next to him, keeping a little distance. As alert as Ezekiel was, he didn't seem to notice. He was tired, but Casey didn't much care. With one corner of his mouth quirking up, he slid a hand over the small space between them and let it move over Ezekiel's thigh. The action made Ezekiel snap his eyes open and look to Casey. “Erm...”
“Would you rather sleep, or...?” Casey murmured as he let his hand wander up, up, until it was smoothing over the line of Ezekiel's groin. A breath stuttered from Ezekiel's lips as he turned his head and made a tiny smile.
“You want this... here?”
“Why not here? As long as we keep things quiet, keep the shades down... well.” Casey put an end to words and chose to move on with actions, starting with dipping his hand between Ezekiel's legs to feel the growing ridge underneath cloth. Ezekiel hissed in a breath; he didn't seem interested in talking now, either as he parted his legs to aid Casey's exploration. “That's it,” Casey whispered into the shell of Ezekiel's ear as he did away with the fabric by undoing Ezekiel's buttons, parting the flaps and pulling the waist of his underclothes down.
The girth and length of Ezekiel's cock never failed to impress Casey. It jutted upward as if on its own, begging for more contact. Casey wrapped his hand around at the base to hold it up more, all to gaze at it. His mouth watered, the urge to put his knees to the floor of the carriage immense... 'well-why not?' he thought as he did just that. Ezekiel stared at Casey, who slid from his seat, moved himself into position and let the shaft go past his hungry lips. “Oh... oh,” Ezekiel groaned, snarling his upper lip and hissing out breaths. Casey let his eyes roll back, concentrating on giving Ezekiel as much pleasure as he could offer. Going by the trembling of Ezekiel's knees and nostrils flaring, he was doing a good job. He let Ezekiel go down deep, until Casey's chin was pressed firmly against Ezekiel's sac. His tongue curled slowly around as he pulled back and let Ezekiel go with a light pop. “Mmm... more?”
“Yes,” Ezekiel said in a firm, unyielding voice. He didn't wait; he took the back of Casey's head by the hair and forced the boy to suck him in again. Feeling delightfully used, Casey allowed it, enjoyed it, not minding Ezekiel's grip nor his thrusting forward. They needed to be careful, of course. Too much jostling would make Seamus wonder if a wheel was coming loose.
~*~
It was a good thing, having a packed lunch and plenty of sweets provided for them for the trip. It erased any 'evidence' from their breath-BOTH their breaths, as Ezekiel wasn't one to receive and refuse to return the favor. Pleasuring each other had made them gasping messes, fending off fatigue with kisses, quiet chuckling and eventual conversation. To feel at ease with someone, to not feel awkward and odd after performing such delectable, dangerous acts was priceless to Casey. Too many times, even just kissing someone would cause stammering, stilted behavior toward each other afterward. Not with Ezekiel, who'd lived too long in the natural world to see giving in to pleasure as a shameful thing.
The shades were up as they approached the Thames. Casey sighed happily. “Look... we're almost there,” he said, pointing to the bridge ahead. The heavily-populated city was filled with buildings, all made with superior architectural experience. Ezekiel looked and smiled.
“It's all so... big,” he replied.
“I've said that before, haven't I?” Casey said in a teasing tone, adding a tiny nod to Ezekiel's lower half.
“You're... what the word, insa...”
“Insatiable. Yes.”
Ezekiel snorted and continued gazing at the sights ahead. The carriage moved then, offering a view of the river as they began passing over it. Small boats dotted its surface, along with a larger one; a tourist's cruise, by the look of it. “It has been a long time for me,” Casey said. “I DO love it, but-I couldn't actually live here.”
“No,” Ezekiel said without pause. “Visiting, yes. I couldn't dwell in this.”
“Mmm. You'll love the shops, though. We'll go everywhere we can; Harrod's, most definitely,” Casey said.
Ezekiel crinkled his nose then. “The smell... it's not nice,” he commented.
This was a stumbling block, one Casey wanted to wish away. It wasn't the sweetest of smells, what the city gave off, but it needed to be overlooked. He reached to Ezekiel's knee and squeezed it. “I know it's not earth and greenery, but DO try to enjoy it.”
“I will, I will.”
“Good.” Casey sat back and made the smile of a happy child. Soon enough, he'd be showing Ezekiel the positive side of society. Even if it came with unpleasant smells or annoyances to the jungle-grown lad, Casey was certain that he'd find great enjoyment.