Waiting for Godot

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert Allgood sat by a small fire on the beach, watching the waves peacefully make the journey to shore, watching the foam wash up. The bodies of mermaids, he remembered hearing once as a child. The sound of the waves was like a lullaby, and it felt at that moment as if every living creature was asleep, except for himself

Comments

[hile_father]

Roland stood and watched the firelight cast Cuthbert's face into light and shadow from several feet away, his expression as impassive as ever, betraying no emotion.

He walked closer, his footsteps measured and silent. When he was six feet away, he called out softly, "Solitude or company?" If Bert wanted to be alone, Roland could understand and respect that.

[slinged_shot]

"Thy company is always welcome," Bert replied, not needing to turn his head to see who spoke. "As thee should know."

[hile_father]

Roland smiled and settled next to Cuthbert with a sigh. "Everyone needs solitude now and then," he answered. "Even you." Though not as much as most, because who then would listen to you talk? he thought, though it was with fondness rather than frustration, for now.

[slinged_shot]

"Nay, not me," Cuthbert protested. "And even if it were so, thee is as much a part of me as my hair, my skin. Indeed I have had thee longer." He smiled.

[hile_father]

Roland chuckled and shook his head, slipping his arm easily around Cuthbert's body. "And will have me longer, if ka wills it," he replied, leaning his head against Cuthbert's comfortably.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert moved against Roland with a sigh and closed his eyes. "Ka like the wind..." he reminded Roland. "Thy path is chosen."

[hile_father]

"Only ka itself can choose a path," Roland answered. "Does thee mean Susan?"

Her golden hair and smoky eyes immediately filled his mind.

[slinged_shot]

"Aye," he replied softly. "She is thy Tower, Roland."

[hile_father]

Roland straightened abruptly, back stiff. "Speak not to me of the fucking Tower," he growled.

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert had expected denial, but not anger. He moved away and touched Roland's cheek, angled his face towards him. "Speak to me," he asked, quietly. "Roland, son of Stephen."

[hile_father]

Roland blinked slowly, taking a deep breath as he forced the tension to ease from his body.

"The price to see the top was too high, Bert," he said, voice hoarse. "Far too high." He swallowed, his throat feeling tight with the resentment of all he'd sacrificed, only to find the truth at the top was a nightmare all its own.

[slinged_shot]

"You found it," he said softly. He had wondered. He grinned and kissed Roland's lips, hard and fast, laughing as he parted, pressing their forheads together. "I knew you would."

[hile_father]

"Aye," Roland answered, voice low and bitter. "I found it--and I almost lost everything to do it." If it hadn't been for whatever benevolent being had redirected his ka to this island, he would have lost everything, and gone back and done it again, Gan knew how many times more.

He shuddered and took a deep breath. "I never want to hear another word about the gods-cursed tower, say true."

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert studied Roland and nodded. "Cry pardon, gunslinger," he whispered. "I forgot the face of my father. I forgot your face." He kissed Roland's lips once more, praying for forgiveness.

[hile_father]

Roland sighed against his mouth, burying his fingers in Cuthbert's hair and deepening the kiss.

"There is no need," he murmured against his mouth as the kiss eased, "for thee has forgotten nothing."

[slinged_shot]

Cuthbert smiled. "I have forgotten your kisses," he teased. "Mayhap remind me again?"