Wow, fell behind on posting this here
Title: Fortunate Son (Part 15/?)
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairings: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Runnels, John Cena/Randy Orton
Rating: NC-17
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: 6872
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot...
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14
His attempt to read was futile. Not when all he could hear were groans and curses from next door. “Again? Really?” he shouted against the wall, knowing that they could hear him.
“You’re just jealous,” Randy shouted back before he once more focused on the pleasure of feeling John’s tongue in his ass.
Setting his book down, Cody tried to imagine himself and Teddy making those same noises that John and Randy were making, doing the kinds of things that John and Randy were doing… God, he wanted all that so badly. He wanted to feel Ted inside of him, but… like he said before, he didn’t want John and Randy next door to hear them.
He waited and waited, heard the pair climaxing next door, and the he heard them picking up once again. “Are you two serious?!”
“Yup!” John shouted back in reply.
“Can’t a guy just have some peace and quiet?” Cody asked them. They just got louder. “Great,” Cody mumbled to himself. The candle burned out and he wondered just when (or if) Ted was going to show up that night. His hardness was aching after all those thoughts he’d been having, and after hearing John and Randy going at it for so long, and he really wanted Ted there to take care of things…
The more time that passed the more despondent Cody became. He didn't know where they could go; it was too cold outside and as they'd said they didn't want to risk being disturbed. Cody wanted to cry with frustration and need; he wasn't angry of his friend's happiness, he was just jealous his wasn't as easy.
Throwing his head back into a pillow, Cody then let his hands shift his sleep shirt up just enough for him to expose his aching, weeping cock. Picturing Ted in his mind's eye, and using John and Randy's noises to formulate his own, he wrapped a hand around himself.
However, before he could start really getting his rhythm going a hand suddenly enclosed around his wrist. His gasp of shock and surprise was lost into a hard, passionate kiss and Cody shuddered and let his hand be removed from his erection. "Ted...?" he whispered still somewhat dazed.
"It seems you've started without me." Ted murmured lowly. Cody felt his cheeks heating up in the dark, "I-- I didn't think--" Ted gently hushed the other, "I know, I'm sorry it took so long." he stilled, hearing John and Randy, "Good Lord, what are they doing in there?" Cody shook his head slightly, then realised Ted probably wouldn't be able to see too well, "Just... don't ask."
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since I got down here,” Cody answered.
“Oh my god… They’ve been going at it for that long?” Ted asked, shocked and impressed at the same time.
“They sure have. And I’ve been listening to it for the entire time. I tried reading but, well… It’s hard to concentrate on the letters when I have that coming through the wall,” Cody told him.
Ted chuckled and pressed his lips to Cody’s once again. When he pulled back he asked, “Do you have another candle in here?”
“Yeah, in the drawer,” Cody replied, and Ted rolled off of him to start rummaging. “Here, let me,” he offered, getting off the bed himself. Once he found the candle, he said, “I just use the torch in the hallway to light it,” and briefly left the room, one hand holding his pants up while the other held the candle. He kicked the door open, then closed it with his foot. When he put the candle back in its holder, he saw Ted’s grin and asked him, “What’s that look for?”
“I want to see you touch yourself,” Ted said to him. What he walked in on, well, he could only make out the outline of Cody’s body, but he knew what he was doing. And now he wanted to see it clearly.
The gasp Cody gave to the sentiment momentarily had Ted thinking that he'd said something wrong; but then underneath the candlelight he could make out that Cody was blushing with arousal.
"Please?" he murmured softly, drawing Cody close to him, "For me?" Much as he felt he should protest, he couldn't deny that he was always turned-on by the way that Ted watched him. The naked desire in Ted's eyes and the reaction the other had when he did such a thing was worth the minute embarrassment he always felt.
Ted moved so that he was knelt on Cody's bed, the candle on the bedside table giving them a decent light to see one another. Ted shifted Cody's thighs so that they were resting over his own, running his hands over the smooth limbs. Cody shivered at the look in Ted's eyes, lust and love all combined in one intoxicating mix.
Licking his dry lips and swallowing to get some moisture into his suddenly dry mouth, Ted murmured, "Go on baby." in a low, sensual growl that had Cody pulsing before his hand went anywhere near himself. The noises from next door seemed to fade out as they focused upon one another, the room suddenly feeling much warmer too.
Wrapping his hand around his cock, he slowly drew his hand upwards towards the tip, twisting his wrist just slightly. His eyelids dropped shut as his hand moved back down, just as they always did when he pleasured himself.
“C’mon, baby, open your eyes. Look at me.”
Fighting with his body, he managed to do as Ted ordered, gulping hard when he saw that hungry look in Ted’s eyes. God, he was two strokes in and Ted was already looking like that? Damn, what would he look like when…? He kept going, trying to keep his pace slow and steady. Up from the base, down from the tip, occasionally his thumb swirled the precum around on the head.
“Yeah, that’s it, Cody. Keep going.”
The longer he kept it up, the harder it was to keep his eyes open. He could start to feel the heat in his belly, and the tingling through his toes; a sure sign that he was nearing his climax. He was moaning lightly, Ted’s name spilling forth from his lips from time to time.
Ted didn’t know if he wanted to watch Cody make himself come, or if he wanted to be the one to finish him off. It was a toss up. But in the end, he wound up encouraging Cody along. “Faster, Cody, go faster,” he urged.
It was a request that Cody had no problem following because he was in desperate need of coming. On one hand he wanted to be cumming with Ted inside of him, but he supposed he'd have to make do. "Teddy~~" he whimpered softly, feeling himself getting closer and closer.
"That's it baby, go on-- cum for me--" Ted wanted so desperately to touch himself, but he didn't want to take even a little bit of attention away from what Cody was doing. Actually, what he wanted to do was bury himself into Cody right like this, right as they were-- but in the back of his mind he was determined that their first time was just them, no audience.
"Oh-- fuck!" Cody gasped as he arched up, covering his hand with his release as he finally toppled over the edge of climax. Ted was entranced by the beauty of Cody's face as he came, and wondered what he would look like when he came as Ted made love to him. The other stilled his wrist, eyes closing as he panted.
Ted couldn't resist, reaching and touching the convulsing stomach that was exposed to him. "You're so beautiful." he murmured softly, "That was so..." he couldn't even think of the right words that adequately described Cody's beauty.
Lazily grinning up at Ted, twining their fingers together on his stomach, Cody asked, “Is it my turn now? I bet you’re aching to be touched.”
Nodding, Ted told him, “God, I am.”
Sitting up and scooting back up against his pillow, Cody asked, “Well, what are you waiting for, Teddy?” In a whispered voice he ordered, “Touch yourself.”
Slowly rising his hips off the bed, Ted eased his pants down, following those with his undergarments, which he left pooling around his calves. His hard cock was resting against his stomach as he lay back on the end of the bed, keeping one elbow bent under him to keep himself propped up. Then he let his hand touch his cock, fingers wrapping around the solid shaft.
“Damn, Teddy,” Cody muttered as he watch his lover’s hand work up and down over his own dick. Despite having climaxed just minutes ago, Cody could feel himself stirring again at the sight, and knew that by the time Ted was finished, he’d be hard once again.
Soon Ted found out just how hard it was to keep up the eye contact, as he, too, wanted to shut his eyes and roll his head back as he touched himself. But he kept them open, kept them focused on Cody’s hazy baby blues.
The way Ted's hips rolled into his hand drew Cody's attention frequently, making him bite his lip as he shifted slightly in the same rhythm his lover was stroking himself in. He wanted to see Ted cum so badly, knew that soon they should probably be getting some sleep, but he didn't want to. He needed, wanted, to keep doing things like this as long as possible.
A low moan left Ted as he twisted his wrist at the top the way that Cody did when he touched himself. Cody clenched his hands into fists atop his own lap to stop himself reaching out and gripping at Ted's love handles and taking the other into his mouth, or climbing on top of him and frotting like an animal... but he was tempted. Everything about Theodore DiBiase Junior tempted him.
"Come on, Theodore," Cody murmured, watching as Ted's stomach began to quiver in warning and his breathing grew shallower. In the time they had been together Cody had learnt several little tell-tale gestures that denoted to him what Ted was feeling, how close he was...
"C-Cody~" Ted's voice shook in response to the name, unable to keep his eyes open for the moment as they fluttered closed, "Don't--" that low, throaty voice with the undercurrent of adorable lisp sent him to the edge. However, he didn't finish and Cody didn't listen, "Cum Theodore."
And come he did, as his back arched off the bed, shooting out all over his stomach, his muscles twitching as his orgasm overcame him. “Did you enjoy that, Cody?” he asked, still panting for breath.
“What do you think?” Cody asked in return, grinning, stroking his once again hardened cock, making sure that Ted could see him doing so.
Ted chuckled, “That’s definitely a yes. Did you want me to…?” he drifted off, moving towards Cody.
“Mmm, only if you want to,” Cody replied with a smirk, as though Ted would offer such a thing and then turn it down. He already knew that this orgasm wouldn’t be as strong, and he knew that it’d happen almost as soon as Ted’s hand was on him. It didn’t take much time at all before Cody’s seed was spread over them both as Ted laid his body atop Cody’s.
“I should probably go soon,” Ted said after a short while lying with Cody in his arms.
“I don’t want you to,” Cody told him. Of course neither of them wanted him to leave, but it had to happen.
“Well, I can stay for a few more minutes,” he said contentedly.
Cody curled up against Ted’s body, nuzzling his head into his chest. Then he asked, “Would it be ok if I went to the market tomorrow? I wanted to see if I can find something for my father.” He may have given most of his money directly to his father, but he made sure to tuck some of it away, not only to get something for Virgil, but he wanted to find something for Ted, as well. He knew it’d be nothing expensive, but Ted had given him so much, he felt as though he should give something in return.
Momentarily Ted had a (probably unfounded) flash of unease at the prospect of letting Cody go to the market alone; what if something happened to him? Much as this thought wouldn't leave him be he also knew he shouldn't mollycoddle the other and try to monopolise all his time. "Of course. I don't think there's anything crucial going on that you'd need to be around for." Ted responded, smiling softly as Cody pressed a kiss to his jaw in thanks.
They remained laid in one another's arms for a while before Ted reluctantly extracted himself from Cody's embrace. Next door had been quiet for a good long while now and neither had really noticed when the sound had stopped; they'd been too busy.
Pulling his clothing back on in the darkness, Ted then moved back to Cody's bed to tuck his lover in and give him another kiss goodnight, "Get some sleep." he murmured softly and Cody sighed gently, already feeling lonely without Ted by his side, "You too. I'll see you in the morning."
"If you come up in the morning we can have a bath together." Ted murmured softly, shy but determined grin invisible in the darkness as he then slipped out of the door after they exchanged a final, "I love you." to one another. Cody immediately curled into the space Ted had vacated.
It took him a bit of time to fall asleep but eventually he managed. The next morning he dressed in his uniform and then slipped up to Ted's room. There was still time before breakfast so hopefully they would be able to have their bath together undisturbed-- if Ted still wanted to share a bath with him that was.
Cody walked up to Ted’s sleeping form, curled up onto his side, just like how he usually slept. He thought back to the first morning that he came here to awaken him, how timid he had been to go up to him and whisper into his ear. Oh, how far he had come. This morning, as he tip toed over to Ted’s bedside, he glanced over the beautiful body to admire him just for a brief moment. And then he knelt on the bed and swiftly slipped his hand into Ted’s loose sleep pants, taking hold of the erection he knew his lover would be sporting.
His thumb swirled over the head, and soon he had Ted’s body uncurling as moans slipped out of his mouth. “Mmm, Codyyyyyy,” he groaned in pleasure, eyes fluttering open to look up at the man above him, pleasuring him into his awakened state.
Leaning down, Cody whispered, “Morning, Teddy,” before pulling his hand away.
“What was that for?” Ted asked, his eyes growing wide, already missing the loss of contact.
“Well, I was thinking we could finish this in the bath,” he continued whispering, nibbling at Ted’s ear between words.
“I like the way you think,” Ted told him, now rising up onto his elbows. “Shall we?”
The pair got out of the bed and Cody prepared the bath. He remembered where the bubbles were and poured a good amount into the hot water, stirring it around with his hands to produce the big foamy bubbles he was looking for. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he turned and saw Ted leaning against the door frame wearing absolutely nothing but a smile.
"See something you like?" Ted asked with a surprising lax amount of self-consciousness as he strode into the bathroom; skin prickling with goosebumps as the heat of the water reached him as he got further into the room. Momentarily Cody couldn't respond because he was completely and utterly stunned by the image of cheeky beauty before him. "I think you," Ted murmured softly, "Are wearing far too many clothes, Cody." he tapped Cody's nose with a playfully reproving finger and then reached for the buttons of Cody's shirt.
Ted was still gloriously aroused and Cody could feel the incessant flesh throbbing against his thigh as Ted continued to swiftly but carefully undress him. Soon, Cody was equally goosebump covered as his shirt was removed and then laid neatly over the nearby stool to avoid it being wrinkled.
The rest of his clothing soon followed and then Cody was as naked as his lover. Like a gentleman Ted helped Cody into the bath, accepting the hand that was extended back to him in turn. Duel sighs of pleasure were heard as they both sank into the hot, bubbly water. Cody reached for Ted's soap, preparing to actually get his lover clean in the process of becoming a little dirty.
Ted sighed in bliss as Cody's hands began to massage the soap into his skin before rinsing it away afterwards. When the water and soap slickened hand wrapped around him once more Ted gasped and bucked; the action sending a little of the bubbly water over the side of the tub. It could easily be cleaned up though and the response thrilled Cody somewhat to see.
“Mmm,” Ted moaned as Cody’s hand slid up and down so smoothly beneath the water. He bit at his lower lip, fighting back the urge to come right then. “Wait, wait, stop, pleaseeee,” he begged, wanting this to last a bit longer.
This time when Ted begged him to stop, Cody already knew that it wasn’t because he was doing anything wrong, as he used to think. No, it was because he was making Teddy feel too good. “Are you about to come, Teddy?” Cody asked, running his wet left hand down Ted’s cheek.
Unable to even formulate a one word response, Ted could only nod his head up and down in reply. All his focus was on not coming. It couldn’t be over with so soon; they had only just begun!
“So, you want me to stop… doing this?” Cody asked, now making one trip down and up Ted’s hard shaft. A nod. “And you want me to stop… doing this?” he asked again, this time sweeping his finger over the tip. Another nod. “And you probably definitely don’t want me to do this,” he stated, taking the hand from Ted’s cheek, dropping it under the water to lightly roll Ted’s balls in his palm. This time, Ted cried out and bucked his hips up, unable to hold back any longer. When Ted’s eyes opened again, Cody looked into his lover’s eyes innocently and said, “Whoops.”
“C’mere,” Ted said, pulling Cody down into a feverish kiss, tongue and teeth colliding. When he broke off their kiss, he smirked. Cody raised a brow, knowing that look after having seen it so many times before. “Your turn.”
The ravenette shivered as Ted's soft hands skimmed over his chest (deliberately pinching his nipples to hear the adorable little mew he gave) and made their casual way down towards Cody's hardened groin and then onto the hardened flesh that was begging for him.
Wrapping his hand around Cody in turn he allowed his mouth to move to Cody's neck and ears, knowing that paying attention to those appendages drove Cody wild. The other was essentially knelt over him in this position and Ted loved the way their chests brushed together just-so as they moved on occasion. "Feel good?" Ted murmured into Cody's ear and heard the soft whimper of positive response not seconds later. "Tell me, Cody." Ted murmured softly, needing to hear his pleasure.
"Y-Yes--" Cody gasped, back arching as he began to roll his hips into the touch and Ted reveled in the way Cody's pulse jumped underneath his tongue as he traced it over his neck. Low down on Cody's collarbone there was a fading mark that Ted himself had left there recently and he wondered whether it would be too risky to re-do the marking, as it were. He liked marking Cody though.
Even though no one else but them ever saw it, it was somewhat reassuring to have his mark upon the other like that. Bringing his mouth around to kiss Cody's lips Ted then plundered the willing mouth as he began to move his hand swifter over the other. Cody was bucking into his hand and Ted couldn't help but bring his free hand around to caress Cody's taut buttocks fleetingly.
“Teddy!” Cody gasped as that hand passed over his bottom. His cock jumped in Ted’s hand, nearing closer and closer to his own climax.
Noting Cody’s reaction, Ted did it again, this time letting his palm rest there, fingers squeezing lightly. This time, Cody’s reaction was even stronger, if that was at all possible. When he inched his hand over and tentatively ran his fingers down the crack, Cody’s entire body lurched forward as cum spurted from his erect cock. Now that had been the strongest reaction yet.
“Oh my god,” Cody panted, his eyes wide as he felt Ted’s fingers still in the crack of his ass. Those fingers were so close. Just a little lower… And then… Ted’s index finger brushed over his entrance. Unexpectedly, Cody jerked his hips forward again, a second orgasm rushing through his body. “Holy shit,” he muttered, his face pressed into Ted’s shoulder as he fell forward after his first climax.
“I take it that you like that, then?” Ted asked, turning his head as much as he could to look at the top of Cody’s head.
“Oh my god,” he repeated. That was a single finger brushing over him. He imagined that with Ted’s cock rubbing over his entrance, and a shiver of excitement ran up his spine.
It was somewhat frightening for Cody to consider how powerful his reaction had been to so simple a touch-- but then he reflected that it wasn't so simple a touch, was it?
Feeling himself coming down from his high he and Ted indulged in another deep and lazy kiss before ensuring that they were both clean and getting out of the tub. Ted let Cody dry off and use his towel first, and then accepted it from him. No one ever guessed that Cody had shared his bath and Ted was glad of it; it was a private ritual just for them and he'd be sad to lose it.
Soon they were both dressed and Ted was feeling in a very boisterous mood thanks to Cody's excellent morning treat. He had always enjoyed getting up more in the morning when Cody was the one waking him. Cody ran a hand through his damp hair and exhaled softly as he followed Ted out of his room, still shivering somewhat from the sensation of Ted's hand on his backside. That had been... oh wow.
That took his mind back to the question that had been plaguing he and Ted the night before: where would they be able to be intimate without anyone hearing or interrupting them? At the rate they were going they might actually have to go out to the barn. Or borrow Randy and John's little clearing for the duration.
But, no, he didn’t want their first time to be out in the barn or up against a tree. Their first kiss happened in Ted’s room, why not their first time, as well? They’d figure out a way for Cody to spend the night there, they would! His mind was racing, so much so that he hadn’t even realized they were standing outside the dining room.
“Cody. Cody?” Ted repeated. “Hey, you with me here?” he asked, taking Cody’s wrist in hand.
“Hmm? Sorry, I was just… my mind was on… other things…” he said, blush rising in his cheeks.
Ted chuckled, knowing exactly what Cody had been thinking about. Ted let go of Cody and said, “Well, you go enjoy your breakfast and your time in the market. Will you be back before lunch?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully. But I’ll find you no matter.”
Wishing that he could steal a kiss from Cody, Ted thought better of it, anyone could come around the corner at any minute. “Ok. Be safe,” Ted said to him, giving him a smile before splitting off.
Cody had a rushed breakfast, noting that John was there by himself, no Randy in sight. John looked perfectly content, though. Maybe Randy was still in the bath? He didn’t ask, though, as he didn’t want to waste any more time than necessary before heading down into the village that morning to not only look for something practical for his father (he was thinking maybe a nice shirt with long sleeves and no rips and tears), but also something for Ted. He had no idea what he could possibly get for the son of a Lord, who had everything he could possibly dream of, but he knew that he’d know it when he saw it. Whatever it may be.
Eating his breakfast with as much haste as he dared -because he didn't want to seem like a pig and/or not savour the food that he was eating- Cody then checked that he had his money and then slipped out of the kitchen. And, not a moment too soon because he noticed Layla entering the kitchen out of the corner of his eye and sighed in relief that he wasn't going to have to deal with her unnervingly transparent flirtations.
The weather was crisp and chill, but Cody was much warmer than he would have been thanks to the decent uniform that he was wearing. Part of him had wondered whether he should change but the only other outfits he had were the few somewhat ragged ones he'd had and then the precious clothing Ted had gave him which was safely folded and hidden in his bag.
So, in the end, his uniform seemed the soundest choice. The ravenette hummed slightly to himself as he went along the dirt path, veering past his home and the other parcels to continue down to the market. The familiar myriad of herbs, spices, animals and other scents hit him even a good distance away from the haphazard cluster of market stalls that were set up.
Greeting those he knew or who acknowledged him, Cody then immediately made a beeline for Mr. Cole's clothing stand. Mr. Cole and his flamboyantly funny work-partner Mr. Lawler were men his father knew, and whom Cody therefore knew by proxy. "Hello Cody," Michael was on his own at the moment as he greeted Cody, admiring the uniform. "We heard about your new position; how've you been?" Cody chatted with the man, asking questions in return as he selected two shirts for his father. He had enough for two, having divided his money in half for his father and Ted's gifts.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Cole,” Cody said as he tucked the shirts underneath his arm.
“Thank you for your business. You enjoy your time down here. Though how it could compare to castle livin’…”
“I’ll always feel at home down in the village, I promise you.” Cody gave him a smile and a nod before turning and heading along into the market. He saw even more people that he knew (turning to look closely at a piece of pottery he had no interest in as he saw Mr. El approaching, eventually passing right on by) and stopped at a stand that had some whittled animals. His father whittled as a hobby, but, to be fair, he was a much better farmer than he was woodworker.
These animals were beautifully crafted and ranged from everything from a small toad to exotic creatures he’d never seen nor heard of before, like this massive bodied four legged animal with massive tusks like the wild hogs had, and this other one with a neck so long, Cody was certain it wouldn’t be able to support the head at the top.
“Cody Runnels, is that you?” asked the owner of the stand.
Glancing up from the carved figurines, Cody answered, “Yes?”
“I haven’t seen you since were tall enough to see over this table! But even as such, you haven’t changed much at all! Arn Anderson!” he said extending his hand over the table.
Cody knew that name. His father talked about him from time to time. Sounded like he was some traveling merchant type. “Nice to see you again, Sir,” Cody greeted.
“So, you interested in something here? One of these animal carvings? For Virgil’s son, I can give you a great deal,” he said.
Mr. Anderson allowed him to browse the animals at his leisure, Cody being uncertain which one he would enjoy the most because he had never really expressed as to having a favourite animal.
Eventually, just because they looked so incredible, he settled on one of the exotic, large creatures. Cody wasn't sure what it was, but it was clutching a fish in its giant paws and Cody thought his father would appreciate the elemental undercurrent to it. Mr. Anderson nodded his head in approval, chuckling, "That'll suit your old man soundly!" he said, "It's a bear." Cody cocked his head to the side, "A bear?" It sounded vaguely familiar, but not something he could recall clearly.
"Yup," Anderson nodded, "Great big things they are-- they can tear a man to pieces with those claws, and those teeth can rip a man's throat out!" Cody was wide-eyed at that. Sure, the bear in the carving did have some beautiful fierceness about it, but Mr. Anderson's story had given him a whole new viewing. "soft exterior, hard interior... just like your old man when the going got tough."
Cody managed to secure the figure for half price (which was still pretty pricey in its own right) and promised Mr. Anderson he would pass on his greetings to his father when he returned home as he bid the man goodbye. Keeping his purchases and money secure, Cody then started to look for a present for Ted.
A book stall caught his eye and he immediately went over. There were all manner of storybooks and picture-books, but what caught Cody's eyes were the leather-bound journals. The woman selling them smiled to him, opening one up to show him that the pages were blank. Cody was struck by inspiration, Perfect!
Ted was always saying that he wished he could write just like his grandfather did, all those poems and short stories. Well, if he had his own private journal, what better place to start? He’d have somewhere to keep all his writings together, and he could even tuck other older pieces of parchment inside… Yes, this was certainly the right gift for Ted.
“Young man, are you interested in a fine, hand crafted journal? Bound in only the finest leather, you won’t find anything else of this quality anywhere else in England.”
“I am, yes. May I?” he asked, running his fingers down the pages. She closed the book and held it in her hands as he let his fingertips feel the quality leather on the cover. It was even dyed the most beautiful shade of red. “How much?”
She told him the price, and while it was rather expensive, he had just enough to cover the costs. Still, even though he knew he could pay for it, he knew she hiked up the price (he figured it was due to his nice looking uniform, probably thinking that he’d settle on the given price, not knowing to haggle), so he made her an offer. They went back and forth, and he finally managed to get her down to a satisfactory price. He paid her and thanked her, smiling as he left the booth with his new purchase in hand. And he still had some money to find some other small thing for Ted. Maybe he could get an animal carving, too? There were so many neat carvings, like that fish type creature with a massive fin on its back and a great row of teeth.
There were so many possibilities of things that he could get for Ted. He began making his way back to Mr. Anderson’s stand when he stilled, spotting Randy walking alongside some strange woman not twenty feet away from him.
Slowing despite himself, Cody watched as Randy suddenly wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and kissed her on the lips. It was a fleeting kiss, certainly, but definitely not familial-- so that blew Cody's initial thoughts that she must be Randy's sister out of the water. How could Randy do such a thing to John, let alone when they had just made up?
The woman and Randy headed towards the houses near the market and Cody found his feet heading to Mr. Anderson's stand on their own accord. He bought the unusual fish figure for Ted.
Clutching his purchases, Cody then all but fled back towards his father's house. The man was almost moved to tears by the presents and Cody found himself momentarily forgetting what he had seen between Randy and the mysterious dark-haired woman.
Virgil immediately placed the bear in the centre of the little table they possessed, and changed into one of the shirts Cody had bought him. Cody was relieved to find they fit-- and also to see that Virgil had gone out and bought himself some new bedding to keep him somewhat warmer in the cold. He remained with his father a little longer, but admittedly didn't linger as long as he would have because he needed to get back to the castle now. When Virgil questioned him about the other things he had bought Cody distractedly responded that they were a thank-you for Ted.
When he finally bid his father goodbye he all but ran back to the castle, seeking out his lover. His excitement over Ted's reaction to the presents had dwindled after what he had seen. Should they tell John? Of course they should, he knew that, but... what if she was just a relative? No. No relatives touched like that. Not unless they were too close. And, given that Randy had John, Cody somehow doubted that that was what it was. In his haste he almost crashed headlong into the man who he was seeking.
“Hey, Cody,” Ted said with a smile as he saw Cody attempting to stop his forward momentum before they collided together. But his face fell when he saw the nervous look on Cody’s face. He didn’t even ask about what it was he was carrying, so concerned he was for Cody. “What is it?”
“Not here,” he replied in a hushed voice.
“Come along, then, we’ll go to my room,” Ted said, leading them upstairs.
Cody sat on the bed, his gifts for Ted resting in his lap, not sure if he should give those to him first, or if he should just out and say what it was he saw in the market. “Before I tell you… I don’t want it to… soil the moment, so I want to give this to you first.” He held out the journal and the fish creature to Ted, who was hesitant to take them at first.
“These are for me? Cody, this wasn’t necessary.”
“Don’t you like them?” he asked, now thinking that he had disappointed Ted in the gifts he had chosen.
“I love them. This shark is beautifully detailed,” he said, holding the shark up in both hands before his face, the journal sitting upon his legs.
“Is that what it’s called? A shark?”
“Yes. You’ve never heard… Dammit,” he muttered, constantly forgetting Cody’s lack of education. “Here, let me go find you a picture book of all these different ani-”
“Before you do, I have to tell you about something that I saw today…. We were right. Randy is… he’s sleeping around on John. I saw him in the market with his arms around a woman, and he kissed her. Not just on the cheek, but on the lips,” he explained, all of it coming out at once.
Ted stopped admiring the journal and figure Cody had bought him as the words came tumbling out of his lover's mouth, eyes widening. "Oh Lord..." John would be crushed. They had seen what he had been like with the mere implication of Randy being unfaithful, but this... Ted would honestly say he would never have expected Randy to cheat on John with a woman especially. It was so out of the blue.
"How are we going to tell John?" he asked, momentarily setting his now most-precious possessions aside on his bedside table and then taking Cody's hand in his as he pulled his lover into the comforting circle of his arms. "Do we have to?" Cody mumbled.
"Cody--" Ted started, but then Cody shook his head and met Ted's eyes with a sigh, "I know, I know we have to tell him, but... I don't want him to hate me. I know that wasn't the type of kiss you normally give to a family member or even close friend, but what if I'm wrong? I don't want John to hate me."
Stroking Cody's hair soothingly Ted kissed his cheek, "Don't be silly, Cody. John would never hate you. If anything, he'll probably be glad you told him once his initial emotions wear-down." After a few minutes discussion they decided that sooner was probably better than later and as such Cody then went with Ted down towards the kitchens.
Nancy told them John had just returned his room, and they thanked her before heading down. Knocking on the door Cody bit his lip as he opened it and stepped inside with Ted quickly. John was lain out on the make-shift double-bed, smiling. His dimples disappeared somewhat though as he took in their serious expressions, "What's wrong?" he started to sit up.
Cody shook his head side to side as he spoke, “I really… I’m so sorry… But I just got back from the market and-”
“That why you were inhaling your breakfast this mornin’?” John interrupted.
Cody answered, “Yes, but when I was down there… I saw Randy with a woman and he kissed her and I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to tell you but we thought that we had to tell you, because you not knowing would be even worse when this did all come out that Randy was-”
“You saw her, then?” John replied, chuckling slightly, his face once more quite cheery looking.
“Wait, you know about this?” Ted asked, wrapping his arms around Cody from behind.
“Sure thing… What do you think our little… spat was about? It’s probably best if we talk about it once Randy gets back from his visit, just so he can tell you his side of the story, as well,” John suggested.
Ted and Cody were both staring at him in disbelief. John knew. “So… you mean Randy’s not sleeping around on you?” Cody asked.
“Like I said boys, we’ll all have a chat when Randy returns. Should be back soon, I hope. He left early this morning to go have breakfast with her, said he’d be back before lunch time here, but she can get a bit chatty.” Ok, this was just too weird. “Here, take a seat,” John offered, moving over to make room while they waited for Randy to return.
The only saving grace, Cody thought, was that Ted seemed just as confused as he did. They sat down together in the space John indicated; Ted keeping his arms around Cody, Cody leaning into his lover's body and John still smiling somewhat to himself in a fashion that denoted he and Ted had missed something along the way.
The door opened about ten minutes later, Randy striding through it. "Hey baby--" he cut off slightly as he turned away from the door he had just closed, seeing Cody and Ted sat with his lover. "What?" Randy grinned, winking at John as he teased the younger couple with the sentiment, "--you ask them if they want to play with us?"
Chuckling as Ted and Cody blushed, John shook his head and moved over so Randy could sit down. "No, you hound." he accepted the kiss Randy gave him (tasting that the other had done his teeth the way he always did when he came back from seeing her) before then indicating Cody, "Young Codes here saw you cheating on me with a woman."
John's dimples were slightly in view and Randy gave a minutely awkward laugh. "Ah, I see..." the tallest man shook his head and looked to the two obviously confused younger men. "I'm not strictly cheating on John with her because we don't sleep together--" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold-band, placing it on the appropriate finger, "You saw me with my wife, Samantha."
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairings: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Runnels, John Cena/Randy Orton
Rating: NC-17
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: 6872
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot...
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14
His attempt to read was futile. Not when all he could hear were groans and curses from next door. “Again? Really?” he shouted against the wall, knowing that they could hear him.
“You’re just jealous,” Randy shouted back before he once more focused on the pleasure of feeling John’s tongue in his ass.
Setting his book down, Cody tried to imagine himself and Teddy making those same noises that John and Randy were making, doing the kinds of things that John and Randy were doing… God, he wanted all that so badly. He wanted to feel Ted inside of him, but… like he said before, he didn’t want John and Randy next door to hear them.
He waited and waited, heard the pair climaxing next door, and the he heard them picking up once again. “Are you two serious?!”
“Yup!” John shouted back in reply.
“Can’t a guy just have some peace and quiet?” Cody asked them. They just got louder. “Great,” Cody mumbled to himself. The candle burned out and he wondered just when (or if) Ted was going to show up that night. His hardness was aching after all those thoughts he’d been having, and after hearing John and Randy going at it for so long, and he really wanted Ted there to take care of things…
The more time that passed the more despondent Cody became. He didn't know where they could go; it was too cold outside and as they'd said they didn't want to risk being disturbed. Cody wanted to cry with frustration and need; he wasn't angry of his friend's happiness, he was just jealous his wasn't as easy.
Throwing his head back into a pillow, Cody then let his hands shift his sleep shirt up just enough for him to expose his aching, weeping cock. Picturing Ted in his mind's eye, and using John and Randy's noises to formulate his own, he wrapped a hand around himself.
However, before he could start really getting his rhythm going a hand suddenly enclosed around his wrist. His gasp of shock and surprise was lost into a hard, passionate kiss and Cody shuddered and let his hand be removed from his erection. "Ted...?" he whispered still somewhat dazed.
"It seems you've started without me." Ted murmured lowly. Cody felt his cheeks heating up in the dark, "I-- I didn't think--" Ted gently hushed the other, "I know, I'm sorry it took so long." he stilled, hearing John and Randy, "Good Lord, what are they doing in there?" Cody shook his head slightly, then realised Ted probably wouldn't be able to see too well, "Just... don't ask."
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since I got down here,” Cody answered.
“Oh my god… They’ve been going at it for that long?” Ted asked, shocked and impressed at the same time.
“They sure have. And I’ve been listening to it for the entire time. I tried reading but, well… It’s hard to concentrate on the letters when I have that coming through the wall,” Cody told him.
Ted chuckled and pressed his lips to Cody’s once again. When he pulled back he asked, “Do you have another candle in here?”
“Yeah, in the drawer,” Cody replied, and Ted rolled off of him to start rummaging. “Here, let me,” he offered, getting off the bed himself. Once he found the candle, he said, “I just use the torch in the hallway to light it,” and briefly left the room, one hand holding his pants up while the other held the candle. He kicked the door open, then closed it with his foot. When he put the candle back in its holder, he saw Ted’s grin and asked him, “What’s that look for?”
“I want to see you touch yourself,” Ted said to him. What he walked in on, well, he could only make out the outline of Cody’s body, but he knew what he was doing. And now he wanted to see it clearly.
The gasp Cody gave to the sentiment momentarily had Ted thinking that he'd said something wrong; but then underneath the candlelight he could make out that Cody was blushing with arousal.
"Please?" he murmured softly, drawing Cody close to him, "For me?" Much as he felt he should protest, he couldn't deny that he was always turned-on by the way that Ted watched him. The naked desire in Ted's eyes and the reaction the other had when he did such a thing was worth the minute embarrassment he always felt.
Ted moved so that he was knelt on Cody's bed, the candle on the bedside table giving them a decent light to see one another. Ted shifted Cody's thighs so that they were resting over his own, running his hands over the smooth limbs. Cody shivered at the look in Ted's eyes, lust and love all combined in one intoxicating mix.
Licking his dry lips and swallowing to get some moisture into his suddenly dry mouth, Ted murmured, "Go on baby." in a low, sensual growl that had Cody pulsing before his hand went anywhere near himself. The noises from next door seemed to fade out as they focused upon one another, the room suddenly feeling much warmer too.
Wrapping his hand around his cock, he slowly drew his hand upwards towards the tip, twisting his wrist just slightly. His eyelids dropped shut as his hand moved back down, just as they always did when he pleasured himself.
“C’mon, baby, open your eyes. Look at me.”
Fighting with his body, he managed to do as Ted ordered, gulping hard when he saw that hungry look in Ted’s eyes. God, he was two strokes in and Ted was already looking like that? Damn, what would he look like when…? He kept going, trying to keep his pace slow and steady. Up from the base, down from the tip, occasionally his thumb swirled the precum around on the head.
“Yeah, that’s it, Cody. Keep going.”
The longer he kept it up, the harder it was to keep his eyes open. He could start to feel the heat in his belly, and the tingling through his toes; a sure sign that he was nearing his climax. He was moaning lightly, Ted’s name spilling forth from his lips from time to time.
Ted didn’t know if he wanted to watch Cody make himself come, or if he wanted to be the one to finish him off. It was a toss up. But in the end, he wound up encouraging Cody along. “Faster, Cody, go faster,” he urged.
It was a request that Cody had no problem following because he was in desperate need of coming. On one hand he wanted to be cumming with Ted inside of him, but he supposed he'd have to make do. "Teddy~~" he whimpered softly, feeling himself getting closer and closer.
"That's it baby, go on-- cum for me--" Ted wanted so desperately to touch himself, but he didn't want to take even a little bit of attention away from what Cody was doing. Actually, what he wanted to do was bury himself into Cody right like this, right as they were-- but in the back of his mind he was determined that their first time was just them, no audience.
"Oh-- fuck!" Cody gasped as he arched up, covering his hand with his release as he finally toppled over the edge of climax. Ted was entranced by the beauty of Cody's face as he came, and wondered what he would look like when he came as Ted made love to him. The other stilled his wrist, eyes closing as he panted.
Ted couldn't resist, reaching and touching the convulsing stomach that was exposed to him. "You're so beautiful." he murmured softly, "That was so..." he couldn't even think of the right words that adequately described Cody's beauty.
Lazily grinning up at Ted, twining their fingers together on his stomach, Cody asked, “Is it my turn now? I bet you’re aching to be touched.”
Nodding, Ted told him, “God, I am.”
Sitting up and scooting back up against his pillow, Cody asked, “Well, what are you waiting for, Teddy?” In a whispered voice he ordered, “Touch yourself.”
Slowly rising his hips off the bed, Ted eased his pants down, following those with his undergarments, which he left pooling around his calves. His hard cock was resting against his stomach as he lay back on the end of the bed, keeping one elbow bent under him to keep himself propped up. Then he let his hand touch his cock, fingers wrapping around the solid shaft.
“Damn, Teddy,” Cody muttered as he watch his lover’s hand work up and down over his own dick. Despite having climaxed just minutes ago, Cody could feel himself stirring again at the sight, and knew that by the time Ted was finished, he’d be hard once again.
Soon Ted found out just how hard it was to keep up the eye contact, as he, too, wanted to shut his eyes and roll his head back as he touched himself. But he kept them open, kept them focused on Cody’s hazy baby blues.
The way Ted's hips rolled into his hand drew Cody's attention frequently, making him bite his lip as he shifted slightly in the same rhythm his lover was stroking himself in. He wanted to see Ted cum so badly, knew that soon they should probably be getting some sleep, but he didn't want to. He needed, wanted, to keep doing things like this as long as possible.
A low moan left Ted as he twisted his wrist at the top the way that Cody did when he touched himself. Cody clenched his hands into fists atop his own lap to stop himself reaching out and gripping at Ted's love handles and taking the other into his mouth, or climbing on top of him and frotting like an animal... but he was tempted. Everything about Theodore DiBiase Junior tempted him.
"Come on, Theodore," Cody murmured, watching as Ted's stomach began to quiver in warning and his breathing grew shallower. In the time they had been together Cody had learnt several little tell-tale gestures that denoted to him what Ted was feeling, how close he was...
"C-Cody~" Ted's voice shook in response to the name, unable to keep his eyes open for the moment as they fluttered closed, "Don't--" that low, throaty voice with the undercurrent of adorable lisp sent him to the edge. However, he didn't finish and Cody didn't listen, "Cum Theodore."
And come he did, as his back arched off the bed, shooting out all over his stomach, his muscles twitching as his orgasm overcame him. “Did you enjoy that, Cody?” he asked, still panting for breath.
“What do you think?” Cody asked in return, grinning, stroking his once again hardened cock, making sure that Ted could see him doing so.
Ted chuckled, “That’s definitely a yes. Did you want me to…?” he drifted off, moving towards Cody.
“Mmm, only if you want to,” Cody replied with a smirk, as though Ted would offer such a thing and then turn it down. He already knew that this orgasm wouldn’t be as strong, and he knew that it’d happen almost as soon as Ted’s hand was on him. It didn’t take much time at all before Cody’s seed was spread over them both as Ted laid his body atop Cody’s.
“I should probably go soon,” Ted said after a short while lying with Cody in his arms.
“I don’t want you to,” Cody told him. Of course neither of them wanted him to leave, but it had to happen.
“Well, I can stay for a few more minutes,” he said contentedly.
Cody curled up against Ted’s body, nuzzling his head into his chest. Then he asked, “Would it be ok if I went to the market tomorrow? I wanted to see if I can find something for my father.” He may have given most of his money directly to his father, but he made sure to tuck some of it away, not only to get something for Virgil, but he wanted to find something for Ted, as well. He knew it’d be nothing expensive, but Ted had given him so much, he felt as though he should give something in return.
Momentarily Ted had a (probably unfounded) flash of unease at the prospect of letting Cody go to the market alone; what if something happened to him? Much as this thought wouldn't leave him be he also knew he shouldn't mollycoddle the other and try to monopolise all his time. "Of course. I don't think there's anything crucial going on that you'd need to be around for." Ted responded, smiling softly as Cody pressed a kiss to his jaw in thanks.
They remained laid in one another's arms for a while before Ted reluctantly extracted himself from Cody's embrace. Next door had been quiet for a good long while now and neither had really noticed when the sound had stopped; they'd been too busy.
Pulling his clothing back on in the darkness, Ted then moved back to Cody's bed to tuck his lover in and give him another kiss goodnight, "Get some sleep." he murmured softly and Cody sighed gently, already feeling lonely without Ted by his side, "You too. I'll see you in the morning."
"If you come up in the morning we can have a bath together." Ted murmured softly, shy but determined grin invisible in the darkness as he then slipped out of the door after they exchanged a final, "I love you." to one another. Cody immediately curled into the space Ted had vacated.
It took him a bit of time to fall asleep but eventually he managed. The next morning he dressed in his uniform and then slipped up to Ted's room. There was still time before breakfast so hopefully they would be able to have their bath together undisturbed-- if Ted still wanted to share a bath with him that was.
Cody walked up to Ted’s sleeping form, curled up onto his side, just like how he usually slept. He thought back to the first morning that he came here to awaken him, how timid he had been to go up to him and whisper into his ear. Oh, how far he had come. This morning, as he tip toed over to Ted’s bedside, he glanced over the beautiful body to admire him just for a brief moment. And then he knelt on the bed and swiftly slipped his hand into Ted’s loose sleep pants, taking hold of the erection he knew his lover would be sporting.
His thumb swirled over the head, and soon he had Ted’s body uncurling as moans slipped out of his mouth. “Mmm, Codyyyyyy,” he groaned in pleasure, eyes fluttering open to look up at the man above him, pleasuring him into his awakened state.
Leaning down, Cody whispered, “Morning, Teddy,” before pulling his hand away.
“What was that for?” Ted asked, his eyes growing wide, already missing the loss of contact.
“Well, I was thinking we could finish this in the bath,” he continued whispering, nibbling at Ted’s ear between words.
“I like the way you think,” Ted told him, now rising up onto his elbows. “Shall we?”
The pair got out of the bed and Cody prepared the bath. He remembered where the bubbles were and poured a good amount into the hot water, stirring it around with his hands to produce the big foamy bubbles he was looking for. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he turned and saw Ted leaning against the door frame wearing absolutely nothing but a smile.
"See something you like?" Ted asked with a surprising lax amount of self-consciousness as he strode into the bathroom; skin prickling with goosebumps as the heat of the water reached him as he got further into the room. Momentarily Cody couldn't respond because he was completely and utterly stunned by the image of cheeky beauty before him. "I think you," Ted murmured softly, "Are wearing far too many clothes, Cody." he tapped Cody's nose with a playfully reproving finger and then reached for the buttons of Cody's shirt.
Ted was still gloriously aroused and Cody could feel the incessant flesh throbbing against his thigh as Ted continued to swiftly but carefully undress him. Soon, Cody was equally goosebump covered as his shirt was removed and then laid neatly over the nearby stool to avoid it being wrinkled.
The rest of his clothing soon followed and then Cody was as naked as his lover. Like a gentleman Ted helped Cody into the bath, accepting the hand that was extended back to him in turn. Duel sighs of pleasure were heard as they both sank into the hot, bubbly water. Cody reached for Ted's soap, preparing to actually get his lover clean in the process of becoming a little dirty.
Ted sighed in bliss as Cody's hands began to massage the soap into his skin before rinsing it away afterwards. When the water and soap slickened hand wrapped around him once more Ted gasped and bucked; the action sending a little of the bubbly water over the side of the tub. It could easily be cleaned up though and the response thrilled Cody somewhat to see.
“Mmm,” Ted moaned as Cody’s hand slid up and down so smoothly beneath the water. He bit at his lower lip, fighting back the urge to come right then. “Wait, wait, stop, pleaseeee,” he begged, wanting this to last a bit longer.
This time when Ted begged him to stop, Cody already knew that it wasn’t because he was doing anything wrong, as he used to think. No, it was because he was making Teddy feel too good. “Are you about to come, Teddy?” Cody asked, running his wet left hand down Ted’s cheek.
Unable to even formulate a one word response, Ted could only nod his head up and down in reply. All his focus was on not coming. It couldn’t be over with so soon; they had only just begun!
“So, you want me to stop… doing this?” Cody asked, now making one trip down and up Ted’s hard shaft. A nod. “And you want me to stop… doing this?” he asked again, this time sweeping his finger over the tip. Another nod. “And you probably definitely don’t want me to do this,” he stated, taking the hand from Ted’s cheek, dropping it under the water to lightly roll Ted’s balls in his palm. This time, Ted cried out and bucked his hips up, unable to hold back any longer. When Ted’s eyes opened again, Cody looked into his lover’s eyes innocently and said, “Whoops.”
“C’mere,” Ted said, pulling Cody down into a feverish kiss, tongue and teeth colliding. When he broke off their kiss, he smirked. Cody raised a brow, knowing that look after having seen it so many times before. “Your turn.”
The ravenette shivered as Ted's soft hands skimmed over his chest (deliberately pinching his nipples to hear the adorable little mew he gave) and made their casual way down towards Cody's hardened groin and then onto the hardened flesh that was begging for him.
Wrapping his hand around Cody in turn he allowed his mouth to move to Cody's neck and ears, knowing that paying attention to those appendages drove Cody wild. The other was essentially knelt over him in this position and Ted loved the way their chests brushed together just-so as they moved on occasion. "Feel good?" Ted murmured into Cody's ear and heard the soft whimper of positive response not seconds later. "Tell me, Cody." Ted murmured softly, needing to hear his pleasure.
"Y-Yes--" Cody gasped, back arching as he began to roll his hips into the touch and Ted reveled in the way Cody's pulse jumped underneath his tongue as he traced it over his neck. Low down on Cody's collarbone there was a fading mark that Ted himself had left there recently and he wondered whether it would be too risky to re-do the marking, as it were. He liked marking Cody though.
Even though no one else but them ever saw it, it was somewhat reassuring to have his mark upon the other like that. Bringing his mouth around to kiss Cody's lips Ted then plundered the willing mouth as he began to move his hand swifter over the other. Cody was bucking into his hand and Ted couldn't help but bring his free hand around to caress Cody's taut buttocks fleetingly.
“Teddy!” Cody gasped as that hand passed over his bottom. His cock jumped in Ted’s hand, nearing closer and closer to his own climax.
Noting Cody’s reaction, Ted did it again, this time letting his palm rest there, fingers squeezing lightly. This time, Cody’s reaction was even stronger, if that was at all possible. When he inched his hand over and tentatively ran his fingers down the crack, Cody’s entire body lurched forward as cum spurted from his erect cock. Now that had been the strongest reaction yet.
“Oh my god,” Cody panted, his eyes wide as he felt Ted’s fingers still in the crack of his ass. Those fingers were so close. Just a little lower… And then… Ted’s index finger brushed over his entrance. Unexpectedly, Cody jerked his hips forward again, a second orgasm rushing through his body. “Holy shit,” he muttered, his face pressed into Ted’s shoulder as he fell forward after his first climax.
“I take it that you like that, then?” Ted asked, turning his head as much as he could to look at the top of Cody’s head.
“Oh my god,” he repeated. That was a single finger brushing over him. He imagined that with Ted’s cock rubbing over his entrance, and a shiver of excitement ran up his spine.
It was somewhat frightening for Cody to consider how powerful his reaction had been to so simple a touch-- but then he reflected that it wasn't so simple a touch, was it?
Feeling himself coming down from his high he and Ted indulged in another deep and lazy kiss before ensuring that they were both clean and getting out of the tub. Ted let Cody dry off and use his towel first, and then accepted it from him. No one ever guessed that Cody had shared his bath and Ted was glad of it; it was a private ritual just for them and he'd be sad to lose it.
Soon they were both dressed and Ted was feeling in a very boisterous mood thanks to Cody's excellent morning treat. He had always enjoyed getting up more in the morning when Cody was the one waking him. Cody ran a hand through his damp hair and exhaled softly as he followed Ted out of his room, still shivering somewhat from the sensation of Ted's hand on his backside. That had been... oh wow.
That took his mind back to the question that had been plaguing he and Ted the night before: where would they be able to be intimate without anyone hearing or interrupting them? At the rate they were going they might actually have to go out to the barn. Or borrow Randy and John's little clearing for the duration.
But, no, he didn’t want their first time to be out in the barn or up against a tree. Their first kiss happened in Ted’s room, why not their first time, as well? They’d figure out a way for Cody to spend the night there, they would! His mind was racing, so much so that he hadn’t even realized they were standing outside the dining room.
“Cody. Cody?” Ted repeated. “Hey, you with me here?” he asked, taking Cody’s wrist in hand.
“Hmm? Sorry, I was just… my mind was on… other things…” he said, blush rising in his cheeks.
Ted chuckled, knowing exactly what Cody had been thinking about. Ted let go of Cody and said, “Well, you go enjoy your breakfast and your time in the market. Will you be back before lunch?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully. But I’ll find you no matter.”
Wishing that he could steal a kiss from Cody, Ted thought better of it, anyone could come around the corner at any minute. “Ok. Be safe,” Ted said to him, giving him a smile before splitting off.
Cody had a rushed breakfast, noting that John was there by himself, no Randy in sight. John looked perfectly content, though. Maybe Randy was still in the bath? He didn’t ask, though, as he didn’t want to waste any more time than necessary before heading down into the village that morning to not only look for something practical for his father (he was thinking maybe a nice shirt with long sleeves and no rips and tears), but also something for Ted. He had no idea what he could possibly get for the son of a Lord, who had everything he could possibly dream of, but he knew that he’d know it when he saw it. Whatever it may be.
Eating his breakfast with as much haste as he dared -because he didn't want to seem like a pig and/or not savour the food that he was eating- Cody then checked that he had his money and then slipped out of the kitchen. And, not a moment too soon because he noticed Layla entering the kitchen out of the corner of his eye and sighed in relief that he wasn't going to have to deal with her unnervingly transparent flirtations.
The weather was crisp and chill, but Cody was much warmer than he would have been thanks to the decent uniform that he was wearing. Part of him had wondered whether he should change but the only other outfits he had were the few somewhat ragged ones he'd had and then the precious clothing Ted had gave him which was safely folded and hidden in his bag.
So, in the end, his uniform seemed the soundest choice. The ravenette hummed slightly to himself as he went along the dirt path, veering past his home and the other parcels to continue down to the market. The familiar myriad of herbs, spices, animals and other scents hit him even a good distance away from the haphazard cluster of market stalls that were set up.
Greeting those he knew or who acknowledged him, Cody then immediately made a beeline for Mr. Cole's clothing stand. Mr. Cole and his flamboyantly funny work-partner Mr. Lawler were men his father knew, and whom Cody therefore knew by proxy. "Hello Cody," Michael was on his own at the moment as he greeted Cody, admiring the uniform. "We heard about your new position; how've you been?" Cody chatted with the man, asking questions in return as he selected two shirts for his father. He had enough for two, having divided his money in half for his father and Ted's gifts.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Cole,” Cody said as he tucked the shirts underneath his arm.
“Thank you for your business. You enjoy your time down here. Though how it could compare to castle livin’…”
“I’ll always feel at home down in the village, I promise you.” Cody gave him a smile and a nod before turning and heading along into the market. He saw even more people that he knew (turning to look closely at a piece of pottery he had no interest in as he saw Mr. El approaching, eventually passing right on by) and stopped at a stand that had some whittled animals. His father whittled as a hobby, but, to be fair, he was a much better farmer than he was woodworker.
These animals were beautifully crafted and ranged from everything from a small toad to exotic creatures he’d never seen nor heard of before, like this massive bodied four legged animal with massive tusks like the wild hogs had, and this other one with a neck so long, Cody was certain it wouldn’t be able to support the head at the top.
“Cody Runnels, is that you?” asked the owner of the stand.
Glancing up from the carved figurines, Cody answered, “Yes?”
“I haven’t seen you since were tall enough to see over this table! But even as such, you haven’t changed much at all! Arn Anderson!” he said extending his hand over the table.
Cody knew that name. His father talked about him from time to time. Sounded like he was some traveling merchant type. “Nice to see you again, Sir,” Cody greeted.
“So, you interested in something here? One of these animal carvings? For Virgil’s son, I can give you a great deal,” he said.
Mr. Anderson allowed him to browse the animals at his leisure, Cody being uncertain which one he would enjoy the most because he had never really expressed as to having a favourite animal.
Eventually, just because they looked so incredible, he settled on one of the exotic, large creatures. Cody wasn't sure what it was, but it was clutching a fish in its giant paws and Cody thought his father would appreciate the elemental undercurrent to it. Mr. Anderson nodded his head in approval, chuckling, "That'll suit your old man soundly!" he said, "It's a bear." Cody cocked his head to the side, "A bear?" It sounded vaguely familiar, but not something he could recall clearly.
"Yup," Anderson nodded, "Great big things they are-- they can tear a man to pieces with those claws, and those teeth can rip a man's throat out!" Cody was wide-eyed at that. Sure, the bear in the carving did have some beautiful fierceness about it, but Mr. Anderson's story had given him a whole new viewing. "soft exterior, hard interior... just like your old man when the going got tough."
Cody managed to secure the figure for half price (which was still pretty pricey in its own right) and promised Mr. Anderson he would pass on his greetings to his father when he returned home as he bid the man goodbye. Keeping his purchases and money secure, Cody then started to look for a present for Ted.
A book stall caught his eye and he immediately went over. There were all manner of storybooks and picture-books, but what caught Cody's eyes were the leather-bound journals. The woman selling them smiled to him, opening one up to show him that the pages were blank. Cody was struck by inspiration, Perfect!
Ted was always saying that he wished he could write just like his grandfather did, all those poems and short stories. Well, if he had his own private journal, what better place to start? He’d have somewhere to keep all his writings together, and he could even tuck other older pieces of parchment inside… Yes, this was certainly the right gift for Ted.
“Young man, are you interested in a fine, hand crafted journal? Bound in only the finest leather, you won’t find anything else of this quality anywhere else in England.”
“I am, yes. May I?” he asked, running his fingers down the pages. She closed the book and held it in her hands as he let his fingertips feel the quality leather on the cover. It was even dyed the most beautiful shade of red. “How much?”
She told him the price, and while it was rather expensive, he had just enough to cover the costs. Still, even though he knew he could pay for it, he knew she hiked up the price (he figured it was due to his nice looking uniform, probably thinking that he’d settle on the given price, not knowing to haggle), so he made her an offer. They went back and forth, and he finally managed to get her down to a satisfactory price. He paid her and thanked her, smiling as he left the booth with his new purchase in hand. And he still had some money to find some other small thing for Ted. Maybe he could get an animal carving, too? There were so many neat carvings, like that fish type creature with a massive fin on its back and a great row of teeth.
There were so many possibilities of things that he could get for Ted. He began making his way back to Mr. Anderson’s stand when he stilled, spotting Randy walking alongside some strange woman not twenty feet away from him.
Slowing despite himself, Cody watched as Randy suddenly wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and kissed her on the lips. It was a fleeting kiss, certainly, but definitely not familial-- so that blew Cody's initial thoughts that she must be Randy's sister out of the water. How could Randy do such a thing to John, let alone when they had just made up?
The woman and Randy headed towards the houses near the market and Cody found his feet heading to Mr. Anderson's stand on their own accord. He bought the unusual fish figure for Ted.
Clutching his purchases, Cody then all but fled back towards his father's house. The man was almost moved to tears by the presents and Cody found himself momentarily forgetting what he had seen between Randy and the mysterious dark-haired woman.
Virgil immediately placed the bear in the centre of the little table they possessed, and changed into one of the shirts Cody had bought him. Cody was relieved to find they fit-- and also to see that Virgil had gone out and bought himself some new bedding to keep him somewhat warmer in the cold. He remained with his father a little longer, but admittedly didn't linger as long as he would have because he needed to get back to the castle now. When Virgil questioned him about the other things he had bought Cody distractedly responded that they were a thank-you for Ted.
When he finally bid his father goodbye he all but ran back to the castle, seeking out his lover. His excitement over Ted's reaction to the presents had dwindled after what he had seen. Should they tell John? Of course they should, he knew that, but... what if she was just a relative? No. No relatives touched like that. Not unless they were too close. And, given that Randy had John, Cody somehow doubted that that was what it was. In his haste he almost crashed headlong into the man who he was seeking.
“Hey, Cody,” Ted said with a smile as he saw Cody attempting to stop his forward momentum before they collided together. But his face fell when he saw the nervous look on Cody’s face. He didn’t even ask about what it was he was carrying, so concerned he was for Cody. “What is it?”
“Not here,” he replied in a hushed voice.
“Come along, then, we’ll go to my room,” Ted said, leading them upstairs.
Cody sat on the bed, his gifts for Ted resting in his lap, not sure if he should give those to him first, or if he should just out and say what it was he saw in the market. “Before I tell you… I don’t want it to… soil the moment, so I want to give this to you first.” He held out the journal and the fish creature to Ted, who was hesitant to take them at first.
“These are for me? Cody, this wasn’t necessary.”
“Don’t you like them?” he asked, now thinking that he had disappointed Ted in the gifts he had chosen.
“I love them. This shark is beautifully detailed,” he said, holding the shark up in both hands before his face, the journal sitting upon his legs.
“Is that what it’s called? A shark?”
“Yes. You’ve never heard… Dammit,” he muttered, constantly forgetting Cody’s lack of education. “Here, let me go find you a picture book of all these different ani-”
“Before you do, I have to tell you about something that I saw today…. We were right. Randy is… he’s sleeping around on John. I saw him in the market with his arms around a woman, and he kissed her. Not just on the cheek, but on the lips,” he explained, all of it coming out at once.
Ted stopped admiring the journal and figure Cody had bought him as the words came tumbling out of his lover's mouth, eyes widening. "Oh Lord..." John would be crushed. They had seen what he had been like with the mere implication of Randy being unfaithful, but this... Ted would honestly say he would never have expected Randy to cheat on John with a woman especially. It was so out of the blue.
"How are we going to tell John?" he asked, momentarily setting his now most-precious possessions aside on his bedside table and then taking Cody's hand in his as he pulled his lover into the comforting circle of his arms. "Do we have to?" Cody mumbled.
"Cody--" Ted started, but then Cody shook his head and met Ted's eyes with a sigh, "I know, I know we have to tell him, but... I don't want him to hate me. I know that wasn't the type of kiss you normally give to a family member or even close friend, but what if I'm wrong? I don't want John to hate me."
Stroking Cody's hair soothingly Ted kissed his cheek, "Don't be silly, Cody. John would never hate you. If anything, he'll probably be glad you told him once his initial emotions wear-down." After a few minutes discussion they decided that sooner was probably better than later and as such Cody then went with Ted down towards the kitchens.
Nancy told them John had just returned his room, and they thanked her before heading down. Knocking on the door Cody bit his lip as he opened it and stepped inside with Ted quickly. John was lain out on the make-shift double-bed, smiling. His dimples disappeared somewhat though as he took in their serious expressions, "What's wrong?" he started to sit up.
Cody shook his head side to side as he spoke, “I really… I’m so sorry… But I just got back from the market and-”
“That why you were inhaling your breakfast this mornin’?” John interrupted.
Cody answered, “Yes, but when I was down there… I saw Randy with a woman and he kissed her and I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to tell you but we thought that we had to tell you, because you not knowing would be even worse when this did all come out that Randy was-”
“You saw her, then?” John replied, chuckling slightly, his face once more quite cheery looking.
“Wait, you know about this?” Ted asked, wrapping his arms around Cody from behind.
“Sure thing… What do you think our little… spat was about? It’s probably best if we talk about it once Randy gets back from his visit, just so he can tell you his side of the story, as well,” John suggested.
Ted and Cody were both staring at him in disbelief. John knew. “So… you mean Randy’s not sleeping around on you?” Cody asked.
“Like I said boys, we’ll all have a chat when Randy returns. Should be back soon, I hope. He left early this morning to go have breakfast with her, said he’d be back before lunch time here, but she can get a bit chatty.” Ok, this was just too weird. “Here, take a seat,” John offered, moving over to make room while they waited for Randy to return.
The only saving grace, Cody thought, was that Ted seemed just as confused as he did. They sat down together in the space John indicated; Ted keeping his arms around Cody, Cody leaning into his lover's body and John still smiling somewhat to himself in a fashion that denoted he and Ted had missed something along the way.
The door opened about ten minutes later, Randy striding through it. "Hey baby--" he cut off slightly as he turned away from the door he had just closed, seeing Cody and Ted sat with his lover. "What?" Randy grinned, winking at John as he teased the younger couple with the sentiment, "--you ask them if they want to play with us?"
Chuckling as Ted and Cody blushed, John shook his head and moved over so Randy could sit down. "No, you hound." he accepted the kiss Randy gave him (tasting that the other had done his teeth the way he always did when he came back from seeing her) before then indicating Cody, "Young Codes here saw you cheating on me with a woman."
John's dimples were slightly in view and Randy gave a minutely awkward laugh. "Ah, I see..." the tallest man shook his head and looked to the two obviously confused younger men. "I'm not strictly cheating on John with her because we don't sleep together--" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold-band, placing it on the appropriate finger, "You saw me with my wife, Samantha."