Fic: Desire's Thrall (Or, Romance Novel Nightmare), Chapter 3
Title: Desire's Thrall (Or, Romance Novel Nightmare)
Chapter 3
Author: she_burns1
Pairing: Bret/Jemaine, Bret/Jemayn, Bretta/Jemayn (...it'll make sense when you read it)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,814
Summary: Bret gets transported into a romance novel. No, really.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The plot is all mine. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author’s Note: Crack!Fic. Much thanks to posingathreat who made me many lovely icons! *point to Jemayn icon* He's looking all broody! XD
Previous Chapters: 1, 2
"So you can offer me nothing?"
Taika sighed as he watched Jemayn remove a cork from a bottle with his teeth. One of the men more skilled in medicine worked on his friend's wounded arm. The 'scratch' was actually a rather deep laceration and required stitching.
As was custom when he was injured and required medical attention, Jemayn retired to his quarters where he sat on the hard wooden surface of his desk and grabbed the finest bottle of liquor available on the ship. From there he proceeded to drink heavily of said bottle to numb the pain. Though in this instance, if it were to numb the pain of the injury or the pain of his heart, it was hard to say.
Taika shook his head, "His memory might return, to be sure, but...it is hard to say. As I told you, he is, for all intents and purposes well, but...'tis obvious he suffered blows to the head. Anyone with eyes can see that. And injuries of that fashion...they take a toll. Especially on the mind."
Jemayn scowled, "But to remember nothing. Not even..." he trailed off, not speaking more and Taika was quite certain he knew why.
Once the stitching was done and Jemayn and Taika were alone, Taika cleared his throat, feeling now that they could speak more freely, "It could be witchcraft. I would not put that past the Lady Sarah."
"Aye, true," Jemayn muttered, "She always did have a way about her. Even back when she was in my arms, she," he scoffed, "Like a spider that one, weaving a web."
"She did have quite the hold on you," Taika conceded, then, carefully, "And I know how it was when she left you."
Jemayn grimaced, "For Marcus..."
Taika shrugged, "He had money, power-"
"I have those things."
"You did not at the time," Taika pointed out and Jemayn flashed him such a look that he held up his hands in apologetic surrender, "Truth is but truth."
Jemayn relaxed slightly and Taika continued, "'Sides, 'twas better that she left...had she stayed and you had been stuck with her for a wife-"
"Not all of us have such luck as you," Jemayn muttered but a smile still played about his mouth, "Loren is a fine prize."
"She is," Taika conceded, then, quietly, "As are some others."
Jemayn did not answer, but instead took another deep swig of the bottle. He regarded the stitches on his arm, "Gregori does fine work. Neat and quick...I shall have to give him something when we return home...maybe a new horse..."
"He may very well remember," Taika said softly, "Given time...some gentle encouragement."
"Encouragement?"
"You could help him remember."
Jemayn moaned, pressing a hand to his head, "What would be the use of it?"
"Jemayn," Taika chided softly, "Jemayn, Jemayn, Jemayn..."
"Have you grown weary of saying my name in such a repetitive manner?"
"Jemayn...this is not the man I know...to give up so easy."
Jemayn glared at him, gaze hot as fire, "He does not remember. I can," he thumped the bottle of liquor down hard on the desk, "Odin's blood, I can see it. I can see it in his eyes. When he looks at me," he shook his head, "Tis but as if I am a shadow. A...mockery of...whatever it is he sees in his mind. He knows me and yet...it is like...almost as if he imagines me as someone else. Someone...different."
"Again, I say to you, we should not discount witchcraft."
Jemayn cursed, "I believe no such thing."
"What, then, of what I can do?"
"What? Your...tricks of the mind? They are...that is just," Jemayn tossed his head about his shoulders, "Taika, that is just...a gift. An...insight. Not sorcery."
"Some would say different."
"And some are fools."
"Jemayn-"
He sighed deeply, "What would you have me do?"
Taika fixed him with a hard stare, "I would have you take him home. I would have you treat him well. I would have you help him remember. And gently, Jemayn, an easy coaxing. No need to go about it as you would battle, charging in axe first. Take your time..."
"Oh, is that all?"
"No. That is not all," Taika seemed reluctant to say more, but did so, "I would have you take him to Melig."
Jemayn's head reared back, "What? Mad Melig?!"
"She knows of witchcraft," Taika said simply, "And, if nothing else, it would give us a chance to see Douglass again."
"I see you tossed yourself in there."
Taika sniffed, "I do have a bit of taste for the man's home...he has some of the finest mead I have ever sampled."
"And the finest women."
"I have no interest in that."
"Oh, not anymore, you don't," Jemayn said wisely, "Not ever since you managed to ease Loren away from him."
Taika looked at his nails, nonplussed, "She was underused in his kitchens. She needed to...spread her wings, as it were."
"Or more likely spread her legs."
"You're lucky she is not here, like she would have hit you, had she heard that come from your mouth."
Jemayn chuckled deeply, then, wistfully, "I was always envious of you two, until..."
He fell silent and shook his head. He took another deep swig of his bottle and wished his chest didn't feel so heavy. Taika took the bottle from him and, sniffing it first, took his own tentative sip before saying carefully, "The men...they do not question you. But...in their hearts, I know they wonder why we sailed half way around the world just to rescue some thrall."
"He's not just some..." Jemayn closed his eyes, swallowed, "And 'twas not half way around the world-"
"Jemayn," Taika returned softly, "You know I care not."
Jemayn looked at him, unsure and exposed and Taika gave him a warm smile, patting his shoulder, "I am your friend. I would do nothing that would deny you the happiness you deserve."
Jemayn rubbed at the back of his neck, avoiding his friend's eyes, "I...know not of what you mean."
Taika's expression turned sour, "Please...do not insult me. We have been friends since before we could walk and I know of you. Inside and out. Blood to bone. And I have seen you. You think yourself so clever, but you are not. At least," Taika bragged with something of a smile again, "Not more cleverer than I. I've seen the way you look at the little thing. Oh he's a bit willowy and wiry, like a woman, but life's for sure that he is not a woman and I imagine this is what troubles you."
Jemayn just grumbled, drinking his bottle sulkily, "T'would be an abomination."
Taika rolled his eyes, "Oh please, do save me from the words of religion's court."
"'Tis not religion I speak of...'tis...fact."
"'Tis bullshit," Taika said firmly, "Love is love, no matter where it blossoms and I shall not ever see evils in it. Especially not where you are concerned, lest I need tell you again. But the point remains hidden and I would have no more of this, so, answer me true...the thrall, Bretta, or Bret, as he would rather now be called...do you love him?"
Jemayn took in a deep breath through his nose and leveled a steady, yet slightly glassy, look at his friend, "And I would have your word you would speak of this to no one?"
Taika shrugged, "Well, to no one but Loren, of course. You know well as I, she would beat it out of me if I did not."
Jemayn rolled his head about his shoulders, exhausted and heavy hearted as he whispered, "Yea."
"Yea?"
Jemayn nodded, then, ruefully, "Little good it does me...I thought he...but he does not remember..."
Taika shrugged once more, "So? Take my advice. Help him remember. You would sail around the world, duel with Marcus, and then stop fighting here?"
"What if...what if he never remembers? And what does it say of us...of our time together, if he does not-"
Taika patted his arm hard and took another sip of the bottle they shared, "Come, come, wallow in this no more. You will help him. If he remembers then all is well and if not...mayhap you can romance him twice over."
"What makes you think he did not romance me?"
Taika blinked, wide eyed, "Really?"
Jemayn just gave him another look, this one more crafty, and Taika whistled, shaking his head, "I would not have thought...he is a cunning little thing, indeed."
Jemayn looked at Taika and felt his heart warm slightly. Here he was, a man so afraid to expose his soul with a man who took such ease with his own, "What did I ever do to deserve you, my friend?"
"I do not know," Taika said smoothly, "But I can tell you that often you do not. Mayhap we should have you offer me up some form of payment. After all, my ego is wounded that you did not indulge in carnal debauchery with me first before turning to one of your thralls."
Jemayn was now the one to roll his eyes, "That is how you would look at things."
"You have to admit, it is something of an insult," Taika sniffed, "After all...I have a very fine arse."
Jemayn laughed, "Yes, I know. You tell me this often. As does Loren."
"Oh, does she? Tell me, did she ever make you the offer-"
"Oh yes, yes," Jemayn's laughs grew more hearty, "Often she tells me that were I to 'accidentally' stumble into your marriage bed whilst you two were at play I was more than welcome to join in."
"Ah, my Loren...she is quite insatiable."
"See? Now there be your deep insult."
"Please. You know Loren...the fact that I alone can please her upon occasion is the world's finest compliment. And the fact she would have me as her husband? Been praised by the gods on high, have I."
Both men laughed and finished the bottle of liquor between them. They discussed several other things but eventually returned to the heart of the matter, Jemayn saying softly, "Your advice...I think I shall take it."
"Oh? Really? I am quite flattered."
Jemayn gave Taika a lazy stare, then, looking away from him, whispered quietly, "I do love him so."
Taika looked over and saw Jemayn's jaw working, his eyes slightly glazed with unshed tears and he threw an arm around his friend, giving him a squeeze, "I know."
Chapter 3
Author: she_burns1
Pairing: Bret/Jemaine, Bret/Jemayn, Bretta/Jemayn (...it'll make sense when you read it)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,814
Summary: Bret gets transported into a romance novel. No, really.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The plot is all mine. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author’s Note: Crack!Fic. Much thanks to posingathreat who made me many lovely icons! *point to Jemayn icon* He's looking all broody! XD
Previous Chapters: 1, 2
"So you can offer me nothing?"
Taika sighed as he watched Jemayn remove a cork from a bottle with his teeth. One of the men more skilled in medicine worked on his friend's wounded arm. The 'scratch' was actually a rather deep laceration and required stitching.
As was custom when he was injured and required medical attention, Jemayn retired to his quarters where he sat on the hard wooden surface of his desk and grabbed the finest bottle of liquor available on the ship. From there he proceeded to drink heavily of said bottle to numb the pain. Though in this instance, if it were to numb the pain of the injury or the pain of his heart, it was hard to say.
Taika shook his head, "His memory might return, to be sure, but...it is hard to say. As I told you, he is, for all intents and purposes well, but...'tis obvious he suffered blows to the head. Anyone with eyes can see that. And injuries of that fashion...they take a toll. Especially on the mind."
Jemayn scowled, "But to remember nothing. Not even..." he trailed off, not speaking more and Taika was quite certain he knew why.
Once the stitching was done and Jemayn and Taika were alone, Taika cleared his throat, feeling now that they could speak more freely, "It could be witchcraft. I would not put that past the Lady Sarah."
"Aye, true," Jemayn muttered, "She always did have a way about her. Even back when she was in my arms, she," he scoffed, "Like a spider that one, weaving a web."
"She did have quite the hold on you," Taika conceded, then, carefully, "And I know how it was when she left you."
Jemayn grimaced, "For Marcus..."
Taika shrugged, "He had money, power-"
"I have those things."
"You did not at the time," Taika pointed out and Jemayn flashed him such a look that he held up his hands in apologetic surrender, "Truth is but truth."
Jemayn relaxed slightly and Taika continued, "'Sides, 'twas better that she left...had she stayed and you had been stuck with her for a wife-"
"Not all of us have such luck as you," Jemayn muttered but a smile still played about his mouth, "Loren is a fine prize."
"She is," Taika conceded, then, quietly, "As are some others."
Jemayn did not answer, but instead took another deep swig of the bottle. He regarded the stitches on his arm, "Gregori does fine work. Neat and quick...I shall have to give him something when we return home...maybe a new horse..."
"He may very well remember," Taika said softly, "Given time...some gentle encouragement."
"Encouragement?"
"You could help him remember."
Jemayn moaned, pressing a hand to his head, "What would be the use of it?"
"Jemayn," Taika chided softly, "Jemayn, Jemayn, Jemayn..."
"Have you grown weary of saying my name in such a repetitive manner?"
"Jemayn...this is not the man I know...to give up so easy."
Jemayn glared at him, gaze hot as fire, "He does not remember. I can," he thumped the bottle of liquor down hard on the desk, "Odin's blood, I can see it. I can see it in his eyes. When he looks at me," he shook his head, "Tis but as if I am a shadow. A...mockery of...whatever it is he sees in his mind. He knows me and yet...it is like...almost as if he imagines me as someone else. Someone...different."
"Again, I say to you, we should not discount witchcraft."
Jemayn cursed, "I believe no such thing."
"What, then, of what I can do?"
"What? Your...tricks of the mind? They are...that is just," Jemayn tossed his head about his shoulders, "Taika, that is just...a gift. An...insight. Not sorcery."
"Some would say different."
"And some are fools."
"Jemayn-"
He sighed deeply, "What would you have me do?"
Taika fixed him with a hard stare, "I would have you take him home. I would have you treat him well. I would have you help him remember. And gently, Jemayn, an easy coaxing. No need to go about it as you would battle, charging in axe first. Take your time..."
"Oh, is that all?"
"No. That is not all," Taika seemed reluctant to say more, but did so, "I would have you take him to Melig."
Jemayn's head reared back, "What? Mad Melig?!"
"She knows of witchcraft," Taika said simply, "And, if nothing else, it would give us a chance to see Douglass again."
"I see you tossed yourself in there."
Taika sniffed, "I do have a bit of taste for the man's home...he has some of the finest mead I have ever sampled."
"And the finest women."
"I have no interest in that."
"Oh, not anymore, you don't," Jemayn said wisely, "Not ever since you managed to ease Loren away from him."
Taika looked at his nails, nonplussed, "She was underused in his kitchens. She needed to...spread her wings, as it were."
"Or more likely spread her legs."
"You're lucky she is not here, like she would have hit you, had she heard that come from your mouth."
Jemayn chuckled deeply, then, wistfully, "I was always envious of you two, until..."
He fell silent and shook his head. He took another deep swig of his bottle and wished his chest didn't feel so heavy. Taika took the bottle from him and, sniffing it first, took his own tentative sip before saying carefully, "The men...they do not question you. But...in their hearts, I know they wonder why we sailed half way around the world just to rescue some thrall."
"He's not just some..." Jemayn closed his eyes, swallowed, "And 'twas not half way around the world-"
"Jemayn," Taika returned softly, "You know I care not."
Jemayn looked at him, unsure and exposed and Taika gave him a warm smile, patting his shoulder, "I am your friend. I would do nothing that would deny you the happiness you deserve."
Jemayn rubbed at the back of his neck, avoiding his friend's eyes, "I...know not of what you mean."
Taika's expression turned sour, "Please...do not insult me. We have been friends since before we could walk and I know of you. Inside and out. Blood to bone. And I have seen you. You think yourself so clever, but you are not. At least," Taika bragged with something of a smile again, "Not more cleverer than I. I've seen the way you look at the little thing. Oh he's a bit willowy and wiry, like a woman, but life's for sure that he is not a woman and I imagine this is what troubles you."
Jemayn just grumbled, drinking his bottle sulkily, "T'would be an abomination."
Taika rolled his eyes, "Oh please, do save me from the words of religion's court."
"'Tis not religion I speak of...'tis...fact."
"'Tis bullshit," Taika said firmly, "Love is love, no matter where it blossoms and I shall not ever see evils in it. Especially not where you are concerned, lest I need tell you again. But the point remains hidden and I would have no more of this, so, answer me true...the thrall, Bretta, or Bret, as he would rather now be called...do you love him?"
Jemayn took in a deep breath through his nose and leveled a steady, yet slightly glassy, look at his friend, "And I would have your word you would speak of this to no one?"
Taika shrugged, "Well, to no one but Loren, of course. You know well as I, she would beat it out of me if I did not."
Jemayn rolled his head about his shoulders, exhausted and heavy hearted as he whispered, "Yea."
"Yea?"
Jemayn nodded, then, ruefully, "Little good it does me...I thought he...but he does not remember..."
Taika shrugged once more, "So? Take my advice. Help him remember. You would sail around the world, duel with Marcus, and then stop fighting here?"
"What if...what if he never remembers? And what does it say of us...of our time together, if he does not-"
Taika patted his arm hard and took another sip of the bottle they shared, "Come, come, wallow in this no more. You will help him. If he remembers then all is well and if not...mayhap you can romance him twice over."
"What makes you think he did not romance me?"
Taika blinked, wide eyed, "Really?"
Jemayn just gave him another look, this one more crafty, and Taika whistled, shaking his head, "I would not have thought...he is a cunning little thing, indeed."
Jemayn looked at Taika and felt his heart warm slightly. Here he was, a man so afraid to expose his soul with a man who took such ease with his own, "What did I ever do to deserve you, my friend?"
"I do not know," Taika said smoothly, "But I can tell you that often you do not. Mayhap we should have you offer me up some form of payment. After all, my ego is wounded that you did not indulge in carnal debauchery with me first before turning to one of your thralls."
Jemayn was now the one to roll his eyes, "That is how you would look at things."
"You have to admit, it is something of an insult," Taika sniffed, "After all...I have a very fine arse."
Jemayn laughed, "Yes, I know. You tell me this often. As does Loren."
"Oh, does she? Tell me, did she ever make you the offer-"
"Oh yes, yes," Jemayn's laughs grew more hearty, "Often she tells me that were I to 'accidentally' stumble into your marriage bed whilst you two were at play I was more than welcome to join in."
"Ah, my Loren...she is quite insatiable."
"See? Now there be your deep insult."
"Please. You know Loren...the fact that I alone can please her upon occasion is the world's finest compliment. And the fact she would have me as her husband? Been praised by the gods on high, have I."
Both men laughed and finished the bottle of liquor between them. They discussed several other things but eventually returned to the heart of the matter, Jemayn saying softly, "Your advice...I think I shall take it."
"Oh? Really? I am quite flattered."
Jemayn gave Taika a lazy stare, then, looking away from him, whispered quietly, "I do love him so."
Taika looked over and saw Jemayn's jaw working, his eyes slightly glazed with unshed tears and he threw an arm around his friend, giving him a squeeze, "I know."