Graves leaned against the wall beside the door and listened to the brothers talking. Despite his bravado... he was finding it hard to breathe. He'd thought they were just lying to him to get him to back off, but... damn... they sounded like they were actually serious. He closed his eyes and struggled to breathe as he listened, trying to decide what it meant if it was true...

After a few minutes, once the hall was quiet, hepulled himself together and kicked his way through the messed he'd made to grab his bag then leave the room. He headed for the bathroom like he'd originally planned, trying not to think too much about Saffron and failing miserably.


~~


Saffron finished taking a shower and dried off, changing into the clothes that were left on the counter, wrapping his hair in one towel, though he lingered in the bathroom, not sure he wanted to leave just yet, thinking about things. He knew Lexine and Larkin were okay for now, and didn't find him self so worried about them.

Mike was lounging in Eire's favorite chair, knowing it would irritate him to know he'd been sitting in it. He had his eyes closed, listening to the soft sounds of Saffron moving in the bathroom and the sounds of the boys in the hall outside. He debated whether he should move or not, being quite comfortable where he was.

~

Nate went straight to his door. "Ye comin' in t' wait fer Larkin?" he asked softly, looking back at Eire.

"Aye, in a minute." Eire replied, pausing at his door to stick his head in then gave Mike a look. "Oi, couch is fer guests, that's me chair!" He stated. "An' Graves didn't believe us... good luck." He added, before closing the door, knowing Mike probably wouldn't move.

He followed Nate into his apartment. A squeak came from the hallway, before the bathroom door closed again as Lexine disappeared back into the bathroom.

Nate smiled softly as Lexi vanished and shook his head softly. "It's alright, lad... we'll stay out here. Come out when yer ready." he called out  as he headed into the kitchen to see what he had; No use in them going back out to the main kitchen and risk running into Graves just yet...

Eire snorted softly as Lexine stuck his head out the bathroom door again before disappearing, and followed Nate into the kitchen. "Ye cookin' then?" He asked Nate with a smirk.

Nate snorted. "No. Don't have anythin' worth cookin' aside from some frozen dinners and such fer emergencies... Tend t' let Sylvie spoil me, ye know tha'…" he said with a smirk. "Just like everyone else..." he added as he opened the fridge and looked inside before moving to the cupboard. "Got a few hard boiled eggs... was plannin' on makin' egg salad last night an' wound up eatin' in th' main kitchen instead. Got bread... couple raisin bran muffins... box o' fruit loops... and poptarts; th’ Smores ones... " he added with a wink. "Suppose tha's about all ye have in yer place... poptarts.."

"I have more then jus' poptarts..." Eire muttered with a look. "Maybe not much more but..." He shook his head. "It's either main kitchen or order out..." He added.

"Well... do ye want t' take Saffron out there t' eat with HIM still actin' like tha'?" Nate asked simply, keeping his voice low as he moved to lean on the counter.

Eire snorted, shaking his head. "An' we can't keep 'em shut up in the apartments either, jus' cause o' him. Besides... I get the feelin' Saffron can handle 'im..."

"Oh aye.... I'm sure Saffron can... but Lexi can't." Nate said. "Tha's why we went t' tell th' bastard remember? Not fer Saffron so much as fer Lexi..."

"Oh aye, I know... but Lexine's got ye, remember." Eire replied with a slight smirk. "So order out it is." He said, before glancing back at the door to the hall, a moment or two later, Larkin appearing, Lexine trailing behind him.


~ ~
Saffron sighed, not having much more reason to stay in the bathroom, and since was dressed, if pjs could be called dressed, he left the bathroom, toweling his hair dry.

Mike smirked, snorting softly and turned in the chair, draping his legs over the arm. "Consider it pay back fer all th' bloody damned dog hair, ye little bugger..." he muttered still smirking. The bathroom door opening drew his attention and he moved to sit right as Saffron came into view.

"Wolves don't shed that much." Saffron said softly, with a slight smirk, eyeing Mike. "At least he doesn't drool... does he?" He asked, smirking a bit more.

Mike smirked softly. "He has his moments." he admitted with a grin. "Eire can get down righ' playful when he goes furry... Natey has never blinked twice over it... takes a bit fer me though..." he said with a slight shrug.

"Well, at least he can let loose like that... Most who've been stuck in the Illuminate, can't..." Saffron replied softly, hesitating a moment, before moving over to the couch, sitting down. "I don't remember him being so carefree, but then I only knew him two days..."

Mike leaned forward in the chair, his arms resting on his knees. "Saffron.... Eire..." Mike thought for a moment about how to phrase what he wanted to say. "Some times I think he's happiest as th' wolf. As th' wolf he's free... nothin' has t' exist except fer th' instinctual need fer things ifn tha's what he wants... he can just let go and BE..." he said softly. "As a man... he's no' so lucky. I don' really know how else t' put it..."

"I know." Saffron replied simply. "Out of any one here, Eire probably knows what it was like for me more then anyone else..." Saffron looked away a moment. "And that’s saying something considering no one understands..."

Mike sighed softly and moved to sit beside him on the couch, taking his hand. "I won' pretend t' understand what it was like fer ye, Saffron... I had a wonderful mum an' a great da... an' when da passed I was old enough t' step in an' help raise Natey. I had a good family, despite th' trouble tha' always managed t' pop up... I was damn lucky an' I know tha'. I know there are plenty of people tha' never know what tha's like. But I know m' brother has been through more then he ever shoulda,  althougth he rarely talks about it...tha' speaks fer itself, I suppose. An' I know what you must have had... is probably a dozen times worse than that. All I can say is... tha' yer not alone anymore... Ye've got yer family t' share all tha' pain with an' t' build anew... an' ye have th' lot of us." he added softly.

"Lexine and Larkin suffered enough; Lexine being Abadon's favorite slave, and Larkin being sold as a prostitute. They don't need any more suffering, from what Right has put me through." Saffron shook his head, then sighed, "He had a point last night... our escaping wasn't so simple...and I should have been able to kill them. I'm a death elemental..."

Mike frowned slightly as he gave Saffrons hand a soft squeeze. "Damn... th' three of ye really did get th' shitty end of th' stick when it came t' things, didnae ye?" he asked. "Well now... tha's over an' done with. M' brothers will see to it tha' yer brothers have things much better from now on... They'll have good decent happy lives from here on out as much as can be given t' them, anyhow.." he said, then caressed Saffron's chin lightly tipping his face slightly to look at him. "So can ye, ifn ye'll let us in. "

Saffron looked at him a moment, then shook his head slightly. "I'm walking death; a death elemental who doesn't like his abilities... letting any one in would be a mistake..." He said softly. "Even if I want to..."


~~

Nate snorted at Eire's comment but looked up to see the two appear. The pajama pants were rolled a time or two, as were the sleeves on the shirts. He was about to say they looked rather cute but decided against it. Larkin at least didn't look like he'd appreciate the comment. "Hope ye both had enough hot water..." he said, trying not to stare too much at Lexi.

"Would, if someone hadn't hogged the shower." Larkin muttered, giving Lexine a look.

"I felt dirty!" Lexine protested before shoving past Larkin, though he came up short, not sure where to go, seeing Nate and Eire standing there.

Nate noticed Lexine's hesitation and moved away from Eire a bit more. "We were just discussin' orderin' out fer breakfast... m' cupboards are a tad sad in th' selection department. " he said simply. "Why don' ye head over to th' couch an' make yerself comfy, Lexi... watch tv or something ifn ye like... th' places around here all know us an' are pretty darn fast... `Course, we usually send Bull.."

Lexine didn't move, blinking. Larkin shook his head. "Um... no offense, but Lexine's never seen a tv... let alone watched one. He was only introduced to a shower yesterday." Larkin said softly behind Lexine.

Eire slapped his forehead. "O' course...sorry... boy, must be a lot t' adjust t'...being in this world now."

"You could say that..." Lexine muttered with false bravado

Nate blinked then blushed. "Lards... I'm sorry, Lexi... I... I didnae know..." he said softly. "Would ye... would like me t' show ye?" he asked simply, easing past Eire and into the living room.

Lexine blinked then glanced at Larkin who gestured him to follow. Lexine turned tentatively and followed Nate.

Larkin on the other hand, went over to the fridge, aware of Eire watching him. "Yer the independent one, aren't ye?" Eire asked softly.

"Pretty much. Lexine and Saffron's were slaves, I made the choice of what I was growing up, but it was better then the alternatives." Larkin said simply.


~~

Mike sighed and let his thumb brush over his cheek. "No yer not, Saffron... Yer not walkin' death... Yer abilities are not who ye are… ther just what ye can do... Yer who ye make yerself t' be, darlin'. Ye were a slave an' an assassin. But yer out now. Now yer a big brother... an' whatever else ye care t' try t' be... Sky's th' limit darlin'." he said softly.

"Daughter of the Seal... door to keeping Abadon in… yus my choices are wonderful." Saffron said with a sarcastic smirk, before shaking his head, and gave Mike a smile. "It's a lot to get used too, being out after all these years... I'll have my moments..."

Mike smirked softly and let his hand fall away, the other still holding his. "Ye have family now.. an' ye have friends. Even if ye decide ye'd rather not have m' heart... I'd still like t' be yer friend, Saffron... an' ye'll no doubt be family anyhow, seein' as how our brothers are gettin' along..." he added with a wink. "I'm sure th' three of ye would be welcome here.... or ye can come t' Scotland with me an' see how ye care fer it. Big house.. lots o' room not so many people...."

Saffron sighed, glancing away from Mike a moment, before shaking his head. "I lied you know... We didn't run, we were sent here... but you guessed that already, haven't you?" He asked, looking back at Mike.

Mike smirked softly. "Pretty much, aye... It took five of us t' get Eire an' one survivin' friend away from th' Illuminati. An' that was with them already makin' a break fer it when we came across them. Three slaves suddenly gettin' th' backbone t' make a break fer it an' succeedin' on ther own an' knowin' right where t' go fer refuge?" he sighed, still smiling softly. "Aye lad... possible but no' likely. But tha' never mattered. Like I said... we've been waitin' fer a chance with Right... an' as long as ye want our help t' stay free... ye have it."

"I don't know why they sent us... and I didn't know what else to say..." Saffron replied simply with a weary smile. "But I don't think I'll ever be free...Lexine and Larkin, yus, I guess it was one reason I agreed to come here... to bring them here..."

Mike sighed and shook his head slightly, laying the palm of his hand on Saffron’s cheek. "Now don' ye be talkin' like that, darlin'.... ye can be just as free as yer brothers. There's no difference except where yer head is at." he said softly. "Come t' Scotland with me, Saffron. Meet m' mum... you'll like her... she'll get yer head straightened around in no time. Worked wonders with Eire. "

"Can I think about it?" Saffron asked softly, seriously. "I can't agree to anything right now knowing Right's coming..." He added, then sighed. "Would you mind if I took a walk in the building? Its big enough to walk and think, isn't it?"

"Aye it's big enough. Just stick to this floor or the one ye came in on... th' basement is... well actually, ye'd probably be fine. Th' wraiths arenae much fer visitors but I doubt they'd give ye any trouble, considerin'. I suppose ye don' care fer m' company then?" he asked with a slight smirk, "Can I at least find ye somethin' fer breakfast before ye go? Eire's place is a bust unless ye like massive amounts of sugar an' calories... But Natey usually has somethin' edible in his place..."

Saffron smiled slightly. "I'm not really hungry at the moment, but that might change later... after I have some time to think..." He said softly, hesitating a moment before leaning up and kissing Mike on the cheek. "You're great company, but I just need to think alone for a bit..."

Mike smiled softly. "Alright then, darlin'. Be careful an' stay clear of th' main doors... an' perhaps th' basement levels as well. Th' wraiths give me th' willies at times an' I'd rather not think of ye down there with them..." he said with a slight blush.

"I'll remember that..." Saffron said softly with a smile, before getting up. "Thank you Mike...what ever happens these next couple of days. I don't think I'd mind being friends with you... if not maybe more..." He said softly, hesitating a moment before heading for the door.

"Saffron." Mike called after him softly as he stood. "Don' go denyin' me tha' chance now." he said softly. "Ifn ye go slippin' off somewhere... ye know I'll come after ye. I won't let anyone hurt ye... an' that includes yerself." he said simply. "Please, lad. No runnin'."

Saffron paused at the door, looking back at him. "I can't leave Lexine and Larkin behind... so I won’t run..." He said softly, seriously, "You have my promise." He added before slipping out of the apartment. He paused a moment, before heading down the hall, back toward the guest rooms. If anything, he'd go to the guest room they slept in, and think. And as he thought that...he found himself wondering if he'd run into Graves...

Mike sighed softly as he watched Saffron leave then decided whether or not to go check on the others. With a smirk he decided to head down and check on things. They weren't open yet and he was considering it might be best to stay closed for a few days... They'd need all of them there when Right made his move anyhow.

~~

Nate lead the way around the couch and sat down, patting the seat beside him, knowing he wouldn't sit that close. He grabbed the remote and flicked the tv on, trying to remember if there was anything on worth showing him.

Lexine looked from Nate, to the TV and back, moving to sat down after a moment. "I know what a tv is... I just... never saw one..." He muttered pitifully.

Nate found a channel showing old Bugs bunny cartoons and figured you couldn't go wrong with that. He handed the remote to Lex as he turned to face him. "Lexi, sweetheart... don' sound so glum. There's nothin' wrong... I'm sorry fer th' way I reacted." he said softly. "Here... ye just press this button here t' change the channel..."

Lexine sighed, taking the remote and looked at it a moment before looking at the tv. After a moment, he looked at Nate. "Do you know how pathetic this is? Not knowing anything?" He asked softly before he suddenly burst into tears.

Nate looked in shock then reached out to gently slip his arms around him and pull him close. "Oh hush now, angel eyes... don' go cryin'!" he said softly. "It's not pathetic... it's innocent an' charmin' an.... an' not somethin' t be ashamed of in th' least."

Lexine sniffled with a sob, some how not pulling away from Nate, and actually clinging to him, "It is pathetic... I've been stuck in Abadon's realm all my life...We could watch the world go by, but never be a part of it… and he kept me in his bedroom..."

"It's alright, Lexi..." Nate said softly, resting his cheek against the damp red hair, his hands stroking his back comfortingly. "Thats over with. Yer free of all tha' now. I'm sorry fer all ye went through, sweetheart, but... yer safe now."

"Safe? Safe is a childhood dream I lost when I was sixteen..." Lexine replied with a sniffle, "When I lost when Evie... and Xander...." He found himself clinging to Nate.

Nate sighed softly as he held him. He kissed the top of Lex's head tenderly. "Safe is what ye are now, Lexi... Here with me."

"Can I stay here with you... forever?" Lexine asked with a sniffle and found himself snuggling against Nate, his head on his chest. He felt so very safe with Nate and didn't know why, but didn't want to think about why for a moment.

Nate smiled softly and turned his face to kiss the red hair again "Oh aye, Lexi... I'd love fer ye t' stay with me ferever..." he said softly. "I don't think ther's anythin' I'd like more..."

Lexine sniffled again and cuddled up to Nate, clinging to him like a child. "I've never had any one as nice as you, Nate... except Evie and Xander...and they're gone. I miss them so much..." He lay his head on Nate's chest, breathing in Nate's aftershave and cologne, finding it calming.

Nate settled back against the couch more, pulling Lexine with him, his arms feeling perfect wrapped around the tiny red head. "It's alright now, angel eyes.... I'm here fer ye... I won’t let anyone hurt ye ever again, sweetheart.." he said softly, brushing his lips over Lex's forehead. "I'll take care of ye, darlin'." he said, closing his eyes as he let his lips brush against his skin again.

"Why do you make me feel so safe...?" Lexine muttered, tired from sobbing, suddenly curling up on Nate's lap against him. This was the closest he'd ever been to a man and he didn't even know anything about Nate, except he felt so safe, and cared for.

Nate caught his breath at Lex's sudden move then wrapped his arms back around him again, cradling him in his arms. "I don't know, Lexi... but whatever it is, it works both ways, darlin'." he said softly. He was vaguely aware that they weren't alone; That their brothers were just a few feet away and yet it didn't matter... All that mattered was how wonderful and right it felt holding Lexine in his arms.


~

"So how'd ye get involved in this?" Eire asked. Larkin shut the fridge and looked at him. "I was a slave, to Eckhart in Paris, when Eckhart sold me to LiVed... who had some how gotten Lexine from Hell; he already had Saffron..." Larkin said softly.

Larkin looked into the living room and sighed softly. "That's a first..." He muttered softly.

Eire raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Lexine is...so fragile... perhaps the most fragile of the three of us..." Larkin said softly.

Larkin sighed, moving away from the door way, back toward the table. Eire held out a poptart with a soft smirk. Larkin eyed him a moment then smiled wearily and took it, breaking it in half and offered half back. Eire laughed softly and took the half. "In so many ways, Lexine is a child still... we're twenty two, but... he's never known anything outside being a sex slave to Abadon. The bastard was using him since he was eight, shackling him to his bed. In a way it was no different for me... my bitch of an adopted mother started pimping me out when I was eight... and Right began abusing Saffron when he was twelve..." Larkin said softy, not sure why he was talking so freely with Eire, except he felt so comfortable and safe.

Eire heard that about Right, and snapped the poptart in his hand. "Right needs to die, and I intend on doin' jus that." Eire said softly.

Larkin looked at him. "What's your history with Saff?"

Eire was quiet a moment, before sighing. "I was escaping the Illumanite and LiVed, when night fell I realized I was being followed. It turned out t' be Saffron... he was...sixteen, just gotten his wings as a matter o' fact..." He said softly. "LiVed had sent Saffron t' drag me ass back, 'r kill me. He didn't wanna kill me, but he couldn't go back with out me... so he... seduced me..." Eire said softly.

Larkin blinked. "You... you slept with him?" Larkin asked.

Eire snorted faintly then sighed again. "Aye... after tellin' him it was it was his choice... he said... he wanted t' know wha' it was like t' be with a man who wasn't usin' him..."

"Will...will he hurt him?" Larkin asked softly after a moment.

Eire glanced at him. "Who, Graves? I... I don't really think so... kinda hopin' though Saffron goes for Mikey..." He added with a faint smirk. "Make it even, ye know." He said.

Larkin snorted softly. "Saffron... needs some one who understands what it's like to be death..." Larkin said softly. "And some one who can dominate Saffron... in a good way."

Larkin blushed seeing Nate and Lexine the way they were, and turned, nibbling on the poptart. The move put him close to Eire, however, and he blushed even more. "Do you care about Saffron?" He asked softly, looking up at Eire... straight in to the sapphire blue eyes.

 "In a way..." Eire replied softly, making his move. His arm slipped around Larkin's waist, drawing him against him and he raised his other hand, to brush the damp hair back from Larkin's face. "Ye have emeralds fer eyes..." He said softly with a faint smile, leaning in and inhaling his scent, "An' ye smell like a summer evenin'..." Larkin's blush deepened incredibly but he didn't pull away, some how transfixed by Eire.


~

Graves was slowly putting his room back to order, his hair still wet from the shower. His door stood open and anything broken beyond repair he was chucking into the hall. His shirt was hanging off the door knob so it wouldn’t get wet from his hair, which only made him wonder if Saffron was still wearing his shirt or if she'd traded it for one of Mike’s....

Saffron wasn't watching where he was going as he turned the corner, walking slowly, and he stumbled over something. He gave a soft cry of pain as he cut his foot on something sharp and, stumbled in toward the open door, trying to catch his balance.

Graves heard the cry and jerked around in time to see Saffron stumble through his door, leaping to catch him. His hands slipped around him from behind and pulled him back against his chest. "Are you alright?" he softly. "Fuck... I didn't hit you with anything, did I?" he asked, moving to set him back on his feet.

Saffron startled slightly when Graves caught him, and turned his head slightly, looking up at him. He blinked, his eyes innocently wide. "N-no... I... I cut my foot..." He said softly, forcing himself to glance down to see the blood running over his foot. He looked around the room. "What... what did you do in here?"

Graves looked down and saw the blood and paled. "Ah fuck! Oh shit... damn..." he cursed, sweeping Saffron off his feet and carrying him to bed. He freed one arm to sweep aside the few things that sat in the way then set him down on the newly cleared spot. "Fuck fuck fuck..." he muttered as he knelt beside him and took hold of his foot, looking to see if anything was stuck in the cut, then grabbing a clean shirt from the bed to wrap around the wound. "Babe I'm so fucking sorry..." he said softly, hoping that whatever had healed him the other night would kick in and help again; the fact that he was hurt because of him bothering him a great deal.

"It’s...its fine! It’s just a cut!" Saffron protested blushing tremendously, and leaned down to stop him from ruining a clean shirt, but the position put him very close to Graves, his face close to his. Saffron's eyes widened a bit more innocently, but he didn't move, his breath catching at being so close. "It... it doesn't even hurt much now..." He said in a whisper.

Graves used the shirt to wipe the blood away so he could see the wound better, relieved to see that the bleeding was already slowing and the wound looked smaller than at first glance. He looked up to find Saffron a breath away. "I... I'm sorry." he said softly. "Damn..." he said, looking into Saffron's eyes. "Is it true...? are you really a boy just pretending to be a girl... or were they just screwing with me..?" he asked not moving an inch, letting Saffrons breath wash over him as he held the wounded foot tenderly.

Saffron stared, those eyes were so familiar and yet so different. "They... they were telling the truth..." He said in a whisper blushing darkly, and lowered his eyes submissively. "I am a boy... I was just... raised to be a girl... and it's all I know..." He replied in the same soft tone, still not moving.

Graves stared at him for a moment then looked back down at his foot to see the cut all but healed. He let go and moved to sit beside him, rubbing the blood on his hand off on the tshirt. "So why doesn't it matter?" he asked finally. "I figured I was falling for the most incredible girl... and here... you’re a boy. I'm not into boys..." he said, dropping the shirt into the floor and turning to face Saffron, his hand going to cup his face gently. "So why don’t I feel any different? Why do I still want you?" he asked softly.

Saffron stared up at him, Mike's words about owning Graves coming back to him. "I... I don't know... If you're not into boys, you shouldn't... you really shouldn't. You'd spare yourself the heart break and hurt when I betray you..." He took a deep breath and moved, pulling away from Graves touch though it made him feel... even more lonely when he did, and cold. He forced himself to start to get up. "If you're smart, you'll forget about me... you'll stay away. I've tried to tell Mike the same thing... and he won’t listen. Please... don't be a fool, like him."

Graves caught hold of his hand, pulling him back around to face him as he stood up. He looked down at him and smiled softly shaking his head softly as he stroked his cheek with his free hand. "Too late babe... I could never forget you... You're mine..." he said, leaning down to kiss him softly before wrapping both arms around him and kissing him deeper.

~

"You feel safe with me?" Lexine asked very softly, moving his head to look up at Nate, his eyes wide and round, sparkling with tears. He was very much innocent and childlike at that moment, and daring to trust Nate, WANTING to trust him.

Nate smiled softly, reaching up to brush the backs of his fingers over Lexine's cheek. "Not exactly, darlin'..." he said. "I feel good around ye... wonderful... amazin'... I ... I want t' keep ye safe an' ..." he sighed softly, kissing Lex's forehead tenderly. "An' I want t' love yer ferever an' never let ye go..." he finished softly.

Lexine stared up at him, slightly fearful. "How can you love me...? You don't know me... And I'm a slave...used for sex... that's all men want out of me... Right would use me that way, if LiVed let him... if Saffron wasn't so protective of me. Every time Right has tried to use me, Saffron pretty much gives himself to Right... You don't want to love a used slave..." Lexine whispered bitterly, the tears welling up again.

"Oh Lexi..." Nate said softly, kissing away the tears as they started to fall. "I don' know how or why... I just do. An' I don' love a used slave. I love an innocent, lovely lad who sees everythin' so fresh an' new... an' who makes m' heart sing just by lookin' at me with th' most gorgeous eyes I've ever seen..." he said softly. "How can I love ye without knowin' ye? How can ye feel so safe with me without knowin' me, sweetheart? It's just is... It’s like ye were meant fer me..."

Lexine whimpered softly, looking at him a long moment before moving again, laying his head back on Nate's chest, not sure what to say. "Maybe... maybe I was. I'm not sure I was meant for any one." Lexine whispered.

Nate smiled softly and stroked his hair as he held him. "I believe ye were meant fer me, Lexi... or I was meant fer ye. Either way... this is where ye belong... Right here in m' arms."

"I... I believe you..." Lexine answered in a whisper looking back up at Nate, his eyes wide, but serious. "I don't know why, but I do..."

Nate smiled softly, letting his fingers trail over Lexi's cheek. "Good… `cause its the truth." he said, blushing slightly. "Lexi... I know ye've been hurt somethin' awful by men yer whole life. I promise ye, darlin... I'm not like tha'... I'll never ask fer anythin' yer not willin' t' give... an' ye never have t' agree t’ somethin' ye don't want..." he said softly. "Tha' favor I was goin' t' ask fer before... I was goin' t' ask if I could kiss ye... but I chickened out." he admitted with a soft laugh. "But lards... angel eyes... I want t'… Can I, Lexi? Would it be alright if I gave ye a wee kiss?"

Lexine looked up at him raising a hand to wipe at the tears on his cheek, his hand brushing Nate's fingers, and for a moment he hesitated, before taking his hand. He bit his lip, lowering his eyes submissively. "I've never been kissed... not by someone who... cares..." He replied in a whisper.

Nate leaned in and kissed the tip of Lexi's nose, smiling softly. "May I be yer first kiss, then, sweetheart?" he asked, wondering at the way his heart seemed to be trying to leap right out of his chest and yet at the same time, he felt so peaceful...

Lexine bit his lip a bit more, considering, it was hard for him to think, he was getting conflicting emotions from both Larkin and Saffron. Saffron's was the hardest to deal with, and he knew it was affecting both him and Larkin. He nodded however in answer to Nate, not trusting himself to speak.

Nate smiled softly at the nod and kissed his nose again before he brushed his lips tenderly over Lex's, letting the gentle brush last a moment before kissing him more fully but just as gently.

Lexine gasped softly at the kiss, never having felt anything so wonderful, but at the same time, Saffron's feelings were so overwhelming, that he started crying softly again.


~

Eire nuzzled Larkin's neck, kissing the place behind his ear and Larkin whimpered softly, his eyes closing as he leaned against Eire.

He smiled grimly after a moment, with a soft snort. "You're very charming, Eire... I could fall for you..." Larkin said very softly. "But I'm broken and I think it would be wiser if I kept my distance..."

Eire kissed Larkin's jaw, working toward his lips. "Let me fix ye..." Eire replied in the same soft tone. Larkin gasped.

"I don't know if you could fix me Eire... but for some reason, I don't think I'd mind if you tried..." Larkin whispered and shook his head, but the action brought Eire's lips to his and Larkin gasped again, as Eire tightened his arms around him, kissing him possessively.

Eire let Larkin pull back from the kiss at his own choice. Larkin stared up at him wide eyed, blinking. "W-why'd you do that?" Larkin asked in a confused whisper.

 Eire snorted softly with a faint smirk. "'Cause... ye looked so damn kissable..." He answered softly. Larkin blushed deeply. "Are ye mad at me...fer doin' it?" Eire asked softly, running the back of his fingers over his cheek, and down his neck. Larkin blushed, but shook his head slightly.

Larkin wanted to say something more to Eire but he was picking up strongly on Saffron's feelings, and he suddenly brust into tears. Eire blinked, and gave a soft curse, before pulling Larkin into his arms, holding him. "Ne'er had any one start cryin' jus' cause I kissed them..." Eire said softly, glancing toward the living room at Nate and Lexine.

Eire continued to hold Larkin, doing his best to comfort him. "Is it me fault?" He asked softly.

Larkin shook his head hastily. "N-n-no, its Saffron..." Larkin sobbed softly.

Eire pulled back enough to tip Larkin's chin and look at him, the concern  obviously. "What's wrong with Saffron?"

"He's... he's upset..." Larkin muttered.

"Do ye know wha's wrong?" Eire asked softly, caressing Larkin's face.

Larkin sighed. "I think.. .he's... something reminded him of Rin..." Larkin replied softly.


~

Mike closed his eyes and listened as the voices stopped, smiling a bit sadly as he turned and headed back out to the desk where he'd been when he'd heard Saffron's cry and come running. It seemed as if Grave’s feelings were more serious then he'd given him credit for....

Saffron fell into the kiss, trying to remember if Landan had kissed him like this, but the thought of Landan made him pull away with a cry. "No, don't, please! I can't!" Saffron cried softly, unable to hold back the tears, and he pulled away from Graves with a soft sob, turning and stumbling out the door. The kiss had been wonderful but it'd been too much; Graves reminded him to much of one man Saffron had loved and was now dead because of him and another who'd only used him and broken his heart. He stumbled into the hall, the tears blinding him as he sobbed, unable to hold back all the tears he'd kept inside, and struggled to make it back toward the apartments, not knowing where else to go.

Graves watched him go in shock, his heart hurting as he realized he'd somehow managed to hurt him again. He gave a wordless cry and turned slamming his fist into the nearest wall before slumping back down on the bed.

Mike turned as he heard Saffron’s cry and saw him stumbling blindly towards him. He hurried forward catching hold of him. "Saffron? Angel are ye alright?” he asked softly. "I'm sorry luv... I shoulda stepped in an'..." he pulled him into his arms. "It's alright, angel... I've got ye, now..." he said softly, wondering what the hell Graves had done...

Saffron clung to Mike, sobbing, his eyes closed, but the tears not stopping. "I... I don't know..." He cried softly. "Oh gods... he's too much like Rin! And Landan... and it hurts, so much! I'm so confused! Gods, I hate Landan!" He sobbed, trembling terribly but he'd never cried liked this, he'd never let it out. Part of him was shocked by the fact that it happening just because Graves had kissed him so wonderfully, and part of him was even more shocked that he was clinging to Mike and letting himself cry like this.

Mike held him tenderly, stroking his hair and back as he cried. "Angel... are ye sayin' tha'.. Matt didnae hurt ye at all...? Yer upset just because... he reminds ye of someone else?" he asked softly.

Saffron snorted softly through the tears, his face against Mike's shoulder, the sobs still wracking through him. "Two somebodys, two somebodies I loved... so much. One died... because of me... and the other betrayed me... broke my heart..." He cried. Part of him wished he could explain this to Graves. "He only kissed me..."

Mike held him, stroking his hair and back as the sobs continued, both guiltily enjoying the closeness and wondering why he was feeling sorry for Matt... The guy was a jack ass and Saffron was better off without him... everyone was better off without him. It was a good thing that Saffron was out here with him rather than in there, and yet...  He looked up at the sound of a splintering crash and saw the remains of wooden chair laying in the hall ontop of a few other shattered objects. He sighed and kissed the top of Safron's head, trying to get rid of the little angel on his shoulder that was trying to convince to go down the hall and talk to Graves...

Saffron jumped at the sound of the crash, and turned slightly in Mike's arms to look back, while trying to get a handle on the tears; trying to get them to stop. It didn't seem like they wanted to stop, years worth of tears coming flooding out. He turned back into Mike's arms, burying his face in his shoulder, and let himself cry.

Mike sighed heavily and gave the angel a mental flick off his shoulder; Matt could wait... Saffron couldn't. He swept the hysterically sobbing young man into his arms, kising his forehead tenderly. "Its alrigh', luv... I've got ye... let's get ye outta here..." he said softly as he carried him back towards the hall that lead to the apartments, wishing now he'd kept his...

Normally Saffron would have struggled if some one had picked him up, the last person to carry him like this, was Rin, and that had been so long ago... but, he didn't have the strength to cry and fight at the same time so he gave in, letting Mike carry him.

Mike tried not to think about how wonderful Saffron felt in his arms; how good it felt to have him clinging to him like this; needing him. He turned his head enough to press another kiss to the top of his head as he turned down the hall that lead to the apartments then passed Eire’s door to kick lightly at Nate's. He was going to take Saffron into Eire's and wanted to make sure they didn't bother him.

Saffron curled up more in Mike's arms, his face buried against Mike's chest, hiccuping on the sobs and gasping for breath. He knew Lexine and Larkin were no doubt feeling what he was, and did his best to shut down the link between them.


~

Nate felt the warm wetnes hit his face as he kissed him, startling him. He pulled back enough to see the tears running freely donw Lex's cheeks. "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked softly, brushing a tear away with his thumb then kissing away another. "What did I do?" he asked, cradling him a bit tighter in his arms as if afriad he'd suddenly pull away.

Lexine cuddled against Nate, needing the comfort more then anything. "Is not you..." Lexine sniffled softly in a whisper. "Saffron's upset...  I've... I've never felt him so strongly effected by something. I don't know...we... as triplets we can feel each others feelings. Some times...we can send thoughts to each other..." Lexine added with another sniffle. "I'm sorry..." He suddenly burst into tears of his own. "That ruined my first kiss!"

Nate laughed softly and kissed Lex's nose again. "Ah angel eyes! Hush now, luv! I promise ye... I'll give ye all th' kisses ye want..." he said softly. He turned slightly to glance over the back of the couch at Eire as a soft thump sounded at the door, jerking his head slightly for Eire to answer it since Lexine was still planted on his lap.

Eire sighed, catching Nate's look and knowing who was at the door. He kissed Larkin on the forehead, reluctant to let him go, "I'll be right back, pet." He said softly, making himself let go of Larkin and go to the door, opening it enough and sighed, seeing Mike with Saffron. "Aye? Need us t' go kick Graves' ass?"

Mike smirked softly and shook his head. "No... th' man actually isnae directly t' blame fer this... although he is makin' a hell of a mess in th' hall. Saffron needs some time an' quiet... an' he'll get neither in his room." Mike said simply. "Are th' two of ye stayin' in here so I can take her t' yer place? Or should I go let m'self int' Kays?"

"We were gonna order out fer breakfast... but aye, go 'head an' use me place...we'll stay in 'ere. I don't think Lexine an' Larkin are up much fer leavin' anyway. They feel wha' Saffron there does...so..." Eire said softly, feeling some how... heart broken at seeing Saffron so fragile and hurt. Saffron had always tried to be so strong.

Larkin leaned against the counter in the kitchen, trying to get a hold on what he was feeling and thinking about Saffron, and what Lexine was feeling, such a innocent curiosity and serious attraction to Nate.

Mike snorted softly. "Alrigh'. Holler ifn ye need me." he said softly and headed back to the Eire's door, balancing Saffron breifly so he could open the door quickly and toe it shut behind him.

Eire shut the door silently and with out a glance at Nate and Lexine, slipped back into the kitchen, pulling Larkin back into his arms. "Do ye wanna go some where else... we can go t' one o' the offices... or the roof..." Eire said softly. "Roof's not pretty, but it's empty and private..."


~