25-Feb-2002
Title: The Secret Vow
Author: Ebonydove
Pairings: 1+2/2+1
Warnings: Yaoi, sap
Author's Notes: Duo POV. Takes place at the end of the first war, before
the Mariemeia Incident. (EW) The song lyrics are from Sting, the CD is
Nothing Like the Sun and I lay no claim or right to that either.
"Secret Marriage" was adapted by from a melody by Hans Eisler. Eisler was
a colleague of the well-known playwright, Bertolt Brecht, who like him, fled to
America to escape the Nazis who hounded him for the rest of his life in various
disguises. Dedicated to my friend, Fire-Elf who has been a great
support!
Disclaimer: All I'm taking ownership of is the unrelenting sap inflicted
upon the characters of GW. Anything else would be unjust.
I struggled to open my eyes, no recollection of where I was, or how I got there. I blinked a few times in the cool light of morning, waiting for the familiar chill to wake me, to bite at my flesh and snap me back to our unrelenting work. But oddly enough, today there was no chill at all in the dimly lit room.
In fact, I was warm. Warmth I felt throughout my whole body. I slowly let my senses stretch out in the room I found myself in, and smiled when I realized the warmth I was surrounded by was from you, and the place we were in was somewhere safe. The soft rhythmic sounds of your breath as you slept, lulled me back towards the dream world I just woke from. I felt you stir against me, and lay my hand upon yours to reassure you.
No earthly church has ever blessed our union,
No state has ever granted us permission,
No family bond as ever made us two,
No company has ever earned commission
You were safe next to me. Not some a phantom, or ghost about to disappear like a wisp of smoke that I had conjured in a weakened moment of pain and despair. The muffled sounds of the passing world were distant in my ears now. The cheers and sighs, the sobbing and laughter, not more than whispers in the early light of dawn. The sun crept its way in cautiously through the window, as if asking permission to shine upon us.
No debt was paid, no dowry to be gained,
No treaty over border land or power,
No semblance of the world outside remained,
To stain the beauty of this nuptial hour
Your skin was soft against mine, your hands had been strong and sure as they roamed over our battle worn bodies as we had pressed against each other. Our lovemaking was like a burning flame that grew too hot to feel any pain after it had scorched our souls. The night was filled with a passion that had been building since my eyes first sought refuge in yours.
The rustling sound of fabric against my skin and a scent I could never mistake for anyone else drifted lazily through the air. It filled my brain with every memory I had of you, every gaze, every smile, and every tear I saw in their hidden depths. Memories carefully tucked away for a time where I could reflect and revel in them. Waiting until now, this morning, when the light of day would find us, and warm our frozen souls. When the screaming and bloodlust had been silenced with the promise of a new and forgiving future.
No flowers on the altar,
No white veil in your hair,
No maiden dress to alter,
No bible oath to swear
I took a deep breath and settled against you. A growing sense of calm washed over me, soothing the aches I felt. My tortured mind and body felt the reprieve of your arms holding me fast against you. You had given me your strength, your spirit, your love, and like I swore I would, I gave you my vow in return.
You began to stir next to me, letting a soft sigh escape your mouth. You rolled over and opened heavy lidded eyes at me. "Yes, I'm still here." You whispered as you kissed my swollen lips.
I had to smile. "I almost didn't think you would be."
He rubbed his eyes and brushed some hair from his face as he leaned up on one elbow to stare down at me. "Why?"
I closed my eyes again, not wanting to break the carefully woven spell that I reveled in. But I knew we couldn't stay in this tiny hotel room forever, hiding from the world we had just saved. So I rolled into his warmth once more and placed a gentle kiss on his shoulder. "Because I thought it was a dream."
"You brought me here. Didn't you?" His kiss washed over me like a whisper making me want to reach for him again and never let him go.
"After you fell from the sky."
"I frightened you, didn't I?" He ran cautious fingers through my unbound hair and stared at me with eyes full of questions he'd never ask. "I love you always."
The secret marriage vow is never spoken
"I know." I kissed his forehead softly before sliding from the bed to disappear into the reality of the morning. I paused at the door to the bathroom allowing my eyes to meet his once more. "Come find me when you're ready, k?" Then I went into the bathroom and ran the water, letting the steam begin to build and swirl giving him plenty of time to dress. I'm sure he would once he heard the running water and smelled the fragrance and soap.
I would let the water wash over me and drown out the sounds of the crowds, and his words, and the pounding of my blood as it raced through my body. I would let the hot spray silence that voice in my head that screamed at me for my resolve. A short time later when I had steeled myself I would face the emptiness, but for now I was content to remember each and every moment we had shared in the night. And the vow we had made.
The secret marriage vow cannot be broken
The smell of lilac and the sunlight coming from the room that morning would always linger in my mind. Those were the things I had been thinking when I heard the door softly click behind him as he left. I got dressed and braided my hair, ready to leave the comfort of this tiny space. I gathered my meager belongings and let my eyes linger briefly over the room before closing the door and making my way downstairs.
I stepped onto the street, blinking in the early light of day and began walking towards nothing in particular. I wormed my way through the endless crowd of celebrants and refused to turn around. I remembered each stolen moment I had known and smiled as I wandered toward my unknown future.
fini
(:./ebony/vow)
