One would expect the air to be thick with tension and lack of words to settle in the villa by the cliff. It was supposed to be that way if fate were to play the usual cards. Yet, to Briar’s surprise, he was greeted by a smiling sorcerer who cooked eggs on toast along with a hum when he descended the stairs every morning. The table was prepared for breakfast from the utensils to the cups bearing fresh water, another part which made the young man bite his lips and chide himself for making the sorcerer do all the work despite the other telling him it was all right. There was no air of animosity or stolen stares to affirm one’s true feelings. Or whether it was all pretend for the sake of the relationship to crumble. No, Castriel was indeed in great spirit while Briar was left to ponder as to how he does it.

“Good morning, Briar.”

“G-good morning!” Stiff as a wooden board, the young master crossed the space between the stairs and the dining table. Unsure of what to do or what to say. He thought he could be civil with him since he agreed to give the museum curator a chance, having the upper hand in this courtship, but he couldn’t. They had been doing this uneasy dance for three days now, filled with hesitant steps—back and forth. Since that night, Briar found it hard to look the sorcerer in the eye without flickering to his lips. Lips that pressed so softly, yet eagerly against him during that heated moment to express his fondness for the young master. The mere image flashing before his eyes made Briar melt like the butter that glazed his bread. It didn’t help that the sorcerer was always trying to please him, showing up whenever he needed help in washing the dishes or merely laundry his used clothing.

He’s so nice to me despite how I barely speak to him these past few days, Briar mused to himself as he stood behind his chair in contemplation. Maybe I should offer to make lunch at noon… I feel bad he has to cook for us both.

Castriel noticed hesitation behind those sapphire irises and gestured to the chair, stifling a chuckle every time the other resembles an untrusting sheep. Immediately, the young man did avoid touching anything that might unravel or disturb the feast the blond has made for two. Waiting in silence, Briar sat there with his eyes trained on every movement of Castriel who was finishing up toasting the last batch of bread in the clay oven. Eyes wandering to the cupboard and porcelain cups that aligned perfectly in it, the young man couldn’t help but miss the mornings with his aunt. It has only been ten days since he left but he dearly wanted to see her soon. Not that he found the company of Castriel irritating or depressing—the sorcerer always did a good job of meeting his needs.

Perhaps a little too good.

“Do you want to go out this afternoon?” Castriel questioned as he finished, the plate of toasted bread settling beside the jam. Briar’s stomach was close to letting out a grumble at the delicious sight of food when the sorcerer asked, diverting his attention to the blond. “We haven’t left the house since we had a picnic. I figured you must be bored out of your mind sitting inside all day.”

“I’m not bored…” Briar lightly laughed as he reached for a piece of bread, a bit famished and sleepy. Last night he wasn’t able to rest well due to tossing and turning. His traitorous mind chooses to think of Castriel and Icarus instead of sleeping as the young master wanted. “Where to?” he inquired, trying to focus on his meal rather than on the tantalizing scent of Castriel wafting with the breeze that entered the window and through him. Rubbing the back of his right leg with his other toe, the young master fought back the memory of sharing a kiss with the man across from him.

Why can’t I get that kiss out of my head?

“Somewhere in the forest. I need to collect herbs and leaves. I need to dry them out under the sun before we head back to town soon. Winter might be upon us any day now…” Castriel responded, biting into his own bread, and chewed silently. Steam clouded nearby him due to the cup of coffee nestled in between other plates. Pondering over how to ask the young master, the sorcerer swallowed. “So, I’d… like to be in your company, if it’s all right with you?”

“Herbs?” The other echoed then nodded in understanding. Briar figured it was for another purpose rather than for cooking. “Oh, you’re using them for your potions or something? Wait, do you even make those?” Thoughts spiraling, the young master then stopped short to stare at the museum curator with the realization of how he has never seen the blond cast any spells or do anything noteworthy to say he is indeed a sorcerer.

Castriel grinned fondly at the inquiry. “Yes, for those. I usually make a few in this villa whenever I’m not busy being a museum curator. However, they’re just potions to either ward off pests or help plants grow. It’s quite useful for the caretaker here and back at my home in town.”

“Sometimes I forget you have magic or even a sorcerer,” Briar admitted softly, glancing at the sorcerer to see his reaction to the statement. Castriel merely laughed causing the young man to get flustered. “I know, it’s silly. But you haven’t really shown me any spells or whatever sorcerers usually conjure. Do you hardly use it?”

“No, no. It’s all right.” The sorcerer’s irises were filled with mirth for the curious young man, barely stirring his spoon on the hot coffee or paying attention to the liquid slightly spilling on the rim. “And yes, I barely use it since I haven’t found the need to.” Seeing the interesting sparkle in the window of Briar’s soul, he added. “Would you want to see? A spell?”

At the suggestion, Briar hummed in delight. “That would be fun to see. I haven’t met any sorcerers that were as gentle and friendly as you. You can show me a spell or two afterward. Whenever you’re comfortable.”

“I see. Take this one as an invite and an example then.” Out of thin air, a flower as bright and as merry as the sun was in Castriel’s hand. Lips in a round shape, Briar didn’t know whether to clap or gasp in amazement as he sat there in awe. He even wanted to ask how he did that when there were no flowers in the vicinity as cheery as the one on his hand. Nevertheless, he was completely amazed. “I also want to take you to the field of flowers beyond the forest. Marigolds are often blooming up there. You might find it splendid, a pleasant place to have tea and cake. Or a hearty lunch. Would you care to accompany me there?”

How could Briar say no?

“All right.”

༻❈༺

Arriving at the forest in the middle of noon where the sun was at its peak, the same time when they first had their quaint picnic, Briar rested on a rock while waiting for the sorcerer to finish gathering up herbs nestled beside logs and other plants. Every time the other held up a batch that looked like overgrown weeds to the young man, he didn’t have the heart to joke at how it looked hideous. Not when Castriel appeared to be serious. After picking the herbs he needed, both continued their walk through humungous trees and greens taking up every space. Sunlight dappled through the cracks and branches, illuminating the forest floor.

The smell of wood and leaves grew faint as they ended up at the end of their trail where trees started to scatter, a clearing up ahead. Squinting at the light hitting his eyes, Briar held a breath in as he stepped forward until a sweet aroma baffled his nostrils for a second. Upon opening his eyes, he gasped at the sea of yellow marigolds painting the greenery with its vivid color. A lone tree rooted in the middle, the perfect place to take shade and watch the flowers dancing with the wind. Taken away by its beauty, he stood there for a few more moments, trying to capture everything until Castriel held out a hand for him to take.

“Breathtaking, isn’t it?”

“Very…” Briar airily responded, taking the sorcerer’s hand and following him through the field of lush sunlight yellow. Treading carefully to not step over the flowers, the two navigate carefully until they reached the tree generous with the shade it gives. Setting down the cloth they brought along with a basket packed with food, Castriel then patted the empty space which Briar happily took. Starving, both of them started digging into the sandwiches and sliced apples along with grapes. Giggling to himself, Briar sighed softly. “I could stay here forever, you know? You can hardly find a field of flowers like this back in town… Well, mostly because houses are being built and other establishments. I bet the princess or the king doesn’t have a field of gold such as this!”

Castriel smiled, pouring himself a glass of water. “The king does own a lot of land, but can’t enjoy himself with such due to his duties. You can say we’re quite fortunate.” Briar laughed, nodding in agreement at the notion. Silence swept over them, Briar admiring the flowers while the other was busying himself staring at the young man. Licking his lips, Castriel glanced down at his cup. “To be honest, I’m still stunned at how you accepted my request… I was quite prepared to be turned down.”

Briar averted his gaze from the flowers to stare at Castriel, smile faltering. Yet, it wasn’t out of sadness but of solemnity. “Well, it wouldn’t be fair to turn you down right away, especially when we agreed to get to know one another in a span of a month. You’ve been so good to me; I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t. Besides, it won’t hurt… to be loved by you.” Popping a blueberry into his mouth, Briar glanced at the sorcerer with a full grin this time, causing the blond to blink in astonishment.  “I realized something that night. Icarus is set to be married off to someone on his birthday—his mother arranged it for him. But even if he wasn’t, I was still going to give you a chance. And…” Lowering his eyes to the cloth which seemed interesting at the moment, Briar muttered. “And I know that you will treat me right.”

Castriel, speechless, moved his head away to conceal his flustered face. Hand covering his lips that might blurt out something he may regret later, but Briar immediately read it as a disappointed reaction. Sheepish and sorry for his words, the young master’s hand started waving around while words of apology streamed out of his mouth.

“Oh my, did I say something wrong? Well, I don’t actually think you were ever going to treat me horribly. You are truly a gentleman and one I am so lucky to meet. I bet all the ladies and gentlemen who had the chance to spend time with you were left with such an impression. I didn’t mean to offend you! Please don’t be mad at me—”

A gentle but persuasive force brought Briar to hit his back on the cloth, the fallen leaves nearby leaving the earth for momentum before floating back down again. Lips against lips, heat shared and eyes staring back at each other. One in surprise and the other in desire. Castriel then lifted his head, holding back the temptation to go down for another.

Looming above the astonished young man, Castriel exhaled at the beautiful sight just below him pinned by his palms to the white cloth they brought. Skin flushed from his face to the tips of his ears, Briar’s innocent yet obscene expression tempted the sorcerer to skim through his neck and down to the dips of his inner thighs. And Castriel let himself be taken by such a scene, hand pulling away from a wrist to settle on soft flesh. His gaze shifted from the parting of his lips, the fluttering of his eyes to the stray strands of midnight blue dancing to the tune of the wind. Everything about the man lying underneath him called for protection, the need to embrace. And to take and claim. It took all of Castriel’s willpower to dive into his waters and willingly drown in the scent that promised ecstasy which was meant for another, but he didn’t care.

Icarus Lir was not here to dampen the parade nor Briar muttered someone else’s name. He was all open for Castriel and only for him at this moment.

Briar sucked in a tiny breath at the intimate touch caressing his warm cheek, blush blooming and skittering under curious fingertips that dipped to the crook of his neck, right above his beating pulse. Mind in a mush at the kiss and gaze brought by Castriel. A reminder of the reality and what position they were in as of this moment, yet it didn’t deter both of them for no peering eyes were judging nor to widen. And much to Briar’s astonishment, he let it all happen.

He has been fearing one thing since this trip occurred, having only realized this now that he had a taste of a man who wasn’t Icarus. It wasn’t because of the hidden agenda Castriel had or what secrets he might know. Everything he feared could be solved one way or another, but to solve matters of the heart was too complicated and too messy for Briar. Having been in love with Icarus cemented the idea of having him as a partner for the rest of their lives, never opening his heart to another. But here was Castriel, chipping through that wall he built that has been crumbling since the nephilim broke his heart.

He has been fearing falling in love with Castriel Persimore.

“You trust me too much, Briar.” Castriel suddenly spoke, albeit in a low tone. “I’m far from a gentleman. Even now I want to continue kissing you senseless until all you can taste in your sweet lips is me. A gentleman wouldn’t do this or say things like that to you at all.”