The bed room was comfortable with a country decor, a large old fashioned sturdy bed, and a wood stove. A bay window in one wall looking out over the front yard. Matt glanced around the room, making sure there was no one waiting for them, knowing he was being paranoid but not really caring. He carried Saffron straight to the bed and after managing to get the blankets pulled down a bit more, lay him down. He sighed and sat on the bed beside him, stroking his hair idly. "Hang in there, babe... don't leave me...." he said softly.

There was a few moments of silence, before the door opened and a shock of vivid purple hair sticking up on all ends was seen before a small, short asian girl was coming toward the bed, carrying something electronic in her hand. "Good evening. I'm Mariko. I'll be your technicological break down for this evening." She said, before leaning close to Saffron, studying the collar.

Matt eyed her a moment, then gave a soft snort and shifted over enough to give her more room. "You get that thing off him without hurting him, and I won't care what you claim to be.. you'll be a fucking angel in my eyes." he said, his eyes going right back to Saffron as he took hold of one limp hand and rubbed his fingers tenderly.

Mariko snickered, casting Matt an appraising look, before looking back at the collar; she reach over, starting to turn it around, but Saffron's hand shot up, grabbing her wrist, Mariko jumped. "Whoa, hey, didn't mean nuthin' by it." She said easily.

"Don't touch it." Saffron hissed. Mariko raised a peirced eyebrow.

Matt leaned forward and stroked Saffron;s cheek. "Hey.. ease off, kid...your friend sent her up to see about getting rid of the damned thing.." he said softly.

"Tampering with it will make it worse." Saffron breathed, eyeing Mariko.

Mariko snorted, cracking her knuckles, lunged forward, and screwed the collar around before Saffron could shove her away. She pulled the mini digital camcorder from her pocket and turned it on. "A couple hours research and it'll be no problem. There hasn't been a collar yet that I haven't been able to break, including those ugly leather monstosities the old...slavers used."

Matt snorted softly and gave Saffron’s hand a gentle squeeze. "Let her look, kid... what have you got to loose?" he asked softly.

"Everything..." Saffron muttered, but put up no more of a fight against the vibrant young woman. Mariko took a few more pictures, then nodded almost to herself, putting up the camera. "No worries, I can do it." She said cheerfully, heading for the door with out saying anything else.

Matt waited until she was gone then stretched out on the bed next to him, one hand propping his head up while the other played with Saffron's hair. "Why didn't you ask me about.. my father?" he asked softly. "Your friend saw it.. some resemblance.... and I know you did too..."

"Your father?!" Saffron sighed deeply, before closing his eyes again, his head turned away from Matt. "So then it is true...Because I've spent a great deal of time trying to get over Rin and not think about him, because every time I do think about him, it only hurts more and now I've gone and fallen in love with his son."

Matt sighed and ran his fngers over his cheek, turning his face back towards him. "Forget him, babe.. like I told your friend... as far as I'm concerned.. I don't have a father. He was never in my life and he never will be." he said softly, his fingers brushing over Saffron’s lips gently, smiling  at the words 'fallen in love'.

"It's easy for you, you've never met him..." Saffron answered softly before sighing. "Rin is so...two sided...he can be so...Drow one moment, then...so...real the next..." He shook his head slightly, eyes still closed. "It was no wonder I fell so hard for him..."

Matt leaned down and kissed him softly. "But that's over... and now you’re with me. He was stupid enough to let you go... I'm not. I'll never hurt you or let you go.." he said softly, looking him straight in the eye. "I've never been lucky enough to know what it's like to really be in love with someone... and now that I do... I won't let it slip away..."

Saffron looked up at him, holding his gaze for a long moment. "Do you really love me?" He asked in a soft whisper.

Matt rubbed his thumb over Saffron's bottom lip and smiled almost bashfuly. "Yeah...I do. I know it sounds crazy.. but.. the thought of not being with you physically hurts...." he said, slipping his hand to cradle Saffron’s face in the palm of his hand. "No one has ever made me feel like you do, Saffron... no one."

Saffron sighed softly, closing his eyes against the sudden rush of tears. "Boy, we're in a lot of trouble..." He muttered, a weary smirk touching his lips. With a second sigh, he looked at Matt. "It's not crazy...not if you accept that I've fallen in love with you...even after I intended on keeping my distance...You shouldn't have kissed me..."

Matt smiled softly. "Yes I should have." he said simply, kissing him again softly. "Kising you was the best thing I've ever done... the smartest..." he said with another tender kiss.

"But only led to me falling in love with you..." Saffron answered softly from behind the kiss.

"Yeah... same here.. like I said.." he said between more tender breif kisses. "Best thing I ever did..." he said softly, letting the next kiss linger as his fingers slid back into Saffron’s hair, cradling his head tenderly.

Saffron opened his eyes, looking up at Matt. "So then...I guess that makes us a couple..." He said softly. "A first for me..."

Matt pulled back enough to look into his eyes again, smiling softly. "Guess it does." he said softly then grinned and shifted to pull a chain off over his head and slip it over Saffron's. "There... consider it your 'going steady' ring, or whatever they used to call them. Promise ring? Yeah.. sounds right... " he said softly as he leaned back down, his fingers playing with the crystal amulet as it lay against Saffron's bare chest.

Saffron looked from the pendent to Matt, his fingers meeting Matt's at the crystal. His eyes were innocently wide. "You're absolutely serious about this, aren't you?" He asked breathlessly after a moment.

Matt looked up to meet his eyes and smiled. "Yeah, babe.. I am. I've never been more serious." he said simply. "I've had this since my tenth birthday... the day before I died. It's the only piece of my old life I still have."

Saffron looked back down at the phoenix, fingering it. "It's beautiful..." He said softly, not sure what else to say to all this. More the fact that Matt had given it to him then anything was the confusing part. He wasn't sure he could believe Matt wanted him, even after everything he'd learned about him.

Matt sighed and lay down. "Come here... you have to be hurting laying like that." he said then blushed  as he laughed softly. "Besides.. I want to hold you again..."

Saffron looked back at him. With a soft blush, he moved, sliding closer, although his head spun from the movement. Then he remembered. "My sword! Did I loose it again?"

Mat slipped his arms around him, holding him close. "No... it's in the car... someone will bring it in with my bag... couldn't carry it and you at the same time.. and you were more important.." he said softly.

"I'm surprised I even managed to summon one..." Saffron muttered, laying against him. "I may not be partial to being a death elemental, but I my swords have seen me through quiet a lot..."

"Popular theory has it you managed to call it because of the bond with the Seal.." Matt said, rubbing his hand lightly over over Saffron’s arm as he held him.  "And hey... its a pretty fucking awesome sword. I'm jealous..."

Saffron smirked slightly. "I have two, matching. Every elemental has a weapon unique to them...those are mine." He said softly.

"Hmm..." Matt said as he bent to kiss Saffron's shoulder. "And all I have are my knives and my machete... I feel cheated."

"Buy yourself a sword. Better yet, become an elemental." Saffron replied, smiling a bit more. For once, in a long time, slowly becoming at ease.

"Swords are too big and clumsy. Hard to conceal under a jacket too." Matt said with a smirk. "And I wasn't aware that being an elemental was optional..."

"It's not. Unfortunately." Saffron muttered. "Obivious, you've never handled the right sword. Not all of them are big and clumsy. Just have to know how to handle one..." He muttered, before wincing. It was Rin who taught him how to fight with a sword...

Matt frowned slightly. "Are you alright?" he asked, worried. "Fuck.. I didn't hurt you did I? I'm trying to be careful..." he said, moving his arms slightly away from Saffron's back, but still trying to hold him.

"No...Just a stray thought." Saffron answered softly, before sighing. "It was Rin who taught me how to use a sword...one of the few useful things I got out of him I suppose... he really was quite good there..."

Matt slowly let himself relax, tightening his hold on on Saffron again. "Ahh.. well... maybe you can help me find the right sword.. and learn how to use it..." he said simply.

"Maybe...I'm sure it won’t be too much trouble to find a good one for you." Saffron replied softly, leaning against him. He was quiet for a moment, before saying softly. "I suppose that's something else we both have in common; fathers who didn't care..."

Mat sighed softly as he stroked Saffron's hair. "Babe... I wouldn't be too sure about that. Rin obviously knew about me but chose to not have anything to do with me. He let me live on the streets and risk discovery..." he snorted softly. "All you have to go on about your father is what LiVed told you.. and we already know that bastard can't be trusted."

"If he'd wanted me, I think he would have put in a little bit more of an effort...I do remember something of Auron Mordant..." Saffron said softly, a slight edge to his tone.

Graves raised an eyebrow, sitting up slightly at the name. "That's his name? You're father?" he asked, wondering what the odds were on there being two men with such an unique sounding name. "And what do you rmember about him that would make you believe LiVed?"

Saffron sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment, this was a wound he would have perfered not to open, but it'd already been done. "Shall I start at the beginning? I told you, I was born a girl...in fact I have two differnt middle names. My mother named me Saffron Eloa. My father changed that, after she left...she apparently didn't want me either; he changed it to Ezekiel, although if truth be known, that didn't happen until AFTER I turned four and became a boy, but he was never quite happy about that...dissappointed, maybe, doubtful, things were never the same after I changed."

"Sweetheart.." Matt said softly as he stroked the backs of his fingers over Saffrons cheek. "The man's wife ran out on him and then his baby girl suddenly magically turned into a boy over night... how did you expect him to react? I'm not sure how I would've handled it... but I know it wouldn't change my love for the child... I'd just feel..... Fuck.. I'd be in shock I guess.."

"Well it changed him!" Saffron snapped bitterly, feeling the tears prickle already. "He was a powerful enough elemental, one of the most powerful. If he'd wanted to find me, he could have; he never did!"

Matt stroked his cheeks, trying to calm him down. "Shh... honey, calm down..." he said soothingly. "Babe... I think you've got it wrong... I think you've let LiVed get too deep inside your head and it's fucking with you. I can't see Auron turning his back on a kid; any kid, let alone his own.."

Saffron pulled away, sitting up, a little quickly, his head spun violently, but he turned away from Matt, drawing his knees up and hugging them. "What do you know?!" He hissed, chewing on his lip again, before he started crying. "For a kidnapping, LiVed got me far to easy for Auron to have cared! And I wasn't his daughter any more...I was some kind of freak. Still am."

Matt took a breath and then let it out with a sigh, making up his mind. "I know Auron Mordant. And I know the man is crazy about his kids... he's not that great at showing it.. Hell.. actually he seems to pretty much suck at being 'fatherly'... tends to be way too over protective.. but hey... maybe loosing you is the reason behind that." he said softly.

Saffron froze, going absolutely tense. He turned his head slowly, staring at Matt, dark eyes sparkling with tears and wide, with fear and something else. "What do you mean you know him...and what kids?" He asked so softly any one else probably wouldn't have heard him.

Matt swallowed and ran a hand back through his hair nervously, then pushed himself up until he was sitting on the bed. "I don't know the whole story... just bits I've picked up here and there. Even though I'm not around the office much, word gets around.. especially when it involves the bosslady..." he said then sighed. "I work for a company called Chaos Incorportated. The lady who runs it, Lady Chaos.. Kay...just got married a few months ago. To Auron Mordant. There was something about them being married before and some spell ripping them apart.. I don’t know. They had a kid.. a girl, named Regan.. she vanished when she was a kid too... they just found her a few days before the wedding..." he said then reached out to lay his hand against the small of Saffron's back, beneath the wounds. "That's one kid... Kay and him adopted her nephew.. thats two.. and then there's his son... Lex..." he said and then groaned softly. "Gods... this is fucking awkward.." he muttered.

Saffron had turned his head away, staring at the wall, with a numb expression, the tears silently slipping down his face. "Found their daughter, but never looked for me..." He muttered. "I was his daughter once too...If he hadn't wanted me, he should’ve dumped me in a god damn orphanage and have been done with it in the first place."

"Sweetheart.. it's not like that..." Matt said softly and moved closer, pulling him into his arms. "I've only heard mention of another child once.. and he was telling Lex. If he'd known I was around he probably would've shut up.. he's a very private man... But.. well.." he sighed and stroked his hair softly. "From the way he spoke... I think he believes you’re dead... and he's not a man who'd believe something without some sort of proof..." he said. "Your mother left him while she was pregant with your brother.. he didn't even know she was pregant until years later...Lex is your full brother..."

"She left, pregnant with my brother..." Saffron echoed. "Who's probably not a freak like I am...wasn't born a girl and changing back to one..." He hissed. "And for Auron to have believed I'm dead it would have had to have been some very good proof. If he cared." He took a breath. "But it doesn't matter, I've done just fine on my own with out a father or any other kind of family."

Matt sighed  and kissed his shoulder. "I'm sorry." he said simply. "I know what its like... but.. I still can't believe he'd ever willingly give up a child."

Saffron felt more tears threatening and his lip was as sore as it could be, not to mention bloody again. Yet he still couldn't bring himself to let go in front of Matt. "A brother... well I hope he's good to the children he has...and that they have a good father...It's all I ever wanted." He lost it there, beginning to sob.

Matt pulled him closer, rocking himslsightly as he let him cry. "He loves you, Saffron.. I'd bet my life on that... I think losing you killed off a part of him..." he said softly. As he tried to reassure Safron a part of him started to wonder if there was more to his own father not being there... then shoved it aside. "When you're ready. I can call him..."

Saffron clung to him, letting himself cry for the first time in a very long time, over everything, which meant he didn't think the tears were going to stop any time soon. He was shedding tears for everything he'd held in all these years. Hearing Matt, he shook his head furiously. He didn't think he could bring himself to ever speak to his father...at least not for awhile...perhaps not until he'd changed back, if even then...

Saffron's sobs quieted to silent tears, but there were still quite a few of them. He was quiet for a long moment, before he hiccupped, then sighed. "Lillian didn't have any other children...and if I'm the Orcale...then he's the daughter of the seal..."

"Which means he's probably just like you .. born a girl and changed somehow..." he said softly, stroking his fingers through his hair lightly.

Saffron lay his head on Matt's shoulder, closing his eyes against the last of the  tears, hiccuping again, but staying clinging to Matt. "Maybe I'll meet him...I'll have to think about it...It's...it's all to much right now..."

"I know babe... like I said.. when you're ready... whenever you're ready." Matt said, cradling him in his arms and stroking his hair. "You've got something I'll never have.. a shot a knowing your family... whether you decide to do it or not. Or if you decide to stay in contact with them afterwards or not." he said then smiled softly. "But no matter what happens... you still have me." He snorted a burst of laughter. "Fuck.. thats going to absolutely KILL your father.. you being with me... "

Saffron titled his head back some, looking up at Matt, his eyes red from all the crying, although the color seemed lighter again. It seemed when ever he was around Matt so close, the green lightened to a dark emerald rather then almost black. "Doesn't like you I take it?" He asked softly.

Matt snorted, smirking softly. "Babe.. no one likes me. They like my car... they like that they know I'll watch their back in a fight and they like that they can count on me to come through.. but they don't actually like Me. And Auron... Auron  acts like I'm going to swoop in and molest his daughter at any moment... despite the fact I only met the lady once and she was waayy too much like her mother.."

Saffron was quiet a moment, before giving a soft laugh. "Then imagine how he'll feel if I wait to see him until AFTER I've changed back."

Matt smirked. "Hmm... maybe make him wait even longer.. like.. until after I convince his long lost daughter too marry me..." he said then laughed out loud. "Or hell.. go for broke... wait until your pregnant with my kid.. that WILL kill him.."

Saffron smiled softly, more sad than anything. "While it probably would...You're not that serious...to marry me...or...get me pregnant." He muttered softly. There was something oddly...likable, about both those ideas, crazy but likable.

Matt was silent for a moment then rested his cheek against Saffrons hair for a moment longer before speaking softly. "Who says I'm not?" he asked. "I love you, Saffron... I don’t want to be away from you .. ever... Why wouldn't I marry you one day? Why wouldn't we have kids..? If it’s even possible..."

Saffron swallowed hard; he was still leaning against Matt, with his head still on his shoulder, replaying what he'd just said over in his mind. Gods, what he wouldn't do for it to be that simple, but he knew it wasn't. There was a part of him that would say yes on the spot if Matt were to ask. The rest of him knew better. "Because you may wake up one day and find me not there...You don't want me doing what my mother did to him, do you..? Leaving you stuck with a child...you wouldn't want..."

"Sweetheart.." Matt said softly, kissing his shoulder before resting his cheek against his. "What if I told you I thought being with you was worth the risks? All of them? I keep telling you .. I won't let you go. If you do leave.. I'll find you. I'll do everything I can to find you..."

He finally pulled away from Matt. He didn't know why this was all hurting so much. Hearing Matt, was everything he'd ever wanted to hear his whole life, the idea that some one loved him so much...and it hurt. "I want too believe everything you're telling me, Matt...I wonder if you have any idea how much I've wanted to hear this, all my life...but my life has been nothing but lies...I don't know who too believe any more..."

"You can believe me, Saffron...in your heart you know that. I'll never hurt you, babe. Maybe you're not ready to believe that yet.. or think of an entire life with me. That's okay..." he said softly, reaching out to run his fingers over Saffron's shoulder. "I can wait... Someday you'll be ready and then I'll ask you."

He closed his eyes slowly at Matt's touch, he felt exhausted; both from the crying and the collar. "Gods do I want to believe you...I tried...I tried to stay locked off from you...I tried not to fall for you...He broke my heart, so hard...I'm terrified...I've never been this scared...of anything...and yet I am...I don't remember what love is...I've only ever been used by men, for one purpose or another..."

Matt slid his arms beneath Saffron and lifted him, turning to set him on his lap and tip his chin up to look at him. "I know, baby... but I'm not him or any of them... I won't do that to you." he said softly. "I love you, Saffron." he said simply, cradling him in his arms.

Saffron plucked at the collar around his neck, nervously. The more Matt told him he loved him, the more Saffron found himself believing in him. He shook his head, his hair falling in his face. "No..." He moaned, fingers tightening on the collar. "You don't want me...I'm not worth it...I know I'm not. I don't even have it together mentally...you could take your belt off to discard it and I'd submit, just seeing it..."

"Than I'll never wear a belt again." Matt said simply. "I'll get rid of it while you're not looking and you'll never see another one on me again.." he said simply, turning Saffron’s face towrds him gently. "I do want you. I do love you. I'll never stop telling you that... I'll never leave you." he said softly, brushing his lips with his own. "I'm yours, Saffron.. whether you want me or not."

Saffron gave a muffled cry of frustration, closing his eyes against more tears, his fingers pulling at the collar now. "It's not just belts, you merely have to get mad at me for me to submit; you don't want that! You don't even have to get mad at me, you could be mad at some one else, all you'd have to do was yell, I'd submit. I'm BROKEN!"

Matt sighed and took hold of Saffron’s hands gently, kissing each in turn before lifting them to his shoulders and slipping his own hands back to Saffrons' face. "You're not broken baby. You're just hurt." he said softly and kissed him again. "I know it'll be hard... I know it'll hurt seeing you like that... but it doesn't change how I feel..." he said then kissed him a bit harder. "It doesn't make me love you or want you any less."

A soft sigh and whimper and Saffron submitted. "Oh gods...Matt..." He fell lightly against him, clinging to him desperately, hiding his face in the crook of his neck. "I need you...so much. I can't do this any more alone...this whole thing...Rin...LiVed trying to get me back...changing...I can't do it alone any more...and I don't have any one else I can turn to..."

"You're not alone, baby.. you'll never be alone again." Matt said, holding him as tight as he dared. "You'll always have me." he said softly. "Always."

Saffron pulled his head back, enough to look up at him, the dark emerald eyes serious as they were fearful and touch innocent. He moved one hand, bringing it to Matt's face. "I love you, Matt..."

Matt turned and kiss the palm of Saffron's hand. "Gods that sounds wonderful." he said with a soft smile. "I love you too baby." he said. "Gods.. my chest feels like its going to explode its so swollen.." he chuckled softly.

Saffron leaned up, and kissed Matt softly, tenderly. "When the time comes, and you do ask...I'll say yes..." He whispered softly, his hand still on Matt's cheek. There was a knock on the door and Mariko bounded right back in, unfazed by seeing them in the postion they were in. She was carrying Saffron's sword and a black bag.

Matt glanced over Saffron's shoulder at the woman and raised an eyebrow. "Ever heard of knocking?" he asked. "That door has a lock right?" he asked.

“`Course, but most here know how to pick locks. Best just move the dresser infront of it if you want privacy." Mariko replied, laying the sword on the dresser across from the bed and dropping her bag on the foot of the bed. Saffron was blushing darkly, and had his forehead against Matt's shoulder, not really wanting to move. "But don't worry about that right now." Mariko said. "Although..." She seemed to pause, eyeing Saffron and Matt. "Don't think we've had two guys as a couple round here before...`Course, actually, if it wasn't for being with out a shirt, think everyone would take you as a girl, you look that feminine," Mariko said to Saffron as she went to open her bag. "Still, you two make a hell of a sexy looking couple..."

"Mariko, PLEASE!" Came Maxine's voice from the hall. "Spare them and just remove the collar."

Matt laughed softly and wrapped his arms that much tighter around Saffron, kissing his shoudler gently. "Yeah .. get this fucking thing off... And I want a 'do not disturb ' sign for that door... The person who picks the lock while that sign is up.. gets to spend the night with a bunch of zombies.. got it?"

"Ooo, Zombies, fun. I'll fail to pass the notice on." Mariko replied with a devious smirk. "I'd PAY to see some of these idiots with a bunch of zombies... like Lin...yeah, Lin... Shane...him too." She dug around in her bag for something, before taking a little instrument out. "I'm turning the collar, don't bite my hand off." She informed Saffron, before reaching out to turn the collar around to the seam.

Matt kept his arms wrapped around him, concious of the wounds pressing aganst him and every little shudder Saffron made. "It's alright babe...I've got you.." he said softly into his ear and kissed the neck below.

"Mmm, mmm mm..." Mariko remarked. "You, are an extremly lucky kid." She said to Saffron, who glanced back at her with an incredious look. "I mean look at him," She nodded to Matt. "He's fuckin' sexy! HOT! Looks like he's got a nice ass too...probably somethin' else nice as well if you get my meaning..."

"Mariko!" Maxine was standing in the door way.

"I'm gettin it, I'm gettin' it!" Mariko remarked, before suddenly snipping the collar. There was a cold rush of air in the room, Mariko spoke something in another lanuage and the collar came off.

Matt could feel his ears burning at her comments but bit his tongue to keep from saying anything. Obviously, it was just the way she was. One minute he was tense, waiting for something to happen.. then there was a soft snick of metal beng severed.."Holy Fuck..".. he muttered softly as a sudden rush of cool energy rushed through him... flowing directly from Saffron. "Shit..." he said with a soft laugh.

Saffron inhaled sharply, eyes wide, which bleed completely black, an intense rush of energy flowing through him; his head buzzing wildly as a intense surge of death coming from Matt making him high. The room was starting to spin fast, Saffron suddenly began to feel quite phsyically ill; the overload of his abilites on the verge of taking him out right there. Mariko had moved away from the bed, studying the collar, Maxine moved to the edge of the bed, looking over Saffron. "Get him up. We've got to make an emergency trip to the hospital." She said seriously.

Matt snapped out of the strange high at her words and immediately did as she said, practically leaping to his feet and lifting Saffron into his arms. "What is it..? Whats wrong?"

Maxine leaned close to Saffron, before slapping his cheeks lightly. "Stay awake, Saffron." She hissed, biting back her own panic. "It's a type of ability overload. He has to use his abilites NOW, before he slips into a sort of coma, or death...The quickest and easiest to have him take the life of some one in a hospital." She explained. "The collar had clamped his abilites down so tightly, they kept building; eventually it wouldn't have been the collar, but his own elemental abilites themselves that would have killed him...WILL if we don't go now." She said, opening a rift.

Matt cradled Saffron tenderly, his heart suddenly racing again.. between the high of energy and power between them and the sudden fear of losing him. "Whatever, toots... just fucking get us there.” Matt said, even as the rift opened and he  pushed past her slipping through as soon as it was fully open. "Hang on babe..."

~~

This time of night, the hospital was quiet and calm. Maxine shut the rift and glanced around; she'd brought them out on the ICU ward. There wasn't a nurse at the station, but Maxine cast a glamour over them anyway, keeping them unseen as she began going through the charts.

Matt looked around, looking for the resident spooks to point out the ones already close to death. He kissed Saffron’s forehead. "Which one, babe..." he said softly, even as he noticed a couple spirits hovering near one of the curtained rooms. "Got one.. he said softly, heading in that direction. One thing he'd learned was that, while most resident spirits ignored the living.. they seemed drawn those dying..

"Might I point out that we want to be a little careful about this." Maxine said simply, but followed. She picked up the chart from the end of the bed of the old man, looking it over, They didn't want there to be a chance of recovery for this; Which there wasn't. She slipped around the side of the bed, taking Saffron's hand, bringing it closer to the patient.

"Fuck that. "Matt said simply. "Someone's dying here and it's not going to be Saffron. The poor bastard is already on the way out... let it be him." he said, leaning Saffron closer to the bedside.

Saffron had turned his head slightly, looking at the old man laying there, as Maxine placed his hand on the old man's. The abilities took over from there. Things were very silent, before the steady beep of the machine identifying the man as dead sounded.

Matt sighed softly, swearing he could actually feel the mans spirit leave his body. He opened his eyes and looked at Maxine. "Do we leave or find another... ?" he asked softly stepping away from the bed far enough to be out of the way should the nurses and doctors come running.

Maxine turned, looking at Saffron. "Should find another one, just incase. Don't want to take too much risk, but if we don't and its not to be enough..." She said softly, as the doctors and nurses rushed into the room. Maxine turned, leading Matt out of the room.

Matt followed, cradling Saffron closer to avoid any of the humans accidentally touching him and discovering their presence. He followed Maxine, an odd feeling that he was missing something.. that something had changed since the collar had come off and he was missing it...then suddenly it hit him. His arm and part of his chest were pressed against Saffron's back;  he'd been able to feel the wounds before.. the wet rawness of those that were still open and the faintly rough scabs of those starting to heal... but now there was nothing...

Maxine found the room of an old woman, who was still awake. "Put me down..." Saffron muttered softly, sliding out of Matt's arms. The woman's pain was like a thickness air in the room to Saffron. He moved away from Matt and Maxine, approaching the bed slowly. The old woman turned her head, peering through the dimness. "An angel?" The old woman crooked.

Matt reluctantly let Saffron slip free, not letting go until he was sure he was steady on his feet, and even then hovering close just in case. Matt smiled softly at the old woman's question. "Yes.. he is..." Matt said softly, knowing she couldn't see him for the glamour that hid them and wondering if she could hear him...

Maxine shook her head, but kept a watch from the door way, letting the glamour slide only from Saffron; at least to the old lady. "Thank God." The old lady said softly before settling back into the bed with closed eyes. Saffron reached the woman's side, and took her hand with one, saying nothing. The other hand he placed on her forehead.

Matt watched the womans face relax, a soft smile on her face at the touch and felt  the chill reach out to him as Saffron's power flared again. "My angel.." he said softly, his gaze going back to Saffron and the new pale scars that criss crossed the black wings on the pale skin of his back. Scars that looked years old....

Saffron didn't move until he was sure the old lady was completely gone, before moving from the bedside. He felt weak, but better; he'd start recovering quickly enough. "We should go. Two in such a small hospital will get some unwarrented attention." Maxine said softly from the door way.

Matt reached out a hand to Saffron, smiling softly as he waited. "Sounds good to me... ready to go, babe?" he asked softly.

Saffron nodded. "Yeah..." Maxine eyed him, then nodded, opening a rift, and indicating for them to go through first.

Matt slipped his hand around to rest on the small of Saffrons back as they stepped through the rift, the increased 'power flow' between them still taking some getting used to. "How's your back feeling, babe?" he asked softly as they came out back in their room.

Saffron paused, turning his head, and giving it a crack. he frowned slightly. "Good actually...why?" He asked softly.

Maxine followed them through and closed the rift. "Well...that's not uncommon." She said, looking at Saffron's back.

Matt smirked softly and ran his hand over the smooth skin until he felt the slight rise of a scar then followed it up until it connected with another one. "Because your healed.. completely... You have scars that look like you received them as a kid..." he said then bent down to kiss the tip of  a scar the almost reached the top of his shoulder.

Saffron frowned slightly and turned toward the mirror on the dresser, looking. "Well there's two theories for that." Maxine said. "One, the power rush when the collar came back...but, I'd actually say that was only half of it. The rest I'd say is from the two of you being so close."

Matt continued to trace his fingers along the scars lightly. "So...if he hadn't had the collar on before he would've healed when we first met?" Matt asked softly, not taking his eyes off Safron.

Maxine considered. "Yes, I think so." She said with a nod. "You're a necromancer, he's a death elemental. Believe it or not, but your abilites are so much alike, you can actually boost each other's abilites." She said. "I've only seen it once before with another pair I knew a long time ago."

Matt snorted softly as he slipped his hands down to rest on Saffrons waist, half on the bare skin and half on the edge of his pants. "Explains the power rush.." he said softly, then glanced over at her. "So... anything else you need?"

Maxine snorted, rolling her eyes. "Good night." She said simply, heading for the door with out anothr word. Saffron watched her go, before shaking his head.

Matt leaned back and called after her before the door shut. "Thanks, toots... for everything." he said with a smirk.

He was anwered with a laugh. "Good night." She repeated, before closing the door.

"She's alright..." Saffron said softly, before sliding from Matt's arms. He wanted to try something. Letting the familiar flow through him, he summoned both his swords, which came easily, though it left him a little dizzy so he'd hold off on trying anything else.

Matt sat on the edge of the bed and watched him for a moment before kicking off his boots. "Good thing she doesn't seem to mind me calling her toots... cause I don't know her fucking name.... don’t rmember hearing it anyhow..." he added with a smirk. "But hey.. toots works for me."

"Her name's Maxine Croft." Saffron answered softly, still holding his swords. He leaned against the dresser behind him. "I have a passing acquaintance with her actually..." He snorted softly. "We've crossed paths...so it doesn’t surprise me, she's involved with this..." How ever he'd heard Maxine in the car. "Except I know she's spoken to Rin."

Matt peeled off his shirt, tossing it to land on the dresser beside Saffron. "Ahh yes.. Rin... how about we erase that name from our vocabularies?" Matt suggested with a sly smirk, then shrugged softly and aded. "Stupid name any how."

Saffron snorted faintly, his eyes distant for a moment. "Short for something, I think, but I never did ask." He looked back at Matt, just looking at him for a long moment. "I'm assuming Matt's short for something..."

Matt blushed slightly, grinning. "Yeah.. not brave enough to guess?" he said then laughed. "Mattias." he said, putting the emphasis on the 'ti', making it sound like 'tee'. “Marilee kept calling me Matthew until I caved and told her my name... kept her wodering for a couple years though.. kept telling her my name wasn't Matthew.. but wouldn't tell her what my name was..."

"Mattias..." Saffron echoed softly, a faint smile on his lips. "Much better then being named after a flower." He said finally, coming away from the dresser and vanishing his swords. "Or an angel." He added faintly, moving toward the window.

"I like your name... all your names... They all fit you perfectly in their own way..." he said softly and reached out to catch hold of him, pulling him close. "How are you feeling, baby?" he asked softly, reaching up to tuck a piece of black hair behid Saffron’s ear. "You had me worried there.."

"Tired, exhausted, just not in such a bad way." Saffron answered softly. He'd seemed sad since leaving the hospital; the old lady had effected him.

Matt smiled softly, slipping his hands around Saffrons waist to stroke his back and hold him close. He kissed his chest then looked up at him. "Care to come to bed... again?" he asked with a soft smirk.

Saffron looked at him for a moment, before smiling softly, but he shook his head. "I don't know." He answered softly, closing his eyes for a moment.

Matt let his hands roam over his back, feeling the scars again. "You know... earlier I could just hold you because you were hurt... but now... now you're not." he said and kissed his chest again lightly. "Now.. now you're just incredibly sexy walking around half naked..."

Saffron looked back down at him. "Meaning what, exactly?" He asked softly, eyeing Matt.

Matt closed his eyes for a moment as he kissed the soft skin again, breathing in Saffrons scent. "Meaning... I'm not sure I can keep my hands to myself..." he said softly.

Saffron stared for a moment, before sliding his fingers into Matt's hair, pulling his head back gently as he leaned down and kissed Matt.

Matt moaned into the kiss, pulling Saffron closer until he was kneeling on the mattress, one knee on either side of him. "Gods Saffron..." he said softly, returning the kiss hungrily.

Saffron gave a soft moan, sliding his arms around Matt's neck; leaning against him, as he kissed him back deeply. He'd never kissed anyone the way he was kissing Matt, and he some how knew he'd never kiss any one else this way.

Matt tightened his hold on him, pressing him so close against him the the amulet dug into his chest from where it was caught between them. His hands slid over bare skin, the chilling tingle almost erotic in its intensity as it flared between them. "I want you, sweetheart.. I want you so bad.." Matt groaned, barely breaking the kiss to speak.

Saffron whimpered, eyes closed, "Oh gods..." He moaned, unable to get enough of kissing Matt; though he was trying to get it through his mind that if he didn't stop, this was going to go a lot further then just making out, and trying to decide if there was anything wrong with that idea.

Matt suddenly rolled, half lifting, have rolling Saffron onto the bed, then moved over him, his mouth finding Saffrons again for a deep hungry kiss before moving down his throat and over his chest.

Saffron squrimed under his touch with a moan, not sure how much of his touch he could take. "Matt...be sure you want to do this..."

Matt  looked up at him as he kissed his chest then bit at one nipple playfully. "You keep saying that..." he growled softly as he moved towards the other nipple, his hands already undoing his belt while he had Saffron distracted."Haven't you caught on yet, babe? I fucking love you. I want you, I'm never letting you go."

"Heart's already been broken once, Matt. I don't feel like dealing with your regrets later if you realize you don't want me." Saffron replied softly, eyes half closed.

Matt growled softly as he undid his jeans then caught Saffron's mouth with his own again. "No regrets, baby." he said softly, his eyes serious as he looked down at him. "What I feel for you, Saffron... this is forever."

Saffron kissed him back with a soft whimpered moan, looking into his eyes for a moment, before sighing, "Then I'm yours."

Matt smiled softly down at him. "Damn... thats sounds so good..." he said then kissed him again. After a moment he returned to wiggling out of his jeans and underwear, doing his best to not break the kiss as he did. Once free of his clothing, he undid the drawstring on Saffron’s pajama pants and pulled them off of him as well. With a low moan he stretched out along side him, the feel of nothing but bare skin between them almost too much for him to handle.

Saffron let his fingers trail over Matt's chest, caressing and tracing the tattoos gently, not saying anything. He'd never willingly made love to another man. He wasn't nervous; he was scared, not in the actuality of doing it, but if he could open his heart again...

Matt had to break the kiss for a minute, burying his face in the crook of Saffrons neck, the younger man held tightly in his arms. The sensation overload was getting the better of him and for a moment  part of him was afraid that the intensity of the emotion was due to their powers flaring between them like this. He groaned softly, kissing the dip where Saffrons shoulder and neck met, knowing somehow that this was more. This was real. “Gods… baby…” he said softly into the hollow of Saffon’s neck. “How did you steal my heart so fast…?’

Saffron's heart was beating incredibly fast and he clung to Matt, "I could ask you the same question..." He answered softly, "But some how I don't really care about the answer."

Matt chuckled softly, keeping his eyes closed as he lay there for a moment, just enjoying the feel of holding him.. the beating of their hearts, the sound of Saffron’s breath in his ear..."This is fucking crazy, kid... I'm just holding you... haven't even done anything.. and. already I feel so incredibly... good."

"I think that's how you're supposed to feel..." Saffron answred softly, slipping a hand into Matt's hair. "When you...love some one, anyway."

Matt kissed the soft skin of his neck and sighed softly. "Like...even if we didn't do anything more then this...it'd still be fucking wonderful?" he asked softly. "Never believed that shit was real...you know.. just.. romantic fairy tale crap.. but.. fuck... it IS real...."

Saffron smirked faintly. "The kind you only get once in a life time..." He said softly. "I don't think it matters what we're doing...as long as it's together..."

Matt lifted himself enough to catch Saffron's lips with own, kissing him tenderly at first. "So we'll just always be together.." he said softly before kissin him again, a bit hungrier.

Saffron slid his fingers through Matt's hair, and cupped his cheek before kissing him back. "Always is a long time." He answered softly.

Matt sighed softly and looked down into his eyes, his face serious. "Not long enough." he said. "Saffron... baby... I lived day to day... never gave any thought to growing old or that shit…except to hope I didn't ever get old..... But now.. fuck..." he said and turned his head enough to brush his lips aganst Saffron's wrist. "Now I want to live to be one of those fucking ancient bastards... just to spend that extra time with you."

"Even if elementals techincally stop aging at thirty?" Saffron asked softly. "Added to the fact that I'm part fae...and connected to the Seal..." He left it hang, with a slight smile, although it was some what sad. "You don't know that Death Elementals stay by them selves..."

"Sweetheart.. I'm half fae myself.. so it'll be a very long time before I start to look old... if I ever do. Afterall, I'm already dead..." he added softly. "And for the record.. Marilee's the only necro who has ever sought out others and formed any sort of relationship with them. Were usually loners too..."

"Then we're rather suited for each other." Saffron answered softly. "Still, there are things you don't know about me..." He said softly.

Matt snorted softly and stole a kiss with a grin. "Babe.. don't worry.. I'll learn all of it." he said, then rolled onto his side, pulling Saffron with him. "Plenty for you to learn about me too. If you want to." he added, letting one hand slip down along Saffron's rib to stroke along his hip lightly.

"Well if we plan on spending the rest of our lives together..." Saffron said softly. "Think it's only logical I know something about you, other then what I already do..." He said softly.

"Yeah.. but .. you don't HAVE to know everything or even want to know everything. I mean.. I'll tell you, I want to tell you .. but.. it's fine if you don't..." he said softly. "I mean... fuck.. I don’t know what I mean..." he said with a rueful snort, letting his hand slip lower, brushing his fingers along his tail bone lightly.

"Well I don't exactly have a habit of having relationships with anoymous people..." Saffron replied softly. "If I'm going to do this, I'd like to know who I'm doing it with." He added with a bit of a smirk.

"Thats not what I meant..." Matt said softly then shook his head. "Never mind... never been good at thinking when I was horny.. amazed I'm still able to form words... consider yourself lucky.." he added with a smirk and slight blush. "I'll try to answer your questions... just don’t expect them to make a lot of sense right now..."

Saffron ran a finger along Matt's jaw slowly. "Maybe...in consideration to things right now, playing twenty questions should wait until later..." He said softly with a faint smirk, before leaning forward and kissing him.

Matt sighed softly into the kiss, his hands tightening around his waist. "Yeah... sounds good..." he said softly, kissing him back hungrily as he pressed him against him.

Saffron slipped his arms around Matt's neck, before rolling back, pulling Matt with him as he kissed him deeply, passionate and hungry.

Finding himself back ontop with Saffron pinned beneath him, Matt couldn't think for a moment, Saffron's hungry feeding at his mouth taking all his attention. After a few breathless moments he moved just enough to rub against him, the slight movement bringing another moan from his throat. He had no idea how he was going to do this... every little touch seem like it was going  to make him explode..

Saffron ran one foot up the back of Matt's leg, only pulling away from the kiss for a breath of air. "You're going to drive me crazy like this, you know that don't you?" He asked softly.

Matt gave a choked chuckle. "Baby.. you've already driven me crazy... I'm afraid to move anymore..." he said softly, letting his face drop back to Safron's shoulder. "Never done this before.. had no fucking clue it’d feel this way..."

Saffron slid his fingers into Matt's hair, for the moment, just laying there. "If you'd rather not do this, then I completely understand..." He said softly after a moment.

"No .. nononono" Matt said quickly. "I want to... fuck.. do I want to.." he said with another half choked off chuckle. "Its just... shit.. baby... touching you is.... its ..." Matt swallowed, blucsing. "Fuck.. Saffron... I'm gonna cum... you’re too much..." he said softly, burying his face in the thick black hair. "I don’t want to yet.. I want you.. but .. fuck.."

Saffron bit back a soft nervous laugh, closing his eyes, as he tightened his hold on Matt. "Well I have to say that a first on my part, but I completely understand..." He said softly, kissing Matt's neck.

"Don’t understand..." Matt mumbled, trying to supress another moment at the feel of Saffron's lips on his neck and failing. "That’s not helping..." he said with a soft groan."Feels fucking fantastic.. but... "

Saffron smirked a bit, pressing up against Matt slightly, his arms aruond his shouldrs, one leg still around Matt's hips. "I completely understand..." Saffron answered softly, letting the fingers of one hand caress the back of Matt's neck in feather light touches.

Matt moaned and gasped slightly as Saffron moved against him. "This isn't fucking fair..." he muttered softly, his eyes closed blissfully at the feel of Saffron stroking his neck. "Haven't been this fucking out of control since I was a fucking virgin.. Hell. I dont think i was this bad even then..." he muttered.

"I'd say you have it pretty bad then, being so attracted..." Saffron said softly, moving his other hand. "However, I could make it a little more...enjoyable for you..." He said softly, letting the one hand slid slowly down Matt's chest.

Matt groaned again and fought the urge to grab at his hand. "Oh... sweetheart.. trust me... not possible... I alread feel way too good... need to feel less good so I can do something..."

"You don't have to rush anything, Matt..." Saffron said softly, letting his fingers caress Matt's skin around his belly button. "I do believe you said we were going to be together for a long time...if not forever..." He added, before kissing Matt again, deeply, and pushed him back over on his back, letting his fingers trail lower.

Matt let Saffron take over simply because he lacked the strength to stop him. "Babe..." he said softly, his hand moving to stop Saffrons. "I want more than this.. I want all of you..." he said softly.

Saffron leaned against him, looking up at him, his hand stopped by Matt's. "Shall I give you a few minutes to...collect yourself then?" He asked softly, eyes sparkling.

Matt groaned softly at the look in Saffrons eyes and let go of his hand. "Fuck... have your way with me... I'll have my turn later..." he said softly. "I recover quickly..." he added with a smirk.

"Oh do you?" Saffron asked with a soft purr, letting his hand run back down the middle of Matt's stomach toward the hard length of him. "Guess I'll have to do my best then..." He said, leaning over to kiss the same trail his hand had run.

The sound of Saffron's voice  was enough to make Matt want to moan again. let alone the look in his eyes.. or the feel of his hands and lips on his skin. "Fuck..." he said softly, his hands clenching the blankets at his sides. He tried to focus on holding back.. lasting as long as he could..

Saffron glanced up ward, as he slid down further, his hand trailing lightly over Matt's erection, before his lips followed slowly. He paused, near the tip of him, before running his tongue back up. Then paused again, taking a moment, to glance back up at Matt. He was used to having a hand in his hair at this point. Hesititating a moment, he leaned back down and took the tip in his mouth.

Matt groaned, his hips bucking of the bed as his hands dug deeper into the blankets. "Oh shit.." he muttered, gasping for breath. Never had anyone made him react this way before. "Saffron... angel...gods..." he gasped softly.

Saffron let his tongue play around the tip of him, tasting the first of the precum, before sliding his tongue down the underside of him. This was the first time he'd ever WANTED to do this to another man...

Matt tasted blood and realized he'd bitten his lip to hold back another moan. He smirked softly. "Gods... just keep in mind... you're getting yours too..." he said, slightly breathless.

Saffron slid his tongue down the top side, before looking up at Matt, his eyes lighter and sparkling wickedly. "Can't wait." He answered softly, before taking taking as much of him in his mouth as he could.

Matt cried out, his hips coming off the bed. "Saff... fuck.." he said trying to grab control again, trying to stop that incredible build to orgasm that he could already feel starting. He let go of the blanket and forced his hands to relax, letting them hold Saffron’s head gently, his fingers sliping through his hair.

Saffron moaned softly, continuing his sweet torture, sliding one hand up Matt's chest, fingers caressing lightly. He didn't want to stop, until he came. He'd always figured this was the one part of Right's use of him that he'd always hated, but right now, he wanted to give that pleasure to Matt.

Another moan and Matt had to force himself not to clench his hands. Instead he stroked them over Saffron’s hair, resisting the urge to pull him away and kiss him... "Saffron.. gods... please..." he said softly. He was on the edge and he knew it... any second...

Saffron managed to stretch his arm all the way up, to lay his fingers on Matt's lips, hushing him as he continued torturing Matt, alternating between licking and kissing the length of him and sucking gently.

Matt cried out and had to let go, one hand going back to dig into the blankets, the other going up to catch hold of Saffron's. His hips bucked off the bed again as the orgasm hit him hard.

Saffron took as much of him as he could, before he pulled back with a gasp of air, looking up through his lashes at Matt, as he ran the back of his other hand slowly over his chin.

Matt just lay there, Saffron’s hand still held in his as he tried to catch his breath. He could feel Saffron watching him and tugged lightly on his hand, urging him back up beside him. "Gods... baby... that was....wow."

Saffron slid up beside him, leaning against him, his other hand resting on his chest. He was blushing slightly. "The only time I've ever really WANTED to do that...so if you enjoyed it that much, I'll take your words as a compliment."

Matt gave a soft groan and slipped his hand through Saffron hair. "Gods yeah I enjoyed it..." he said simply, pulling him down to kiss him. "Thank you." he added softly.

Saffron blushed even more when Matt said that. "You're welcome..." He answered in a whisper, lowering his eyes. Silent for a moment, before adding. "I suppose we'll see how long it takes you to recover..." He smiled slightly.

Matt chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around him. "Oh... just let me catch my breath and get the room to stop spinning.... thats all I need..."

Saffron leaned against him more, resting his arms on Matt's chest and looking at him. "Hmm...the anticipation..." He replied softly, eyes hazy with desire.

"Then again.." Matt said softly, letting his hands trail down his ribs. "Who needs to breathe..?" he said, his eyes sparkling as he kissed him again.

Saffron smiled softly, behind kissing him back, sliding his arms around his neck. "Well if you think you're up to the challenge..."

Matt snorted softly as he rolled over, putting Saffron beneath him as he kissed him. He shifted onto his knees so he kneeling above him, his hands lightly stroking his ribs, hisn mouth moving to his throat. "I'll see what I can do..."

A soft whimper escaped Saffron as he shifted slightly, his eyes closed at the feel of Matt's touch, both his hands and his lips. "I can't wait..."

Matt smiled softly, still able to taste the salty tang of Saffron’s kiss. He worked his way to one nipple, biting and licking a trail, leaving little red marks behind that quickly faded. As he bit down playfully he slid his fingers down the hard length of Saffron's own erection and felt it twitch in his hand.

Saffron whimper was even more, at that one simply touch from Matt, and he twisted sligtly under him, one hand tangling gently in Matt's hair, the other already twisting the blanket.

Matt smiled softly, loving the way Saffron felt beneath him. He'd never imagined that he'd ever be doing this... and yet.. it felt so perfect... so right... so wonderful. He closed his hand around him, stroking gently as he kissed his way to the other nipple, before starting a slow trail down his stomach. By the time he was waist level he could feel his own erection starting to return.

Saffron twisted more beneath Matt, with soft moans and whimpers; the hand that was in his hair, gently combing through the hair, as the other hand twisted the blanket around his hand, his knuckles white. "Matt..." He whimpered.

"Hmmm?" Matt answered as he slid his hand out of the way enough to continue his trail down the length of him. He placed his other hand on Saffron’s stomach to help hold him still as he worked his way back up. He licked teasingly at the tip, listening to Saffron's whimpers.

"Well you did say you'd take your turn..." Saffron muttered breathlessly, clenching the blanket almost painfully, he dropped his other hand to the blanket on the other side, twisting that one. "I'd like to point out the sad fact, I've never experienced this..."

Matt smirked, blushing softly. "Its only fair.. I’ve never been on this end either...first for both of us.." he said, taking the tip of him into his mouth, playing his tongue over him as his hand rubbed slightly over the rest of him.

Saffron gave a soft laugh, which ended up in a moan, "Well you're certainly doing better then I did my first time..." He said softly, writhing pleasurably at his touch.

"Because I love you." he said simply, pulling back to look up at him, his hand continuing to stroke him lightly."I love you and I want you to feel as good as you made me feel..."  He teased the tip with his thumb as he bent back down, taking him back in, sucking gently as he let him slid in deeper until he felt that gag reflex threaten to hit. He slid one hand over his stomach lightly as he let the length of him slid in and out as far as he dared.

Saffron whimpered, arching slightly from the bed, under him, as his head tipped back against the pillows, his eyes closed. He wasn't sure how much of this he was going to be able to take. There was a small part of him that wanted to pull away, that he wasn't supposed to enjoy this...he knew his place...

Saffron's soft whimpers and writhing only encouraged Matt more. He slowly slipped his hand between them, stroking the soft fold of skin at the base of Saffro’s erection, letting his fingers follow it until he found what he was looking for. He rubbed his fingers gently over the opening as he worked his tongue over the length of him, sucking lightly.

Saffron twisted sharply, with a plantive whimper. "Oh...Matt...please..." He whimpered, pulling at the blankets.

Matt pulled back, kneeling above him, one hand still stroking Saffron’s erection, the other stroking much lower. "I don’t want to hurt you baby...." he said softly. "Tell me what to do so I won’t... "

Saffron struggled to catch his breath, breathing heavily. He looked up at Matt, with a soft whimper. "I can't tell you...no one's ever been concerned with not hurting me..." He answered in a soft whisper.

Matt snorted softly then bent back down, kissing his stomach lightly. "Then I'll have to do my best..." he said softly. He wet his fingers before going back to stroking, slowly slipping one inside of him as he watched his face. "Tell me if it does hurt, alright baby? I'll do something else... no pain this time.. won't hurt you..."

Saffron squirmed slightly against his hand, with a soft moan, closing his eyes again. "You're doing very well so far..." He muttered breathlessly.

Matt smiled softly, his eyes glued to Saffron's face, watching the emotions play over him. A second finger joined the first and he felt his own erection twitch in anticipation and had to stilfe his own moan at the feeling.

Saffron whimpered more, his hips coming off the bed slightly, pressing gently back against Matt's hand. "Matt...please...don't tease..." He whimpered, wanting so much more.

Saffrons pleading made up his mind for him, and he shifted forward, letting himself rub against Saffron for a moment. His eyes closed at the feeling, he caught his breath and  moved until he felt himself in the right place. He caught Saffron's mouth with his own, kissing him hungrily as he pressed forward, the hot tight feel of being suddenly inside him making him moan loudly into the kiss.

Saffron gave a soft cry, arching against Matt, his arms slipping around him, as he kissed him back just as hungry. This had never felt so good...so right.

Matt let himself go, living just in the moment with the feel of Saffron's erection rubbed hard against his stomach as he thrust inside him. The slim, strong arms wrapped around him, the taste of him as he kissed him... he suddenly knew that he would never be happy without this man in his life. If anything were to happen to him.. he'd be lost. This was his life, his future...

Saffron arched against him with each thrust, lost in the feelings Matt was getting from him. He'd waited and wanted, for so long to be like this with Rin...and yet it Rin's son that was making him feel even more then he could have possibily imagined feeling for Rin. What should have been awkward for Saffron felt so incredibily right.

All too soon Matt could feel it building to high to ignore and he knew he'd loose control any minute. He slipped his arms around Saffron tighter and kissed him with everything he felt. Just as he felt himself get to the edge , he broke the kiss and looked down at him. "I love you, Saffron.." he said softly.

Saffron gave a sound, some where between a whimper and a choked sob, and looked up at him, eyes glittering with tears. "I love you too..." He managed softly, just before giving a soft cry and arching more as he came.

Matt held him tightly as his own orgasm washed over him, leaving him dizzy, tired and breathless but incredibly happy. He moved just enough to keep from crushing Saffron beneath him, then cradled the smaller man in his arms and just held him as they both struggled to come back down.

Saffron clung to him, attempting to catch his breath, his eyes closed. He'd never felt so unbelievably good, A soft laugh, more like a giggle, escaped him, and he ended up blushing darkly.

Matt felt a chuckle of his own escape and he kissed him tenderly before cuddling him closer. "I love you." he said again. "Gods, I love you.."

Saffron smiled  softly, kissing him back. "Well if this is what the rest of my life is going to be like, I'm certainly not complaining..." He said softly, reaching up to brush the hair out of Matt's face, looking him in the eyes. "I do love you."

Matt smiled more and kissed him again. “Gods.. I feel so.. incredible. Because of you." he said feeling the amulet press between them. He slipped a hand betwee them to stroke a finger over it then looked back into Saffron's eyes. "So where will we go from here?" he asked softly, letting go of the amulet and moving his hand up to stroke through his hair instead. "I mean...after we leave here .. where would you like to go?"

Saffron sighed, "I really don't know..." He answered softly. "I've been on the run for a very long time..."

"So... would you like to keep moving? See more places..? Or would you rather find some place to just stay for a while?" he asked softly, his fingers tracing the lines of Saffron's ribs as  he spoke. "I mean .. we'll probably be here for a bit, so maybe you'll feel different later..."

"It'd be nice to stay in one place for more then a day or so. Not that I have to worry about any personal belongings, Right's got all of those..." Saffron answered softly. "I'm just rather tired of running..."

Matt closed his eyes, kissing his neck softly. "Well.. when we leave here you'll have other choices..." he said simply. "I have a place we could go to... or by then you might decide to go see your family.."

"I've never been one to handle a lot of choices." Saffron lied soflty. "At least not concerning myself."

Matt nuzzled his neck tenderly as his fingers continued to stroke his ribs lightly. "I doubt that.. you made the choice to run and keep running, after all." he said, pulling back to look him in the eye. "But we've got awhile before we have to decide anything, I guess. We'll let Maxi look after things for now.."

"That was simple choice of survival." Saffron answered softly. "I've done...a lot to survive." He sighed, leaning against Matt. "Sure you want to be sleeping with an assassin?" He asked softly, curling a lock of Matt's hair around his fingers.

Matt sighed softly and pulled Saffron closer, his arms wrapping around him tenderly. "Yeah... but only `cause its you." he said with a soft smirk and kissed him. "Baby... all that matters is that you're with me. What you've done or been through or whatever... that doesn't change that."

"It's easy to look at it like that from your point of view." Saffron answered softly. "I'm the one who had to go through it...It's not exactly something one can leave behind in just a few months...or years..."

Matt just held him, kissing him lightly. "I know that, sweetheart.." he said softly. "But you've got me now... I'm here for you...you need to talk or anything...anything.. you've got me."

"Well it'd definitely be a first on my part...for the most part." Saffron replied softly. "Considering the last person I had to talk to was..." He shook his head slightly.

Matt snorted softly. "Ah...  don't say it... we've erased his name, remember?" he said with a soft smirk as he brushed his lips over his. "So..." he said, kissing him softly. "Do you feel tired enough to sleep? I was just thinking that lying here naked with a house full of potenial peeping toms probably ain't the best idea.. so we should either get under the blankets... or get up..."

Saffron gave a soft laugh, before glancing toward the door. "Yes, because I imagine some one's made off with the do not distrub sign on the door by now." He answered softly. "And honestly, I'm exhausted..."

Matt smiled softly and stole another kiss. "So under the blankets it is... think I should take the bouncy one up on her idea of shoving the dresser in front of the door?"

"Well I won’t say it's a bad idea, but I think it's entirely up to you...besides I imagine she'd be the only one peeping in..." Saffron replied,

Matt snorted. "Well in that case...we'll forgo the barricade... her I can toss out if need be." he said with a sigh and reluctantly got off the bed, holding out a hand for Saffron, as he shoved the sheets down as much as he could."Come on, baby.. "

“The door, or the window?" Saffron asked softly with a slight smirk. "I mean she doesn't weigh much...either would work..." He slipped from the bed, letting Matt pull back the sheets and blanket.

Matt laughed as he pulled Saffron to his side, his arm wrapping aorund him as the other made enough room for them to crawl back under the blankets. He leaned down and kissed him softly. "Was thinking the door... at first.. Maybe if she doesn't get the idea and tries again, I'll do the window then." he said, stroking a finger down his cheek.

"Well just let me open it first before you do." Saffron replied softly, with a faint smile. He was surprised about how relaxed he felt; even when knowing LiVed and Right were out to get him again. He wondered how long it'd take to track them here.

Matt snorted softly. "If you insist." he said with a smirk then suddenly scooped Saffron up and placed him in the middle of the bed. He walked the short distance to the lightswitch to turn it off before climbing in after him and pulling the blankets over them both. He sighed softly at the look on his face and stroked a finger down his cheek again. "Stop... you're safe here.. so stop worrying."

Saffron snorted softly. "Worry is what I do...it's kept me alive so far." Saffron answered softly. "Can't stop just because you tell me to."

"Didn't say you had to stop just because I told you to... Said you didn’t have to worry 'cause you were safe..." he said softly. "You have me and Maxi worrying for you right now... You need to sleep.. not worry..."

"Trust me, I'll sleep." Saffron replied softly, with a sigh. "Be the first time in days I've had more then an hours cat nap; I'll sleep."

Matt kissed him softly, then playfully brushed his fingertips over his eyelids and kissed each one. "Then shut up and sleep, baby.. I have you." he said softly.

Saffron couldn't help but smile softly, but kept his eyes closed, settling against Matt. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, he was extremely exhausted.

Matt smiled softly as he held Saffron in his arms, listening to his breathing slowly deepen into sleep. He tried to shove away all the fear he'd felt over almost losing him, but instead, found himself cradling him that much closer. The last thought in his head as he felt himself start to drift off, was that he was glad Rin had been such an ass.. so that he could be here with Saffron instead.

**

"You know, I don't know how you managed to get past the wards." Maxine said evenly, watching the man at the window in her study at the safe house.

"I've known you too long, Laurel..." Rin answered, with out turning around. Maxine snorted, rolling her eyes. "I imagine...you did what I asked..." Rin said softly.

"You know I did, Rin. That's why you're here." Maxine replied.

Rin was quiet for a long moment, before finally turning to look at Maxine. "Are they...here?"

Maxine snorted softly, and got up from her chair, moving toward the wet bar. "Again, you know they are...And yet I have to wonder, just what REALLY brought you here...or should I say which one..." She said, pouring a measure of brandy.

"They both are..." Rin answered softly.

~

Matt lay in bed for a moment, trying to decide what had woke him. He’d drifted off, but didn't think he'd been out that long. With a sigh he decided he was either just not tired enough to sleep.. which was doubtful considering what he'd been through and how much slep he'd managed to get ... or that he just needed to get something to eat. Carefully untanlging himself from Saffron, making sure he didn't wake him, Matt pulled on his jeans, leaving the rest of his clothes on the floor as he quietly slipped into the hall and went in search of someone for directions to the kitchen...

The door to Maxine's study was half open. "Doubtless, to say, I really don't think either of them want to see you." Maxine said in reply to Rin, as she turned to lean against the wet bar with her glass.

 "I think that's for them to decide." Rin replied just as softly.

Maxine snorted. "Well from the way I precieved things, HE doesn't care to know you and well...the other would rather forget about you." Maxine replied, taking a sip.

Rin sighed deeply, brushing the hair back from his face. "Are you going to throw me out, Laurel?" He asked, looking back at her.

Matt had followed the sound of voices but stopped as he'd realized that the subject seemed to be him and Saffron... although no names were mentioned, he couldn't shake the knowledge that it was true. He frowned as he saw the door the voices were coming from and approached, listening as he did so. He peeked through the crack in the door and saw the man by the window, his blood automactically running cold. He didn't need any one to tell him who that was... he heard Rin's question and shoved the door open a bit farther. "Yeah, Laurel... are you going to kick him out?" he asked, his voice as hard as his eyes at the moment.

Maxine merely sipped her brandy, nonplused by Matt's entrance although Rin was momentarily surprised. "Hmm...well I haven't quite kicked any one's ass out a door for a while..." Maxine said lightly. "Weren't you supposed to be upstairs?" She asked Matt. For the moment Rin said nothing.

"Couldn't sleep.. came in search of food... However.. I seem to have lost my appetite." Matt said, his eye narrowed on Rin. "I'd suggest a window..  second floor...third if you have one..."

"Why, are you offereing to help?" Maxine asked with a slight smirk, from behind her glass.

Rin turned from Matt for a moment, looking at Maxine. "Where's Saffron?"

"Oh, I think maybe you should ask him..." Maxine replied, gesturing with her glass toward Matt.

"Yet some how doubt I'd get a polite answer." Rin replied evenly.

Matt  crossed his arms over his chest, somehow happy to see that his 'father' was decidely smaller than him. Close to the same height, but more... fae. "I'll save you the trouble of asking." he said simply. "You stay the fuck away from Saffron. You do or say anything to hurt him.. and I'll fucking kill you myself... got it?"

"What the hell gave you the impression that I'd say or do anything to hurt him?" Rin inquired, turning to look at him. "And what concern is it of yours?"

Maxine sighed, finishing off her brandy and sitting her glass back on the wet bar. This could get ugly. She considered if she was going to need Shane or not...

Matt just snorted softly and shook his head. "Forget it. You just stay the fuck away. He doesn't want anything to do with you, and I don't want anything to with you. Our lives have nothing to do with you so just fuck off. " he said simply. "As for what concern is it of mine?" Matt asked, taking a few steps closer. "I love him. He's with me now... and no one is ever going to hurt him again."

Rin gaze back at him, his expression unreadable. "Is that so? You love him...well," He gave a grim smile. "You'd best hope that's enough, when LiVed shows up again." He said simply. Maxine's head was titled toward the door, and after a moment, she was already heading toward the doorway. Rin followed her movements. Any one with fae hearing would have heard the soft steps on the stairs.

Matt reached out and blocked Rin from leaving the room. "No... you know who it is.. stay away. I'm fucking serious." Matt said coldly. "He doesn't want to see you... and seeing you will fucking hurt him." he said, then gave a soft shove as he left the room ahead of him to try to head off Saffron if Maxine couldn't.

Maxine had made it half way up the stairs, glancing back over her shoulder to catch Matt coming out of her office. She was tempted to pull the door shut from there. She knew Rin well enough to know he wasn't intending any intentional hurt; he had his reasons for being there. Saffron was standing near the top of the stairs, staring toward the study. "You should be in bed, Saffron." Maxine said softly. He didn't answer her.

Matt pushed his way past her, hurrying up the stairs. "Sorry, baby... I wasn't planning on being gone long.. just got hungry.. Come on... lets go back to bed." he said, hoping that Rin would stay inside for another minute or two.

Maxine let him take over, but Saffron didn't move from the rail, nor did he answer, his gaze still on the study. Maxine sighed, about ready to just tell Matt to carry him back. Before she could say anything however, Saffron started down the stairs, his hand running along the rail.

Matt stepped in front of Saffron, blocking his path and laid his hands on his shouders genlty. "No baby.." he said softly. "You don’t want to go down there...please...Forget it and come back to bed."

Saffron shook his head slowly, eyes still on the study. "No...I know he's there..." Maxine groaned softly and was already heading down the stairs, even as Saffron ducked under Matt's arms.

Matt growled softly but followed Saffron, one hand going out to catch hold of his. "Alright... but I'm right here...I'll kick his ass if he so much as looks at you wrong... alright?" he sid softly as he kept pace with him, his other hand clenched in a fist to stop himself from giving into the temptaion to pick him up and carry him as far from Rin as he could.

Maxine had made it into the study first and grabbed Rin's arm, drawing him close, before hissing. "If you so much as put one toe out of line, Rin, you know just exactly what I can do in return."

"I don't need your warnings, Laurelas." Rin replied.

"You brought me into this, Rin. Remember that. Hell, even your own SON has threatened to kill you if you do or say the wrong thing." Maxine hissed.

Rin's eyes flashed, "I'm well aware of that." He sneered softly in return, even as they both heard the door opening again.

Matt pulled Saffron closer, slipping his arm around him, wanting to do more to sheild him. "Are you sure about this, baby?" he asked softly as Saffrons hand touched the door. "You don’t have to..."

"I want to." Saffron answered simply, before pushing the door open. Both Maxine and Rin turned toward the door, Maxine backed off, after shooting Rin a warning look, and then headed back to her desk, to lean against it. Saffron stared at Rin for a long moment, trying to decide what it was he wanted to say to him. Rin merely stood there not failing to notice the way Matt was holding Saffron.

Matt tried not to hold Saffron too tightly, trying to make his arm  relax around him. He kept his eyes on Rin, watching him closely, part of him glad he didn't have one of his blades with him... he might have been tempted to use it. "Why are you here.... 'dad'." Matt finally asked, breaking the silence with a sneer.

Rin snorted faintly, letting his gaze shift to Matt. "Do you really care?" He asked in reply.

Saffron winced, his voice was still the same, soft and silky. "I do." Saffron replied softly. "Why are you here...after all these years..? I was eighteen the last time I saw you...And our parting wasn't exactly what I'd call sweet."

 "Through no fault of my own." Rin replied simply.

Matt snorted his own reply, but didn't say anything. He simply let his hand rub lightly along Saffron's waist, letting him know he was still with him. Part of him wanted to demand to know why he'd never tried to make contact with him before... He'd suspected that his mother had gone all the way to Egypt to have him was more then mere sentiment... most likely some way to keep his father from him.. but still.. he'd known about him and where he was all this time...

"No fault of your own...no; nothing was ever your fault, was it Rin?" Saffron asked coldly.

Rin seemed to take the tone in good grace. "There's a lot you don't know, Saffron." He said simply.

"And a lot you'll never tell me." Saffron tone slipped even colder.

Rin sighed deeply. "What do you want to know, hmm? You want to know why LiVed took you in the first place? Why you were placed in my charge?" Rin replied.

"How about why you fucking used him like you did?" Matt asked softly. "How about why you chose now to pop back in, hmm?" He snorted, his eyes dark. "I'll tell you why... fucking faerie games...sorry, Maxi."

"No worries." Maxi replied from her spot with a faint smile.

"Quick to judge and make assumptions." Rin replied, looking back at Matt again. "That's a good way to make enemies."

"I want to know everything that's been brought up." Saffron replied, he was trembling slightly, holding back the tears. "But you won’t tell me."

Matt felt the slight trembling and looked down, his arm tightening slightly. "Hey... forget him, alright? Let’s just go, baby..." Matt said softly, stroking Saffron’s face tenderly, turning him to face him. "You said it yourself, baby.. he won't answer... so let’s just go."

Saffron closed his eyes for a moment, against the rush of tears, considering, before nodding slightly to Matt, He really didn't know why he'd even bothered to come in here. Maybe just to be sure...about Rin and Matt, which there was no doubt.

Matt pulled him closer as he turned back to the door. Ignoring Rin, he looked to Maxine. "If you don't kick the bastard out... at least keep him the fuck away from us..." he said softly as he pulled the door open and they headed back out into the hall.

"Saffron...you'll change before your next birthday...and then LiVed really won’t give up...For anything, or anyone." Rin said evenly from the room.

"Well Rin, you've seen them. Time for you to go. Do keep in touch, dear." Maxine said, moving forwad to take Rin's arm. At that moment, Maxine and Rin both froze as a gastly howl was heard outside. It was answered not once, but twice. "Son of a bitch, he couldn't have!" Maxine swore

Matt fet a chill run through him at the sound, cutting off his angry retort to Rin. He pulled Saffron closer as he spun back to face Maxine. "What the fuck are those?" he asked. "Who couldn't have?" His gaze shot to Rin and hardened again instantly. "If you had anything to do with this.. you're fucking dead..."

Rin was already moving toward a window. "There you go, jumping to conclusions again." He remarked simply with out looking back. Another howl, this one closer.

Maxine had moved to the other window. "Those are hell hounds kid. And only the king of Ter Nah Nog can control them..."

 "What the fuck! Who's fox hunting?!" Mariko had appeared from a side room in the hall.

"Do you see them, Rin?" Maxine asked.

Rin was quiet for a long moment. "I see one of them, snooping around out side the perimeter." He answered.

"Smart bastards..." Maxine muttered.

Matt cursed softly, holding Saffron. "Sure... jumping to conclussions.. after all.. its just coincidence that they show up right after you?" he snapped then suddenly swept Saffron into his arms. "Fuck this ... fucking faerie shit... thanks alot Marilee..." he grumbled as he headed for the stairs. If they were going to wind up fighting or running again, clothing would be nice... at the very least his boots and a blade or two...

"What do you expect? You've got the Orcale of the Seal in your arms." Rin replied sarcastically, still watching out the window. "Think they'll cross?" He asked Maxine.

Maxine snorted. "They're smart, but not THAT smart...They'll cross." She answered.

"What?!" Mariko asked, being joined by Shane.

"Hell Hounds." Maxine answered.

 "Oh I HATE Hell Hounds." Shane growled.

"Harry back yet?" Maxine asked.

 "Yeah...crashing in the back room." Shane thumbed.

"Wake him." Maxine answered, turning to go back into her study and unlocked the weapon's cabinet.

~ ~