The sidewalks were relatively empty, despite the shops that lined the street, everything from high end clothing shops, to a couple gothic shops and a certain occult shop. Saffron sighed as they left one of the clothing shops Landan had insisted on and glanced at Landan. But Landan's gaze was down the street with half annoyed, half amused look. He was staring at a rather nice hearse in front of one of the Goth shops; the hearse had a parking ticket on it's windshield. With out saying a word, Landan snagged Saffron's arm and began dragging him in that direction, just as the door of the shop was opening. Matt flipped his sunglasses down as he stepped out side, the box containing his new boots in hand. His gaze fell on the piece of paper fluttering against his windshield and he cursed. "Oh for fucks sake..." he growled softly, setting the box of the roof as he snatched the offending paper. No sooner was the ticket in his hand then he felt an oddly pleasant ...presence. He turned in the direction it was coming from and cursed again as he spotted Landan. He let his gaze take in the slim black haired beauty at his half brothers side as he unlocked the car and tossed the box onto the passengers seat. "Fuck off, Landan. What ever you want, I don’t fucking care." Landan snorted with a snarky smirk. "I never said I wanted anything Mattias, was merely curious to what you're doing out in the day light...don't your kind prefer night?" He replied in a sarcastic tone. Saffron eyed Landan, wondering what the hell was going on. He looked back at the man next to the hearse and couldn't help but stare. He couldn't help but feel the blue hair looked much better on this guy then on Landan, and couldn't deny he found the guy much more attractive all around... Matt snorted as he leaned on the roof, one arm on the top of the door as he stood between, ready to leave. "Look who's fucking talking... don’t you have a rock to crawl under?" he said, his gaze slipping back to the girl. The pleasant chill of death that he'd first noticed was definitely coming from her, and reminded him of the feeling he got from a fellow necromancer... only this was much stronger. He made himself look back at Landan, then slipped his sunglasses off and tucked them in his pocket, knowing seeing his eyes always irritated Landan; their fathers' eyes. "What are you doing down town, dear brother? Finally decided to do something different with your hair? Or not ready to give up trying to look like me yet? You do know how pathetic that is, right?" Landan gave him a hand gesture in reply, but seemed to become more annoyed by the soft snort that came from beside him. He shot a dark look at Saffron who winced with a blush and shifted the bags in his hand. "I'll just... slip inside and leave you two to this..." Saffron said softly, starting to slip from Landan's side toward the shop door. Landan's hand caught Saffron's arm. "I said no about that, Saffron. You'll stay put." Landan said softly in reply to Saffron who sighed, adjusting the skirt again and did his best to turn his gaze else where, rather then at Landan's obvious rival. Landan turned back to Matt. "Seeing as this street is full of shops, I'd think the answer would be obvious. Same as you," He added, to the box in the car, "But with better taste." Matt smirked at that. "Whatever. You just know you can't pull it off. Even the hair looks like shit on you... you tried wearing jeans and leather and you'd get laughed at. Pathetic little Landan... trying to look like his baby brother... Because daddy likes the youngest one better." he said snidely, his eyes sparkling like mad. "Fuck, you're an ass." he added, dropping the sunglasses back down to cover his eyes. "Let the lady go, Landan. There's a nice police man headed this way and I doubt he'd like the way you’re squeezing her arm..." A rather wicked smirk came to Landan at that, though he had loosened his grip on Saffron's arm, letting go of it in order to slip it around Saffron's waist, drawing him against him. Saffron had blinked at hearing they were brothers and was looking back and forth between them. "You're brothers?" Saffron asked softly. "Unfortunately," Landan said with a sigh. "Saffron, my pet," every time he used that nickname, the meaning seemed so obvious, or Saffron thought other people should have picked up on it the way Landan said, "This is my little half brother, Mattias." Landan said. Matt found himself looking at Saffron, his jaw clenching at the sight of Landan holding her close like that. Something about it just bothered the hell out of him and he wasn't sure how much of it was just Landan... and how much was her. "Nice to meet you, Saffron. Pretty name. Whatever you see in this jack ass.. its not worth it. Go find someone else to be with." he said simply, raising a hand to give a slight wave at the cop as he was about to head into one of the shops. The cop, no doubt recognizing him from his work for Chaos Inc... or maybe from arresting him on occasion, paled and made a dash inside the store. Matt smirked and looked back at Landan and Saffron. " Well... it's been loads of fun, but I gotta go. I'm serious about the hair, Landan. Looks like shit on you. Saff... babe.. run away, girl... run very far away." he said simply, ducking inside the hearse and pulling the door shut behind him. Saffron was forced to smile at Matt's words, though the smile was faintly sad, considering he doubted Matt knew the half of it. Landan only let go of Saffron when Matt's car door had closed and he turned to Saffron with a hiss. "If you ever see him on the street or such again, you are not to talk to him." Landan hissed. Saffron blinked. "What...?" Landan's hand closed rather tightly around Saffron's arm again. "You heard me, You are never to talk to him, again!" Landan hissed darkly. Matt hesitated before he started the car, his eyes on Saffron's face as Landan leaned close to her. He knew from the way his brother was standing that he was furious and by the look on the girl's face, he was taking it out on her... or starting to, anyhow. The thought brought a wave of regret and he hit the steering wheel with the flat of his hand. "Fuck..." he muttered, then told himself it was none of his business... if she chose to be with the asshole, then obviously she knew what she was dealing with. He started the car, his eyes going back to Saffron, hoping she'd be alright... and wondering why he cared. Saffron was only half aware of the fact that the car had just started and he couldn't stop himself from glancing that way out of curiosity; Which was a mistake. Landan's grip tightened so hard that Saffron openly winced and Landan's other hand grabbed Saffron's chin, making him look at him. Saffron couldn't remember ever seeing Landan so furious. "What did I say, Saffron?" Landan snarled. "Well I certainly wasn't talking to him..." Saffron replied sarcastically and regretted that as Landan actually smacked him. That did it for Saffron, who opened up his abilities enough to actually cause Landan to let go of him, even if it pissed him off more. Saffron had half a hope the cop had seen that. "I don't know what you're pissed about, Landan, but don't take it out on me!" Saffron hissed. Matt slammed the car back into park, abandoning his attempt to pull out onto the street before he'd even begun. He'd tried not to see Landan hit her... but the sudden rush of the death sense coming from her was too much to ignore. He shut the car off and got out, ignoring the angry honk from the car that had to stop suddenly to avoid hitting him. "Do that again." he said coldly as he came to a stop beside them, his arms crossed over his chest to keep from pulling her away from him. Again, he wasn't sure if she drew him because she was with Landan... or if it was all her and this death connection between them... either way, she was definitely going to be trouble. "Go on, 'big brother'... hit her again and see what happens." Landan gave Matt a dark glare, just as dark as the one he'd been giving Saffron for using his abilities. "I don't think it's any of your damned business, 'little brother', so just get back in your piece of shit and leave. Saffron can take care of herself." Landan snarled. Saffron found his gaze going toward Matt, and Landan's hand tightened enough to bruise. It was enough to make Saffron turn back to him. "Let me go, Landan!" Saffron snapped softly. Saffron was used to Landan being over possessive, to a degree, but not like this. "You heard the lady... let her go." Matt said simply. "You need a ride some where, Saffron?" he asked, his eyes on Landan. "Yeah...I think that's a good idea..." Saffron replied, which only angered Landan more, who yanked Saffron closer. "I told you not to talk to him" Landan sneered, ignoring Matt. Saffron couldn't help but shake off the sudden since of panic and a feeling that if he didn't get away from Landan now, he was going to regret it. Matt reached out and grabbed Landan by the hair at the back of his head, yanking hard. "Let the lady go." he said softly, giving another yank as he grabbed Landan's wrist with the other hand and squeezed. Landan growled and dug his nails into Saffron's arm, drawing a whimper from Saffron, at the same time pulling his magic to him. Saffron was aware of that and did the only thing he could think of again and opened his own abilities again, only much more open; at least enough to knock Landan out. Landan's eyes rolled back and his hand let go of Saffron as he crumpled. "Oh shit!" Saffron breathed, staring down at Landan wide eyed. Matt saw Landan begin to fall and snatched Saffron away, pulling her closer to him. He eyed Landan as he lay unconscious on the sidewalk and snorted softly. "Nice move... if I'd known you could do that I wouldn't have gone all hero and shit. You okay?" he asked, looking down at her, suddenly aware of the delicious tingle that shot through him where ever they touched, tinged with that familiar comforting chill of the death sense. Saffron blinked, still staring at Landan a moment. "I really shouldn't have done that..." He muttered, before he realized that Matt had not only pulled him closer to him, but he'd also asked if he was okay. "Yeah...yeah... I think so... just a bit of shock and a high..." He muttered, shaking his head, before raising a hand to the arm Landan had been gripping, and winced at the feel of a bruise. "I don't think I've ever seen him that way..." He muttered. In public anyway, but Saffron didn't add that out loud. Matt felt a twinge of guilt and winced slightly, his arm slipping around Saffron's waist. "Yeah.. sorry... that's my fault. He hates my guts... I shouldn't have pissed him off with you around to take the heat... Come on..." he said softly, urging her towards the hearse. "Let me get you out of here before he comes around..." Saffron actually managed to focus on that last bit and actually snorted softly, a faint smirk coming to him. "For what I did, he may be there awhile..." He muttered softly, but didn't put up any resistance of going with Matt. "Although I will admit I've never known him to really hate any one..." Saffron added thoughtfully. Matt snorted at that as he got her to the car and opened the passenger door. "Then you don't know him at all. He hates me with pretty much everything he has... and he hates our father  and sister too, although I think I'm the top of his list." he found himself reluctant to let go of her, but made him pull his arm away. "Go on... get in." He said, reaching past her to toss the box into the back seat. "You may be right...about me not knowing him at all...he's never mentioned a brother or sister to me, and the father has mentioned as always been in high regards..." Saffron said. "Nice hearse, by the way..." He added with a smile before slipping in, realizing he still had the bags from the store and wondering if he should bother to keep any of it... Matt laughed darkly as he shut her door and headed around to the other side. He didn't bother with the seat belt as he started the car again. "Thanks... and the father he speaks highly off isn't his father... that’s just the dumb fuck who was tricked into raising him. Not many people know that isn't his real father... so he doesn't admit it if he can avoid it." he said simply as he pulled out into the street. "You got some place safe I can take you to, Saffron? Incase he comes after you for that...?" Saffron blinked, looking at Matt a moment, realizing the man had a point, Landan WOULD come after him for that. But other then Saffron's apartment, no, he didn't. "No, not really, he'll find me at my apartment." Saffron replied simply with a sigh. Matt shot a glance at him then turned his attention back on the road. "Well... you could stay at my place until you get something else figured out. I mean… it's my fault after all...." he said softly. "If you'd rather not… I can see if you could stay with my sister....?" "He's going to be really pissed about me using my abilities on him..." Saffron muttered, chewing on his bottom lip a moment, before sighing. He was suddenly very tempted to stay with Matt. "You ask a lot of strangers if they'd want to stay with you?" He asked with a smirk, looking at him. Matt gave a sharp laugh at that. "Babe... I don't 'ask' for shit, especially concerning my home. I don't even encourage company. The only people alive who've set foot inside my house are my father and sister... and even they get glared at." he said with a snort, smiling softly as he found himself enjoying the feel of her close by. "So if I accepted your offer, I should be prepared to be glared at quite a lot?" Saffron asked playfully, surprised at himself. He'd never been so at ease around some one he'd just met; he chalked up to the high of taking a good chunk of Landan's life as well as the aura of death he felt off Matt. "Well if Landan hates you as much as you say, I imagine it would royally piss him off if I stayed with you..." He added softly, more serious, before looking away. "And I'd hate for him to come busting down your door to get me..." Matt snorted and smirked even more. "He doesn't have the balls to knock on my door let alone 'bust it down'..." he said simply. "Assuming he even knows where I live. He's never called, either... so maybe he doesn't even know my number. My property and everything is under a different name then the one I use, so you never know." he said lightly, his mind spinning at the thought of spending time around the gorgeous woman next to him. A gorgeous woman with a very strong death connection... "You said you used your abilities on him... " he asked, glancing over at him. "What abilities? I'd pegged you for a necromancer like me, but... that doesn’t look like anything I've ever been able to do.... not to one of the fully living, anyhow." Saffron snorted softly, and shook his head. "That's because I'm not a necromancer...I'm the current Death Elemental..." He answered softly, hoping he wasn't making a mistake by telling. "He hates that about me...most everyone does..." He added softly. Matt raised an eyebrow. "Death Elemental, huh? Cool." he said simply, finding himself relaxing fully now that that question had been answered. "You guys are a big deal... Legendary, even. For those who know about Elementals and shit, anyhow." he added. " Wouldn't surprise me if he hates that about you... because it reminds him of me. I'm a necromancer. From what I've heard recently... THE necromancer... apparently I'm the only the 'real' one left around. Just me and the witchy-wannabes..." Saffron looked over at him, a bit wide eyed. "You're a necromancer...and you're still...free?" He knew that came out wrong, and shook his head. "I mean... no one's come after you..." He added, blushing slightly, LiVed would love to get his hands on a necromancer...a real one... Matt smirked darkly at that as he turned the corner, taking them off the main street and onto one of the lesser traveled side streets. "Sure they've come after me... they just can't hold onto me.... If they even manage to catch me, that is..." he said softly as he pulled over to the curb and parked, the engine idling as he turned to face Saffron. "So where to?" he asked, changing the subject for the moment. "If you tell me where you live I can take you there so you can grab some things. After that it's up to you. Like I said… you can stay at my place, or I can call my sister. Or if you don't want to get any deeper in the mess between Landan and me, then I can take you to Chaos Inc. They'd let you stay for a bit... keep you safe." Saffron sighed softly, before shaking his head. "Best to avoid Chaos Inc..." He muttered softly. 'I'm already in deep shit with Landan, I doubt really...accepting your offer would make it worse...and definitely not any better..." He added. He chewed on his lip for a moment, before going with instinct, "If you don't mind me staying with you for a little while, then I will..." He said softly. Matt swallowed past a sudden lump in his throat. "Nah... don't mind. I offered, didn't I?" he asked softly. "Least I can do after starting this shit in the first place..." he said, turning back around and putting his hands on the steering wheel to help fight off the urge to touch her again; just feel that tingling rush of energy between them. "So... where to?" he asked. "You really didn't start anything..." Saffron replied softly. "Mattias, was it...? Just so you know, I don't usually do this...accepting to stay with some one I... don't know..." He added softly with a blush. Matt felt himself blush slightly at hearing her say his name. "Yeah... Mattias. But most people just call me Matt. Matt Hogan..." he said, reaching out to offer his hand. "Well... I guess more people call me Graves then either of those, but..." he gave a slight shrug, still smirking. "But you can call me Mattias if you want." he said. "And just so you know... we're even. Like I said... I don’t invite people in... But I owe you." Saffron smirked slightly, he really hoped he wasn't making a bad mistake, but he knew Landan was going to be down right furious with him AND instinct told him to go with Matt. "Nice to meet you, Matt. I'm Saffron Azreal. And you can take me by the apartment building on the corner west third and Appleton." He said in reply with a smile, accepting his hand. Matt smiled softly at the tingling rush of cool energy as he shook Saffron’s hand, squeezing it gently. "Nice to meet you too, Saffron." he said quietly. "West Third and Appleton it is..." he added, forcing himself to let go and focus on driving as he pulled back out onto the street. They arrived at Saffron's apartment building and Saffron started to get out, then paused, hesitating a moment. "You're welcome to come up with me, if you like...it...won’t take me long to get a few things..." He said softly, wondering if he was blushing. He had a feeling he should take down his posters just in case Landan did stop by his apartment looking for him. The bastard did know what those posters meant to Saffron. Matt snorted and shut the car off, pocketing the keys. "Sure. I can make sure no one bothers you.. scare 'em off and shit. Play bodyguard." he said with a smirk. "Plus you'll have someone to carry your shit for you when you're done, right?" he asked with a smirk, getting out of the car and locking his door behind him. "Lead the way, babe. Who knows when my dear brother will wake up and find his ass laid out on the sidewalk and the two of us gone." "I'm hoping for a good hour or so, if they haven't taken him to a hospital or something." Saffron said, getting his keys out but leading the way into the building and to the elevator. "And thanks, but...I think I'll be able to handle carrying any of my shit I chose to take..." He added with a faint smile. "I'm not as fragile as I look..." He hit the button for the third floor as they entered the elevator. Matt smirked softly as he followed, not failing to take the opportunity to check her out. Despite his brother being an insufferable egotistical asshole... he did have excellent taste in women. "Hey... for you? I don’t mind helping. Like I said... I owe you. You've no doubt got at least one bruise that's my fault, not to mention no longer being safe in your own home." "Safe has always been a contradiction for me..." Saffron replied softly with out looking at him, watching the numbers of the floor a moment before they arrived at the third floor. He led Matt down the hall to his apartment door and unlocked it, opening the door to a small living room in deep colors, the walls lined with framed movie posters of classic horror movies. "Make yourself at home, I'll be a moment or two..." He said, closing the door after Matt. Matt watched Saffron a moment then took her at her word. He slipped his hands into his pockets and wandered around the room looking at the poster and smiling softly. He knew without a doubt his brother had nothing to do with this place... he'd most likely been there, but he definitely had had no part in buying, furnishing or decorating it. He paused in front of a Bela Legosi poster and sighed softly as that thought brought home the fact that nothing Saffron valued would be safe from Landan's anger... and it was plain to see she valued her space here. Landan would waste no time in destroying what he could or making sure it was completely lost to her. Without another thought, he reached out and carefully began to take down the framed prints, leaning them against the wall. Saffron went straight to his bedroom and broke out his travel bag and began shoving clothes into it, his mind turning things over. He was trying to decide if he should disclose his secret now, or leave things the way they were... With a sigh, he glanced around the bedroom, before packing a few more things and decided that was enough for now. With a sigh he left the bedroom with the bag and headed back into the living room, to see Matt taking the prints off the wall. "Didn't like the order they were in, or do classic horror films disturb you?" He asked lightly with a raised eyebrow. Matt took down another one, carefully stacking it with the others. "Don't feel like leaving them behind for Landan to use as kindling..." he said softly. "There's room in the car if there's anything else that matters to you..." he added, moving to the next print. "We can wrap these in blankets to protect them for the trip... it's a bit of a drive." Saffron sighed softly, running his fingers along the last frame he took down, the Midnight in London poster. "Most of my savings are in these...Landan knows that..." He sat his bag down. "There's a few things, not nearly this big, just... small mementos I don't want to loose, I'll get them..." He said softly, before heading back for his bedroom. Matt looked over, watching her leave; the sadness in her voice no where near as painful to hear as the resignation. He wondered just why she'd been with Landan to begin with if she so easily accepted the news that he'd destroy everything she loved just to get back at her. He snorted softly and went back to removing the last of the posters, suddenly beginning to wonder if she'd had any choice in being with Landan... he wouldn't put it past his brother to somehow manage to find a way to hold on to her if he wanted her badly enough. The question was what Landan could be holding over her head to keep her with him... Saffron gathered up the few precious things that meant the most to him, though he doubted they would to any one else. The ragged teddy bear he picked up off the corner of the bed as he grabbed the smaller bag with those other mementos and headed back toward the living room, a thought crossing his mind that...maybe this was his chance to escape Landan... He held the teddy bear rather tightly at that thought and tried not to be hopeful. "Alright, I have everything..." Matt looked up and smiled softly at seeing her clutching the ragged old teddy bear. He felt a wave of tenderness completely unlike him at seeing how fragile she looked, and the protective urge he'd felt earlier only strengthened. "I'll grab some sheets to wrap these in and we can go then." he said softly, starting past her towards the bedroom. He paused and dug his keys out of his pocket and held them out to her. "So you can open the door... I'm not letting you drive.." he said with a soft smirk, his eyes sparkling as he looked down at her, a bit overwhelmed with how she made him feel. Saffron looked at the keys a moment, not able to help but feel that taking them, sealed everything. Then sighed and took the keys. "Probably a good idea...not letting me drive..." He said softly with a smirk. "Um, there's some sheets and blankets in the wardrobe, just inside the bedroom." He added. "There a reason I shouldn't just take the ones off the bed? Actually…" he said and looked back at the stack of framed prints. "Might be easier if I lay them on the bed and wrap them..." he said softly, resisting the temptation to touch her again as he went back to carefully pick up half the stack. "Well it does insure my favorite satin comforter gets to go along..." Saffron said with a faint smirk about the deep red satin comforter on the bed. He glanced around the living room a moment, to see if there was anything in there he should also take. Matt smirked softly as he headed into the bedroom, trying not to let his imagination get away from him as he set about wrapping the prints together; making sure there was a layer of material cushioning each print. When he had one large bundle made out of the stack, he took it out to the living room and grabbed the rest of them to do the same. Two large bundles of safely wrapped prints, along with the bags meant two trips. He could probably carry both bundles at once if Saffron took the bags and got all the doors, but he didn't want to risk damaging the posters, or running into trouble without having a hand free. "Let's go. Take what can, I'll come back for the rest." "I can get the bags." Saffron said, grabbing his one bag and the smaller one with the trinkets. "I don't...really think I can take anything else; too much to move..." He added softly a moment, before shaking his head and heading for the apartment door, opening it and waiting for Matt, before closing the apartment door for now and heading for the elevator. "So how long IS the drive?" Saffron asked as they entered the elevator. Matt followed with one bundle, his eyes finding their own way to watch her as she walked ahead of him again." Don't sweat it... there's room in the back of the hearse. I don't mind. If there's shit you want, tell me and I'll bring it down." he said simply, then sighed softly. "And .. its about five hours... give or take. Depends on how fast I drive and what roads I take... and how lucky I am at avoiding cops." "Get pulled over a lot?" Saffron asked with a faint smirk, looking at Matt as the elevator doors closed and it began descending. "Five hours...that certainly puts distance between...us and Landan..." Saffron added, a faint hopefulness in his voice as he eyed the teddy bear he was carrying. "Yeah... puts most of the State between us. Plus my place sits on holy ground... so even if he did know where to look for you..." he snorted in amusement. "Landan's full fae... and he didn't inherit dad's ability to cross consecrated ground... Another thing that pisses him off." he said, trying to keep his eyes on the floor indicator instead of her. "As for the cops... we've had our little get-togethers. It's best that I just avoid them... they're not fond of me for some reason..." he said innocently. Saffron looked at Matt a moment, before actually laughing softly. "Couldn't tell you why they're not fond of you..." He answered with a smile. He fell quiet after a moment, as the elevator reached its stop, before speaking again. "Matt... thank you..." He said softly, glancing at him again. Matt felt his face grow warm at Saffron's soft tone and hoped he wasn't blushing. "Don’t mention it, Saffron... like I said... I owe you. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be in this mess." Saffron snorted softly and waited a moment before stepping out of the elevator. "I' was in the mess before you, Matt..." He replied softly, fingering the keys to the hearse, but heading for the door to outside with his bags. Matt sighed softly at that, the odd little comment confirming his earlier thoughts about the relationship between her and Landan not being all that willing. He followed closely so she wouldn't have to hold the doors open long for him. "If I hadn't baited him back there, you wouldn't be running right now." he said simply. "Or are you telling me he's always been a danger to you and I'm just the first chance you had at getting away from him...?" Saffron snorted softly. "I've managed to consider it a bit...since earlier..." He said softly, as they reached hearse. "This is my first chance to get away from him...and I would be a fool not to take it..." He said softly, opening the back of the hearse. Matt paused a minute as he watched her, then set the bundle inside the car. "In that case... you're welcome. I'm glad I could help." he said softly, this time sure he was blushing. He turned back to the building. "I'll get the rest of the prints. You sure you don’t want anything else?" Saffron turned his gaze up toward the apartment a moment, knowing which window was his, but shook his head. "No... this is all that's important to me..." He replied softly. He bit his lip a moment, before feeling the need to add. "I'm sorry... if I end up dragging you into any more of a mess with Landan. He's...not going to let me go that easily..." Matt laughed softly at that, turning back to look at her  and held out his hand. "Not possible, babe. You don’t have to come up... just give me the keys and I'll manage... you can wait in the car if you want." Saffron snorted softly with a slight smirk, before handing him the apartment keys. He knew there was nothing in the apartment that would reveal his secret, a look in what was left in the underwear drawer wouldn't reveal any, nor the closet since Landan had replaced his wardrobe that that reason. "I doubt it'll do much good, but... just remember to lock all three locks when you leave..." Matt snorted softly. "Sure thing. Get in the car and lock the doors... just in case." he said simply heading for the building, then paused and looked over his shoulder. "If anything happens... take the car and head back to the Chaos Inc. building... I've done some work for them... you'll be safe from Landan there until I can come get you." "Right..." Saffron said softly, before getting into the hearse and locking the doors. He had no intention of going there if he had to, especially over Landan. That would be...difficult. He watched Matt through the windows of the building, heading for the elevator and sighed and found himself cuddling the old teddy bear. It didn't take Matt long to retrieve the second bundle and lock up, even so he found himself sighing in relief as he came out of the building and saw Saffron seated in the car. Part of him had been sure he'd find her gone. He headed around to the back of the hearse and gingerly set the bundle down to open to the back door. He carefully nestled it in beside the other bundle and Saffron’s bags, then shut the door and headed around to the drivers side. He tossed Saffron his keys as he shut the door. "It'll be late by the time we reach my place. You mind stopping half way for something to eat? There's a truck stop that serves fairly decent food about two hours before we hit Meaford...." he said, accepting his own keys from Saffron and starting the car. "Although... we do need to stop for coffee on the way out of Boston..." "Coffee's good for me." Saffron said with a slight smile, doing his belt, he hadn't put up the bear. "But stopping half way there to eat is also fine with me. I imagine I'll be something of hungry by then." He said softly, glancing at Matt. ~~ Matt couldn't seem to help watching the attractive woman across the table from him as they ate. He kept trying to look away; keep an eye on the hearse outside; keep an eye on the men inside who seemed to be paying Saffron too much attention... but in the end, he always found himself watching her again. The food was as good as always, but he barely tasted it. Finally he finished his burger and started on his fries, breaking the silence as he did. "My guestroom isn't really fit for company right now... I was... `blessed’... by a visit from my sister a little while ago and haven't really recovered yet... So you can have my room for now." Saffron raised an eyebrow; he'd just had a large order of french fries and a milkshake and was sipping on the milk shake at the moment. "The way you say that, makes me wonder if she trashed your guest room, or tried to redecorate you house..." He said with a slight smirk, before brushing a black curl behind his ear. Matt smirked at that as he toyed with a few fries before popping them in his mouth. He swallowed, and shot Saffron a grin. "Sort of... a combination of the two... I stopped her in her tracks for most of the place.... but she had a bit more of a head start in the guestroom... Plus she's a fucking slob..." "Ah...that bad hmm..." Saffron smirked as he sat the milk shake on the table. "So how’s your couch then? Because that would really be just as fine for me..." He added. Matt snorted softly. "Couch is already occupied. You'll have to make due with my room until I get the guestroom straightened up a bit more. Don’t worry... I swear the bed is made, clean sheets and everything. No dirty magazines stuffed under the bed or underwear laying on the floor." he said with a smirk as he ate, then held up his empty cup for the waitress to see and bring more coffee. Saffron laughed softly. "As if either would really bother me...but...really...you don't have to...put yourself out like that..." Saffron said softly, seriously. The waitress appeared and refilled Matt's cup with a wink, then slipped a saucer onto the table in front of him slyly. "Enjoy, darlin'... I had a feelin' you'd be through here today so I saved ya one. Fresh baked this morning."  Matt looked down at the butter tart and grinned chuckling softly. "I have been coming here way too much if you know me that well." he said lightly. She gave him another wink and turned to Saffron. "Not well enough obviously since I don’ recall ya ever bringing this pretty young thing along with ya before. Can I get ya anything else, love?" she asked, and Matt just shook his head slightly at her flirting. May, he knew, was happily married to the head cook with a bunch of kids... something he'd found out the second time he came through and saved the oldest girl from some unwanted attention. May had adopted him immediately and had been spoiling him ever since. She had a sixth sense about when he'd be around that never failed to amaze him. Saffron blushed faintly at being called pretty, but he'd pretty much finished his french fries and was just sipping on the milk shake. He felt slightly self conscious since he was still in the skirt, heels and blouse and wondered how long he could keep up the rouse before Matt found out the truth...and what would happen then. When May had finished her fussing and left, Matt finished of his fries. "You like butter tarts? May may be a terrible cook and be banned from helping prep meals... but she's an amazing baker. I'll share." he added with a playful smirk, sliding the plate with the tart a bit closer to Saffron.  Saffron smiled softly though he was still blushing faintly, but shook her head. "Thank you, but no...go right ahead..." He said softly, before finishing his milk shake. He shifted with a nervous energy, then realized one of the most important things he should have asked before, came to him. "I know this is kinda late, but...I never did ask...if you’re married...or seeing any one. I really wouldn't want to...cause any problems between you and a significant other..." Matt choked on the first bite of butter tart, and it took a moment for him to catch his breath. His face was still red as he took a drink of coffee to wash the remains down. "Umm... no. Definitely not married." he said softly, before giving a slight cough to clear his throat. "Don’t make me laugh when I'm eating... May'll think I'm insulting her food and hurt me..." he added with a smirk. "No... not married and not seeing anyone. No one can put up with me for long. My last girlfriend still tries to get me arrested or shoot me whenever the urge hits her... and in between assassination attempts she'll call me up and ask me out. Not sure you'd really consider that ' seeing someone' though..." he admitted with a chuckle, his face still red as he ate the tart quickly. Saffron raised an eyebrow, eyeing Matt a moment. "I kinda find it hard to believe no one can put up with you for long...You don't strike me as that bad of a guy. Certainly can't be as bad as Landan...he's a charming snake...it's only behind closed doors that his true colors come out..." Saffron said softly. "Or are you just as bad as him?" He asked softly, weary more then anything else. Matt wiped his hands off on the napkin then picked up his coffee cup. "No...I'm not like him." he said softly. "I'm a necromancer. I'm the walking breathing dead... although I don’t really have to breathe..." he said then smirked slightly. "Being able to control the dead and shit... kind of freaks people out. I got tired of all the 'spawn of the devil' shit back when I was a kid. I keep people at a distance... kinda hard to have relationships when you live like that." "Seems...awfully lonely..." Saffron said softly, looking at him. "But then...death is lonely and I know that more then any one else..." Saffron added, looking out the window. "Its sad that no one cares just because you spend all your time with corpses...and those that do pay attention, just want to use you...My entire life has always been some one using me..." Matt couldn't help but watch her and she spoke, and before he realized it, he felt the cool tingling chill of death as his hand closed over hers. For a moment he couldn't say anything and then he didn't dare. Instead he just lowered his gaze to their hands and gave hers a gentle squeeze. "Life sucks." he said simply before pulling back and drinking his coffee. "You deal or you die... Make the best of it, babe. It's all you can do." Saffron snorted softly. "How do you think I've survived so long..." He replied softly, looking back at Matt with a tired expression. Then shook his head with a weary smirk. "Ignore me...I haven't had much sleep and the last couple of days have been...tiring for me...and I get brooding when I'm tired..." You don't have to apologize." Matt said softly, finishing off his coffee. "And you don’t have to stay awake to keep me company either, Saffron. We've still got a couple hours to go... why don’t you get some sleep while I drive? Then you can crash as soon as get there." he said, standing from the table. "I'm going to go argue with May over the bill. I'll try not to be too long." Saffron shook his head. "No...the longer I stay up before I crash...the less nightmares I have..." He said softly, "I'll be right back, have to powder my nose..." He said with a faint smile, before slipping from the table and heading toward the rest rooms. Matt watched her go then headed for the cash where he argued with May over her only charging him half price as usual. She finally relented and agreed he could win as long as he told her who the girl was. Matt smirked slightly as he gave her the money and put his wallet away. "I kidnapped her from my brother. The bastard didn’t deserve her... so I'm taking her home with me." he said lightly. May eyed him a moment then smacked his arm and laughed, obviously not believing him. He headed for the door, keeping an eye out for Saffron. ~~ Saffron had more or less used the bathroom as a chance to try and figure out what his confused thoughts where. Finding out Matt wasn't seeing any one had...sparked something in him, but he didn't dare try to get close like he suddenly wanted to because of his secret. Deciding he'd stayed to long, he cleaned up the eye make up that had run from being so tired and rubbing his eyes, then left the bathroom and headed back out to Matt. Seeing him by the door waiting for him, he couldn't help the soft smile that came to him... The soft smile Saffron shot his way when she appeared sent his heart racing, and Matt had to look away so she wouldn't see the blush he was fairly sure covered his face. Unfortunately, he turned towards May who noticed and grinned, giving him two thumbs up. He groaned and shook his head, wondering at how Saffron could effect him so quickly and... deeply. At first he'd thought it was just the fact she was with Landan ... then that he was responsible for him hurting her. Plus there was this death connection between them. But the longer he was around her, the more he realized it was more then just those things. He cleared his throat as she approached, wondering if he should put as much space between them  while she was staying with him as he could... the last thing he needed... or she needed, was for him to fall in love... and he was afraid that was exactly where it was heading. "All set?" he asked softly, resisting the urge to touch her and instead pulling open the door. "Yeah, all set." Saffron replied softly, a faint blush coming to him as he reached Matt and let him open the door, before slipping outside first. He paused, giving another nervous glance around the outside that he always did when leaving a building, before relaxing slowly. He wasn't sure which he was looking for this time, Landan, or worse... Matt stepped up behind Saffron and let his hand rest on the small of her back lightly. "Hey... it's alright." he said softly. "I won't let anything happen to you... Come on... let's get going." he added, ushering her gently towards the hearse parked just a short distance away. "Old habits die hard..." Saffron replied softly with a blush but let Matt usher him. "Should probably find a way to break that kind of habit though..." He added with a slight smirk. "Nah....caution is one habit you should definitely keep." Matt said softly as he unlocked her door and opened it for her. "Just not something you have to worry about when I'm here taking care of you." he added. "Come on... lets go home. My cat is probably finishing off the job my sister started..." ~~ Saffron had managed to cat nap on and off for the rest of the trip, but was still exhausted by the time they reached Matt's place. After a short basic tour of the place and considering it was late, Saffron had managed to unpack. At the moment, he was standing at one of the windows in the loft looking out, the curtain half parted. And starting to feel like this was a really bad idea. If he wasn't worried about Landan's revenge, then he was terribly afraid of what would happen when Matt found out the truth...and the fact that Saffron was falling more and more for Matt wasn't helping that. With a sigh, he let the curtain closed, before making his way down stairs, to the kitchen, where Matt was feeding Iggy. Matt was looking out the patio doors towards the cemetery, listening to the steady growl as Iggy wolfed down her supper as usual. The kitten had spent the last couple days terrorizing the caretaker out in the cemetery while Matt had been in the city. He caught the movement of Saffron's reflection in the door as she entered the kitchen, and he turned to look at her. "Hey. What are you doing still up?" he asked softly. "You're exhausted babe... go on back upstairs and crash." Saffron smiled faintly, with a blush. "I will... in a minute. I just...wanted to thank you again, for letting me stay... and... rescuing me from Landan. I really don't think I've ever been rescued..." He said softly, hesitating a moment before finding himself moving closer, using the excuse to look out the patio doors. "This... place really is...well... beautiful for lack of better words. Its so... peaceful..." He said softly, knowing he was standing close and did his best to stay looking out at the cemetery. Matt closed his eyes for a moment and just enjoyed the feel of the energy between them as she stood close. "Like I said... you're welcome. I'm glad you like it here." he added then opened his eyes. He reached out to brush the hair back off of Saffron’s forehead and kissed the bare skin lightly, his lips burning from the slight contact. "Good night, Saffron. I'll see you in the morning." Saffron felt his heart beating wildly and looked up at Matt for a moment, trying to decide what his next move should be; if he should give into the death elemental in him or keep playing the meek part. He gave into the death elemental, before leaning up and kissing Matt softly. The rush of power that hit him with that soft kiss brought a soft moan from him and he had to pull back and catch his breath. "Wow." he said softly, his hands cradling her face tenderly. He tried to think of something to say; sort through all the arguments, the biggest one being she'd just been through a lot... but in the end he just leaned in and kissed her back. A soft moan escaped Saffron when Matt kissed him back and his eyes fluttered closed. He'd never felt a kiss like it and it made the death elemental in him want more. He took the last step closer, one hand coming to rest on Matt's chest. Not even Landan had made him feel like this. The other side of him was telling him to pull away, before things got to out of control... Matt let his arms slip around Saffron, holding her close as he kissed her, knowing then that it was too late. He'd already fallen head over heels for her, and he'd fallen hard. Breaking the kiss with a soft groan, Matt rested his forehead against hers a moment. "Damn angel..." he whispered softly. "This is... not good timing." he added softly, unable to say it was wrong. "You've just ... I mean..." he sighed again, kissing her quickly before letting go. "I think you should head up to bed and get some sleep... and see if you still feel that way when you wake up...." Saffron blushed darkly, but had taken a good step away from Matt, not really capable of looking at him. "I really shouldn't have been so bold." He said. "I mean... I wanted to...but..." He shook his head. "I'm sorry..." He turned to head toward the kitchen door, knowing he'd almost blown his own secret. "I'm just... just gonna go to bed..." Matt watched Saffron go then hurried after her, catching her at the door way. "No... Saffron.." he said softly, caressing her cheek tenderly. "Don’t apologize. I just... I don’t want you to do something you might regret once the shock of everything that’s happened today has worn off." he said softly, then brushed his lips over hers one more time in a tender kiss. "Don't apologize." he repeated. "Sweet dreams, angel." he added softly, before letting go and heading over to retrieve Iggy's empty dish and so keep himself from holding on to her... or going after her. Saffron couldn't move, staring after him for a minute before shaking his head. "I don't regret... that's the problem..." He said softly, before turning and heading quickly for the stairs. He couldn't shake the insane urge that maybe he should slip away during the middle of the night and just...keep running. He remembered what happen all to often when most men found out he wasn't a girl...some reacted much worse then others. Landan had been furious when he found out...after that... he'd used it to keep Saffron as his mistress... Matt listened to Saffron's footsteps vanish into the living room, then a moment later heard the soft tread on the stairs. He set the empty dish in the sink and caught hold of the kitten as she started to climb his leg for more. "What the fuck am I doing, Ig?" he asked softly. "There is a gorgeous fucking woman that I'm crazy about up stairs about to sleep in my bed... and I'm down here with you. No offense." he said then gave a sigh and headed out to the living room with the kitten. With a soft groan he realized he didn't have anything clean clothes down stairs and unless he wanted to risk waking her up in the morning, he needed to go get the now. Setting Iggy down on the couch, Matt quickly headed up stairs. Saffron had dug out a long night shirt laying it on the bed for a moment, before unzipping the skirt, letting it drop to the floor around his feet as he started to unbutton the blouse, shedding it, leaving him in the thigh high stockings, lace boylegs and cami. He moved to sit on the bed, to get the stockings off, lost in his thoughts and not aware of the footsteps on the stairs. Matt came to a startled stop as he hit the landing and spotted Saffron getting undressed. He felt his face burn and knew he should either slip quietly back down stairs and avoid embarrassing her... or do something to let her know he was there. Instead, he just stayed quiet and watched as she carefully rolled the stockings down her legs, becoming more aroused with each passing second. So caught up in his thoughts about what was going to happen now, or what he should do, as he got the stockings off, folding them and laying them aside for now, he wasn't even paying attention to that aura of death from Matt. He wondered what his chance was of being able to just disappear from Landan completely. With a sigh, he pulled off the cami, standing to take it and the stockings to his bag near the dresser, and grab the skirt and blouse. It was then he realized he wasn't alone and he looked up startled with a soft yelp, his eyes wide. Matt was trying to wrap his head around what he'd seen... Oddly enough, it didn’t change how he felt in the slightest, and that only made it harder to get around. Finally he drew a deep breath and spoke. "Whoa..." he said softly. "You... you're not a girl... are you?" Saffron wondered at how hard his heart was beating, almost painfully. He couldn't move for a moment, other then to close his eyes for a moment, trying to make himself breath evenly. He sighed, turning and grabbing the night shirt off the bed, pulling it on. "No... just...a very feminine boy who passes far too easily as a girl..." He answered rather softly. "But my whole has been spent playing a girl... that's how Landan's been able to keep me...under his control..." Matt shook his head softly as he watched him, then headed slowly across the room towards him. "Landan... knew you were a boy... and black mailed you with revealing the truth to make you stay with him?" he asked softly. "Why?" "Black mailed me with revealing the truth to...the wrong people. I've been trying to stay off the radar from...my past..." Saffron said softly, not able to look at Matt and keeping his back to him, though he was trembling. "Why... I don't know...maybe he liked the fact I submitted to him. He was furious when he found out the truth...but it didn't last long and he decided I was his..." Matt's gaze was on Saffron's back, taking on the beautiful tattoo of the black angel wings that swept from shoulders to buttocks. He took a step closer and noticed the tangle of scars that lay almost hidden beneath the ink. Suddenly the confusion and the shock vanished and all that mattered was Saffron. He reached out and let one hand caress Saffron’s back tenderly, then stepped that last step closer and slipped his other hand over his waist. "You're not his anymore." he said softly. Saffron felt a shiver run through him at Matt's touch, but didn't pull away. He just closed his eyes, feeling himself relax at Matt's touch. He swallowed hard. "He's not going to let me go that easy...he liked being in control of me...and I shamefully admit I stayed with him, to hide from my...old master, LiVed. He's still looking for me. I grew up as a slave, Matt... those scars came from being a slave in the Black Court..." Matt closed his eyes and swallowed, then slipped his arms around Saffron, holding him gently. "Don’t worry about any of that... you're safe here, Saffron. You're on holy ground where none of them can set foot... and I'm right here to fight off any one dumb enough to come after you." he whispered softly. "That's a first..."Saffron said softly, letting Matt hold him. "Men usually just prefer to use me..." He hesitated a moment, before turning in Matt's arms, to face him. "I'm just...I'm a lot of trouble...or... a lot of trouble follows me..." He said softly, looking up at Matt. Matt smirked slightly, wondering at how good Saffron felt in his arms. Again there was the thought that he should feel differently now that he knew the truth. "I'm the one who caused the trouble today, remember?" he asked simply. "I..." he drew a breath and reached up to brush the backs of his fingers over Saffron’s cheek tenderly as he spoke. "I want you to stay, Saffron." he said softly. "I...I'm not sure how I feel about this... this... This should probably bother me..." he said with a smirk and a soft snort. "But... I like you. Fuck I'm crazy about you.. I want you to stay so we can figure out... us." he said, then blushed and shook his head. "I've never been into guys, Angel... but... I don’t feel any differently about you now then I did before." "I really...don't have any where else to go..." Saffron said softly. "So...staying... is my only option...but...I want to." He added. He sighed softly. "Now you know why I apologized down in the kitchen...for kissing you. I didn't want to...start anything that was a bad idea... and...I should have told you from the beginning I wasn't a girl, but as I said...my whole has been masquerading as a girl..." Matt wrapped his arms around him tightly, holding him close. "And I still say you had nothing to apologize for." he said softly, resting his cheek on the top of Saffron's head. "Fuck... I should be apologizing to you... I'm the one who came busting in on you then stood there like a fucking peeping tom. I swear… I didn't mean to. I was just coming up to grab some clothes and shit so I wouldn't have to worry about waking you in the morning... and then I saw you and... I'm sorry." Saffron shook his head, blushing slightly. "And yet, I'm not...mad about that, or...upset, though you did surprise me. I should have noticed you but...I was lost in my thoughts, wondering what was going to happen when you did you know the truth. All the men who've found out...have never reacted very well... some worse then others..." He knew he was rambling and sighed. He started to say something else, when Saffron's cell phone rang, a preset ring tone used only for Landan calling and Saffron turned enough to stare at his messenger bag. Matt felt him tense and held him closer. "Shh... ignore it." he said softly. "It's him isn't it? Just ignore it.... you're with me now.." he said softly, not loosening his hold on Saffron. Saffron nodded, and managed to turn his head away, found himself hiding his face against Matt's shoulder. He relaxed when the phone stopped ringing. At least for a moment, before it began ringing again. "He's... going to keep doing that...until it's answered..." Matt sighed. "Then either you block the number he's calling from... or I answer it." he said simply, then gave another sigh. "Fuck it.. I'll answer it then you can block the number... or just shut it off." he said and reluctantly let go of Saffron, heading for the phone. Saffron winced, knowing this wasn't going to go well. The phone was still ringing. Saffron sat down on the edge of the bed, watching Matt as he recovered Saffron's cell phone case, taking the cell phone out. "I think I'll take the battery out...he can...call from more then one number..." He said softly. Matt smirked softly. "Turn it off, angel. It can't ring if you turn the damned thing off..." he said lightly before answering it. "Hey big bro. How's the head... didn't hit it too hard when you landed did you? Still got your wallet or did some fine pedestrian help themselves while you were passed out...?" he asked cheerfully. "I know Saffron is with you, Mattias." Landan said and there was a cold killer tone to his words. "Saffron belongs to me. And I will be getting her back. Any means possible. While I can't retrieve her myself...she'll be returned to me. And if I were you, Mattias, keep your hands to yourself, if you want to keep them." Landan added. "Tell my pet I'll see her soon..." Matt laughed darkly. "Fuck you, Landan. You're not the only one who can black mail... you make any attempt to get Saffron back.... and the entire Fae realm will know you're the bastard son of a slave within no time." he said softly. "You have been warned, Mattias." Landan said in a soft menacing tone, before hanging up. Saffron had pulled on the night shirt, so he was sitting cross legged on the end of the bed. "He's furious isn't he..." Saffron asked softly. At that moment, the land line phone began ringing. Matt stared at the phone in his hand a moment, ignoring the other phone. He debated on whether or not to answer it. It he did and Landan had someone how managed to get his number, he'd only be confirming where Saffron was. Then again, by his comment about not being able to retrieve her himself, he already knew. Before he could decide, the phone stopped ringing. "Forget about Landan." he said softly, turning the phone off and handing it to Saffron. "I gotta go make a phone call or two. You climb into bed and try to get some rest." he said with a soft kiss to Saffron’s forehead. The phone began ringing again and he sighed, heading down stairs to either answer it or wait until it stopped so he could call his father and sister. "Matt... he has connections. Dangerous ones..." Saffron said softly to Matt as he left, before he sighed and moved, crawling under the blankets and turning off the light, but he had a feeling it'd take awhile to fall asleep... ~ ~ The phone stopped ringing again, but just as Matt reached it, it began ringing again. Answering it, revealed nothing but a dead air, then a dial tone. Matt snorted softly and disconnected before dialing his sister’s number... she'd know if their father was within reach. He'd had more then enough of Landan's crap and it was time something was done about him. He listened to the phone ring on the other end and wondered if he'd have the guts to go back upstairs when he was finished... It took a couple moments before Awen answered. "Surely this isn't a social call, for this time of night, Mattias." She said lightly, "And tell me you don't need me to bail you out of jail, and don't ask how I know it's you…" She added with an amused tone. Matt didn’t even smirk. Instead he sighed softly. "I need to get a hold of dad. It's time something was done about Landan. Someone... special to me is in danger from him. He threatened us just a couple minutes ago, Awen...He'll stop at nothing to get his hands on Saffron again... and I'll stop at nothing to prevent that from happening.." he said softly. The phone on Awen's side fell with a thud, amid muttered curses from Awen before she managed to get a hold of it again. "I'm sorry, will you repeat that last name again." Awen said a bit tense. "What?" Matt asked then sighed and ran his hand back through his hair. "Look.. Awen... " he sighed. "Saffron. His name is Saffron, alright? He's been living as a girl, but Landan's been blackmailing him, threatening to tell the truth to the wrong people. He called him his pet, Awen... and that’s how he treats him. I'll kill him before I let him touch Saffron again." "Saffron's with you right now?" Awen asked, "Of course he is...fuck..." She muttered. "I don't know where dad is at the moment, but I'll get to work on getting a hold of him a.s.a.p." She said. "Just...keep Saffron in your sight." She added, before hanging up. At the same time, there was a knock at the front door. Matt glanced at the door as he hung up the phone. Iggy was sitting on the bottom step growling softly and he glanced up stairs a moment then sighed. He pulled the gun he kept in his desk, despite the whispering of spirits telling him the person had left. That knowledge didn’t make him feel any better considering he hadn't heard a car pull in or leave, nor see headlights through the windows... and it was too far a walk from the road for them to have just knocked and be gone already. He unlocked the door and carefully checked before looking down at the parcel that had been left on the porch. He gave it a kick then knelt to quickly open it. One look at the contents; a few of the stuff animals from Saffron's apartment that he'd left behind, the stuffed animals destroyed, with a note that it was a pity George, the ragged teddy bear, wasn't among them; and he cursed softly and stepped back inside, locking the door;   He kept the gun at the ready as he made a quick circuit of the house, checking the locks, then stopped by the phone to call Todd. The caretaker answered on the second ring and Matt was suddenly very glad he'd gotten the man the phone. "Todd... I got a problem... I got at least one psycho around here somewhere leaving nasty little gifts on my doorstep. I want you to be careful... they might try to hurt you to get to me, alright? So... either stay put and protect yourself... or haul ass. You could call the cops I guess... Ben might come out..." he said softly. Todd cursed and muttered a moment, but Matt's gaze was back on the stairs again. "Look, Todd.. just... do what you have to. Don't let this bastard get you alright? I've got a guest I have to make sure is alright... she's the one they want..." he added then hung up and headed up stairs. Saffron was still awake, laying facing the stairs. "Late night visitors?" He asked softly, but there was a trace of fear in his voice. He was cuddling the ragged teddy bear for comfort but raised a hand to wipe at the tears on his eyes. "I knew he'd be mad at me for using my abilities on him...and not being there for him to punish..." Matt checked the windows, then moved to sit on the bed beside him, the gun still in his hand. He reached out to stroke Saffron’s hair with his other hand. "Shhh...I told you not to worry about it. I'll take care of you, Saffron. Landan is going to be sorry he ever met you." he said, stroking his hair gently. "I called my sister and told her what's going on and she's going to track down dad." he said then frowned softly. "You didn’t tell me you knew Awen..." he said softly. Saffron frowned, before turning enough to look up better at Matt, and shook his head. "I...I don't know her...Your sister...I'm assuming...? Landan said he had no siblings, so I never met her through him...and...I think I'd remember the name Awen other wise..." He said softly. "Well... she knew you." Matt said softly, letting his fingers stroke over Saffron’s cheek instead. "Seemed shocked as hell when I first mentioned your name then seemed to totally accept that you were here with me, like she should've expected it..." Saffron sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "Maybe Landan talked about me..." He said softly. "You didn't say what the knock at the door had been about..." He said softly, opening his eyes to look at Matt. "Or is it something I don't want to know...from Landan..." "Landan doesn't talk to Awen... she broke his nose last time he was stupid enough to open his mouth around her and he hasn't dared since. Dad bitched her out, but I doubt he really meant it... and she didn’t really care. Little shit deserved it." he said softly, then sighed, looking down at Saffron looking up at him. He set the gun on the bedside table close at hand, then shifted to lean back against the headboard. "Come here..." he said softly, patting his thigh. "If you don’t mind denim, I might make an okay pillow..." he said with a slight smirk. "As for the door... lets just say... I was right to rescue your posters... Looks like Landan was at your apartment..." Saffron sighed in reply to that, knowing Landan would have gone and was glad he'd collected the things that meant the most to him. He wiped his eyes again, determined not to cry over this, before he moved, snuggling up to Matt with the teddy bear, his head on Matt's thigh. "Yeah...I don't wanna know what he left..." He said softly. He fell silent, a few more tears slipping, soaking into the denim of Matt's jeans under Saffron's head. "I'm the current death elemental...I shouldn't...be afraid of Landan...but...I am...How sad is that..?" He muttered softly. "He just...he knew how to control me so well..." He sighed, closing his eyes against any more tears. Shh.. it's alright, baby.." Matt said softly as he stroked his hair. "I'm here. You've got me now... he can't hurt you anymore. I won’t let him..." he said softly, alert for any little noises that didn't belong. Iggy padded softly up the stairs and leapt into the bed. She eyed Saffron warily a moment before picking her way onto Matt’s legs. She settled herself as she continued to eye Saffron, then turned her head to the side and watched the stairs, her chin on Matt knee. He smirked softly. "Think someone's jealous of having to share me..." Saffron smiled rather faintly, and hesitated, before reaching over to pet Iggy, who seemed to approve of that, for now. "Matt..."Saffron said softly after a long time, sounding as if he was falling asleep. "I've never had any one protecting me...You don't know what it means to me...to have you looking out for me...Thank you...I'll find some way to repay you..." Matt smiled softly a he continued to stroke Saffron's cheek tenderly. "Sure baby... whatever makes you happy... just go to sleep now, alright?" he said softly. He suddenly wished he asked Awen to come get Saffron and take him somewhere safe... ~~ Saffron came awake at some point, with a gasp, and wasn't quite sure what woke him. He found himself snuggled against Matt in the dark room and blinked, freeing a hand from holding George close, and rubbed his eyes a moment. For a brief moment, he thought he'd seen some one standing by the stairs. He snuggled more against Matt, a bit awake now, considering he had a feeling it'd been a bad dream that had woke him up in the first place. Matt let his hand rub over Saffron's back lightly. "Shh.. it's alright, babe... go back to sleep." he said softly, brushing the hair from Saffron's face. Thanks to his Drow blood, he could see just fine in the dark room... although it might have had something to do with his own abilities as a necromancer.. he'd never been sure. The house itself was quiet, with Iggy having slipped off somewhere a short while earlier. Outside the wind had picked up a bit, but even over that he could hear the odd noise of someone outside. The spirits who came to him told him nothing was wrong, that there was no danger... and he knew they'd never lie to him... but still... He'd stayed sitting where he was with the gun close at hand and kept watch anyhow. Saffron turned slightly, looking up at Matt. He didn't say anything and after a moment, snuggled back against him. "I don't sleep a lot at nights..." He said softly. "Too many nightmares..." He added, shaking his head slightly. "I'm sorry if I woke you..." Matt smiled softly at that, stroking Saffron's hair. "No, baby... you didn't wake me. I was already awake." he said softly. It had been tempting to just lay down the rest of the way and wrap his arms around Saffron fully and just let that wonderful connection between them fill him... but every time his eyes had started to drift shut, he'd see that box of mutilated toys and hear Awen's comment about keeping Saffron in his sight. He'd never been afraid of Landan. He probably should have seeing as how his half brother had fae abilities and the weight of an entire Court behind him should he choose to use it...  Matt sighed and tipped Saffron's face up and leaned down awkwardly to kiss him lightly. "Close your eyes, Saffron. Get as much sleep as you can... I'll keep you safe." Saffron sighed softly, and moved a bit, snuggling closer. "You don't have...to stay up here...with me...if you don’t want..." He said softly, blushing slightly. "But... thank you...for staying so far..." He added. "No one ever has before..." He found himself more comfortable and relaxed. "I'm not leaving you alone, Saffron." Matt said softly, his fingers going back to stroking through Saffron’s hair, brushing it back away from his face. He leaned his head back against the wall and shut his eyes, focusing on the wind outside for a moment. "And I told you.... you don’t have to thank me.... Go to sleep." Saffron yawned, but shook his head slightly, though he let himself relax enough to start falling asleep. "Yus I do...you don't know what it means to me..." He replied softly, sleepily. "I'll find some way to pay you back..." He added and managed to fall back asleep, snuggled close. ~~ It was at least a half hour later, that the front door unlocked, Awen using the spare key she had, before grabbing Rin's arm and yanking him inside with her, and shutting the door. Rin had practically kicked the box on the front porch half way down the drive on seeing it and he was muttering foully in Drow. "You should have told him." Awen hissed softly at Rin. "We've been through this!" Rin retorted in a soft hiss of his own. "You're going to tell him...tonight!" Awen added just a bit louder and Rin shushed her, pointing upstairs. Matt listened to the key in the door and sighed. He carefully eased Saffron's head off his thigh, freezing at the soft whimper at the move. He stroked Saffron's hair as he listened to the hissed conversation below, continuing to ease himself out from Saffron’s clutches. When he was free and Saffron still seemed to be asleep, he picked up his gun and quickly headed down the stairs. He stopped half way and watched the two a moment. "You could try being a bit quieter. I think a couple neighbors might not have heard the box being kicked around..." he said quietly. "Let the kid sleep. Please. He's been through enough shit thanks to me and Landan." he added. Awen turned toward the stairs to see Matt, easily discerning him in the dark, thanks to her own Drow blood. "That was him." She said softly, pointing at Rin who had his arms crossed, glowering. "I need coffee." Awen added, turning and heading for the kitchen. Rin snorted softly, shaking his head, watching her go a moment, before his gaze returned to the loft a moment, his eyes distant. "We need to talk." He said finally after a moment, turning to head toward the kitchen. Matt looked back up towards the loft where Saffron lay sleeping. "I told him I wouldn't leave him." he called after his father softly, then sighed. With another glance upwards, he quietly made his way down the remaining stairs, checked to make sure they'd locked the door behind them, then started after Rin. Awen was already putting on a pot of coffee when Rin and Matt entered the kitchen. She turned, leaning against the counter, watching them enter. Once the door closed behind Matt, she spoke. "Tell him, Da..." "Will you wait a moment, Awenera," Rin replied with a look. Awen gave him a look for the full use of her name and crossed her arms. Matt sighed and leaned back against the counter. "Tell me what?" he asked softly, sounding more tired than anything. "Look... can you help me deal with Landan or not? If not... then just stay here with Saffron and keep him safe and I'll go after the jackass myself..." Awen snorted, "Not the brightest idea." She said, turning once the coffee was done and grabbing a mug. Rin sighed, his eyes closed for a moment and he rubbed his temple. "It’s your...right and...responsibility, to do so..." He said softly, before moving to sat at the table. "But I can help to a degree." He added.  That got a wicked smirk out of Awen, who snickered slightly as she dumped enough sugar into her coffee to cause cavities. "Yeah...our dear middle brother's about to get knocked off his high perch as far as the Courts are concerned..." She snickered. Rin ignored her, keep his attention on Matt. Matt snorted. "Yeah I already threatened to spread the news if he tried to come after Saffron again... he didn't seem bothered by that." he said softly, watching Awen and the sugar. With a disgusted snort he looked back at Rin. "So... what gives?" he asked softly. "After all his crap... why are you finally stepping back and saying' yeah go for it' ? Is it because he threatened me... or .." he shot Awen a glance, his eyes narrowing . "Or is it because he threatened Saffron...." he added even softer. "You knew who I meant on the phone... but Saffron doesn't know you..." he told her. Holding her mug in one hand, Awen pointed at Rin as she stirred her coffee, using her magic to keep the spoon going. "Because he threatened the both of you." Rin answered softly. "I'd kill him myself for doing that alone, but that I cannot do. Not with out...risking more harm to you...and Saffron...from Mab..." Rin added. "I'll have to see to her, while you deal with Landan. However I'll be meeting with the crown prince of the Seelie court when I leave here...and he and I will be visiting many of the lesser courts, and spreading the news..." "Yeah...the shit is about to hit the fan." Awen said, taking a sip. "And no, I've never met Saffron...but I've heard a lot about him..." She added. Matt looked between the two of them then sighed heavily. "Obviously I'm missing something here. Either tell me what it is... or take up guarding for the rest of the night so I can go get a bit of sleep...." Awen just sipped her coffee, her eyes on their father who was staring toward the door, that distant look again. She started to open her mouth to prompt him again, when Rin spoke. "Landan has been...extremely careful all this time, making sure I had no idea he was... keeping Saffron as a mistress; Or had even met him. I can only imagine Mab told him everything..." Rin said softly. Awen snorted, looking over the edge of her mug. "Little fuck was probably scared shitless of your wrath, if you found out..." She said. "I probably would have given in and killed him..." Rin agreed, then sighed and looked at Matt. "I met Saffron when he was only seven years old. LiVed...yes, the same man responsible for...Marilee's death, had kidnapped Saffron from his father. He had the boy taken to Hell and left for four years, so that his abilities would... grow and strengthen rapidly. My job was to... see to his well being in that place. Saffron came into his abilities rather early for a death elemental...the same day you came into yours actually. Saffron was six..." Rin said, leaning  back in his chair. "When Saffron was twelve, LiVed brought him out of Hell and into the Black Court. I was made his tutor from there on out. The only... bright spot in the boy's life of slavery to LiVed. LiVed used him as his own personal pet assassin and whipping boy...even allowing Right to... take on his 'punishments' ; raping Saffron ever day for eight more years. By the time Saffron was sixteen, LiVed was not only using him as an assassin, but forcing the boy to live as a girl. Saffron's mother was the former Daughter of the Seal...and Saffron unfortunately was her first born. LiVed knew that, of course; he had... plans for Saffron in that retrospect. What LiVed DIDN'T know...was that my youngest son...is Saffron's guardian..." Rin said. ~ ~ Saffron woke again, a nightmare of his torture at Right's hands, waking him with a soft whimpered cry and terrified. He found himself alone in the bed and sat up, trembling, looking around the loft a moment. He held on tight to George and as the dream faded slowly, he began to wonder where Matt was. Biting his lip, he risked getting out of the bed, crawling off the end, still toting the ragged teddy bear and crept to the railing of the loft, looking down at the darkened sanctuary below. It took a moment, but then he noticed a light in the kitchen and thought he heard soft voices. He wasn't sure what made him decide to do so...but instinct seemed to tell him that was where Matt was and he moved toward the stairs, hesitating, but began to descend, his eyes on the kitchen door. Matt just stared at his father, his gaze hard. He had the intense urge to hit something or someone and he had to grip the counter behind him to keep form doing so. "I'm his guardian?" he asked softly. "He's been out there all this time, being hurt and used.... and you never bothered to tell me so I could protect him?!" he asked, his voice rising slightly as he pushed himself away from the counter angrily. "Fuck, dad! What...?" he cut himself off and drew a couple deep breaths before continuing. "It's my fault, damn it! It's bad enough it's my fault Saffron is in danger right now because I pissed Landan off... but to know that he was even WITH Landan in the first place because he didn’t have me looking after him... fuck! Damn it, dad! You have to fucking TELL me shit!" Rin shook his head. "Yes... I know." He said softly. "And no, it's not your fault... it's mine. I lost track of Saffron after I was... kicked out of the Black Court. Some how, he managed to escape from LiVed when he was nineteen .From then, until now, I had no idea where he was or what was happening to him. At least not until tonight, when Awen filled in some of the blanks." Rin added. Awen spoke up. "He ended up on the streets, after he escaped the Black Court... and ended up...a prostitute. Apparently he's always looked far more like a pretty girl, then a fair boy, and used his looks to...his... advantage, that way. Until he was nearly arrested one night by a young vice cop; however the cop didn't arrest him, but... took him in. He lived with the cop and the cops’ boyfriend, posing as the cop's little sister for a couple years...before striking out on his own again. Since then, he's been working for a man named O'Goth, who… kind of runs an... angel of mercy program... ending the lives of terminally ill patients on their wishes. Some time last year, he met Landan apparently." Awen said. "I'm still trying to track down the cop or his boyfriend..." She added. Rin sighed softly. "I can't make any excuses, for not telling you, Matt, but I can tell you my reasons. LiVed had already had his eye on you... he wanted to... make you a matched...set with Saffron if he could get his hands on you. He never knew you were my son. I was very careful in that retrospect. It’s why I had... Marilee find you and keep an eye on you...But if he'd found out you were Saffron's guardian... he would have killed you. I had...planned on telling you when I was able to find Saffron again..." Saffron approached the kitchen slowly, still carrying George, he could discern three different voices... Matt's and a woman he didn't know. But the other voice...it had been years since he'd heard it, and he wondered if he was still dreaming... because he wasn't sure if he could face it's owner if this was real... he suddenly felt the need and desire to turn and run. Run now, straight through the front door, his clothes be damned...and get as far away from all this as possible. Matt looked between the two of them then growled, running both hands back through his hair. "Damn it. I can't believe you both fucking knew and didn’t TELL ME!!" he said, all pretense of being quiet gone. "You have no fucking clue how sick and tired I am of the both of you hiding shit from me, trying to protect me! It's fucking bullshit! If I didn't need you to help me right now, I'd kick you both the fuck out…" he added, then  turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door open. He came up short at seeing Saffron standing there looking terrified, clutching the ragged teddy bear. "Oh... fuck.. babe...Fuck I didn’t mean to wake you... I'm sorry..." he said, his voice dropping back to a soft tone as he stepped closer, his arm reaching out towards him. "It's alright... really... just a family argument..." Rin sighed deeply, looking troubled as he watched Matt storm out of the room. "Told you he'd be mad." Awen said to him. Rin gave her a tired expression. Awen sighed. "He'll get over it..." She added. "I've only ever tired to do the best I could for him from far away..." Rin said softly. "Yeah...and some where in the back of that hard stubborn head of his, he knows it." Awen replied with a smirk. Rin shook his head. "Was I wrong...in trying to protect him...?" He muttered softly, more talking to himself, then Awen. Then again, to Awen it seemed Rin was speaking to some one else in the room, the way he glanced to the side and she wondered if he was, since she knew her father had the unusual ability for a fae, to be able to see spirits. Saffron blinked, biting his lip as he clutched George close, looking up at Matt wide eyed. "Do...I really want to know...?" He replied softly, hesitating a long moment before he let himself slip closer to Matt with the bear, allowing Matt to slip his arms around him. "You didn't wake me...the...nightmare did... then I found you were...gone... I was just...lonely..." He added, blushing darkly. "And afraid..." That slipped out in a whisper, Saffron surprised at himself for even admitting that. He'd worked so hard lately at hiding his fear, but the day had thrown him worse then he thought. Matt closed his eyes at that and held him tighter. "You don't have to be lonely or afraid any more, Saffron... You've got me now." he said softly. "I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner." he added, then sighed and looked up as he sensed a familiar presence. He gave a soft groan as he spotted the spirit that stood by the kitchen door and just looked at him, then without a word vanished back through the door. "For fucks sake... even dead she can't stop meddling..." he muttered softly, then sighed again. "Come on, baby. You can meet my dad and sister while I... try and prevent a definitely unpleasant haunting..." For the moment, Saffron merely snuggled into Matt's arms, for the comfort, making himself as small as possible. He blinked, frowning slightly at Matt's words. "Why are you apologizing... for not finding me sooner...what do you mean?" He asked softly, pulling back just enough to look up at him confused. Matt caressed Saffron's cheek tenderly, oddly comfortably with everything despite how crazy it all was. He sighed softly, leaning down to kiss him gently, wishing he could just carrying him back up to bed and hold him again while he fell back asleep. "From the start I've felt responsible and protective of you, angel..." he said softly, brushing his lips over Saffron’s forehead, then bent down to scoop Saffron up into his arms, cradling him against his chest. "I just found out that... I feel that way for a reason. I'm your Guardian..." Saffron blinked in surprise, partly unaware that Matt had scooped him up. He looked up at him, wondering again if he was still dreaming. "My...guardian...?" He repeated softly, something about that clicking, seeming so right, though he winced, shivering. "Landan claimed that..." He muttered softly, looking away. ~~ Rin and Awen were quiet a moment, Rin seeming to watch some one else. Then Awen broke the silence. "Da...you know that... Landan will...do what ever he can, to make Matt hurt. Even worse now that Matt's taken Saffron away from him..." She said softly. Rin sighed. "Short of killing him, yes, I know. It's why I have to remove Landan's chance of having back up from his...'father'. His goons here in the mortal realm...that's another story..." Rin said softly. "Oh, Matt and I can take care of those..." Awen said. "But what happens Da...if Landan decides the only way to deal with Matt...is to kill him, to get what he wants..." She asked softly. "Then he'll be seeing Hell rather soon..." Rin answered simply. "Would you kill him...?" Awen asked Rin softly, watching him. "If he hurt Mattias...and Saffron...yes, I would..." Rin answered even softer, before standing. "Finish your coffee, Awen, time is wasting..." He said, starting for the kitchen door, then paused. "On the other hand, you stay...stick close to here. Keep an eye out for Landan's lackies..." Rin told her. "I planned on it..." Awen answered, watching her father. Rin nodded and started to leave the kitchen. "Landan is a lying, self serving jackass." Matt said simply. "Saffron... you know I'm telling you the truth." he said, brushing his lips over his hair, and started for the kitchen. "If you don't believe me... then maybe you'll believe my father.." he said softly as the door suddenly opened. Rin froze in the door way, seeing Matt carrying Saffron. He hadn't been prepared for seeing the young death elemental again, looking as tiny and delicate... scared and fragile as he had the last time Rin had seen him, before being kicked out of the Black Court. Saffron startled slightly at the sudden intrusion of light falling on them and looked that way. He tensed, his eyes widening at seeing Rin, then suddenly gave a squeak and attempted to scramble out of Matt's arms. "No!" Saffron whimpered, managing finally to slip from Matt's arms and practically behind him, staring at Rin from the shadows. "No! He said... he said you were dead! He said you died! He said you where just using me! You died!" Saffron muttered, shaking his head. Rin frowned, then realized Saffron must have been talking about something LiVed had told him. He shook his head sadly. "Saffron... LiVed lied to you..." "No...he showed me a body! He dragged me by my hair to the dungeons and showed me a body!" Saffron retorted shrilly, feeling the sudden intense panic and began gasping for a breath, on the verge of hyperventilating. "Saffron...little one...it wasn't true..." Rin said softly, calmly. "No! You were gonna kill me! He said so!" Saffron replied, before he broke away from Matt, running for the front door. "Oh shit..." Awen muttered from behind Rin. "Fuck.. MARE!" Matt called out and saw the flicker of a spirit moving towards the door to cut Saffron off. "Baby please.." he called softly as he followed quickly. Marilee let herself become mostly visibly, blocking the door, although Matt noticed you could still see through her. "Saffron, honey please.. calm down.." he said softly. Saffron came up short before reaching the door, at seeing Marilee blocking the way and he stumbled back, the panic attack increasing until he was hyperventilating. He stumbled, turning to look for another way out but not seeing any and instead drew back into the corner by the stairs, struggling to draw a wall of shadows to hide behind but failing to do so. He clutched the ragged teddy bear to his chest, and looked up at Matt as he drew closer. "H-h-he's... y-your...father..." Saffron gasped in a whisper, risking a glancing past Matt toward Rin, before shaking his head wildly. This was a side that only came out at the worst of times and some where in the back of his head he knew he was going to be disgusted with himself in the morning, for showing so much weakness. "Are...you... gonna...use me...too...?" Rin muttered a curse, calling LiVed some choice names, before turning to Awen who was looking at him questioningly. "I'll be outside..." He muttered, the anger burning in his eyes. "Shouldn't you stay and explain?" Awen asked. Rin shook his head. "Not at the risk of upsetting him worse...he's prone to self mutilation if driven over the edge..." Rin replied tensely. "LiVed lied to him then..." Awen asked softly. Rin sighed. "Oh of course...just like LiVed lied to Saffron and told him his father sold him to LiVed and never wanted him in the first place..." Rin replied. "Some one really needs to kill LiVed..." Awen said. Rin snorted softly, but slipped past her into the kitchen to leave by the patio door. "Someone will kill LiVed..." Marilee's voice whispered as she followed Rin. "We're the reason for it coming, no matter how much we tried to protect him and prevent it... He will go after him... and he'll either kill him... or be destroyed in the attempt. I just hope our trying to protect him from it all this time didn't do him more harm than good..." Rin paused at the patio door and glanced back at Awen a moment. "You might see what you can do...about putting Saffron to sleep...you know a couple spells for that..." He told her softly, and Awen nodded. Rin sighed, before answering Marilee. "I find myself asking that question more and more, Marilee... gods know how much worse everything would be if he'd found Mattias before you did. But now...it's impossible to prevent LiVed from finding out. The fates have set it into motion and I find myself praying Mattias can survive their plans...she needs him far too much to lose him..." He told her softly, for a moment looking the fifteen hundred years of his age, tired and worn. "He's my son... the only son I love...and he deserved so much more then what they've given him in his life so far. I can't help but feel part of it is my own doing..." Marilee sighed softly and flickered out before pulling her strength together and looking more solid. "He'll come through it alright, Rin. He's too much like his father not to." she said with a soft smile. "I just think it's rather ironic that everything we did to protect him from eventually facing LiVed, will only make him more determined to go after him. If I hadn't taken him in and... well if I hadn't gone and gotten myself killed like that..." she sighed with a sad smirk. "Between avenging my murder, and avenging your life under LiVed thumb... and now Saffron...Maybe that will be enough to drive him through it." Rin sighed softly, lingering for the moment there on the patio, looking out over the cemetery. "Part of me fears the very idea of him getting anywhere NEAR LiVed...the things LiVed could do to him...and gods, when the bastard finds out Saffron is with him..." He snorted softly. "It's the father in me...The rest of me knows Matt can do it. Mattias is the only one who can defeat him...and it's because of everything LiVed has done to him...through us...through Saffron. When Mattias realizes how much he loves her..." He smirked faintly, "As cliche as it is...but that's what will give him his greatest strength..." Marilee smiled softly. "You've done your best by him, Rin. Despite everything... he's turned out just fine. Part of me is glad he is the way he is, because he'll need to be every bit as strong and hard as life made him to get through this and keep Saffron safe... But another part.. just wishes he could be like every other man his age... and think of nothing more then falling in love and getting married... and raising children." she added softly, her spirit fading slightly again. "I wish so strongly that they could have that... but then... I wished just as strongly that we could have that... and look where that got me..." she said with a weary smile. Rin sighed softly, his eyes sad as he looked at her. "I'd kill LiVed myself for that...if I could...I feel like I failed you, in some way, that it was my fault..." He said rather softly. "But in another life time, my love..." He added, before falling silent a moment. "And they will...They're together now...sure...it wont be easy, but but they'll be together...and have a chance at a family...Jocelen predicted he'd have a son..." Rin added with a faint smile. After a moment, he finally moved. "Watch over them, Marilee, while I'm gone. I've got to go began the downfall of a true bastard son." He said, heading for the gate out of the cemetery. Marilee sighed softly, her form fading out completely as Rin started to walk away. "Be careful, love... I'd rather you not try to join me... At least not until you've had the chance to be a grandfather and hold your grandson..." ~ ~   Matt closed his eyes and sighed heavily as he  knelt in front of him. "No baby... never." he said softly. "I'll never hurt you, angel. I'm going to do everything I can do to keep you safe. You're safe with me, baby... I won’t hurt you..." he kept repeating softly as he reached out to brush his fingers over Saffron's cheek. "It's alright, Saffron..." he said again, torn between wanting to comfort him and wanting to hunt down those who'd made him feel this way. Saffron was still gasping for a breath, staring up at Matt, dark eyes wide and terrified. The light headedness made his vision blurry, which only worsened with the building tears and he had to close his eyes a moment, a few tears falling. "You're...the only one...I have..." He whispered breathlessly before suddenly snuggling himself into Matt's arms, as small as possible. Matt wrapped his arms around him tightly, holding him close. "It'll be alright, baby." he said softly. "You're not alone anymore, angel.... I've got you now..." he lifted him back into his arms, teddy bear and all and turned to see Awen watching him. He looked at her a moment then sighed and brushed his lips over Saffron's hair. "I've got you." he repeated softly. "Will you keep an eye out while I get him settled down and see about getting some rest myself?" he asked her softly. "Of course. I'm wired, I'll stay up. But here...I can help with him..." Awen said softly approaching.  Saffron was trembling, his face buried in Matt's shoulder, confused and unsure what to think about any of this. Matt was Rin's son...he shouldn't trust him for that, but he had no one else, and felt so very safe with Matt....and Matt had said he was his guardian...that felt right...but Landan had said the same thing. Awen approached, already forming and readying a sleep spell. She reached over and gently took hold of Saffron's face, turning his head and reached up with her other hand, drawing a finger across his forehead, then down between his eyes, across the small nose. Saffron's eyes fluttered closed as she did that, falling asleep from the spell. "He'll sleep the rest of the night, dreamlessly." Awen told Matt. Matt sighed softly and cradled him closer. Part of him was a bit disappointed that he hadn't been the one to help, but he knew this was far better for Saffron than anything he could've done. "Thanks, sis. I'm still pissed that you knew all this shit and never told me, though." he added softly with a slight tired smirk. "But it's good to have a bit of back up right now..." he started up the stairs towards the loft. "You know any fire spells... feel free to practice them on.. that box dad was kicking around.." he added, not wanting to say more incase Saffron might hear, despite being asleep. "Yeah...think I'll destroy that evidence, before he does see it." Awen said, watching him head up to the loft. "And Matt...I didn't know everything...not all at once. Da...he talked about Saffron a few times...told me who he was...and we had it out that he never told you that you were some one's guardian...but he was trying to protect both of you.." She trailed off and shook her head. "I'm just glad Saffron's found his way to you now..." She said softy before turning and heading back toward the kitchen. Saffron whimpered softly in Matt's arms, turning, snuggling more against him, wanting to be close through the connection. "Stay with him the rest of the night, Matt." Awen called softly over her shoulder. "You're all he's got." Matt closed his eyes and continued up the stairs, having paused while Awen spoke. "Yeah..." he whispered softly, brushing his lips over Saffron’s hair as he carried him. "I'm all he's got... " he repeated, wondering at the way that felt good rather than heavy. Learning you bear that much responsibility over someone, both physically and emotionally, that should feel like a rather heavy burden... but it just felt right.. and rather comfortable. With a wry smirk, Matt carried him the rest of the way to bed and laid him down, pulling the blankets over him and tucking him in; the ragged teddy bear still clutched in his arms. With a sigh he turned and undressed, grabbing a pair of black silk boxer shorts decorated with the outlines of skulls in blue. Awen had presented him with them when she'd stayed over to avoid  any middle of the night 'shows' should they cross paths. He usually slept in the nude, and hated the idea of sleeping in clothes in his own bed... This way he'd be wearing something, at least, should trouble hit. Without any hesitation what so ever, Matt slipped into bed beside Saffron and curled around him, holding him close. ~~ By the time morning came, Saffron had slept the rest of the night, with out any more nightmares; partly from Awen's spell, but more from sleeping in Matt's arms. He stirred slowly, coming awake to find himself snuggled close and tight in Matt's arms, the teddy bear still held in one arm against his chest, his head against Matt's shoulder. He lay there as he came awake, the night before coming back to him, and the fact that Matt was Rin's son...and Rin was still alive. And some how he knew...everything LiVed had told him about Rin was a lie. It'd been the stress of everything going on that had made Saffron react the way he had, and he suddenly hoped he'd see Rin again...later. He moved slightly, finding himself snuggling a bit more to Matt, but awake now. He could smell coffee down stairs and hear a soft faint humming, then remembered Matt had mentioned something about his sister to. He'd have to meet her. With a sigh, he yawned, finally moving to sat up, brushing the hair out of his face. Awen had put on a fresh pot of coffee, and was making a light breakfast, fresh blueberry muffins. She'd been awake all night, watching over things. She'd even chased some one through the cemetery at one point, after finding a dead bloody rat hanging from a tree, another one of Landan's twisted gifts...Iggy had alerted her to that. She'd gotten rid of the box of mutilated toys as well, wondering how her half middle brother could be so damned demented. She had a feeling Landan's intention was to scare Saffron...drive him to such terror he'd try to flee Matt, then he'd catch Saffron. She planned to discus that with Matt when he got up. Matt opened his eyes and blinked a moment at seeing Saffron, then smiled softly and reached out to brush his fingers over his back. "You're not a dream..." he said quietly. "Feel better, baby?" Saffron blinked a moment, pushing the hair out of his face again before turning, to look back at Matt. After a moment of looking at him, he blushed a bit deeply, lowering his gaze. "I'm so sorry...I... I acted terribly last night...I didn't mean to act that way..." He muttered softly, before he realized what Matt had asked. He blushed even darker. "Confused...is a good way to describe how I feel..." He said in a whisper. Matt sat up, his arms seeming to slip around Saffron on their own. "Confused is understandable. And you didn't act 'terribly'... you were freaked and with good reason. You've been through a lot of shit in a very short time... none of us holds it against you." he said simply. Saffron couldn't seem to stop blushing, "I'm usually so much more in control..." He whispered, letting Matt pull him close. "I'm a death elemental...I'm good at holding my emotions in control...but the last two days...and...Landan. I didn't tell you last night...before I fell back asleep...but he was even in my nightmares..." He added in the same tone. "I feel like he's trying to drive me crazy." Matt silently agreed, but didn't voice his though for fear of upsetting him more. "Don’t worry about him, alright? We'll make sure Landan doesn't bother you anymore." he said, enjoying the feel of holding him. It seemed hard to believe that he'd only just met Saffron. He didn't feel comfortable around anyone.. not even his family, really... and yet he felt perfectly at ease with the young death elemental. Plus he was fairly sure he was falling for him... He, Matt Hogan... was falling in love. And with a guy, at that.... he should find it funny, if nothing else, but he didn't. He leaned in, breathing in the scent of Saffron's hair, and the scent of fresh coffee finally registered, reminding him that they weren't really alone. With a sigh he loosened his hold slightly. "Hungry?" Saffron shook his head. "No..." He answered softly but honestly. He had no stomach for food at all. Not even the coffee appealed to him this morning, which was most unlike him. He suddenly turned, hiding his face against Matt's shoulder as tears threatened, not even sure why he suddenly wanted to cry. Part of his mind wondered just what the hell he was doing, falling for Matt when he didn't even know him very much. Landan had been gentle like this at first...and where had that led Saffron..?  He found himself wondering at things Landan had said at first, like always loving that unique scent of Saffron's...thanks to his mother...and how Landan had loved the color of Saffron's eyes...among other things.He wondered how he'd feel about it...if Matt ever mentioned those things... Matt sighed softly and held him tighter, brushing his lips over Saffron’s hair. "You're safe now, baby.... I've got you...." he whispered, then let one hand rub gently over Saffron's back. "No one is ever hurting you again. I promise I'll keep you safe..." he said, wondering at how comfortable he was./. and how serious. The man who'd dodged forming relationships with people most of his life, was suddenly taking on full responsibility for a strangers life... and feeling good about it. Saffron struggled to keep any of the tears from falling, letting Matt hold him for a long moment. He wondered if he could ever explain to Matt how much his words meant to him. He didn't think he could, in words of reply. Instead, he threw caution to the wind, knowing it really was too late for himself, that he was in love with Matt. He drew back enough, to look up at Matt a moment, his cheeks still wet, and his eyes red from crying silently, before he moved again, leaning in, his lips brushing Matt's tenderly a moment, before he kissed him deeply. Part of him felt he was probably making a fool out of himself by doing it and most people would certainly think he was crazy kissing the brother of the man he was running from, but he didn't know any other way to repay him. Mat's eyes closed at the kiss, his arms tightening around him again even as he kissed him back. The salty taste of tears intruded and he pulled back, breaking the kiss. "Don’t cry, baby.." he whispered softly, kissing the tears from his cheeks, wondering at his own tenderness. Saffron had slipped his arms around Matt's neck during the kiss, leaning against him. Now he blushed, lowering his eyes, but the faintest smile came to him as Matt kissed away the tears. "You've seen more emotion from me then any one ever has..." He muttered softly, blushing. "I'm sorry... I'm really...not like this...or... maybe I am and just...held it into long..." Matt continued to kiss Saffron’s cheeks, despite there being no more tears. "I'm not usually like this either, angel." he admitted quietly. "I'm mostly a loner... I don’t like having people around me.. and I... I've never cared about anyone like I do you." he added even quieter. Saffron blinked, raising his eyes to look up at Matt, remembering Landan saying something similair. He bit his lip, hard enough to draw blood, "Do you really care about me?" He managed to ask after a moment, wondering if that was a good thing or not. "Yeah, baby... I really do." he said softly. He saw the bead of blood appear on Saffron's lip and frowned slightly, running a thumb over the slight wound. "What are doing, Saff?" he asked softly, eyeing the blood on his thumb a moment. "Don’t hurt yourself, baby... too many people have done enough of that already.." he added, then kissed the remaining blood from Saffron's mouth before sucking the bit off of his thumb with a wry smirk. "You taste almost as good as you smell.." he said softly, his eyes sparkling almost playfully. Saffron blinked, looking up at Matt wide eyed. He'd tensed slightly at his words and yet he found himself believing Matt saying things like that far more then he'd believed Landan. Hesitating a moment, he raised a hand, letting his fingers brush over Matt's cheek, half forgetting that there was some one down stairs in the kitchen. His other hand had come to rest on Matt's chest, his fingers some how finding the nipple piercing and he toyed with it gently. "You really are nothing like your half brother..." He said softly after a moment, a soft smiling coming to him, that actually reached his eyes making them ever so lighter. "Or like any other man I've ever met..." Matt caught his breath, then closed his eyes a moment as he leaned closer, the feel of Saffron's fingers tugging lightly on the nipple ring making him all to aware of the fact he wore nothing but the silk boxers... and was rather glad since they contained him a hell of a lot better then his usual bikinis would be at this point. He moaned softly as he suddenly caught Saffron’s mouth in a hungry kiss, the playful teasing move on Saffron’s part, the end of any restraint he'd had. The hungry kiss caught Saffron off guard and he felt a brief moment of panic wondering if he'd crossed the wrong line but the brief panic passed into hesitation, before he suddenly submitted to the kiss, his fingers giving the piercing one last playful tug before his hand slowly caressed downward, as he let Matt kiss him anyway he wanted, not that he wasn't enjoying it. He decided if anything, he knew of one way to repay Matt and show him his thanks, wondering only for a second if that made him the whore Landan always claimed he was. Matt felt Saffron's fingers trailing down his chest, and he gave another soft moan, then suddenly broke the kiss and caught hold of Saffron’s hand. "Oh whoa... no... fuck... no.." he whispered breathlessly, his face suddenly flushed. "Can't, angel... Oh.. I want to... don’t get me wrong... but... this is an open loft.. and sound carries." he added with a soft embarrassed chuckle. "And I'll never hear the end of it if we treat Awen to a show.." Saffron froze, his heart pounding hard and fast and he suddenly blushed darkly, managing to pull away slowly. "I...I'm sorry...I shouldn't...have done that... I'm going to..." He trailed off, knowing he was making another mess and he suddenly scrambled off the bed, tugging the sleep shirt right as he headed for the stairs, though he realized he had no idea what he was doing, or planning to do. Then deciding that maybe he should grab a shower and see if that didn't clear up any of his confusion, so he turned to his back for his bag, not looking at Matt and still blushing darkly. Matt watched him a moment then got out of bed and went to him. "Saffron." he said softly as he came to a stop behind him. "Angel... don’t. If any one should be apologizing here, it's me. My brother is trying to put you through hell and you've had a really crazy day... and night... and here I am adding to the shit. I'm sorry. After Landan...I'm sure you're not interested in jumping into anything right away... especially not with someone like me." He wanted to reach out and pull him close again, but instead he crossed his arms over his chest in an effort to keep his hands to himself; he knew he was making the right choice here... it was all too crazy and fast, and while he didn't doubt how he felt... he didn't want to rush the kid into anything. "I'll do my best to... to just be your friend, Saffron. I'd really like to be..." he said softly. Saffron dropped his bag, a change of clothes in his hand, though considering all he had was women's clothes, a short skirt and peasant blouse. He knew Matt was right, he'd only just met Matt...he was Landan's half brother. Getting involved with him was probably the wrong idea...But gods it hurt to hear him say it...he didn't know why, but it did. He didn't want to be here around Matt and just...be his friend. Saffron shook his head, his back still to Matt, and raised his free hand to wipe at the tears that wanted to fall. "No...I think... I think I should make...other arrangements. I should...find...Corey...and stay with him..." The sound of Saffron saying another mans name actually hurt, and Matt had to focus on drawing a deeper breath. "No..." he said softly. "Please... I promise, Saffron... I promise I'll keep my hands to myself. I'll sleep on the couch... whatever... just... don’t leave." he added softly. "Please..." Saffron shook his head, unable to reply from trying to keep from crying. He dropped his clothes on his bag, his hands going to brace himself on the dresser as he gasped for a breath to be able to speak. "Stop..." He whimpered softly. "Just stop...I'm not staying...if you don't...want me..." The words left him before he could think better and he kicked himself. Landan had been right, he really was a whore; no wonder Landan had been keeping him that way...He made himself move, starting to bend down to get the clothes again. Matt forgot to breathe at that and he stood for a moment just watching Saffron retrieve his clothing, then he laughed softly. Shaking his head slightly at the insanity of it all, he laughed harder and reached out, catching hold of Saffron and taking the clothes from him, dropping them on top of the dresser. "Saffron... fuck, baby... I DO want you. I do... more then I can say... Way more then I should..." he said, his eyes sparkling. "I... I'm just trying to think of you first, rather than just myself for a change... I don’t want you to think you have to be with me in exchange for my helping you. I... I want you to be with me... because you like me..." he said, then laughed again, pulling Saffron in his arms and holding him close. "Fuck.. I can't believe I'm talking like this. Usually I wouldn't give a shit if someone was downstairs, and I wouldn't give a shit if it was a rebound thing for you... I'd take you at your word and just enjoy the shit out of it... But... I don’t want to hurt you." Saffron eyed his clothes on the top of the dresser a moment, before shaking his head slightly, raising a hand to wipe his eyes again. "Rather hard for it be a rebound thing, when I wasn't with any one to begin with...Landan has a girlfriend, I was his whore, his pet." He replied in a soft bitter tone, "I stayed and let him keep me like that, because...he was going to tell LiVed where I was other wise..." He added, his voice softening as he closed his eyes a moment. "You'd hardly be worse then any of them...for enjoying me like that...its the way it's been for me. But maybe for once...I WANT to submit to a man..." The laughter left Matt's eyes as he held Saffron, one hand stroking through the thick black waves tenderly. "I don’t want to use you like that, Saffron." he said softly. "I don’t want you to be... 'my whore' or 'my pet'... I... I want you to be my friend and my lover...." he kissed the top of Saffron's head and sighed softly. "And if you want to live as a girl... then ... I want you to be my girlfriend...." "I've lived virtually my whole life as a girl… but I've never been anyone's girlfriend..." Saffron replied softly, not sure why that idea seemed so right and made him feel so wonderful. He moved, turning enough to look up at Matt. "I want to be..." He admitted in a whisper, blushing. Matt smiled softly, his eyes lighting up as he stroked Saffron's cheek softly. "Then don’t go. Stay with me, angel. Let me take care of you. I've never really had a girlfriend either... especially not one that was really a boy..." he added with slight blush and a chuckle. "It's going to take some getting used to sharing my home and life, but... I want you here." he said, then snorted softly still blushing as he leaned down to kiss him again. "Go on... get your clothes and I'll show you where the extra towels and stuff are... you can steal some of Awen's girly shampoo and stuff if you'd rather use it then mine.. she has a stash under the sink." ~ ~

 

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  Skye, Ruex, Sage, Washu & Miss Frost .
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