Matt smiled softly as he looked over at him. "Yeah, there is. For some. Saff... how do you know the kid wouldn't have been killed some other way even if you hadn't taken him? Kids die too... drownings, chokings, SIDS... hell.. a million ways. Sure, it sucks that you had to do it. But you HAD to DO it.. And you made it easy for them." he turned on his side facing Saffron, letting his gaze wander over what he could see of the tattoos. "Stop beating yourself up, kid... Right and LiVed did enough of that already.."

"The kid was ten! And had done nothing to LiVed...the father had...but I shouldn’t have had to do the whole family!" Saffron snapped, turning his face away again. "Besides. how do I know he wouldn't have been able to live a normal life if I hadn't done it..." He replied stiffly, then smirked grimly still facing away. "Oh but LiVed would be furious when he found out I hadn't used my powers...Actually the scar came from me spitting in LiVed's face and turning and walking away...Not my smartest moment, but the half shade thing did start it..."

Matt sighed and reached out to traced the edge of the bandage. "I'm sorry." he said simply after a moment, not knowing what else to say. With a soft sigh he lay back and reached out to turn off the lamp. "Night, kid... sorry I upset ya... I swear... I didn't mean to... I just think you're beautiful..." he said softly, tucking his arm back under his head and closing his eyes.

Saffron chewed on his bottom lip for a long moment of silence. Finally, with a soft faint sigh, he turned over toward Matt. "You didn't upset me..." He said very softly, before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek in the dark. "Good night..." He added, laying back down.

Matt smiled softly. "Hey kid...?" he asked softy. "I love your tattoo. It suits you." he said. He unfolded his arm from beneath his head and stretched it out to slip around Saffron, urging him closer. "I don't bite.. well.. not unless you want me too..." he added with a smirk as he stared up into the dark room.

Saffron hesitated a moment, before sliding closer. He snuggled closer a moment, before closing his eyes. "Its unfinished..." He muttered softly, sleepily, yawning. "Maybe I'll have it finished some day...all in black..." He was already drifting to sleep.

Matt wrapped his arm around him, tucking his other arm under his head instead. "Sounds great, kid... maybe I can help do it." he said softly before turning to kiss the top of his head tenderly. "Night." he said softly and lay there listening to the soft sound of his breathing.


**

Matt sighed softly as he decided he HAD to get up. Saffron lay curled beside him, his head resting in the crook oh his arm, and he carefully eased himself out of bed, trying not to wake him. After his usual round of crunches and pushups, half way through which he started to have the feeling of being watched... he pulled on his boots and grabbed his shirt and belt. Saffron appeared to still be sleeping and he smirked softly as he fought the urge to kiss him.. Letting him sleep, he slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him quietly as he set off in search of a bathroom followed by coffee..

There was soft jazz music coming from the kitchen down the hall. And the smell of coffee. Mama Nettie was standing by the counter, reading the morning paper. Her cup of coffee began slipping down the counter away from her. "Chauncy, put it back." She said, with out even looking over the paper. The cup slid back toward her. Out side a rain was falling. Although there was the faint strains of another jazz band on the streets. Or more correctly, a funeral band. She checked the obituaries in the paper and snorted, seeing a few 'familiar' names. "Selma, how many times you gonna die, woman..." She shook her head.

Matt snorted softly as he entered the kitchen. "Morning." he said simply. "Coffee smells good.. mind if I help myself?" he asked, wondering at himself for being so polite. He figured Marilee had had more of an effect than he'd realized... plus.. Mama Nettie wasn't a norm... she was more of a .. 'kindred spirit'...

"Louisiana chickery. Sugar's on the table. Creams in the fridge." Mama Nettie replied, turning the next page of her paper. A clean coffee cup slid along the counter toward Matt.

Matt took the cup with a nod. "Thanks dude." he said as he poured the coffee, then snorted at himself.. NOW he was being polite to ghosts too... that kid was having a very big effect on him. He took a tentative sip before deciding on the sugar. "Anyone interesting die?" he asked as he added a small spoonful before joining her at the table.

"Selma, over on Bourbon street, this must be her fourth or fifth time at it." Mama Nettie said, before laying her paper down and picking up her cup. She appeared to be a woman of color in her mid thirties...although she was far older. She studied Matt for a moment, then snorted softly, with a faint smile. "Well, my fine young raven, I'm assumin' ya know what you're gettin' your self int'..." She said after a moment.

Matt snorted as he drank his coffee, a smirk appearing on his face at her question. "Everyone keeps asking me that... I still don't have any better answer though." he said and set his cup down, although his hand stayed wrapped around it. "No, I don't know.. not fully... but it doesn't matter. He needs me. I'm not leaving him and I'll die before I let those bastards get a hold of him again. I know some stuff about him concerning.. what might happen when he turns eighteen..."

Mama Nettie snorted softly. "What might happen...What's guarenteed to happen. That child...complicated destiny that one...Oracle of the Seal. Got two different powerful sources that'll no doubt be fightin' over Saffron soon enough...ya know one already..." She said, taking a drink of coffee. "Then there's Desdemona." She shook her head. "Workin' with powerful magic that one..."

Matt snorted softly."Well.. he's got me. I'll look out for him.. keep him safe..." he said, his gaze on the coffee in his cup. "So.. I know LiVed is some crazy bastard with delusions of granduer.. but who the fuck is Desdemona?"

"Desdemona was the Death Elemental before Saffron." Mama Nettie said softly. "Some one's lifted the curse that was keepin' her in Hell...an' now she's out for revenge...Felt her surface last night...who ever she's makin' deals with...they've got this town...locked down t' say. Saffron wont be leavin' until she's either dead or the magic lifted...an' that may take me a day or two t' do...liftin' the magic that is." Mama Nettie said.

Matt snorted softly. "That would be the pissed off ghost we bumped into, no doubt.. and someone let her out.. gee I wonder who..." he said sarcastically. "I don't get it... if Saffron' is so important to LiVed that the guy goes to all this trouble to get him and keep him, then he brings me in to hook up with the kid... " he snorted again and shook his head. "We escaped way to easy... I don't buy that bolt was meant to kill Saff... and this lock down with the evil bitch on the loose? I just don't get it..."

"It wasn't LiVed who let her out." Mama Nettie said. "It's Honor Knight that did that...Those two...Knight and LiVed...they've been fightin' over Saffron for years..." She said, getting up to go over to the coffee again. "Knight's waited nearly a hundred years for Saffron..." She turned back to look at Matt. "Your moma ever school you in the legends, boy?" She asked.

Matt looked up, one eyebrow quirked. "Who the fuck's Knight?" he asked then shook his head. "Fuck.. nevermind... so that's Knight, LiVed, Right and Desdemona... and they all want Saffron. And I'm not letting any of them get him..." he said as he slouched over his coffee. "Not much.. my 'moma' threw me away when i came into my powers. Most of what I know is stuff I looked into on my own from bits I remembered as a kid."

Mama Nettie leaned back against the counter. "This your first time hearin' 'bout the Seal?" She asked. "An' it's Knight an Desdemona, 'gainst LiVed and his flunkies. LiVed of course...hearing from Knight, about the prophecy, killed Desdemona." She said, taking a drink of coffee.

Matt leaned back in his chair. "Nah... remember hearing something about the Seal before. My aunt i think knew what i was before my powers emerged... they were always careful talking about stuff around me, but I remember the Seal being mentioned because they were talking about what would happen if it was broken or opened or what ever. Stuff concerning the dead sticks with me. " He added with a shrug and half smirk. "I remember mention of a 'Daughter of the Seal'.. but I don't recall anything about an Oracle..."

Mama Nettie nodded. "Yes, because it's been a very long time since there was need for the Oracle." She said. "Somethin' like this hasn't been done in...millenia. Obiviously...the previous Daughter of the Seal is dead...meanin' Saffron's got a sister out there some where...Possibily two...But ya see, Saffron's connection to the Seal is jus' as powerful as the daughter's... which is why LiVed would be holdin' on to Saffron with everything the bastard's got...and it's no surprise LiVed'd wanna drag you into it either..."

Matt narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "But if that's the case... why did he let us go? Because ... it was too easy... I mean... he had time to cut us off... " he shook his head again. "And we know why he dragged me into it... Necromancer and Death Elemental... with Saffron on the verge of changing...." he snorted and shook his head again, his thoughts suddenly back up stairs...

Mama Nettie chuckled softly. "Yes...LiVed no doubt had plans for gettin' a child out of the two of you...a child connected to the Seal...with two very powerful parents...I'm afraid had you not gotten away, you'd have little choice in the matter." A small crystal bauble floated toward Mama Nettie, who caught it. "However...your role in this was even more then either LiVed or Knight forsaw..." She said, rolling the crystal around in her fingers of her free hand.

Matt looked back at her with a soft snort. "Why doesn't that surprise me? It should.. but then.. all of this should.. and it doesn't...." he said and finished his coffee. "So... what suprise role do I have in fucking up everyone's plans with Saffron?" he asked with a smirk. "Is it my falling for the kid? Or my rescuing him.. although he did more work during the rescue then i did.."

Mama Nettie set the bauble aside and reached behind her, pulling a battered pack of tarot cards toward her. She set her cup aside, "Chauncy is askin' if you want another cup." She said, as she shuffled the cards.

Matt looked up and glanced over her shoulder. "Oh.. sorry.. no thanks ... didn't mean to ignore you .. sort of an automatic thing.." he said and turned his attention back to Mama Nettie. He snorted softly. "You know... I come form a family of witches and wound up with a world reknown psycic.. but I've never had a tarot reading before..." he said with a chuckle.

"Its either that or read the bones." Mama Nettie said, coming back over to the table. "Three card spread is the best and easiest." She said, sitting down. "Not that I need the cards t' tell you what your askin'." She added, before laying out three cards in order. The Lovers, Judgement and Death. She lay the rest of the deck aside, and folded her hands on the table.

Matt looked at the cards and sorted. "Hell... i Know shit about tarot but I can guess that this one means me and Saffron." he said tapping the Lovers. "And I know that the Death card doesn't signify death.. it... change.. right? Which could mean Saffron's change.."

"Change yes..." Mama Nettie nodded. "Judgement...judgement is a hard card to read...A very hard card to read in part because it deals with very hard and final decisions. And it means facing something that most don't want to face. You can't hide any longer, this card says, all the dead have risen and are out in the open. Face what you have to face, make that decision. " She said softly.

Matt raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Who's decision is it to make? I made mine.. I'm sticking with Saffron." he said then eyed the cards again. "You said you didn't need to read that cards to answer my question... what aren't you telling me?" he asked softly.

Mama Nettie's gaze held Matt's. She didn't speak for a long moment, watching him, studying him. Finally she said softly. "You are the only one who can protect Saffron. Because of what Saffron is...and the change, because Saffron was born and always meant to be a girl, because that is what the Seal wanted, the Nameless One was forced to do what it did, to protect that child, because you were hardly ready at the time, to take your place as Saffron's guardian."

Matt sat still, studying her for a few long moments before he finally snorted and swore softly. "Fuck." he said and let his head rest on the tabel top. "You know... I said as much to Saffron last night.. about my feeling this way about him being some sort of magic..." he said then sighed and sat back up. "So... i'm.. what... some sort of chosen one born to protect Saffron? Why not have me born earlier so I would've been ready sooner.. bypass the whole girl/boy change over to begin with?"

"That might very possibly have to do with the current Daughter of the Seal...obiviously, Saffron has no older sibilings and was four when the Nameless One made the change...it is entirely possible that the current Daughter of the Seal was changed in the same manner at birth..." Mama Nettie said, leaning back in her chair. "But yes, in short you were chosen to protect Saffron. Something LiVed obiviously knew NOTHING about, or he wouldn't have even bothered to put you near Saffron."

Matt slid both hands back through his hair. "So you think Knight had something to do with it... he must have had a hand in us getting away. Which means that now Saffron is out of LiVed's hands where Knight can make his move..." he groaned softly and looked at the ceiling. "Is there any place I can take him that they can't find us?" he asked softly, already fairly sure of the answer.

"Oh, there's a few places...but they can't be reached now." She replied, "And there's something else...Saffron's father...did not abandon him. LiVed basically kidnapped Saffron." She said. "But to the best of my knowlege Auron Mordant is dead..." She added.

Matt groaned again. "Fuck... that's not going to go over well...." he said. "Auron Mordant.. well, it's a rather unique name... If i can find where's buried I can contact him. I could try blind with just his name... it usually works, especailly with a 'loved one' present... but hell.. we need to keep movng anyhow.."

"If you want my honest opinion, I wouldn't count him out just yet. After all...an elemental as powerful as him..." She shook her head with a chuckle. "He ain't gonna go down that easy. And he is...or was, if it true, an illussion elemental...as well as time elemental." She said.

"So... should i check to see if he's dead or just assume he's still kicking and try to track him down?" Matt asked. "Fuck.. never mind.. that's Safron's choice, not mine..." he sighed and looked back at the ceiling. He'd been away for too long... his arms felt ... empty... Matt snorted and shook off that thought as he sat forward again. "Okay.... two teams of bad guys out for Saffron and only me to protect him... plus his father may still be alive out there..." he said then cocked an eyebrow at her. "Don;t suppose you know when Saffron's birthday is?"

Mama Nettie leaned back in her seat and glanced toward a calander on the wall. "I don't think Saffron has been able to keep up with things...not surprised, LiVed kept him rather cloistered." She nodded to the calander. "You've got four days...I can probably have Desdemona's sticky spell removed by the morning."

"Four days..." he repeated softly. "And this change won't happen until his birthday.. or after right?" he asked.

"Most likely on his eightenth birthday. " She said with a nod. "I assume he's aware of this..." She said. "Still, I wouldn't put it off as being something that'll be easy for him..." She added, getting up from the chair. "Excuse me...it's time for me t' open shop. As long as Saffron stays here...theres no way Desdemona can get in here. Chauncy ain't the only thing protectin' this place."

Matt snorted softly. "Yeah.. I'm aware of that... I'd rather not check and see just what all you have though... something might take offense and bite me on the ass.." he said with a smirk, his eyes sparkling. With a sigh he stood and took his cup to the sink. "Thanks for the coffee Chauncey.. sorry if I've been rude to you." he said simply before heading for the stairs to check on Saffron.

__

Saffron had been awake for a little while, and was sitting by the window, watching the funeral band on the way to the cemetery in the rain. "Cry at a birth and rejoice at death..." Saffron muttered to himself, shaking his head. He'd had a lot on his mind when he'd woken up. And no desire to go and see if Matt was still here. He didn't think he could take it if he wasn't.

Matt kept his steps light as he climbed the stairs and went to the door to their room. If Saffron was still sleeping he didn't want to wake him. As he quietly opened the door, he spotted the empty bed first, then the figure by the window. “Hey kid... feeling better?" he asked as he shut the door behind him and made his way to the window. "I didn't want to wake you... there's coffee downstairs if you want some...."

"Sore, but not painful." Saffron replied softly, still looking out the window. He sighed softly, and finally turned his eyes to look up at Matt. "You stayed..." He said even softer, not sure if he sounded surprised, releived, or something else entirely. He couldn't deny that that fact was making his heart pound.

Matt smiled softly and went to kneel beside him. "Yeah.. told you I would, kid." he said softly. "I know it'll take you a awhile.. but.. you can trust me, Saffron." He ran a finger over the edge of the bandage. "I've found out some things while you were sleeping..." he smirked softly before raising his eyes again and meeting Saffron's. "But before I start on that...I was hoping to get another kiss..."

Saffron turned his eyes from the window and looked up at him. He couldn't help but smirk slightly. "Well I suppose if you want to kiss me, I wont stop you." He said softly. The rain outside was getting heavier.

Matt chuckled softly and ran his fingers up over Saffron's cheek, carressing his face as he leaned in, kissing him softly. "Gods.. Saffron... I never want to be without you..." he said quietly, blushing.

Saffron had slipped an arm around his neck, but sighed behind the kiss, pulling back some. "You barely know me, Matt...I barely know you...Not that anything I've said has been a lie..." He trailed off, this was some of what he'd been thinking about that morning. "And what happens if I do change..."

"Whether you do or not.. I'll be with you." Matt said slipping his other hand around Safron's waist. He sighed, trying to decide the right way to say it. "Saffron... I know you feel this too...I've never felt anything even close before. I can't stop thinking about you... I can barely stop touching you..." he added with a smirk. "And I know now.. that part of that...the part of me that feels this incredible need to protect you and keep you safe... is because I'm your Guardian..."

"Guardian?" Saffron looked up at him, either surprised, or scared. "Gods, he was telling the truth!" He groaned. He'd still been hoping none of THAT was true...if it was, then LiVed was definitly not going to get Saffron go. Unfortunately Saffron hadn't seen his reflection that morning. His hair was a little longer, with a touch of curl, his skin tone was fairer, along with his eyes.

Matt smirked softly and slipped his fingers back through Saffron's hair while the other pulled him a bit closer. "Saffron... I'm right here.. try not to act too dissappointed until I'm out of the room, okay?" he brushed his lips against Saffron's softly. "I think you're even more beautiful in day light... as dreary as that day light is..."

Saffron managed a nervous laugh, a soft blush staining his cheeks. "It's not that..." He said softly, "Honestly..." He raised his eyes, looking at Matt. "It's just now I know they weren't lying...I can't say I didn't hope that they had lied...We should leave, Matt...LiVed knows every shadow portal I use...and if I am going to become a girl...he's definitely not going to give me up..."

Matt sighed and dropped his gaze, resting his forehead against Saffron's. "We can't... seems Knight and LiVed are battling it out over you... Knight has someone here.. and they've got the town under a spell so we can't get out. Mama Nettie says she should have it broken soon enough... which should leave us a few days to get away..."

"Knight...Honnor Knight...SHIT!" Saffron swore, pulling back from Matt and flopping back against pillows on that end of the bed, covering his eyes with his hands. Four days from his birthday and the curves were already starting at his waist. "I don't wanna know who he has here...so don't tell me." He muttered, leaving an arm over his eyes.

Matt stood up and moved to sit on the bed beside him. He smirked slightly as he looked down at him and gave a little shrug. "Okay... don't ask.. I won't tell..." he said, fighting to keep his hands to himself. "Saffron..." he said softly. "You have no idea how good you look like that... I'm trying really hard to behave..."

Saffron lowered his arm slowly, looking at Matt, his eyes slightly wide. "Something else I've never had any one tell me..." He said softly. But he didn't sit up, he didn't want to. May have been the part of him that was out to test Matt.

Matt snorted softly as his hand moved to one of Saffron's legs. He ran his hand over his calf and knee. "Kid... you might as well get used to it.. I get the feeling i'll be telling you lots of things you've never had told to you before..."

"Mama Nettie telling you things, I take it?" Saffron asked softly, lowering his arms completely, to rest on his stomach. "I suppose she gave you a tarot reading? She'll only do that for people she likes you know...And I wouldn't doubt that she knows you're a necro. She had a brother who was a necro...but I think she said he died in 1928 or 29 at the age of 87." He added softly, trying to keep his tone light, despite the shiver that went through him at Matt's touch.

Matt smirked softly as he leaned down, half laying on his side, his hand still running over Saffron’s leg. "Yeah we talked... and yeah she did a reading. Yeah... she knows I'm a necro.. and her brother's hanging out down stairs ... think I bumped into him last time I was in town..." he said softly.

"The first time I was sent to this town on a job, I was fifteen. I got shot...Mama Nettie found me in an alley...She said the only reason she helped me is because she knew how important I was..." Saffron said softly. "Oh, you mean Chauncy...yeah." He added. At that moment, the bedroom cracked open, and there was the soft sound a child's giggle.

Matt smirked softly at the sound, but didn't turn his attention from Saffron. "Come in if you want." he said simply, his eyes never leaving Saffron. "I have something more to tell you when your ready... it concerns your father..."

The door stayed open for a minute...before a small teddy bear appeared just inside the door and it closed again. Saffron had watched that, then snorted softly. "I think David was just looking to see who was here...He doesn't normally come down from the attic...you must have attracted his attention..." He said softly, before looking back at Matt. "What about my father?"

Matt snorted softly. "Yeah.. necro's do tend to attract attention.." he said then sighed and shifted a bit to lay beside him. His hand went to rest on Saffon's hip as he spoke. "LiVed stole you.. kidnapped you. Your dad didn't give you up or sell you, kid..." he said softly. "Mama Nettie says you shouldn't count him out.. he's an illusion and time elemental so the rumors of his death may be exagerated..."

Saffron stared at him a moment, then sat up slightly, looking somewhere between confused and hurt. "Then why did he never try to find me?! If he wanted me, why didn't he ever look?!" He had no idea what to believe now. Even Rin had told him his father hadn't wanted him because of the change.


Matt snorted softly. "Kid... did you ever stop to think that LiVed didn't want you found? He stole you from your father...he lied to you about it to keep you with him... I'd be willing to bet your father never stopped looking for you... I know I wouldn't.."

Saffron flopped back in the bed, and ended up curling up on his side, facing Matt. "I don't know..." He muttered. "Everyone's told me one thing or another...I don't know what to believe...and even if he is alive, I don't know if I want to find him...I barely remember him." He had his eyes closed against the unwanted rush of tears that he wasn't about to let fall, again. Outside thunder rumbled.

Matt propped his head on his hand and reached his free hand up to stroke Saffron's cheek. "Hey..." he said softly. "Don't sweat it, kid... we'll deal with it later... you have enough right now." he said.

"To much to deal with right now..." Saffron answered softly a few tears already slipping past his closed his eyes. He gave a soft snort. "My life wasn't NEARLY as complicated before LiVed decided to kidnap you..."

"Hey..." Matt said, shifting closer as he brushed the tears aside. "Come on now, angel. no tears.. LiVed aint worth that..." he said softly. "No... not as complicated.. but did it feel as good?"

Saffron snorted again then sighed deeply, finally opening his eyes to look at Matt. "No...it wasn't..." He answered. "So what now? I mean...what happens between us now...?" He asked even softer.

Matt smiled softly as he caressed Saffrons cheek. "I don;t know what happens... I've never been someones Guardian before... but I know what I want to happen..." he said as he brushed his lips against Saffrons lightly.

"And what's that?" Saffron asked softly, that pleasurable shiver running through him again, either at atticipation of his answer or just from the feel of Matt's lips brushing his. Rin had toyed the same way with Saffron, but any time he'd tried to kiss Rin, he'd pulled away.

"To be with you." he said softly, kissing him lightly. "To get to know you." he said and kissed him softly again."To love you...."

Saffron sighed behind the soft kiss, one arm slipping around Matt's neck, he'd wanted to hear that from Rin for a very long time, and now that he was hearing from some one else...who he barely knew...yet everything felt right...better. "And what happens when I change?"

Matt slipped his hand down to Saffron's waist as he kissed him lightly. "What do you mean what happens? I'll still love you, be with you..." he said softly between kisses. "I'm drawn to you, Saffron.. not just your body... I've never been attracted to a guy before.. but I'm attracted to you... that won't change.."

Saffron pulled back slightly, looking at him. "And yet that is exactly what LiVed wanted you for in the first place, if you think about it..." He said softly.

Matt sighed and pulled back enough to look him in the eye, his hand rubbing lightly over Saffron;s hip. "Saffron.. angel..." he said softly. "What LiVed wanted or wants doesn't fucking matter... he's not here... we are. And he didn't want me to love you. He just wanted me to use you so he could have the results... me loving you would be to dangerous..."

Saffron sighed and shook his head. "I hardly remember what ANY kind of love is, Matt." He muttered softly, before looking at him again. "And if LiVed hadn't sent me after you...and you hadn't gotten away...would you have used me so he could have his results?"

Matt frowned softly as he looked into Saffron's eye. "Fuck no." he said softly. " affron... I'll be the first to admit i'm not the nicest person in the world... fuck.. i'm an asshole most of the time. But I'd never do shit like that... especially to you."

Saffron sighed softly, as much as he knew Matt was telling the truth..."LiVed would have never stood for that...he would have found a way to make you...or have made me seduce you..." tHe sky outside was getting much darker and it took Saffron a moment to realize had really heard any traffic on the streets.

Matt sighed softly. "Saffron... it doesn't matter now. It's just the two of us now." he said, brushing his fingers over his cheek one last time before moving his hand back down to Saffron's waist. "And you can seduce me all you want.. I promise I won't complain..."

Saffron gave a soft laugh and shook his head. "Yeah well, all attempts at seducing any one on my part have always been a failure, so we won't go there." He said softly. He picked up on Mama Nettie coming up stairs.

Matt smirked softly. "Not this time, babe.." he said softly and stole another kiss.

Saffron smiled softly behind the kiss. At the same time, Mama Nettie knocked on the door, opening it, pausing to pick up David's teddy bear. "Theres been a change o' plans. There's a hurricane movin' in. I think it would be better if you went over to The Wild at Heart...I've already called Mike."

Matt sighed softly. "Maybe it would be better if we used the storm to vanish..." he said as he rolled over to face Nettie. "Cemeteries around here have plenty of hiding places to wait things out in... as long as you dont mind the damp and cold..."

"The problem is...while ya could probably leave the city, the magic is lockin' Saffron here." Mama Nettie said. "No, I own the Wild at Heart..it's well protected as well. Course, the only place more protected is my family's mausoleum, but that's not exactly the most comfortable place..." She eyed Matt for a long moment. It probably would be the safest place..."I suppose it could be made more comfortable, for somethin' like this..."

Matt tucked his arm beneath his head and smirked at her. "Doesn't matter to me.. I've slept in worsed places and conditions... as long as Saffrons' fine. I don't want to risk his shoulder getting infected..."

Mama Nettie crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. She turned her gaze on Saffron, who'd sat up slightly, looking out the window. "While it's clean an' dry, it wont exactly be warm. But then there is a prier, so you can get a small fire, an' not t' mention a supply o' blankets, an' two bedrolls." Obiviously the mausoleum had been used for a safe house before.

Matt turned to look at Safron. "It's up to you, kid. both places have Mama Netties protection...warm and dry with the living... or not so warm with me and the dead..?"

"Who exactly am I running from?" Saffron asked softly, looking back.

Mama Nettie eyed him. "Some one who wouldn't hesitate t' kill an innocent person in the way t' get t' you." Mama Nettie answered.

That seemed enough for Saffron, who sighed. "Guess it would be better to go with the dead." He said softly.

"Figured ya'd be decidin' that." Mama Nettie said, before she tossed an over night bag on the bed next to Saffron. "There's clothes for ya." She said. "Both kinds." Saffron raised an eyebrow, and dragged the bag over, unzipping it. Mama Nettie had also included girls clothes. "Back at the cemetery ya came out in last night." She told Matt. "The biggest crypt, the LeRoi family crypt."

Matt nodded. "Wasn't paying attention to where I was.. more to where I was going.. but I can find it." he said. "Thanks again, Mama Nettie. I'll change the bandage before we go. Is there food stashes or should we grab something before we go?"

"There's 'nough privisions for two people for a couple days in the last tomb on the bottom in the corner of the crypt. Along with the blankets and bedrolls. An' I'll stop by this evenin' with anything else ya need." She added.

Matt sat up, resting his arms on his knees. "Thanks again, then. What would we have done without you? "he asked then smirked. "No need to answer that... we already know." he added seriously.

Mama Nettie snorted. "Maybe one o' these days I'll tell ya why." She said. "First aid kit's in the bathroom." She said, before leaving the room, closing the door behind her. Saffron sighed, pulling on a simple long sleeved shirt for now. "I hate rain..."

Matt watched Saffron with a soft smile. He couldn’t remember ever smiling so much as he had in the past day. “Rain’s fine.. as long as you have some place to get out of it…. I’m not overly fond of snow. Once you’re out of the rain, it’s not wet… but snow’s always cold whether its hitting you or not. Snow’s prettier to look at through a window though….”

Saffron raised his eyes, looking at Matt. "I honestly don't remember snow...and any time LiVed sent me to Europe on a job, it was never snowing." He said softly. "Sad, but true." He was shifting through the contents of the bag, when Mama Nettie re-appeared with an arm full of fresh clothes for Matt. "Not much 'ere." She said. "But should hold ya over, just in case." She said, placing the clothes on the bed, along with a spare first aid kit.

Matt looked over in surprise as the clothes landed on the bed. "Oh.. damn .. thanks, Mama Nettie.. you really didn' t have to..." he said. "Clean clothes are never a priority when hiding out.. but I think they'll be very much appreciated when I'm soaked to the bone." he added with a smirk.


"Exactly." Mama Nettie replied, with a smirk. "The door to the crypt is three inch thick lead...and can be locked from the inside." She pointed out. "Good for escapin' magic...the crypt it's self is very well protected against that...there isn't any place more safe in the city... " She paused at the door again, looking at Saffron, then shook her head with a soft curse and a rueful smirk.

Matt watched her leave then rolled over, laying back down. He propped his head on one hand and reached the other out to run his fingers over Saffron's arm as he poked through the bag of clothing. "Got room in there to toss in mine?" he asked with a smirk.

Saffron snorted softly. "Oh I think there's enough room." He said softly, grabbing the clothes Mama Nettie had given Matt and shoving them in the bag. Then he dropped the bag on the floor next to the bed, looking out the window again at the rainy world beyond. For some reason, that morning, he hadn't felt entirely himself. Everything was completely different...no LiVed, no Right...no Rin. And part of him felt like this was all a dream.

Matt sighed softly as he saw the look on Saffron's face, and sat up moving over to sit beside him. "Hey..." he said softly and cradled Saffron's cheek in his hand, turning him to face him. "Stop that.. you're thinking sad shit... You still look just gorgeous when you're sad.. but it's not as sexy." he added with a slight smirk and slipped his other hand around his waist, pulling him closer.

Saffron gave a weary smile and ended up leaning against him. "Sorry, I guess last night's just sinking in..." He said softly. "that and I honestly don't feel like my usual self I guess."

Matt snorted and wrapped both arms around him, smiling softly at the litle thrill that went through as he did. "Not sure why being rescued from a couple of bastards would make you sad... but i'll give you the not feeling yourself part..." he said, not sure if he should say anything. With a sigh he kissed the top of Saffron's head. "I think you should come with me for the first aid supplies and take a peek in the mirror... It's not a big difference... and I mostly saw you in less then ideal lighting..."

"Being rescued isn't making me sad...but I can't say it doesn't feel like I'm not going to wake up and find it all a dream." Saffron said softly, before frowning slightly, before turning his head enough to look up at Matt. "Why?" He asked even softer.

Matt lifted one hand to stroke the backs of his fingers over Saffron's cheek. He shook his head slightly. "Like I said... it's not a big change.. but... you look a bit..." he shook his head a bit more, smiling softer. "Softer? Girly? Call it what you want... I'm going to go with more beautiful..."

Saffron stared at him a moment, before groaning. "So I'm changing already..." He muttered softly with a sigh. "Explains why my jeans are a bit big..." He ended up leaning back against Matt more. Although it did give him something of an idea to keep out Right and his men's sights...

Matt smirked softly and stroked his fingers through Saffron's hair as he rested his cheek against his head. "Hey... it's not such a bad thing. You're a gorgeous guy... you'll be a gorgeous girl. Not that it matters... I'd still want you either way." he added softly then kissed the top of his head softly. "and as much as I am REALLY enjoying this... we should go get your shoulder repatched and get out of here before the rain gets any heavier..."

Saffron smirked slightly, before sliding away from Matt, off the bed. He'd lost at least an inch of height as well. "Save the flattery for when I really do change, hmm?" He replied, still with a faint smirk. "Being a 'gorgeous guy' is what got me noticed by Right to begin with..."

Matt scowled softly as he reached out and caught Saffron around the wait. "He'll pay for everything he's ever done to you, kid.. I promise. I'll find a way." he said then stood and suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Hmm... think you shrunk a bit... again. Not much..but.. I just could've sworn ..." he shook his head with a snort then suddenly swept Saffron off his feet and into his arms. "Hmm... yup..you're a bit lighter too..."

Saffron gave a soft snort and looked up at him. "At this rate, are you sure you want to stick with me?" He asked softly. "Although...if LiVed's sent Right...which he know doubt has...it does give me something of an idea for getting from here to there..."

Matt smirked softly and kissed him. "Babe... I wouldn't want to be any where else." he said as he set him back on his feet. "Come on... you can tell me your ideas as I check your shoulder." he said, grabbing the bag.

Saffron headed for the door, pausing to pick up David's teddy bear again and shaking his head. "I think David likes you." He said softly, holding up the tiny bear. He opened the bedroom door and headed for down the hall a couple doors to the bathroom.

Matt snorted softly in reply as he followed. He set the bag down inside the door and caught hold of Saffron before he reached the mirror. He kicked the door shut behiond them as he pulled Saffron back into his arms and stole a kiss.

Saffron sighed softly behind the kiss, one arm wrapping around Matt's neck, the other hand resting on his chest, but he pulled back after a moment, shaking his head. "You keep doing that, and nothing's going to get done..." He said softly, with a faint smirk, looking up at him.

Matt smiled softly. "Yeah...I know. Can't help it though." he said softly, brushing his fingers over one cheek. "If I'm this bad in a house with Mama Nettie around to play chaperone... I'm only going to be worse once we're alone..."

"Mmm...and for some reason, I'm not worried..." Saffron said softly with a faint smirk, but pullled back from Matt, turning back to the mirror, as he reached for the light. It may have been a small difference to Matt, but it was definitely a change for Saffron, he stared wide eyed, pushing the longer hair back from his face.

Matt leaned back against the door for a moment as he watched him. The first aid kit he'd used last night was sitting on the counter waiting for them, and after a minute he started to get the new bandage ready to save time later. He kept a watch on Saffron out of the corner of his eye. "So... you going to tell me your idea or just surprise me as we go along...?"

Saffron was momentarily distracted, but finally managed to turn away from the mirror, and gave a soft nervous laugh. "Well I know Right probably has men out on the street...but Mama Nettie packed a few things in that bag I could probably change into and they wouldn't recongize me..." He said softly.

Matt smirked softly. "Sure.. they wouldn't think of looking for a girl yet... but.." he said and ran his hands through his own bright blue locks. "I think they'd recognize me and figure out who was with me..."

"Depends on who Right sent...I doubt it was any one involved in last night...they're most likely dead..." Saffron said softly. "Besides...it's called a hat." He added, with a smirk, before pulling the long sleeved shirt off, although his shoulder was sore, he winced, pulling it off that arm.

Matt moved to help and wound up sliding his hands over Saffron's ribs and kissing his shoudler softly. "Hmm.. sorry.. it's just the effect you have on me. I'll try and behave..." he said softly with a smirk as he began to carefully undo the bandage. "If you think it'll work, babe.. go for it." he added simply.

"Anything's worth a try..." Saffron said softly, standing still as Matt removed the bandage. "Because like you said, they don't expect me to be a girl yet...Although I can't say I've worn a skirt before..."

Matt smirked softly as he caught Saffron's glance in the mirror. "Can't say I've hung out with a guy in a skirt before... guess it'll be a first for us both." he said then raised an eyebrow as the bandage pulled free. "Fuck..." he said softly and tore open an alcohol packet. He swabbed the wound clean again as gently as he could. "I'd say it's at least half healed if not more..."

"Healing faster then usual..." Saffron muttered softly, glancing at the wound. He pulled the bag closer with his foot. "Well it's only for a run back to the cemetery...its not like I have to wear the skirt for that long...yet."

Matt smirked softly. "Dont have to wear a skirt ever again... chicks wear jeans now, ya know.." he said softly with a smirk as he finished applying the new bandage. "I'll get out of your way so you can get changed."

"Yes, I know, but the skirt would add to the deception." Saffron replied softly, before leaning down to grab the bag, "Which is obiviously what Mama Nettie was thinking about it..." He unzipped the bag and pulled out a long black skirt. There was also a black sweater. And Saffron wasn't surprised to see the low heeled black shoes.

Matt watched him, one hand on the door knob behind him. "Yeah.. really gotta leave before you start..." he muttered softly. "I'm thinking things that I never imagined I could think of..." he added as he turned the door and stepped around the door. "I'll .. I'll just wait out here.."

Saffron had glanced up at his words and watched Matt leave, from the mirror with a slightly wide eyed look, before shaking his head. He looked at the clothes for a minute, before sighing and setting about changing. For some reason, he didn't really feel that odd, wearing a skirt, and reminded himself if the Nameless One hadn't changed him at four he'd already be accustomed to one.

Matt leaned back against the wall beside the door and slid to the floor. He sighed softly as he leaned his head against the wall and rested his arms on his knees. He was having a bit of trouble wrapping his head around things. The problem was that he had no problem accepting them, despite the fact that he felt he should... it shouldn't feel perfectly normal to find yourself in Hell and falling for a kid you just met...

Saffron finished changing and leaned back against the counter, the skirt fell to the ankles and the sweater was deceptive. He slipped on the shoes and found he had no problem wearing them. With a sigh, he picked up a near by brush and brushed back his hair before dropping it back on the counter and sighed. He suddenly felt a bit shy for going back out in the hall in the skirt. He realized Rin would probably laugh his ass off if he saw Saffron dressed like this...

Matt listened to the soft sounds from the room behind him and waited for a while after they stopped before he reached over and knocked softly on the door. "Hey, kid... you fall in?" he asked with a smirk. "Shit... Hogan..." he said softly to himself. "Leave it to you to finally be happy in the most fucked up situation imaginable..."

There came a soft laugh, before Saffron finally opened the door, bringing the bag with him. With his hair brushed back from his face, his hair was actually longer, with more of a curl. "Sorry. Just .. I’m feeling shy I suppose..." He said softly.

Matt looked up from his seat on the floor and felt his heart skip. "Fuck..." he said softly. “Not only are you gorgeous.. but you're classy too... never pictured me with anyone classy before.." he said softly then scrambled to his feet.

Saffron blushed deeply, looking at the floor. "You don't have to lie..." He said softly. "I mean, if you'd rather laugh, go right a head, I wont hold it against you..." He added, without looking at him.

Matt frowned softly as he took Saffron's chin gently and raised his face. "Saff.. i swear.. I'm not lying... I'll never lie to you.." he said softly. He let his gaze travel the length of him, taking in the slight curve of the hips as well as all the other small changes that seemed all the more noticable with him dressed this way. "You are way too good for me... I'm trash next to you..."

Saffron gave him a look. "I hardly think you're trash, as you put it." He said softly, the blush still present. "I've met trash, you're not trash."

Matt snorted softly, his eyes still glued to Saffron. "Well.. I'm definately not fit to be seen with someone like you.." he said softly. "Damn..." he said softly again as he let his gaze roam again, his head shaking softly. "I dont want to take you to a crypt now.. you should be in that club..."

"Some how I don't think showing me off would be the safest thing to do." Saffron replied, starting to slide past him in the hall. "Besides, I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to do that when I do turn." He added, looking over his shoulder at Matt.

"I'm not talking about showing you off.. although you certainly should be.." he said softly as he took the bag from him. "I meant... " he snorted and shook his head. "forget it... you're still you... you don't mind the crypt anymore then I do, do you? I'm just letting the fact that you're drop dead gorgeous and classy looking as hell get in the way..."

Saffron paused, looking back at him. "Honestly Matt, I'd feel...safer in the crypt...I don't do well around a lot of people..." He said softly. He pushed the hair that had fallen back in his face, back.

Matt smirked softly. "Yeah.. like I said... sorry. "Let's go see if we can't find you a coat or something..." he said as they reached the stairs. "You know... you look really good in a skirt... but I can't wait to see you in jeans with your full curves..." he said with a smirk and a slight shrug. "But then I'm a lech too.."

Saffron snorted softly with a faint smirk. "Hardly...I've known guys worse then you, Matt." He said softly, as they headed down stairs. Saffron detoured through the back room into Mama Nettie's shop, which was a mix of voodoo supplies, some gothic clothes, and other things. She was sitting behind the counter. "There," She said, pointing to a rack of coats. "And if there's anything else here ya wanna take with ya, best get it now."

Matt eyed the shop then shrugged. "Unless you've got a gun or two... or a machete or nice long knife... no thanks." he said and shouldered the bag as he waited for Saffron. "You've already done too much, Mama Nettie.. I doubt i'll be able to repay you .."

"This is Voodoo country, boy." Mama Nettie replied, reaching under the counter and laying a very sharp machete on the counter. "O' course I have one...more then one. Take it." She said, eyes sparkling. Saffron snorted softly, before grabbing a long coat, and trying it on "Besides...I owe his mother." Mama Nettie said, returning to her book. Saffron looked up sharply, stumbling. "Later, child. When ya have the time, then I'll explain." Mama Nettie said gently.

Matt took the machete with a smirk, trying the feel of it before giving it a flip and catching it again with a grin. " 'More than one'... Mama Nettie, you're my kinda lady... I'd ask you to marry me.." he shot Saffron a glance out of the corner of his eye, watchign the other try on coats. "if my heart didn't belong to someone else..." he finished softly. He leaned forward and on inpulse kissed her one the cheek. "Thanks for the blade...And I'd better grab a coat and hat to help disguise myself..."

Mama Nettie chuckled. "Boy, I'm far t' old for ya...an' I doubt ya could handle me...over that way." She said, pointing, before going back to her book. Saffron had a last found a coat that would work and had moved over to a window, looking out, while he waited.

Matt wandered over to check out the rack and snorted before grabbing a long coat the looked like it might fit and would hide the machete... and then turned his attention to the hat. He was tempted to grab the fedora, but it wasn't likely to help hide his hair well...

Mama Nettie had gotten up, moving along the racks and tossed him a sock hat with the Night of the Living Dead logo on it. Saffron was still near a window, letting his fingers trail over a few voodoo dolls as he searched the streets. For an incoming hurricane, people were still on the streets, but then New Orleans was used to this kind of weather.

Matt caught the hat and turned it over with a quizzical expresion, then grinned, laughing softly as he saw the logo. "I love you." he said with a chuckle as he twisted his hair up and pull the hat on to cover it. Shocking blue hair hidden, he went to join Saffron at the window, slipping an arm around his waist as he came up behind him. He leaned into him, kissing his ear lightly as he looked out with window with him. "Hey angel.. ready to get wet?"

Saffron let his fingers rest on a voodoo doll and sighed. "I hate rain..." He muttered, before starting to turn toward the door. "Jus a moment." Mama Nettie said, catching Matt's arm. "I'd speak with ya in privet a moment." She nodded toward the back of the store. Saffron glanced back with a raised eyebrow, but Mama Nettie shook her head.

Matt nodded. "Sure..." he said softly then gave Saffron's hip a pat. "Keep an eye on things, kid. And she said if there was anything you wanted..." he added softly with a smirk, nodding to the voodoo dolls. "Knock your self out kid.. see if you can't find one for Rin, Right, LiVed... maybe you'll get a chance to play with them.."

Saffron snorted softly, but watched Matt follow Mama Nettie to the back of the store in the reflection of the window and sighed, before looking down at the dolls.

Mama Nettie led Matt to the back of the shop and turned to face him. "Are ya serious, about him?" She asked softly.

Matt raised an eyebrow then glanced back at Saffron before turning back to her. "Mama Nettie... I've never felt this strongly about anyone before. The thought of him not being with me... fucking hurts." he said softly. "It's insane and so completely not like me at all to be so.. open and... close.. to someone as I've been with Saffron." he looked back over his shoulder at the man in question before turning back with a soft sigh and a slight smile. "I think I've fallen head over fucking heels for the kid... and this is with him as a guy... when he finished changing.. I'm going to be so fucking lost..."

Mama Nettie smirked slightly then sighed. "There is...a way t' free him from LiVed with out the...trouble o' killin' the Master Vampire..." She said, before producing the lover's card from her tarot deck. There was an arcane symbol drawn on the back in permanent marker. "Do ya know anything about blood magic?" She asked.

Matt raised an eyebrow. "Whoa...Master Vamp?! Fuck..." he said and rubbed his thumb along the blade of the machete. "Yeah .. I know about magic... Mom's a witch of that line. I can't do any of it though... not that’s not connected with my own power..." he answered, his eyes on the card. "Well.. at least I never showed any ability with any spells before I died and came in to my power... "

"In this case, it's a spell that you can do. As I've already backed it." Mama Nettie said, She took Matt's hand and placed the card in it. "While it'll break LiVed's binding on Saffron it wont nessaserily make him stop trying to get him back... just make it harder. And it will bind Saffron to you..." She eyed him closely. "If you intend on bein' with Saffron, when he becomes a girl, use the blood from her virginity to draw the symbol on the back of the card on the ground. Then draw it again...in your own blood beside it." She said softly.

Matt stared at the card in his hand then started to hand it back. "No." he said simply. "Freeing Saffron from LiVed, yeah.. great. But no way in Hell am I putting another spell on him. I won't do that to him. " he said. "He deserves to be his own person.. not some metaphysical slave to someone else.."

Mama Nettie closed his fingers over the card, her eyes hardening. "It's not a matter o' makin' him a slave. The bindin' would simply...connect the two o' ya better. You'd know where Saffron was, you'd know if Saffron was in danger." She said with a tone. "An' I'll tell ya this much... if ya don't do this, and LiVed gets Saffron back after the change, there's no telling what that monster'd do, or who or what LiVed... would use t' get a child out o' her..." Mama Nette hissed. "After all, ya wont be lettin' him take ya back."

Matt stared at the card clenched in his hand and growled softly before looking back up at her. "Fine... fine.." he said and slid the card into his pocket where it would stay the driest. "I won’t be letting him take HER back either. You're right.. once he changes.." he shook his head. "I doubt Saffron will care to live under that again. If it comes down to it... where there's no hope of me saving her from him... I'll do what I have to make sure she doesn't suffer under him..." he said softly.

"I told ya this mornin', you're the only one who can protect Saffron...especially after the change." Mama Nettie said softly. "Some times...when fightin' evil...ya gotta use evil..." She said softly. "An' some times...love wins out. In this case...it'll have to be a mixture o' both. Leave the evil t' me..."

Matt snorted softly. "Mama... blood magic isn't evil. It's just magic... it's the intent behind it thats evil. And keeping Safron safe isn't evil." He smirked softly. "Besides.. I've done my share of bad shit. I don't mind doing more to keep him safe." He looked back to Saffron. "If LiVed or this Knight beats me... and Saffron falls to them.. I'll kill her if I can. If I fail... can you?"

Mama Nettie chuckled, and reached up patting Matt on the cheek. "Blood magic, no, it's not evil...but some of the other spells I'll be castin' are." She said. "Especially on Desdemona..." She sighed, crossing her arms, and cast a glance at Saffron at his question. Saffron was leaning against the counter, staring out the window, looking a bit lost, while fingering a Lady Love voodoo doll. "I can...easily...but for the Seal's sake lets hope it doesn't come to that...and while the Seal would still be safe as long as the Daughter of the Seal is still alive...it would be weakened..."

"Fuck..." Matt said softly. "Well.. the Seal can kiss my ass.. if I'm going out and can't keep her safe.. I'll do what I have to to stop her from going through that shit again..." he said softly. "She.. he..." he gave a frustrated sigh. "Saffron comes first. The world and everything else comes second." he said simply. "I'll cast the spell.. but I'm telling him.. her... the kid will know about it before i do it.."

Mama Nettie snorted softly, a faint smile on her lips. "Well I hardly said keep it a secret." She replied. "However...Somethin' else I don't think LiVed counted on...Saffron's change is comin' quicker...an' I think that has t' do with the fact that the two o' ya are finally together." She said. She turned to a shelf behind her, and rooted around, before taking out a red silk bag full of juju. "Here. This is a gris gris, take it for protection." She said.

Matt accepted the bag and tucked it into another pocket. "Thanks... so you think the change will hit before his birthday then?" he asked softly. "I mean.. he's started already.. just bits, but you can tell..." he shook his head. "Well.. I guess we'll find out. Thanks for everything, Mama Nettie... unless there's somethuing else, then we'd all better get moving."

"I'll be in the cemetery at Dead Time..." She said, with a slight smirk. "A half hour before midnight for good, half hour after for evil. Tonight...we'll need a little o' both." She said, heading back toward the main counter. Saffron set the voodoo doll back down, looking up as she came over. Mama Nettie patted him on the cheek. "Best get goin." She said.

Matt followed after her, his hand going to the pocket that held the card, feeling the shape of it. He sighed softly hoping that she was right and it wouldn't do anything more to Saffron then make the connection between them stronger. He'd never forgive himself if it hurt him or made him 'have' to be with him. He caught Saffron's eye and smiled softly. "Got everything?"

"Yeah...do you?" Saffron asked softly. Mama Nettie snorted softly, picking up her book again. The door opened, admitting the first costumers of the day and Saffron sighed softly, looking out at the rain. He turned the collar of the coat up. "Shall we go?" He asked softly.

Matt smirked and nodded. Making sure the machete was securely tucked in his belt and hidden beneath the coat, he grabbed the bag again and slipped his free arm around Saffron's waist. "Yeah.. come on... it won't take us long if we run..." he smirked softly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as his eyes sparkled suddenly. "Would you hurt me if I said I was looking forward to helping you dry off and warm up?"

There came a soft snort from Mama Nettie who heard the comment and Saffron blushed, but smiled slightly. "I doubt it." he said softly, before opening the door to the shop. People were making their way through the rain to various places and Saffron stepped out under the hanging roof, it was chilly, but not cold, yet. The cemetery was only a few blocks from the shop.

Matt smiled and shut the door behind them. "Good." he said, pulling saffron close to his side and kissing the top of his head. "Everyone's mostly walking... shall we walk and blend in... or play tourist and run?" he asked softly and turned his own collar up in anticipation of the rain.

"Either way we're going to get wet." Saffron said softly, looking up at the sky. "It's really raining..." He sighed. "And these shoes do have heels. I'm not running." He added.

Matt laughed softly. "I can carry you, you know... did it last night... and you're lighter now and I don;t have to worry about jostling you as much... but.. that would draw attention.." he said then took hold of Saffon's hand, pulling him out form under the canopy.

Saffron gave a yelp at the cold rain and ducked his head, although his hair was soaked in no time. They made a quick line across the street and through an alley, heading for the cemetery.

Matt couldn't help but grin as they walked through the rain, Saffron leaning into him to avoid the worst of the wind blown rain. Any other place with any other person and he'd be miserable about being in this weather... but with Saffron huddled against him... he was grinning like an idiot. Matt snorted softly and hoped the bag was water proof or their dry clothing wasn't going to be much drier than what they had on...And he hoped the gris gris and the card held up under the soaking...

A few more blocks and they came to the gate of the cemetery. "Mamzelle Marie Leveau is buried here..." Saffron said softly, as they entered. "People come to her crypt for good luck..." He glanced up at all the crypts. "Mama Nettie's family crypt is near the back I think...not hard to find, LeRoi..."

Matt peered through the rain as they picked a likely looking path and headed for the back. He noticed one or two others hurrying along the paths between monuments and crypts in the rain and smirked softly. He guessed when you lived with hurricanes as often as these folks did, you got so that you knew when it was bad enough to head for shelter, and when you still had enough time to vist great granny's grave..

The LeRoi crypt was at the back of the cemetery on a small hill. It was a large stone crypt with a lead door, flanked by two stone angels, and columns and the name LeRoi carved above the door. It had an over hanging roof, and Saffron ducked under it out of the rain, pushing his wet hair out of his face before pushing the door open. The inside was big enough, clean and dry. There was a small stone alter to one side with a metal fire prier.

Matt followed, waiting under the overhang until he shook the bag free of water and set it inside then took off his coat and did the same before joinging Saffron inside. He left the door open for the moment. "Aww fuck.." he said with a smirk. "Don't suppose you thought to bring matches or a lighter or something? If not.. it's going to be dark and cold in here..."

Saffron knelt by the bottom most tomb at the far corner and opened the small wooden door, before rooting around and pulled out a box of kitchen matches. He held the box up, looking back. "Mama Nettie's used this place as a safe house before. Since it's hallowed ground...not a lot can... touch some one here..." he said softly.

Matt smirked as he pulled off the hat and wrung the water out of it before laying on a ledge to dry. "Go on and get a fire then so i can close this door. " he said, pulling the door closed until only a thin beam of muted light entered. He checked the pockets for the card and gris gris, finding both only slightly damp.

Saffron stood with the matches, moving over to the prier, there was still enough wood and oil in it, that it lit with out any trouble. "There's blankets, and a couple bedrolls like she said in there..." He said softly motioning back to the tomb. He cast a look around the crypt, standing close to the fire, shivering.

Matt shut the door the rest of the way and moved to Saffron's side. "Hey.. go on and get out of those wet things. With any luck the dry stuff stayed dry. I'll haul out the blankets." he said, pushing wet hair off of Saffron's face and kissing him softly.

"Would have helped if there were towels in there too, although I wont be surprised if there is." Saffron said softly, before starting to strip off the wet clothes. "What did Mama Nettie wanted to speak to you about...?" He asked softly, pulling off the sweater.

"You can use one of the blankets if you have to... we can cuddle in the other one until it dries.." Matt said as he unrolled the bedrolls and tossed the blankets on top before moving away from them to remove his own wet clothes. He set the card and protection charm aside, safe from being dripped on. "She wanted to know if I was serious about being with you. Then she gave me a spell to us to help."

Saffron glanced up at him as he unzipped the side zipper of the skirt and slipped out of it, kicking off the shoes. "I'm assuming she gave you the spell because you said you're were..." He asked softly, the wet hair hanging in his face.

Matt shoved aside the wet boots and tossed his shirt to the floor. He kept his gaze on the floor as he listened to SAffron undress. "She gave me the spell after I told her I loved you, yeah...." he said softly. "Can't use it until you're a girl though..."

Saffron looked up, surprised. He'd grabbed the bag, taking one of the oversized t-shirts out of it. He wasn't sure what surprised him more. That she gave him a spell that had to be used when Saffron was girl, or that Matt had told Mama Nettie he loved him. "You told her you loved me..." He asked in a whisper.

"Well..." Matt said as he undid his jeans, still not looking up. "Not in those words.. I think it was more like i was fucking crazy about you... but she knew what I meant..." he said softly as he finished peeling off the wet jeans and rescued everything from the pockets before tossing them with the rest of the wet stuff. He dumped the handful of items onto the ledge with his hat. "Toss me some pants or something, kid... it's fucking cold in here..."

Saffron blushed and pulled another pair of jeans from the bag which were definitly Matt's size. Mama Nettie had an eye for those kind of things and he tossed them to Matt. "Do I even want to know about the spell?" He asked softly.

Matt snorted softly as he tugged of the wet socks and tossed them in the pile before puling the dry jeans on. "Well.. I told her I wasn't doing it until I told you about it... but it can wait for a bit.. until you're ready. Let's just say .. it needs your blood to start it and mine to seal it..." he said. "Kid.. you want to get dressed before I cave ...?"

Saffron blushed even more, pulling out a pair of pj pants. "I was working on it." He said softly, pulling them on, then the oversize t-shirt that completely dwarfed him. He moved over toward the bedrolls, grabbing the old quilt. He was familiar with the quilt...Mama Nettie had wrapped him in it when he'd been shot at fifteen. It even still had the faint blood stain and had such a familar and comforting feel to Saffron, he wondered if she hadn't put it there last night...

Matt watched him as he dug out a shirt from the bag and pulled it on, followed by a pair of socks. Dressed again, he went to sit on a bedroll next to Saffron and held out an arm. "Body heat will work better then blankets... but I think a combination of both is in order..." he said softly. "Saffron... Mama Nettie thinks us being together is bringing the change quicker... so... heads up.." he said a sheepish shrug.

Saffron raised his eyes, to look at Matt, then smirked wearily, sighing before scooting closer. "Some how, Matt, I'm not surprised..." He said softly. "I've been feeling it since last night..." He leaned against Matt, playing with a stray thread on the quilt. "I've never felt so...vulenrable.." He said faintly. "but then it's...not really a bad feeling..." He added. "There's
very little I remember before I turned four years old...and changed...but...I do remember feeling...normal..."

Matt wrapped the other blanket around them both, cradling Saffron in his arms as he leaned back against the wall. "Normal.. stupid word. I've never felt normal... I don't even know what normal is supposed to feel like." he said softly and brushed Saffron's wet air back off his face. "I remember, before coming into my powers.. I felt one way.. then afterwards .. I felt... better. More comfortable."

Saffron leaned his head against Matt's shoulder. "I know necromancers have to die, before coming into power...how'd...it happen for you?" Saffron asked softly. He still felt like this was all a dream...he'd been in love with Rin, but what he felt for Matt was so much stronger. He still didn't know whether to tell him that or not...Rin had always said terrible things to Saffron if he'd told him how he felt...

Matt was quiet for a moment as he held Saffron. When he answered his voice was soft and he rested his head against the stone wall behind him. "I was ten... it was like.. a day or two days after my birthday I think. My cousin Richard had spent the weekend... loved that kid. He was the only one I was close to, you know? Any how... we were out fucking around... I can't remember what happened exactly... or why .. but we were walking along the side of the road... think we were goofing off, making faces and flipping off the cars and shit.. you know kids..." he said and sniffed, brushing his own hair back with one hand. "Some asshole had too much to drink and took offense.. ran us down. Richard died first before the paramedics got there... I died on route to the hospital... The fucker who hit us got killed before he hit trial..."

Saffron was quiet for a long moment, before sighing softly. "I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I should even say something... those words are always so superfical..." He said softly. His hand slipped from the end of the quilt, and he slipped his fingers into Matt's free hand. "I suppose you can hope the driver suffered when he was killed..."

"Oh.. he suffered. That's a given. You don't piss off a clan of dark witches and not suffer." Matt said softly. "And you don't have to appologize. The only regret I have about it happening is that Richard had to die too." he said simply.

Saffron sighed again, he really couldn't think of much to say in reply to that. "It sounds cold to say that happens...I think I know how you feel, though..." He said softly.

"It's not cold, Kid.. it's the truth." Matt said softly. "Funny you know... the family comes together to kill the guy who kills two of their kids... then when one of the kids turns out not to be dead.. they band together again and exile him. Guess i'm lucky they didn't kill me too." Matt said and squeezed Saffron lightly. "Good thing they didn't though... cause then I wouldn't have met you."

"People are always scared of what they don't understand or can't handle..." Saffron said near a whisper, leaning even closer to Matt. He felt a shiver run through him, pleasurable, but also to do with the change. Between Mama Nettie's and there, his hair had gotten even longer, now that it was drying, that could be seen. As well, his face had become more feminie, and the curves a little more definied.

Matt sighed softly and held him that much tighter, burying his face in his hair. "People are fucking morons..." he said softly then kissed Saffon's neck tenderly. "You smell wonderful..." he said softly and kissed his neck again, nuzzling aside the damp hair. "And you feel so good..."

Saffron turned slightly in Matt's arms, facing him more, leaning against him as much as possible, a soft whimper actually escaping him, his eyes closing. He slipped one arm up, over Matt's chest, resting it on his shoulder, his fingers playing with the end of the blue hair. "Matt..." He asked in a whisper, " Did you mean what you told Mama Nettie...?"

Matt closed his eyes as he brushed his lips against Saffron;s neck softly. "Hmmm..." he said softly. "bout what, angel? Bout loving you? Yeah, kid. I do... and I keep falling deeper every time I turn around." he said softly. "Like I told her.. if I'm this bad with you as a guy.. I'm fucking doomed when you change completely..."

Saffron moaned softly, his eyes still closed and he tipped his back, giving Matt better access to his neck. "No one's ever loved me..." He whimpered softly. "Gods...I thought Rin did...he only used me..." He felt another rush of tears, with the mix of emotions. Part of him was hoping he'd hurry up and change...he felt all this making out was just Matt toying with him. "He'd toy with me so much...making me think he cared...only to get me to do with LiVed wanted..."

"He was a fucking asshole, kid.." Matt said softly as he slid a hand beneath the oversized shirt and stroked his fingers along Saffron's ribs. He moaned softly as he nuzzled his neck. "Fuck... I never wanted anyone as badly as I want you..." he said barely more than a whisper. "Please, Saffron.. tell me you feel the same... if you don't.. I'll stop."

Saffron whimpered softly, tangling his fingers gently in Matt's hair. "Oh gods..." He whispered. "Matt...please...I do feel the same...I've never felt this way about anyone...please don't be toying with me..." He whimpered, opening his eyes, to look up at Matt.

Matt moaned again and pulled back from his neck to brush his mouth over his. "Fuck no.... never." Matt said simply and moved, laying Saffron down on the bedroll beneath them. He kissed him hungrily as he slid his hand over Saffron's hip, feeling the slight curve a bit more pronouced then before.

Saffron slid his arms around Matt's neck, kissing him back. He'd certianly never made out with any one this intense...well he'd never made out with any one. He'd been used, several times by Right, simply used as a toy or play thing, but he'd never been made love to, or made love. "Would you be mad...if I said I loved you?" He asked in a whisper behind the kiss. "I know it sounds completely insane, but I do..."

Matt broke off the kiss and looked donw into his eyes. "You do?" he asked softly. "Really?" he asked, smiling softly. "No.. it's not insane.. I said it first, right? And why the fuck would I be mad?" he asked, tracing Safron's jaw with a finger tip. "I've waited my whole life to hear someone say those words to me..." he said then bent to kiss him again, this time tenderly.

Saffron sighed softly behind the kiss, never having gotten something so tender and soft. "I do love you..." He whispered softly, closing his eyes again. "I don't know why...or when and I don't really care...I just want you to love me back..."

"I do, Saffron." Matt said softly between kisses. "I do love you. I don;t want to ever be without you..." he said as he pushed Saffron's shirt up over his stomach and bent to kiss along the taunt skin. He closed his eyes, just breathing in the delicate scent of the death elemental's skin as he licked and nibbled his way over every inch of exposed skin.

Saffron whimpered softly, twisting and arching under Matt's kisses. "Gods, I don't want to leave you..." He whispered, his hands going to Matt's hair, tangling gently. "LiVed was an idiot to send me after you last night..." Yet he wondered if that wasn't all part of LiVed's plan and suddenly feared it was. LiVed was no idiot...what if he knew that Saffron would change quicker by being with Matt. That thought made him pull back. "No...gods..." He looked at Matt. "This could be all part of his plan..."

Matt moaned softly as he looked down at Saffron sprawled beneath him, the shirt rucked up mid chest. "Saffron.. angel... it doesn't matter... Nettie's spell will sever his hold on you and strengthen the bond between you and me..." he said softly. "I told you, babe.. I won't let him get you." he said then bent to kiss his stomach again, just above the elastic of the pajama pants. "You're mine now. He'll never touch you again."

Saffron inhaled softly as he kissed him there, but sighed. "Matt...if he did want...if he wanted a child off of me...off us...what happens when I change and that does happen?" He asked softly, watching him. "You don't know how he is...if we hadn't... escaped...if we've escaped...he would have found a way to force you to do that...and I wouldn't have had much choice...he's trying to build his perfect army..."

Matt flicked his tongue along the skin above the waist band of Saffrons pants ,his hands holding his hips. "He'll never get you, Saffron... I swear. I won't let you fall into his hands again." He pulled away enough to look up the length of his body at him. "If I can't protect you...if he beats me and I fail you.. I can kill you. I won't let you suffer through his schemes." he said softly, suddenly worried about saying that outloud...

Saffron moaned softly, arching slightly under him, his breathing deepening. He inhaled sharply at Matt's words, opening his eyes to look down at him. Several things ran though his mind at hearing that. Part of him wanted to pull away from Matt, and he stared him in the eyes, the dark green wide. He sighed deeply, closing his eyes again, feeling another rush of tears, but had to ask the question on his mind. "And if it comes to that, after I've changed...and there is a child involved?" He asked in a faint whisper. He had to ask, the feeling that that was one of the reasons for his change in the first place. "If it comes to that, and I'm carrying your child...?"

Matt sighed softly and lay his head on Saffron's stomach. "Fuck... Saffron..." he said softly, choking back the pain just thinking about this was causing. "It won't come to this.. it won't... He won't beat me.. I'll keep you safe..." he said softly then drew a breath. "But if it comes down to you and.. our child being at his mercy... I'll do what I have to to prevent that...if that means killing you both... then I will.. and I'll pray for your forgiveness for the rest of eternity.. but at least ill know you're both safe from him..."


 






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