The Tourney had gone as expected…. Mostly. Daemon beating nearly every other up until the point he'd even thrown Otto's son into the dirt with his horse on top of him! Then came…. That Northern cunt! All high and mighty stop his white charger. Daemon had been sure he could win. Both when they gone charging at each other with them lances and even after hitting the dirt and grabbing his sword. Something he now looked back on and frankly regretted. He should have known just by the other man's sheer size and the fact that men from the North played dirty, he had to stay sharp. He hadn't….
Off in the arena there was a lot of cheering and shouting still. Probably more Jousting still left and Daemon was limping, a rather tired and sulky expression on his face for his large red and black tent. Using his teeth pull one of his gloves off his other hand went to push the flap back. Entering he sort of eyed the long sofa his servants had set up, and after a moment he'd all but collapsed down onto it. His helmet dropping to the ground, but besides that he hadn't taken off any of his armor. Everything hurt to much, his arm where the other had beaten in his shield, his head with had a nice sized gash over his temple, his knee from slamming it into the barrier. Talk about everything going to shit in a matter of seconds!
"My lord I brought…." He heard one of his men start from the tent door. No sooner had they than that dark black beautiful black and red dragon helmet went flying at him. "GET OUT!!!!" Daemon shouted furiously! Oh how he hated new servants! They never knew when to keep their fucking distance!
It was probably a good thing that the helmet was still over by the door as the moment he heard feet Daemon probably would have thrown it at him. Alas, he couldn't reach the only goblet that sat a few feet away and in doing so he'd say up enough to spot Trent sauntering over. "Well well, look who showed up" he remarked a bit tiredly moving to sit back on the sofa area. One hand moving to tiredly fight at the laces on the insides of his arms which held the gauntlets in place.
"I sure did!" Trent chirped with his signature grin. He knelt by Daemon and began to help him remove his gauntlets.
He tended to Daemon's wounds as best he could, taking great pleasure in practically sponge-bathing the attractive man. "You looked great out there! What is jousting like? I've heard it's a rush like no other."
The first gauntlet had Daemon making facing as it came off, his arm so bruised he was willing to bet it would be a weeks time before he gets them back on. However from there the rest had been easier and by this point his armor lay by the sofa, he only had his black shirt on and he'd slouched further into the sofa his eyes eventually closing in exhaustion as Trent cleaned the wound on his head and looked over his arm.
However hearing the other speak he cracked an eye open for a brief moment before sort of giving a nod. "It is…… An addicting sort of rush no less. Not much different than battle really. Though most of the whelps wouldn't know that" he muttered the last part a bit annoyed sounding as his eyes opened to stare off towards the dark red tent wall.
Of course. Jousting was a nobles' sport, and, as far as Trent knew, most nobles didn't send their sons to battle. He nodded, grimacing sympathetically when Daemon made faces.
"What else can I do for you?" Trent asked gently when he was done washing Daemon's wounds. "Shall I take you to lie down?"
Laying there on the sofa Daemon shook his head tiredly. Honestly this was probably as good as it got out here. The city being a good ten miles ride, most had brought cots and such for if need and being he was the Prince of the city he probably had the best, most lavish set up amongst the now city of tents that littered the field around the stands. Still, call it personal preference the sofas cushions were arguably more comfortable than the bed made up through another doorway.
"I'll just… Remain here … wallow in my own self pity for a bit" He remarked after a moment of silence. Eyes shifting to Trent however he sort of smirked "You could however go fetch me the strongest white wine you can possibly find" He added with a bit of a chuckle.
Trent nodded and set off with a wide grin. He asked round until he found the prince's preference, then paid and brought it back to the resting Daemon.
"If it's such a rush, why the self-pity?" he asked, pouring the wine into a goblet and holding it carefully to Daemon's lips.
As Trent came back in Daemon had nearly startled back awake. Right… The wine. He certainly needed it with how much everything hurt. His free hand moved, also taking ahold of the glass though he didn't argue or push Trent away either. Taking a few chugs he released it back to Trent and made a bit of an expression that was mixed with both pain and frustration. "Did you not see what happened? I fucking lost! And not very gracefully either I might add … fucking northern bitch!" He growled the last part all to furiously. Though it was all he could even think of considering as much as he wanted to claim it unfair … he knew he'd been the one to do poorly even in comparison to other fights.
"I was more interested in watching you, unhorsed or not," Trent said with a shrug. "You'll do better next time," he added confidently. He poured himself a goblet of wine and drank it down. "What held you back this time?"
Daemon let out a low sigh, his eyes slightly rolling. Ok so Trent was a bit overly positive, something he lacked at, not to mention when he was it was a bundle of sarcasm. "None of that is the point! I looked like a fool in front of everyone! Do you know how embarrassing it must be for even my brother after my defeat!? And that asshole gets to parade himself about claiming he bested Daemon Targaryen! The kings own brother!" He replied a bit over dramatically before slightly shaking his head, reaching for where the wine glass was set with a bit of a grimace he soon downed what was left in but a few gulps before sulkily dropping it to the floor as he moved to lay further back on the sofa. His head soon rest on the arm rest and his legs pressed up against Trent. "My boots…? Can you…?" He weakly gestured with his hand to where his dark black leather boots were still snugly on. About the last thing other than his pants and shirt.
"Yes, I do know how it is to look like a fool in front of others!" Trent said cheerfully. "But I have no brothers, so no, I don't know how embarrassing it is for your brother!" Then he sobered. "Hey. He will boast that… until someone bests him!"
Trent nodded and set his fingers to work unlacing Daemon's boots, then peeling them off his feet. Without asking, he cleaned Daemon's feet gently with the hot water and cloth he had used for Daemon's wounds. Then he set about rubbing the stress out of each foot, from heel to tendon to toe, with strong and practiced fingers.
"Better?" he asked.
Honestly it was moments like these Daemon nearly jaw dropped at the other male. He wasn't one of his servants and yet…. He was more willing, able and happy to do things, some without even being asked than anyone in the six kingdoms combined would have been! For a moment his light purple hues seemed to just study the other male as he'd gone above and beyond what Daemon had requested, a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips before he'd closed his eyes again for a moment. Groaning a bit softly as the other had found a rather sore spot.
"You've no idea…" He whispered tiredly, eyes hardly even opening to look at the other now. Heavens he was so exhausted and though he still ached in places he'd began to relax. A mixture of Trent's pampering and the wine in his system.
Pampering was something that Trent, and a friend who'd been raised by Trent's mother, had learned to do early-on in life. Trent could cook, clean, give sponge baths and massages, play simple games, and even sing to entertain a friend in need of cheering. Some of what he did had romantic overtones— let's face it, Daemon was a very attractive man— but whether or not Daemon saw it that way, time would tell.
"I don't get to do this often," he said, "so I'm glad you enjoy it."
Daemon let out a purr in response, eyes remaining shut as he just seemed to be getting that much more comfortable. Enough so that after a few minutes he'd actually began to drift off to sleep right there.
Feeling the other man relax, Trent stretched out his fingers, pleased with a job well-done. When he was done massaging both Daemon's feet he went to dump out the water, then sat back by the sofa, tenderly watching him sleep.
About an hour had passed, Daemon so asleep he hardly seemed to move. In fact he probably would have damn near seemed dead had it not been for the slow rise and fall of his chest. And he hardly even budged when the front flap to the tent was suddenly drawn back. Pushed aside from someone in a hurry. That someone being a female, small, young perhaps only a teenager with hair as blond as daemons and eyes just as piercing. She looked as though she'd been crying, the tears just noticeable glinting in the candlelight as she came to a sudden stop.
Quickly her hand went to wipe the streaks of tears away. Her face taking a more serious tone as she slowly approached moving back around the side of the couch before making it to the side Daemons head was nuzzled, all the while holding her extremely extravagant gown as to not step on it.
"Has slept long?" She suddenly asked, her voice just above a whisper as she still seemed to be gathering herself. Gently her hand reached to touch his forehead, eyes drifting to his wounds briefly though she seemed content seeing as they'd been cleaned.
Trent heard the tent open immediately and turned to face the young woman. His expression puckered into one of concern as he noticed she'd been crying.
"I… lost track of time," Trent replied in a whisper. "I'm Trent, a new friend." Was this woman the wife he'd heard about, or someone else entirely?
"Rhaenyra…. My uncle" She replied a sort of forced smile briefly crossing her face once she'd finished speaking. Taking a huge breath she moved for the table where the bottle of wine sat, popping off the top she soon sat across from them in one of the chairs that were also set up there. "I hope you don't mind? I don't wish to wake him but … I have news he should hear from me and not one of our men" She replied her tone a bit shaky as she sat back in the chair, eyes drifting very briefly to Daemon before she took another swig straight from the bottle.
"Oh, no, please." Trent smiled and gestured for her to do what she needed to do. He stood and left the tent to give them some privacy… though, of course, being Trent, he still listened in.
"Thank you" She replied, for a moment watching as the man moved for the door, seeming to think. However it was then that Daemon had begun to stir, having heard the voices. "How was the fall uncle?" She asked seemingly joking for a moment as he squinted at her.
He merely let out a bit of a grunt, but then as he noted her rather watery eyes he was suddenly pushing up. Wrong move and he let out a hiss in pain as he looked towards her a bit worried. "I… Think I may have broken a rib, bruised a bone, definitely got my head good and split open" He remarked still a bit loopy sounding. Not very awake, at least. Not until the princess had finally spoke.
For a brief moment she'd teased him and then assured him they'd see that the Maester stopped in to make sure he hadn't hurt anything to badly. However then came her explanation as to where the Maesters were. For this entire tourney had been the kings way of celebrating the birth of his child.
The Queen was dead, all color if ever there was any at all had left Daemons face. His expression despite painted now nearly over took with worry. Even more so when she informed him that she wasn't allowed to be there but the baby, was struggling to breath. Last she'd heard. Her father had left the Tourney pavilion not long after Daemon had gone to the tent.
Sitting there still processing Daemon managed to sit so his back with to the sofa. A slow sigh escaping his throat. Rhaenyra however, had faltered and was quietly sobbing. Eyes lifting he gestured for her to come close and for awhile the two had just said like that. Silence looming over the tent, until……
"Rhaenyra! Is she in there??!" A brunette had come rushing up. Her hands holding her dress as to not fall and for a moment she'd stopped to ask Trent who she saw just outside. Only pausing for a moment, her brow furrowed some…… Suspiciously.
Still she continued on her way even before Trent had spoke and went barging inside. "Rhaeny…. My father sent for you. It's very important!" The dark haired girl told the princess before seeming to almost nervously eye Daemon. Who, despite the pain managed a small smirk.
"How is your brother?" Daemon asked, as Rhaenyra moved to stand, to of course go as bid with her friends.
Alicent only glared, saying nothing she turned and lead the way, so quickly she actually almost did bump into Trent in the doorway. Shooting him a glare as well though the reasoning was hard to say! Rhaenyra moved after her, to distracted to say much though she did offer a slight nod at Trent before continuing.
"Rude!!!" Daemon could be heard calling out over dramatically. Though once he was sure the girls were gone his expression went to how it had been prior to Alicent’s arrival. Stress and worry hung like a cloud in the air now and slowly leaned he'd managed to grab the bottle of wine. Thankfully not yet gone after Rhaenyra had used it.
Trent had a look of concentration on his face as he took in what was being said inside the tent. Something about a birth, a death, and a baby struggling to live.
Trent barely had time to nod before the brunette rushed into the tent. When she rushed back out again, Trent raised his eyebrows quizzically, and smiled in response to her glare. Some might call it cheeky, but he was really just that cheerful of a person! He nodded back at the blonde lady whose name he had already forgotten and, when they had left, went back into the tent. He sat down without a word and placed a gentle hand on Daemon's shoulder.
"Do you want me to cook something for you?" he asked.
"No…" Daemon muttered slowly leaning back against the cushions heaving a rather heavy sigh. Staring for a moment down at the bottle in his hand he chewed his lip for a moment then, moved rather suddenly to stand. Shit! Ok that didn't feel all to great and for a moment he paused, holding onto the end of the sofa as he took a few heavy breaths, followed back lifting the bottle of wine and taking several good heavy chugs of it.
"I need … my horse" He muttered moving a bit slowly over to where his boots lay closer to the rest of his equipment. Sitting, this time on one of the stools that sat there he moved to pull one on with his good hand. Seemingly not even caring about socks, or the laces, or much else really as he was moving to stand again directly after, his face slightly scrunching up as his rib ached in protest. Actually Caraxes would have been ideal right about them but…. Well it seemed overkill for the distance. Even if it would have been a smoother ride.
"Your horse?" Trent repeated. "Are you in any condition to ride?" Normally he was supportive and not at all the mother hen type, but Daemon's condition was… worrying, at best.
"Well…. Perhaps you're right! I'll walk!" Daemon announced with the slightest hint of sarcasm to his tone. One arm around his middle, both because it and his rib hurt still he'd slowly started for the way out. Actually pausing long enough to…. Stuck his tongue out at Trent. Then he was ducking out the flap, eyes moving for the nearby horses in hopes they hadn't put Scale away.
"No—" Trent sighed and shook his head, then followed Daemon out. He scooped Daemon up into his arms, bridal-style. "Look, I might not be as fast as a horse, but I can get you where you need to go."
"Fuck!" Daemon cursed a bit being lifted so suddenly. His teeth gritting before he let out a sigh of frustration looking a bit defeated honestly. "You're not carrying me all the way home you absolute loon…. But you ride or walk with me … So I don't fall off" He replied, at first sounding a bit annoyed but then his voice changed to a more soft one as the idea had occurred to him.
"Well, why not?" Trent asked. He was strong enough to carry Daemon; he did not understand why the other man was protesting.
Daemon blinked at Trent like he was absolutely insane at this point. "Are you completely daft? Turn around and look towards the city…… Then tell me that's how far you're dumb ass plans to carry me? Really?" He replied not meaning to sound to mean but let's face it, Daemon definitely just naturally had about two tons of sass and he absolutely couldn't fathom Trent's current proposal
"Mhm!" Trent nodded, beaming. He began to walk with Daemon in his arms, holding him gently but firmly, and perhaps a little closer than strictly necessary.
"You are fucking insane! Wait what ab…… " Daemon started to slightly whine but the sort of huffed. "Never mind" He grumbled before moving to take a few swigs of the bottle he still carried. If he ended up tired and they hadn't made it to the front steps of the red keep in the least!!!!!! Well Daemon was already mentally preparing that bitch fit to be had …
"You know, I get that a lot!" Trent chirped. "Thank you so much," he said, without a hint of irony.
He carried Daemon without complaint in the direction of the city. When they got there, he asked for more specific directions. Eventually they made it, with Trent occasionally asking for a sip from Daemon's bottle.
"Okay. Which building?" he asked.
Very impressive indeed….
Daemon however didn't look exactly comfortable either by the time they'd made it through the gate of the red keep. His ribs ached from Trent's movement and a bit of a storm seemed to be brewing, clouds hiding the sun and a cool breeze had picked up. Typical right? Now all it needed to do was rain for the funeral as well! Ok it hasn't begun to rain of any sort but the chilly air had Daemon nuzzling into Trent as much as he could until the male had suddenly spoke.
Head lifting he nodding for the door where guards stood near the front. "Through there …. To the left and … I'm at the top of the stairs" he told the other male in a tired sounding voice.
Trent nodded and carried Daemon in, holding him close against the cold at first. When they got to the top of the stairs, he asked, "Should I put you down?"
Nodding slowly Daemon slightly moved enough to slip from Trent's as arms. For a moment standing there to steady himself he then gently moved his hand from Trent's shoulder to his chest in a bit of a gentle, quiet thank you.
Turning he slowly began limping towards yet another door which was opened for him by one of his men who was passing, giving the prince a nod after Daemon had briefly requested he have the servants warm the bath up.
Moving into the room Daemon soon sunk down onto a sofa that sat in front of a fire place. Though the flame was currently out and slowly he sat back on the couch. For a moment closing his eyes as he simply enjoyed not moving for the moment.
"Do you mind if I follow him in? Oh, I'm Trent, by the way. I helped transport him." Seeing Daemon's limp— though he had expected it— made him more serious than usual. "I can help with anything else he needs too," he added.
Stopping the guard seemed a bit confused by this, "You delivered him did you not? Go" he simply grumbled not saying much more as even he seemed to think Daemon was some sort of new servant or something.
"TRENT! Stop asking people silly questions you absolute buffoon!!" Daemon could suddenly be heard calling to him. The two men's voices easy to hear echoing from the stone walls.
"Okay!" Trent jogged into the room and knelt by the couch. He instinctively reached out to smooth Daemon's hair. "How are you doing?" he asked sympathetically.
Oh goodness this absolute goof! Trent's actions despite the princes pain and stresses still drew a small smile to his lips. "I'm tired, and cold, but I'll live… I promise. Now sit, I wish to speak to you anyhow" He added nodding for Trent to join him as opposed to where he was kneeling.
Cracking a small smile Daemon watched until Trent had sat beside him. "If you plan to stick around, I think it might be high time I actually give you a position. Wouldn't you say?" He finally asked, not at all skipping the beat and getting directly to the point. He'd been weighing the idea for some time and finally, he'd at least reached a decent decision should Trent agree.
Trent blushed. "Are you sure?" he asked. "We only just met, after all."
"And? I've had to hire rascals I've never met before just to make sure I had someone feeding my horse and my men could continue with more important tasks!" He sort of scoffed as if that part was of little issue. Which really it was considering he'd already seen enough to know Trent was unlikely to be an issue.
"I however, only currently lack in one position. Have you ever weirded a sword? Or been in a fight?" He questioned. About all he was faintly concerned about. Not that he had any doubt of Trent’s raw strength but being in a battle of hunting down fugitives was another matter entirely from even a messy bar brawl.
Trent blinked, confused, as he listened to Daemon talk. "Oh, hire me for a position!" he exclaimed. "Yes, of course!"
He thought about Daemon's question. "I threw a guy across the room once for threatening my girlfriend," he said. "Uh, ex-girlfriend," he corrected himself.
((Retconning out the bit where he told Daemon he's married XD same with Faus and Nate. They all be single bitches now as far as your ppl are concerned!))
"I did try to learn the chivalric arts, so I've done a little fencing, but you should have me trained anyway."
Daemon listened his gaze briefly drifting away as he slowly nodded "Well, not to worry about your training…. Because I want you as my squire" He finally stated all to bluntly moving to slowly sit forward despite briefly looking a bit pained in doing so.
"It's not an easy position but given what you just did…. And despite I didn't believe you could? I think you would do just fine" He continued before a weak chuckle escaped his lips. "And you will no longer need to find excuses to appear or find things to do. I'll expect them if you …. And for you by close at all times. In court, at Tourneys, and perhaps even on a battle field someday" He finished, his light purple hues moving to meet Trent’s gaze with a rather serious let gentle look.
Trent lit up like a string of fairy lights as he listened. He reached out automatically to steady Daemon as he sat forward. "Of course!" he said, with his trademark eagerness. "I won't disappoint you." His sage eyes were bright with excitement as he grinned at Daemon and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Well you haven't so far …. Other than, you now smell worse than me and I'm the one who actually fought today" He remarked a bit smartly. Only teasing of course as was shown on the smirk that followed. He hadn't actually smelt him but then, he had just carried him across a field, all through kings landing and then up two flights in the red keep. He could still see the sweat glistening on the others head tired or not.
"So, why now join me for a bath…. Probably need your help anyhow. And you're far more tolerable than some of these grumpy old hags" He added, his voice dropping to more of a whisper as he finished as to hopefully not be heard by them. Not that they could do anything to him but technically they worked for his brother, not him.
Trent flinched at the mention of a bath. He didn't like water.
"I can sit with you while you bathe, and sponge bathe myself," he said hesitantly, "but I'm not getting in the water. I prefer to spot-wash."
"Spot wash?" Daemon looked a bit judgy for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head. "Well suet yourself, it's a wonder you smell so good if that's all you do" He remarked still a bit surprised. Though he wasn't going to press the matter further and given the fact it wasn't like Trent’s was an unwashed mess constantly, he clearly had something going for him. Still, how could someone completely skip how relaxing it was to just sink into the hot water! Oh right …… Perhaps he should warn Trent, or merely laugh.
Laugh it was, and soon Daemon was moving to stand again, given it had likely been plenty of time for the servants to add a good amount of hot water. Injured arm still tucked against his midsection he was soon took a short step and a limp, his good hand soon brushing over Trent’s shoulders. "Well?"
"Really? You think I smell good?" Trent's exuberant smile was back. "Thank you so much. I have a custom oil combination that I mix. It's clove, sandalwood, and cinnamon."
Trent's smile faded as Daemon prompted him. He put an arm round him to help him walk, but his own steps were slow, dreading what was to come.
Interesting, for someone who didn't like to bathe the right way. Again Daemon had to wonder if there was some sort of story there but he didn't ask for now. It wasn't all that important after all. Or at least he didn't assume it was.
Moving beside Trent it took a lot not to just want to sink into the other male from exhaustion. He however managed until they'd made it all the way down the hall, down yet another flight of stairs and into a large rather warm room. A large fire burning in each corner, another rather fancy sofa, a bench closer to the in ground tub and the water so hot steam was visibility rising from it. Moving to sit again and pulling Trent’s side Daemon moved to begin undoing the top laces of his shirt before finally moving to pull it off using the hand that of course hadn't taken a northern beating hours before. Then dropping it he looked down at his ribs for a moment a slightly grimaced. The bruise stretched from just under his arm to his back. Likely right where he'd smacked into the barrier while still hanging from the horse. Still, a few days and it would be at least tolerable.
Trent cautiously knelt by the tub, staring into it like it was filled with lava. He peeled off his clothes and helped with the rest of Daemon's, then found a cloth and dipped it cautiously into the water and began cleaning Daemon's shoulders and back.
Ahead of Trent Daemon hadn't faltered in step other than his small limp as he reached the tubs edge and had slipped in. The heat felt amazing and by this point he'd moved to face the out tub, head laying on his arms and most of his body beneath the warm water. Though the parts that were still warming up to Trent gently wetting them with the cloth he was using were he sat just next to him on the edge.
Letting out a bit of a purring noise Daemon closed his eyes for a the moment starting to relax and so much so he slipped a bit further down into water. "Trent?" He suddenly spoke, his light hues moving to glance up to where the other sat.
Daemon's soft purrs brought a little smile to Trent's face. It was good to see Daemon relaxing, he thought. But when he saw Daemon starting to slip further down into the water, he automatically grabbed Daemon's arms, wide-eyed in terror.
He'd been about to ask something when his eyes met Trent’s and he noticed the look the other male had. Strange, and certainly not one he was familiar with. Slowly perking his head up a bit more his other hand slowly moved to Trent’s. Gently he took a hold of it and lightly pulled at it until he could instead lace his fingers with the other males. Daemon wasn't stupid and he now had a theory forming in his own head. Sure a little daft at times but you'd have to be a fool to not note Trent’s odd behavior and only over the bath chamber?
Eyes staying locked with Trent’s for the moment he slowly moved himself further out into the warm water so Trent’s hand extended just enough that Daemon was still holding his hand, then he moved to completely dip below the surface, the only thing above the warm water his hand that held onto Trent’s as if a reassurance he was fine.
Finally popping up above the steaming water again he moved back in closer so he was against Trent’s leg that hung over the side, his other hand resting on Trent’s knee and his chins one the other knee. "You're acting strangely. Is something wrong?" He decided to ask, in hopes the other would just tell him. Better still than guess work right?
Trent bit back a series of whimpers and clasped Daemon's hand tightly, but when Daemon dipped beneath the water, he tried to pull him back up, cursing in panic.
"I… I almost drowned when I was a kid," he said once his heart returned to its normal rate. "I don't— I hate water."
Moving in so he was basically snuggled against Trent’s legs he looked up at him for a moment longer. His brow furrowing, then his gaze went down to the water as if in thought. "I'm sorry…. Didn't mean to frighten you" he apologized for now. Poor Trent looked like he might actually spasm if he went beneath the surface again. Fine, he would simply chill close by and perhaps get him to relax just a bit.
"Thank you," Trent answered meekly. "I'm sorry, I know this is weird. I have tried to get over it before. Years ago, I bought a book about how to surf and a bunch of gear. Long story short, it was to impress a girl, and it…." He sighed and looked away. "Didn't work out," he muttered. "Oh, and then a year and a half later, she pushed me off a roof and I landed in a pool and broke all my bones. I'm happy to bathe you," he said in a gentler tone, "but I will never get in the water with you."
"Well, I suppose you learned everyone should have some sort of limits to the lengths they should go for such things" Daemon remarked with a bit of a chuckle. He didn't mind what Trent would and wouldn't do so much, though he had no doubt in future. Trent was likely to have to face that fear. It happened to everyone so perhaps one day he could. In the least learn to take it in stride and not be so tense just looking at it.
"Tell me about this girl. I've heard stories…. Little things you and Serena have mentioned…. So, I'm curious" He finally asked rather bluntly shifting a bit so his head merely rested against the others leg and his body sunk a bit further into the water if only for the warmth.
"She was peculiar," Trent began fondly. "She loved carbs, musical theater, and sex. Serena and I used to watch her," he continued nonchalantly. "I don't understand why Serena hated her so much, even back then, before everything happened.
"We all studied together for a few years. She threw herself into everything and did: Schoolwork, theater… flings. She had a few longer-term partners while we were in school. The last one was our teacher. When he left her and went back to his wife, she burned his house down and then she had to move away. I followed her. I went everywhere she went, but she never noticed or remembered me. She lived in her own little world." Trent left out the parts where Serena had begged him on her knees (yes) not to go and how he had had to promise to call her every day to make sure she stayed safe.
"About a year after she graduated from her specialty school, she moved across the country for a man she'd loved before we met. She didn't know he had a live-in girlfriend who wasn't interested in sharing. Seba— uh, Serena and I had moved to a city nearby." Trent frowned to himself at his slip; it was hard to keep track sometimes. "I had started my own business, and Serena protected me from the law. We lived together, but she moved out after Rebecca contacted me and had me pretend to be her boyfriend to cover up a little mistake she made with the man she liked." Trent cocked his head to the side with a puzzled expression, then shook his head slightly and moved on.
"I thought we'd really get together, so I had a ring made and put it in my vault just in case. She loved my cooking and massages. She had me clean for her, and she even let me sleep at the foot of her bed! When she needed help with work, I spent all day researching something that would help her and met her at her job to give her the information. She was so happy that she even considered letting me sleep in the same bed!" A beam lit up his face, then faltered slightly. "But she had me leave. I guess I shouldn't have visited her house when she wasn't home and told her I'd tell her friends I didn't know her unless she let me date her." He sighed. "She was so beautiful. Energetic, friendly, determined. She could have had the world on a string." He gazed into the distance wistfully for a moment before continuing.
"Well, she did date the guy she liked, Josh, and his best friend, Greg, and it didn't work out. She fell for his friend after they had sex continuously for a week and a half, so when she took my virginity a little while later, I thought…." He frowned, then shook his head again. "She did want round two, though!" he said brightly, trying for his usual chipper smile, but it was more pained than anything. "She likes being choked with red licorice," he added wistfully.
"She made out with her new boss, Nathaniel, a couple weeks before her wedding to Josh. The wedding fell through for… unrelated reasons. Some information about her past with our old teacher came to light." He looked away, scoffing to himself. "So I thought I'd follow her to her honeymoon suite and comfort her. I told her all this when I got well again after being hit by a bus, but she didn't seem to care at all! She told me she…." He trailed off, looking hurt, then, in a small voice, continued. "She said she was repulsed by me. I didn't understand. I couldn't process it at the time. We had made love, twice, only a year ago, and she had complimented me! That's not something you do when you find someone repulsive, right? And I wasn't even blackmailing her at the time! Even when I was blackmailed into becoming someone else's sex slave, I never found that person repulsive!" He grimaced.
"So I had no choice but to blackmail her again. She'd contracted a problem solver for her boyfriend Nathaniel's other girlfriend. This time we stayed together for a couple of weeks." He smiled fondly. "The best kiss she ever gave me was the night she slipped me a tracker…." His expression turned pained again. "But then she failed my love test! She found my storage house, took back her socks— but not her underwear— and opened a trunk I'd put out to see if she …trusted me enough to love me." He shook his head. "No. She came home covered in paint while I was cooking snacks for her and her pregnant roommate. She said the most horrible, hurtful things. But she was still…." He sighed wistfully. "So beautiful. I tried getting my mind off all this. Seb— Serena— fuck! convinced me we should go back home to my mom's farm to clear my head, but I missed Rebecca too much and ended up coming back. Maybe I shouldn't have. I met Nathaniel. I liked him. We uh… wanted to see how much she really loved him, since they'd broken up and he was moving his other girlfriend in with him. So he hired me as his cater waiter and I sent Rebecca some messages implying I was going to kill Nathaniel. I took Nathaniel aside and posed with a knife behind him, and she, I guess, really did love him, because she shoved me off the roof to get my knife and me away from him. I was the turkey carver. Anyway, I landed in Nate's pool. She went to jail for me, poor thing, so of course I had to confess to stalking and blackmail, but since it was technically under duress after her friend angrily told me what was going on and … expressed that anger, Se… Fuck it, I give up. My friend got me off. That's what you might have heard. My best friend claims she was supportive of me through all this, but she really hates Rebecca and has since practically the moment we met her. I don't understand. Fifteen years is plenty of time to get over a cancelled date, isn't it?"
He sighed and shook his head. "So that's my history with Rebecca. I loved her very much, but I guess she was right. We weren't written in the stars, after all. I hear she finally got into the theater circuit. I hope she's doing well."
Comments
Post a Comment