dreamed you here

Closed AU sideblog for moronicseeker. Warning NSFW Ahoy Contains: Demon AU 1, Outlaw SkyWarp AU, Dark Jewels AU, Soulmate Tattoo AU, High School Matching Marks AU Priest's #sweet dreams subtag | Skylar's #;; two halves subtag Need More Aus? Need More AUs? skyau, skyau3, skyau4, skyau5,skyau6 Old Playlist can be found here.

[thegoodvybe]

[dominuswolf]

“Through the fragile veil of our dreams, 

                              you touched my soul… 

                                 like you already owned it

                                      and that is special to me.” 

Michael Anthony © Sensual Dreams and Beautiful Nightmares

[thegoodvybe]

[lovelustquotes]

I want to taste what your lips are like at 3am, and I want to run my finger across each vein along your hand. I want to know just how your hair looks when you wake up, and want to see the Moon’s reflection shining in your eyes. I want to learn the shape of each birthmark dotted along your back; and I want to hear your laughter, both silly and hysterical. But most of all, I want to know what it would feel like to wake up to the light in your eyes.

Julie Martinez (via lovelustquotes)

[somepiecesofmyheartandsoul-deac]

Please think of me as the loveliest dream you will ever have and hold me, love me like I am the one and only reality you will ever live in.

Lukas W. // One and only reality (via somepiecesofmyheartandsoul)

[lovelustquotes]

I am tracing the knobs of your spine like the map of my favorite continent. You are all the places that I haven’t visited yet and I mark each one off with my teeth.

Amanda Oaks (via lovelustquotes)

[skyau2]

Night Falling

[skyau2]

warpau2:

Malek made a low noise as Skylar’s hands found his ass, and he shifted forward with the pull, more than willing to press the front of their bodies together. His attention was caught by those gorgeous dark wings spreading, unfurling to their full extension. “Your wings are glorious,” he breathed, green eyes taking in the shades of ebon-grey that Skylar’s wings were. His right hand reached out again, to lightly trace the upper edge of the left wing, along what he guessed was the humerus. Green eyes flicked back to Skylar’s face to judge his lover’s expression, before a smirk flickered across his lips.

He shifted, rolling his hips slightly to press his ass into Skylar’s lap, more than happy to be there. He brought both hands back to the Eyrien’s shoulders, then slowly stroked down over broad chest, before curving around sides to the small of the other man’s back. His hands continued roaming, massaging up well-defined back muscles, until he reached the base of Skylar’s wings. Practiced digits massaged the base of ebon-grey wings, before slowly working their way a short way up the wings themselves. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips lightly against Skylar’s, parting them in teasing invitation while his hands slowly continued moving, paying extra attention to the muscles around the base.

“I-I want to fly with you s-sometime.” The words came out a touch breathless, moaned as his wings shivered under Malek’s hands. The sensations of those fingers running along the skin along his wings. He pressed his wing demandingly into the hand, wanting more from the other man. Skylar tilted his head back to meet Malek’s lips against his, a sound slipping from him as he pressed harder into Malek’s mouth, reexploring Malek’s mouth with his tongue and a hint of teeth. Tentatively he reached out with his mind, a careful brush against Malek’s inner webs while opening himself for the other Warbuild Prince.

Skylar’s attention was on the man before him, a happy sound escaping him at how they were pressed together, his hands pulling Malek’s white shirt out of his black pants to be able to snake his hands under the material to feel Malek’s skin under his palms and fingers. Skylar stroked along Malek’s back feeling the slightly raised skin of the few scars along the relatively smooth expanse of skin over muscle and bone. Skylar’s heart pounded as he moved his hand to run over Malek’s spine, aware of every bump of vertebrae, moving upwards, flanking Malek’s sides with both his hands he could count Malek’s ribs under his skin. His hands continued their glide upwards, finding Malek’s sharp shoulder blades before his hands moved back downwards, possessively landing on Malek’s hips, fingers bruisingly pressing into the material of those pants in Malek’s flesh.

[skyau2]

Second Time Around~

It was very late night or very early morning when Skylar moved soundlessly through the barn used to house the slaves of Queen Nisha's Court. Most of the stalls were set up barracks-style housing four to five men in a single stall, but there were a few here and there that were used as private chambers. The stall Skylar was heading for was just that even though he had been here only once before his feet and heart knew the way.  Skylar stopped when he felt the strong aggressive psychic scent of a Warlord Prince permeate through the door, his heart pounding in his chest, aching as he stood in front of the door.  His hand came down to the opening latch of the door, frowning to himself as he felt a Red Lock keeping the door from being opened by anyone with a weaker Jewel. Malek's Birthright Red trumped his Birthright Sapphire he could not get past the Lock without a little help. A quick glance up and down the hallway with his own senses spread out told him no one was here as he called in a dark jewel he rarely ever touched, a flare of power that was there and gone again as Skylar walked through the Red Lock as if it wasn't even there. Malek wouldn't be surprised to find Skylar here, the Eyrien knew, since he was one of the few alive to know his secret that Skylar wasn't broken back to his Birthright Sapphire as he pretended to be with the rest of the world.

He ignored the rest of the surroundings, going straight to Malek's bed feeling a little weary his body sore from the travel to get Nisha's court today and the battle he fought as part of the dinner entertainment, the slash on his right pectoral muscle still sluggishly oozing blood. No slave was worth the attention of a healer and Skylar would have turned down any help anyway. He'd heal, he always did. He flopped on the bed, wings tucked under him and arms crossed behind his head, shifting just enough to make sure he had taken up all the bed, very casually waiting for Malek to return to his room after his own duties.

[skyau2]

After the Play

[warpau2]

Sean’s grin widened at the sleepy lopsided grin that his soulmate tossed him, feeling his heart beat faster at the expression, a warmth in him as he drank down the sight of Shawn’s face and the way the other boy stretched. He chuckled at the hasty clarification, gaze going to his ears and smirking. Shawn had always blushed like that, as long as he could remember. “I know you didn’t,” he assured him, hand tightening on Shawn’s arm. 

“You really think I was good?” he asked excitedly at the praise. “I flubbed a couple lines and placement but… I was hoping no one noticed.” At Shawn covering his hand with his own, Sean paused, then shifted closer to him so their shoulders brushed, and tilted his head to lean it lightly on Shawn’s shoulder. “Thank you for coming,” he murmured, lips curving into a smile. He shifted slightly so he could still look up at Shawn. “I… really hoped you could come. I’m so glad you did, I knew you had work and wouldn’t have blamed you if you couldn’t.” Sean couldn’t stop the huge grin that Shawn had made it, had rearranged his schedule to come see him.

[skyau2]

Shawn threw him a relieved and grateful expression before shifting on the floor, raising the shoulder Sean bumped and throwing his arm over the other teen’s shoulders. “  meant it, you were better than good. I-I didn’t notice any flubbing. D-don’t think anyone would, when you were on stage, you owned it.” He studied the stage makeup still on Sean’s face, up on the stage it was hardly noticeable but that wasn’t the case up close. Experimentally he took his hand and smudged a spot on Sean’s cheek with his finger, squinting at his soulmate and then at the tip of his finger, smiling slightly.

“Your w-welcome. I wanted too, Sean. I...” He looked a little embarrassed and leaned into him, brushing his lips against the spot he just smudged. “T-this is the last time you’ll have to worry about me b-being there for you. I-I’ll always find a way to see you.” He meant every word, as he took the hand of Sean’s that used to be on his arm and brought it over his heart.

[skyau2]

After the Play

[warpau2]

Sean’s brow furrowed, and he frowned, taking another long glance over the room from the corner he’d slipped into for a moment. There were a lot of people in the cafeteria, fellow students, parents, families, teachers… but he didn’t see Shawn. He twirled the rose in his hand, fingers touching the petals again gently, before tucking it back into the breast pocket of his dress shirt and headed for the exit. He knew he’d heard Shawn’s whistle – he had thought the other teen had to work today, and hadn’t expected to see him, but he swore he recognized that sound. And, on top of that the rose… he could have sent the rose with someone, Sean supposed, but the whistle and he thought that he had caught a glimpse of him in the crowd – the lights shining on stage tended to make the audience faceless, but he’d caught a glimpse of a taller form in the crowd.

Maybe wishful thinking, but…

He wound his way through the crowded room, grinning and greeting those he knew, before managing to make the far side and slip out the exit. He knew that he’d be missed, he had played the leading role – but then again, he’d talked to enough people and the room was crowded enough that most would assume he was around somewhere. And… he had better things to do.

Once in the hallway, he relaxed and glanced around, wondering where to start. Walking past the empty auditorium, he took a peek inside just in case, then shrugged and turned to head into the school proper, wondering if he should check out the football field. An idea suddenly occurred to him and he smiled, his pace gaining focus as he realized where Shawn would likely be.

Sean’s smile turned into a grin as he turned down the hallway the senior lockers were located, seeing Shawn’s tall form leaning against his locker, two plates with a snack and two cups on the floor beside him. Sean’s pace quickened and he quickly came up on the seated teen, realizing as he did so that he’d dozed off, head braced against the locker. Sean eased down to a seated position beside him, grin turning soft – he knew how hard Shawn worked, between school, his part-time job, and football practice, and didn’t mind at all – quite the contrary, he was just happy that Shawn had made it to his play.

He shifted so he was sitting close to Shawn, and laid a hand on his arm, giving it a light squeeze. “Hey you~ you made it,” he said happily as Shawn started awake.

[skyau2]

“Hey.” Shawn threw a sleepy lopsided grin and sat up more against the lockers, stretching slightly before starting, eyes widening as he realized Sean had busted him sleeping. “I-I didn’t fall asleep during the play,” it came out hastily, the tips of his ears red and burning from his embarrassment. “Y-you were great, completely amazing.” His gaze dropped to the rose Sean had in his breast pocket and his eyes shone brighter, grin growing broader that he had received it. When Shawn first gave it to someone who was heading backstage he had doubts that it was going to find its way to him. His eyes returned back to meet Sean’s gaze.

“D-didn’t really want to miss it, so I managed to get Josh to switch shifts with me. I wanted to surprise you.” He reached out with his other hand to rest it lightly over Sean’s hand on his arm. “I-I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.” His face earnest as he tried to rely to his soulmate the pride he felt for him.

[warpau2]

Sweet Awakenings

Warren shifted, pausing as he felt the man in his arms shift in his sleep in response. He smiled as Sky settled again, green gaze focused on his lover’s serene face, one hand on Warren’s arm, holding on his sleep like he was never letting go.

His arms tightened around the taller man, and he settled more into place in bed beside his Priest after a quick glance at the alarm, one leg still thrown over Sky’s. He wasn’t sure what time that Sky had to be up today - and from the looks of it, they hadn’t thought to set the alarm last night before tumbling into bed. A grin flickered over his face; they had been a bit… distracted when they finally made it to bed~ And Warren didn’t wanna wake him up to check.

He brushed his lips across Sky’s forehead, eyes closing as he focused on the feel of the man that he was deeply in love with in his arms, feeling him stir and start to awaken.

[skyau2]

The hand on Warren’s arm tightened as Sky raised his head from where it rested, his frame tensing a moment as he gaze rested on Warren, eyes wide before slowly he relaxed, staring at the other man in utter amazement. “S-still here?” His voice was rough with sleep and from the night before, a grin slowly spreading his mouth as his eyes sparkled. He glanced at the clock and frowned at the time, eyeing it consideringly before turning back to Warren.

His hand unlatched from Warren’s arm, fingers and hand gliding over skin until he cupped the side of Warren’s face. Shifting on the bed until he could bring his own face level with Warren’s. How many times had he wanted this? Wished for this after a night of dreaming about his Sinner? He bowed his head almost sheepishly, brushing the bridges of their noses together before brushing his lips against Warren’s.

“Morning.” He murmured, eyes glowing with happiness as his arm wrapped tighter around Warren. “Its g-good to see you I...” He laughed quietly, amused and almost giddy. “Hey, Sinner.”

[warpau2]

A quiet dinner

[warpau2]

Warren raised an eyebrow, grinning. “You like my singing? Maybe I’ll have to sing for you more,” he teased, leaning his face into the touch on his cheekbone, eyes half-lidded as he enjoyed the sensation, lips still curved in that happy smile. This, right here, being with Sky, the blissful domestic-ness of it… it filled some empty ache deep in his soul, met a need he didn’t even know he had until he met Sky in dreams. His hands pressed against Sky’s back, holding him closer even as he mentioned changing, not wanting to let go yet.

“I missed you too,” he breathed before pressing his lips to Sky’s, hands fisting in Sky’s shirt at his back. It’d just been since lunch, when Warren had dropped by the college - but it felt like longer, like any time at all apart was too long. He could feel himself relaxing as the kiss deepened, as Sky’s hands slid down to his rear and held him closer, losing himself in the taste and feel of Sky against him.

It was grating, insistent beeping of the oven that caused them to finally break the kiss. Warren’s hands loosened in Sky’s shirt, smoothing it flat. He cleared his throat and gave Sky a smirk. “I’d offer to accompany you to… change clothes, but if I did that dinner would get cold.” He gave Sky a wink, knowing his voice was lower and showing clearly that he was affected by the welcome home kiss. “Go change, and I’ll set the table~” He brought his index finger up to run it along Sky’s collar. “I wanna have dinner with my Priest, not Pastor Sky,” he said, low and with mischievousness as he asked for Sky to take off the collar. He pulled away reluctantly shooed Sky gently in the direction of the bedroom, turning to take the chicken from the oven before it dried out.

[skyau2]

Sky let out a slow, shaky breath, needing to breathe, he’d forgotten about getting changed, about dinner, everything else faded away but Warren in his arms, losing himself in Warren’s kiss. He gave a wobbly grin at Warren’s lower voice, liking to hear the other man was just as affected as he was. His grin broadened at Warren’s finger at his collar, at the request for Sky to remove his on-duty clothes and be off-duty with him and he could only nod, warmth and pleasure flooding through him at the sensation that he liked Warren knew there was a difference and wanted him.

“I-I’ll be right back.” Sky called over his shoulder, allowing himself to be shooed but pausing long enough to enjoy the sight of Warren bending over in front of the oven to pull the chicken out. He grinned and quickly went to the bedroom, fingers coming to the buttons of his dark shirt to begin undoing the collar and start the process of undressing, throwing his used clothes in the hamper and pausing, slightly frowning as he wasn’t sure what to wear. He reached for a drawer he rarely used, pulling out a t-shirt and throwing it on, it was a mix of purple and gold that bled to brown in many places, an obvious fail at a tie dying experiment from a vacation bible school years ago, he put on a pair of nice jeans and glanced in the mirror, his cross still tucked under his shirt before he tried brushing his hair back with a hand and leaving the bedroom back to the table.

The table was set and Warren had gone back into the kitchen. Sky brought a hand down, touching one of the place settings and smiling, liking the image of two of them on his table. He glanced back up and fidgeted slightly a bit unsure what he should be doing. “N-need any help?”

[thegoodvybe]

[warpau2]

Where it started

[warpau2]

Warren leaned more against Sky, still watching him from the corners of his eyes as he spoke. He smiled back as Sky’s amusement crept into his eyes; he drank down the sight, hardly daring to look away. At the more serious tone he turned more serious himself. His eyes widened as Sky continued to speak, and he started to shake his head before stilling, trying to give Sky’s words true consideration. He turned with Sky, biting his lower lip at the immediate response he wanted to give, that it was his fault. But it was the nickname that slipped out that caused him to still, to meet Sky’s eyes, his own widening with hope and surprise at the nickname he hadn’t heard since before he’d been careless around Sky’s cross.

He raised his free hand and covered Sky’s hand on his shoulder. He bit his lip again, then took a deep breath and nodded slowly. “It… it feels like my fault.” He took a shaky breath. “You’re probably right, none of us should have been there, and… I probably couldn’t have convinced Sam otherwise if I’d tried. But… if I’d been more careful…” He shook his head. “I could have dropped back until we rounded the curve. I didn’t.” He met Sky’s eyes again, swallowing hard, his hand tightening over Sky’s. “A-a bad decision. An accident. I… you are right. It… it’ll take a while. But I’ll… I’ll try to see it that way.” He gave a low, near-humorless chuckle. “I might need a reminder now and again, Priest. Thank you.”

He took a deep breath and stepped closer, slipping an arm around Sky’s waist again. “….We’re close. It should be…” he gestured down the row of headstones.

[skyau2]

"The thing about guilt is t-that it can eat you up inside. Twist things around until the only thing that seems certain is your guilt and the fault you put on your own shoulders.” His gaze dropped a moment to Warren’s hand on his, he didn’t move it even when he felt the electric shock that went up his arm from the contact.

“I know I’m right.” Sky couldn’t stop the smug little smile curving his lips upward. “None of you should have been out that night. No way would Sam back down, Warren. He showed up with his own wheels, confronting you, no way he’d let himself slink away. And you’re talking with 20/20 hindsight here, on looking back and seeing everything you could’ve done differently. And it is a burden on you,” the words were quietly breathed, the hand tightening on Warren’s shoulder, compassion and concern showed on Sky’s face as he studied him carefully.

“You gotta forgive yourself, Warren. If its r-reminders you need... I won’t be too hard to find to give you one.” He felt tired from the walking, from the emotions he couldn’t explain swirling around in him and when Warren put his arm around his waist again, he leaned back against Warren for aid. He nodded his head that they were close, there was only a... four year difference between Warren’s death and Sam’s deaths. His movements were a little more slower and he wasn’t sure if it was from his fatigue or from the dread of finding what they came here for. It was the name that caught Sky’s attention he had to blink quickly first, stopping and staring before he pointed to marker that was in next row back, more than a few spots down from where Sam’s had been.

“Warren Jones, 1939 to 1959-- found... it.” He couldn’t bring himself to describe the grave as belonging to Warren or that he found Warren. His arm tightened around Warren’s waist in a reaction as if he had to make sure that the other man was still right beside him. He tugged Warren in that direction, slight frown on his face at the long dry grass caked towards the bottom of the foundation. He glanced at Warren and back at the marker before he pulled away enough from Warren to kneel and start cleaning away the debris at the base of the marker. He needed to get his hands busy and the soothing putting things to order helped his nerves. “S-so what happened a-after Sam passed?”

[warpau2]

A quiet dinner

[warpau2]

Warren made the last flourish of the knife and spoon, grinning as he sings the last lines of the chorus loudly. He set both down and reached for the salad, intending on putting it on the table before cleaning up, and started as he turned and spotted Sky right there. His grin grew wider and he set down the salad back on the counter, grabbing a towel to wipe his hands. 

“I didn’t hear you come in~” he tossed the towel to the counter and stepped forward, slipping his arms around Sky’s waist, hands slipping up his back, leaning against Sky’s warm form. “Hey you~” he murmured, looking up at the taller man, eyes sparkling with happiness and lips curving in a smile. “Didn’t really intend to have you hear my bad singing,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

“Dinner’s almost done, the timer on the chicken should be going off any time now.” He shifted closer, pressing their bodies together in a long line of heat against their fronts, his expression turning mischievous, voice dropping in tone closer to a purr. “Welcome home, Priest~” he murmured, brushing his lips teasingly against Sky’s before pressing harder, lips parting in invitation and demand.

[skyau2]

”Hey you,” Sky’s eyes brightened as he uncrossed his arms from in front of his chest, taking a step towards Warren his hands resting on Warren’s hips. He studied Warren’s face, he hadn’t seen him since lunch but he missed him in the time they were apart, he quietly drank down the happiness he could see, meeting those green eyes with his own. “I didn’t think it was bad singing. I’m glad I got to hear it,” Sky quietly confessed as lifted one of his hands to touch Warren’s cheekbones with his index finger, tracing along the line of bone.

“Then m-maybe I can change real quick before the meal?” His grin broadened as Warren moved closer to him, his hands coming around Warren’s frame and pulling the other man more into his own body wanting to be just as close with no intention of moving just yet. “Its good to be home, Sinner, I missed you.” His breath hitched as he felt lips brush against his, hands falling down to Warren’s ass and fingers digging into the denim he found there. Sky’s mouth followed Warren’s, taking the invitation for a deeper kiss, an edge of need on his side as he took his time to thoroughly give his partner the kiss he was asking for.

[warpau2]

A quiet dinner

Warren hummed slightly under his breath as he moved around the kitchen; the radio was on an ‘oldies’ station, playing songs from the 50s and 60s. He chuckled slightly; back in his day, it was called ‘rock’ music, not oldies. He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and glanced at the recipe he was following, displayed with his tablet. He did have to admit, the technology advancements during his existence were extraordinary, and he did fully appreciate all of them~ He grinned, thinking of the last text from Sky a bit ago saying he’d be home in an hour; he loved being able to contact his partner at any time, and loved being able to time dinner for when he’d arrive home.

He swiped the tablet to the next screen, reading the instructions quickly, then nodding. He put the finishing touches on the chicken bake, and slipped it into the pre-heated oven. The salad makings were in the fridge, the pie for dessert cooling on the counter. He set the timer on the oven and turned to review the rest of the kitchen - candles, he decided with a nod. Maybe a glass of wine. He glanced at the clock; if Sky was still on track, his partner would be home in about a half hour, enough time for the chicken bake to be almost finished, with leeway for Sky to relax and change if he wanted before dinner.

A grin spread across Warren’s face again as he went to go get candles from the other room to decorate the kitchen table with, unable to wait until the love of his life returned home. He set up the candles around the kitchen, lighting a few of them before he glanced at the fridge. Pulling the veggies and lettuce out onto the counter, he grabbed a clean cutting board and knife. He grinned and turned up the radio as one of his favorite songs came on, singing along as he started to make the salad, dancing in place, happy enough that he couldn’t hold still~

[skyau2]

Sky stopped just inside his apartment and quickly looked at the number on the door and down at his key. This was the right place... right? The lamp by the couch was on in the living room, the apartment felt warmer and he could smell something that made his stomach growl wafting from the kitchen. In their texts Warren had mentioned something about having dinner close to ready by the time he got home but this still seemed surreal to him.

Sometimes, he remembered coming into his dark, cold apartment when that was the norm and routine for him and the changes were so striking. He couldn't stop the grin that curved his mouth as he took off his wool coat and hung it up on the coat rack behind the door, moving to kick his shoes off. He could hear the radio on, tuned into the the local oldies station and paused when he heard another voice singing along, slightly off-key. 

With as little noise as he could, Sky crept closer to the smell of baked chicken and the briefest hint of vanilla, his gaze dropped to one of the candles lit and guessed maybe it had to come from one of those. He caught the end of You Really Got Me by the Kinks and Warren imitating being a drummer with a wooden spoon and a paring knife.and he couldn’t stop the low, amused chuckle that rumbled out of him at the sight. He leaned a shoulder against the refrigerator and crossed his arms in front of his chest, his grin warm and eyes glowing.

[warpau2]

Where it started

[warpau2]

Warren’s eyes dropped at the mention of his grave, and he nodded slowly, arm tightening around Sky’s as he leaned against the taller man. Sky wasn’t the only one to whom the term felt surreal; Warren still hadn’t come to terms with the fact he had one himself, simply pushing it to the back of his mind and forgetting about it when he saw the newspaper article about the funeral, so long ago. He missed the searching look Sky gave him as he read the headstones in front of them, although so far he wasn’t suffering any ill effects other than a vague churning uncomfortableness in the pit of his stomach. Peripherally, he knew that feeling would get worse, as would the psychic ‘heat’, but they hadn’t been here long yet.

Warren glanced up in surprise as Sky threw an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer, a smile growing on his lips at the offer of comfort. He shifted, slipping his left arm from being linked with Sky’s to around Sky’s waist instead, gratefully accepting the offer, savoring the line of heat along his side, enjoying the feeling of rightness. His right hand dropped from his own shoulder as he nodded his head. “Yeah, I really was in high school in the 50s.” He chuckled at the joke, smiling slightly as he met Sky’s gaze, his own holding appreciation at the attempt at normality in a situation that was anything but normal. “Actually, I was a greaser - complete with black leather jacket with our gang symbol on the back, slicked back hair, and comb in one back pocket, switchblade in the other, and souped up Ford hotrod in the driveway.” He shrugged kinda sheepishly. “The stereotypes in movies are stereotypes for a reason?”

He glanced back at the gravestone, reaching out to touch it lightly, his left arm still clinging around Sky’s waist. “He wasn’t a friend, exactly - he’d transferred into my school the year before that summer. I knew him from around - we mighta had a few classes together, but didn’t hang out with the same groups. He was on the football team and got straight As, I wasn’t in any after-school sports and skipped school more often than not.” He let his hand fall, gaze going back up to Sky’s. “I had a car - won it in a race, worked part-time fixing other people’s cars so that I could use the money to soup up the one I had. But my family never had much money, we lived on the wrong side of the tracks, and didn’t move in the same circles as most of the kids I went to school with. That day….” Warren gestured at the headstone, “he shoulda never have been there. Borrowed his brother’s or dad’s car or something, decided to race. There were a handful of us racing that day - he and I and one other pulled ahead. The three of us were neck and neck coming around a curve - Sam was actually in the lead, his car between mine and Bill’s. Then I hit some gravel, lost control. Too impatient, too reckless, too focused on winning at all costs.”

Warren fell silent for a long moment. “I walked away with a few scars. Bill was in the hospital for months. Sam never left deadman’s curve,” he finished quietly, gazing down the line of gravestones ahead of them, but not seeing any of them. He blinked suddenly, pulling out of the memories, and glanced back up at Sky, trying to gauge his expression.

[skyau2]

“Hard to imagine you a stereotypical anything.” The smile curving his lips crept into his eyes as Sky tried to bring up imagery he remembered from movies and fit them with Warren. He canted his head to the side as he watched Warren touch the gravestone, listening and dark eyes intent as he took the information given to him. His brow furrowed as he returned Warren’s gauge, expression thoughtful.

“You say he shouldn’t have been there. I-if you asked me,” Sky paused, well aware he wasn’t asked, “I’d tell you none of you should have been there. You were kids. But from the sounds of it, there was nothing you could say or do to convince Sam to leave. Different social circles, right? How’d you know he wasn’t trying to impress the cool kids?” Looking at Warren, Sky could see that scenario so easily, his smile gentle as he slowly shook his head. “You had no way of knowing and I’m sure he would have a few choice words for ya if you turned down racing him. It was an accident, you had no way of knowing what was going to happen.” He turned more towards Warren, left hand coming up to grasp Warren’s right shoulder. “I-it wasn’t your fault, Sinner, you’ve been hard on yourself long enough.” The nickname came out so smoothly, Sky couldn't catch himself from using it, hand tightening on Warren’s shoulder.