{chapter twenty-two: 5} frederick & charles
Frederick: *Life in town was a busy one. There was always something to be doing, whether it be a chore or a job or an errand. Activities that Rick had never done in his life, like make the bed and clean the dishes and cook, he now had to do on a daily basis. Rick had never been more tired in his life. How were these people not falling over dead from exhaustion? Stifling a yawn, Rick moved through the town market, intending to buy some sort of...string. The stitching on one of the cushions had broken and they needed to fix it. He hadn't offered an explanation of how it had ripped, and Thomas hadn't asked for one. It was for the best. Rick did offer to fix it though...somehow. Otherwise ignoring most of everyone else (a few people actually acknowledged him with a smile and a wave that he returned), he did a double take as he thought he saw his cousin here in town as well. Sure enough, Charles was there.* Charles. *he spoke out, nearly having to shout in the bustle of the market, and started walking over to the younger man. Whether Rick was glad to see him or not, he'd find out soon.* Charles: *Mothers had an extra sense, he was convinced, to alert them to their children's innermost thoughts and desires. Or at least his did. That afternoon he had been staring aimlessly at the parchment he was meant to read (bothering Jane, who was trying to concentrate on writing) and consistently found himself thinking about Rick instead. Jane kicked him out of the library. He couldn't see him--he just, couldn't, he was working, busy, according to Jane didn't need reminders of court. He knew he couldn't. Blast, did he need a reason to want to see him? And just as he'd thought that, his mother had shown up, asking him to please-please pick up some lavender oil and essence of something-or-other at the town market. He hadn't had time to blink twice before she added "now please," kissed his cheek, and slipped silver into his palm. He was in the market in a heartbeat, cursing mother's who knew everything, ignoring stares, and in no time at all heard his name. Biting down on his lip as he was seized with a need to examine the incorrect herb in his hand, just to make sure it was the one he definitely did not need, he squashed the urge down by the time his cousin was beside him. And squashed the herb. Ah well, wrong one anyway. It wasn't until their eyes met that Charles realized: he was truly glad to see him. Smiling small, his words were genial.* Afternoon, Rick. Do you...have any idea what Salvia Officinalis looks like once before it's ground up? *He gestured at the many unlabeled bottles, adding lightly,* The shopkeep imagined himself an artist great as Michelangelo, but I'm afraid I just see squiggly leafs for labels. *Oh...oops. Did Rick know the man now? ...was he not supposed to insult them? Bother.* Frederick: *He almost laughed to hear his cousin, as unchanged as ever. When Etta and Lorraine had come to visit him, they were distinctively not themselves, but Charles was...Charles, he supposed. As long as Rick didnt focus on the fact that his wardrobe and state were now obviously less lavish then it could pass off as a visit, hopefully. Lips twitching, he looked at the different herbs for a few moments before picking up the bottle of sage and tossed it to Charles* Fell asleep during potions class all these years, Charles? *he smirked, and shook his head before adding* The shopkeeper has the shaking sickness, Lucy told me. *Poor sot could barely pick up a pencil most days, but the townspeople didn't even notice the shaking hands. Rick did, it was still odd and uncomfortable to behold but he gathered not as odd and uncomfortable as actually having it. But that wasn't the greatest conversation topic.* How are things? *That wasn't such a great topic either.* Charles: Same as you, I had better ways to spend my time. *Catching the bottle while he smirked and shrugged, Charles barely looked at it. He was too fascinated by Rick. Rather, what was different. The clothes were shoddy and spare, and he didn't remember his hair poking out that way but Charles didn't think it was either.* In a manner of speaking. Suppose that depends on your definition of sleeping. *He winked, fidgeting with the bottle stopper only to still as Rick explained. Oh. Well...poor shopkeep then. A bit wrong footed, it was just as odd to him that Rick would know.* Ah, right. Shame.*What else could he say? More uncomfortable at the question, Charles paused a moment. Then he shrugged.* Jane has her pending book deal and is being a pain. Kitty is in a constant state of bluster as she plans the wedding, and I think I will vomit flowers by the time she's wed, they're everywhere. Leah keeps somehow losing the ribbons for them. *His lips flick, adding as an afterthought,* Oh, and there's a cartographer in town--Angela, who...well, wish I'd met her in Potion's class. *He chuckled once, paused, and added after a brief pause,* How are you? Frederick: *At that he really did laugh, and nodded his head in what he couldn't deny was approval even if Charles was wrong about one point: Rick had actually paid a lot of attention in Potions. Well more attention than he paid most subjects. Lips flicking as Charles recounted the state of things back at court, he noticed only a few moments later that not referring to it as home was becoming second nature, Rick chuckled* Sounds rather normal then, cartographer aside. *His lips twitched before he smiled and answered truthfully* Tired. I wish I could be resting right now actually before I head to the tavern -*his eyes searched Charles as he spoke, curious and wary about his reaction*- but I have to fix a cushion. Lucy ripped it. *He was tried not to smirk. He tried his very best.* Charles: *As his cousin laughed, he got it, what was so odd, what was so changed. Rick was happy.* Fairly. Well. There's...Bridges, but I've kept out of that. *He honestly had; the man was not his responsibility. It was for the best that their Lord and council handed it, God knew. So instead, he continued lighter,* Though you're right, *his smirk lifted,* Angela is anything but common. *The easy smirk faded as Rick continued, slowly nodding once with a smaller smile, only realizing after a few seconds he hadn't spoken. The tavern. Working. God, he couldn't imagine. Strange, uncomfortable...but. Rick was happy; he could see it, and part of the reason...he was reminded of with the lighter remark and a smirk.* Oh did she? *The remark left his lips before he'd thought about it.* However did that happen? Frederick: *It took Rick a couple of seconds to figure out that Charles wasn't talking about Karyn, but rather her outlawed brother, the one that had been caught. Lucy and Thomas were upset, an understatement really, but Rick mostly remained silent on that matter. After all this time, he still found he was rather confused about him and the others' guilt or innocence. So instead he focused on his cousin's description of the cartographer, as it was amusing and curious given that Charles' interest in muggle women, no matter how attractive they might have been, was...oh, almost non-existent. Now truly unable to hide his smirk, he shrugged a bit exaggeratedly before answering* Well, I didn't actually see, I was distracted. Charles: *Glad that Rick didn't press further, the matter of the prisoner was put clean from his mind with his own sudden laugh.* Must have been quite the sight, *his brow wiggled, smirk lifting,* to distract you so utterly. *He was amused, and that was much easier to focus on than...well, the fact that Rick said he was going to mend it. Rubbing his bottom lip -- and sticking his tongue out briefly as he tasted the remains of the squished herb--he tilted his head. His words were dry.* I do hope Lucy isn't blaming herself for distracting you too heartily. *Then he bit his bottom lip, suddenly hearing his own statement in a different context. Ah, damn, whoops. Pausing, he added just as honestly,* She does guilt herself fairly easily. *See? He knew her...somewhat.* Frederick: Wrong sense. *he remarked easily with another smirk. Actually if he were being truthful, it was a combination of them but that was information he kept to himself for obvious reasons. Pausing a moment at the dry addition by his cousin, he pursed his lips and nodded* Yes, that sounds like her. *he looked at Charles again* Though I've told her plenty of times that being with her isn't a distraction. Being without her was, but not this. *he bit his lip for a moment before he added with a smirk* So it's true then, you have been talking to her? *he raises his eyebrows* Should I be worried? *he paused and then smirked again* Never mind, I'm not. Charles: Wrong se--*he chuckled, earnest and honest at once. It was a familiar type of statement - type, for Rick never repeated his lines anymore than he did. So it took him a moment to remember they weren't just in one of each other's basements on a tear. Swallowing back a comment, it faded from his mind as Rick continued and then nodded once. He wasn't frowning, not exactly, but he did not know what to say. He didn't know what to feel anymore either; all he knew was he was tired of feeling like this. With a slow nod, he folded his arms on his chest and answered hesitantly,* Some..*Oh, for goodness sakes. With a small smirk, he added,* And I'm supposed to point out to you that I like her. Apparently it wouldn't hurt. *His lips quirked up, but he added honestly enough, feeling something akin to shame,* Truthfully Rick, I think I'm the worried one, wondering what she's...said to you about it. Frederick: *Of course he had no problem letting a subject slide, how many of them had they already let fall in this conversation alone?, so he continued and chuckled as Charles replied.* Oh, no it could hurt -you- depending on what you decide to say but. *While Frederick was joking however, Charles seemed to cease, at his next words were, as his cousin had already spoken, sincere. Rick shrugged* That you're a stubborn, annoying, cocky prat. *he paused for a moment and lifted a finger before he added* Apologies, that's what I said about you. *Wiggling his eyebrows, he laughed once and shook his head* She hasn't said one negative thing about you...to me, at least. *he shrugged* Lucy's not like that. Charles: *Each trait in the list widened his smile a fraction, each clenched finger popping off his forearm until he let out a short, bark of a laugh. He raised a hand to feign surrender, shaking his head,* Hey mate, long as you didn't say ugly. Then -I'd- have to hurt you. *He dropped his hand after playfully making a fist, wiggling his stretched fingers as he listens more seriously, brows wrinkling with honest amusement* No? You know, she does have a knack for insults too--least for speaking her mind, anyway. *He pauses, then says--almost in surprise at himself,* I guess I do like that. Frederick: No, your looks are your only redeeming quality, I wouldn't hurt you that badly. *Chuckling, he smiled in pride as Charles spoke of Lucy, nodding along* She's as blunt and honest with the truth as anyone in our family. *Could he still say that? Were they still his family? Cyrus didn't seem to think so. Shaking off that train of thought, he added easy again* I loved that about her instantly- well, besides the obvious. *Another smirk* Charles: I appreciate that, my ego is just oh so easily bruised. *It was an immediate quip, his chin jerking up with his 'as if' shrug. His nose wrinkled an inch as Rick went on. That was a bit like saying she was his family, a bit close for comfort--only then he blinked. Of course that was how Rick would put it; he was living with her now, wasn't he? Well, with Thomas, the man who was his sister's brother, but it was close enough. So he just nodded, still smiling small.* Well, it definitely was the first thing I noticed, considering when I met her she was snapping at me to let her shoe my horse. *He shrugged a shoulder without regret for the occasion. Then he furrowed his brow.* How -did- you meet her, anyway? Frederick: *Rick snorted, knowing fully well how much of a lie that statement was, but it was funny nonetheless. As Charles reminded him of the first time he met Lucy, Rick nodded and then 'ahh-ed' silently* Yes, I saw that, actually, thank you for reminding me- *he whacked Charles in the back of the head, trying not to appear as amused as he felt. He offered no further explanation merely continued, laughing silently before he added* Oh, I will tell you if only because then Jane won't have been the one to get it out of me. *Wiggling his eyebrows, he chuckled before gesturing to the herbs* Should probably pay for that soon though. Charles: *Brows furrowing in surprise, he ducked a half second too late--damn, his reflexes were slow, and laughed through his protest even as he hit his hand away,* Hey! Excuse me, what was that for? *Blinking in rapid confusion, brows screwing up again, suddenly his hand paused over the sore spot beneath a curl.* Did you say you saw it? *His hand dropped again, eyes widening, expression clearing and lifting with amusement.* You were spying on her? Oh, you are properly sunk. *He nodded importantly--and then stepped back out of range, lest he get hit again.* Right, good point. Gesturing to the back of the shop, his gaze paused as he realized just how bad the man's left hand was shaking at the moment. Poor bloke. Without any guilt for his earlier insensitivity - how was he supposed to have known anyways? - he took a few steps forward to show what he had, then flicked silver across the table with a pop of his thumb without care. Well, he took care to have his back to Rick. It felt odd to have more than him, to be even aware of the silver, for it felt heavy in his hand. It was a lot more than he owed he was sure, so call it penance for his comment. Saying 'thank you' with a wave and turning back to Rick, he gestured he'd follow Rick to wherever he was...going to get whatever he needed to fix a cushion, and found himself grinning again.* I'm getting the story before Jane? Oh, excellent, do tell. Frederick: For being a prat. *He shrugged, thinking that was explanation enough, especially given that he only said it as a favor to his cousin, because he wouldn't have offered one otherwise. Rolling his eyes, he corrected* I was observing- one day you'll be the one spying and I will laugh at your face and say 'see?' *Whenever that day was...if Rick was still even near court for whenever that was. He didn't want to think about that at the moment anyways. Frederick waited a few moments for Charles to pay. He wanted to tell his cousin he was paying too much, as Rick was a bit proud to have learned the base prices for most of the goods in town by now, before he realized two things: Charles obviously knew he was paying too much, and two: he wouldn't care. Only a few weeks ago they had wagered galleons on a stupid bet. So rather Frederick said nothing and started walking out of the shop to the...well, he forgot exactly the name of the shop were they sold the string and needles (honestly he only knew what a needle was because he spent his entire childhood making fun of Etta and Leah for despising sewing), but he knew where to go.)* It was just a normal day of the week. I finished some reports, went to the training fields, quarralled with one of my sisters about something or another *he waved his hand dismissively* And mother sent me to run an errand for her and ensured I didn't send a servant instead like I had been doing for...years. *he shrugged* And I saw her. Just walking in the market, talking with one of her friends. She was...*he paused before admitting in an exhale* enchanting. And this little side glance she threw me? *He groaned under his breath before chuckling* Charles: Oh, all right then. *Well, if he was gonna hit him for something that fairly covered it. All things considered they probably each owed the other dozens of like hits over the years - by that point they were usually drinking. After exaggeratedly beaming at him, as if to say 'I'll believe it when I see it', he stuck both hands in the side of his trousers and tried not to pay attention to the fact that people were watching them. Well...him, they seemed to look right over Rick - or even acknowledge him without having to glare - so Charles just kept his gaze stuck on Rick's instead. He was wondering briefly when it was he stopped wanting them to be alert to his presence and would prefer they just turn around and ignore him, when Rick started explaining---and he laughed. It was appreciative.* A side glance before any sort of introductions? *He whistled, low, under his breath.* Is this the part where you make an arse of yourself? *He chuckles.* Frederick: No. *The immediate response was almost a reflex, no it was a reflex, that made him laugh again before smirking and admitting* Maybe I was a little...imposing. *he shrugged* But she held her own, brilliantly really, as well as any other woman from court...better. *He paused deliberately for a moment, knowing how awkward that would be for Charles to hear, but he felt no shame or inadequacy in saying it and if he did, it was only in ever thinking that it ever mattered.* After that I just kept...finding excuses to 'run into her', to try and woo her every day- I only wanted into her skirts in the beginning, I thought I was charming her but it was the other way around. *He shook his head, a small smile on his face as he recalled the memories. Stopping suddenly, he held his hand up and then pointed to the shop before walking in, acknowledging the shopkeep with a small wave. Rick kept having to come find her to take her husband out of the tavern at closing time, usually forcibly by the ear. Now to buy the string...there was a lot of string. Clearing his throat after a moment he turned back to Charles* Not much more to say really. Charles: Defensive. *He teased it instead of the Shakespeare quote they both knew too well in the offing. Nodding slowly as Rick continued, he chuckled once under his breath.* Ah, only a little, no harm with that. *Had he not been experiencing the fact that Lucy could be as brilliantly manipulative and stubborn as any of those at court, he wouldn't have believed it. And even...thinking that was odd. He averted his eyes, looking over Rick's shoulder, half expecting Lucy to materialize with the details coming out before forced to stop suddenly to head into the store. Blinking at the amount of string, cloth, fabric...he didn't even know the name for most in this store really, he just met Rick's gaze again with a tiny chuckle.* Right, yeah. *There was a pause. Then, screw it.* Except you left out the part where it started making sense for you to give up your title...? *He trailed off with a hand an eyebrow raised, neither frowning nor smiling. Voice similarly - and oddly, for Charles, gentle - he added as an afterthought.* I'm not saying you should not have, it's your life, I just...Rick, I had no idea, and I...honestly, can't say I understand it yet. Frederick: *His hand paused over a bit of string as he heard Charles' words, his gaze dropping for a moment before he started chuckling, and licked his lips* Ah, yes...that. *He was wondering when he'd get to that.* Well...at least you're asking. Lorraine demanded I come home. *He paused for another moment and then exhaled, shrugging* Honestly Charles, I could spend days reciting every single detail of the hell I went through, and you still wouldn't be able to understand. It's just something...it's just something you feel, like a candle flickering on except I kept trying to blow mine out and the flame ended up burning down the room. *God, did he really just say that? He shook his head again and then exhaled* Honestly after getting to know her, the kind of person she was, her values and hopes and dreams and fears, I just realized she was just...another person. A person that I was...completely taken with. And at court I was living a lie, most of the time. I didn't want that, I wanted to be more than just a shell of a man trying to please everyone and win father's approval. I was tired of pretending and I made a decision. I would have done it from court if Cyrus hadn't made me choose, if the security measures weren't in place, I would have brought her there and fuck what everyone else said. *He swallowed a lump in his throat but that was the only acknowledgement he ever gave of it's existence.* I've always wanted to be Lord, I always knew I was going to be, I was educated for it, I was proud...but the title and the life would mean absolutely nothing without her. Charles: As well demand the sky turn green, honestly. *Not that he blamed Lorraine for wanting him home; she was not alone in that. But seeing and hearing Rick now, Charles couldn't shake the feeling he was missing something. He hated being this confused, honestly. Certainty had a comfort inherent, and now...he didn't know what this was. He just knew he didn't like it. Listening closely, half wishing there was a magical epiphany wrapped up in his words, he nodded once.* Well, apparently. Who else is going to inspire such brilliant poetry? I think you're rivaling Byron. *It was easier to make a lark. Especially when he thought of Lucy at court, and what his father would say of that, his own internal twist of distaste, the approval from his father sure to come at his thought, that Rick just insinuated was worthless, and--oh for fucks sakes. He needed a drink. Rick made a kind of sense though - though a question slipped out before he'd noticed he'd spoken,* ...did you lie to me? Frederick: *Jokes, it wasn't surprising to him at all. If it weren't so familiar to him, he might have been annoyed or bothered. What did bother him though was the look on Charles' face, because he had been so familiar with it for so long. Frowning, he looked at Charles before he nodded reluctantly* Yes. I've lied to everyone in the recent months about this, lied to myself...*he pursed his lips before asking a question himself* Are you ashamed of me? Charles: *There was a breathless pause.* I wish you hadn't. *It was true that he might not have reacted well -- probably would have make jokes and laughed as he was now -- but he wanted a little credit too. Had he ever really cared who his cousin slept with anyway? So, he wanted...at least acknowledgment that he wasn't just his little cousin...who abruptly was technically above him now. His head spun at the thought; it felt even less true than it had when he was at court. He was still learning from Rick, right now. Calmly, he just shrugged his shoulders, echoing himself softer,* I just..I wish you hadn't. *But as Rick pursed his lips and asked with as much weight as he had, Charles' only shook his head.* No. I wish you had told me the truth, I wish you didn't leave, I wish Lucy wasn't muggleborn, and I wish this wasn't all so hard--but no, Rick. I don't think having convictions and morals is shameful. And I think telling your father he can be an ass was courageous, because well, no offense, but he really can be an ass. If I'm ashamed of anything right now it's the fact that this entire fucked up family agrees we ought to be united and does nothing to fix it at the same time. But -- *he shrugs his shoulder* honestly it seems to me, if someone really is ashamed and threatened by who you choose to be with, it says a lot more about that person than about you Rick. Nothing complimentary, either. *He sighs, rubs his forehead, and then clears his throat awkwardly. Waiting a long moment he finally met his gaze again and added,* I mean, Christ Rick, you look a hell of a lot happier than I feel. Frederick: *He nodded softly, understanding that at least. Rick hadn't kept the truth from him or anyone as an insult, it was a method of...self-preservation, in his eyes at that moment at least. Now, he knew it had just been act of cowardice. Well, not that he'd ever admit that out loud, or if he did ever use that word again. Charles' answer to his question put him at ease, almost visibly. Rick agreed, he wished it didn't have to be this hard either, he wanted nothing more than to just...have it all, have everything he's ever wanted. Nothing was ever easy, and Rick only learned that recently because to him...life had been easy for a while. Nodding slowly after grabbing a roll of string (he was getting that one and if it didn't work then tough, he'd find a way) he turned back to Charles and chuckled a moment, clapping his cousin's shoulder* I wasn't going to say anything, mate but you do look awful.* Charles: *The visible relaxation made Charles feel better: at least he had been able to do something good, something right.* Yes, well, I'm getting no sleep because Jane won't shush. *With an instant smile, he lifted his hand to push his shoulder free muttering,* Oh shove off, Rick. At least I don't have a hole in my jacket. *He nodded at it, and then at the string in the barrel he'd already grabbed, scooping more out, cutting it magically from habit (but it was in the barrel, no one could have seen) and tossed it at him.* That ought fix it though. Patch it right up. *Both his eyebrows were wiggling again with a smirk.* Frederick: Aren't you used to that by now, though? *He could almost hear Jane's retort from here.* Hey!- *Oh, he did. He stretched it out to see it better and then just laughed and shook his head, looking up again only to catch the scoop of string that Charles had thrown at him. He scoffed, rolling his eyes before replying easily* Tosser. *A smirk played on his lips before an actual smile took over as he grabbed inside his pockets to pull out the exact change he needed to pay for the string. When they were exiting the shop again, he looked back at Charles* I'm sorry I lied to you. Charles: Well yes but -- *He paused, realizing that the difference was that Jane was ranting and rambling now to try and just get along with everyone, and the toll their previously united family being splintered had taken. So instead, he pointed out,* Can you get used to shrill? *Smirking, he lifted his index finger to point in agreement with the insult, he paused and then looked away politely, not wanting to stare while he dug the right coins out. After giving a polite nod to the shopkeeper herself (she looked a bit irritated at him), he said nothing until Rick had spoken again. Smirk softening into a smile, he just nodded at him.* Sorry I wasn't paying closer attention. *Tilting his head, he asked offhand,* Do you wa--have time for a drink? *He fished out of his pocket the flask and lifted it, though he wasn't quite smirking yet as he added,* If you want to ask Lucy too... Frederick: *He chuckled, smirking briefly* No, I suppose I can't. *Smiling himself as his apology was answered with another one, he simply nodded before chuckling at the other question, smirking immediately* Of course, I'll always make time. *Pleasantly surprised as Charles offered to invite Lucy along as well, he nodded* Yeah, she should be finishing helping her mother with their chores soon...she'll probably be in need of that drink.