My Beloved Shadow

**
~ means mind speech.
**

Norris felt the panic rise in him to overwhelming heights and suddenly found himself on his knees. The press of creatures is ever closer, ever more frightening. When Norris opens his eyes he finds himself staring straight into the eyes of a creature that’s practically on top of him.

~Don’t be afraid.~

The voice in his head came as a surprise, though it echoed softly. Soothing his fears.

“What are you?”

~We are the shadows. Servants to the god Tsion, Guardians of the Children of the Gods. Master Tsion has not fallen out of favor with the gods, though much was taken away from him.

We have been freed to chose as we once did. You have been chosen, Norris, child of Athanasios, Reborn of Blood. So named for all those he killed during the Great War at the command of his king, the God of Shadows and Night, Guardian of the Children of the Gods.~

Norris didn’t understand, what is he being chosen for?

~Before the Great War we were allowed to choose those we felt were deserving. We do not communicate with everyone, and since the War we have only spoken with Master Tsion.

The gods have given us leave to choose again. Your grandmother talked to the spirits, Master Norris, she spoke with them and aided them. You have that gift now, you can see the souls of the dead who have not passed on. You can touch them, aid them, and speak with them.

Do you agree with our choice?~

What could he say? Norris reaches out and touches the shadow creature, marveling at the silken feel of it.

“Yes, I agree. I want to know more, I want to understand. Before we can talk, though, there is something I must do.”

There is something far more important at this moment than this creature standing before him. More important than even Tsion, or all of existence. Jason.



***

Jason had not had any luck finding Norris and decided to take a break in his search. He leaned up against the castle, off to the side so that the shadows hid him, and closed his eyes. He can’t decide if Norris is purposely hiding from him, or if he’s off doing something important. Even while being closely guarded they had been expected to help.

Suddenly he feels a hand on his arm and opens his eyes as he turns his head to see who it is. When he finds that Norris is standing beside him he smiled, though his expression is guarded.

“I hear your looking for me?”

“Yes…”

“Look, Jason, there is something I have to tell--”

“I have something I want to say--”

They started speaking at the same time and had to stop and laugh.

“You first.”

Norris shakes his head and touches Jason’s arm softly, “No, you go first.”

Where to start, Jason asked himself as he took a deep breath, releasing it as he began speaking.

“When father, my step-father, came to live with us he came to me one night when we were home alone… He was my first, first lover, first to show me how a touch could please. He said it made him feel more like part of the family, being so close to me.”
Norris expression softens, this isn’t what he had expected. “Jason--”

“No, let me finish. I-I don’t regret it, he’s been a good father to me, and to my little brother. He’s been good to my mother, supporting us and being kind to us. I can’t regret it.

I can’t regret it because he introduced me to things that led me to find you. Without that I would of never found love.”

Norris pulled Jason close, hugging him tightly. It made him almost sick inside to think of what his friend, his lover and love, had been through. He had known that there was a reason he didn’t like Jason’s step-father and now all those suspicions had been suddenly justified.

He can’t completely see it the way Jason does, a person shouldn’t take advantage of a child. His mother had used him, used him against his own father. Norris knows what it’s like to have those older than you take advantage of your innocence. He knows that, no matter how much Jason might be ‘ok’ with what his step-father did, Norris will kill him if he ever comes across him. Not that it’s very likely, but it could happen.

Jason leans into the hug for a moment, loving the feel of Norris so close. But, he has more to say, things that must be said before they can go any further. So, with much reluctance, he pulls away from Norris, but only enough to look into his eyes and still be in the circle of his arms.

“There is more. I don’t know how bad it is in the scale of things… You know I like it a little rougher than you do. I’d always kept it from you as much as I could, mostly because I knew you didn’t care for it.

But, when Michael, or Tsion, or whatever the hell his name is… When he suddenly appeared in our lives, I began to discover just how rough I liked it. It wasn’t until that day that Nick and I were alone that I really discovered the truth about myself.”

“What do you mean?”

Norris asked, though he had a feeling he knew the answer to his own question.

“Nick and I have come together off and on. It’s only been like three times, but I still feel guilty for it. He likes it rough, too, though he didn’t know until the first time.”

Jason lets Norris see what is in his eyes, lets him see the truth there. He loves Norris so much, but at the same time he wants more than just tender love.

“I-I know I shouldn’t be doing it, behind your back and everything, because I do love you. But, at the same time I can’t stop myself from wanting the pain, from wanting the way Nick marks me…”

Jason pulls his shirt off, letting Norris see the marks, all fresh, on his chest. Norris touches the marks, his eyes glistening a little with tightly held tears.

“Nick did this to you? A-and you enjoyed it?”

Jason nods his head.

“The marks are fresh… You went to him after our fight, didn’t you? He gave you what you wanted when I couldn’t.”

“Not purposely, no. He found me after the fight, I cried on him and he did what he could to comfort me. I know I shouldn’t of, but I was hurt after what you said… It’s not a very good excuse, I know, but it’s the only one I have.

Nick isn’t the one I love, he knows I like it rough and gives me what I want. But, it’s you that I love, Norris. No matter what happens you’ll always be the one in my heart. I-I just don’t know if I can explain it right…”

“Shh. I understand more than you think, Jason. It’s all right if you have to go to Nick every now and then, he’s married to our king, our god. He rules us now just as surely as Tsion does. I know I can’t give you things as rough as you want, and I may never. I don’t want to ruin any of your happiness just because I’m a little squeamish.”

Jason takes the hand that had moved up to silence him and holds it close.

“It’s my turn now, to bear my soul and tell all my secrets. It’s hard for me, I’ve kept this secret for the better part of my life. Only my father has known about it.”

Norris closes his eyes for a moment, uncertain how to start. Almost scared to tell Jason, scared of how he’ll react, almost more scared that he’ll accept him as he is. He opens his eyes as the words start to come out.

“I was really young when my father showed me a secret he’d kept for many years. I can’t really tell you how young I was. He showed me how to touch the shadows, how to blend with them. We never went through them completely, not the way Tsion does.

I was still young when he made the mistake of telling my mother. She had been having an affair on him and the shadows had told him, they’d whispered to him one night while he slept and had allowed him to see who the other man ones. He confronted her with it and, foolishly, told her how he knew.

She had been seeking a way to get rid of him and his words then gave it to her. She had him committed, took him away from me and forced me to hide what I was. I hid it so fully that I began to fear what I had once loved.

After awhile the voices did drive my father crazy. Most days he’s perfectly all right, but then there are days that he isn’t a normal, sane, person.”

“Your like Tsion?”

Norris nods his head, “I didn’t realize it until a few moments ago. I’m like Klara and the other’s, I can walk through the shadows, communicate with them. Tsion seems to think that I am the grandchild of one of his people. Athan, I believe they called him, he was the red haired one who appeared not long after we arrived.

They also say that Nick is related to him, too, and that there is a good chance we‘re cousins.”

“He’s suppose to be your grandfather? Cousin? Weird...”

Norris laughs dryly and hugs Jason again.

“No kidding, it’s weird as all hell. I’m still scared, knowing what I am. I shouldn’t of said what I did to you earlier. I was just so frightened, of myself, of everything. I hope that you’ll be able to forgive me.”

“I have all ready forgiven you, Norris.”

They kiss, it’s gentle at first but soon passion over takes them. They had been separated for so long, isolated from each other. Now it’s time to make up for lost time, to renew their relationship and rediscover just why they love each other.

“How about we find some place private?”

Norris asked, his voice breathless from the kiss. Jason just nods his head and leans against Norris. Norris had been told how to move through the shadows by the creature and he called upon it again to direct him to an empty room.

Jason closed his eyes as they move through the shadows. He remembers how Nick had allowed him to see the lights and is scared that he won’t be able to see them now. He’s a little chilled when they reappear in a room, inside the castle, but the coldness leaves the moment Norris’ lips find his.

The room is shrouded in darkness and both can barely see as they make their way towards the bed. Hands are everywhere, clothes quickly disappearing, tossed into the darkness around them. Naked, they collapsed onto the bed, never once pausing in their exploration of each other.

Jason laid down on his back as Norris plants kisses down his chest, light as a feather but eliciting pleasure from him nonetheless. Jason may like it rough some days, but when it comes to Norris he can enjoy the gentle touches. He may not be able to live with it forever, and yet at the same time if it came down to it he could. Just as long as it is Norris that he’s with.

Norris teases Jason’s dick, his tongue running across the tip, then down the shaft. Jason grasps at the sheet, having almost forgotten that Norris likes to tease. Norris moves down to run his tongue along Jason’s balls, moving around each one. He lifts Jason’s lower body up a little as he moves further back to move his tongue across the hole.

His tongue pushes it’s way inside and makes thrusting motions as it moves out, then back in again. A light sheen of perspiration covers Jason, his eyes are closed and his head tilted back as his hands hold a death grip on the bedding.

Norris moves away enough to put several fingers in his mouth, wetting them good then pushes first one, then a second one, into Jason. Jason’s reaction is almost immediate, his body shuddering with pleasure at the invasion. Norris moves his fingers, working the hole bigger as he inserts a third finger.

He pulls the fingers out when he’s certain the hole is large enough as to accommodate him and not harm Jason. He moves his tongue around it again, with out anything to aid him he will have to use his own saliva to lubricate Jason.

When he’s satisfied he pulls away entirely, moving his body over Jason’s as he claims his lovers lips. While they’re kissing Norris lifts Jason’s lower body up a little more and slowly moves his own erection into Jason. When he’s all the way inside he stops moving and kisses down Jason’s neck, moving to his chest again.

He makes no motion to continue as he teases each nipple to become harder than it had been. Jason moans and squirms beneath Norris.

“Please… Finish it, Norris!”

Norris looks up at Jason, a smile slowly coming to his lips as he pulls back until only the tip of him remains, then thrusts back in. Norris builds up a good, even, motion. He’s always been afraid to hurt Jason, always been scared that he would do something wrong. It’s that fear that’s kept him from giving Jason what he really wants. Norris doesn’t know how to change the way his mind works and simply does his best for his love.

Of course, Jason has no doubts about Norris. He gives himself up completely to his lover. When they come crashing down together, Norris pulls out of him and they snuggle close to each other, a mesh of body parts.

“I love you, Norris.”

“I love you too, Jason.”

****

The ceremony was held mid-day, in the center of the walled city. All of the people were gathered to watch, dressed in their best, as good as simple people have. Nick and Tsion stood facing each other, dressed in robes of dark blue velvet with gold trim. Their words of commitment and honor echoed through the land and in the ears of their people.

Tsion stood in all his golden glory, every eye unable to look fully upon him, all save Nick who’s eyes were locked with his. Nick seemed to glow as well, his own powers answering the call of his god, his mate. They spoke in the words of the shadow people, soft words that could be understood by all.

There were a few teary eyes, and many happy hearts. The people had seen the small changes that Nick had brought to their master, their god. All ready they could see the light once again return to him, the light that his father’s betrayal had taken away.

Nick had been nervous at first, standing out there with everyone watching. But the moment he looked at Tsion everything else had been forgotten. As the last word is spoken and the ceremony officially completed, Nick finds himself smiling. He’s gone through so much in such a short time, so many bad things. Yet here he is, bound to a god for all eternity.

He has people to rule over, powers of his own. And, maybe even love if he dares to look further. His life has taken a turn away from the norm but as he comes to accept it he comes to know that it isn’t all that bad.

Tsion still can’t believe the ceremony is finally complete, that he and Nick are Zorey. For the first time since the War began he’s starting to feel that their might be hope. Athan can have children now, he knows that Nick and Norris are of his blood. Not only that, but Norris can communicate with the shadows and cause them to take form. The gods are allowing them to become a full race again.

But, he also knows that with the return of their Guardians they must once again care for the Children of the Gods. Watch over them and protect them as they did at the beginning of time. He still holds animosity towards humans, knows that it will be a long while before it leaves his heart, and maybe never completely. At the same time, though, he knows that with Nick by his side he will be able to work past it.

Jason leaned against Norris, his arm wrapped around the other’s waist as they watch the ceremony. Jason had pulled Nea aside early that morning and asked her something important. Even now her words echo in his mind and he knows that they will stay there until it’s necessary to use that knowledge. Seeing Nick and Tsion married makes him want the same with Norris.

He’s gone from a quiet kid who is controlled by his step-father to a soon to be father and head of a house. He’s not even eighteen yet a few more months for that. He’s hoping that his first child will be born on his birthday, it would make it extra special.

Norris sneaks a peek at Jason and wonders at the serious expression on his face. They had spent most of the night in each other’s arms, then had returned to their homes. Their homes… It seems strange to Norris and he’s not really certain it will ever become ‘normal’ for him, to live in a house with three other women and expected to sleep with them.

He plans to actually try now to have a child. He knows it will make Jason happy and that’s all that matters. Tsion and the girls would be happy too, but Jason is first in his heart and first in his concern. He would be nothing, have nothing, if it wasn’t for Jason. Jason had accepted the real him so readily.

Norris looks back at the new couple and wonders absently what it would be like if he and Jason were in that position. What would it be like if they went through the Zorey ceremony?



**

That\'s it, that\'s the last chapter, of this story. ^_^ Give me awhile to write up the next one.


Rosemary: Thank you, as always. :)

keyonnamc: Athan picked their grandmother\'s because of their ability, and the fact that they were different. Nick is the Enhancer.

Ray 4 Ever: Thanks.

desperatedesire_maliciousintent: Thanks, malicious is a good word to use. It was fun writing up Tsion\'s true form.

riversprite77: Don\'t worry, their will be a sequel! This last chapter opens up even more plot. *grins*

l\'etje: Thanks!

miku: Thanks. Norris won\'t die, not any time soon. He\'s an important player in the plot, he has to see it through.


So much brought out in this chapter, yet, some things we all ready knew. We knew about Jason\'s step-father, and his little trysts with Nick. We knew about Norris\' father, though we didn\'t know just how it happened with his mother.
One thing we didn\'t know about is what Norris can do. Just imagine, talking to spirits, speaking with the shadows and \'cause them to take form\'.
Wait, what was that last part? Take form, what form?
And what about that last little bit with Jason and Norris? Are they thinking about getting married? Ah, so much to learn, so much out there to know. After all, what is Athan doing? Will he find more of his blood, other\'s like Norris and Nick? What about the party Tsion was suppose to attend? What will happen when they realize that they missed it? Will there be trouble from Keilic for them not going?
*grins* You might just find out. After all, as a writer it is my right to decide *not* to write any more...