The Switch

A/N: This chapter is beta by Kylee, and enjoy the new chapter I know its short sorry about that, next chapter i'll try to make it longer.

 

Chapter eight:

“Eric, back there you spoke my language!”

Eric snorted. “Did you really think I would let you get the upper hand? I had Alina teach me a few words last night. Don't think that you’re the only one who can learn things in such a short time Zephyr.” Eric spoke in Phala.

“It makes me very happy to know that you learned my language just for me Eric,” Zephyr said.

“Hell no! I learned your damn language for myself, not for you, you irritating man!” Eric snapped, then he turned to face the other way.

Zephyr took this opportunity to lean in and kiss Eric’s cheek. He backed away quickly and rode ahead to avoid Eric’s fist.

Eric was surprised by the kiss. It took him a moment to realize that once again the man had managed to take advantage of him. He waited until his heart slowed down to a normal speed before catching up to Zephyr with the intention of giving him a good punch that would knock the man off his horse.

“Eric, is it true what you said back then?” Zephyr asked when Eric reached him.

Eric’s fist stopped in midair and a look of bewilderment came over his face. “Huh?” he uttered.

Zephyr chuckled. “You said that you would marry me,” he reminded Eric. “A man doesn't go back on his word Eric.”

Eric’s mouth hung open speechless. Back then when he said that he was going to marry Zephyr, he only did it to piss off the woman named Monica. He hadn't put much thought into it when he blurted it out in front of the entire village. “Shit!” he managed to utter out. He had just dug his own grave and the damn man wasn't going to let him climb out of it. “Shit!” he swore again.

“I look forward to our wedding night my beloved Eric,” Zephyr said with a smirk.

“You can't be serious! I only said it out of--”

Zephyr cut Eric off with a deep passionate kiss that shook Eric to the core. Zephyr smiled when he felt Eric’s arms around his neck. He lifted Eric off his horse and onto his thigh. “Your mouth tastes so sweet,” he murmured against Eric’s lips.

Eric pulled his mouth away from Zephyr. A big blush crossed his cheek. He stared down instead of looking up at Zephyr. “Why are you so persistent in having me when there are many women and men in your world that can give you what you want?” he asked.

“They are not you Eric,” Zephyr replied.

“Why me? I am not even from this world. When the time comes, I am going to have to leave you.”

“Then I will have to bear the pain of you leaving me Eric, and it is a pain I am willing to take on because I fell in love with you at first sight,” Zephyr answered. Deep inside he had already made up his mind to not let Eric return to his world.

“You only love my face,” remarked Eric and he slid off Zephyr’s horse and went back to his own horse.

“That’s not true Eric,” said Zephyr.

“Then explain to me how someone could just fall in love at first sight with someone they just met.” Eric climbed onto his horse and gave it a kick. He rode off without waiting for an answer from Zephyr.

There was no such thing as love at first sight, but lust at first sight existed, and that was what Zephyr was feeling for him.  Eric had no doubt in his mind that he was right. Why would anyone fall in love with him? Eric pushed the thought aside and looked up at the sky. He heard Zephyr’s horse speeding up to him. “Erin what would you do if you were me?”he murmured. With a sigh, he gave his horse a good kick just as Zephyr caught up to him.

“Eric,” Zephyr sighed.  He shook his head and sped up, chasing after Eric.

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Garrick put the toilet seat down and sat down on it, facing Erin. “Are you sure you know how to use that funny looking thing?” he asked, referring to the razor in Erin’s hand.

“I have five years of experience,” Erin replied as he started to apply the shaving cream.

“On whom?” asked Garrick.

“Logan,” Erin answered. He moved closer and started to shave Garrick’s whiskers. His eyes were focused on Garrick’s cheek, concentrating hard, not wanting to accidentally cut Garrick’s skin.

Erin could feel Garrick’s eyes watching him and that caused his heart to beat faster than normal. He ignored it and concentrated on the task at hand. A second later he accidentally cut Garrick. “Sorry.” He apologized and cleaned the small wound with some warm water.

“Watch it boy. I happen to like my face the way it is,” Garrick said. “What happened to your five years of experience boy? Was that only a boast to make yourself look good?”

Erin stopped what he was doing and stared at Garrick. Very pissed at the damn man. “I said that I was sorry, you big oaf! What do you want me to do? It’s not like I did it on purpose. Accidents like that happen when you are shaving, it doesn't matter how much experience you hav--” Erin didn't get to finish as the door to the bathroom opened, knocking him forward right into Garrick. He felt Garrick’s arm circle his wrist. His eyes met Garrick’s amuse ones.

“You are all bones and no meat. You need to eat more boy. I like my women with a bit of meat on them,” remarked Garrick.

“In case you haven't noticed you big oaf, I am not a woman.  Like I give a damn about how you like them!” Erin snapped sharply.

“Oh my, sorry for disturbing you two,” said Devon who stood by the door with a grin on his face.

“Damn you Devon, why don't you knock first before you open the damn door?” Erin snapped at his friend as he removed himself from Garrick’s arms.

“It’s not my fault that my bathroom is too small. Besides, why were you standing in front of the door, I thought that you were shaving him?” Devon asked.

“We were arguing,” Erin replied and grabbed a box of bandages from the medicine cabinet. He took one out, opened it and put it over the small cut on Garrick’s cheek.

“What is this?” Garrick asked, touching the bandage on his cheek.

“It’s called a bandage, it is used to heal small wounds.” Erin didn't bother to explain further. He turned his attention back to his friend. “Devon, was there something you needed?” he asked his friend.

“Casey is in town,” Devon told his friend.

“Never thought that he would be here so soon,” Erin remarked as he lifted Garrick’s chin up to shave the area below.

“You should be fine as long as you don't venture outside,” Devon said as he watched Erin carefully shave the rest of Garrick’s whiskers.

“Want me to kill him for you boy?” Garrick asked, staring into Erin’s eyes.

“No but thanks for offering Prince Garrick,” Erin replied with a soft smile. He finished shaving Garrick and put the cream and razor blade away. He applied the aftershave on and then stood back. His stomach did a flip and his heart skipped a beat. He was surprised to find Garrick looking even more handsome than the first time they met.

“Wow you look like a prince out of a fairytale,” Devon commented, saying exactly what Erin was thinking.

“Tell me something I don't know,” Garrick said arrogantly as he stared at his reflection in the mirror, admiring his face.

“You might be handsome but your personality is as unappealing as a rotten apple,” Erin told Garrick and left the bathroom. He heard Garrick’s deep laugh right after he left.

Erin slumped down on the couch and flipped the television on. He ignored Garrick when he came down and stood behind him, leaning his upper body against the soft couch. He went from one channel to the next, trying to find something good to keep his mind off the man behind him. When he came upon a channel with little kids, he stopped and a sad feeling came over him.

“What’s wrong boy?” Garrick asked when the boy stopped browsing the channel. He went around the couch and sat down next to Erin.

“Do you love kids Garrick?” Erin asked Garrick softly without looking at Garrick.

“I happen to love them. I play with my niece and nephew a lot back in my world,” Garrick replied.

“What do you think of a parent who left their child behind?” Erin asked, still not looking at Garrick.

“The worst kind of parent,” replied Garrick.

“Then you must think that I am as well,” Erin murmured.

“What do you mean boy?” Garrick asked and lifted Erin’s face up with his thumb.

Erin bit his lip and leaned into Garrick’s warm chest. His arms wrapped around Garrick and he burst out in tears. “I have a son,” he confessed. “I left him behind. I didn't want to, you have to believe me Garrick. I wanted to bring him with me but I didn't know where Logan was keeping him. Logan has kept him away from me since the day he was born.”

Garrick gently stroked Erin’s hair in silence as he figured out what to do. There really was only one option. He felt Devon’s hand on his shoulder and then he heard Devon whisper into his ear. “I'll go and you stay here and keep him safe. I'll find and bring his son to him.”

Garrick nodded his head and Devon quietly grabbed his jacket and slipped out of the apartment.

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“Hey what’s up Devon, still driving that piece of shit?”

Devon grinned and removed his sunglasses. “My car is not a piece of shit Travis.” He told his friend and got out of the car. “I came to ask a favor from you Travis, and don't you dare say no because you owe me one.”

“What kind of favor Devon?” Travis asked, leaning his back against Devon’s car.

Devon reached into his car and pulled out a picture of Casey. “I want you to find this man and when you do, I want you to keep him locked up until I return.”

“Cute boy,” Travis commented, looking at the picture of Casey. “Why do you want him locked up?” he asked Devon as he took the picture.

“His name is Casey. He is the man who killed your brother.” That was all Devon needed to say as his friend’s gentle eyes quickly switched into anger.