Disclaimer:
The following story contains graphic sexual scenes between underage boys. If material of this nature offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if the law where you live forbids you to read such stories you should not read this story. This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental. Don't forget this is a story, not everything that is done here is legal so I claim no responsibility on the actions the reader might do as a result of reading this story. The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed, except by The Nifty Archive, without the express written consent of the author.
Authors Note: Sorry I took my sweet time in writing this chapter but I wanted to make sure it wasn't too dry or too badly worded. Remember, if you'd like to make comments or story ideas of any kind please email me at jfaulkner1992@hotmail.com. I promise I'll respond to your letters. Just make sure to put R&J in the subject line. I am an avid English nerd, so if you are analyzing the bigger pictures, symbols, or syntax please let me know! I would love to discuss my rhetoric with you. Happy reading and I promise the sex scenes are coming soon! I just wanna establish a nice foundation first. Hang in there! Xoxo--Jordan
The Cousin's Gift
The sound of a pealing rage rang throughout the air. I awoke next to the fireplace, having rolled of my bed in the middle of the night to stay warmer. I was covered in ash, having the appearance of a troubled cinder man. I slowly got up and ran towards the window, staring at the oversized clock tower, keenly placed in the center of the town. The clock struck six times, my loathing alarm clock that liked to remind me of my everyday obligations.
After closing the window I scurried for my work clothes, ready to start another day. I sat near the fireplace, sweeping away some of the debris from the dimly lit embers. I looked down upon my hands, seeing cinder smudges everywhere. I imagined that I had smudges on my face but would worry about that later. After getting dressed and praying to my father for a productive day, I descended down the tower stairs. I glided effortlessly, excelling at the routine I had started in my life.
Walking into the kitchen I began to assemble necessary ingredients to satisfy my hunger. As small as my meals always were, I was grateful enough to even have some amount of food, even if I was the one who prepared it. I prepared a bowl of porridge and swiftly devoured the warm meal. After cleaning the dishes I had dirtied I put them away in their respective homes. I sighed aloud and yawned slightly. I was a little more tired than usual for an odd reason. I strutted along the tile floor of the kitchen and grabbed a necessary cloak. I opened the back door and viewed the haven of nature. The farm animals were stirring slightly, and the songbirds had begun to sing their melodious harmonies. I began to feed the animals one by one, trough by trough. After feeding the chickens and collecting the fresh eggs, I began to milk the cows, and with joyous luck had little problems in doing so.
Finally finished with my regular morning chores I imagined that the house would soon begin to stir. I seemed to have lagged a bit and I wouldn't have time to clean my face for the Mrs. did not like her breakfast late. I began to cook the fresh eggs, pouring the crisp glasses of milk and assembling the trays. I put a pot of tea on for Anya, and presumably the Mrs. assuming she wasn't on another diet. I had managed to prepare everything with swift elegance and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was now half-past-eight, right on schedule. I heard rummaging in the lounge and assumed the family was now waiting for their breakfast.
"Julian!" sang Claudia, "Where is our breakfast! I swear sometimes that boy just does not know how to perform in an efficient manner. Perhaps I shall send him off to a plantation of some sort. It's so hard to find good help these days."
I had pretended to not hear the fact that my own stepmother had rather sell me and make a profit off of me rather than keep me as a servant, the only way she considered me family. I grabbed the trays and glided towards the door. I approached the lounge and viewed Claudia poised in her chair with her foot tapping in impatience. Anya laid to her left, still dozing off as it was a Saturday but appeared ever so angelic. Hugo was nowhere to be seen, possibly still passed out from all the alcohol in his system. The day he drops dead would be a blessing for many, even in this family war. I set the trays down efficiently and performed my natural duties in pleasing my stepmother. My stepmother gazed at me vehemently with pure disgust. Her eyes examining me, making mental lists of everything she did not like about me that morning.
"Look at you, ash and soot everywhere," she scowled, "Honestly Julian if you insist on looking like a pig you might as well sleep with them."
"I am sorry stepmother, I'll do my best to ensure I have extra time to clean my face each morning," I assured.
"Good. I can't have a dirty servant running around. Suppose if the Governor himself were to grace us with his presence, or even Mr. Paris!" she dictated.
The Governor was a small and sophisticated man, but still performed his political duties with the upmost importance. He was a man of around 50 and rotund appearance. He enjoyed his brandy and cigar while running taxes or political doings but he always knew his limit. His image was more important than his politics and he would do anything to uphold his image to the highest possible standard. He would never be caught associating with the common folk, unless it was politically important, for there were times where he had nothing but his politics to improve his image which is exactly why he pursued politics in the first place; to improve his image. He found that was the only way to gain maximum status and popularity. Sure, this biased description may make him appear vain and uncivilized, but the façade he emitted was able to charm anyone into liking him thus making morals of no importance. Xavier Paris was one of Acara's most eligible bachelors in the town. He was the governors nephew, and indeed, image was of importance to Xavier; however, only to the point of excessive vanity, not to the benefit of politics. His appearance was considered gorgeous. He stood at a fair height of 5' 11", with blonde hair and gleaming blue eyes. His fair skin had emitted a heavenly glow, but his mind was unfortunately hollow. Xavier had actually loathed politics, particularly because he could care less for no one but himself, but enjoyed the popularity that came with it. Xavier had no plans for running for governor but was expected to do so, nonetheless everyone waited for Xavier to choose a mate, whether it be man or woman. That was the thing about this town, no one cared for love was considered love, but it was most certainly a love based on image and social status for no one dared cross that boundary. Homosexuality was enough of a step as it is.
"Mother, why on earth would the Governor come here? Or Xavier for that matter?" mumbled Anya. She threw herself up and began devouring her breakfast, she had little problem challenging her mother's authority but only to an extent. Defiance was in her blood, but pure individuality was not. "It's not like we have anything to offer him. What's he going to do? Propose to Hugo?" she laughed causing me to giggle along with her.
Claudia shot me a stern look and rolled her eyes to gaze at her daughter, "You never know Anya. He may propose to you if you'd straighten yourself up. Think of what a disgrace it would be if he ended up marrying a Mantz! Ugh, the horror your stepfather would have felt. It's my duty to ensure that a Caps is to wed Mr. Paris. Think of the image we'll become to the town, and to those dirty Mantz" she gleamed.
"Mother, who gives a damn about the Mantz family? If you think they are such scum, why care to acknowledge them? You're only furthering their reputation, and if you ask me this feud is ridiculous," retaliated Anya.
I had begun to gander back at forth at the war about to erupt for Claudia had put on a face of moral disgust. She could not fathom the ideologies she possessed were not as fervent in her daughter as they were in she. Then she looked at me.
"You're filling her head with those thoughts of anarchy again aren't you? I will not have social upheaval in this house! I will not allow traitors to live under my roof!" she shouted, "And as for you Anya, you better shape up your act. To think if the Governor or Mr. Paris where to hear you talk like that. It is not lady like what-so-ever. Julian you are dismissed, I am tired at looking at your common display of filth."
Anya had taken everything her mother said with a grain of sand. She perhaps over stepped her boundaries but only in my defense. Something I was quite thankful for. I gathered the trays and was also thankful Hugo had not woken up to hearing his younger sister's ideas on the family feud. My life would have ended as I knew it.
I hurried up the stair to place Hugo's breakfast in his bedroom. I knocked lightly and heard ruffling sounds. I opened the door slight to see a sleeping Hugo. I entered quietly and set the tray of fresh food down on his dresser. He lay asleep peacefully and appeared somewhat handsome. The fact I even considered him handsome was repulsive so I immediately scurried out of the room to finish my chores.
I floated down the staircase and into the lounge to pick up the dirty dishes from breakfast, where a sleeping Anya was found, but Claudia was no where to be seen. I silently collected everything as to not wake my dear stepsister. I entered the kitchen and began washing the dishes, silently humming to myself. I found this routine rather boring and needed an adventure. Thankfully it was Saturday, which meant my trip to the market. I had begun to notice we were running low on bread and other necessities. I put on my cloak and began to wander out the door, only to stop by the lounge and see my stepmother sewing.
"I am going to town," I spoke softly as to not wake up my sleeping stepsister, "We're low on bread. Is there anything you request stepmother?"
She gazed at me, and waved her hand at me dismissingly. I suppose I was not worthy of her words at that moment. With that motion of her hand I walked out the front door and began the short walk to town.
I liked walking to town for it gave me time to think and clear my head. It was my own type of vacation and I would generally stroll into the forest once or twice. I always enjoyed venturing to the lake at night and laying in the meadows. It was so peaceful with a full moon shining on the lake. I walked promptly down the road that led to the town square, passing other houses, villas and manors. The bustling of the town was beginning to become more noticeable the closer I got. I always enjoyed the rustling of the townspeople. I loved getting lost in the movement.
I entered the town square and headed towards the Baker's shop. The square was certainly alive as others were bustling with the goods they had either bought or intended to sell. The fountain was alive and spurting its waters vicariously. I began to smell the wonders of dough and freshly warmed bread. I entered the shop and gazed around the aroma filled room. The scents of the fresh baked bread sent me into a daze and I accidentally stumbled into someone. I looked up and noticed the man's honey colored eyes and the musky aroma that once again sent me into another daze, causing me to stumble and fall.
The man extended his hand, and I noticed he wore the symbol of the Mantz family on his arm. With that I pleaded, "I am sorry sir, I didn't mean to bump into you. I had no idea you were a Mantz, honest."
The man smiled somewhat slyly and spoke in a deep undertone, "It happens, but don't let it happen again. You may bump into another Mantz that isn't as friendly as I. But as for this Caps, it never happened."
And with those last words the blonde haired man detoured out of the bakery after helping me up off the ground. I would have never thought a Mantz would have given up an offer to attack a Caps. Luck was on my side.
After resuming my life and getting out of my transfixed stance I began to look for the bread I required. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate it until the baker had decided to inform me that he was just making the bread and it would be ready in another hour.
"Sorry but I had just sold the last few loaves to that man you bumped into. You best be thankful that you didn't get into a brawl with the likes of him," spoke the Baker.
"Who was he?" I asked.
"That was Victor Croft, a longtime family friend of the Mantz family. Very devoted man and one of my best customers. He's gotten in a few brawls and I don't see many men recover very well. I'm surprised he didn't try and cause a fight, normally he's the ringleader" answered the Baker.
I guess I was lucky. While I stood there thinking of Victor a large uproar had sounded from outside and after saying thank you to the baker and informing him I would return soon I wandered outside to inspect the sudden clamor of voices.
A large crowd had formed and it seemed like a brawl had taken place, but it was Xavier. It was the townspeople fawning over him and apparently there was some commotion. I stared at Xavier's presence. He stood there with an arrogant and vain stance. He was chatting away with dozens of townsfolk. I had decided to brush past the hype of the beautiful. I began to walk towards the fountain and sat down on the edge, watching the crowd faun over something so hollow. Eventually the crowd died down and went on with its business as the market needed tending too. I looked up and saw Victor with a remarkably tall man. I didn't get a good glance at the either of them as someone had stepped in front of me blocking my view.
"Hi stranger," the voice said.
I looked up to find Xavier Paris standing in front of me. Communicating with me. Sure, I had a cloak on to hide the rags I wore beneath, but I assumed the smudges from the soot were still present on my face. I began to gape at him as I am sure he was talking to someone else.
"Normally it is custom to say `Hello' back to someone when they greet you," he chuckled. He tossed his head back and his hair graciously danced with him. His blue eyes burning ever so bright.
"Right, I'm sorry. Hello Xavier, may I assist you with anything?" I asked.
"Well you can certainly tell me your name. I don't think I have seen you around town before. Are you new?" he asked sweetly.
I was immediately ready to go check on that bread. I came here every Saturday, just as he did. This pretty boy was nothing but a mirage that I no longer wanted to pursue. I was ready to escape. But it would not be considered "proper" to just run away from someone with such a high social status as he was. I was indeed curious to know what he wanted.
"I come here every Saturday," I answered, "I always get a few loaves of bread for my family."
I have yet to understand why I considered any of them my family, besides Anya of course. But I guess it's better to have a family who loathes you than not have one at all. I had a few cousins that lived in other towns but rarely visited. My favorite was Johnny because of the close relationship we had growing up. He taught me many things about life, and was there for me when my father passed away. The saddest thing about my father's passing was that I knew a death would be approaching soon in my life. The family feud was growing, tensions were at an all time high. It was only natural to expect something grim was going to happen. I had coped with it fairly well, but he didn't care much for me as a son. I didn't embody what a Caps is supposed to be. I think my stepmother brainwashed him but nonetheless that was in the past. I began to realize where I was and noticed Xavier still near me.
"Well that is rather exciting, but your name?" asked Xavier sweetly.
"My name is..." I began to speak but a fervor of people broke out in uproar and calamity. The chaos was absolutely breathtaking, and nonetheless freed me from Xavier.
The crowds of people began to turn into an all time riot. Waves of hands and swinging fists moved before me. I had begun to grow scared as I did not know why the riot had started in the first place. Things like this weren't common, but with a family feud like ours, they were duly expected.
I tried to stand against the fountain's edges and look over the sea of people to see what the commotion was about. It appears a brawl between two men had started, with a woman somehow mastering the situation with graceful rage. I noticed many other small arguments and knocked over fruit stands and broken artifacts from other merchants. What I then realized was that Hugo had entered town from the West entrance and was sure to add more fuel to this fire. He stumbled along, almost as if he was still drunk. He began to hit random citizens and eventually a man had come along and stood directly in Hugo's way. I caught a glare from the sun and it took me a few minutes to notice that it was none other than Victor Croft, a Caps.
"Shit" I gasped.
I tried to make my way through the crowds of lions and tigers to get to leaders of the pack. I was kicked and smacked in my struggling efforts to rummage my way towards the important brawl that was about to take place. I began to look around and I noticed more allies of the opposing family were gathering around Victor, and a few stragglers were positioned behind Hugo, each with a bottle in their hands- of course. Hugo stepped forward and butted his chest against Victor's which in turn caused Victor to stumble backwards creating laughter from Hugo's minions. I had finally gotten past the sea of monsters and thus realized Victor was about to swing at Hugo, who was oblivious from this as he was rejoicing in his victory of humiliation. I don't know what possessed me to do what I did, but in order to keep the peace I ran into the middle of their fight.
"Stop this!," I yelled passionately, "Look at what you've caused in our peaceful town square. This idiotic family war has gone far enough!"
I began to notice that the rest of the town seemed to freeze with my sudden catharsis. What I didn't notice was a minion from Victor's side charging at me. I turned around only to be knocked out. A loud pop filled my ears as my body travelled to the ground. I hit the cold concrete with a loud thud. The rest of that display was a mystery to me.
During my comatose state I had drifted off to a dreamland. A land of wonders. I lived vicariously with someone. We were in a meadow, laying side by side. It was a man that I was sharing nature's passion with. He laughed like the flowers do when the bee's visit them. His disposition echoed that of the trees, constantly growing, constantly aging, constantly alive. He grabbed my wrist, his hands soft to the touch, and hooked a bracelet on me. The sunlight from the meadow was too bright to make out the bracelet or the mysterious lover who laid in front of me.
Within that instant a cold wave of water hit my face. I opened my eye's to have a piercing amount of light flood into them. I felt blind. As my eye's adjusted to the amount of light that was present in the room I noticed how comfortable I felt. I glanced down below me and noted that I was lying on a white couch, with fluffy golden pillows beneath my head. I coughed some and spurted some of the water that hit me out of my mouth. I sat up and noticed a man at the end of the room. The amount of light in the room had still caused me to be somewhat blind and the figure stood enigmatic in my vision.
"Who are you? Where am I? What happened?" I asked quickly.
The figure turned around and gave me a towel, he smiled at me which seemed to blind me even more with the light glaring off of them.
"Hey, sit down. Don't get up too fast," spoke the stranger.
The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember for my head was throbbing with pain. I began to recollect the events of that morning. I got knocked out, by someone. I remember I had tried to stop Hugo from either nearly getting murdered, or murdering someone else. Either way, death was present in Hugo's eyes, that much I am sure of. My eye's had finally become adjusted to the light in the room after I had rubbed them once or twice. I noticed white bandages on my hands with crimson stains. I felt the side of my face and cringed at the stinging pain that ensued. My head began to throb once more as the stranger touched it, my eyes winced in pain.
"Oh, I'm sorry Julian, I didn't mean to hurt you," said the stranger softly.
I looked over once more and finally recognized the stranger whose the familiar voice had belonged too. It was my cousin Johnny, but he had appeared altered. He was slightly taller, his hair was slightly longer, and his smile was slightly stronger. He had grown up from the last time I had seen him. His chiseled jaw had given way to a man's face, muscular and strong. His hazel eyes had contrasted against his black hair. He ran his fingers through his hair and stared at me, then finally hugged me.
"You put on quite a show in town today!" he gleamed, "But your speech wasn't well received now was it?"
"What happened?" I asked as I had touched my head once more, noting the pain.
"Well, someone from the opposite side of you didn't take very well to your words, so he hit you with a board. And you fell to the side. A brawl then broke out between Hugo and the man but was quickly stopped by two younger fellows. They were actually members of the Mantz family, well one of them was I think. He was quite tall, dark haired young man while the other was just a bit shorter with blonde hair and lighter eyes than mine. He actually had helped me bring you to my hotel room. I ended up realizing you were in the middle of the brawl and I ran to stop you from nearly getting yourself killed, but by the time I arrived, you were unconscious and bleeding profusely. So Victor helped me bring you here," stated Johnny.
"Victor?" I asked in shock while still grabbing my head in pain, "Victor Croft helped you bring me here?"
"Yes, he actually insisted on it. His friend seemed to have disappeared and he thought you were brave in what you did. So he insisted on getting you somewhere safe. He's a really nice fellow, so is his friend," continued Johnny, "I think his name was Julian."
Could that have been the man I saw earlier before Xavier stood in my way? I began to ponder this for a moment, and then I realized I had no idea what happened to Xavier. All I remember was that I had begun to tell him my name and then the riot broke out.
"What happened to Xavier? You remember Mr. Paris from my father's funeral?" I asked.
I began to recall my Father's funeral, and the fact that the Governor and Xavier even showed up. It was just another political duty of his. Neither of them cared I'm sure. I recall back to Xavier and I's conversation. I remember he had said he had never seen me around town before, yet he went to my own father's funeral. What delicious irony.
"Ah yes Mr. Paris. He ran away I believe. He got in the middle of some brawl and scurried away. The guards were informed of this break out and such. I'm sure the Governor is fumed about this," answered Xavier.
"Yes, I'm sure. He'll probably try and fix this family war somehow. I find it rather unfixable if you asked me, it'll take a great amount of defiance and love to abolish this mess. Who knew something so idiotic and unclear can create so much chaos," I remarked, "What are you doing here any way? It has been ages Johnny!"
Johnny smiled that familiar smile and kissed my cheek while pulling me in a cousin's embrace. He murmured an "I miss you" in my ear while slowly standing up. He walked across the room and grabbed a small jewelry box and handed it to me.
"It was your fathers, he wanted me to give it to you when he felt the time was right, and after today I honestly don't think there isn't a better time than right now," laughed Johnny. He smiled with such friendship that my heart began to warm and melt away the icy pain that filled my body.
I opened the box and saw a silver bracelet. I had never seen my father wear it, nor had I known he possessed it. I picked it up and examined it. The metal was cold, but it had vibrancy about it. It was quite shiny and reflected light in my eyes. I ran my fingers over the chain links and noticed an inscription on the inside of it. I squinted my eye's and read the inscription aloud.
"Tabula Rasa," I read, "What does that mean?"
"It means clean slate. Your father felt it was something you would one day in life deserve. This can't be what your father had intended for you Julian. You've become a servant in your own home and placed in the middle of a family war. He said that this bracelet was going to help you achieve peace. How it will is something I have yet to discover, but I did as your father asked," sighed Johnny.
"Thank you Johnny, this means so much to me. But I must be getting home. I'm sure Anya is pretty worried about me. When will you be leaving?" said I with soft affection.
"Tomorrow morning I'm afraid. I can't stay longer," apologetically said Johnny.
With that I stood up and hugged my cousin with such care and tenderness. I kissed his cheek and after brushing away a few tears said my thank you and goodbyes. I trudged out of the hotel in pain and back to my so-called home. The prison that was my entombment. I had no doubt that I would be facing more fire from Claudia and Hugo when I got back, but I would simply move forward with my father's bracelet on my wrist. Tomorrow would draw me a clean slate, and I knew that I would somehow create a new life for myself.