Lover

TITLE: Marron's Lover
AUTHOR: Lemonychocolate
EMAIL: dragonechilde@yahoo.com
WEB SITE:
RATING: G
DISCLAIMER: I make any claim to, nor hold any license to the original characters to this story. These characters are used for the sake and sole purpose of entertainment only. No profit shall be, nor will be gained from the writing found hereafter; nor shall any personal credit be taken as to the character designs, personalities or concepts stemming from the original characters used. All situations in the story below, unless otherwise stated, should not, in any way, have any bearing on the creator’s original work
FEEDBACK: Hell yeah, I mean, yes please.
DISTRIBUTION: Please archive away.
BETA'ED: Nozomi Anshi (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
SPOILERS: none that I can think of.
SUMMARY: Fifteen year's later....

Marron stirred as the warm rays of the sun gently brushed his face, caressing him to wakefulness.

He lay in his favorite position against his lover, head ead pillowed on a broad chest. Fifteen years, he thought in awe as tears prickled at his eyes. Fifteen years of loving the older man beside him and including ten years in raising their children.

Yesterday was their anniversary, not of marriage, but of the first time they had made love. He remembered, with a shiver of delight, the conclusion of their anniversary night. His lover had prepared a wonderful meal that they ate before a crackling fire, slowly feeding each other bites of food between kisses until they had forgone the food and began making love in front of the fireplace. He blushed, glad that their children weren't home to hear them; they would have thought their father was killing him, he thought in amusement.

After all these years of seeing their two fathers kissing and being affectionate with each other, they still got embarrassed.

He never thought he could win the heart of this wonderful man lying beside him. He remembered how nervous he felt when he had blurted out his feelings, unable to keep them suppressed any longer. The wondrous look that had filled his eyes made Marron feel he had given him the moon and the stars.

The first time they had made love, Marron sighed, was the most magical, wonderful night in his life. He had cried when it was over, terrifying his lover, until he told him why he was crying. His lover held him and stroked his face until passion began rising, filling them again with rapturous joy.

They had hid their relationship for two years while with the group. Acting their individual roles in public so no one would suspect just how involved they really were. A few casual touches; hands gliding in secret caresses, a squeeze of the shoulder while in public, hands rubbing against backs.

At night, he thought with a smile, oh the nights. Hot passionate touches whenever they could sneak away from the others, a closet, a large tree, they even once hid under a bed. Every moment they could, they would sneak away from the others and meet in the woods long after the others had fallen asleep, he thought, shivering with delight.

At first, he had feared that he was just a passing fancy to his lover. That he would leave him for the next pretty face he saw. It took him almost two years of making love to his mind, his body, and his soul that finally convinced him that it wasn't for his looks that he was adored. His lover had always been able to look beyond his physical appearance and see only HIM.

Fifteen years of loving this beautiful man. With every day, their love grew stronger. They were each other’s strength and joy. He sat up and traced his lover’s beautiful mouth, the mouth that brought him screaming to heights of ecstasy time and again. He couldn't imagine a life without him, without loving him; he was part of his soul and he knew that his lover felt the same way about him.

They had gone through a lot of changes, some mental, some physical. Both of them still so young and in love that they thought nothing could stand in their way. They learned quickly that love wasn't simply enough; that sometimes you had to fight as furiously for your right to love as you would your life.

They had retired from sorcerer hunting 11 years ago. He thought that his lover wouldn't be happy settling down to a sedentary life. Their lives had always been full of adventures. Fighting sorcerers, fighting monsters, protecting people. But his lover surprised him, he thought with a fond smile at the sleeping man, "carving out a life for us was challenging enough for him," he said.

He had already made plans for our life together. He had even built this house for me and carried me over the threshold like I was a new bride, Marron blushed at the remembrance. Our home was nothing fancy, but it was someplace we could be happy. He had a good business going building homes and other items for people, Marron thought proudly.

Then the children came. The only flaw in their happy lives was their inability to have children. But leave it to my lover to think of a solution, as he laid his head on the pillow still watching his beautiful sleeping lover. People always thought he was stupid but he was smarter than me, I wouldn't have ever thought of such a solution. I had wondered
why he was building an additional room to our house.

He looked so sure of himself standing there telling me that we were going to take care of the struggling spitting dirty little boy he held. I wanted to laugh because I could see how nervous he was about my reaction. After the war with Zaha, he said had left many orphans. We wanted children; they children needed a home with someone to love and care for them.

At first I wasn't sure if he was serious about this or just trying to make me happy, but again he surprised me with how patient he was with little Grass, he thought with a silent chuckle at how the little blonde boy grew up eerily reminiscent of his father. The same walk and attitude was all his father, Marron thought with a silent chuckle. To see one was to see the other.

Their daughter, Coffee, was very much like him, quiet studious with a fiery temper that only Grass seemed able to ignite. He was sure the boy did it deliberately, to gain her attention. He remembered when she was brought to their home, covered in filth and abraded sores. He wasn't sure about having another child in the house but he fell in love with her and so did Grass, he thought with a smirk, that night after he had washed her and saw all the sores darkening her tiny little body.

And little Wheat, their baby. Our quiet, little peacemaker, he thought with a gentle smile, thinking of the solemn young boy, no man, he corrected himself with a little smile as he traced gentle circles over his lover's chest. He was so unsure of his welcome in our home because of his physical deformity, just because one leg was shorter than the other. For almost a year, he crept about the house, cringing if anyone yelled. It took us a long time to convince him that we loved him and would never desert him. Grass and Coffee fell over themselves trying to make him happy. I've never seen either of them so earnest and protective of anything. They've made it plain to everyone in the village that anybody that hurts him, would answer to them.

He's so quiet all the time; people think that Grass and Coffee completely dominate him because of their personalities. But it's the opposite. When ever Grass and Coffee get into one of their endless battle for supremacy, all it takes is a look from him and both of them stop fighting instantly. Wheat had both Coffee and Grass wrapped around his little finger. If he wanted the moon, they would kill themselves trying to get it for him.
I don't think he's even aware of how much they love him. I think the only reason why Grass and Coffee haven't gotten married yet because they both want him as much as they want each other.

He frowned remembering the vicious battle they had fought with Onion over their taking in the three children. He was violently opposed their relationship, called it perverted and unnatural. But he made him so happy that I couldn't give him up, not even for Onion, Marron thought.

Oh, how he had raged at the older boy, saying that he had corrupted Marron with his unnatural desires. He gave Marron an ultimatum, either he get out of their unnatural relationship or he would never speak to him again. Although he loved and respect his father, he never thought twice about leaving with the older boy. His lover, he thought salaciously. My Lover.

So they left and never looked back. Surprisingly enough the rest of the team came with them. Their love and support got them through some tough times.

I glad that the team stayed with us and supported us. I don't think he, he corrected himself, WE could have made it without them. I glad that they've all found someone. Though who would have thought that the Carrot-chasing Chocolate would turn out to be a lesbian. That's something that almost knocked all of us over, he snorted.

I'm glad to see that she's finally happy with Teacup. They adopted children just like we did.

I'm glad that he and Tira finally got together. They make a wonderful pair. He brings her out of her shell and she seems to have tamed a lot of his behavior. They compliment each other. I'm glad to see Tira happy with my b..." he broke off at the rustle of sheets, seeing his lover waking.

He leaned over and pressed a tender kiss against sleepy lips.

Marron's lover said with a smile, "Hey what was that for," he said in a sleep-husky voice.

"Just because I love you," Marron said with a smile.

"I kinda gather that last night the way you kept screaming my name and clawing at my back," he said dryly, smiling at Marron who blushed.

Marron's lover was delighted. After all these years of loving Marron, that he could still make him blush filled him with joy. His eyes wandered over the familiar beloved face. Each day more wonderful than the last.

He got down on his knees every night, thankful for the wonderful man lying beside him each night. And on the nights they couldn't be together, he would lay in bed barely sleeping worrying about Marron until he was home, safe.

He didn't know what he did to deserve Marron in his life. He didn't think he had any right to love him, so he left. Thank God for Marron's stubbornness! If he hadn't followed him, yelling and screaming how much he love him, breaking down in tears in the middle of the road, they would still be apart.

They had so many obstacles to overcome, it was a miracle that they managed to stay together the first year they became lovers. The secrecy, the pretense, the sneaking about when all he wanted to do was shout to the world how much he loved Marron. But it was worth it to come home every night to Marron's welcoming smile and the children's arguing voices, no matter how tired he was.

He wanted to make this anniversary special very special, 'cause Marron never asked for much, he was always happy with whatever you gave him, he was so unselfish.

He hoped that his real anniversary surprise would please Marron. He always pretended that he didn't see the distant look in Marron's eyes every time the children would say the word "father". He knew Marron missed Onion a great deal but never said anything, not able to get past Onion's total rejection of him.

He knew Marron was happy with the life they had built for themselves but still missed Onion's presence in his life.

So he resolved to end the stalemate. He was a grown man, with a lover he adored and three beautiful children. He liked to think that he had matured beyond the stupid boy he was fifteen years ago.

He had to be the bigger man, if Onion could not, so he had secretly began corresponding with the old man for the past year. Hoping and praying that he would respond to the overture. For Marron's sake. He didn't give a rat's ass about the old fart, but he would do anything for Marron to make him happy, even suffer the old windbag's presence in his home.

He pulled Marron into his favorite position, with Marron's head pressing against his chest listening to his heartbeat, that heart that beat only for him.

"Come on, go take a shower," he said running his fingering gently though long black hair, gently stroking a naked back, delighting in the shiver that coursed through Marron. "The others will be here soon and we still have a lot to do" talking about how they've been celebrating their anniversary for the past 10 years.


"You're not planning on joining me? We have the house to ourselves for a few more hours," Marron said with a lascivious wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Nope! If I go in there with you, we won't have a few hours, we'll have only one hour," he said. "Now go," he ordered mock-sternly.

Marron pouted then smiled suddenly. He rose gracefully from the bed and padded gloriously nude to the bathroom putting an extra sway in his walk, well aware that his lover was getting turned on. Oh yeah, I still got it, he thought happily.

He paused at the bathroom door and cast a hot, smoky look at his lover delighted at the lustful look darkening his lover's face as he said, "Sure you don't want to join me?"

He ran laughing into the bathroom as his lover jumped off the bed with a growl, chasing him into the bathroom with a resounding slam of the bathroom door.

The room ranged with joyful muffled laughter from the lovers in the bathroom. Quiet was soon followed by their voices rising in cries of twin passion.

* * *

"How do I look?” Onion said anxiously to Tira and Chocolate.

"You look fine, Uncle Onion," Tira said gently to the nervous man.

"I don't deserve another chance," he moaned. "I messed up too many times for them to forgive me, for HIM to forgive me."

"If he hadn't wanted you to come, he wouldn't have invite you," Chocolate pointed out calmly from her position leaning again her lover.

"Yeah, don't be a bigger idiot than you were before," Tira's husband snapped. "Just accept that they love and need each other." And his eyes harden to cold steel as he added, "And if you hurt them again, I'll hurt you until you can't walk, and let Tira and Chocolate finish the job."

Tira’s look of gentle concern hardened into a cold mask as she nodded.

Chocolate merely put her cap on, deadly cold menace in every each movement.

"He only invited me for Marron's sake," Onion muttered. He was so ashamed of himself thinking of the wrongs he had done to them all because he couldn't accept their love for each other. He wanted to talk to them but his stubborn pride wouldn't let him. He still didn't know if he would ever be able to accept their relationship but he knew he had to try. A parent's love should be unconditional, shouldn’t it?

He was so grateful for another chance to be there for him, for them.
And it took the rest of his life he would find a way to make things it up to them, to him.

He was thankful for the chance to see them without the children being present. It would be hard enough when he finally faced them. He needed, wanted to reassure them of his love and support, to tell them how sorry that he tried to come between them.

He knew he couldn't expect total acceptance overnight but he could start laying the foundation and building off of that. And if they never forgave him, he thought painfully, it was only what he deserved.

He did so many things to them to break them apart but their love and ties to each other was stronger than anything he tried to do to them.

* * *


Back at the house, there came a knock at the door and he straightened anxiously. Nervously hoping that he was doing the right thing, he called to Marron, "I'll get it!" and ran to open the door.

He gazed at the nervous, anxious man he hadn't seen in fifteen years.
Onion shuffled his feet almost unable to meet the hard, narrow eyes looking at straight at him without pity. He swallowed hard and lifted his head, painfully meeting the hard, cold stare.

"For his sake, not mine," the other hissed at him, "You understand?"

Onion nodded his head; he knew he had a long way to go with this one. He cleared his throat huskily, "For his sake and for yours too," he quietly pleaded, mutely begging for another chance to correct the mistakes of the past.

The other man slowly nodded his head, his eyes softening slightly as he gestured everyone in.

"Are they here yet?" Marron called from the next room a little curious about the silence in the hallway. He knew his lover was keeping something from him, something that make him a little antsy lately. He definitely knew it wasn’t a lover, because he kept his man well satisfied in bed, he thought with a smirk.

His lover appeared in the open doorway. Marron was now very worried at the appearance of his nervous and anxious lover. He swiftly crossed to his lover's side.

"Marron," he began, stopped and cleared his throat. He started again, "Marron, you know I love you very much and you know your happiness means the world to me, don't you?"

"Yessss," Marron said slowly searching his face for clues as to what had him so nervous.

"Well, uhm, Happy Anniversary!" his lover said and stepped back and quickly pushed Onion forward.

Marron froze at the sight of the father he hadn't seen in fifteen years. Their eyes met, in his father's eyes he could see regret, pain, love and acceptance. Regret for all the years wasted, pain for the pain he had cause them, love for his youngest child and acceptance for the life he now lived. So much was said in the silence; tears trembled and fell from both eyes.

He wanted so much to run into his fathers' as he did as a child when he needed his father's comforting embrace, but he was a grown man, with grown children of his own to want something so simply childish.

Onion, seeing the suppressed need on his youngest child's face, opened his arms with tears running down his face and Marron, with a choked sob, threw himself in the warm embrace, sobbing over the wasted years. His father smoothed his hand up and down his son's head, steadily crying "I'm sorry" over and over. He lifted his head to the man, saying "I'm so sorry" and prayed that he would be believed, knowing that it would take a long time before he was ready to accept and forgive him. But for Marron's sake, for both of their sakes, he would keep trying until the day he died working for forgiveness.

The other man slowly nodded his head tears prickling in his eyes. It would take him time to forgive Onion for all the pain he caused their family. But he would try, for Marron's sake, to forgive Onion for all the harm he tried to cause.

Grass, Coffee, Tira's three kids and Chocolate's four kids, noisily entered the room, with Wheat following quietly behind them. They all faltered to a stop at the sight of all the adults with tears on their faces and froze at the sight their beloved father crying in the arms of an older man who was crying too. They sidled over to their other father, seeking comfort at the disturbing scene.

"Why is Poppa crying, daddy?" Coffee asked uneasily, clutching at her father's arm for support and reaching back to Wheat's calming presence.

Her father looked down at her and said, "Because he's happy, sweetheart."

"Who's that man, daddy?" Grass said worriedly, reaching for Wheat's calming hand. He never seen either of his fathers cry before and it was making him nervous.

His father remained silent, deep in thought. Not now, he knew, but with time they could finally heal the terrible breach in their family. He knew that it had to start with him and Onion. That Marron would remain hesitant to get any closer with Onion until he was sure that his lover had made his peace with Onion.

"Daddy?" Wheat asked anxiously to his father.

Marron raised his head from his father's embrace and saw his worried children standing with their father. Pulling himself from his father's loosen hold, he enveloped his lover in his arm. "I love you so much," he said tears still running down his face, kissing him frantically.

"And I love you too," said Carrot kissing him gently.

"Ewww, get a room you two," Grass said mischievously.

"GRASS!" came the assembled shout and they all burst into laughter.