Haley Thistle
patreon
Laertes the Fae (rough draft)
🕑 Added 2023-04-26 20:00:01 +0000 UTC“What do you mean Master Aymeric is here?” You heard someone from down the hall yell. “He didn’t call?”
“Does it look like he called?” Another voice shouted.
You were coming back from the laundry room, arms loaded with two full baskets. You hurried off towards the linen closet to set the baskets down at the very least.
“I should warn Laertes,” you mumbled to yourself. “He probably has no idea Master Aymeric is coming either.” You begin to head towards the master bedroom when you’re snatched from behind.
“What are you doing? The Master is coming! He has a guest!” You’re shoved back down the hallway without much ceremony. “Go into formation! Now!”
“Then don’t go yanking and pushing me around!” You snapped back. “Fucking hells,” you rubbed your arm where they had snatched you and you wandered down the hall. Laertes was still sleeping, you were fairly certain.
You lined up with the rest of the staff at the front door. You could hear voices outside, master Aymeric and a woman from the sounds of it. Aymeric hadn’t been here in years, but his brother, Laertes, had been living here for quite some time.
“I sure hope Laertes was better prepared to receive his brother than we are,” you thought to yourself.
The doors swung open and Aymeric was led in by a pretty human woman. You gasped to yourself, hurriedly covering up your shocked reaction, but you’re not alone. The rest of the staff seem stunned as well that a mortal has entered the fortress.
The woman seems just as stunned, looking at you and the staff with a wide eyed awe. “I thought you said you hadn’t been here in years.” She murmured to Aymeric.
Aymeric strode in, having unchanged in all these years. Except I noticed he let her lead the way. “I haven’t, but I have family members who often come to stay, so I keep the staff here regardless.” He takes off his sunglasses and tucks them into the woman’s bag. He then produces a set of keys.
The woman yanks her purse back. “Why not put things in your own pockets?” She then smiles and acknowledges us as she passes by. “Good morning. Sorry if this is sudden,” she whispers as she walks by.
Aymeric and her continue to fuss playfully back and forth as they go through the castle. From their stride and direction I can tell they’re heading for the master bedroom, where Laertes is probably still asleep.
“Back to work! Keep in mind now that the Master is home we will be changing some of our chore routines-” I ignore the pompous blatering of the staff leader and go back from where I came. I had been working on the laundry, but also, I wanted to make sure the bedroom was in order for whoever was going to be staying in it now that Master Aymeric had returned.
As you come to the main corridor you hear Laertes yelling in some distress “Let go of me!”
“This room was locked! How the hell did you get in?” Aymeric’s voice boomed.
“Shit.” You stayed back, listening to the commotion from the bedroom. After a few moments, Aymeric and the mortal woman came back down.
“You there,” Aymeric stopped before you. “How long has my brother been here?”
You went a bit cold inside and swallowed. “You didn’t know he was?” You asked with a meek tone. “He said he was here on your word.”
Aymeric’s brow arched and he clicked his tongue. “How long has he been here on my word?”
“Don’t be mad at her,” the woman hissed.
Aymeric sighed and and shook himself off. “Sorry, but, how long has Laertes been here? I’d appreciate all you know.”
In all my years here I had never heard Aymeric talk like this, let alone be swayed by anyone. This woman must be some sort of miracle charmer!
“A few years I would say,” I explained. “On and off for a while, but he’s been here continuously for the last six months. I take it he wasn’t allowed.”
Aymeric pointed back to the door. “I have the only key to that room. Do you know how he got in there without it?”
In fact I do. I was privy to a staff secret, one that was passed down from my grandmother. Hidden in a secret spot, just behind a shelf in the linen closet was a skeleton key, made centuries ago by Aymeric’s grandmother who would open locked doors to make sure her husband wasn’t philandering behind it.
“No,” I lied. “I thought you had allowed it.” That part was at least partially true.
Aymeric wiped his hand down his long face then cut his sharp eyes to me. “What’s your main job here?”
“Laundry mostly. Changing sheets. Cleaning,” I replied. “Kind of whatever pops up really.”
Aymeric clicked his tongue. “Then I am making it your personal responsibility to make sure my brother is out of my bedroom. I also want you to clean it better than you have ever cleaned any room before. I do not know what sorts my brother has had in that room, but I do not want to smell or see any sign of them. Got it?”
“Aymeric,” the woman huffed.
His stern glare softened at the sound of her voice. “At least give us clean sheets, and burn the ones she has been sleeping on once you get him out and somewhere I can’t see him.”
“Yes, of course.” I bowed my head as Aymeric and his lady went on down the hall. I rushed into the master bedroom, shutting the door behind me. “You’re in so much trouble!”
Laertes turned around, wearing nothing but his fur coat as you stormed in. “You don’t say?” he opened up the coat, enveloping you in his arms. “He scared me!”
You sighed, melting into his wam, naked embrace. He smelled immaculate, not exactly like any perfume or fragrance, just his own bewildering gorgeous aroma. His pale skin was soft against your cheek, that velvety texture you knew all too well. You were tranquil and hypnotized by him for a moment before snapping back to reality.
“Now is not that time!” You pushed him back gently. “Master Aymeric has given me the job to clean this room and get you into another.”
Laertes gave you his trademarked puppy dog pout.
“Don’t give me that.” You stoop over, picking up some of his things from the ground. You scoffed, seeing just what a mess the place was. “I knew I should have seen the red flags when you told us not to worry about this room.” You glared back at him. “If Master Aymeric knew about that skeleton key, I wouldn’t just be out of a job, I would be out of the fairy court entirely! No Fairer Folk would have anything to do with me.”
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. I owe you big time.” Laertes places his hand upon your shoulder. “I’ll make sure no one finds out.”
“You better,” you huffed at him. You then slouched, letting your frustration melt away and turn into a smile. “Help me clean this wreck. I know a room upstairs you’ll be comfortable in.”
Laertes sighed and looked around the room. “Too bad, I was really attached to this one. I’ve never slept in a bed so big.”
“Neither have I.” You pull the blankets and sheets from the bed as Laertes gathers his things. “Yet you don’t see my whining about it.” Once things were gathered you took Laertes upstairs to one of the guests rooms. You helped him put his clothes away. As he was getting dressed, you noticed his hair was in shambles.
“Come here,” you coax him to sit at the vanity. “Let me take brush out all those tangles for you.”
Laertes smiled in a bashful way. His cheek blossomed and he sat down before you. “You always have enjoyed playing with my hair.”
“You never do anything about it by yourself. And your hair is lovely.” You start from the bottom to comb out the knots. “You were like a giant doll when we were little. I could dress you up and play with your hair all I wanted. You used to have those big corkscrew curls that made me mad with envy.”
“I still feel like a doll,” he murmured. “I’m just one that nobody wants to play with. Shoved to the bottom of the toy box. Seen but completely ignored.”
You placed your hands upon his cheeks from behind and tilted his head up. You leaned over him to look into his stunning eyes. “Your brother has not cast you out. He could have, easily. But he’s still letting you stay anyways. Let that be a good sign Laertes. Besides, who the hell am I? I’ve never stopped playing with you when you’re within reach.”
His smile was sad but bright. “I suppose you’re right. As long as I have you around, I guess I’m not so alone.” He glanced aside again and you could tell what he was thinking. You weren’t enough, no, he wanted his family just as much.
“Aymeric looked in good spirits,” you said to change the subject.
Laertes nodded, turning his head towards the mirror. He looked into his own eyes, taking in a long, deep breath. “The woman he was with. She was mortal wasn’t she.”
“She is,” I murmured.
“Like your father and my mother.” You cupped your hand over Laertes’ mouth to silence him, giving him that warning look. He smiled under your palm, chuckling as you returned to brushing. “I wonder if he has softened.” His curls began to reappear as you took out the frizz and tangles. You smoothed them around your finger to define them better.
“I think he has.” You run your fingers along his scalp, just to watch him shudder. “Granted, I have not really been near him since we were little. To be fair I doubt he recognizes me.”
“To be fair I sometimes think he sees people as faceless mannequins,” he muttered. “But he actually looked at me today. I felt like he saw me. I’ve never really gotten that from him before.”
You thought about the encounter in the hallway and how Aymeric spoke to you. It was different. Aymeric always reminded you of their father, but that was merely a shadow when you saw him before.
“Do you mind braiding my hair?” Laertes asked.
You chuckled. “Fine. But I have to hurry, I can't do anything fancy. I still have to freshen the bedroom, change the linens, make sure there’s nothing left of you remaining.”
He languishes in the chair as you separate his long locks. “That's what they all say about me.”
“No they don’t,” you insisted. You tired off his braid then clasped your hands around his shoulders. “Try to spend time with your brother while he’s here. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
Laertes scoffed. “I’m so sure of that.” He rose from his chair, taking a look at himself before turning towards you. “I don’t mind how I’m treated, as long as I know I have one friend in this world.” He cupped your cheek, gently rubbing his thumb over your skin before walking out the door.
Your heart pounded from such a touch, but you couldn’t linger on it too long. There was too much work that had to be done before the evening began. You returned to the master bedroom, spending most of the afternoon there cleaning up the place and putting away Master Aymeric and his partner’s luggage. By the time you were done it was dinner time and you joined the rest of the staff to eat.
The following morning you’re returning to the linen closet to put away what you had washed the previous day. As your stepping out of the closet you see Laertes walking basically naked down the hallway.
“What are you doing?” You grabbed him, pulling him into the closet with you. “Were you in the master bedroom again?”
Laertes looks like the cat caught with the canary, only much more frightened. “I was. But it’s not what you think.”
You gave him the eye. “Then what could it possibly be.”
Laertes looked even more guilty. “I…I don’t want to tell you.”
That stung a bit. “What did you do?”
He flinched and looked away from you. “Nothing! They invited me.”
You studied him up and down, slowly piecing together what could have happened last night. You bit your lip as a twinge of jealousy began to spring up. “I take it you took my advice and spent some time with your brother.”
Laertes still didn’t look at you. “I did. His partner invited me. She’s an amazing woman to say the least.” His eyes began to tentatively look back at you. “Aymeric isn’t going to kick me out, at least I think so.”
It was a relief, even if there was a tint of resentment to it. “That’s good at least.” You reach up, combing his hair with your fingers. “You should finish getting dressed here. That way you don’t cause any more commotion.”
“Thanks, I should.” Laertes stepped behind me towards the back of the closet to finish getting dressed. “It was fun last night.”
You screwed your mouth up into a tight line. “Mm-hmm,” you grunted as you stacked sheets, despite them not needing it.
“I’ve not had so much in bed like that. Not in a long time at least. Aymeric’s little mortal is remarkable. Absolutely stunning.” He sighed in a heavenly sort of way.
You bit your lip, trying to ignore that jealousy. You’d seen Laertes come and go with any number of people. Men, women, them, multiples, he was like his father in that he couldn’t keep his cock contained. You knew because you had been with Laertes several time throughout your friendship. But this was the first time you felt almost betrayed by him.
“Is something wrong?” He was suddenly behind you, his hand on your waist.
You pulled away from him. “I didn’t sleep well last night,” you muttered. “It’s nothing to worry about.” You plastered on a big smile. “You’re probably hungry. Go and get yourself a big meal.”
Laertes gave you a cautious look. “Okay. That does sound nice.” He opened up the linen closet door and stepped out, holding the door as you walked out as well. He gave you a look, but you just brushed it off with a smile and took clean tablecloths to the dining hall.
That afternoon as you took a break in the gardens, eating your lunch alone, you saw Aymeric’s partner walk outside. She took a deep breath and stretched then saw you sitting by yourself.
She waved. “Hello there! I hope I’m not bothering you.”
‘Maybe you are.’ You thought bitterly to yourself. “Not at all. You’re the guest here after all,” you said chipperly.
She walked over to you. “I’m afraid I’m a bit lost. I thought I was heading towards the parlor, but I ended up out here.” She gave you an apologetic look. “When you’re done with your lunch, could I bother you for some help?”
You sighed, feeling a bit sorry for her. “No problem.” You patted the seat beside you. “I shouldn't be too long.”
“Thank you!” She sat down and leaned back, looking out over the garden. “It is beautiful here. Can’t complain even when I get lost.”
“It’s easy to do here.” You glance at her profile, then look back at your food.
“I’ve done it at least three times now,” she chuckled. “Laertes helped me the first time.”
A cold spike ran through you.
She glanced at you. “You’re the one who took care of the bedroom yesterday, right? You have such a cute face, I’m almost certain you are.”
You nodded, blushing a bit. “I am.”
“What sort of room did you set Laertes up in?” She asked, her voice flecked with concern. “The way he’s been talking about himself, I want to make sure he’s comfortable.”
“Not to worry,” you sighed. “I’ve taken care of Laeretes since we were kids. He’s in a good room, I promise you.”
Her eyes lit up. “You’ve known him that long.”
‘Crap, I let it slip!’ you thought. “Ya-yes. We grew up together. My mother was his nanny.”
“Then you can tell me more about him!” She said excitedly. “I want to help him with his confidence.”
“His confidence is fine. It’s his self worth I would be concerned about,” you huffed.
“Yes! Exactly, you can help me figure out a way to help him there. Last night I felt him perk back up a bit but-” She stopped when she noticed the grimace cross your face. “Oh, I guess you wouldn’t want to hear about that.”
“Not really,” you huffed.
“Sorry. I’m so used to Aymeric’s world and the people he keeps around now. I’ve forgotten some aren’t like that or even want to hear about it.”
Your stomach dropped. “We’re all used to that around here,” you huffed. “It’s nothing, really. I’ve just known Laertes so long I just-” You weren’t sure how to finish that sentence. You stood up suddenly. “You wanted to go to the parlor, right? I’ll get you there.”
“Oh, yeah.” She seemed confused by the sudden shift.
You lead her to the parlor where Aymeric and Laertes had moved most of the furniture back and were wrestling in the middle of the room.
“Really?” You sighed under your breath, rubbing your temple.
Aymeric’s partner stood beside you with an equally exasperated look. “He told me he wanted to show me the fancy pool table they had.”
“They probably got bored,” I muttered. I stepped in, clapping my hands. “These floors were just cleaned!”
Laertes stopped just enough to notice you. “Oh hi!”
Aymeric pinned him in that brief second.
“Boys,” the mortal said behind you with a stern tone.
“I don’t even know what the point of this is for, but surely it’s not a tactic for showing off,” you followed the mortal’s example and tone, stepping closer to the boys.
Time rushed by quickly then, a sudden movement from Laeretes caused a rushed and bumbling jerk from Aymeric. Someone’s leg sweeped out, hitting your foot and as you stumbled knocked you over. The silence in the room was palpable as you laid on the floor. You remained still simply from the shock of it, gazing up to the ceiling as you went through the blurry steps to your current position.
The mortal helped you up, but it was Laertes who rushed in and picked you up off the ground.
“Don’t move her so fast!” The mortal gasped in concern.
You were held aloft in Laertes arms, another stunning predicament. Looking at him, you saw a frightened, almost terrified glint to his eyes.
“What on earth were you two doing?” The mortal hissed at Aymeric.
“He wanted to bond is what he said,” Laerte’s huffed. “Then he suggested play wrestling like we used to do. But there was no play once we got into it.”
“Oh please, you pulled the first punch,” Aymeric sneered back.
Laertes turned back to you. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, fine.” You wiggled in his arms. “Just set me down.”
Laertes kept you in his arms. “You’re not hurt at all?”
“If I was hurt you two would know it!” You grunted and finally touched back down upon the floor. “Both of you, move the furniture back! I’m not explaining to the head of staff what was going on in here.”
Laertes approached again. “You sure you’re-”
“I said I’m fine!” You huffed at him.
He reached out, tucking a loose hair that had escaped from your bun. You wanted to swat his hand away, but instead you allowed him to touch you. The mortal catches this interaction and you quickly turn away with a flushed face.
“Alright, if you say so.” Laertes reached back for his fur coat, slipping it back over his shoulders.
You helped Aymeric and Laertes put some of the furniture back into place, but mostly you fussed at them for the scuff marks they left behind. After a while, you returned to working, hiding yourself away in the laundry room where you could get some peace and quiet.
The night before laid heavy on your mind. Why it bothered you so much you couldn’t decide. Laertes’ dalliances had never bothered you like this before, so why now? Was it the mortal? Perhaps just Aymeric himself? Aymeric was much wilder than Laertes, but it was always Laertes who got labeled the problem child. Whatever the three of them did last night, you didn’t want to think about it.
The laundry door opened and you stood in attention, approaching the washing machines like you were expecting it to go off.
“I’ve actually never been down here before.”
Every hair on your body stood on end and felt like a current was courshing from your throat to your belly. Laertes was coming down the stairs, looking around with a curious glint.
You furrowed your brow at him. “What are you doing down here?”
“I wanted to check on you.” He says with a slight pout.
You rolled your eyes. “I told you I was fine, Laertes. Now get on out of here before the washing machines confuse you.” You shooed him away with your hand, turning back around.
“It’s quiet down here,” Laertes murmured.
“That’s why I’m down here right now. I needed the quiet for a little bit.” You glanced over your shoulder at him. “Aren’t you having bonding time with your brother?”
Laertes was looking at a box of the fancy detergent you had to use. “No. He and his partner are doing that.”
“Not joining them again?” You grunted as you looked away.
It was quiet again, only the hum of the washing machines as they spun around, some items clanking inside.
“That bothered you,” Laertes spoke softly.
You remained quiet.
“If it did, I’m sorry.” He laid his hand on your shoulder. “I was-”
You brushed his hand off. “It doesn’t matter, Laertes. I have no say over how you conduct your life. It shouldn’t bother me. That’s what’s bothering me.”
“Uh-” Laertes was trying to follow the plot.
You turned to face him, wanting to give him the same look you always did, but instead his beautiful face made you weak. “It shouldn’t bother me. Why does it bother me this time? I’m your friend. I don’t have any say over who you’re with. You can fuck whoever you want. But this time it's-” You shut your mouth tight and grunted “There see, easy solution.”
Laertes took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It has been a while since the two of us played around. Maybe it’s overdue.”
“Oh hush,” you scoffed.
“I’m serious.” he cupped your cheek, turning your head to face him. “You were my first. My eye opener.” His thumb smoothed over your lips rather than under your eye like usual. “We used to hide from your mother and curiously explore.”
You darted your eyes away, but your cheeks were warming at the sweet memories he was trying to invoke.
“Young us, fondling one another in a tight closet. Breathing heavily. Trying to keep our voices down.” Laertes eased down and your eyes flicked back up to him. “We have a whole castle now, old friend. We can do that wherever we want, whenever we want.”
You pushed his hand aside. “Laertes-”
He smiled and leaned in again. “You said I could fuck whoever I wanted. What if it is you?”
Your eyes went half lidded and you scoffed. “Then I have some say in it.”
“You're my best friend in the whole world. Maybe even more than that,” Laertes whispered. “When everyone in this world hated me, you loved me. But I didn’t believe it.”
You took hold of his hand. “What are you getting so sentimental for?”
“Lots of reasons.” Laertes’ hand wrapped around your waist, slipping onto your lower back. “Mainly you.”
You rolled your eyes again. “Be serious.”
He dipped his head down, stealing a kiss. When he pulled away you chased after him, taking another kiss until he returned it. You gripped onto the sides of his face, pushing your fingers into his hair. Both his hands wrapped around you, tugging you close.
Both of you broke apart, breathing hard as the air around you felt a touch too hot. Laertes grabbed you again, and both of you collided in passion. You knocked over a basket of clean laundry, specifically the bed set for the master bedroom. The blankets, sheets, and pillows toppled out, unfolding and spilling to the floor.
“I need you,” Laertes panted into your ear.
You unbuttoned his top and when it opened you brushed your palms against his beautiful skin. “I know. Take me then.”
Laertes threw you down onto the clean blankets and pillows. Quick work was made of the clothing you wore, and when you tried to think about it you couldn’t remember taking them off at all. His body was fine and toned, lithe, pale, and like living moonlight. You touched him as much as you could, wanting to memorize every curve of him on the palm of your hands.
You took his cock into your hand and shivered at the sound of his moan. You pushed him down into the blankets, wanting to take control of him. Your hair fell freely around your face, and Laertes seemed enraptured by something.
“You’re beautiful,” Laertes moaned.
“So are you,” you whispered back to him in love. “I’ll never get over you.”
You slid forward, rubbing yourself against him. His cock throbbed against you, pulsing as you grew wetter. His eyes grew dizzy, and his fingers sunk into your soft flesh. It had been a while since you two partook in each other like this. Last time he had slid between your thighs, licking and teasing your folds until you were delirious. He came on your breasts and licked them clean. You were much more desperate to get to the point now, to feel him and you enraptured with the same breaths.
You couldn’t wait for foreplay. It could come later. Right now you were wet and ready, and you took Laertes inside you, gasping for breath and clinging to his chest. Laertes was struggling, you could see it painted on his face. He was sensitive, always had been, and the moment had gotten to him. He held himself strongly though, keeping from cumming in those first few moments. He held strong even as you rode him hard, taking deep pleasure in his long, beautiful cock. His body beneath you was a vision you would never forget. His hair spilled out upon the blankets, his eyes lusty but still so sweet.
You kissed him, letting him flip you over and thrust into you from behind. He grabbed your ass, spanking you as his thrusts went harder and harder. He laid over your back, pressing himself into you so it felt like you really were one.
“You’re making me cum,” he whispered to you.
Those words were enough to surge you forward. “Yes,” you breathed. “Laertes.”
He pushed inside harder, finding that spot inside that flooded your mind. You both moaned and trembled, collapsing together as if the night sky was ripped away and fed into the sun. Your body glowed all over. Laertes soft laugh took over your mind.
You laid upon the blankets you’d have to wash again with Laertes’ beloved fur coat voering your body. Laertes was holding you tight, and everything was quiet.
“I’ll take care of you,” Laertes whispered. “No more laundry. No more working here. From now on, just stay by my side. I don’t want to forget what being loved feels like.”
You kissed him. “You’ll never go a day without it again. I promise.”
