Courtship-a Makai Ouji fanfic

[givemeyourhonor]

Fandom: Makai Ouji: Devil and Realist
Pairing/Characters: Kevin/William
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Notes: An oldie but a goodie.  xposted to ao3 and squidgeworld under Silvermagess.
Summary: An encounter on a train leads to a question about Kevin's relationship status.  Post London Fic.

The train was rather heavily booked when the two of them got on, but still they had managed to get a car to themselves. "I didn't think we'd ever make it," William sighed as he stretched out in the seat, folding his arms behind his head. Storing their bags overhead, Kevin smiled wearily.

"The streets were rather packed, weren't they?" He said as he finally sat down next to him. "But someone should have awoken much earlier."

Flushing at this, William made a point at looking out the window. "That is only because I was engaged in a worthwhile endeavor last night." Worthwhile endeavor had been reading a book on Cantor's Continuum Hypothesis, a mentally stimulating endeavor. Which was naturally not conductive to the state of being asleep, especially once William had actually decided to try working out a few problems for himself.

"Your industriousness is ever a credit to your name, Young Master," Kevin smiled as he reached over and ruffled his hair. William quickly moved his head away, grumbling.

"Kevin you…"

Before he could express his annoyance though, there was a knock on the door and the conductor poked his head inside. "Begging your pardon sir, but would you be willing to accept these two lady passengers into your car?" The man stepped aside, revealing his two charges: an older woman of some bearing and her young maid. Both looked weary and William nodded immediately.

"Of course. We hardly need this compartment all to ourselves." The conductor nodded and showed the two ladies inside. He was about to start putting their bags up, when Kevin took them.

"Allow me sir. You seem like you have your hands full today anyways." The conductor smiled, obviously grateful and went on his way. The two women sat down as Kevin went about his business quickly and efficiently, before settling down.

"Thank you very much young man. I didn't know what we were going to do if we couldn't find a spot," the gentlewoman smiled at him. She had to be in her fifties at least, her blond hair streaked with grey and her face already heavy with age, but there was a sharp wit in her grey eyes. "I am Lady Frances Bryant. This is my maid, Lettie Mason," she nodded to the more severely dressed girl, who tilted her head.

"William Twining," he nodded, smiling brightly. "And this is my servant, Kevin Cecil."

"Are you a student at Stratford then, Mr. Twining?" As the conversation continued, he soon found out that Lady Bryant was one of the many patrons of the school, continuing on the work of her late husband, Lord Henry Bryant. She also had a grandson there, a boy named Eric, though William couldn't say he knew him. Yet.

But he was going to change that as soon as possible, because he could sense an opportunity here. He would have to meet this first year and become a good role model to him. Out of the goodness of his heart of course. And if Lady Bryant decided to show her gratitude through a future recommendation, then that was merely a stroke of luck.

They ended up chatting about the usual small talk here and there. It was nothing truly deep or of any import, but Lady Bryant was rather lively and warm in temperament, so it wasn't trying speaking with her either. Though as the conversation wore on, William found himself caught by the actions of the maid, Mason. She was looking at Kevin, rather… expectantly.

The girl's hair was dark brown, locks pulled into a severe bun, which didn't suit a face that was probably pretty enough despite its plain features. But right now, there was something very bright in her eyes, directed at Kevin. Kevin seemed more focused on the notebook before him, no doubt planning out the next week. William pulled himself back towards Lady Bryant's conversation after a moment, though he could feel Mason's gaze, like a strange, jarring thing.

It was after a bit, when Lady Bryant quieted down and then drifted off to sleep that William really began to notice just what was going on. Kevin had managed to procure a newspaper for him and William was engaged in reading the events of the day when the maid spoke. Her accent was very much of the country, her voice more gentle than her demeanor indicated.

"So Mr. Cecil, are you from Pembrookeshire, like Mr. Twining?"

He could sense Kevin's surprise that then eased into a gentle smile. "No, actually my family is from Yorkshire and…" It was then that Kevin spun the familiar lie, which sounded so strange when he knew the truth. That this man was a demoted archangel from heaven, who had interacted with kings, demons, great scholars and many other important figures. Not the humble house steward who came from a small, religious family, with a brother lost to war.

"Oh, I have an aunt from there," Mason said, all too eagerly and with that she began to chatter back at Kevin, who spoke with equal enthusiasm in return. The way the girl's eyes kept lighting up was unexpected. It made her face much prettier. And that was somehow very annoying. William ended up burying his face in the paper, trying to drown out the conversation.

The ride passed like that for a while in fact, with Mason being a much more energetic talker than anyone could have imaged and Kevin just as happy to indulge. Thankfully William managed to doze off himself, not waking until the train had stopped and they were all ready to disembark.

"Ah, I am sorry that I drifted off like that, Mr. Twining," Lady Bryant yawned, rubbing her eyes as they exited the train.

Shaking his head, William smiled. "Not at all. The ride does go a bit faster that way, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does…" She nodded and looked back at Mason, who was waiting by the Lady's bags, while Kevin went to find a porter for the two. William hadn't brought enough to merit the same, but it wouldn't have done to leave their temporary companions unaided. "They did seem to get along marvelously, didn't they?" Lady Bryant nodded to herself. "My Mason and your Mr. Cecil I mean."

There was a strange prickle along the back of William's spine, but he nodded. "Kevin is very congenial in general." When he wasn't torturing people. "And Miss Mason is a very pleasing girl." It was sincere, despite the way her talkative nature had worn on him near the end.

Lady Bryant continued looked in Mason's direction as Kevin came back with the porter. The way the maid's eyes lit up took years off her face, making her look like a very smitten school girl.

How stupid.

"You said he also works as a priest at the school?" Seeing William nod, she raised an eyebrow. "It is a very queer thing indeed, though more respectable than most side jobs, especially considering your family's situation." William managed to keep himself from blanching, for he had been hoping the Lady was naïve. Fortunately, she had the decency to not discuss it further. "But well anyways, it seems this is where we shall part, Mr. Twining. I really would appreciate it if you would look after my Eric."

"But of course," William smiled then, his brightest, friendliest smile. One that said this young man is responsible and selfless.

Kevin joined him and nodded to the Lady and they were soon on their way through the crowded streets. "That was a nice ride, wasn't it, Young Master?" Kevin beamed at him, carrying their bags in both hands. "And you even have a possible connection in the future."

Nodding, William rubbed the back of his neck, not able to be as happy as he should be. "You seemed to be enjoying the company more than I did. Is that what you are like when flirting?" The words caused Kevin to pause, giving William a scandalized look.

"Young Master, I hardly have any interest in that sort of thing-"

"-then you shouldn't go out of your way to trick someone who most certainly does," William sighed as he continued on, now irritated all over again. They walked for a while in silence, before Kevin spoke again.

"I guess it was a bit improper of me, but Young Master, the way humans court one another isn't something I really understand. Otherwise I assure you, I would have put a stop to it," he said adamantly.

"Do angels not do that sort of thing? I mean I had been led to understand that you weren't so different than demons in that regard." He could see the way Kevin's mouth set into a tight line for a moment. It was fortunate that passerby were all taken with their own business, or else this conversation would have become even more inappropriate.

"…we do to an extent, but not to the level that their kind do. Opportunities tend to be more limited."

"So, have you ever-"

"No," Kevin said it quietly, looking ahead. "There was never any time for it. And it became difficult after I lost my wing."

That wasn't an actual no, William thought to himself. Barriers such as difficultly and lack of time…

Those excuses didn't indicate a lack of desire. Just that there hadn't ever been an encounter passionate enough to merit breaking through those limits. It was a bit sad actually.

"And you never thought to do that while you down here? I mean, I know humans are different, but-"

"It wouldn't exactly be fair of me, would it Young Master?" Sighing, Kevin continued on. "Even putting aside such concerns as honesty and our being different species, I am so much older and more powerful than any partner I could find here. And besides," he then smiled over at William, "they would always have to compete with you."

Feeling his face heat up, William snorted indignantly. "I suppose that would be a pity. To see a grown man carry on like that about a seventeen year old boy," he brushed his hand through his hair, still feeling that indulgent smile on him.

"It is hardly anything I feel ashamed of Young Master."

There as a long silence as they approached the coach station, before William was finally able to speak. "But you know Kevin," William thought on how to say it, "Age and power and all of those differences," he fumbled over the words right then, "they are all meaningless in the face of actual, legitimate emotion. And there are other factors that can balance them out." He could feel Kevin's surprise and doubt at that moment. "What I am saying is you shouldn't let such a thing be a concern, but go forth boldly. Love, that sort of thing, it works itself out in the end. Not that I have any interest in it of course!"

They had reached their destination by now and he could feel Kevin giving him a long, considering look. William tilted his head towards him just in time to be favored with one of those sunshine bright smiles that one could never win against. Before he could sputter out a response, Kevin chuckled at him, not unkindly. "I suppose I should take Young Master's advice then."

"Y-yes, see that you do," William muttered. "Just do not come crying to me if it goes awry." The thought of hearing about Kevin's love woes was definitely not a pleasant one, for a variety of reasons, half of which William didn't want to articulate.

"Such confidence," Kevin gave him a cheeky smile, setting down their bags for a moment of turning to him. "But I as usual, I thank you for your concern Young Master. And as for the young lady, you needn't worry. Truly you do not."

There was a long silence and William sighed and pointed at Kevin. "Very well! I will hold you at your word then!"

"And you shall have it. Though it is very flattering, seeing you like this," Kevin chuckled as he picked up the bags, obviously rested.

"Seeing me like what?" William blinked as Kevin began to walk on, not giving him an answer. "Kevin?" He strode after him, calling out, but Kevin refused to give him more than a mysterious smile.