☆ Round Two!

[jsmn_kink]

Welcome to the second round of the Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Kink Meme at jsmn_kinkmeme!

Below are some basic guidelines, but please make sure you also check out our complete Rules & Guidelines.

Guidelines:
■ Anonymously comment with your request – a character/pairing/nthsome, and a kink or prompt.
■ Only one prompt per post.
■ Fillers please link your fills in the Fills Post!
■ Have fun! :)

Keep in mind:
■ Any kinks welcomed!
■ The fill/request does not need to be sexual or porny.
■ Multiple fills are allowed.
■ Fills can be any sort of creative work: fic, art, song, photomanip, etc.
■ Beware of spoilers! Prompters and requesters are encouraged to warn for spoilers, but this rule is not enforced.
■ Warning for non-con, dub-con, abuse, slurs/language, and other potentially disturbing subjects is encouraged but be aware we do not enforce this.
■ Would fillers please make sure when posting a fill in multiple parts that they thread their comments by replying to previous parts.

Links:
☆ Mod Post
☆ Fills Post
☆ Discussion Post
☆ Misfire deletion requests
☆ Previous Rounds: Round One

Comments

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 1/?)

[(Anonymous)]

He would have known the feeling anywhere.
It had become a part of his life now, the background hum of magic, the occasional friendly tug or more aggressive twinge.
It had not happened like this in some time.
This time the magic was a wave that pounded John Segundus to the floor.
He could hear that he had knocked over his ink. It dripped to the floor next to him in little plops as he used the desk he had been writing at to pull himself up to his knees.
There was a noise in his ear like many angry whispers, each wanting him to do something different.
Segundus decided to follow the whispers, inauspicious as they were, and the tide of magic lapping at the house.
He could not stand so he crawled to where the door to the room was and then down the stairs.
He thought of calling for help and wanted to very much, especially as his hands, still wet with spilled ink, spilled on the stairs and he tumbled to his face the last quarter of the way down, but all of the servants had been given off for the afternoon.
The only person still around was Childermass and Segundus opened his mouth to call out for him, but not for help. He knew that if he was reduced to this that it would be so much worse for the man who had been slowly, over the last months, been becoming his friend and companion.
Segunuds pulled himself from his tumble to the floor and managed to make it to his feet
He attempted to call out again, but was only able to creak out the first the part of Childermass' name. The rest was lost in a frantic gulp as the magic, which he could now tell was coming from somewhere just outside the house, rushed at him again. He was able to stay on his feet, bit just barely.
He squinted his eyes open as far as they would go and with great pain in doing so.
Segundus took a few feeble steps toward the kitchen and closed his eyes, gasping in relief. He shuffled blindly forward a few paces and then tried to open his eyes again.
In this way, John Segundus made it to the back door of the kitchen.
The magic was stronger than ever as was the vague sense of being shouted out by the air, or something in the air.
He was still resting his eyes as he moved out by feeling in front of him into the garden of the house and the early summer sunshine hit his face. He managed a few steps toward the feeling of magic on very unsteady feet and that was when he heard a familiar voice.
"Mr Segundus. Stop."
Childermass' voice was choked and the sound of it, of him in the midst of whatever was happening, chilled Segundus.
He forced his eyes open saw three tall and lovely beings surrounding John Childermass.
He could not keep them open in that way for very long, but Segundus had the distinct impression that all of the fairies were female and very similar in appearance.
"Oh look, another one," said one of them.
"I like this one better," said another with pout. "The second is too fragile."
"But I like fragile."
"Sisters!"
Segundus peeled his eyes open again. The tallest of the women fairies, long hair the color of fire down her back, was stroking Childermass' hair. Childermass looked to be in great pain. His forehead had broken out into a sweat and he was panting slightly with the effort of not collapsing.
"We do not have much time. Father will notice we are gone and we will be in trouble. I am the oldest and I like this one. He is the one we will take."
Segundus was able to fall forward a few feet and keep in an upright position. He forced his mouth open and air into his lungs and he screamed a forceful "No!" at the fairy sisters as he opened his eyes.
"Mr Segundus..."
The fairies all had their eyes on him.
"He is strong," said the one who had called herself the oldest.
"Yes," said the other two in unison.
"You cannot take him!" said Segundus.
"And why not?"
"He is..." Segundus gulped. His eyes closed he nearly dropped to the ground at the sensation, but he opened them again. He felt he would fall over at any moment. "He is mine!"
The loud noise at his ears stopped. He heard a thud.
Segundus could breathe easier now and the tightness at his chest released. It still stung, but he was able to blink several times and clearly look at the scene in front of him.
Childermass was lying on the ground, heaving. The three fairies were watching him and then all turned to Segundus.
"We did know," said the one who called herself oldest. "Englishman, we are not as rude as you have heard."
"Not all of us," said one of the younger ones.
"Yes," said the third. "Some of our brothers are very rude."
The oldest raised her hand.
"If this man is yours, you may have him back," she said to Segundus.
Childermass raised his head from the ground where he had been resting his cheek against the grass. He gave a distinctive glare to Segundus.
"Yes," said Segundus though he could not keep his voice from shaking. "You must leave him with me."
"He is ill behaved," said the oldest sister, studying Childermass, who was still crawling up to his knees, his hair falling in front of him. "We can help."
"No. No, thank you," said Segundus.
"It is the least we can do." The oldest fairy sister patted Childermass' head. "From now on you must be good. From now on, you must stay with your master and obey him."
There was a sound as of a loud click and a knot in Segundus' stomach, like he was being pulled by a rope closer to Childermass. He and Childermass met eyes, both confused. Childermass must feel the same sensation, he thought.
"There," said the oldest fairy sister. "You will have no problems in the future."
"What have you done?" asked Segundus.
But he was talking to air. The sisters were gone and Childermass was still on his knees. Segundus rushed toward him and tried to help lift him, but Childermass pushed him away.
"No, Segundus," he said. "What have you done?

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 2/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Childermass was finally able to stand, but very shakily. His knees buckled after a few moments and he had no choice but to grab onto Segunuds to keep from a fall back to the ground.
"I am yours?" asked Childermass. He started to roll his eyes but even that movement was too much and he closed them instead.
"I was panicked!" said Segundus. "You were in danger."
He reached into his pocket for a handkerchief to hand to Childermass to wipe his sweaty face. He noticed then that his hands were covered in ink as were the knees of his trousers. The door frame that helped to steady him earlier bore his hand prints in black.
"You should know better," said Childermass. "This isn't the first time-"
The color drained from his face and he stumbled again. Segundus caught him but Childermass attempted once more to push away.
"Let me help you!" said Segundus in worry of Childermass' pale complexion and obvious weakness. And he did. Despite a strange look on his face, he allowed Segundus to keep him on his feet and hand him the handkerchief.
"I think we should talk inside," mumbled Childermass. "See if we can figure out what sort of magic you've gotten us involved in. Oh, and you have ink in your hair too."
Childermass allowed Segundus to help him back to the house and pull a seat up for him in the kitchen, which he sank into. There were footprints and smears of ink on the floor from the strained trip through the house under the influence of magic.
Segundus poured Childermass a glass of water from a pitcher on the counter and brought it to him. He poured some more of the water onto a cloth, which he attempted to bring to Childermass' forehead before he was swatted away.
"John Childermass, you aren't well."
The aforementioned man grunted through a gulp of water in response and did not break the glare that he had begun the garden until he put down the glass and slumped forward onto his arms.
"Please," said Segundus, making a small movement toward Childermass with the cloth again. "Forgive me."
Childermass, who had been resting his head in his arms, looked up slowly. His face was filled with terror.
"I forgive you," he said.
"Oh, I am relieved!" said Segundus.
"I did not intend to say that," said Childermass quickly.
"What?"
"I was not quite ready to speak to you. When you said that though, I could not help but say that you were forgiven. It was all I wanted to do.
"I don't understand."
Childermass shook his head.
"And in the garden...I think I felt it then, when you asked me to allow your help. I am very worried that something horrible has happened."
He stood up then and silenced the protest from Segundus he could feel coming before it started with a weary look.
"You wait here," said Childermass.
He walked away from Segundus and out the door. He continued to walk until he in the middle of the garden, which was a few hundred yards from where Segundus stood in the kitchen. when he suddenly stopped. Segundus felt a strange pull then, in the same place in his stomach he had first felt the sensation when the fairies were present and doing their magic.
In the garden, Childermass tried again to move forward, but was pulled back with a slight yank. He kicked at whatever unseen barrier was preventing him from moving forward and then turned.
"John Segundus can you please come here?"
Segundus did and walked out into the garden. Each step he took, Childermass was able to as well.
"Do you see what has happened?" he asked.
"Well, it would he hard not to," said Segundus.
Childermass stared at him.
"I have apologized!"
"What exactly did the fairy say?"
"I don't remember!" said Segundus. He brushed away a drop of ink he felt slipping down his face from his hair. "Stay with your master? Do as he says?"
Childermass wobbled a bit where he stood and the little color that had come back to his face drained.
"Segundus. I am afraid that this is very bad."
"I understand your meaning, I think," whispered Segundus.
Childermass walked forward toward him. Segundus looked down at the ground, ashamed to meet the anger and fear he saw in Childermass.
"Tell me to do something," he said.
"Please, no. I don't-"
"Segundus."
Segundus looked up. Childermass was inches from him now and it was too much to meet him this close. He felt tears coming to his eyes and did not want Childermass to see.
"We must figure this out, John," Childermass said. "We must know."
Segundus shook his head and Childermass grabbed his arm.
"John."
Segundus took a very long breath that filled his lungs and allowed him to concentrate on not crying.
"Let me go," he said. It was so soft he wondered if he had been heard, but he knew he was, because Childermass dropped his arm.
They stood in silence for a moment and then Childermass cursed. He turned to walk back to the house, but just as he entered the door, was yanked back toward his new master.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 3/?)

[(Anonymous)]

The afternoon went on because it had to.
There was nothing that John Segundus would have liked to do more than hide for a while until he felt better, less guilty, but that was not possible. There were many things to do and anyway, the would be no hiding at for the time being. He would know wherever he was that Childermass had followed him there because he had no choice but to do so.
Segundus walked toward the house and now that Childermass was able to move again, he did, and preceded him inside.
Childermass threw himself into a chair in the kitchen and glowered at nothing in particular.
"Childermass-" Segundus started to say.
"Please. I do not want to hurt your feelings, but if I have to speak to you at the moment, I may do so."
"I see."
It was past time for lunch and and Segundus gathered some bread and cheese and fruit and set it at the table because he felt he must do something and that passed a few very tense minutes and gave him, for a short while, something else to put his mind to,
He and Childermass sat across from each other at the table in silence for some time. Segundus ate a few bites of food but Childermass only stared and sighed.
"We will think of some solution," said Segundus.
"I have other things to do than fix this," said Childermass.
"Oh. So you intend-"
"I am saying that this is has interrupted other important work. Of course we must fix it."
Both men were drained from the afternoon and after Segundus cleaned the cold lunch away, he stared down at his hands for some time, trying to work up the nerve to speak to Childermass again.
"I am a mess," he eventually said. "I must have a bath."
"Do it then."
"Childermass..."
It seemed for a second that Childermass had managed to forget his new bondage. When he caught Segundus' meaning, he groaned.
"Fine," he said.
There were still hours until anyone else would be home, so Segundus put the water the on stove himself and pulled out the tub and began to drag it up the stairs.
"What are you doing?" asked Childermass.
"Taking this upstairs. It's where I bathe. In my room."
He had not considered that Childermass would have different, perhaps less private, bathing habits until then. It was to Childermass' credit that angry was he was, he did not let Segundus struggle with the tub, but carried it with him, and the water too.
When it was ready, Childermass sat outside Segundus' door while he undressed and bathed for some time. He had nearly fallen asleep leaning against the door when he heard Segundus call for him.
"Childermass, I am very sorry..."
"What?"
"The water...it's black and I am not clean yet. I must empty the tub and start again. If I asked...would you?
"You know I would have no choice."
He waited a moment and then entered the room. Segundus was in a robe and standing next to the tub, dripping water onto the floor. He and Segundus dumped it and then filled it again.
Segundus continued his bath until the three servants came home in the late afternoon, Soon after they were heard approaching, Segundus emerged in fresh clothes with very pink skin.
Childermass followed him downstairs, where the maid was in a state at the ink all over the house. She was even more overworked by the sad look on Segundus' face and it seemed to erase her frustration at the mess instantly. She set to cleaning and took care of the tub of inky water without asking questions, but looked forlornly at Segundys several times out of concern. Segundus informed them that Childermass had some unexpected business and would be staying for dinner.
Segundus and Childermass sat in the parlor while dinner was prepared, Childermass with his arms crossed staring ahead out the window and Segundus with a book that he made a show of interest in while in reality looking every minute or so at Childermass.
The meal was quiet. Childermass had regained his appetite and then some and ate without speaking, Segundus thought a few times of trying to engage him in conversation, but he was exhausted did not wanted to cause more harm. He picked at his food and was despondent each time he caught Childermass' face across the table.
After dinner, Segundus wanted only to sleep and said as much.
"Well, if you are going to bed, then I am too," said Childermass.
Problem piled upon problem, thought Segundus. They went upstairs together and tried many different variations of them standing or lying in separate rooms to see what would work for sleeping arrangements. It was feasible to a point, if they moved their beds against adjoining walls, but there was a deep straining at the bond between them this way that was very uncomfortable for both.
Segundus sat on his bed on one side of a wall and Childermass on the other and all Segundus felt was a wish to loosen to the taut feeling he had in his middle.
"How will we explain?" he asked when Childermass came back in the room as he pushed his bed back to where it had been. Childermas too looked relieved to have the bond relaxed, but Segundus did not mention it.
"You decide," said Childermass.
What Segundus decided was that tonight, they would tell no one.
He brought back several blankets and a pillow to the room. He handed them to Childermass, who started to make a pallet on the floor, and then pulled the curtains over the windows.
"I must undress now," he muttered.
Childermass shrugged.
Segundus kept his back turned while he took off each layer of clothing on the top half pf his body and set it on the bed. When he was done, he pulled on his sleeping down and then removed his breeches.
Childermass was lying on the floor, still in his clothes, looking up at the ceiling.
"Do not say goodnight to me, please," he said.
"If you don't wish it, I won't."
Segundus got into bed and pulled the covers over himself. He had just closed his eyes when he heard Childermass speak.
"I will try to be less angry tomorrow," he said, much more gently than he had said anything else since the incident in the garden. "I know you meant well. And who knows where I would be now, otherwise."
"You have every right to anger. I will try...I will try to be careful in my speech while we solve this so that you are as comfortable as you can be. I do not want you to do things you don't want to, even if they are small."
Childermass did not respond, so Segundus closed his eyes again. He could not sleep for some time and tossed in his bed. Eventually, he heard Childermass removing his clothes though Segundus did not think he slept.
The last thing he thought of before sleeping was the expression on the fairy women's faces when they had looked at Childermass. He thought that this may cost him a friendship in the end, but that he was glad he had done it, after all, to have Childermass here and safe.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 3/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my goodness, this wonderful and very thoughtfully done! I am not the OP but thank you for filling this prompt! I look forward to future installments :)

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 3/?)

[(Anonymous)]

A!A here. Thanks so much for reading!! I am really glad you are enjoying it.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 3/?)

[(Anonymous)]

oh this is an amazing take on this trope! :D

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 3/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you so much!!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 4/?)

[(Anonymous)]

The sun woke Segundus early in the morning. He pushed the blanket away from himself and rolled over in the bed. On the floor, Childermass was asleep on his back, naked. Segundus tried not to look as he sat up, but could not help a blush at the slight.
"Childermass," he said softly. He did not know exactly what time it was, the servants would be awake and moving around soon if they weren't already.
"Childermass," he said again, a little louder. The man did not stir.
"Childermass, it's late, wake up."
With a gasp like he had only moments before been submerged under water, Childermass bolted upright, his eyes hot with fear. Segundus' hands flew to his mouth and he was so ashamed that he could not speak.
"Segundus," panted Childermass as the shock of being so startled awake and being forced to obey the command wore off. "The very last thing you said last night was that you would be careful."
"I-"
"Yes, you're sorry. I have heard."
Childermass ran his fingers through his hair and as his body relaxed, he remembered his nakedness. He reached for the breeches laying beside the pallet on the floor and pulled them over his legs.
Segundus battled tears as he dressed with his back turned to Childermass.
"You don't know," said Childermass. "I understand that I am being harsh toward you, but you don't know it feels to be so powerless. The sensation when you tell me to do something..." He finished his thought with a sigh.
The only thing Segundus could think to say, Childermass did not want to hear, so he was quiet.
"One of us should leave before the other," said Childermass to himself when both of them were dressed. He left his pile of blankets and pillow on the floor next to Segundus' bed.
"Childermass. We cannot.."
Childermass swore under his breath as he remembered why this was not possible and he and Segundus walked to the door together. Segundis did not think to ask him in what other situations he may have been arranging leaving leaving someone's room so as to not be seen.
"Today, we need to figure out the constraints of this spell," said Childermass in a whisper as they walked down the stairs. "The bond linking us seems easy enough to comprehend, but the other part..."
Once again he could only sigh at the problem and Segundus nodded in agreement. He was trying not to speak at all for the moment, in hopes of lessening the impact of the spell on Childermass.
Breakfast at Starecross was not much normally. Segundus would grab what he felt like from the kitchen as he was often too busy to sit down and did not want to trouble anyone to cook a meal that he would forget to eat. But there was tea made when they arrived downstairs and they each drank a cup and ate a bit of bread watching the summer morning out the window. If not for the spell and horrible sadness Segundus felt each time the bond between him and Childermass tugged in reminder that it was there, or the fear each time he nearly opened his mouth to speak, it would have been pleasant.
When they had finished eating and their tea was drunk, Segundus thought very carefully and then slowly spoke so that no unintended word would make its way from his mouth.
"What do you think we should do now?"
Questions seemed a safe bet at the moment.
"Discover what the bounds of this spell are to keep ourselves safe until we break it."
"Do you mean, keep you safe?"
Childermass, much to Segundus' relief, seemed to have recovered from the accidental command that had been issued to wake him and as well noticed the care Segundus was going to to avoid accidentally ordering him to do something. His voice was much less biting when he spoke and his glare has dissolved back into his normal expression.
"Yes," he said. "I do appear to be more in danger than you."
"Where?" asked Segundus. He thought on his next words. "I am worried about being seen."
"One of the spare room upstairs waiting for the students will do," said Childermass. He and Segundus walked together upstairs and to a room at the far end of the hall. Segundus opened it with his keys and they went in.
The room faced east and the sun was hitting it fully now. It had not yet been readied for its future occupant and dust jumped into the air ahead of each of their steps and up into the sunlight and the men stepped through bright show it made as they walked.
Childermass stopped near the middle of the room and Segundus did the same.
"I do not want to do this," said Segundus, his voice weak. "I am extremely uneasy-"
"If we don't know exactly what is going on, something very bad may happen by accident. It is best to it test now, where we are safe. But I..." His face softened as much as it had since yesterday. "I appreciate your reluctance."
They faced each other in the middle of the room.
"Issue a command," said Childermass. "Straightforward."
Segundus looked away as he spoke, hardly able to comprehend what he was able to do.
"Sit down," he said.
And Childermass did. Segundus peeked over at him and Childermass was blinking away a bit of surprise but otherwise fine.
"I believe that once I have done what you said, then I am free," said Childermass, and easily stood.
For the first time, Segundus felt a bit of hope at their situation.
"Now," said Childermass, "you must tell me to do something not so easily completed or something with a vague definition of completion. I think we know what will happen, but we must be sure."
After thinking for a second of something that seemed harmless, Segundus told Childermass to stand on one leg. Childermass did, but then found that he could not put down his left leg once he had given in to fulfilling the command. He attempted to, but his knee knocked against the air like it was solid.
"As I thought," he said, though it seemed to strain him to do so. "Sitting down was done and over, but you did not tell me how long to stand on one leg or that I could stop, so here I am."
"Oh no..."
Childermass wobbled a bit after a few minutes but found that even falling over was impossible.
"Segundus!" he called as righted himself as best he could, looking a bit like a marionette.
"Yes, of course! Sorry. Please, stop standing on one leg now."
The next hour went the same. They confirmed that Segundus could, to a lesser degree, entice Childermass into a chosen action with words like should and would, with pleases, with hearing that Segundus would like him to do something.
After it was over, Segundus was feeling defeated and slumped from the room when he and Childermass left off their experiments for the day.
"Oh, I wish Mr Strange were here," he said.
"Do you?" asked Childermass.
"I feel he would he helpful. His knowledge was almost unparalleled and he was never short of innovation. He would have some idea of a solution."
For a second, a look crossed Childermass' face that made Segundus wonder for a second if he had accidentally issued some command without meaning to, but was it was quickly gone.
"Well, it's just the two of us," said Childermass. We will have to make do."
They reached the bottom of the stairs and Childermass turned to Segundus and fixed him with a look that stopped Segundus in the middle of a step. "Don't do yourself any injustices, John Segundus. Strange needed help to best one fairy and you managed three simply by speaking to them."
"Oh, I don't think..."
"Is that not what happened?"
"I suppose...I suppose I can think of no other way to put it."
Despite the trials of the morning, lunch that afternoon seemed more relaxed. Childermass ate well and spoke to Segundus in his usual manner. Segundus let go of a bit of his despair Childermass even suggested that they make the most of the abundant sunlight and take to studying some of the soon to be school's recently acquired books for solutions to their problems and they went together to the room that had recently become the library.
"Childermass," said Segundus when they were behind a closed door again. They had each picked out a book they thought would be helpful and were sitting on the floor. "You said this morning that the bond linking us was straightforward. But I don't think it is, not at all. Last night, we were close enough in separate rooms that we should have been easily able to stay like that, but weren't able to. I think the magic likes you to be where you can be seen by me."
"How thoughtful of the magic," said Childermass without looking up from his book. "I think you're right, inconvenient as it is."
"And you were also mistaken that it's just the two of us to solve this problem."
"Was I?"
"Yes," said Segundus. "I think we should write to Honeyfoot and ask him to come if he can. I think he would he very helpful."
"Very well," said Childermass. "Tonight, we write letters. I will have to make some excuses for my delay here and you can summon Honeyfoot."
"Please," groaned Segundus. "Do not say summon."

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 5/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Luckily for Childermass and Segundus, the fairy sisters that had sought to make Childermass theirs had left a presence in the area felt by many. The perceptible, magical change in the atmosphere had led to rumors and a fair amount of speculation as to what had caused it. Some wondered if Strange and Norrell might be returning, but were relieved that the sky stayed clear and blue with no hint of dark pillars.
The three servants at Starecross whispered about the stories they had heard on the way home from the fete they had been given the afternoon off to attend.
Childermass and Segundus were writing their letters together when they heard Charles in the other room telling the maid about a rash of thefts and other odd happening said to have occurred yesterday afternoon and evening and to be the result of magic, no part of which had been confirmed. Charles swore that among other things, a young woman's favorite snow white cat had disappeared. It was said that the cat had been taken to lure the woman, known to be very pretty, to magical parts unknown.
"That's not true, do you think?" whispered Segundus.
"It's a cat, Segundus." Childermass continued writing as he spoke. Segundus had only just discovered when they sat down together that afternoon Childermass could use either of his hands to write and he was currently using his left, which he had proclaimed neater. "It will probably be home in a few days. That's what cats do."
"Of course. of course. Only...I hope that they didn't harm to anyone else when they left here without you. I would hate to think that you were saved only for another person to become their prisoner."
The presence of powerful, very much un-English magic and the accompanying stories of things attributed to it and explaining it gave the men an opening to account for their new sleeping arrangements.
It was Segundus who saw the chance and made a show of asking for help that he did not strictly need moving some books and magical implements to his room in the evening.
"Mr Childermass is needed to help me discern what has happened," he explained to Charles with as much authority as he could muster. "We must work tirelessly."
At this, Charles nodded.
"Since we don't yet know how late we will work, or the effect any spells we might do will have on us, it is safest if we are both where we can be seen by the other. There may be no one else who can intervene if something should happen to one or the other of us."
Charles had a reverential fear of magic and a great respect for Mr Segundus and thus considered this logical. He knew that Mr Segundus had done powerful magic and would not think of questioning him on such matters. If Mr Segundus said that Mr Childermass must sleep on his floor to do magic, then it was so.
Childermass watched Segundus with an amused expression while he talked to Charles and gave a gruff laugh when they were alone again.
"Do you intend to do magic tonight?" he asked.
"I intend to sleep," said Segundus as he sat on his bed with his head in his hands.
Though he had thankfully avoided him or Childermass being taken to any fairy kingdoms and suffering the same malaise as Lady Pole and Stephen Black , Segundus was affected by the magic that had influenced his every movement now for over a day and he was tired. He did not know how Childermass could seem so energetic still. He turned away from Childermass and began to undress with as much discretion as he could manage.
"You're not going to offend me, Segundus," he heard Childermass say to his back. He was reaching for his sleeping gown and had nothing on above his waist. "I have seen naked bodies enough."
"Well, I haven't," said Segundus.
Even though he could not see Childermass, he could feel a question waiting to be asked that wasn't. Segundus was relieved. He was too tired for personal inquiries.
Segundus lay down in his bed but did not close his eyes right away. Childermass was on his pallet next to the bed, reading one of the books that had been brought in.
"Today was as productive as it could have been," said Childermass.
"Are you still angry with me?" asked Segundus.
Childermass rested the book on his chest and looked up at Segundus who was watching him with large, worried eyes.
"My freedom has been taken from me completely. That's not easy to bear."
"I understand."
"No, you don't. But when I think if I would rather be the prisoner forever of some fairy women or your servant; you win, John Segundus."
"I don't think of myself as your master, Childermass."
"But you are. For the time being, at least."
Childermass ended the conversation by picking up the book again and starting to read where he had left off. The room was quiet for several minutes except for the occasional turn of a page in Childermass' book. He thought perhaps that Segundus had fallen asleep until he spoke again.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Childermass peered around his book at him.
"I don't know if you're aware, but when...when it happens, when you are forced to obey me, there is a look on your face. It is a bit like surprise, and a bit like you have forgotten something, but it doesn't look like you're in pain."
"What do you want to know?"
Segundus' voice was small when he spoke.
"What does it feel like?"
Childermass sighed.
"Like I would give anything do what you have asked. Like my greatest joy would be fulfilling what you have told me to do. I am frantic to find to a way to do as you have said and it is not possible for me not to comply."

The letter inviting Honeyfoot to come as soon as he was able left the next morning and two days after, he arrived at Starecross.
In the interim, Childermass and Segundus had developed a slap dash routine centered around their need to stay close to one another, Segundus' desire to speak carefully, and studying ways to break the spell.
Segundus had not yet become truly comfortable undressing or dressing in front of Childermass since they had started sharing a room, He was still surprised each morning by the sight of Childermass' naked body lying next to his bed when he first woke. It had become, in the short time since the spell took effect, the body besides his own that he was most familiar with, through no effort on his part as he started and ended each day fumbling around trying not to see the man nude. He had managed to memorize by accident a mole on Childermass' thigh and the pattern of the dark hair on his chest.
Honeyfoot had been frightened when he heard that fairy magic had been used on them and was relieved when he arrived to find both men very well, doing nothing more exciting than squabbling over magic in the Starecross parlor.
"I was concerned that you were suffering like poor Lady Pole," he exclaimed.
"No, we are well," said Segundus. "Well enough, that is."
"Speak for yourself," said Childermass.
That morning, a heated argument on how they might break the spell joining them had led to Segundus suggesting that Childermass could be kinder to him. This had resulted in a marked, though thankfully only momentary, change in his personality while Segundus reversed what he had said. Childermass had quite alarmingly managed to literally throw himself at Segundus' feet, which was where he was when Segundus reversed his command. The shift in his central being and terrifying desire show Segundus how kind he could be in any way possible had upset Childermass greatly. The knowledge that Segundus could fundamentally change who another person was with just a few words had been very frightening to him as well and the rest of the morning had been more tense and quiet than they had become used to. Neither could forget the moment when Segundus finally managed to bring him back and Childermass looked up him as the effect wore off, his arms still around Segundus' legs and his eyes confused as he slipped back from the person he had been a moment ago back to himself.
Childermass and Segundus explained to Honeyfoot in private the details of the spell and what they had discovered about it.
"Mr Segundus," asked Honeyfoot after he had listened "Do you still have the spell that you used to free Lady Pole?"
"Yes," said Segundus. "I put it away after that day and haven't looked at it since, but I still have it."
"What are you thinking?" asked Childermass.
"Maybe it would be possible somehow to do that spell in reverse? With some alterations? It might be possible to use its theory to some advantage. It is meant to join two things parted. Why should we not be able to part two things joined?"
"Even if it were possible, that only solves one part of the problem," said Segundus.
"But it might be easier overall to fully reverse this if we could at least be in separate rooms."
Segundus wondered if Childermass was thinking that the problem would be managed well if he could stay far away from the person with the power to change him into a new man with only a handful of syllables.
"It would also be helpful if we had the man who wrote it," said Honeyfoot. "Mr Childermass, isn't Vinculus your special charge these days?"
Childermass grunted.
"He is. Or he is supposed to be. He told me that he wanted to go back to London, as one of his wives was due to have a baby around now. I saw no reason to say no. I was supposed to only be a few hours behind him and I did not even like that. I knew better. I said I wouldn't let him out of my sight and yet I did."
"Well, finding him is another thing we must do then," said Honeyfoot, a statement answered with another grunt from Childermass and a fretful sigh from Segundus.
Though the consolation was small, the plan ahead seemed seemed a reasonable one and gave the men a goal to work towards.
Segundus' mood was improved by the arrival of Honeyfoot, but Childermass remained mostly quiet and withdrawn throughout the afternoon and evening. Honeyfoot looked between them often and made many attempts to lift the tension, but to no avail.
Segundus could not say that he blamed Childermass at all.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 5/?)

[(Anonymous)]

oh my lord, is this the ambidextrous thing you were telling me about on tumblr?! I LOvE IT!!! oh please do not keep us waiting for the next installment! it's so very very good :D Also I have to say your writing is totally blowing me away. Your pacing, the little details of each of their habits. and especially the dialogue. And the way the first scene is worked out - this seems like a tough prompt to me and I love that you made it sweet and in-character instead of super kinky. simply magnificent <3

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 5/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, this was it! Thanks so much for reading!
I mean, I plan for thing to get sexier, but slow build seems appropriate.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Honeyfoot was put into a spare room that evening after the three had spent several hours together making plans and notes on magic, by which point it was late and the late summer sun long set. Childermass and Segundus went back to what was becoming in Segundus' mind, their room.
Childermass did not talk as they settled into their established routine, which felt to Segundus shaky this evening. He sunk down onto his blankets, frowning and pushing his hair away from his face. Segundus undressed and got into bed in silence. The moon was bright that evening, persistently pushing light under the curtain and sneaking in when a breeze gave it a push. Segundus could see Childermass clearly on the floor, pulling clothes loose and going at buttons in an agitated way.
"I'm sorry, Childermass. May I ask...Is everything alright?"
"You know very well that it isn't," said Childermass. He yanked off his boots and dropped them at the end of the blankets on the floor where he slept. "I'm tired of this. I am tired coordinating every movement with you. I am tired of accidentally finding myself at your feet. And, John Segundus, I am tired of sleeping of like a dog."
Segundus' face crumpled with profound despair. He would have turned away so that he didn't have to face Childermass' anger, but he was frozen with hurt. He creaked open his mouth to speak and said all that he could.
"Oh, I am sorry."
Some of his anger vented, Childermass seemed calmed and now guilty as he saw the effect his words had had on Segundus, who he thought suddenly looked very young sitting crossed legged in his night shirt on the bed and fidgeting with the blanket as he very clearly tried to hold back tears.
"That was too harsh. I know you have tried. And you have done well. But it's true that I'm tired. And frustrated."
"You can take the bed, if you want," said Segundus, already moving to get up. "You're entirely right. This has been unfair and I'm terrible not to have seen it before."
"I don't want you to sleep on the floor, Segundus."
"Or we could share the bed, if you'd like."
The comment caught Childermass off guard but Segundus continued with the innocence that Childermass had come to expect from him.
"Head to toe. There's more than enough room."
Childermass eyed the bed and space Segundus had moved over to make for him.
"I'm not delicate," he said. "The floor is fine. It's just been a very hard day."
"No one said you were delicate."
Segundus' face was so eager to make up for the last several days in any way possible and Chidermass so regretful of his outburst, that he took his pillow and climbed up on to the bed.
"We can try it for tonight and see if this is better," said Segundus as he lay back down. "If not, we can find some time tomorrow to think of a different solution." He added quickly, "If you'd like, that is."
"You're trying too hard to be nice to me."
Childermass had only said it when he realized that Segundus was probably not trying at all, but simply following his natural kind instincts.
The men pulled the blankets over themselves and Segundus closed his eyes, feeling a bit less guilty now that he had hopes of Childermass' increased comfort. As soon as he was settled, he felt Childermass move in the bed and understood that he was undressing, the same as he had every other night. Childermass removed his clothes, pulling his shirt off first and then sliding his breeches down his legs until they were bare, and dropped them next to the bed.
"They will wrinkle..." said Segundus and was surprised to hear Childermass laugh warmly from the other end of the bed.
"Thank you for your concern. But no body cares how I look."
In the bed, their legs brushed against each others' as they maneuvered the space in the bed. When Segundus turned, his hip grazed Childermass' and seconds later, their hands moved into the same space at the same time their fingers touched briefly. Segundus wanted to apologize but he had become very tense at the close proximity to and accidental touching of a naked person in his bed and speaking was too difficult. They laid with their backs to each other, spines and thighs parallel under the blankets. Already their bodies were working on their own to synchronize breathing and the bed was warm. Childermass quickly grew annoyed with the blankets and kicked them away, spreading out as much as he could in the process. Segundus lay rigid in his spot.
"Are you uncomfortable?" asked Childermass.
"No!"
"I imagine it is lack of practice, but you're a poor liar."
"Please," said Segundus. He could feel that Childermass would get up from the bed and his guilt could not handle seeing him back on the floor. "Please, don't move. And don't say anything else about it. I'm fine."
Childermass was quiet and Segundus was content that he had been convinced to try this arrangement for one night at least.
Segundus could not see Childermass' face, or he would have realized what he had done.

In the morning, Segundus woke to find that Childermass was still in bed next him. He was not surprised as he had woken first each morning until now. He carefully moved to avoid touching or seeing too much the naked body in his bed and sat up. With horror, he saw that Childermass' eyes were open and he was in the now familiar, vacantly happy daze that mean he was under Segundus' command and only aware that he was doing as he had been told and wholly content in that. Segundus thought back in a fury to his last words the evening before and his face blanched as what he had done hit him.
"Childermass! You can move. Please, move! And you can say whatever you want." Childermass blinked as his gaze moved to Segundus and the release from the imperative lifted. His breath was heavy and slightly ragged. The sun feel across a space at the corner of the bed where his chest was and Childermass pulled himself up into the bed shakily into it, sitting in that bright spot holding one of the bed posts for support.
"Childermass..."
He shook his head at Segundus.
His anger was so apparent that Segundus was stuck where he sat. Childermass dressed and staggered across the room. He opened the door to the bedroom and left. As the door shut with a thud that made Segundus wince, the bond between the men strained to its maximum. From the other side of the door, Childermass gave a loud curse. There was a thump like he had lashed out against the wall with his fist and then a cry.
Segundus heard the door to Honeyfoot's room down the hall open.
"Mr Childermass! Are you alright? What has happened? Why, you're bleeding!"
Segundus jumped from the bed and ran to the door, trying not to think of the release he felt when he moved nearer to Childermass. In the hall, Childermass was slumped onto his knees, his forehead against the wall. His left hand hung down to him the knuckles dripping blood. Honeyfoot rushed to him and Segundus stepped toward him as well, a frightened half step.
Segundus became aware that he was crying at the same time he noticed that Childermass was too.
Thankfully, Mr Honeyfoot was in command of his powers of speech.
"Mr Segundus! Please, what's going on?"
"I have betrayed him," said Segundus. Ashamed as he was to not be helping Childermass, he was even more ashamed at the thought of Honeyfoot seeing that Childermass would reject him should he try to touch him or speak to him, which was almost certain would happen. "You must help us fix this."

After a few minutes Childermass allowed himself to be helped to his feet and Segundus and Honeyfoot moved him back into the Segundus' room and onto the bed while he said that he was fine, that he would recover on his own. The noise had roused Charles and the other male servant, who has stood at the top of the stairs and then in the door, curious and fearful, until Segundus asked them to please give then privacy ans assured them that everything was fine.
Neither man could quite explain to Honeyfoot had had occurred. Segundus walked to his chest of drawers, from which he pulled a handkerchief. He handed it to Honeyfoot and Childermass allowed him to wrap his hand.
While Honeyfoot and Segundus stood next to the bed watching him for further signs of distress, Childermass fell asleep and Segundus felt his body uncoil with relief.
"When he wakes up," he said to Honeyfoot. "We will try the spell to part us."
And if it worked and Childermass ran the second he could leave Segundus' sight, Segundus would be even more relieved that Childermass was far away from him where he could not be hurt.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

This fill is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for the nice style, and for the slow-build, and for updating regularly! srsly, it's so great, even if some bits are really heartbreaking. Please go on!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

A!A here: I really appreciate the feedback and that you took the time to read. It means so much.
Thank you to OP for the wonderful prompt!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

WHELP
there goes my heart!
tiny pieces. just. lying about on the floor.

god this is amazing <3

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh thank you. You are amazing for taking the time to read.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my god, this is amazing! My heart is breaking for both of them. Thank you so much for this fic, can't wait to read more!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 6/?)

[(Anonymous)]

I can't say thank you enough to everyone who has dropped by here and given the story a shot.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 7/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Honeyfoot protested again and again that it was too dangerous, that they did not understand enough of what had been done to free Lady Pole for them to safely try the magic on Segundus and Childermass. He begged his friend to be calm and wait.
Segundus continued to assert that it was far more dangerous for them to go on as they had.
"Who knows what I will say next? What if I do something that I can't reverse? How will I live with myself, Mr Honeyfoot?"
Mr Honeyfoot had no answer.
Childermass slept into the evening and Segundus sat the by the bed for the duration of the day.
Honeyfoot came up to the room with food twice and to take it away again when it was cold since Segundus would not touch it. He comforted the worried servants for Segundus and helped clean the drops of blood leading from the hall to the the bed so that they wouldn't become more concerned.
When Childermass woke, Segundus was still sitting next to his bed. Honeyfoot was asleep in a chair sitting in the corner as he had not wanted to abandon Segundus when he was so upset. When Segundus saw Childermass' eyes open, he held up a notebook displaying a sheet of paper on which he had written:
"I plan to remain silent until you are freed from me."
"Careful," said Childermass. He winced and looked down at his hand and the bloody handkerchief wrapped around it and rolled his eyes as he remembered the injury. "We haven't experimented with the effect your pretty handwriting might have on me."
Segundus dipped his head and looked away. Mr Honeyfoot woke then, straightening himself out in the chair and stretching. Segundus motioned anxiously and Honeyfoot walked to stand next to him.
"Mr Segundus has asked me to be his voice for the time being," he explained. .
"Very well," said Childermass.
Honeyfoot wrung his hands and his brow creased.
"He has planned to do something very foolish when you wake, something very, very foolish. I am strongly opposed-"
Segundus gently grabbed Honeyfoot's arm, shaking his head.
"No, Mr Segundus. No. I have to say it. I don't agree with your plan. I don't agree with you putting yourself and Mr Childermass in danger like this."
Childermass sat up in the bed. He felt sweaty from sleeping through a summer day in his clothes and peeled them away from his skin.
"What plan?"
"He wants to improvise a reversal of the spell he used to free Lady Pole and attempt parting you immediately. He insists you're safer that way."
Childermass and Segundus met eyes and Childermass nodded.
"Yes," he said. "We must try it."
"No!" said Honeyfoot again, looking between them. "Have you no concern for own safety, either of you?"
Segundus signaled to Honeyfoot and Honeyfoot bent so that Segundus could whisper in his ear.
"Mr Segundus says that this is exactly what he is considering. Your safety, Mr Childermass. He...says that any risk to himself he can bear, he only wants you to be well again and to have your old life back."
Childermass gave a sarcastic half bow toward Segundus and Segundus flinched as though physically hurt by it.
"I'm hungry," said Childermass. "Surely this great magical experiment can wait until after I have eaten, especially as this may be my last meal for all we know."
Segundus nodded looked entreatingly to Honeyfoot, who left the room to go bring back something for Childermass to eat. When he had left, Segundus stared down at the floor.
Childermass was content with the silence until Honeyfoot returned with a bowl of cold soup and a chunk of bread in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Childermass gulped the water first and then devoured the food. Honeyfoot set the dishes aside and Childermass turned to Segundus, who was sitting still and quiet with his hands folded in his lap, like a boy in church.
"Well, we are waiting for you, Segundus," said Childermass. "This is your magic."
Segundus stood and walked to the chest of drawers where he had earlier retrieved the handkerchief on Childermass' hand. He opened the top one and after moving several things things around, he pulled out a small box. When Segundus lifted the lid, choppy, metallic music leaked into the room. He pulled from it a worn piece of paper and then shut it and the room was silent again
"Please, reconsider," said Honeyfoot.
Segundus shook his head and walked back to the bed where Childermass was still slumped in a sitting position supported by the wall..
"Mr Childermass," said Honeyfoot. "Convince him, please. He is too distraught to decide on this. As are you."
"I am not distraught," said Childermass.
Honeyfoot threw his hands in the air in frustration and turned back to his friend.
"Me Segundus. Think of those you love. Think of-"
Segundus waved his hands and beckoned Honeyfoot to him. He whispered something that made Honeyfoot frown and then risked meeting eyes with Childermass.
"What?" asked Childermass to Honeyfoot.
"He says, wrongly if I may add, that he is a bachelor and will leave no widow or children and so he will deprive no one if he should fail and perish in the process."
Childermas raised a tired eyebrow.
"Well, Norrell always did say magicians shouldn't marry. Are you ready, Segundus?"
Segundus nodded and unfolded the paper in the his hands. He stared down at it and thought for some time on the words and what happened the day in winter when he had released Lady Pole from her enchantment. He could not say if he had been more scared then or now at the task ahead of him.
Segundus fixed his thoughts on what he wanted to do and in his mind, he moved around the words of the spell.
For some time, nothing happened and he concentrated on his goal with more intensity. He imagined Childermass freed from the constraints that had melded them together and the magic that left him vulnerable to Segundus' every word. He moved the spell again in his mind and supplied some new phrases and he heated this mixture with a force inside of him desperate to undo the wrongs of the last several days.
He felt a sharp pain at his stomach. He opened his eyes in shock and saw that Childermass was hunched over on the bed, clutching at his middle. Segundus nearly stopped but Childermass grimaced and twisted his face to one side in as much of a shaking of his head as he could manage.
Segundus continued and he now gave the magic his regret and hurt and told it that he did not want it any more and those feelings twisted into the spell that Segundus could feel winding its way through him, like plant breaking through the soil. He gave the magic as well his thankfulness that for all that happened, Childermass was still here, in his home, in England, and alive.
His last thought before things went black was of the laugh Childermass had laughed the night before, shortly before Segundus had so carelessly trapped him in the magic. Before things went dark, his most powerful plea was for Childermass to have back that happiness.

When Segundus next woke it was morning, late morning and his face was hot. Perched on the windowsill was a white cat watching him with a titled head. He he watched, the cat mewed and crawled onto a nearby tree branch and disappeared into the leaves. Segundus and his sheets were covered in sweat and a cool cloth was at his forehead. He heard footsteps and turned his head to see Honeyfoot pacing the room.
"Oh, thank goodness," said Honeyfoot when saw Segundus' eyes were open. He scrambled to the bed where he picked up a large glass of water sitting on the floor and offered it to Segundus. "At last, you're both awake."
Segundus lifted his head and took the glass of water from Honeyfoot. In seconds had he had drunk it, some of the water spilling down his face onto his pillow.
"Where is Childermass?" he asked as Honeyfoot poured him another glass. He drank that one too and then lay back down.
"In the other room. He's very weak and cannot walk now, but he is eating you out of house and home, Mr Segundus."
Segundus pushed himself into a sitting position and pushed the his blanket away. He stared down at his stomach like he would see something missing there. But there was nothing. The magic linking them was severed.

Segundus stayed in bed that day, but by evening, was well enough to stand and walk around his room. He found the spell he had used as a template to part him and Childermass dropped and crumpled under the bed and after some thought, put it away where he had kept it after it had freed Lady Pole. Honeyfoot went up and down the stairs all day and back and forth between Segundus and Childermass, bringing food and cloths for their faces and constantly imploring them both to have water. He had thought it best to let the servants have a day free from the odd happenings of Starecross and the house was silent but for the little complaints of the old boards of the house as Honeyfoot went about taking care of them.
"How is he?" asked Segundus. He was tired again and resting with a book. Honeyfoot had just come from Childermass' room and was still balancing his dishes in one arm as he gathered Segundus'.
"He says this is preferable to being shot," answered Honeyfoot wearily. "Though not something he would recommend to pass an afternoon. The man is very insincere at times."
"But is he well?"
"I think he is," said Honeyfoot.
Segundus took that thought with him when he returned to bed that night and considered strongly if his magic was good magic or not.

He had not yet manged to sleep an hour later when he heard the noise of a door opening and a whispering human voice, which was Childermass'.
There was hardly time for him to sit before he heard a thump outside his door and Segudus left his bed and went see what the sound was.
What he found was John Childermass lying on the floor outside his room, his hair stuck to his head with sweat and a slightly too short night shirt similarly plastered to his body.
"Oh, look," said Childermass. "It's John Segundus, the scourge of fairy magic."
Segundus bent down to look Childermass in the eye. His face was red and his eyes not quite focused.
"I think..." He took a deep breath and paused. "You're very warm. Would you allow a cool bath, Childermass?"
Childermass groaned and Segundus did what he thought was best and put an arm around Childermass' shoulder and with great effort, pulled him up.
He got Childermass back into his bed and then ran downstairs. He filled a pitcher with water and grabbed a clean cloth from the closet.
Back in the room where Childermass was lying on his back on the bed, Segundus set the water and the cloth down and removed the soaked night shirt from Childermass. He dipped the cloth in the water and wet Childermass face and neck and shoulders. Childermass gave a small moan but did not ask him to stop. Segundus continued down to his chest and then he went back downstairs to get cooler water. When he returned, Segundus wiped Childermass' chest again then each leg in turn, too frantic to even feel shy about touching Childermass in many areas that nearly bordered on intimate.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 7/?)

[(Anonymous)]

awww, my boys <3

I love this so much. and omg. just. yay more.

<3

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 7/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you!!!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 7/?)

[(Anonymous)]

omg, what's happening to Childermass? Really hope he's going to be ok. Poor Segundus, he feels so guilty and miserable, I'm so sorry for him :,(
But anyway, thank you so much! Looking forward to the update!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 7/?)

[(Anonymous)]

I am so happy with the response this has gotten! I am so glad people are enjoying this. Thank you!

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 8/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Segundus rolled Childermass over when he was done bathing his legs and pushed his hair aside to put cool water on the nape of his neck and then his back. Childermass' body felt cooler to the touch now, but Segundus applied the cloth to his shoulder blades again and felt a small shudder under his hands.
"You're going to drown me," said Childermass, lifting his face from the pillow. Segundus drew away and Childermass turned to his side and then let himself fall onto his back. He closed his eyes briefly as if moving even that small amount had cost him a lot of energy and then opened them again
He looked first at Segundus, who was watching him with a gaping mouth, and then down at his naked body and smirked.
"Good. I see you got rid of that night shirt Honeyfoot forced me in to."
Segundus was approaching delirium with the relief he felt. Here in front of him, Chilermass was breathing and speaking and he had given Segundus one of the moments of that let him believe all would be well in the end. He was comforted even by the landmarks on Childermass' body that he had put to heart over the last three mornings and nights. He still tried not to look, but the chest moving with Childermass' breath had the pattern of hair that Segundus knew he would only find on that one man's body and it was a welcome sight. He brushed some hair from his forehead and saw that his hands were shaking and he lowered them with care to avoid Childermass seeing.
"This magic has been very hard on you,” he said. “I don’t understand why I have recovered and you haven’t.”
“Maybe I am being punished for leaving my master,” said Childermass.
This was a hard thought for Segundus to introduce to his mind. He frowned as he as he set the wet rag on the floor.
“Did you know that you left your bed?" Segundus asked.
"Yes," Childermass. "It did not work exactly as planned, but I was looking for you, so I suppose I met my goal."
"What for?"
"To tell you well done. To ease your mind and let you see that your magic had really not killed me. To apologize. I was much more unkind to you than I like to remember."
Segundus opened his mouth to say something, but stopped suddenly, remembering that only one of the two spells over them had been broken.
"You are frightened of yourself still?"
Segundus nodded. He had been kneeling on the floor while he bathed Childermass and got up now and sat on the bed next to him. He allowed his body a bit of respite from the fright of the last several minutes and slowly, his aggressively beating heart resumed a normal rhythm and the shaking in his hands faded.
Segundus turned back to cover up Childermass, who had started shivering a bit from the cold water on his skin and then he rested his head in his hands and let his mind drain of thoughts as much as it would.
Childermass' injured hand dangled from the bed, spots of red making a map of its encounter with the wall on the white. When Segundus noticed, he motioned at it with a nod while looking at Childermass, who nodded back. He took the hand and undid the bandage made from his handkerchief. Using the wet rag, he wiped the crusted blood away and then wrapped it again with the one that was still dry.
"I did not get to say it, Segundus," said Childermass. "Well done. What you did on my behalf, to give back some of my freedom; it did not go unnoticed. It was also very good magic."
"It was..." Segundus could think of no words to finish the sentence how he wanted, how he felt he should. Instead, he used the pitcher he had brought to the bedside to pour Chidermass a glass of water.
"It was as I said. Good magic and a kind act."
Childermass took the water from Segundus' hand and drank it in a desperate gulp that Segundus watched go down his throat. He handed the glass back and Segundus set it on the floor and turned away again. The room was quiet and Segundus considered to himself if it was necessary to stay with Childermass until Honeyfoot woke. Several minutes had passed without speaking when Segundus jumped at the feeling of a hand placed softly on his thigh. His shock at the touch caused Childermass to draw his hand back quickly. By the time Segundus had swiveled to look at him, Childermass had flicked his eyes away.
"Childermass."
"Do not misunderstand me-"
"Childermass," he said again, but he did not think Childermass understood what he was trying to let him know.
In offering, Segundus put one of his hands on the bed next to him. Childermass studied it for a while, like it was something dangerous he must approach with caution, before taking it in his own, loosely at first, fearfully, and when he found no objection, tighter. The hand he used was his injured one, but he did not grimace like action was painful to him.
"I do not understand," said Segundus, watching their hands together. Childermass did not give an answer but not letting go of him and Segundus became fascinated by the feeling of their palms pressed together.
"Segundus-"
"I think-" Segundus' voice got caught in a choke. "I think, confusing as it may be, that we can use each other's Christian names now. The last few days have given us that, at least."
"John, then. There is something I have wondered. And now is the time to ask. Are you- were you- in love with Jonathan Strange?"
"No!"
Segundus could feel himself beginning to blush and thought it odd that this was only just now happening considering that he was holding hands with a nude man whom had he just touched all over his body.
"I admired him. Admire him. But he was a married man. And besides..."
Segundus could feel, even though he had broken eye contact with Childermass, that he was still being watched carefully. He could sense that Childermass was waiting for something from him and so he glanced over for a second to tell him yes to whatever it was.
"When you think of love," asked Childermass. "What is that to you? What does that person look like?"
"I cannot say-"
"Have you never for a moment allowed yourself to imagine happiness?"
"It is very difficult-" Segundus began. He lifted his eyes for a moment and looked over at Childermass and then away again. "To live as a poor man. To be, in your heart, different from others."
"Is that your answer?"
"Yes."
Silence, allowed introduction, grew between them. At first Segundus was not sure what shape the silence would take, but it was soft and kind. He had not known what to expect after he said what he did, but Childermass held his hand still and he was comforted by it.
"It is a fine answer," said Childermass after a time. "Would you consider me? As friend? Or as more?"
"John," he stumbled, caught unaware by what the name sounded like. It was his own name, one he had heard so often but, like the spell that had broken them apart yesterday, had been given sudden new meaning. "John, I did not know, hadn't thought that this was possible-"
Childermass was watching him, trying not smile.
"I did not know," Segundus said again feebly.
Childermass laughed and Segundus thought back to the magic he had done the night before. Unlike when he freed Lady Pole, he could still feel the spell he had done yesterday burrowed in him and it woke now, pulsing.
"All that was required was a yes or no," said Childermass.
And Segundus nodded.
Childermass pulled himself up in the bed and leaned over and kissed him.
The first kiss was soft. The magic inside Segundus stretched happily when their mouths met, as if it liked the closeness of Childermass, or wanted him to know something. He moved closer in the bed since Childermass could not.
The second kiss was much longer and some of the caution was gone between them. John Segundus felt that the magic, the magic that so clearly piqued when Childermass was touching him, would soon burn pin prick holes through his skin. Childermass held Segundus softly at the base of his neck with one hand and laid back on the bed as the kiss continued.
Segundus did not know how to move in a bed with another person but felt a hand at his back leading him closer and then it moved and guided one leg apart until his knees were on either side of Childermass. Their bodies met, pressed together at the hips where Segundus' night shirt had ridden up to. He felt Childermass moving with care underneath him and his body responding to their movements against each other and the meeting of skin. The filled each other's mouths with little moans and those and the occasional, stifled sound of the name John from one of them were all that could be heard in the room for some time.
And then Childermass shivered fiercely and Segundus opened his eyes. He pulled away and studied Childermass looking up at him. The shiver he had felt in Childermass moved again through him and his hairline was beaded with sweat.
"You aren't well, still," he said.
Childermass would not confirm it, but he shook again and shut his eyes for the span of several labored breaths. When he opened them, Segundus was still watching him with concern.
"You know if you were so inclined, you could tell me to be well enough to be with you now and I would be. You could tell me to want you and if I didn't already, I would. If you desired more than a night, you could tell me to love you. I would live in blissful happiness only able to show you that I did."
"I could not," said Segundus. "I could never."
"I would know no difference. You would not even try it for a moment, to see what it was like? I would not even have to remember it. 'Childermass, forget.' That is all you would have to say."
"Why would you say this to me? It's very frightening."
Childermass sighed deeply.
"Only to show you, to tell you, how uncommonly good you are. I am sorry to have frightened you."
Segundus moved his body from on top of Childermass' and sat on the bed next to him. He felt he had to touch him still in some way, could not help but give into the want of it, so he rested his hand on Childermass' chest.
"I don't think, while this spell stands, that I can, that we can, be together in this way," he said. "I think it's both unsafe and unfair to you."
"That you cannot think of yourself even now is both endearing and frustrating to me," said Childermass and he put his hand on top of Segundus'.
"I can't have done all that I have only to be careless with your well-being now."
The nod of affirmation and thanks Childermass gave was barely perceptible, but Segundus saw it.
"Could I at least see this body that you have been hiding from me for days?" Childermass asked.
Segundus was surprised at how little he had to think on this request. In answer, he removed his hand from Childermass’ chest and pulled his night shirt over his head and let himself be studied as knelt on the bed. When Childermass's eyes had not left him for several unbroken seconds, he felt he had to ask.
"What?"
Childermass sighed again. Segundus was beginning to notice that he did this often, but he did not mind.
"You would not believe me if I told you."
Segundus had nothing to weigh the experience against, but he felt that he did not mind being watched by Childermass at all and sat still and comfortable for some time like that.
"Will you dress and leave me?" asked Childermass.
"Not if you don't want it," said Segundus.
"I don't."
Segundus lay down in the bed took Childermass into his arms, absorbing some of the shivers still going through him. Their legs wrapped around each other’s and because his neck was so close, Segundus kissed it.
In minutes, Childermass had fallen asleep again and Segundus told the magic pulling at him for an answer that Childermass would be well and he would not leave him and that it could rest.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 8/?)

[(Anonymous)]

Enjoying this very much, especially now Childermass is not so angry (justifiable though it certainly was!). Segundus is a sweetie