☆ 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 10/10)

[(Anonymous)]

There was a cold snap in the last days of September and the men named John brought an extra blanket to their bed on the last night it would be theirs before becoming, for a time, John Segundus' alone again.
Neither wanted to leave their bed on the morning that Childermass departed from Starecross, but it was eventually necessary for Childermass to pull himself from his lovers' arms out into the chill of the room.
For the last time for several months at least, Segundus watched him dress. For the last time for several months at least, Childermass returned to the bed before leaving the room and kissed Segundus. Normally they would see each other again in a matter of minutes, but today he took a moment to appreciate the feeling of Segundus’ soft hair between his fingers because it was uncertain when he would again be there to do it
For the last time for several months at least, they had breakfast together, though neither could think of much of anything to say that day.
"You're not a plant, John Segundus. You need more than air and sunlight to subsist on. Eat."
This was the last time for how long neither knew that Childermass would get to chide while Segunds frowned in thought over his tea and let his food get cold.
It would be October the day after tomorrow. By then, John Childermass would be gone and far away.
Throughout the summer, the men had studied and worked to break the spell that gave Segundus power over Childermass. Mr Honeyfoot had come and gone a few times, staying for a week or so and bringing help, new books and ideas, and settling disputes. If he was ever confused at why the men named John were so rarely apart though it was now possible for them to be so, he did not mention it. If he wondered why Childermass had stayed so long once he was free of his link to Segundus, they could not tell.
The men named John had gone away in August for a fortnight in search of a text they thought would help them.
It had not.
It was over three months after the fairy sisters had gifted John Segundus with control over his friend, now his companion in each moment of the day, and they had not been able to break the spell.
Earlier in the month, they had fought for days over whether or not to attempt to summon the oldest of the red haired fairy sisters and had, in the end, decided that Segundus could not risk a meeting with her even if they managed to bring her to him. That had not been a concern to him initially and Segundus was really only convinced of the danger of the task when Childermass pointed out that should the oldest fairy sister think Segundus did not want him that she might follow through with her plan to take him with her.
Because the summer was gone and the spell was not yet broken and there were many things to do, Childermass would today leave on his other business. When he was able, he would return and they would resume their life and their studies. The bed would have two bodies in it again. The mornings would be again be filled with excusing each extra minute together, admiring looks to a body pulling on clothes in the dark, departing kisses, and touches to hair. They would have that until the next time he needed to leave, for the days or weeks they could scrounge.
Segundus followed Childermas back upstairs after breakfast and watched him gather his few possessions while he hovered close by.
"Perhaps, by Christmas," he said.
"I would like that," said Childermass.
"If all the students leave."
"Even if they don't. I will try to be home then."
For as much as he had a home, it was where John Segundus was.
All his things were ready and now, there were really only minutes, an assortment of them falling away with each foot step and word.
Segundus had been hoping for rain. He thought Childermass might not leave if there were rain. There had been clouds when they were at breakfast, but by the time Childermass' things were packed, they had already begun to lift. He frowned at them and wondered briefly if it would be possible to do a weather spell to bring the clouds back and fill them with a downpour that would keep Childermass here.
He was glad when Childermass remembered an important letter that he needed to write. He was even more thankful that halfway through he said it was all wrong and that he needed to start over. Segundus watched Childermass at his writing. The troublesome good weather let in some unlively morning sunlight through the window. Childermass switched from his right to his left hand to finish the letter. It was an action of his that Segundus had long ago put to memory and did not know how he could go off only recollections of it until Childermass was back and writing letters here where he could see him.
When he was done, instead of folding the letter, he stood and left it on the desk.
“Not till I’ve been gone for an hour, John. Promise. “
He did.
Childermass’ departure was now imminent enough that he was putting on his outerwear; his coat and hat a further countdown in the time they had.
Segundus could not help but think that at any moment he wanted, he could stop it. He had the power if he cared to use it, to tell Childermass to take off the coat and the hat and stay. He was always a few words he would never say away from making their life together Childermass’ only thought. The restraint they had both been using for months could be thrown away and he could, they could, take to their bed this very morning as lovers in action as well as name. Childermass would not even need to be compelled to if only Segundus would give in and if only he would not leave. But those thoughts were terrifying to him, especially as he feared that his reluctance to see Childermass go might cause him to blurt out his deepest feelings.
Stay here, he wanted to say. Only he could not because then Childermass would and it would be tainted. Tonight, I will bring a warm bath to the room for us, he wanted to say. Tonight, you can dry my hair with a towel and we can go back to the book we are reading. You like all of those things, but to do them you must stay. It was uncomfortable to know that he could hardly say he what wished Childermass would do without making it so.
Instead he thought of Christmas. Maybe we will break the spell at Christmas. Solstices were auspicious for magic. Maybe he will be back by then, thought Segundus, and we can lift the spell and I can rest knowing that our love is not unequal, knowing that each touch is not wrong of me.
The maid offered to pack Mr Childermass some food for his journey, but Segundus had thanked her and told her that it was not necessary. He did it himself later and at the door, when Childermass’ coat and hat were on, Segundus handed the bundle to him.
It was late morning and he followed Childermass out to the stable while he readied the horse to leave.
"It might be a while, but I will write, as soon as I am able," Childermass told him.
"Good, or I will think you've forgotten me."
"Somehow, I don't think that will happen."
Segundus watched Childermass work lifting on the saddle and fixing it in place and then, when the question he was holding could not wait any more, he spoke.
"Are you sure you're comfortable with this? With leaving with the spell intact?"
"I do not like the spell, but I trust you," said Childermass. He stopped his work and looked to where Segundus was standing with his arms wrapped around himself against the cold. "If I had been given to another person, I would have an eye on them at all times, if I was even free enough to do so. But my will is safe with you until we break the spell.”
“We don’t even know what will happen with you gone from me so long. The fairy’s spell is still very aggressive with you. What if you become ill again?”
“I will make my way back here and you can refresh me with your good magic.”
Childermass walked to the door of the stable and looked out into the yard to see if anyone was around. When he returned, he kissed Segundus, who held on to his coat after. He rested his forehead against Childermass' shoulder for a moment, thinking that under the coat and jacket and all the other clothes was the skin he had slept against for over eighty nights.
"When we break the spell," Segundus said. "We can finally be free with one another."
"I had thought of it," said Childermass. “Much more often than you would think is proper, I’m sure.”
"If you still want me, when that time comes, that is."
"Will you still be John Segundus at that time?"
"Of course."
"Then," said Childermass as he stepped away, "don't worry about that."
Minutes later, John Childermass was a dark haired dot slowing blending into the horizon. And then he was not even that, though it was his lover's hope that soon he would be dark haired dot growing bigger until he was a man he could take in his arms.
John Segundus told the magic rustling awake in him to search out for Childermass that it would not be long and he would be back.

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 10/10)

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my goodness, you are both cruel and clever in this final chapter -- it's so lovely and angsty. But what was in the letter?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Re: Childermass/Segundus, Accidental Slave Bond (Fill: Servant Once Again 10/10)

[(Anonymous)]

A!A: Probably a lot of "Don't do something stupid while I'm gone, John Segundus," just said in different ways.