Time warp: This is Me (closed)

[Edward Scott]

November 2016

The blonde was silent as he stood within Basil's beautiful shop. Funny how this place brought calm after all the hate he'd been building up to come here with. Instead, the sents, the beauty, the atmostphere brought him calm. He despised the mere thought of calm. He wasn't supposed to be calm. He was supposed to be angry. Angry at this man who was the owner. Angry at the cat stretched out on the counter who got stroked practically every day by fingers he yearned for.

Angry, angry, angry. Maybe he was passed that now. It would make sense, and there Drew went again, psycho-analysing himself. Maybe he shouldn't have come....

"Basil! Basil! I got the results os the te-Oh..."
Edward's excitement and eager calling for his now fiance, soon came to an abrupt hault when the blonde that had his back turned to him finally turned to face him near the middle of the shop.
"Drew... Hi... Um...What... How..."
Drew quirked at that eyebrow of his, that fatherly eyebrow and those arms across his chest bringing the familiar feeling of being a child, zooming back to Edward all over again. Edward's shoulders slumped

"Look I can explain... all of thi-"
"Go ahead, this should be good."
Edward took a deep breath then came to his senses.
"Hey, why am I explaining myself when you're stood there like you belong? Warning me didn't occur to you and how did you find out about this anyway? "
He could see Drew's cheeks flush with anger and like a steam cooker his... well other fiance was starting to bubble. Edward winced at the attack he was about to recieve.

"You confided in my sister! You didn't think I'd hear about it?! When you said that we were taking a break I didn't think you'd go finding yourself anothe fiance! What is wrong with you?! Who is he! I wanna meet him!"
Edward flailed a little trying to get Drew to lower his voice just a little, grey eyes darting around nervously to make sure no customers were about then Edward's eyes widened when Drew claimed he wanted to speak to Basil, meet Basil. This wasn't good. Drew turned to face the counter heading that way and Edward quickly blocked him off.

"That's not a good idea Drew. You're irrational right now. Let's just take a deep breath and... and... "
Edward's eyes searched the ground for an answer. This was his home now. He lived with Basil so where could he take Drew to discuss this.
"Couldn't you just break off our engagement before you made another one? Edward, are that unconfident that you need three lovers on the side and TWO fiances? Are you that insecure? "
"I'm not your patient, Doctor Frued. Stop treating me like I am!"
Drew's face hardened and his eyes flicked off to a movement that he'd obviously caught.

"This Basil deserves better then you...."
Drew hissed under his breath this time. Edward didn't even wanna turn around to see if Basil had entered the room. He dropped his head and closed his eyes. So it had finally caught up with him....

[Basil Zivaen]

It was rather late in the afternoon, and he was just getting out of the greenhouse. Some new weed had infected one of the beds, and a few of the plants in other places hadn't been looking good. Soft music full of violins and the sound of rain had been playing in the background. For a moment he thought he heard Edward voice, then it went away. Someone coming into the shop maybe? The tall older man stood, brushing his dirt stained hands on his work pants. There were a few tools scattered around that he needed to put away before he could go talk to anyone. It was a danger to anyone who came back here if they were left just lying around. He wouldn't stand for that.

The metal clinked together and Basil picked things up, moving quite quickly despite his age. Lately he'd felt amazing, the warmth outside, winds, exercise everyday. Everyday he ran, and Edward often ran with him if he could. Basil took a moment to reflect on the past few years, since he had met Edward. They had just been amazing, something he had never expected and appreciated so much. He'd even finally told Sage a year or so ago. She had been very surprised at the turn of events, but congratulated him, and said that someday she would come for a visit to meet Edward.

Once the tools were put away and everything was cleaned up he headed to the front room, making sure he looked presentable enough. In the past few years his salt and pepper hair had gained to distinctive silver stripes at the temples, and a few more lines on his face, but everything else about him seemed unchanged. He was still the calm yet vibrant plant man he had always been. The sound of arguing voices caught his attention, and he frowned. Someone was in the shop..arguing? Someone that sounded like Edward!

"This Basil deserves better then you...." It was a hiss, something he barely heard. The man didn't like the scene before him. A stranger in his shop, which ordinarily he wouldn't mind, but one look at Edwards posture stoked anger in his heart. His fiance was practically curling in on himself, head hung and looking rather defeated. His green eyes stared at the intruder for a moment to fully take him in. Who was he, to make Edward act in such a way.

" Excuse me, but I don't think you have the right to make such a statement." Basil said to him. He came forward, wrapping his arms around Edward to try and comfort him. He couldn't have the younger man looking like this, it wasn't right. Not when he was such a happy person, such a joy to be around. The old man's eyes hardened as he looked at Drew.

" I don't know who you are, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't say such thing. It would be best for you to leave I think if you are going to be depricative towards my fiance."

[Edward Scott]

Edward flinched when he heard the words and could almost feel Drew simmering as Basil blindly defended him for a wrong HE'D caused both of them. He could even hear the heave breathing coming from Drew as he stood there. Basil's arms wrapped around Edward and he twitched as if Basil's arms were on fire and he was being burned by them. Edward dared to meet Drew's eyes and mouthed the words 'Please don't'. Drew's face changed from fury to a raised eyebrows as if considering it.

But Edward knew that face. It was the face he gave all his dillusional patients.
"Why? Because he's happy in the delusion you created? I was happy too Edward. I loved you too and this is a pain I would wish on no one. Especially not him."
Drew flung his hand out in Basil's direction.
"How old is he? How old is your father, Edward?"
Edward tensed in Basil's arms wiggling to try and get Basil to leave.

"Basil, just go into the back room please please please."
Edward begged of Basil.
"Basil Zivaen right?"
Drew's voice was soft now. His eyes were soft. His whole body screamed 'I won't harm you. I promise'.

"I'm a very old friend of Edwards. I think we need to sit down and talk about him. Edward never really discloses his past to anyone. I'd like to tell you about my favourite topic, my rock, my Edward. You deserve to know and he deserves to have someone that knows so they can deal with him."
Drew's eyes locked on Edward's eyes and the younger man between the three turned to burry his face in Basil's neck, clinging to his shirt and whimpering for Basil not to leave him.

Drew waited, waited patiently to hear Basil's verdict praying Basil would have sense enough to be find out about Edward from him and not just give in to Edward's attempts at seeking an easy way out by acting like a frightened child.

[Basil Zivaen]

The change in the man's face was curious, as if considering something. Basil hoped what he was considering was just going away, but there seemed to be no such luck.

""Why? Because he's happy in the delusion you created?" That seemed to be directed towards him, but then everything after was directed at Edward. Who seemed to be trying to escape Basil's grip. Basil held tighter, not really understanding what was happening here. What was this pain the man was talking about? It was already obvious that the two shared some kind of history. What exactly Basil wasn't so sure of. From the way the man was talking Basil was not getting a good feeling. He didn't like the rather condescending tone, or the way Edward was acting, or this man's attitude in general.

"Basil, just go into the back room please please please." Edwards voice was just begging for him to leave, as if this were an unfinished problem her needed to fix. But almost over top of that the other man spoke. His voice had one of the edge it did before, and his posture had become very deceiving. Basil knew that voice, recognized it quite clearly, which alarmed him. What could it be that was this serious? He looked at Edward for a moment when this man continued speaking. Deal with Edward? They had been together for four years, and he was quote sure he could deal with Edward, although he would never put it in such discourteous terms.

" I am. And who might you be?" He asked in return. Edward had turned and buried his face in Basil's dark sweater, showing just how he was feeling in making such a childish move. He was unsure of himself, which was something Basil wasn't used to. Edward was a bright happy person. What was it about this stranger that frightened him so? He put his arms around Edwards shoulders and stared at the man for a moment, a decision forming. Obviously there was to be a serious talk here, one here he would need to draw upon every formality hiding in the strict ethos that had framed who he was since childhood.

" I invite you to come to the back kitchen and talk. Theres tea and sanwhiches to be had there." He replied finally, his voice calm and smooth, showing none of th emotions inside. This was what he could do, this was how he was raised. Be as still as stone, and placid as water. The mantra repeated in his head.

He gave Edward a nudge, and went to the back kitchen, the sun streaming through the stained glass windows there to create soothing amber and peridot lights. He started to prepare the tea and other things, knowing Ceri most likely had some sort of baked good already set on the island table in the center of the eating area of the kitchen. He worked quietly, wondering if this other man was going to say anything.

[Edward Scott]

Edward gasped and pulled his head from Basil's shoulder, his eyes growing cold as he stared at his fiance as if betrayed. Drew smiled meekly as if he'd been asked to come and identify a corpse and then Basil was leading the way to the kitchen. Drew stepped to follow but Edward stepped infront of him.
"This is MY secret. You're betraying me Drew."
Drew took a deep breath at the words Edward hissed at him then slowly took Edward's hand in his.

"Edward? You'll betray him like you betrayed me. This has to stop. I'm letting go of you. I want him to know. Don't run. Please face this with me..."
Drew didn't wait for an answer. He stepped past Edward and tugged at his hand leading them to the kitchen where Drew took his seat and motioned for Edward to do the same. Where was Drew going to start? Edward sat slumped in his chair, arms folded across the table, staring at the surface of it.

"I guess, I'll start by introducing myself and telling you how I came to know about you. I'm Andrew Shepard. I know Edward because we met in College and we were both from Britain so we became friends."
Oh Good. He was using the term friends first of all. That was good. Edward sighed softly in relief and slowly let his eyes flick to Drew but then came to realize that this was Drew's way of calling him out to speak.

Edward closed his eyes and dropped his head again.
"Okay..."
Drew said softly then returned his eyes to Basil.
"That smells lovely, What kind of tea are you making Basil?"
Drew said kindly.

"Drew just get on with it. Fine we weren't friends. The first night I met Drew I slept with him and since then we'd officially been dating. Then a year later I pro-"
Edward felt a hand clamp over his mouth and he slumped in his chair.
"You're running ahead Eddie. You forgot the part where I went to meet your father. "
Edward's eyes widened then slowly he closed them. Drew removed his hand and cleared his throat.

"Edward's father wasn't a really nice person to have around Edward. Edward's father was an alcoholic who sexually and physically abused his son. "
Edward watched Drew say these words swallowing hard as the words sank in. Finally Drew continued lowering his own eyes.
"I'm a psychologist by career and uh... in cases such as Edward's, the patient has equated love with sex. They often turn to older individuals for this sex."

Edward's hand slammed down on the table making Drew yerk.
"That's bullshit! He's not my father! He's my fiance. You don't believe this do you Basil? You know I love you. You're not my replacement father or whatever he's getting at..."
Edward's eyes flashed from Drew to Basil.

[Basil Zivaen]

" Blood orange and chai." He answered Andrews question reflexively, still getting some of the other things ready. Something about this fellows tone of voice told him there was much more to what he was saying. He guessed there had maybe been a relationship gone ill between them. But what did that have to do with him? It didn't ad up. Then Edward cut in, rushing his words out as if he needed to get them said. He stopped at a word that sounded suspiciously like proposed, and Basil turned to see he was slumped in his chair like a bad child who had been shushed by a teacher. A frown crossed his face.

Edward's father was an alcoholic who sexually and physically abused his son. Basil had figured that Edwards father was an alcoholic and maybe abusive, but the rest he did not know. And he had never before known any of it for sure. Shock crossed his face, but he had his back turned so that Andrew wouldn't see it. Basil didn't like the fact this man was a psychologist, because from the way it sounded he spent his time picking Edward about from his very core elements, belittling him and learning how to control him, all while making him think it was love. It was.....revolting really. He sighed and brought the finished sandwiches and tea to the table.

"Dr. Shepard," he said, guessing the man would be a doctor, "It seems you've come here assuming some things, which I do not appreciate. From your tone of voice it seems to me you think our entire relationship is based on sex. You have not lived in this house nor had contact with anyone in this house in the last four years. You do not know us." His speech was tall, elegant and formal sounding. His normally soft green eyes were dark, and flinty. Basil did not take kindly to what this man was saying.

He looked at Edward and smiled.
" I know I'm not your replacement father. It would have shown by now if that was all you ever intended for me to be love." He handed Edward his tea first, which in a formal tea ceremony would be a dishonor on Dr. Shepard. Normally tea would be served to guests first, in order of rank, but Basil was purposely not following this because of the immense disrespect he felt he was receiving from this man. These were things to be talked about in time when one was ready, not something to be thrown out in the open like laundry that needed to dry. He served tea to the man next, then himself, setting a stack of extra saucers in the center next to the plate of tea sandwiches.

" I understand that these are things you know from your trade of choice, but you should also know they these rules to not apply to every relationship out there, and that there are always exceptions to the norm."

[Edward Scott]

Edward flinched at Basil's behaviour towards him. Those eyes of Drew's always watching, always taking note, always understanding. Edward smiled at Basil's words shortly after they were spoken but didn't reach out to caress his fiance's face like he would have normally done. He just lowered his eyes to the tea in front of him and sighed softly nodding. Drew took a deep breath and took his tea as well.

"Thank you Basil. It smells lovely and you can call me Drew. You must understand that I'm not doing this because I'm trying to be cruel. I'm doing this because I know Edward."
Edward glanced to the side and away from the table shifting uncomfortably. Drew slowly lifted his hands and took off the ring on his forth finger, the same place Basil's ring would be and placed it on the table in front of Edward and Basil.

"During our engagement Edward had a total of 12 lovers of which I was aware of. Mostly women and one man shared a bed with him. These were long term lovers. Those he would see on a constant basis. These did not include his one night stands. "
Drew took up his cup blew lightly and took a sip before flicking his eyes to Edward then Basil smiling faintly.

"The fact that you are the only man he took to his bed more then once does put my mind at rest. You are also the last person he will cheat on me with. "
Edward frowned at Drew.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you...."
"I'll let you two have some time and admire your beautiful shop Basil."
Drew took the tea, a sandwich and headed out quickly.

Silence fell across the tiny kitchen and Edward slowly reached over to take the ring he'd given Drew so many years ago. He didn't even wanna look at Basil. He felt so bad but Basil knew the basics now.

[Basil Zivaen]

Basil didn't even look at Drew as he walked away. What the man really wanted right now was for him to be gone, out of his shop and out of his life, taking these silly troubles with him. If they had been apart for so long then why had he come back now to make trouble. as he really so deluded he thought he was doing the right thing? Basil's lips twitched, the only sign of his inner emotions. He knew Edward was faithful to him, so he wasn't worried about that. What he was worried about was the effect this Drew person was going to have on Edward once he left.

With a sight sigh he sat down across the table from his fiance and smiled, letting his hand stretch across the table as an invitation.
" Edward, is there anything you'd like to say about this?" He asked in a rather soft voice, considering how he felt. He wasn't angry, or even frustrated. More confused and corss with this other man for coming in and upsetting his household. No one did that. It was his home, something he had worked towards for years, and he wasn't going to let some stranger come in and wreck that just because they were jealous of what they no longer had.

" I'm not angry with you, at least know that." He said, sipping his tea. There wasn't much else to say at the moment.

[Event !]

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