Gremio: *He was in the cellar, checking and organizing the stuff there. Wine, food, whatever there was in the cellar of the McDohl Mansion. It was a bit chilly, so he was happy he had his cloak. He was alone in the house; the Young Master was at school, Master Teo was at work and Cleo and Pahn had gone out shopping. It didn't matter. He could concentrate on cooking better while the young McDohl wasn't home. He smiled to himself and checked one of the wine bottles. He would need one... Well, maybe not this one. The one he was looking at was an expensive one; the wine was from Kanakan...*

Grenseal: *He wondered why the Empire didn't allow overcoat for its generals. He had the thick green uniform and flowing cape about him, but they did little to keep him warm in such a breezy day. Seeing his breath turn white, he shook his head. At the door to his liege's mansion, he knocked loudly a few times, knowing that Gremio would be here.*

Gremio: *He didn't hear the knock on the door; he was too far away. Besides, he was busy organizing the wine bottles. //Hmm... this one should be there, since it's that brand... and this one...// *

Grenseal: *He didn't get an answer, so he tried the knob. It was open, much to his surprise. Gremio must be inside somewhere.* Gremio? *He called, closing the door behind him and locking it for security. He checked Teo's study first to get the papers he had been sent to find, then searched around the mansion for his lover.*

Gremio: ...Hmm? *He stopped and turned to look at the cellar hatch. //Did someone call my name...?// He put down the bottle he had been holding and took a few steps towards the ladder. He couldn't see anyone or hear anything, so he shrugged and returned to his task. A minute passed, and then he heard it again. Someone was calling him.* Yes...? Who is it?

Grenseal: *Hearing Gremio, he raised his voice more. He figure out by now that the blond must be upstairs or in the cellar. He went to the ladder that was lowered and looked up into the darker room.* Gremio, it is Grenseal.

Gremio: *He smiled when he heard the familiar voice. He walked to the ladder to face the handsome knight.* Ah, it's you... What brings you here? I was just organizing some things here...

Grenseal: Lord Teo sent me to get some papers. *He waved the small stack in his hand, smiling. He naturally took the ladder and looked into the dimly lit room, wincing just a little at the dust* This is... wine cellar?

Gremio: *He nodded.* Papers... Of course. Oh, this? This is the cellar, yes. We have some food here... and wine. Master Teo has a pretty good collection of different wines here. *He was still smiling. He was stating the obvious, mostly; surely Grenseal knew simple things like that.*

Grenseal: I know. And Alen and I both tell him not to enjoy the alcohol so much. *He shrugged pleasantly, pecking the blond on the smooth cheek.* Pretty dark in here. And cold. If you are done with whatever you came here for, let us go out, Gremio.

Gremio: *He closed his eyes momentarily, enjoying the quick but gentle touch. Then he looked at his lover.* Oh, Master Teo doesn't drink too much... He just has a good taste. Well, I'm mostly done, just need to get a bottle of wine for cooking... *He turned around and took a step towards the rack that held the wine bottles. But... Suddenly, there was a loud sound from the cellar entrance, and then the small room was a bit more darker, only light source being the lantern the blond had brought with him. He froze for a second, then turned.* What... was that...? The hatch?

Grenseal: ...It closed. *He said calmly, kneeling by the latch handle and pushing at it, expecting it to open with ease. However, he pushed with all his might and the door did not rise an inch.* ...And it is stuck, I'm afraid...

Gremio: *He walked over to the ladder, looking a bit uncertain.* It's... what? *He turned pale and blinked.* It can't just... be stuck. Try again. *He took a deep breath, trying not to be shaken by the fact that they were trapped in the cold cellar. //And of course, there's no one in the mansion, and won't be for a couple of hours...// *

Grenseal: *He pushed again, using his weight to shove against the metal sheet. He wondered if something was blocking the hatch from rising, since it did not budge at all. He looked at his right hand, planning to just use the rune to smash out of the cellar, but then, he remembered that he had the palace runemaster take it off of him for storage in times of peace.* Damn...

Gremio: *He looked at the hatch, knowing that if the knight couldn't open it, neither could he. He put down the wine bottle; he still had to try. Just had to. He tried, but it was no use.* Grenseal... It looks like... we're trapped here. And for a while, too, because it'll take a couple of hours before anyone gets home...

Grenseal: *He sighed, looking up at the door.* Well, no one will come looking for me. I was off duty for the day when Lord Teo asked me to run this errand. *He shivered a little from the chill.* ...Is there a furnace or a fireplace down here? *He very much doubted, but he asked anyway.*

Gremio: In here? No... *He shook his head and took a deep breath. The Young Master would be coming back from school in a couple of hours, but until that, they'd be locked in the chilly cellar. He glanced at the lantern. Dark and chilly; the light would go off soon.* I guess... we have to wait...

Grenseal: Understood. Come, Gremio. Until we hear some movement above, we should huddle together and at least try to be warm. *He could still see his breath turning white. Gremio's was, too. If during day the temperature was this low, what would happen as the sun fell in the later afternoon?*

Gremio: *He nodded, feeling a bit unpleasant. He wouldn't be able to make dinner, either... Well, Master Teo would surely forgive that, when he would find out about this. He sat down next to the cold stone wall and looked at the other man, then at the small lantern. The light flickered a little.* Oh no... About half an hour, and it'll be completely dark... I wasn't planning to stay here for that long, anyway. All we can do is to warm each other...

Grenseal: *He nodded, his green eyes not wavering from the lantern that was obviously dying away. He moved his arm and wrapped it about Gremio's shoulder, pulling him a little closer and nuzzling their heads together.* Darkness is fine, but the cold can be deadly. I don't like this much... *He said honestly, feeling a little bit of trembling*

Gremio: Me neither... *He closed his eyes, leaning against the younger man. His only comfort right now... He was so glad that he hadn't been trapped here alone.* W-well. I think it won't get too cold, since we're here... But it won't get much warmer, either. B-better just try to stay like this...

Grenseal: You are shivering. *He commented with much concern, drawing his green cape about Gremio. The lamp's lighting dwindled steadily, as though to count the minutes passing by. Feeling the blond's scarred cheek and finding it cold, he pressed his lips against it.*

Gremio: I-it's so cold in here... *He took off his own cloak and wrapped it around the both of them. All he could do was to sit here and hope that someone would come home. One look at the lantern told him more than enough. He was shivering... but not just from the cold. He was a bit nervous, too. //I'm freezing... I know Grenseal is, too... If just...// *

Grenseal: *He eyed the wine bottle next to Gremio, finding it of interest now that shivers wracked his leanly muscled body, too.* ...Gremio, take a sip from that. It should warm you up a little.

Gremio: *He glanced at the wine bottle, then Grenseal.* Well, it m-might be a good idea... B-but that's just wine for cooking. *He looked at the rack that held the other bottles.* M-maybe we should take one of those bottles over there... Might be a bit stronger than this, too...

Grenseal: You don't want to fall asleep, so... nothing too strong. *He left Gremio huddled under two capes and looked at the lined bottles, picking up one from Kanakan that was Teo's favorite.* This will do. *He returned to Gremio and used the cork-opener available to undo the bottle.* Take some, love.

Gremio: *He nodded slightly. Better not fall asleep, or they might... not wake up. He took the bottle from the knight and took as sip. The wine was a bit sweet, and it made him feel a bit more warmer. He gave the bottle back to Grenseal.* You too... I don't want you to get cold, either...

Grenseal: *He took a small swig, too, not caring much for drinks but still a fair judge that the wine was a good one. He corked the bottle and put it aside, just nuzzling to his lover's beautiful golden hair. Even those tresses were beginning to feel chilly.*

Gremio: *He curled up in Grenseal's arms, trying to stay warm. He watched the lantern; every minute that passed, the light faded more and more. //Just a little more... then...// He sighed. He wished neither of them would catch cold because of being trapped here. The wine helped a little, but...*

Grenseal: *He sighed deeply as the lamp completely went out. He could still see, for some light did come through from the cracks of the hatch and ventilation pipe leading outside (which also let in cold air from outside)* Gremio, I have a proposition. ...You may not like it, but will you hear me out? *He whispered, knowing without seeing well that his breaths were turning white.*

Gremio: *He blinked at the darkness, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light that came from outside. He raised his face and looked at the younger man.* W-what is it, Grenseal?

Grenseal: ...Why don't we take off our clothes and huddle to each other skin to skin? That is what they teach us at the military academy. *He suggested very discreetly, hiding the fact that he had read this cliche somewhere in books he read before going to bed at night. His interest in books only lay in passing time and for refining his knowledge of the world outside military, but... well, he might just find the knowledge useful to their situation right now.*

Gremio: *He looked uncertain.* But... won't we freeze that way? I mean, with no clothes at all... *He gave it a little thought. Two people warming each other... It might work better that way, without clothes on. Grenseal sounded like he knew something about this. Besides, he would never mind being close to the knight... Not that he was thinking of anything like /that/ at the moment.* I-if we'd wrap our cloaks around us, and put the clothes on the floor underneath us... it might...

Grenseal: That would work wonderfully, no? *He smiled into the dimly-visible face of his beloved. He stood up briefly and began to work on his mantle and uniform, holding them neatly upon his right forearm as he proceeded with the rest. He shivered from head to toe as he felt his skin prickle with the cold, but he beared with it.*

Gremio: *Since he didn't have any better ideas, he followed the knight's example. He took off his cloak, then the blue tunic. He shivered from the cold, but proceeded to remove the rest of his clothes, too. He looked at Grenseal, waiting.* And now we...?

Grenseal: *He approached the blond in the answer and drew his arms about his lover, putting the green mantle about Gremio's shoulders as he pulled the other gently to the sitting position against the wall again. He took care to tuck his semi-thick military jacket, turning it inside out so that the smooth inner lining was against their skin. He groped for Gremio's cloak and drew it about himself, so that they were both huddled beneath a cover.* ...Not bad, I think. *He whispered, enjoying Gremio's warmth.*

Gremio: A-at least we're n-not freezing to death... *He leaned against the other man, feeling quite comfortable there. He wrapped his arms around the younger man's shoulders, breathing peacefully. He knew didn't need to be afraid. //Grenseal was right. It's pretty warm... We'll last till someone gets home.// *

Grenseal: *// ...How shall we do this when someone does come home... dress ourselves in the dark? // He snickered inwardly at the utter embarrassment that they would face later. But for now, present was pleasant enough. He nuzzled his head against Gremio's shoulder and kissed the cool skin at the shoulder a little.*

Gremio: *He shivered a little, but that was not from the cold. It was for the enjoyable feeling that came from being this close to his lover, with no clothes on. He closed his eyes for a moment, but then remembered that he wasn't allowed to do that. So, he opened his eyes again and looked at the other man.* Grenseal... please, talk to me. Doesn't matter what you talk about. I feel a bit tired, and I'm afraid that I'll fall asleep...

Grenseal: I can't have you do that now... *He nodded and thought hard to come up with a plausible topic of discussion. His brain leaned toward imagining more... talking with bodies instead, but he shook that off for now and licked his lips.* Well, I could tell you about a few stories from the battles. Or what is going through my mind right now. *// Ha, that will be very interesting... //*

Gremio: Oh, Grenseal. *He smiled slightly.* Battles, or whatever is in your mind. It doesn't matter. Just talk to me... *He sighed. //Whatever you talk about, I just like listening to your voice...// He almost hoped that he would feel cold again. He was feeling warm and safe, and that was exactly what made him somewhat sleepy. Being protected like this by the handsome knight made him relax completely.*

Grenseal: Hmm... Then I shall talk a bit of both. *He grinned inwardly, a bit of mischief working into his mind.* I went on an expedition with Lord Teo about three months ago and there, Alen and I ended up in a tent with another young general working under Lady Sonia. He was there because he had come to deliver her message to Lord Teo. Anyway, he told us about the time when he and his lover, a beautiful young blond man, ended up lost in a very cold place. *He stopped there, planning how to go about this.*

Gremio: Oh? So... What did they do? *He listened carefully, a bit surprised, but mostly pleased for the fact that his lover was willing to tell him a story like this one. He wasn't sure if all of the story would be true, but did it matter? It took his mind off this dark and chilly old cellar. Besides, he trusted the younger man.*

Grenseal: Well... *his voice dipped a bit* They were freezing and the lovely blond feared that he would fall asleep and thus pass away. So they decided to keep each other warm in the best way they knew how. *He grinned now, his hand about Gremio caressing the white upperarm.* And it worked wonderfully, or so he said. Can you guess what they did?

Gremio: *He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them again and looked at his lover. Yes, he could guess what Grenseal was talking about. //Aw, you are making this up, aren't you? Just to cheer me up. But I don't mind at all...// He couldn't keep the smile off his face.* ...Well, what?

Grenseal: *Just from the tone of Gremio's voice, he knew that his little trick had been put under the light. That didn't matter, since the blond was being a good sport about this. With deliberate silence to prolong the supposed suspence, he moved until his lips almost brushed against the other's ear and whispered.* That leads to exactly what I am thinking about... *His hands gained the naughtiness of a teenager as he slid one about Gremio's thigh, directly over the smooth skin beneath the cloak.* They made love, of course.

Gremio: *He gasped softly when the knight's hand touched his thigh. Was Grenseal really thinking about...? Here in the cellar? The two didn't exactly have the habit of making love anywhere else than in bed.* Oh... D-did that really work? *He asked quietly.*

Grenseal: I didn't ask him. *He answered smugly. His hand, in the meanwhile, moved a bit more until it slid between Gremio's thighs.* We can always try it and see, no, my love?

Gremio: Grenseal...? *His breathing turned a bit shallow, as his body reacted to his lover's touch.* But... you mean... here? It's... cold... and... *He tried to protest, knowing that the knight wasn't listening to that kind of excuses. Besides, it was too late.*

Grenseal: Exactly... it is cold here. And you need this. *He kissed at Gremio's ear, taking the soft lobe between his teeth and nibbling very tenderly. Almost as though he wanted to devour the blond, he pulled the slender body toward and beneath his own, mostly laid over the clothing they had placed on the floor. What small area that touched the cold floor would warm up in time. Knowing so, he searched with his pecking lips for the delicious mouth, giving a passionate kiss once he was met with the softness.*

Gremio: B-but why would I need... mmmh... *His further protests were cut of by the kiss. He was trembling, and he couldn't help it. All he could do was wraps his arms around his lover's shoulders, close his eyes and enjoy the knight's gentle touch. //Grenseal...// *

Grenseal: *He knew that Gremio would allow this; in a way, the blond mothered him and spoiled him, much like toward young Kohaku McDohl. If he resorted to rascal seduction, which he seldom did from his self-imposed mature outlook, Gremio would not deny him. Pleased, Grenseal toyed his palm against Gremio's crotch. He kept on kissing his lover, almost not giving him the respite to take a deep breath.*

Gremio: Mmmmh... *He squirmed a little, his body mostly tensed from the slowly awaking feeling inside him. He had given up already. He was willing to let Grenseal do whatever he wished. He was barely aware of their surroundings anymore; he was also beginning to forget the situation they were in.*

Grenseal: *Already sure of his victory, he changed the motion of his hand into a gentle pressing and grinding, set on pleasing the lovely blond like always. He parted his lips from Gremio's and traced down to the neck and the collarbone, just suckling and licking without leaving marks.*

Gremio: Aah, G-grenseal... *His hands traced up and down the younger man's back, while he lifted his hips off the ground, offering his body to be touched. This familiar way of caressing made him relax and forget all the things he had had in his mind.*

Grenseal: *More than happy to administer to the pliant body, he moved his lips until he found the already puckered nipple. He feasted upon the tiny nub with his tongue, forgetting whatever chill that filled the cellar. He was kneeling between Gremio's thighs now, enjoying the widespread, defenseless body. He joined the other hand in caressing Gremio's sensitive area, licking generously at his long fingers beforehand.*

Gremio: *By now, he was lost somewhere where only two people existed; those two being Grenseal and himself. His body arched a bit as the soft lips teased him. He grabbed the dark-blond hair with his right hand, mewing silently and shivering from pleasure.*

Grenseal: *He chuckled a little at Gremio's unconscious impatience and the powerless tugs upon his short locks.* I will deliver you bliss, Gremio. Just be patient. *He murmured against the hard nipple and began to kiss his way down, his right hand slipping between the blond's buttocks. He knew every inch of Gremio's body, so he snuck two moist fingers into his lover without much groping and searching.*

Gremio: *He tensed momentarily, then relaxed. The feeling inside him was nothing new; he was used to Grenseal touching him like this. All he could do was enjoy the touch of the skilled fingers. He moaned silently and glanced at the younger man, then closed his eyes again. He felt weak, so he just lay where he was and let the knight touch him.*

Grenseal: *Smacking his lips with a bit of rascal-like mischievousness, he kissed the very tip of Gremio's erection. He knew that his beloved was already too far gone into the bliss to move or offer a conversation. He didn't mind; he was too excited, too, to converse at a length. He could feel his bare lower body swelling and heating up. To convey the situation to his lover, he pressed himself a bit against Gremio's thigh. Relaxing his mouth and throat, he took in Gremio's length completely and began to suckle at him, his fingers beginning to thrust in and out slowly.*

Gremio: Aah... Mmm... Grenseal... *He writhed a bit, unable to move much. He was too lost in the pleasure, and feeling far too powerless to do anything. His other hand rested on the knight's shoulder, while he tightened the grip on the swordsman's dark-blond hair. There was no trace of the cold that surrounded them in his body; just warmness that took away the little strength that he had left.*

Grenseal: *Sensing Gremio's total laxness and languid writhing, he smiled and let go of the member that had begun to release precum. Blindly, he searched for the bottle of wine that they had drank from, and spilled just a bit upon his member, rubbing moisture over it. With much tenderness, he drew Gremio's legs over his shoulders, his hands hoisting the smooth thighs up and holding onto the lithe waist. // And of course, this is the most warmth I can offer. // He nudged into his lover, taking deliberate time.*

Gremio: *Eyes still closed, he searched for the younger man's hand. He grabbed the strong wrist, while his other hand seized the one of the green cloaks that were lying next to them. He was totally helpless in the knight's hold, giving himself to his lover and enjoying every second.* Gre... Grenseal... Aah... *He forged his eyes open and looked at the other man, trying to give him a loving smile.*

Grenseal: *He started to thrust rhythmically, breathing Gremio's name out in hushes. His control slipped away from his mind, his motions steady and frantic at the same time within the tightness. No matter how submerged in the moment he was, however, his body refused to be rough on Gremio. He kissed at the thighs drawn up across his shoulders, kneeling for the ease of position. Pressing deep, he gasped shallowly, bliss growing within him.*

Gremio: *He blinked as Grenseal's member hit the weak spots inside him. Panting, he tried to whisper the knight's name, but he was unable to speak. He gave up and closed his eyes once again, using whatever strength he could find within himself to press himself against his lover, while he was beginning to feel a bit dizzy as he neared release.*

Grenseal: *He fell silent, too, only grunting and moaning softly as he thrust into Gremio. Tension built from where they were connected, spreading to the nearing climax. With a small cry, he lost to the pleasure and began to release. He fumbled with his hands to reach for his lover's crotch so close to his lower abdomen, squeezing gently at the sacs and stroking the trembling length to urge climax from the blond.*

Gremio: *He could feel it as Grenseal started to release. His mind was too lost to realize that he was about to do that, too; only a few seconds after the knight touched his crotch, the bliss took over his body. He couldn't keep himself from crying out as he released.* Aaaaaannh...!! Gren...seal...!!

Grenseal: *Bright flash of white behind his clenched eyes passed with the release, leaving him panting as fast as his pounding heartbeat. He continued to move until Gremio had spent himself as well, then drew out in contented fatigue.* Ah, Gremio... *He lay down next to his lover, wiping his hands on one of their capes and running his fingers through the soft texture of the long, waving hair. He felt very warm indeed, and he just held the manservant close.*

Gremio: Mmhm... *He smiled as he curled up in the knight's arms. He was feeling tired and warm, but something in the back of his mind reminded him that this wasn't exactly a good time or place to sleep. He took a deep breath, lying comfortably close to his lover, forcing himself to stay awake. //But... I guess I still wish I could just... fall asleep here...// *

Grenseal: *He sensed what was crossing Gremio's mind* You can lie there for a while. I will dress us both. *He groped the floor with his hands and captured some pieces of garments. He had to feel them one by one to ascertain which was whose, since he could not really see that well. Judging a few to be Gremio's, he put them on his lover one by one.* When is Young Master due to return from school? *He asked with regained total calm.*

Gremio: *He let Grenseal put the clothes on him, lifting up a little to make it easier.* Young Master? Um... It may take another hour or so, I'm not sure. Cleo and Pahn should be coming back before that, though. *He lay down again, still not feeling cold at all.*

Grenseal: Ah. *Having finished dressing Gremio, he made a quick work out of clothing himself. He felt moisture on his cape and refrained from putting it on; it had been his own mantle that he'd used to wipe their bodied. // It is all well. I'll just take it home bunched up and wash it. // He caressed Gremio's head and hair, sitting up next to the blond.* Then we shall wait innocently until they come to our rescue. *He chuckled softly*

Gremio: *He smiled, sat up and leaned his head on Grenseal's shoulder.* Mostly, yes... Well, I don't think we have to wait that long. But... *He closed his eyes.* ...I don't really mind if we have to... I'm not cold anymore. As long as we stay close together, we'll be fine.

Grenseal: *He drew an arm about Gremio's shoulder, nodding* We will... *He mused over how that phrase applied to everything about their relationship. As long as they were together, nothing could hinder their happiness. He wished that such times would continue on forever, much optimism filling his lovestruck heart.*