He's Not Heavy (Louvel)

[Louvel von der Marck]

A cloud was forming in his head. A thick one that left Louvel feeling the haze of the last twenty-four hours while lifting his unwashed mug from the bed beneath him. He rubbed his face then his chest with a groggy open hand. The small space between the curtains above him issues a blinding warning when he fingers the panels apart. It was day time. He glanced at the bedside clock and grabbed it with a fumble. He squinted and made out the time. Barely. He bolted upright with a jarring pain bouncing around inside his head like the steel ball in a pinball machine. He was certifiably fucked and so was Judah if they didn’t start getting their asses in gear.

Lou’s bare feet hit the floor and he adjusted the waist band of his white boxers. The yellow lopsided smiley face on his backside was crooked and dangling off to the right since he couldn’t be bothered with straightening them out. He was giving it his all at completing the task of navigating what seemed too many steps to the bathroom. He arrived and the cold tile beneath his feet said he was hung over. That, of course, he took the blame for as he looked in the mirror and rubbed his stubble covered chin. He looked awful. In fact he was unacceptable. He didn’t need Gregor von der Marck arriving early to tell him that. It also didn’t help that Judah’s enthusiasm was still on the mark for anything. Party planning, the future, the world climate issues and what could be possible in the von der Mark family line past, present and future. All of that anticipation just so happened to be linked to the wine cellar. Oh, there was always enough enthusiasm left over for that. Jude had kicked his *** hands down on every drinking game he could recall from college and even put a few in the mix himself.

Louvel should have known better. The man could always out do him when it came to the holy juice as he used to call it back when they were young. The tiered trays were stacked neat and high with all those small portion cups inside. And weren’t they in their white robes walking in formation lighting the candles along the way in front of the full pews? It was a lot of pressure, hours went buy. All of that makes one thirsty. Who were they to let the leftovers go to waste? Waste not want not. It was a good set of words and it made it okay to polish of those countless little cups with a chunk of bread chaser. One of the many von der Marck childhood secrets that came to mind every time he ended up hung over and wondered why he did it in the first place.


Today Louvel von der Marck was calling it good. No more little cups followed by the big ones. He needed a break, hell, he needed water. He also needed to pee and he sure as hell needed food. Judah won it. Both days and nights. The water in the pipes just to the side of him caught his attention. They gave thirty minutes of hot water then would go colder than a witch’s tit. That was a thing he heard just so happened to be true. Not the pipes but about the witches. His left hand braced against the white restroom wall while his right hand went down and aimed what needed a little assistance to hit the center of the porcelain bowl between his shins. He looked down trying to psych himself into making his morning deposit.

Perhaps the place at one time had to have had elves living in it. The toilet needed to be elevated at least a foot to make any sense and that was one plan he had of making happen without checking in with the guys for approval. Perhaps Judah would bring it up since he did spend the last couple days sitting close enough to the ground that he probably felt like it was as close to a hole in the ground as one could get. The sound of air being sucked though a small space in his teeth confirmed that he needed to clean up. He figured it would be anytime and Gregor would be rolling in. Then he might as well just take the looks, the von der Marck eval that would be less than favorable. The shower was turned on and the smiley face found the laundry basket.

A T T I R E

An hour later Louvel emerged from the bedroom a totally different man. His hair was pulled back, held tight and clean against his head with the length of his hair fixed with an unseen tie. His face was trimmed and shaved. The skin conditioned and fresh with the scent of Armani after shave. The attire was simple but classic. He was opting for black on white. Casual but would set aside the last days spent in denim and all too predictable flannel.

Twenty minutes was spent on making the coffee which was brewed three times because the grounds ended up spilling into the water reservoir and then onto the warmer. He kept plugging along and with a little extra effort and a banana in his mouth for the potassium boost the three star continental breakfast that could have been spread out no more appealing that it was in the modest dining room was actually ready. He heard a knock at the door and looked to the table and over to the lazy beams of sun that washed over the small hall that would lead to where Judah was still asleep. Which door first? The tip of his tongue ran over the top line of his teeth and he made the choice. Judah was a brother that would eventually have to understand. Besides he had a hell of a lot to deal with today when it would come to his explanation as to what was on his mind, in his plans for all of them. His happy *** could afford to sleep in. His hand gripped the knob and pulled the door open and looked at him. It took a second to say something.

Why was it always like this?

“Welcome home.”

Louvel’s nostrils flared lightly as they filled with the scent of Gregor that he could not forget and the fresh morning air that brought it to him while there was still space between them. He reached out and brought Gregor to him with the gentle pull of an arm that hooked enough it was familiar and more than welcoming as it continued to draw him in.

[Judah Marck]

(( Outfit, No Jacket - Jacket on ))

Judah von der Marck had woken in a surprisingly good mood, he had managed to sip water with his wine and his tolerance was clearly that much higher than his cousin's. He'd fallen happily into a heavy sleep, passed out tipsy on a couch before Louvel had dragged his *** to bed. The two had stayed up quite late talking, drinking, laughing and generally just causing each other a bit of mischief. It was around 9 a.m. when he peeked in on Louvel, sleeping haphazardly in a pile of tangled sheets, Jude deciding against waking the man. He'd grabbed his keys and bag, slipping quietly outside to jump in the car. A short drive had him arriving at the apartment he called home, and the man set about taking a nice, hot shower to soothe the small wine and drunken cousinly jostling induced aches. It had been a while since the two had let their hair down together, and whoever said two didn't make a party could get stuffed, they'd partied alright.

Reluctantly Jude stepped from the shower, he had a schedule to keep and a face to shave. He set up his shaving brush, the cream and razor at the sink counter. As he lathered up the brush and swirled the cream across his face he remembered being taught to shave, it was one of his fondest memories. Lou was there at the time, their own father's had already shown them but their grandfather, Gasto, declared he had to show them the proper way even though he had in fact taught his sons. Jude hadn't minded, he enjoyed the attention and the way Grandpapa made it into a ritual. Each action was deliberate and done with a flourish, Jude remembered staring at the man in the mirror as he showed them, then got them to do the same, correct the strokes and reminding them of steps along the way. Afterwards he'd given them both a sneaky nip of brandy and told them they were going to grow into men he would be very proud of. That's what Judah had always strived for, to be the man his Grandfather would be proud to claim, and sometimes he slipped but he liked to think Gasto would be happy.

He splashed his face clean, checking to ensure he'd done the job right and gently rubbing in the soothing cream, the smell so familiar and comforting, many of the men in his family had used the same thing for many years and it made him miss them. Sometimes he mused that they probably kept that company alive with their purchases, perhaps they should just buy it. Jude finished tidying up and splashing a little of his preferred cologne on before going to stare at the outfit he'd picked out. He dressed in a simple white short sleeved shirt buttoned up all the way which fitted well to his body, tucked into a pair of expensive black jeans that had a low shine texture to it. He laced up the smart black shoes he wore, doing it in such a way that the laces loops were hidden under the tongue to give a clean look and finally shrugged on the royal blue jacket. Smart, simple, clean. The last touches were added, the watch his Grandfather had given him, a family ring passed down through generations and the simple gold cross that was tucked under his shirt out of sight. Gregor could hardly argue. He shoved a few things into a bag, some extra clothes and toiletries in case he had need to stay overnight again and darted out the door.

Even with all his fussing he managed to make it back to the house just after 10 a.m., grabbing a banana and some juice and slipping into the living area he had crashed the night before. He had made himself busy with reading and happily eating his fruit, quickly becoming absorbed in the text he was looking over so much so that he didn't hear the door at first. He realised in some distant part of his brain that Louvel had gotten up, he'd heard the groan of the pipes as they woke up, in fact he'd thought about getting up but he was right in the middle of an important paragraph. It wasn't until he heard the heavy door open and Lou saying "Welcome Home." ****.

Judah was up, shooting from his chair like a bullet from a gun, still holding the book in the crook of his arm as he burst into the hallway, rushing through the kitchen and out the other side to see his family members embracing at the door and the bulk of Gregor's ever present manservant skulking behind the tall, delicate featured blonde man. "Gentlemen..." Judah piped up, cheerily bouncing towards the doorway and folding the volume he carried, tossing it aside onto the small table by the door for holding keys and the like. His arms free he wasted no time involving himself in the embrace, making it a far more crowded and affectionate affair. He grasped the back of Gregor's neck, tugging him down as he leaned up to nudge a big kiss to the man's refined cheekbone beneath those oversized sunglasses. "Gregor, you handsome young man, look at you!" His eyes slipped to the manservant, giving him a grin of greeting and reaching out to snatch up the loaf of bread. "Bread? You brought..." Judah with a sigh brought the loaf up in a sweeping arch, smacking it against the back of Gregor's skull. "G-baby I said bagels, pastries or donuts. This is some nonsense, sir."

He didn't allow time to argue, the ball of energy that was Judah had already stomped back inside, fishing his phone from his pocket and dialling a number. "Jeannie dear, it's Pastor Jude. Yes, ah, yes hello! Ha. Actually I was hoping I could ask a really big favour of you, my wonderful Jean Jeannie." A pause, a nervous laugh, "Anything? AH, actually i'm having a meeting at the von der Marck Manor, and someone failed to bring the correct refreshments. I need to get pastries or something of the kind, oh and perhaps bagels with cream cheese. It's a brunch meeting. Oh you could? Jeannie you are a DOLL, have I told you that lately? The... YES, yes we are discussing those texts, and my next trip that's right, you have the memory of an elephant." He listened a few moments longer, nodding his head but shooting a frustrated look over at his cousins. "Yes, uh, Jeannie I have to run. I'll see you in about 20 minutes, you're a doll!" With that said he clicked the phone shut and rounded on the men once more. "Sorted! Desperate single women make fantastic assistants, especially when they think you're an eligible young widower!" He said it without a hint of remorse, just that ever present grin in place.

[Gregor (DELETED 8093)]

Welcome home. The very same thing Louvel said to him every time he arrived at the manor from New York, or Milan, or Paris. Even with Gregor's generalized misanthropy, he certainly couldn't deny that as fact could he? New York was held in much the same regard though, but for the first time, the young von der Marck considered the shift in atmosphere, and how it impacted his mood. Just being near Louvel made him feel stronger. Made the steel in his chest sharpen. Perhaps it was time to take his leave of the States for a while. Indeed. Broadway and the fashion shows, Central Park, Times Square – all of those things had lost some of the magic he normally associated with them. In the few seconds between the greeting, and Lou's arm curling around him, Gregor was on the verge of discovering something. About himself. About his parents. But he could return to it later.

His darkened gaze settled over the other man's shoulder easily as if to ensure Judah would not stumble along to find them too soon, and he reciprocated the hug, one hand drawn up, his fingers sliding through his cousin's long hair. Even put up as it was, he could easily drag slender digits across a scalp, drawing the other man's attention up to his eyes. The index finger of his other hand was used to carefully press the shades down, so he could look right into Louvel's eyes. Mossy green. Full of life. Calm. There was a quiet confidence there that had Gregor's head tipping closer as if he were about to whisper back his greeting to the man. But he never quite got that chance. He heard footsteps, and released his grip on his cousin's hair. The sunglasses went right back up, and shoulders rolled back to emulate the perfect posture which had been part of his upbringing. His faint smile didn't quite evaporate though.

And then he was being hit by the whirlwind that was Judah. He was kissed on the cheek, and Judah was talking what seemed like a mile a minute. Then they were being breezed right past so Judah could grab the bag of bread from Abe. Gregor's manservant reached into his jacket when the loaf came into contact with the back of an expertly coiffed head of hair. Not that it did any damage. Grergor briefly eyed Abelard, hand subtly gesturing for the man not to do whatever he was planning. Abe shot him a look back before he grabbed his coat and straightened it, before folding his arms behind his back, grasping one wrist with a hand. The stance was nearly militaristic. "Judy, daaaaarling." He said by way of greeting. It seemed that Judah had numerous nicknames for Gregor, much like an old Hollywood director or producer. G-baby. G-money. G-...whatever. Gregor had exactly one for Judah, which he'd never retired.

Thus, Judah continued rolling right on through. Which was probably why Gregor didn't even comment on the bread. That's what one got when they attempted to give him an order. It was some flaw of his mind. He just skimmed any imperative sentence. For someone who wasn't family? He outright skipped them. That's what the help was for. And so while Judah was distracted by his phone call, Gregor turned his attention back to Louvel, who he was still pressed against. His features softened again. For a moment. "I missed you." He said to the man, tone hushed, words very nearly mouthed. And then he pulled out of the embrace so he could exit into the clean air of the manor grounds. "Abelard. I need you to ready my personal estate. You've been texted the address and there's a key in the console." He commented with a lift of his hand, a gesture for the man to go. Much like the other families who reguarly attended the yearly family gatherings, especially those ranking members of the von der Marck, Gregor's immediate family had kept a residence near the homestead. Most of the year it lay under sheets. Carefully climate controlled. Cleaned once a week by someone on the payroll.

It was right about that time Judah finished his call to whoever he was chatting with. Jessica or something. "Sorted indeed." He replied, which had the unique effect of making it clear he thought the fixation on breakfast carbs was trivial. Of course that was probably because he was still very curious. And curiosity always trumped hunger for him. "How very Machiavellian." He added, when Judah concluded. Well. For the moment. Gregor suspected his cousin was going to start kicking up again with the gale force of a hurricane, and the movement of a dervish. Judah's manic energy seemed a little different to the norm though. There wasn't more of it per se, but there was an edge to it that either hadn't previously been there, or which Gregor hadn't noticed. Perhaps that had something to do with why he had been called prior to the gathering. Whatever the case, he extended the bottle of wine towards Judah when the male had sufficiently stilled enough for the expensive bottle not to go flying accidentally at the knock of hand against hand in polite exchange.

"Now if you've got that done, Judah, why don't you enlighten me as to what we're doing here so early." He finally lifted a hand, once the wine was taken, so he could pluck his shades off, carefully fold them into a shell case and push them into a jacket pocket.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel felt the drag of fingers returning the always too brief greeting. But was there ever a need for one? When had they truly said good bye? His eyes fell on what was unmistakingly the epitome of what a manservant should be. Tall, prepared to act and dressed far more formal than Louvel could recall himself ever being. His cousin would settle for nothing less and it was no surprise that the reunion had the expressionless one man audience lingering formally in his expected position behind them at the door. A brief study of the man’s features left a pang of question within. It reminded him of a few things in the seconds prior he had perhaps nearly forgotten. All of it returned as he stroked the surface of his own bottom lip with tip of his thumb. Just as he always had the habit of doing when he went deeper in thought than perhaps he really should.

Louvel inhaled slow and deep then pivoted as Greg’s dark glasses moved enough that their blue on green connected. The curiosity was brief and then by will alone it left Louvel as always. He didn’t really want to know. Something about being on the outside and always looking in applied to him. He had been okay with it. Still was prepared to always be. His arm became heavy as his hand slid down and pulled away enough to give Gregor’s pricey attire the room it needed to breathe. It was in that time that the glasses on his cousin's face went back up while the sounds of steps timed out whatever distraction had just taken place. All good things they say never last.

Louvel’s eyes floated down to the shoes that were vastly different in style yet close together in placement. It was hardly an unusual sight and over all failed to hold his attention. His gaze drifted to the floor beyond to discover another pair approaching. His head quickly lifted up in complete surprise. The announcement of ‘Gentleman’ was a first clue delivered in just enough time to be in contact with Judah, who seemed to come out of nowhere since he thought the man was still sleeping, and of course right there with them was Gregor. Once the embrace was complete the impromptu grab of the bread and whack of it to Greg’s head had him pinned on the manservants moving hand to pocket but his cousin halted its progression with a lift of a finger. Judy was spared and was not taken down for the slight. Not that Lou was set on intervening. He likely would watch with some amusement as the two seemed perfectly capable of handling each other if need be.

With the greetings out of the way Louvel gave a brief, gathered lip smile at the mention of being missed to reciprocate the sentiment in his own way then let it drop. He moved away when Gregor finally did. There was a cell phone in Judah’s hand and soon orders were rolling like it was nothing new for Judah to do. While he mentioned lack of proper refreshments Louvel reached for a stray coffee cup that he wasn’t sure if it was even his and took a sip of what was in it anyways. He shrugged at the cool liquid and gave it little thought beyond the fact it served it’s purpose at that particular moment.

While Greg took the time to discuss whatever with his staff of one that was still dutifully present, Lou eyed the food he prepared, or at least arranged. It sat untouched and rather take slight to it sitting there he made a point to reach over and pull at the first thing within reach and brought it to his lips. He chewed slowly while Judah announced the benefits of having willing and helpful females around that think of him as a young widower. His lips frowned a little. It couldn’t be all that grand could it? Lou knew better and he raised his coffee cup in sort of silent well meaning show of support to Judah.

“Just what we all could use a little more of.”

Louvel commented at the appearance of a wine bottle before taking another sip of his coffee. He glanced down to the dark fluid in the cup as if finally ready to accept the reality of whatever was truly inside. His top lip curled slightly and he released the cup to the table nearby. The mention of why Gregor was called piqued his own curiosity. This was the moment that Judah would be delivering the news with all the gusto he had earlier. This was going to require a seat and Louvel pulled one out and took claim to it settling back as he did. A nudge of his foot tapped at another available if Gregor felt so inclined to use it.

“It is really early yes.”

Louvel felt it in the back of his eyeballs and the sockets around them. He needed to drink far more or perhaps much less to avoid the feeling in the future. It was a good thing Judah was leading this presentation because he was still trying to make sense of it all, well what he could remember from the night before. Perhaps once he heard it for a second time along with Gregor, especially the details that may not have registered prior, he could finally have it sink in what Judah was proposing.

[Judah Marck]

Gregor's cool dismissal and his manservant's threatening nature didn't bother Jude one bit, he even gave a lopsided grin at the nickname. Perhaps he WAS being a bit over the top, though he had his reasons beyond his normal overenthusiastic nature. His eyes flickered briefly between his two cousins trying to judge the mood, one closer than the other both in age, familial connection and proximity. It was far easier for him to reach out for Lou than to Gregor, something Jude regretted at times. The youngest of the three had an upbringing in the same world of his cousins and yet it was so far from theirs. Louvel's saving grace was his beautiful mother Mara, her grounded nature and warmth that he very much inherited, of course he got Otto's strength and powerful presence but he hadn't gotten the piercing cruelty. Jude too was taught all of the airs and ways, was forced into the odd occasion especially when his Grandfather was alive and interacted with "high society". He knew how to dress well, present well and reign in his enthusiasm to that milder charm; it's just that he chose not to most of the time. His parents brushed aside a lot of that toff, preferring a humbler existence and a larger focus on their god. He found them boring beyond belief, but he appreciated the quiet home and chance to thrive he'd been given.

Gregor didn't hold the God he worked for in any regard, and that never bothered Judah, he felt no need to force his lifestyle on anyone else he'd just welcome those who came searching for their faith. The baby of the three, now a man in his own right, seemed to excel in the upper echelon of society. He used his obvious influence and money to keep people under thumb, an apology from his lips never needing uttered because in Gregor's world he was never wrong. No one was allowed to get the better of the young von der Marck, except perhaps the family that surrounded him now. Many times had they teased and taunted, winding up the pretty kid until a hair finally came out of place. It wasn't always as innocent as that, especially when Louvel had been involved. Things had changed over the years as they had grown both in age and assumed wisdom. Greg at some point had become distant, Jude had to admit he didn't know exactly when but he was so caught up in his own trials and tribulations that he must have missed the memo. A sudden desire to close the distance struck him, to tug the man who now towered over him close and tell him it was alright.

Maybe he also wanted to put a slight separation between Louvel and Gregor, had that not been why he interrupted that quiet moment? He could've waited, contrary to popular belief he was rather in control of his overabundant energy today, but better let them believe he was wild with excitement. That he didn't many to step between them, to force himself into their warm embrace. Better not to admit that in quiet, drunken moments or the briefest of glances the ever observant Jude had noticed the unique connection the pair shared. Lou had admitted as much in quiet discussion, and Jude's own secrets had come spilling out, nothing unusual there. It would normally be something that Jude just accepted, but having heard the clear confusion, seen that look on Lou's face when he spoke of his own broken mentality regarding relationships it made him nervous. Protective. The man had separated though and Jude felt the butterflies cease their fluttering in the pit of his stomach.

The way Lou looked at Judah as he once more fell silent made his heart thump heavy in his chest, there was an understanding there that Jude had his own airs. They weren't a show of pretension as Gregor put on, no, it was the charismatic preacher, the charming prankster when he was out of the collar. A man who could make a stirring speech, or drive you made bouncing off the walls if he were in the right mood. Compensating, perhaps, but what did it matter? It was who he was now and he wasn't ever apologetic for it. They loved him anyway, and he loved them back in turn. The smile he offered in return was weak, lopsided and offered as an admission. Yes, it did bother him, yes he was playing the part because what else could he do? Today was not the day for his demons to be discussed.

It was a clear a calm was coming over him as a bottle was being shoved in his direction, one of those etiquette lessons that had been drilled into them all. Always bring the host or hostess a gift to show gratitude for the invitation. Even if it was a simple catch up, they'd bring some small something or other. Wine, great. Jude chuckled as the exhausted looking blonde adonis expressed his precise thoughts, "I think blossom over here is a little tender after last night, I however was up bright and early making myself pretty for the blondes. I do so like my blonde men." He chirped playfully, not bothering to take a seat. It wasn't entirely true, in fact Judah's issues lay with tall, dark and handsome individuals. "Early? You don't know early until you've had children, so I think it's safe to say you two will never know early." It wasn't a cruel remark, or not intended as such, he just figured it to be realistic. "Do I have to start now? Guys I need to relax first before I get all worked up again. Can't we at least hear about what our sweet little G-money has been doing? I like his stories!" Now he did decide to take a seat, one less conventional, using his surprising upper body strength to hop easily onto the counter top. "I've missed you, you little ********." His hand reached out, fingers curling over Gregor's shoulder and giving a fond squeeze. "Seriously."