Fawn

[petty_dabbler]

John hadn't checked in with any contacts, he hadn't really read the papers, and hadn't been keeping on his fringe websites. He was in love, and he didn't want to waste a moment. He had no idea how long this was last, but he was all in...to the detriment of the rest of his life.

He'd taken Fawn out and they'd got 99's. The weather took a turn, though, and the pair found themselves eating ice cream in the rain under an awning. John smiled at him, but the smile fell as the rai stopped falling. Not ended, simply froze in the air. The curtain of water parted and ahandsome Black man with orange-gold eyes stepped.

"Constantine," he said, then looked at Fawn as if he was rubbish. "Fae."

"Manny," John replied, "What do you want?"

He subtly slipped closer to Fawn and put his arm around him protectively.

Comments

[fawnthefae]

Fawn was distracted by the frozen drops, poking one with the tip of his finger and smiling as it wobbled. Though being called 'fae' did draw his attention, and he licked his 99 before speaking.

"It is Fawn, not fae," he corrected lightly, his magic on edge but the rest of him calm as he leaned lightly into John.

[petty_dabbler]

"Are you on vacation, John?" Manny asked, ignoring the little creature.

"And what if I am?" John countered.

"Love has made you stupid. And lazy."

"Piss off, wanker. What do you want?"

"There's work to be done. I'm here to get you back on track."

John tensed. He didn't like the sound of that.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn didn't like it either. They were having fun, and this being was rude.

"John is not lazy," the fae tutted. "He is wise and always busy. Only this week he has chosen to be busy with me."

[petty_dabbler]

Manny looked at him with distaste and shook his head.

"That's the problem, faerie. Constantine doesn't have time for you."

"Now hold up!" John blurted.

[fawnthefae]

"Rude," Fawn tutted. "I have a name, you should speak it!" he added sharply, hissing a little.

[petty_dabbler]

"Oh, no, love. You don't want him to speak your name. Just...go with it," John said quietly, half mumbling it.

Manny was unamused.

"There's something rising, John. Did you forget? Did you think if you ignored it, it would go away?" the angel asked.

"No. No, it's just...no one knows anything, or if they do, they aren't saying," John said sheepishly. He'd expected this. He had. He'd known that day Prometheus warned him that eventually someone was going to pay him a visit.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn still looked annoyed, and he angrily ate his 99 as he listened to the pair.

[petty_dabbler]

"You're not looking hard enough, John. And you're not looking near enough," Manny said. "It's coming, and it's right under your feet."

"Could you be a little less cryptic/ Before I get a shovel and dig a hole?" he snapped.

That was when Manny turned his full attention on Fawn.

"The one of these that's here, the half mortal one, he can lead you to it. But I'm going to warn you now, Constantine, you'd do well to burn the faeries and move on."

[fawnthefae]

Fawn had been behaving, but he hissed loudly at that, moving like he might attack. He hadn't bitten anyone yet, but today could be the day that changed.

[petty_dabbler]

John shot between them before Manny could smite Fawn. He knew he would, without hesitation.

"Thanks for the life advice, mate, but let's get back to this rising business," he said, a little panicked. "So I look to Fin. Anything more than that to go on?"

"What is coming isn't from Hell, John. It's from time. Beyond Our Father. Older than a mortal mind can imagine. You're going to have your work cut out for you."

"If it's so serious, you're gonna help a bloke out, right, Manny?" John asked, flashing a charming smile.

The rain began to fall again and the angel was gone.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn was still hissing, and huffed as he pulled away.

"I want to bite him," he snarled

[petty_dabbler]

"Best you didn't, love," John said, gently rubbing his arm.

"If Manny saw fit to pay a visit, this is serious. I'm going to have to get back to work."

[fawnthefae]

"Bit we are having fun," Fawn said softly. "If you work you leave."

[petty_dabbler]

"I know," he nodded. "And I'm having the time of my life. But I also have a responsibility to protect people."

[fawnthefae]

The fae was still frowning, but fell silent for a moment. He wasn't going to tell John he couldn't take care of people.

"Your friend is rude," he said finally.

[petty_dabbler]

"He is absolutely not my friend," he chuckled. "He's a pain in my ass."

He gobbled up his half melted treat and licked his lips.

"Do you want to brave the rain to get to the car?" John grinned.

[fawnthefae]

"Must we go home?" Fawn asked sadly. "You intend to start working right this moment?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I do. But I could use your help. If you'd like to. Help, I mean."

It hadn't occurred to him until that moment that Fawn might want to be out of this completely.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn pouted, but nodded.

"I will help if I am able."

[petty_dabbler]

Before going anyplace, John caught his face in both hands and kissed him soundly.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn purred into the kiss, holding on tighter in return before reluctantly letting go.

[petty_dabbler]

"Let's go home," he smiled softly. "We'll start with the cards."

He led him to the car and once he was in he turned on the defrost to keep the windows clear. It was much too hot and stuffy. That didn't last, though, when he opened the window to smoke.

[fawnthefae]

"You smoke a lot," Fawn noted. "Let me taste one."

[petty_dabbler]

"No. They're bad for you," he replied, the cigarette bobbing between his lips as he spoke.

"And once you start, it's hard to stop. No."

[fawnthefae]

Fawn huffed, but didn't argue.