Living Armor Boyfriend: Coeval 2 (rough draft)

My dad never let me test the boundaries of my power inside the house. Outside? Oh, it was free for all, he loved having me grow tall so we could pick apples or clean off the roof. He’d have me grow small sometimes so I could find things, but I never got to go big inside. I suppose I understand why now. Going in Holly’s Keep big, I’m getting chandeliers stuck in my hair, or finding a multitude of cobwebs drag along with me. Also, the place was full of guests for a party, so that made it a little difficult to move around.

“Don’t hit the food!” Coeval runs ahead of me, looking over the spread of food which he starts snacking at.

“What are you doing?” I fuss at him.

“Having fun!” He raises a goblet and a turkey leg. “It’s a party!”

“I’m trying to find my mom and keep track of my sisters,” I fuss at him. “Where is Lydia and Edith!”

I hear screaming and, as I turn, I see Lydia riding upon Morrow’s shoulders as he races her through a crowd while they’re trailed by a bunch of children.

“Found Lydia,” Coeval laughs as he pours wine into his armor.

I shoo away guards as they try to chase Lydia down, but eventually the chaos spills outside and into the halls so that we’re left almost alone. The kids are still following Lydia around while they prematurely open up presents that Morrow tosses from the tree.

I return to normal size and join Coeval who is still enjoying his own personal feast with some of the house pets. Several dogs are panting around him while cats have hopped up freely onto the table.

“I have been wanting to try cake! My father used to brag about it often.” He has a fistful of red velvet cake in his hand which he then offers to me. “Try it! It is decadent.”

I move his hand aside. “I haven’t seen Edith in a while, we need to go and find her.”

Coeval smears icing onto my lips and chuckles. “I’m sure she’s alright, no need to worry. She has Epoch with her, what danger could she possibly be in?”

“What have you done to my home?”

Her voice sends cold chills down my spine. As Holly comes into the room, I feel quite strange. I’m happy to see my mother even if she has grown herself quite large in size. I’m also afraid; it’s been so long since I last saw her, and my father’s exit from the Keep was less than ceremonious.

“Winifred, my dear!” Holly comes towards me, shrinking in size at her approach. “Calm your siblings this instant.”

I look around anxiously then back at her. “I think things have calmed as much as they can right now. Best to let things ease as they are.”

Holly smirks, tilting her head as she approaches me. “My, my, you certainly have grown.” She reaches out, slipping her fingers under my chin, turning my head this way and that. “You are quite lovely. Have you married? Am I a grandmother?”

“No, I’m not, there are none.” I say in surprise.

Holly sighs as she places her hands upon her hips. “Good for you, you inherited your father’s libido it seems.”

I look at her, marveled by how beautiful she still is, shocked there is some age upon her face. I had always imagined her being ageless and young forever. It also piques me that she and Lydia could be twins, it’s uncanny.

“Oh my,” Holly then smiles in Coeval’s direction. “You have one too.”

“One too?” Coeval takes my hand as he approaches.

“Edith had one of these handsome creatures with her too. Where did you girls find them? I would love to add one to the collection.” She winks and gives him a girly wave.

Coeval laughs and waves back. “Afraid there’s only three of us, fine lady. And we’re all taken.”

“Oh, poo,” she giggles. “I suppose I’ve gotten soft in my age.”

“And what would that be? Twenty-five?” Coeval jests with her. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze, and I’m not sure why, but it makes me feel reassured.

Holly then looks back at Morrow and Lydia with the kids. “My god,” she whispers. “I haven’t seen Lydia since she was a toddler.”

I watch her expression, seeing that it is genuine rather than a pretty mask. As a child, I used to watch her because of how pretty she was. I suppose in her youth, she worried more about seeming pretty than anything else. Now, I wonder if she has let that slip aside. “Why don’t you go talk to her? I’m certain she would love to finally talk to you.”

Holly glances at me and a soft smile appears on her face. “You three were my first children, and I fear I’ve done too much, or perhaps not enough, for the three of you. Edith made that horribly clear when she left. Your father did.” She sighs heavily and looks sorrowfully. “And Lydia, well, she came with challenges. Not her, mind you, I think had I been in the right mind, she would have been a delightful child. But because I had a hard time recovering, I became a different person after her birth.”

I’m surprised by this, Lydia’s father never said anything like that. He only told us that he left because Lydia proved to be a difficult baby. “If it was something out of your control, then-”

Holly gives me a look. “I was not the best mother to you three, I can understand why I was the villain in your story for so long. Hell, stubbornness kept me from trying to be a good mother. I’d like to try again, though. Edith is willing, but I need you too, Winifred.”

I smile softly at her, all the while Coeval keeps ahold of my hand. “I’d like that.”

Holly’s eyes brighten. “I’ll set up rooms for all of you.” She then smiles up at Coeval. “And for your handsome friends.”

Coeval laughs jovially, laying his free hand over his chest. “Close to your room, am I right, my lady?”

Holly winks at him. “You silly thing, how dare you read my mind?”

I give her a look. “I’m keeping you two separated.”

My sisters and I did end up staying in the Keep, at least until the holidays were over with. After that, we would decide what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go. I did notice Edith and Holly clashing quite a bit, but both were at least trying to remain civil. Their personalities are so similar, though, it isn’t a shock to see such a thing.

This has also been the first time in a long time that I haven’t felt like I’m in the middle of things. I’m not having to run after Edith or Lydia, I’m just sort of left alone to my devices. I’ve taken up residence in the library at the Keep most of the time. I suppose it’s something I inherited from my father, a love of reading and study. I’ve been tracing history, following our family tree through the ages. The Saint Nicolas family is much bigger than I expected, but I am not surprised considering how much Father Klaus got around.

Coeval and his brothers have also been enjoying life in the Keep. Their father had been a knight, so it had become a joy for them to learn about his training and ways before he met their mother. Who, I have been told, is a lava basilisk who possibly controls and rules the Kringle Peaks and will wake when the end of the world is near. I’ve decided it’s best not to ask questions, and leave it at that she’s a warm yet sleepy lady.

I never got to stay in the Keep long as a child. While my father had been quite fond of Holly, he was never as interested in women as he was with men. He described his time in the Keep as a selfish exploration of his sexuality, rather than a true tenderness with his wife. He left because he had broken Holly’s rules, taking me only because Holly was pregnant with Edith. My father has grown up since then, he’s happily married to Lydia’s father now, and he’s one of the best educators in the North Pole. People come from all around to study in his library. I even see hints of him here in Holly’s library. His signature and notes are scribbled down in many of the books I pick up. It makes me happy to know our minds are so similar.

One evening in the library, I’m sitting before the fire, filling my notebook to the brim with ink. I’m drowsy, but I don’t want to put down the book in my hand. As I’m beginning to doze, something warm touches my cheek.

“I knew I’d find you here.” Coeval chuckles. “I brought you something.” He walks around the sofa and sets a cup in my hands. “Part coffee, mostly chocolate, and lots of cinnamon.”

“Just what I needed.” I take a sip, and cinnamon and froth smear on my nose and upper lip. I sigh dreamily at the rich flavor. “Thank you.”

Coeval sits down beside me, picking up the book I had been reading. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Very much. I suppose you’ve been having fun jousting and playing with the guards?” I say with a laugh.

“Oh, it’s all fun,” he huffs. “I much prefer sneaking into the kitchen and trying out all the food and drink I can.”

I smirk at him. “Not becoming a glutton, are we?”

“Don’t patronize my dream!” He teases. He lifts his helmet so I can see his eyes. I can almost see his mouth and shimmering scales along his face. Some days he appears more solid than others, most of the time he just looks like billowing smoke. “My dad used to tell us stories about the feasts he and his fellow knights would be given when they returned home from battles and conquering. I loved how he described everything.”

“How did your father come to meet your mother?” I snuggle up closer to Coeval, as he was warmer than the fire.

He sighs softly. “Oh, how does a man ever meet a woman?” He looks down at me as I rest beside him. “She was terrorizing a village, he was sworn to slay all evil. She loved his eyes, he loved her scales. They made love in a cave and agreed to fake their deaths.”

I furrow my brow at him and he laughs happily. “I am telling the truth! Poor dad, always had a thing for giant scaly women.”

“Interesting fellow,” I murmur.

“He was the absolute best, I miss that old fool.” Coeval puts his arm around me and we lounge together on a sofa. “How do you feel about scales?”

“Depends.” I rest my head upon his chest. “What kind do you have?”

His hand rubs up and down my back, so warm it makes me melt. “Winifried, my dear, I have exactly the type of scales you like.”

I smile and wrap my arms around him. “Oh good! I was worried.”

Coeval’s hand slows on my back. “Do you mean it?”

I’ve never heard him sound unsure or lacking confidence before. I sit up to look at him and I give him a serious look. “You’re serious.”

“How could I not be? Around you, Winifred, I am more myself and less myself than I ever thought possible. Dad warned me that finding the right person would be confusing and exciting all at once!”

I smile at him. “I never thought I’d see you be uncertain.”

He places his hands on either side of my face. “Constantly, but I know how to flow with it. Except for now.”

I lean in, giving him a kiss where I last saw his lips. “Be certain, Coeval. I would love your scales even if they were just skin.”

Coeval chuckles softly, running his fingers through my hair, but he gets caught and tangled in the copious mass of curls. “I would love your skin even if it was just air.”

I kiss him again, taking pleasure in the warmth his body exudes.

“My hand is stuck,” Coeval says, struggling to get his hand free of my hair.

I yelp and hold on to his wrist to keep him from struggling. “Hold still! Hold still, you’re only making it worse.” I try to untangle his hand, used to having things like combs and brushes get trapped there often, especially when Lydia went through her hair styling phase.

I manage to get his hand out but my hair is quite messy from the struggle. “Come on, let's go to my room.”

“Do you know how many times your mother has said that to me?” Coeval laughs playfully.

“How many?” I say with a sneer.

Coeval flinches. “It was a joke! I promise!”

“Good,” I squeeze his hand. “She knows better.” We go back to my chambers where Coeval sits on my bed while I fix my hair. I comb it then pull it up into a silk wrap. “You’re very quiet right now.”

Coeval nods. “I’m nervous. Often imagined what it would be like when I finally got the chance to pursue my feelings for you. Now that I am here, I feel as though my mind is blank,” he chuckles. “I can’t quite latch onto one good thought or thing to say in this moment.”

I sit down beside him on the bed, taking hold of his hands. “You don’t need to say anything unless you want to. I just would like a private moment with the person I’ve fallen for.”

“Fallen?” He chirps. “Fallen? Really?”

I can’t help but giggle. “Yes. What did you think?”

“I mean,” he clears his throat. “I knew that, it’s just so strange to hear it being said out loud.” He keeps ahold of my hands. “I’ve fallen for you too, Winnie. I fell for you not long after I first laid eyes on you.”

I feel a swelling of excitement and pride in my chest. “Really?”

He nods then gently touches my cheek. “Your hair reminds me of home, fiery and swirling.” He slowly moves his hand away. “Do you mind if I try something?”

“It depends, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to get undressed,” he purrs. “Is that alright?”

My cheeks burn. “As long as you behave.”

“Oh! I will, no worries there. I am a very behaved boy.” He stands up, taking off his helmet so that he begins to flow out. He reforms outside the armor, which stands like a statue once again. His form is billowy black, shifting slightly, but shows glimmers of the scales along his body. He has a nice shape, slightly thicker, especially around his middle.

“Should I undress?” I ask playfully.

“If you do, I may not behave.” He kneels onto the bed then lays down, posing on his side with his leg bent up. “If I have to be a good boy then you have to be a good girl.”

I snicker and start to laugh loudly. I lay on the bed beside him, throwing my arms around him as he, too, begins to laugh. He holds me close, burying his face into the curve of my neck.

“I want you to have more fun, Winnie,” he murmurs. “You’re always so serious. It makes me want to pull that smile from you.”

I hug him tight. “You just being around me makes me want to break into giant grins.” I stroke his face between my hands, feeling the smooth scales there. “But thank you. I’ve always had to be the big sister. Always the responsible one. Always the one who gets ignored,” I sigh heavily. “It’s nice to be noticed.”

“I’m the middle child, I know how to get all the attention.” He kisses me, pushing me down into the bed. He pulls away and I expect more kisses, instead he chucks a pillow into my face. “Come on! I’ve always wanted to fight a lady.”

I scoff and sit up with the pillow clutched in my fist. “How dare you?” I say through sputtering laughter. “Are you really trying to start a pillow fight with me?”

“Not trying! I am starting a pillow fight with you.” He waves his pillow up in the air. “Come on! Fight me, Winnie! Give me everything you’ve got. Don’t tell me that fiery hair doesn’t whisper down into your soul.” He wags a pillow in the air. “Or do you not have the guts it takes to fight a spirit of the magma from which-” I hit him, finding he’s actually solid despite the smokeyness of his body. He hits back, pushing me then bouncing away off the bed. I swing again, gaining ground while he continues to try and hop away. His pillow hits me, I hit him. We’re both fit to burst with laughter until he falls off the bed with the most horrible sound.

I sit up and scurry over to the edge of the bed where he fell off. “Oh! Coeval, are you alright?”

He laughs harder and louder than before, picking himself off the ground. “Nothing wrong with a tumble.” He stretches and pops his neck. “Now then, where were we?” He looks me over, his three eyes glowing brightly. “Oh yes, I remember now.” He grabs me and kisses me, making me drop my pillow so I can hold him. “Having fun?” He asks me.

I smile shyly, as his kiss has made me quite weak in the knees. “Yeah,” I say breathlessly. “What about you?”

Coeval kisses me again, laying me back down. “As much as I can stand.”