Mr. Faire: Part Three (complete)

Robin’s antique shop is one of my first memories - or perhaps I should say it’s the first memory I can actually recall. For a long time, Robin and his brother took care of me. Dealing with antiques and taking care of the shop was my first job. Of course, back in those days, it was all behind the scenes, all black market. Robin’s dealings were all conducted in smoky rooms and hidden venues. His inventory was kept in his home, as was I while I healed.

I was taken in after some sort of accident. I had burns shaped like diamonds all over my body, and Robin and Puck tended to me for a long time. I had no memory of my life before, although I had small inklings of who I was. I asked Robin had told me long ago there was a reason he could not tell me, not until I asked him. I was not ready for that.

It wasn’t until after the First World War that Robin set up a permanent shop, in the same place as before. I like to visit when I can and walk down memory lane from time to time. I consider myself father to all in the carnival, but it is Robin who I consider my father.

I’ve come to his shop today to look for something special. Ruby and I are getting married very soon, and I want to find something extremely precious to give to her as a gift. Robin always has some sort of ‘distant relative’ working in his shop. Today, though, I am happy to see my mother.

“Authaire!” Eira looks up from behind the counter with a bright smile. She rushes around to greet me with a great big hug. “Oh, how wonderful to see you!” She pulls back and looks me over with a grin. “I did not know we would be seeing you today.”

“Special trip!” I announce brightly. “The wedding is fast approaching and I feel I must give my bride a special gift.”

Eira smirks. “She’s already getting you. That’s a special enough gift for her, I would say.” She walks with me as I wander around, gazing at the antiquities. 

“She’s the gift!” I chortle. “I am merely a joyous reveler at this point.” I sweep my hand over the jewelry case.

Eira watches me with a close eye. “Is it a ring you want to get her? The one you proposed with would have any girl swooning through half a marriage.”

“I will know the perfect gift when I see it.” I peruse each gem with a close eye. “I simply have to see it first.” I take hold of Eira’s arm. “Anything new I should be alerted to? Anything very old that has only just resurfaced?”

Eira hums in thought as her eyes dart around. “You know, Robin did bring in some huge package the other day. He hasn’t opened it yet, but he did mention it was an important piece.” She motions towards the back room. “Perhaps we should have a look?”

I nod. “Lead the way.”

The back room brings back so many memories for me, having worked there a great chunk of my life. I set it up, and even built the shelves and desk that still line the walls. It had been my first project when I returned from fighting in the War, just before I set out to create my own family.

As we walk through the back, Robin is standing over a large crate. He turns sharply as Eira and I step behind him.

“The hell are you doing here?” He points at me.

“He’s looking for a gift for Ruby,” Eira answers chipperly.

Robin scoffs and rolls his eyes. “She’s agreed to marry you already. You don’t need to keep bribing the girl to stay with you.” He moves to block us from the large flat crate behind him. “Go look over the jewelry case. I am sure there is something there to pique your interest.”

“What is it you’ve got there?” I step aside from Eira and move towards Robin. “Something new?”

Robin juts his arm out. “If I wanted you to see it, I would let you see it.”

I move to the other side, but he lunges and sticks his other arm out. “Oh, come now. As my dearest friend in the world, surely you can share this with me?”

“In all these years, have you yet to learn manners?” Robin moves to block me again. I take hold of his hand, put one arm around his waist and make him dance.

“Let go of me, you crazy idiot! Eira!” Robin snaps.

I spin him around and dip him over the box. I look inside and see a portion of stained glass. Each pane is diamond-shaped and held together by dark iron. My skin crawls and aches along the soft scars that dot my entire body.

Robin shoves me away and scoffs. “You’re not as cute as you think you are! … Oh, crap.” He rolls his neck. “Now you have that look on your face!”

I look at him, my brow pinched tight. “Robin,” I whisper, “what is that?”

“Part of an old, demolished church.” He pulls the lid back over the stained glass. “It had been taken over by cultists who worshipped my father.” Robin glances back at me. “Nothing for you to be worried about.”

The scars continue to sting. “I recognize it, Robin.”

He stills, shoulders going stiff and his fingers twitching. Robin keeps his back towards me as he looks down at the crate. “I didn’t want you to see it.”

“But why do you have it?” I whisper. Eira clasps my hand with both of hers. “Robin, answer me.”

Robin sighs and removes his glasses. He uses the hem of his shirt to wipe them off, then sits down on a crate and slouches over with his elbows on his knees. “My father advised the cultists ages ago how they could best guard themselves against enemies.” His eyes flick to the crate on the ground. “The windows of that church were just one of the methods. I wanted to make sure no one recovered their secret, and that is why I brought it here.”

“But what is it?” I insist.

“A stained glass window,” Robin snaps. 

I frown down at him. Eira squeezes my hand. “Robin, what is going on?” she asks.

Robin scoffs. “This window is dangerous to people you like, Authaire. It’s been used against you once before, and I dislike the thought of it ever being used again. Even if it was destroyed, someone could use pieces to figure it out, and--” he stops himself. “I’m protecting you!”

I  rub my hand down my arm. “So these scars--” I swallow the lump in my throat. “That window is what did it?”

Robin nods. “That’s all I can tell you.” He lowers his head. “I promised you long ago.”

“I know,” I breathe. “But if I were to ask you to tell me, would you?”

Robin sits up straight and glares me down with a sharp eye. “After all this time, would you want to hear?” he asks.

“Perhaps I owe it to myself at this point.” I lay my hand over my chest. “If I ever expect to be a good father, a good husband, it would behoove me to know the answers to the questions. Even if the past is dark while my present is so light, I could use it as a lesson.”

Robin stands up and approaches me. “Think about it.” He claps his hand down on my shoulder. “Go home and really think about it, Authaire. As your friend, I ask you to do this.”

I nod. “Fine. I’ll agree to that for now.”

I return home to the carnival and seek out my bride-to-be. I find her in our shared quarters, where she is sitting on the bed and scrolling through her phone. She is perfect, so wonderful, a blessing on my soul. I have loved many people in my life, but I have never loved anything the way I love her.

Ruby looks up from her phone and breaks into a smile. “You’re back!”

I return her smile and sweep to the bedside and take her hand. “That I am.” I press a soft kiss to her knuckles.

“Did you get everything taken care of?” she asks me.

I shrug. “Not quite.” I snuggle up beside her and wrap my arm around her waist. “I’ll have to go back later after I think on it.”

Ruby kisses me and I lean into her. I so love her and I desperately want her, but I have sworn to uphold my own values and wait until we’ve married to take her as I would like. It is becoming harder and harder, especially as the wedding day approaches. 

“I’m glad you’re home,” Ruby sighs as we part. “I have our honeymoon all set, reservations and everything have been made.” Her gift to me was the honeymoon. Considering I have been everywhere, I left the decision of where to honeymoon up to her. It was her suggestion to make it a surprise for me.

“That’s wonderful.” I kiss her again. “I certainly hope you picked a room with a reinforced bed frame,” I smirk. “Because even if it breaks, I will not let you out of my clutches.”

“Don’t start off our marriage with promises you don’t intend to keep.” Ruby pinches the tip of my nose. “I would hate for you to get my hopes up.”

I bite at her fingertips. “This is a promise I fully intend on making a reality.” I nuzzle to her temple and breathe in the scent of her hair. “I have been planning, plotting, and perversing all this time, you know?”

“Oh my, not perversing?” Ruby gasps. She kisses my neck as I bury myself in her fluffy hair. 

“Very perverse,” I growl. “I am not the upright gentleman you think I am, my love.” I smirk at her as she bites her cheek to keep from grinning. “I am most uncouth. Downright animal!” I kiss her and she wraps her arms around my neck. “Despicable,” I moan as the kiss deepens. “Rotten.” I wrap my hands around her waist. “Vile.”

“Authaire,” Ruby whimpers. “You’re doing it again.”

I quickly recover myself and raise my hands in the air like I have a gun in my back. “I did, didn’t I?” I chuckle. Ruby’s face is flushed, and her lips look redder than before. “See what I mean, my love? I’m quite horrible.”

Ruby giggles. “I know you’re excited for the wedding night. I am too. But perhaps we’re playing with fire, sleeping in the same bed every night.”

I glare at her. “Are you suggesting we sleep separately? How absolutely cruel can you be? You know I can’t sleep without you cuddled up beside me.”

“It’s getting dangerous,” Ruby snickers. She bites down on her bottom lip. “I feel like lately I’ve been cuddling your hard-on more than your hard chest.”

My face burns profusely. “I’m so very sorry about that. My dreams are quite vivid, you understand.”

Ruby nods. “I know, big boy.” She pets my hand. “I am only suggesting we sleep separately until the wedding as a precaution. I would hate for you… for us,” she corrects, “to make a last-second decision that we may regret come the wedding night.”

I smirk. “Oh, I doubt we’d regret it.”

Ruby grins and playfully pops my cheek. “Even if I just bring in a separate bed? That way I’m still in the room with you.”

I sigh heavily. “That sounds worse than you sleeping in another tent, because then you’re right there. So close and yet so painfully far away.”

“Then I guess we keep tempting fate,” she shrugs. “Maybe you could jerk off before bedtime, just in case.”

I feel as though I am on fire. “Ruby!”

“What?” she laughs. “I do it sometimes.”

I stop breathing for a moment. “Please tell me that you do not jerk it.”

Ruby sputters as she tries to contain her laughter. “Not jerk, I just--.” she breaks down, almost crying laughing. “It could help, is all!”she says between belly laughs.

“I may have to,” I sigh dramatically. “I am now imagining my perfect, blushing bride in such a manner.” I place my forearm over my eyes. “It’s too beautiful!”

“Alright, calm down,” Ruby scoffs. “How about I go get some food and give you some alone time with that image.” She stands up off the bed. “You know how to do it, right?”

I scowl at her. “I may be old-fashioned, but I certainly know how to pluck a cherry stem!”

Ruby arches her brow at me. “Babe, you worry me sometimes.” She kisses my forehead. “I love you.”

I sigh softly. “I love you more.”

Ruby quickly steps away as I try to grab her. “I’ll bring you back some coffee. Anything else?”

“Just you.” I sigh heavily as she leaves, then I flop back down on the bed and cover my head with a pillow. I have far too much on my mind now. I should be thinking about Robin, and whether having my past revealed to me is the right thing. But the only thing I can even remotely think about is the image of my Ruby pleasuring herself.

I truly am a pervert, but perhaps Ruby is right. If I masturbate even a little, it could help me cool off and clear my mind. I strip naked and sit down at my desk. I look over at the bed, and I can picture my Ruby stretched out upon it. Her hand drifts down her chest, so I flutter my fingers across my skin as well. Ruby’s breath hitches as her fingers slip between her legs. I take hold of myself, stroking gently from the base to the tip. I imagine Ruby’s fingers becoming slick and wet. I see a lot of pink, a lot of softness. I can hear her breath, her moans. I picture her thighs trembling ever so slightly and her toes curling against the sheets. My hand pumps faster, stroking over my shaft. Already the tip is starting to spurt. I can hear Ruby’s gasps of pleasure, her whispering my name over and over. I imagine what it is like to place my tongue against her as she breathes deep.

I shudder, spurting into my palm as my body jerks. I snarl, feeling my glamour flicker for a moment. I grit my teeth and arch my back as I release into my hand and on my stomach. I breathe hard as I slump into the chair. I feel relieved, but also a bit ridiculous. I clean myself up and take shower before Ruby gets back.

Just as I’m stepping out in my pajamas, Ruby has come back with the coffee she promised me. “Oh, good - you didn’t run away.” I kiss the top of her head as she places the steaming cup in my hand,

“You’d find me, what would be the point?” Ruby’s eyes give me a once-over. “Anything eventful happen while I was away?”

“No,” I scoff. “Merely a perverted old man sitting alone with his thoughts.”

Ruby bites her bottom lip again. “Sounds fun.”

I crawl into bed, watching as Ruby gets her things ready for a shower. “My love,” I murmur, “can I ask your advice on something?”

Ruby turns to look at me, a pensive look settling on her lovely face. “Of course. Is something wrong?”

I shake my head. “Not necessarily.” I hold my hand out to her and she comes to sit beside me. “If there was a way I could recall my past, every detail - even the bad - would you think it was a good or a bad thing?”

“Oh,” Ruby glances down. “I suppose it depends. If it would hurt you, I would hate it. But at the same time, there could be good in it.” She looks up at me again. “As long as you remain the same sweet, wonderful you, that’s all that matters.” She cups my cheek. “But if it is something you felt was right, or even if you needed it, I would hold your hand through it.”

I sigh deeply and kiss the center of her palm. “I know you would.” I look into her eyes and I know my answer. “Will you come with me tomorrow to see Robin?”

A knowing look comes into her eyes and she smiles. “Of course.” She leans closer to me and presses her forehead to mine. “I’ll follow you anywhere, my love.”

I wrap my arms around her again. “I’m scared,” I whisper.

Ruby grasps me tight. “It’s okay to be scared.” She pulls back and holds my face between her palms. “This is something that deserves to be scared of. But it is your past, and it is you. I want to know everything about you, good and bad.”

I smile at her as her warmth floods through me. “And I want to share everything. It is the least I can do.” I kiss her. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” she coos. 

“Impossible,” I grin. I kiss her again and again, and moan as I try to tear myself away. “I don’t think your helpful hint worked.”

Ruby giggles. “I’ll have to take a cold shower, then.” She steps away from the bed as we separate. “Perhaps we’ll just sleep with a pillow between us.”

“When we’re married, is this going to be an issue?” I tease.

Ruby shakes her head. “Nah. When we get married, we won’t want any more,” she teases.

I toss a pillow after her as she goes off to the bathroom. I flop back down on the bed, my nerves eating away at me.

The following day, Ruby and I go to the antique shop. The sign says they’re closed, which is odd. The shop is always open. I use my own key to unlock the door, and we walk inside.

“How strange,” I whisper. “I’ve never felt the place this… still.”

Robin walks out from the back and waves to me. “I’ve been expecting you.” His voice is serious. 

“You knew I’d come?” I ask.

Robin nods. “Both of you.” He looks to me, then Ruby, and nods. “This way.”

We follow him to a door in the back I’ve never seen before, which opens onto a small parlor. There’s an old sofa and matching chairs, as well as a coffee table with coffee and snacks set on it. All around the room, there are framed pictures of me and the carnival posters through the years. There are old newspaper clippings about me ranging from the day I enlisted, up until my donations to the Hearthway Hollow nature preserve. 

“Is this creepy or sweet?” I ask Robin.

Robin looks back at me and takes off his glasses. “Think of it what you will, but I am proud of you, Authaire. I have always thought of you as my own.” He takes a deep breath and motions to the sofa. “Now, sit down.”

Ruby squeezes my hand as tears flood my eyes. 

Robin takes a box from a shelf and he opens it. Inside is a small satchel that he places on the table before me. “Open it.”

I cautiously take the bag and, as I open it, several objects fall out. They look like bone. I stare up at Robin like he is crazy.

Ruby gasps loud and her hands flutter around her mouth. “Your scalp teeth!”

“His what?” Robin balks in disgust.

Ruby takes one of the objects and she removes my wig. As she combs through my white hair, she sets the object down on one of my supposed ‘scalp teeth’. The object attaches and grows out. I wince in pain and gnash my teeth. As they meld back together, it feels as though electricity is going through each nerve in my skull, leaving through my teeth. My glamour flickers, and I let out a growl. As Ruby stands back from me, I breathe deep and shudder. 

“They’re your horns,” Robin whispers. There is a pained expression on his face, and he has his hands clutched tightly behind his back. “Once they’re attached again, your memory will return.”

I look to Ruby, teary-eyed. “Will you help me?”

Ruby kisses me and takes my horns into her hands.