Redemption: A Dickensian fanfiction story

Chapter Five: The Dare

 Amelia made sure her hair was pinned properly in the hallway mirror. She placed her bonnet on her head and then strolled into the dining area where Arthur was sitting.

"Arthur?"

He ignored her, staring at his untouched food. Amelia huffed and decided to join him in the adjacent chair and put her hand on his.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"I'm alright, Amelia."

"Well, I'm going out and about with Frances before the meeting. She should be here soon. Why don't you join us? She's quite taken with you, you know."

Arthur glanced over at his sister.

"How can you tell?"

"You just have to get to know her."

"I don't plan on doing that." He scowled.

Amelia frowned. She then scooted closer.

"What can I do to help make you happy, Arthur?"

Arthur hesitated. "I'm alright," he said again. "It's nothing you can do."

"Miss?" The maid stepped in the doorway. "Miss Barbary is here."

"Oh, good!" Amelia clasped her hands together in excitement. "Tell her I'll be out in a minute." She then turned to Arthur again. "Oh, won't you come with us?"

"It's alright, I'm going to stay here until it's time for the meeting."

Amelia watched Arthur. She knew something had been wrong for a long time. Her and Arthur used to be best friends, but over the recent years, they had grown apart. She missed her brother.

"I'll see you later, then."

Arthur was waiting for Amelia to leave so he could sneak out without having to explain himself. He knew Clay was still at The Three Cripples, and after Amelia went on her way to meet Frances, he grabbed his coat and hat and strolled down the street.

He didn't plan on coming back for the meeting, either.

~ ~ ~

It started getting late. What had been innocent day drinking, turned into drunken night shenanigans.

"Want to make it interesting and play for dares again?"

Arthur grinned. "Let's do it."

Clay brought out the Wager Cup again and began filling it up with wine. Arthur put a hand on his arm and stopped him.

"What are we betting this time?"

Clay thought for a minute, then a devilish grin spread across his face. Even drunk, Arthur was terrified of what was going on in Clay's pretty little head.

"Alright," Clay said, still grinning. "Okay, Arthur, let's see how brave you really are. If you lose, you got to plant your lips on these." Clay tapped his own lips with his forefinger. "What do I have to do if I lose?" Clay clapped his hands together. "Make it wild."

Arthur hesitated, unsure of what to say. Even though he had a strong suspicion of how Clay felt about him, he still had a nagging thought tugging at him that this was all going to come crashing down around him.

"You have to tell me how you really feel about me." Arthur finally decided.

Clay raised the bell and handed it to Arthur. "It's a deal."

As Arthur drank, he stepped backward, his foot tripping over another bottle on the floor, spilling wine from the small bell.

"Hah!" Clay shouted. "You lost again, my friend!"

Arthur stopped drinking and brought the bell from his lips. Nervous, he began shaking as Clay approached him. Clay gently took the bell from Arthur and set it on a nearby table.

Trying to be cute, Clay expectantly pointed to his face, waiting for Arthur. Still shaking, Arthur leaned his face close in. He wasn't sure if Clay was serious or joking, waiting to humiliate Arthur if he went through with it. Arthur suddenly thought of Compeyson again, and all of the emotional, and physical, torture that man put him through.

Arthur didn't want to feel that again. Ever.

"What's the matter, old boy?" Clay grinned. "Scared? Don't tell me you're not a man of your word."

Arthur got closer. He figured Clay was drunk enough, maybe he wouldn't remember anything. Arthur found his lips brushing dangerously close to Clay's, but Clay wasn't moving away. Arthur closed his eyes and pressed his lips harder to Clay's. In response, Clay grabbed Arthur by his shirt front and pulled him closer. Arthur held Clay's face steady, letting his fingers slowly slide to tangle in Clay's golden curls. This was the most elated Arthur had felt in his entire life. Just a simple kiss from someone he genuinely had affection for. Clay pulled Arthur as close to him as possible by his face, his lips parting against Arthur's, deepening the kiss.

Arthur broke away from Clay for a moment, still holding his face, and searching his eyes. Instead of horror or teasing, Arthur found lust in Clay's blue pools.

"I should probably go." Arthur whispered, suddenly embarrassed.

He let go of Clay, but Clay grabbed his arm.

"Arthur, please." Arthur swiveled around. Clay pulled him back again and said, "I still have to tell you how I feel."

"But, you didn't lo-" Clay pressed a finger to Arthur's lips.

"I don't care. What I do care about is you, very deeply, very passionately."

Clay pulled Arthur's face to him by his chin. Clay pressed his lips against Arthur's once more, causing Arthur to practically melt at his touch. While still kissing, Arthur grabbed Clay by his shirt and gently pushed him backwards onto his bed.

Arthur still felt conflicted, but his desire overpowered all reason.

In a frenzy, both began hurriedly undressing each other. Clay kissed down from Arthur's lips, to his neck, then chest, all while undoing his trousers. Arthur brought Clay's face back up to his and rolled him on his back, Arthur on top of him. They both placed kisses along each other as their hands roamed. Passion, excitement, and lust followed until the early morning.

~ ~ ~

Arthur sat up and stretched. He rubbed his eyes as he heard Clay stir. Arthur suddenly felt Clay sitting up beside him.

"Morning, sleepy head." Clay said sweetly.

"Good morning." Arthur yawned. He reached over and grabbed his shirt that was hanging off the corner of the bed.

Clay began to wrap his arms around Arthur's waist, but Arthur flinched in response.

"Arthur?"

"I'm sorry, I-"

"What is this? I didn't notice this last night." Clay began tracing the healed scars along Arthur's back. Arthur flinched again and twisted his back away from Clay.

"It's nothing." Arthur choked. He reached for his shirt again and began pulling it over his head.

"Who did this?" Clay pulled Arthur's shirt back up. Arthur looked back, his lower lip trembling. Clay stared at him, silently demanding an answer.

"Compeyson." He answered quietly.

Suddenly, Arthur burst into tears, streaming down his face, catching on his nose and lips. Clay pulled Arthur down to him and wrapped his arms around him. He let Arthur sob against his chest.

"It's alright," Clay rubbed Arthur's back gently. "You're safe with me."