I've heard the name Megan Whalen Turner somewhere, but not read any of her books—textual m/m inspired by Eagle of the Ninth sounds like a good thing.

It feels characteristic of both Keith and the novel that that simile ends with him deciding that the roots of their intimacy must be severed and the scene ends with him cutting a lock of Ewen's hair.

Aargh—oh dear, you're right. </3