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Spellbound
AN: Halloween AU set in a world where magic is *real* and there is no such thing as an STD or a condom. :-P Please see FICTION in the dictionary for more details. //Indicate
thoughts .................................................... Like so many times before, David cast the circle, called the quadrants, and thanked the God and Goddess. It was ritual, routine, something he’d done countless times in his life. His power was as much a part of him as his left hand, as his art, his craft, the Craft. Simple spell, simple ritual for the summer equinox, but he could feel his powers swirling, in him, around him. He was restless but he wasn’t sure why. Why now? He decided to burn the energy away, use the safety of the stone dance to release all that power that seemed to be captured under pressure like steam in a bottle. “From dawn until the day is done, this fire made glows bright as the sun. As light grows strong across the sky, I call the flames from air to fly. Burn no flesh, no feather nor tree. As I will, so mote it be.” Fire spewed up from the ground, bright as gold in a single spike. Beams shot from his fingertips, to the sun, and from the sun to him until the circle in the woods shimmered with light. He lowered his arms, and attempted to push the fire back, but instead it continued to roar, to rage, and to…burn. David swallowed hard as the rush of power came back to him, surrounded him, and pushed him backwards until he was pressed against one of the stones of the dance. His own powers snapping around him, flames licking at him, hot, but not quite burning. The stone he was pinned against vibrated its dismay through him. //Oh Gods, it’s happening.// “I don’t want this. He won’t understand! The Fates are wrong, he isn’t like me, like us!” he shouted and the flames snapped at him like ravenous dogs. In the wind he heard his answer. “Love waits…love comes…its not too late. He will come. And you will have your mate.” The flames faded, the power withdrew, and David shakily moved away from the stone back toward the center of the circle. With a soft chant and a wave of his hand the flames disappeared but for the first time ever, the ground was scarred. He sighed heavily and healed the earth before finishing the ritual and lowering the circle. //And you will have your mate.// “Only if he believes…even if he does love me, but he doesn’t believe…it won’t work. It won’t work,” he whispered as he moved through the trees. He could almost hear the Fates laughing on the gentle breeze flitting through the leaves. Maybe it was already too late? He didn’t voice the thought, but shivered with it despite the warmth.
Closing his eyes, he pushed on the tender muscles of his lower back and groaned. //At least the bed’s put together, and the coffee pot’s clean and plugged in. The rest can wait till tomorrow.// Stepping out of the bathroom minutes later, dressed only in his boxers, he slid between the cool sheets and tried to relax. His body was exhausted, but his mind refused to slow down. The whole purpose of moving to the mountains was to get away from everything and everyone so he could relax and write. His publishers were pushing for a follow up to his warmly received first novel, and they didn’t *care* that Craig’s apartment was noisy, or that someone always seemed to be needing him to do something for them, or that his phone rang off the hook. When he’d tried to explain, they’d simply suggested that he find a nice, out of the way cabin, hole up there for a year or so, and do nothing but write. Otherwise, he was out of a job. A rather lucrative job at that. So, he’d given in, hired an agent to find an isolated cabin somewhere in the mountains he could rent, and, just like that, he’d leased out his apartment and moved halfway across the country, determined not to emerge from his self-isolation until his book was complete. As he lay staring up at the ceiling, his mind continued to wander. His only neighbor for miles happened to be his landlord…a Mr. Wenham, whom he’d never met, and who lived just on the other side of the woods behind the cabin. //Maybe I should go introduce myself in the morning? There’s no one else around for miles, so it’s probably not a bad idea to have at least *one* neighbor who knows who you are.//
David paced the living room for what seemed hours, something was happening. Something that he wasn't sure he was ready for. The fates were certainly being entertained at his expense, he thought darkly. He liked his life. He *liked* the solitude, and he didn't like having someone else in control…but he had no choice. Stopping at the window that faced the woods and rental house beyond he felt it again. That pull…circling around him, through him. //He's here.// He had known that this was coming. That *he* was coming soon, though David had thought he had more time. His control had been slipping in the last few months. Little things at first, and then it had grown. The last few times had frightened him. The day in the circle with the fire had unsettled him and set his nerves on end and then the second time it happened scared him even more. The moon had been full, the spring equinox, and as he had his entire life he'd cast a circle, and almost lost himself in it. The power that had thrummed in the air that night had been staggering and it had shaken him badly, it hadn’t been like the day with the fire, and this time it was his own power that seemed to want to consume him. That was the night he'd heard the voice of the fates in the wind even more clearly. He knew that the one person who could help him was on their way, he even knew their name now…but he wondered, even if he didn’t feel ready for it…was it already too late? "If he doesn't believe, none of this will matter, will it?" he said softly to himself. Frowning, he turned away from the window and stalked out the back door toward the glasshouse. He was tempted to just ignore him, to go into the studio and work…work off the energy that was burning in his veins but he couldn't. The pull was too strong and almost against his will he started walking toward the woods. It was tempting to go to the circle, tempting to see what he looked like…but he fought the pull. Instead made sure he skirted the woods around the circle, and just walked along the moonlit paths trying to clear his mind. At least that's what he told himself. ~~~ Pulling the blanket up under his chin, Craig rolled over on his side. Again. Bed had seemed like such a good idea, but he couldn’t get comfortable. He felt like there was something he needed to do before he could relax. He had *no* idea what it was, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to get any sleep until he figured it out. With a frustrated sigh, he rolled out of bed and fumbled for the light. Sliding into his favorite sweatpants and a hooded shirt, he wandered around the house for long minutes, unsure of what, exactly, he was looking for. When nothing seemed to jump out at him, he went back to the bedroom and slipped into his sneakers, then stepped out into the cool night air, staring at the dense woods behind his house. //Maybe it’s there. Maybe I just need to walk for a while and completely exhaust myself.// His sore back protested as he walked down the steps and headed into the darkness. David stopped walking as he felt the air almost tremble around him as he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Releasing the breath slowly, he realized what he felt. Nothing could change what was already set in motion, he knew that, even if he wanted to fight against it. Moving through the woods slowly, he felt the pull again, a tug at the center of his being, and he had to fight against it to keep from going to the rental house. Turning up at your neighbors doorstep in the middle of the night wasn't exactly good etiquette. He almost laughed at that thought, and continued to walk purposefully away from the circle and the rental house. He wouldn't let his curiosity, (that's all he let himself believe it was for now) get the better of him. He was just restless, he just needed to walk...to let the energy pent up inside him out. As he walked along the moonlit path, he worked to release the energy, he could feel it almost dance in the air around him, but it wasn't consuming like it had been in the past. It was there, just under the surface. The power, snapping, crackling but not overwhelming. He'd seen his name on the rental contract, Craig Parker. He wondered if Craig had any idea what the Fates had in store for him? David almost laughed. "If he knew he'd probably be packing his things back up and getting the hell outta here," he whispered to himself. Slowly and rather painfully, Craig wound his way through the dense trees, following the path that seemed to head straight thorough the center of the forest. “What am I doing here, freezing my ass off, when I have a nice, warm bed waiting for me not two hundred yards away?” he asked himself even as he continued to move forward. Stopping suddenly, Craig’s breath caught in his throat and his hand rested on the rough bark of the tree behind him. Just before him, right in the middle of the forest, was a circle of rocks. The trees and brush had been neatly cleared from the center of the circle and as he moved forward, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He started to touch the stone closest to him, but, just before his fingertips brushed against it, he changed his mind and backed away. //What the hell is this?// For some reason he couldn’t explain, he skirted around the edge of the circle, eyeing it wearily. //This is…..odd. I should be scared, but….hell, I don’t even know what I am…// A sudden jolt stopped David in his tracks and without thinking about it he turned and headed toward the circle. The woods were more dense there, and he was surprised that anyone would go *there* in the dark. //Why should I be surprised? The Fates seem to want to play with my life so damn much anyway. Nothing should surprise me anymore.// His pace picked up and he moved swiftly through the trees. //Just don't go inside it. Damn it...don't go inside. Not yet. Neither of us are ready for that.// Within moments he stepped out of the dark shadows of the trees and into the clearing and almost directly into the path of the other man, who was distractedly looking back at the stones of the circle. "Do you always take walks in unfamiliar places in the dark?" he asked softly, knowing his words would startle the other man, and his hands automatically reached out to keep the dark haired man from stumbling over a tree root in his shock. "Easy," David whispered, "I didn't mean to startle you." One moment Craig was looking back toward the strange circle, and the next he was falling forward into a stranger’s arms, his heart pounding in his chest and his lungs forgetting to draw in air for a few seconds. He bit back a yelp of surprise, somehow unwilling to break the near-silence of the forest and closed his fingers over the stranger’s forearms as he stood up straight. “I…um…yeah,” he stammered. “I mean, no, I don’ t usually do that. I just…I couldn’t sleep.” As he pulled away and tried to gather his wits, the clouds shifted and he could see the other man’s face. Soft looking ginger colored hair blew lightly in the breeze and glittering blue eyes stared back at him. //My God, I don’t know who you are, but you are the most incredibly handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life. Maybe I got to my feet a little too quickly…but damn…you scared the hell outta me.// “I’m sorry. I just…I didn’t expect anyone to be out here. I’m not sure what I expected, really, but…it wasn’t…you.” David's hands stayed on the other man's arms probably longer than they should have. He almost laughed when he said he hadn't expected him. //Oh but I expected you...but by the Goddess I didn't expect you to look like *this*// He was almost tempted to thank the Fates after all...almost. "You should be careful wandering about out here, Mr. Parker," David said softly, and almost smiling when he saw the momentary flash of wariness pass over the other man's face. His hands slid down Craig's arms, pausing at his wrists for the barest of moments, feeling the pulse jump under his thumbs before his hands dropped away. "Sorry to hear you couldn't sleep, I hope the rental house is all right?" he asked, trying to act as if it were perfectly *normal* for him to be wandering about in the woods himself. Craig shivered and simply stared at the other man for long moments. “I…you…must be Mr. Wenham,” he smiled, telling himself to snap out of it and stop staring. “The house is fine. Perfect, in fact. I just couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe a walk in the woods would help. Guess I should have tried warm milk instead, eh?” Glancing back at the circle of stones he shook his head and laughed. “Anyway, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you while you were….um….making…um…whatever it is you’re making. It’s….nice. Just a little….unusual. None of my business, I know. I’ll stay out of your way. No hard feelings?” His hand reached out toward David, and he found himself hoping that at least they could shake hands. David’s touch had been warm and soothing and Craig found himself wondering if someone was waiting for the red-head back at his house, which couldn’t be too far away. David cocked his head to the side curiously when Craig said 'whatever it is you're making'. He glanced over at the stone circle and smiled briefly. "I didn't make that, it's always been here," he said taking the offered hand. He felt the connection with Craig spark within him for a moment and he gasped as the jolt raced up his arm. He could feel the power within him seem to be tempered for a moment and his hand dropped away from Craig's. "Uh, no hard feelings at all. You...you can call me David. I think we were having the same trouble tonight...I was...restless. Decided a walk out here was better than pacing my living room until I wore a hole in the rug," he grinned. Craig laughed and nodded in agreement. “Well David, nice to meet you,” he said as he forgot about the circle and found himself more than happy to gaze at the man before him. “And you can call me Craig. Since we both seem to be wide awake, can I interest you in a cup of hot chocolate? I think I *might* know which box I can find a pan in, and the chocolate was the first thing I unpacked. I can make extra if you want to take some back to….your family or something. I’ve got plenty.” David smiled and nodded, "Thank you...that sounds perfect," he said watching the way Craig's eyes seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. "I'm afraid I don't have a family. I live here alone, prefer the solitude. Seems to suit me, and my work," he said glancing up at the sky. "We should get in before the rain anyway," he said gesturing for Craig to walk with him. Feeling happier than he should at sharing a simple cup of chocolate, Craig bit back a smile and fell into step beside David. //He doesn’t have a family. Good to know. I mean, not that I hope he’s lonely, but….still.// “I didn’t even realize it was going to rain,” he said, looking up through the thick foliage in a vain attempt to see the stars. “You must have a better sense of nature than I do.” Now that David had said it, Craig could almost feel the heaviness in the air as the breeze around them picked up and caused him to shiver. “So…you already know what I do for a living from my rental application,” he continued as he folded his arms across his chest. “I think the solitude will suit me too, and, hopefully, I can get some writing done for a change. Since you seem to have the upper hand here, do you mind if I ask what you do for a living?” David almost laughed when Craig said he must have a better sense of nature. They walked side by side and he smiled when Craig asked him what he did for a living. "I'm a glass artist, my glasshouse is just the other side of the woods here. I had thought about going out there to work off this...restlessness, but decided on a walk instead. Glad I did now," he said smiling. The wind was starting to pick up and as they made it to the other side of the woods he could see the lights in the rental house glowing cheerfully. "So what's it like to kill someone...on paper that is?" David asked with a mischievous grin. Craig laughed, already feeling more at ease with David than he normally did after knowing someone for months. “Tougher than you’d think,” he said, shaking his head and walking faster. “Seems easy enough, but then you have all these imaginary cops and detectives and CSI guys running around in your head, causing trouble every time you turn around. It can drive you more than a little crazy at times.” They finally stepped up on the porch and he held open the door for David. “Not that I’m *really* crazy,” he continued with a chuckle. “At least, the voices in my head assure me that they have every right to be there.” David laughed as Craig held the door open for him. "As long as you don't start arguing with them, I think it stays out of the realm of psychosis anyway," he commented as they walked into the kitchen. Now that they were in the light, David found he had a hard time not looking at Craig. He didn't want to seem like he was staring but the other man was utterly gorgeous. Of course, the Fates wouldn't choose someone I wouldn't be attracted to, he mused. "Rain's here," he whispered as the first fat raindrops began to slap against the window panes. Laughing at David’s remark, Craig shook his head and began warming the milk as he pulled the container of chocolate from one of the shelves. Wincing as his back reminded him that he should *not* be moving like that, he moved a little more slowly and looked out the window for a moment, then back at his guest. “Wow,” he said as he stirred the milk and arched an eyebrow at David, pushing away the thoughts of how the red-head was even sexier now than he had been at first glance. “You really *do* know your stuff. I didn’t even think about rain till you mentioned it. Glad I met you and didn’t get caught out there in this. I’m so sore from all the moving, I don’t think I could have made it back here very quickly.” David watched Craig as he moved about the kitchen and felt a wave of concern hit him when he saw the other man wince. He remained silent but had to fight the urge to go over to him and take the pain away for him. Then when Craig said he was sore from moving, David stepped a little closer to him, though still not close enough to touch the other man, even though every fiber of his being wanted him to. "I...I don't want to sound incredibly forward, but I'm pretty good at backrubs," David said before he could stop himself. He closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head at himself. //Oh yeah, while you're at it why don't you just throw him over the table and have your way with him?// "I'm sorry, that was a stupid thing to say when we've just met," he said leaning against the counter and turning his attention to the pattern of raindrops slipping down the glass of the window. Craig swallowed the lump in his throat and turned to look at David. As the other man simply stared out the window, Craig had to bite back a smile at the way he was pointedly avoiding looking at him. //Well, my back *does* hurt. And I’ll never get everything moved tomorrow unless I get over this…// “It wasn’t stupid,” he said softly as he added chocolate to the milk and kept stirring. “I mean…I can barely move, and it’ll only get worse if I don’t try something.” //Besides…if you really don’t mind, I’d love to just feel your hands on my skin.// David’s hands, just like the rest of him, Craig discovered, were mesmerizing. Shaking off that thought, he reached up into another cabinet for two mugs and had to grit his teeth as the pain in his back flared up again. //Shit…I’ve pulled a muscle. A BIG one, apparently.// “I…um….yeah…so maybe we can give it a try?” he continued. “I can’t afford to be out of commission until this goes away on it’s own, and, since we *are* neighbors, and neighbors help each other….what’s the harm in trying?” David turned away from his intent study of the rain against the window and smiled at Craig. "If you're sure. I spend so much time alone, I guess I forget how to talk to people sometimes. I'm glad I didn't offend you," he said softly. He wasn't sure what to do with himself and pushed away from the counter. "Do you need a hand with anything?" he asked, feeling slightly guilty that Craig was making him hot chocolate while he was in pain. “Don’t worry,” Craig grinned. “I don’t offend easily. And as for needing a hand, I think I’m done, actually.” Carefully pouring the steaming chocolate into the mugs, he offered one to David and wrapped his hands around the other one. “How about we have a seat in the living room? These kitchen chairs don’t exactly look inviting to my back at the moment.” David smiled slightly and took the warm mug. "Thank you," he said softly as he followed Craig to the living room. It wouldn't take much to take away Craig's pain. Honestly, he could take it away without ever actually touching him but almost greedily, David did want to touch him. He wanted to feel the other man's skin, warm against his fingertips. Feel the way his body moved and he could almost imagine what it was like to hold that incredible body against his own. David shook his head to clear his thoughts and almost sighed. The physical pull toward Craig was even stronger than it was before, and it was almost more than he could bear. "You've gotten a lot done," he mused as they sat down. Two bookshelves were already filled with books, and as he looked around the room he could already see Craig's imprint on the little house. “Yeah, I was doing pretty well until about 6PM,” Craig said ruefully. “That’s about the time I was carrying a box of books in and *someone* who’s supposed to love me ran between my feet and tripped me.” He raised his voice at the ‘someone’, and was answered with an indignant sounding meow. “That little attention-whore over there under the table evidently thought that it would be amusing to see me fall flat on my ass. I’m quite sure he was laughing at me the whole time.” Craig’s words were mocking, but his tone was affectionate, and a sleek black cat moved forward across the room to wrap around his legs. “You *did* say a pet was ok, right?” he asked as he leaned down to scratch the furry head that was now pushing insistently against his calf muscle. “I mean, I’d hate to have to throw Max here out, but I’ll do it if the landlord says I must...especially after he tripped me like that.” David grinned over his mug at the cat seeking attention at Craig's legs. "Yes, pets are fine," he said softly. He almost laughed when Max looked up at him with golden eyes and very nearly glared at him, not liking in the least being referred to as a 'pet'. "That wasn't a very nice thing to do to your friend, Max," he said smiling as the cat simply pushed against Craig's hand wanting to be petted. The two of them talked for a long time while the rain continued to pour outside, and finally David set his empty mug aside. "So, I've seen you wince at least four times in the last half hour, if you do really want that back rub I'd like to see if it will help. I don't like to see anyone in pain //especially you//," he said softly. Craig couldn’t help the way his heart skipped a beat at just the *thought* of David’s hands touching him. Neither could he help the look of longing that touched his eyes, but he was hoping that David mistook that for gratitude. He found himself wishing that the rain would never end, and was extraordinarily grateful that he hadn’t hung a clock up on the wall yet. It seemed like only minutes, but he knew they’d been talking for well over an hour, and he didn’t want David to notice the time and head back to home. “I do still want that back rub if you’re sure you don’t mind,” he said as he scooted forward on the couch and his back spasmed particularly viciously. Gritting his teeth, he had to close his eyes for a moment and bite back the pain. “Where would it be easiest for you?” he asked as he gripped the arm of the couch with his right hand and waited for the pain to subside. David felt warmth wash over him as Craig looked at him. It was a feeling he'd never known before and for a moment it left him speechless. When Craig moved forward and in obvious pain, David stood up quickly. "I can tell you're hurting, so where ever you'd be the most comfortable is best," he said softly. It was tempting to simply take the pain away now, but he knew that he wasn't ready to answer the questions that would follow. //He'd think I was insane at best.// He stood beside the couch and waited for Craig to decide where he'd rather lie down. Craig was so very tempted to head toward the bedroom, but now *he* was the one afraid of being forward. He looked back at the couch and gingerly started moving toward the other end. “I guess the couch works,” he said as he leaned back carefully and began to roll over on to his stomach, trying to think about *anything* but the bed that was only on the other side of wall behind them. //In bed. With David. Yeah…..like he’d want that. He said he *likes* to be alone, you big dope. Don’t push yourself on him.// “Will…um…yeah. I mean…will you have enough room to work here?” David watched as Craig lay down on the couch and he smiled. "Yeah, this is fine," he whispered. Carefully, David straddled Craig's hips, one knee between Craig and the back of the couch and the other knee on the very edge. It was a bit precarious, but maybe the awkwardness would keep David's mind focused on what he was *supposed* to be doing and not what he wanted to do. Gently, he pushed Craig's shirt up, exposing the smooth, warm skin of his lower back. Closing his eyes for a moment, David put his hands together, and then slowly brushed them over the tender muscles of Craig's back. As carefully as he could, he controlled just how much of his power flowed through him as his hands moved over the other man's back. "How's this?" he asked softly. It felt, to Craig, as if a warm heating pad was pressed gently to his back, and the muscles that had been bunched and knotted just moments before were now relaxed and supple. With a content sigh, he nodded and lifted his upper body up just enough to slide his shirt over his head before laying back down and closing his eyes. “More please,” he murmured, not exactly sure what David was doing, but knowing, without a doubt, that it felt wonderful. “God, David, you must have magic hands. The pains are gone already everywhere you’ve touched me. Please…don’t stop.” David sat back a bit when Craig pulled his shirt off and he had to resist the desire to lean down and press his lips against the other man's skin. His heart seemed to be pounding in his chest, just from these healing touches and he had to take a deep breath. Then when Craig said the words 'magic hands' he nearly snorted and hung his head for a moment. "Just a trick someone once taught me, glass blowing requires a lot of time bent over so back aches are common," he said as an excuse. Leaning forward again, David spread his hands flat against Craig's shoulder blades and then moved downward to his lower back and then moved back up. Slowly, his hands moved over smooth skin and he couldn't fight the burgeoning arousal he had from the actions. The feeling of Craig's skin under his fingers was almost too much. Craig smiled and looked over his shoulder at David. “Well, if I can ever repay the favor, just let me know,” he smiled. His own arousal was growing steadily, and the feel of David’s hands moving over his skin both relaxed him, and, at the same time, made him want to roll and give David a kiss that neither of them would ever forget. As it was, Craig’s relaxed state made him a little more forward than he normally would be, and the words fell from his lips before he could stop them. “I don’t want to seem forward either, but…unless you have someone you normally call for backrubs, I’m hoping that you’ll call me from now on if you ever need one. It’s not often I get lucky enough to meet someone I can talk so easily to. Not to mention someone who’s as handsome and good with his hands as you’re turning out to be.” David's hands stilled for a moment against Craig's back and he smiled. "I'll be sure and keep that in mind," he said softly. His hands continued to move over Craig, but now it was a touch of pleasure and not healing. He almost felt guilty for that, though not quite. He closed his eyes for a moment, and imagined what it would feel like to press his lips against the warm skin beneath his hands. What it would be like to lick and nip a trail down his back, and he felt his arousal pulse within the confines of his jeans, which had become uncomfortably tight. Shifting slightly, he leaned over Craig a little more but kept his lips from touching him. "I have to admit, Craig...I'd rather do more than give you a simple back rub," he whispered. He knew he shouldn't, but it seemed that his brain wasn't really in control anymore. For a moment, Craig would have sworn his heart stopped beating. He’d hoped David felt this attraction, but with him wandering around at midnight, barely able to walk, he didn’t really see how he could. //He feels it too…he has to, or he wouldn’t have said that.// One hand moved back behind him to let his fingertips brush over David’s denim covered thigh and Craig would have sworn he could feel an erection pressed against his backside. One as thick and hard as his own was at the moment. “And, I have to admit that I’d like more than a back rub from you about now,” he said softly, blushing at his boldness, but wanting, more than anything, to be closer to David. David gasped softly when Craig's fingertips brushed against his thigh. He knew that it was far too soon to explain everything to Craig, to explain who he was, *what* he was, but he was almost too far gone to even think rationally anymore. When he said he'd like more than a back rub he felt his arousal pulse within the confines of his jeans and he shifted his weight, allowing Craig to roll over under him. He stared into Craig's eyes completely enthralled, before he leaned down and against his better judgment, pressed his lips to Craig's. Immediately he felt a wave of desire and contentment wash over him. A kind of peace he'd never felt and in that moment he completely understood why the Fates decided that Craig was his perfect match. Then all thought fled as Craig's lips parted under his own and granted him access. His tongue slipped forward past soft lips and smooth teeth to tangle and dance with Craig's. David's blood was rushing hotly through his veins, and he knew *this* was what heaven was. Before Craig could even think about what he was doing, his arms were wrapped around David, their mouths were sealed together and it was unlike any kiss he’d ever known in his life. Suddenly, he wasn’t nervous or shy, or afraid of moving too fast, because he’d never felt more at home than he did right here in David’s arms. One hand rested at the small of David’s back as the other moved to tangle in his hair, and Craig wasn’t really all that surprised to notice that the soft moans that filled the room were his own. David’s tongue was gently exploring his mouth, and, after long moments, Craig’s tongue slid forward to do the same. He tasted warm, sweet chocolate, and the flavor that could only be David himself….and it was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted in his life. David moaned softly as Craig's tongue slipped forward to explore his mouth. His heart was beating so hard he could nearly hear it. One arm slipped under Craig's neck, his hand at the base of his neck, slipping into soft dark hair and the kiss seemed to heighten and deepen at the same time. David's body shifted against Craig's and a low moan was trapped between them as his arousal ground against Craig's. A kiss had never been like this, he'd known that Craig was his match, he'd felt it from the moment the man had arrived, he'd been drawn to him, but until now he hadn't completely understood it all. Only after the need for air was so great that he was dizzy did David pull away. "Blessed be," he murmured to himself. He blinked a few times and looked into Craig's eyes seeing the same desire shining there that he knew matched his own. Part of him wanted to stay and part of him was screaming that it was too soon. Craig’s fingers combed idly through soft, now slightly mussed red hair as he stared up at David with a smile. “I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed a kiss as much as I just did that one,” he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady and his mind off the ache between his legs. The fingers of his other hand slipped slowly underneath David’s shirt and moved over smooth, warm skin. “You…don’t have to go,” Craig continued as he stared up into lust darkened blue eyes. “I don’t want you to think I sleep around, because I don’t, but…there’s something about you, David, that makes me feel like I’ve known you all my life. I don’t know what it is, but…but it’s more than attraction, more than a quick roll in the hay, I can tell you that right now. If you’re at all interested in me like that, then…I’d love to wake up in your arms in the morning.” Staring into Craig's eyes as he tried to catch his breath, David nodded slowly. "I've never enjoyed a kiss like that before either," he admitted honestly. When Craig said the words 'there's something about you' he smiled. But when Craig asked him to stay he felt his heart leap in his chest. //I shouldn't. I really, really shouldn't.// He stared into Craig's eyes and knew he wouldn't be able to resist even if he tried. "I don't sleep around either…but I have to be honest, I really don't want to leave," he whispered softly. The voice inside his head was screaming at him that it was a mistake, but his heart was winning the battle. This man was his match, his destiny, and everything he would ever want as long as he lived. They were destined from the moment they were born, how could he ever expect to resist him? Craig simply stared up into his soon-to-be-lover’s eyes and felt his erection straining against the fabric of his boxers. David’s arousal was still pressed against his own, and Craig knew that he must be aching as well. Leaning up to nuzzle against David’s neck, Craig smiled and felt relief wash over him in waves. //He doesn’t want to leave. God, I’m glad, because I’d have a hell of a time letting him go.// He pulled away after a moment and licked at the seam of the soft, kiss swollen lips before him. “Bedroom?” he asked softly. //I must be losing my mind, we haven't known each other three hours, yet my soul knows his.// David wondered how difficult everything would be to explain, he had no idea how powerful the attraction would be until now. He thought he had time to explain things before it came to this. "Yeah," David whispered almost forgetting himself for a moment and getting them to the room by less normal means. He sighed in frustration for a moment knowing he'd have to release Craig for them to move to the other room. Carefully, he pulled away and stood up beside the couch, offering his hand to Craig. Taking David’s hand, Craig stood and led the way to his bedroom. He’d honestly *never* done anything like this, but, God, nothing in his life had ever felt this right, this perfect. If he had been a believer of destiny, he’d have known at once that he’d found his soul mate. But, he’d never really believed in things like that, so he simply chalked it up to the most powerful attraction he’d ever known, maybe even more as they got to know each other better. His soul, however, settled down somewhere deep inside him, knowing that finally, he could stop looking for someone he hadn’t even realized he been searching for his entire life. Closing the door behind them, Craig led David to the bed and stopped beside it. He slowly lifted his lover’s shirt over his head and took David into his arms again in a deep kiss. There was no need for words, and Craig knew that everything he was feeling was shining through his eyes…and that was fine too. David
walked with Craig toward the bedroom and tried to will his heart
to stop racing in his chest. As they stopped beside the bed, he
swallowed hard as his lover gazed into his eyes, then within moments
his shirt was gone and his arms were wrapped around Craig, their
bare chests pressed tightly together. The deep kiss was searing,
and sent fire racing through his veins. As they parted for breath,
his hands traced over smooth skin and taut muscles. A small satisfied
smile touched his lips as he looked at his lover - he was perfect.
David's hands continued to move over him slowly, mapping the contours
and feeling the heat and rapid heartbeat that matched his own against
his palms. Licking his lips he whispered, "You are so gorgeous,"
the words came out wonderingly, almost a prayer of thanks to the
Fates. David was enchanted by the blush that spread over Craig's cheeks and smiled. He sucked in a deep breath when a warm strong hand wrapped around his aching shaft. "I might have some idea," he whispered as his arms wrapped around Craig again. He moaned softly as his lover's hand continued to stroke him, and warm lips moved against his skin. Slowly, David's hands pushed at Craig's sweats and they slid down his legs, quickly followed by his boxers. Pulling away for only a moment, he rid himself of the rest of his clothes as Craig did the same. Looking back at his lover, David's hands settled at Craig's waist pulling him close and kissing him deeply, their tongues slipping together slowly as they explored. Craig felt as if he was lost in a dream. He was almost afraid to open his eyes, for fear that David would be gone if he did. But the warm, slick tongue gliding along his own, and the smooth, firm flesh beneath his fingertips reassured him and, as they finally had to pull away for breath, Craig slowly opened his eyes and smiled. Taking David’s hand, he moved to lie back on the bed and gently pulled his lover with him. His hands caressed David’s back and then moved lower, cupping the firm globes of his backside and shifting his hips to grind their arousals together. A low moan fell from his lips and he pulled David closer. “Please, David,” he whispered. “I want you inside me.” David closed his eyes for a moment and felt his entire body shiver with desire. "Yes," he whispered hotly against Craig's neck. His hands continued to move over his lover's body and he kissed his way down Craig's chest before sitting up on his knees between his lover's legs. Looking at Craig that way, spread before him, the tip of his arousal glistening with slick fluid, and his eyes so dark with desire they were almost indigo. //Gorgeous. Perfect, and...mine.// David took a deep breath as his hands trailed over Craig's thighs. "Do you...have something...I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. He hadn't exactly been prepared for this...and he wondered at that. David had few surprises in his life, and that unsettled him a bit. Craig stared breathlessly at his lover and felt his arousal growing even harder as it began to leak onto his stomach. Thankful that at least he’d unpacked his bathroom supplies, he wished only that they weren’t in the other room, and he didn’t have to leave David to get something to ease his way. Sitting up, he placed another kiss to his lover’s lips and nodded. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered as he reached between David’s legs and let his fingertips trail over the heavy sac that hung beneath his lover’s arousal. “Don’t go away.” With that, he slid off the bed and headed into the bathroom, where he’d left a bottle of hand lotion on the countertop. He hurried as fast as he could, worried that David really would change his mind and not be there when he returned. Gasping as his lover touched him before sliding of the bed, David bit his lip and sighed softly in frustration as Craig disappeared into the other room. //If it wouldn't have freaked him out I'd have gotten it myself, and neither of us would have had to even leave the damn room.// He sat back on his heels and looked out the window for a few moments as the rain continued to pour down outside. Within moments, Craig returned and David got to enjoy watching him crawl back onto the bed. A small smile touched his lips, "I don't think either of us were prepared for this," he whispered. He meant that in more than just the obvious way, but Craig had no idea about that yet. //How am I going to explain who I am...*what* I am to him, without Craig thinking I'm a complete nut case?// “No,” Craig agreed. “I didn’t have any idea that I’d meet anyone out there in the woods…or that the person I met would be the one person in the world I don’t seem to be able to resist….nor would I want to.” As he spoke, he applied a generous amount of lotion to his hands and rubbed them together to warm the cool cream. He settled back down on the bed in front of his lover and reached for his hand. With his right hand, Craig slowly stroked David’s erection as he leaned forward and kissed him, slicking the thick organ even as his left hand slicked his lover’s fingers. David smiled when Craig said he didn't want to resist him. Before he could even think, Craig was against him, his lips moving over David's, and his hand stroking his arousal slowly as well as his hand. When Craig drew away from him, David sighed. He knew the attraction, the recognition, all of it was fate, but the warm feeling in his heart...he was certain he'd feel that even if he were just a normal man and had met Craig. Pushing the thought away, he leaned into his lover, kissing him deeply even as his now slick fingers moved between his lover's legs, slowly circling and then dipping into the tight entrance. The heat and tightness was amazing, and his finger slipped further within while the tight muscles clenched and released around him. His lips continued to move against Craig's as he prepared his lover. Craig’s arms wound around David’s shoulders and he lost himself in the kiss. As a slick finger pressed against him, then slowly slid inside, his hips shifted and a soft moan fell from his lips, only to be lost in the heat of his lover’s mouth. David’s lips were hot over his own, and already, Craig would have sworn that this, their first time, had already been decreed by some higher power. It wasn’t that he simply *wanted* David…he *needed* him in a way he couldn’t possibly begin to describe. As a second finger was added to the first, Craig moved his hips again, driving the fingers in deeper as his hands gripped David’s shoulders. “Please,” he whispered as the slick digits moved deep within the tight passage. “I want to feel you inside me, David.” David moaned softly from the mere idea that the incredible tight heat that surrounded his fingers would soon surround his aching arousal. Drawing back slowly, David's fingers slipped from his lover's body, and he positioned his leaking arousal against him. He could *feel* how much Craig wanted him, and that same need was matched within him. As he pushed forward, his arousal sliding slowly into the tight channel, David could feel the air around them sizzle and dance with energy, with a different kind of power than he'd ever known before. He realized a deep moan that seemed to echo in his ears belonged to him as he was seated fully within his lover. He paused, allowing Craig to adjust to the intrusion, and his lips found Craig's again in a deep kiss. The feelings and sensations racing through him were like nothing he'd ever known before. The very air around them changed and Craig felt as if a warm air was being blown over his skin. As he was slowly stretched and filled to perfection, his internal muscles gripped at the organ that was sheathed inside him and he looked up at David in wonder as their lips finally parted. Having David inside him felt amazing…as if it wasn’t their first time, as if they’d made love like this all their lives, and he would have sworn he saw more than desire in the incredible blue eyes looking down at him. His body quickly adjusted to the intrusion, and he pressed his hips down until he felt his lover’s balls resting against the curve of his backside. “God, David,” he murmured softly as his body rhythmically clenched and released around the thick organ, “you feel incredible.” David trembled as Craig moved under him, taking him further within the tight channel. He smiled at his lover as he began to move into and within incredible heat. "You're amazing," he whispered as he leaned down and kissed Craig tenderly as their bodies began to move together in a slow pace that built rapidly. He'd never felt anything like this, yet it seemed at the same time as if he'd always known this was what he had been dreaming of for years. His heart pounded rapidly in his chest as they moved, long slow strokes driving each of them higher. In one fluid motion, David's arms slipped under Craig's shoulders and he pulled him up against him. Chest to chest their bodies moved, and one of David's hands slipped between them and wrapped around Craig's leaking arousal. Craig’s head fell back in pure bliss as David lifted him so gently and their bodies moved together. As a slick hand wrapped around his sex, he moaned deep in his chest and drove himself down on the thick organ inside him, then back up into the grip surrounding him again and again. His arms wound around his lover’s shoulders and he buried his face against David’s neck, crying out as his prostate was brushed with each inward thrust. His mouth fastened onto his lover’s skin as his release built quickly and his body moved faster and harder with each passing moment. He held back as long as he could, but after only a few minutes, he pulled his lips away from the reddened skin they’d been marking, and rested them against his lover’s ear. “Coming,” he moaned as he felt David slam up into him again, impossibly deeper with each thrust. “Coming now…” With that, he felt the swollen organ inside him ram into his sweet spot and he cried out his lover’s name so loudly, his voice echoed inside the small room as he spilled over the hand gripping his shaft. Lost in sensation, lost in *Craig*, David simply let go...his arm held his lover close against him, and they continued to move, the pace building and building with each gasp, each moan. David's voice mingled with his lover's as muscles tightened around him, and soft lips moved over his skin, sucking and licking and sending ripples of fire through him. When Craig's release hit, it was incredible to watch. The way his head tipped back, the way his eyes seemed lit from within, and as already tight muscles clamped down around him, David's own release he'd fought to hold back slammed into him. He cried out his lover's name, as he thrust deep one last time as he spilled, hot and slick within the tight clenching heat of his lover's body. Shivering with the strength of his release, David held Craig close, kissing his neck and then along his jaw to his lips. "Craig..." he whispered simply, unable to say anything else. Slowly he lowered his lover's body back onto the bed. David didn't want to pull away, so he simply rested his head against Craig's shoulder, and pressed tender kisses against his neck. He couldn't trust himself to speak so he simply lay there, trying to catch his breath. Still
gasping for air, Craig smiled as David tenderly laid him back against
the bed. His hands moved slowly over the damp skin of his lover’s
back and his legs slid down the back of David’s thighs, holding
him as close as he could as they both trembled in the wake of their
releases. He loved the way David simply said his name, as if that
one word explained everything that had just happened…and maybe
it did. Craig David continued trying to catch his breath and smiled when Craig asked him to stay. Leaning up, he looked into his lover's eyes and smiled wider. "I'll stay..." he said softly and biting back the words that seemed to want to spill from his lips. Even if Craig felt it too, even if they'd both felt the same things...he couldn't possibly tell him the truth yet, and he certainly couldn't just blurt out the words 'I love you' after having known him for such a short time. Craig would probably think that he was crazy, or had spent *way* too much time alone in these mountains. He almost laughed at his thoughts and kissed Craig tenderly. "I'll stay as long as you wish for me to." “You better be careful,” Craig teased, the words falling out before he even realized what he was saying, “because I might just ask you to stay forever.” His eyes widened a he realized what he’d said, but he didn’t even try to take it back. Something about being here, with David, like this, connected as intimately as two people can be, made him feel as if he’d finally reached the end of a long, hard journey. Before David could protest, if, indeed, he wanted to, Craig’s lips were pressed against his lover’s in a soft, sweet kiss. “Sorry,” he murmured, “I guess that sounded a bit….odd, but it does feel good to have you here like this. I hope it didn’t make you want to run screaming from the room.” David's heart leapt in his chest as Craig spoke, but before he could say a word, Craig's lips were against his own, kissing him sweetly. When they drew apart again, and Craig began to try and explain himself, David pressed his fingers against the soft lips. "I don't want to leave, Craig. We have time to make sense of all this...and I promise you, we will," he whispered. //Somehow I'll figure out how to explain it all. I just hope that you *will* be able to understand. You can live without me...but I cannot live without you, not as I am now.// He closed his eyes for a moment and slipped from his lover's body. Settling beside him, David pulled Craig into his arms. "Just rest, you're tired," he said softly as his fingers trailed over warm skin. Whimpering as David slipped from inside him, Craig felt empty and lost for a moment before strong arms pulled him close. He nestled in close and rested his head on his lover’s shoulder, crooking one leg over David’s thighs and entwining their fingers. He brought each fingertip to his lips for a soft kiss and fought back a yawn even as he nestled closer. “Sweet dreams,” he whispered, pressing his lips against David’s neck and drifting off into the most peaceful sleep he’d ever known. His heart and soul had already accepted what his mind hadn’t grasped yet, but there wasn’t a fiber of his being that hadn’t already recognized David as the love of his life, the one thing he’d been seeking since the day he was born. His mind would see that soon enough. Now that he’d finally found David, the search was over. David smiled as Craig nestled against him and whispered so sweetly to him. Within moments he felt his lover drift into the realm of dreams and he pressed a soft kiss against his forehead. "Sweet dreams, Craig," he whispered. //How am I going to explain all of this to him? He'll think I'm out of my mind, and if I show him too quickly...it could frighten him away. Why did they have to make this so damn difficult?// He tried to push the thoughts away and closed his eyes, focusing on the soft even breaths of his lover, and after a few minutes began to drift off to join him in dreams. ~~~ Please
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