The Source: Observer Chronicles, Book 3

Chapter 41: Hurt

"This seems to be a usual occurrence for us before something happens," said Drage, rustling through the bushes, only making out part of the area, Reethoʼs controlled flames beside him with no fuel near the lake.

"I thought you might come tonight," he replied, seeing the boy perch in front on the other side of the fire.

The moon was not with them tonight but the stars were, the water looking like a blue shimmer passing over the ripples.

"I am not a mind reader," said Drage, trying to see inside of him, tilting his head, "you know this is not all on you. It never was."

"Iʼm sure you will see what it is like soon enough," replied Reetho in his trenchcoat that wrapped him in its largeness, his jeans poking through. "I wonder why these people are so drawn on tight trousers that are so uncomfortable and unpractical, they may be hard-wearing, but they are hardly the most idyllic clothes to work in."

"I know what youʼre doing," said Drage, seeing Reethoʼs face.

"You know?" he asked.

"We have known each other for some time, I know what you are like, changing the subject to glimpse over serious matters you would rather not burden others with is one of your quirks." There came a long pause, both taking in the moments before the heat of the fire in the winter night, "it seems like all those years ago when I got caught and we first saw each other, that fate had aligned us to be together. I didnʼt know it was meant for this."

"It doesnʼt have to just be for this," he said, seeing the longing in the boy he looked at, him making that exact stare.

"I have wanted to taste your lips for so long," said Reetho.

"And Iʼve wanted you to force yourself upon them. I have never felt like this with any other, and I donʼt believe it to be infatuation or a silly crush. I know you, like no other, and you know me."

"There is no denying there is a strong connection between us, but it can not be formed. Not with what is going on."

Drage stood as the boy next to him spoke, not wanting to watch what could be.

"Donʼt do this," said Reetho, seeing him come closer.

"Consider it a rare opportunity. A one-time thing." He knelt down, feeling the grass stroke his legs as the boy knelt to meet his face, brushing his lips across the boy who bare all to him about his feelings. Their noses glided through, feeling their sensual breath upon each other, Drage sinking his mouth first onto him, the other placing his hand behind his head, not wanting him to stop or leave, his heart never having felt such a rush, feeling so alive and lifted, as if there were nobody else and nothing could break this moment or take it away. The sound of smacking, the touch of running their fingers through each others hair had awoken something, but alas, it was not meant to be.

Reetho tilted his head down as tears had dropped and bared themselves to the only other present. "Why does it have to hurt like this?" he said.

"Because itʼs real," replied Drage, trying to wipe away the emotion from the boy, Reetho pulling back.

"Why are you doing this to me when nothing can come of it? You are hurting us both."

"Youʼre right," he replied, "Iʼll leave you to your thoughts." He got up, seeing the boy he had never felt so connected to before, wallowing. ". . . In fact, Iʼll stay," he said as he lay down on the green next to the flames, "you should not be alone."

There was then a night of silence that persisted between them, and never broke.