A Fine Line

The Operatic Movement

It was decided. Austin would ask Rafa on a romantic walk and lunch, secluded in the forest with nothing more than their bodies to keep them warm. It would be perfect. An entire day to themselves with no worries of responsibility or work. He'd already asked the maids to prepare a picnic basket and blanket for the occasion, assuming Rafa said yes. Which he did, ealier that morning.

But his plans were ruined when Mr. Lassiter had announced that at breakfast that the entire family, guests included, would be attending the Opera house in Boston.

Sue was ecstatic, and that was putting it mildly. Having never been to the opera, let alone out of the house in the last few months, not counting the usual horseback riding, she was more than ready to suck up to the old man so he'd let her go.

Which is how Rafa and Austin ended up half naked with in the latter's locked room.

The kisses turned from a beautiful melodic symphony of yearning, adoration, and softness into a feverish desire filled with a hunger Austin had never known. It was an intense emotion. Whenever they were like this, Rafa would become the air he breathed, the food he ate, the water he drank.

Stopping took all the strength he'd held inside him, looking down at the laid out young man whom he laid on top of, breathless, lips swollen and smiling. They shared a chuckle at their slightly unbuttoned shirts and toddled hair. The sight only made Austin hungrier.

Had he known kissing Rafa would like this, he'd have apologized a long time ago. Nothing compared to this, absolutely nothing.

"We should go back. People are going to start looking for us." Austin whispered, fingers running through the hair by Rafa's neck.

Austin hummed, grinning. "While I agree with you wholeheartedly, I must be the voice of reason here."

At that, Austin pushed himself off of the man, the latter obliging in protest.

"It isn't even in English, you know." He started as the men fixed their apparel and hair, "We'll just be sitting there for hours listening to Italian gibberish."

Rafa laughed, adjusting the collar of Austin's jacket after moments of struggle, "Speak for yourself. Spanish is a close cousin of Italian."

"Oh great, so I'll just be sitting there listening to gibberish." He rolled his eyes so much his head followed, earning him another chuckle.

Rafa finished with the jacket collar, moving a hand to the back of Austin's neck to hold his head to his eye level. "I promise I'll translate for you, ok?" the young man whispered, leaning in once again, Austin following like a magnet.

"I'm sorry about out picnic." Austin said as he pulled away.

Rafa shrugged, "We have plenty of time for redo."

That stung a little, but Austin pushed it down. They didn't have plenty of time for anything. In fact time had been slipping by rapidly. It had already been two weeks since their last encounter. And honesty, Austin was aching for another. Sure they could miss in eachother's locked rooms, but anything more would be too loud with people in the home.

They shared a deep, serene kiss that said more than words ever could. That from this moment on they'd be there for one another. That this new kind of partnership was to be filled with mutual respect and patience as they learned their comfortablity with this abnormal attraction. But most of all, they were to support eachother in this, as it was new for both men. And with the emotional toll this lie was going to take, support would be a necessity.

The other silent promise was never to speak of their expiration date. Rafa left in spring, leaving them a little under a season to enjoy this. While this part would be more difficult for Austin, he knew it was important as all the other points. If the impending doom of their attraction was a constant reminder, happiness would never be able to bloom.