Shades Of Blue

20. Paramour

*WARNING FOR SMOKING*

Benjie

August

Age 17

The treehouse was filled with a soothing silence. Dim moonlight cast still shadows onto the floor and walls, blanketing the couple in a surreal glow. On the floor by the hatch lay their clothing in two piles, left without thought as they had undressed one another in haste.

Neel sat with his back rested against the wall in the nook, his arms wrapped around Benjie as he lay back onto him. They shared a cigarette, passing it back and forth as they stared up through the skylight, barely able to see the stars through the branches that had encroached over the window. One day, all they would see through the skylight would be bark and leaves.

With one hand, Neel took a drag from the cigarette, then carefully placed it between Benjie's lips. His free hand had snaked around Benjie's chest so that Neel was holding him close, grazing his fingers over pale skin. It was strange they had never lay like this before, at ease and naked in one another's arms.

Linking his fingers with Neel's, Benjie pulled his lover's hand close to place a kiss upon it.

Neel took the cigarette from Benjie and put it out in his skull ash tray.

Benjie chewed his lip, hiding the hint of a smirk. Their first time together was painful, yet he had enjoyed it.

Neel ran his hands over Benjie's arms, caressing his creamy skin. "I love you," he confessed, sober this time as unlike his original attempt to proclaim his love.

The smirk grew on Benjie's lips and in a soft tone, he said for the first time, "I love you more."

In the pocket of Neel's jeans on the floor, his cellphone began to ring with an incoming call. He rolled his eyes and let out an irritated groan.

"Leave it," Benjie requested before Neel gently moved him out of his way so he could fetch his phone.

Upon setting eyes on the caller ID, Neel glanced back at Benjie before answering it. "Hey."

Benjie could hear Moira's muffled voice through the phone.

"I told you, I had a headache. I came home," Neel fibbed. He listened to her speak, pulling at his hair in frustration. "Well, I'm at the store now. Why are you talking to my mom?"

Benjie got up and rifled through his pile of clothes, pulled his boxers from the pile, and slipped them on.

"What girl?" Neel demanded. "No. I wouldn't do that." He gave Benjie a dirty look as the blonde continued to get dressed. "I swear. Here, ask Benjie." He shoved the cellphone toward his friend, hoping for assistance.

Reluctantly, Benjie took the phone. "He's not with any girls," he told Moira, then passed the phone back. He had nothing else to say to her.

"What? No, I didn't ditch you for him," Neel argued. 

Benjie could hear her yelling now.

"If you can't lower your voice and talk to me like an adult, I'm hanging up," Neel warned her. More yelling rang out from the phone. "Fine. Goodnight," he huffed, swiftly ending the call. He let out a long sigh, massaging the back of his neck as he stood stark naked next to his clothed lover. "Why'd you get dressed?"

Benjie shrugged as he zipped up his black chinos. "The mood's kinda spoiled."

"Hey," Neel said, holding the nape of his neck. With a sly grin, he unzipped Benjie's pants, unlatching the top button as he playfully bit Benjie's neck. "Stay," Neel begged, his hand slipping into the front of Benjie's underwear.

Guilt began to tug at Benjie's conscience. A small part of him wanted to step back, but when Neel kissed him, his conscience slid to the back burner, leaving his desires free to run wild.