Setting Fire to the Stars (mxm)

Chapter 25: Columbus

(**Note: this chapter contains mentions of blood, bullying, and profanity.)

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Peter
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The salty scent of the seaside drifted on the warm breeze as waves crashed against the rocky cliffs. I stood on the white sands of an unfamiliar beach, facing a spectacular sunset over a vast ocean. Seagulls soared above my head as briny sea foam lapped at my toes. Brilliant golden rays shone on the water as the sun set over the horizon.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

Turning my head, I saw a young man standing on the shore.

Mousy brown hair swayed in the breeze, occasionally falling into dazzling grey eyes. The young man stood in the ocean, his pant legs pulled up to avoid the tide as it submerged his bare feet. Bathed in the sun's light, a familiar heart-shaped face tipped up at me and I promptly lost my ability to speak.

Lauren.

My heart swelled at the sight of him. The lapels of his unbuttoned shirt flapped playfully in the wind, his smooth chest exposed to the midsummer air. His otherworldly beauty was almost blinding.

As if a puppet on a string, I found my hand extending out to reach for him. "It's even better with you here."

His smile was radiant, lighting up his entire face as Lauren slipped his hand into mine. "Geez, that is so corny."

"Only for you," I said, pulling him to me. Wrapping my arms around his slim waist, I relished in the warmth that sparked as our bodies came together. "Besides, you know you love it."

"That is true," he chuckled, leaning his head against my chest. The sweet sound of Lauren's laughter warmed my heart. After a moment, he went silent as I felt his mood shift into something more somber. "I'm glad that you are here with me, Peter," he swallowed nervously, tightening his hold on me. "After everything that happened, I...wasn't sure you would want to."

My brows pitched down as he voiced his insecurities and I brushed the hair from his eyes. "Where else would I be except right by your side?"

Lauren's hand lifting to cup my cheek, his smokey eyes lifting timidly. "How do you always know what to say to make me feel better?"

"It's a gift," I joked, covering his hand with my own. "And you don't have to worry about that. All that matters now is that we stay together."

His lips quivered as tears pooled in his eyes, glistening like jewels in the gilded rays of the descending sun. "Promise?"

My heart ached at his vulnerability. It was obvious that he was scared. If this was the only way to reassure him, I would gladly tie my life to his.

Wiping away his tears, I hugged him to me, burying my nose in his neck as I breathed in his sweet vanilla and honey scent. "Always."

The way the tension in his shoulders relaxed broke down all my walls and right then I truly hated myself for ever hurting him. His arms looped around my neck as he brought our bodies together so that there was no room between us. A hot wave of desire surged within me, a powerful urge that demanded that I hold him and kiss his fears away. I wanted it so badly that my heart felt like it would burst out of my chest.