Incendiary Hearts

Chapter Eleven

Michael was already lying on the couch and had turned off the lights in the living room when Kevin left the bathroom. Kevin tried to be quiet as he snuck back to his bedroom alcove. Reaching the bed, however, Michael's words stopped him mid-movement. "Good night, Kevin."

Kevin took a beat, finding so many layers of contexts in those three little words. Even though he wanted to say much more in return, he decided to go with his common sense and replied with a simple, "Good night, Michael," and then he snuck under the covers.

Ten minutes later and Kevin realized he was parched. Fuck. The only way he could get some water was to go over to the kitchen, but then he'd have to pass Michael. What if Michael would think he was trying to make a move? He didn't want him to think that. Really didn't want him to think that. Kevin drummed his fingers on his chest. What to do? What to do? Eventually the thirst for water outgrew any possible embarrassment, and Kevin got up from the bed. He silently left the bedroom and tiptoed over to the kitchen, flinching every time the floorboards creaked underneath his weight.

As he walked past him, Kevin saw that Michael's eyes were shut, but the older man was no where near sleep. Michael's whole body had grown rigid when he'd heard Kevin walk into the room. A tingle went down his spine and warmth was already pooling in his lower region because of Kevin's close proximity and the possible reasons as to why he'd gotten out of bed. What was he doing? Was he doing what Michael secretly wanted him to do, but at the same time hoped he wouldn't do? Michael wasn't sure how much more self-restraint he had in him.

Disappointment washed over him like buckets of ice when he heard Kevin pass him and scurry off to the kitchen area, only to turn on the water by the sink. He's just getting some water, Michael thought as he snuck a glance at the young man, almost embarrassed over the level of his own disappointment. He pretended to be sleeping when Kevin snuck back into the bedroom alcove with a glass of water in his hand. Michael moved about and shut his eyes again, trying to get into a comfortable position. There was nothing wrong with the couch, there really wasn't, it just wasn't the reason he couldn't sleep. Vivid memories of a night shared with Kevin about four years ago assaulted his brain. Poked and teased his emotions until they turned into a roaring crescendo, his body buzzing into life like never before. He just wanted to feel like he had back then. Engulfed with youthful happiness, excitement, yearning, lust... to have him in his arms again, just one more time...

Right across the room, Kevin could feel himself drifting off to sleep, beautifully haunting memories keeping him warm and snug. If nothing else, at least he had those.

The bed suddenly dipped and Kevin woke with a start. Disoriented, it took him a second to realize Michael was there, in his bedroom alcove, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"M-Michael," the surprise was clearly painted in his voice, "what are you –"

"Shh," Michael whispered as he lay down next to Kevin. He scooted closer, and closer still, until his face was mere inches away from Kevin's in the dark night. Kevin could just about make out his silhouette, dressed in nothing but a pair of boxers, his broad shoulders, muscular chest and arms. His square jaw, intense eyes. His plumb lower lip...

As if it was played out in actual slow motions, those aforementioned lips moved closer toward Kevin's, and closer still, Michael clearly showing Kevin what he intended to do, and giving Kevin enough time to stop it, if he so wished.

Kevin did not.

When their lips finally touched, Kevin stopped breathing. His lips tingled, like they'd just been softly electrocuted.

It was a hesitant kiss at first, just careful touching. Reacquainting with one another. Then Michael slowly opened his mouth and snuck his tongue inside the haven of Kevin's mouth. Michael groaned as something ignited inside of him. Feelings long buried rushed up to the surface with all its might. Like the crashing of waves, it hit against him, over and over, intoxicating his inner being with the wonderous sensations that only surfaced when with Kevin. He grabbed a steady hold of Kevin's hair and pulled them close, close, close to each other. He wanted, nay, needed no space between them. Not an inch. He ended up pulling Kevin on top of him, and Kevin was quick to straddle his waist. Their tongues tangled, too eager for gentle exploring, yet it wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough.