our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

late night talk

After cleaning each other with wet, warm cloths, they returned to the gardener's bed.

Zach had his head on his shoulder as his hand rested on his chest, drawing random patterns with his finger. Jack grabs his hand and kisses it. He was the closest to the door, protecting him in case of iminent danger.

"You are dashing." He mumbles.

"The Viscount is so romantic." He teases. Gosh, he looks so beautiful under the moonlight.

Jack chuckles quietly. "With you, I am just Jack." He kisses his hand again. "And if you must call me a Viscount, call me yours."

Zach kisses his shoulder lovingly. "It is a pity you have chosen to profess your feelings for me on your last night here."  He confesses.

"I feared the worst." He admits. "Being here with you is a blessing in itself." Jack covers his torso with his violet-scented sheets.

"Let us write to each other." Zach suggests. "I reckon you will write beautiful love letters."

Jack smiles. "I do not think I can spend six months away from your sweet presence." He pouts. "Perhaps we can meet every month?"

"Where would we possibly meet? During the winter I sleep in the house. It is far too cold to sleep in here." He explains.

The curly head kisses his knuckles as he thinks. "There is an Inn. Halfway between my winter home and this estate. We could meet there."

Zach smiles. "I would love it."

"I will be desperate to meet you all month long." He shamelessly admits as he intertwines their hands.

"As will I." His voice is quiet. "I will miss your sweet affection once you depart."

Jack hooks a finger under his jaw and presses his lips on him. "Do not think about tomorrow; it is not certain. Think about the present, my love."

Zach nods slowly as he draws up a smile. "You are quite the present."

The two chuckle quietly. The brunet yawns.

"Sleep, my love." His voice is calm and quiet. Like he is trying to lull him to sleep.

"May I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Was it your first time?"

Jack closes his eyes. "My first time was... anything but this. I did not enjoy it one bit—it is why I... indulge myself. If you allow me, I would like to consider this my first time."

"Was it with a man?"

"A woman. I could not... I could not perform. My body does not respond to women the same way it responds to you. You light a fire in me."

Zach leans on his elbows. "Your body does not respond to women?"

"Just you." He reaffirms as he turns to the side.

"Have you ever gone to a brothel? Perhaps it could fix that issue."

Jack chuckles. "I do not consider it an issue." I consider it a blessing. To be so loyal to the one you love. "I have gone to a brothel, and I could not even take my clothes off." He admits. "I befriended a prostitute who taught me how to make love to you."

"She... taught you?"

He nods. "I needed plenty of drawings." He looks at him. "Did I... hurt you? You must tell me if I hurt you."

Zach lays down and turns to him. "You were incredibly gentle with me. It was magical."

Jack smiles and tugs him closer to him. He rests a hand on his cheek, caressing it gently with his thumb. "I only wish that, over time, it will become even more magical."

He nuzzles himself on his body. "I do not doubt it. You are quite... passionate."

The curly head chuckles as he covers both their shoulders. "When it comes to you, I will become whatever you want me to." His index finger traces his arm, all the way to his hands. "I am yours. Until the end of times—I am yours."

Zach looks at him with his big honey eyes, and a smile grows on his face. "I love you. Allow me to be yours as well."

Jack nods slowly. "I love you." He whispers. "You turn me into a very selfish man. I do not wish to share with you anyone else." He confesses. "If you are mine, then you are only mine and no one else's."

"I am only yours." He confirms.

"Until the end of times?"

"Not even until then. I am yours forever." Zach smiles.

The curly head pulls him into a kiss. His lips quiver with emotion, his eyebrows furrow with the intense feelings on his chest. His hands grab him desperately. "You are maddening, my love." He confesses. "I will bend the world for you."

"Stay in my bed tonight. Bend the world tomorrow.  Let me bask in your presence a while longer."

Jack smiles into the kiss. "Yes, my love. Anything you desire, you shall have." He mumbles.

Zach bites his lip carefully. Jack gasps at such an advance. "I desire you."

"You already have me." Jack starts kissing his neck. "Nonetheless, I will oblige."

***

Zach wakes up alone in his bed. His bedsheets smell of violets, lilies, they smell intensely of asters—a smell now engraved in his mind—and of love.

He feels up Jack's side. It was cold. Zach gets up and notices a jar with freshly picked flowers on his table. It was far different from the one he owned.

He approaches the table and sees a letter.

My dearest beloved,

It is with great pain that I have to part from you. I leave you my journal, for you to read every single one of my proses for you.

I have gifted you a jar, given we have broken yours. Do not walk barefoot. It would break my heart if you accidentally hurt yourself from the shattered glass.

On your bed there are two of my suits. Wear them whenever we meet. I can not wait to see your immense beauty whilst wearing one.

I will write to you as soon as I arrive at my winter home, my love.

I love you dearly.

Faithfully and eternally yours,

Jack

Zach smiles and inspects the jar. By the way it reflected the sunlight, it was definitely crystal. He looks at the flowers. Red Camelias. Zach smells them. The sweet rosy scent enamoured him.

"How romantic." He mumbles.

He grabs the journal and opens it. He sees the first entry. "July first." He reads aloud.

His eyes skim quickly over his words, quickly filling with tears—not of pain, but of emotion. "Oh Jack..." He sighs as he touches his heart.

Zach moves to sit on his bed as he reads his words. He pauses and sets the journal on the side. The gardener reaches under his bed for a wooden box.

He sets it on his lap and opens it. His fingers graze the golden necklace. A coat of arms was engraved on it. A lion rampant gules on a chief sable three scallops of the first. A grave reminder of his true self.

He picks up the necklace and holds the plaque carefully. Would Jack still love him despite this dark secret?

"Please do not loathe me for this, Jack." He mumbles.