My Angel of the Dawn (WomanxBoy, ManxBoy, Sci-Fi + Romance)

***24***

"Jart, don't." The boy's voice was firm and steady, nothing like a shy protest of someone who didn't want to appear too easy, or too wanton, or too gay. Too firm, in fact, and Nelsa flinched. Something was wrong, and Nergan was too crazy in love to notice such subtle details.

"Say 'Quit playing hard to get,' and I'll never again respect you," she thought. Nergan didn't, attaboy. But it didn't help his case much.

"Come on, Ariel, relax. I will do anything you want, let me just..."

"I said, don't," Ariel repeated coldly.

In the darkness of her lair Nelsa opened her mouth, utterly amazed. The boy's voice was sober and clear. He knew exactly what he wanted, and Nergan was not on the list.

The man muttered something she didn't quite catch. She heard the sound of steps. The boy went to the door, but stopped when Nergan said, "Ariel, wait! Let's talk at least. Please!" His voice was tense, almost pained. "See, I didn't want to grab you like this, I just happen to really, really like you. If you'd give me a chance..."

"Zero chance, Jart. Sorry," Ariel cut him short. But he didn't move from where he was standing, somewhere halfway to the door.

"Don't say anything now, there is no rush," Nergan pleaded hastily, trying to make him stay. "You've been through a lot, I understand, you don't trust people, and no wonder..."

"Ah, you know, then," the boy said bitterly. "Yeah, I've spent half a year in a slaver's house on Aescuzan being screwed by everyone and their uncle, maybe by some of your friends too. I was cheap, you know — no skill in bed, not so ready to please."

The boy's bluntness, his self-debasement were meant to produce contempt. Nelsa knew why he was doing it. He wanted to make Nergan despise him. That would make the rejection easier, less painful for the man's ego.

It's better to be turned down by a cheap whore than by a decent person. But only for those who are decent too. A thug, a man without honor won't tolerate rejection from anyone. Doesn't matter, a cheap whore or a respectable member of society. If Nergan were a thug, he would have tossed Ariel face first on the couch, and no training in the world would have helped Ariel get free, with Nergan being half a head taller and twice heavier, all of which is muscle. But if Nergan were a thug he wouldn't have been your friend. He would have been your enemy. Same as Holloran.

"Ariel, I don't give a damn about your past," Nergan said tensely. "I will never hurt you, believe me, I don't ask for anything..."

"Yeah, right, you just want to screw me, from the day one, it's hard to miss. And you have a hard-on every time you touch me, it's hard to miss too."

Nelsa would have whistled in surprise were she not afraid to betray her position.

God Almighty, the boy had everybody fooled, even yours truly. He noticed everything but pretended not to. Why?

Echoing her thoughts, Nergan asked flatly, "Why didn't you make it clear, that I... that you don't like me?"

He must have looked very miserable, and Ariel just couldn't carry on with his playing a heartless bitch. His voice trembled when he said, "I'm sorry. I was hoping you'll get over it. I like you, I just... don't want to... um, sleep with you."

"Because of what've happened to you, right? Because I'm a man, like those..."

"Yes!" the boy nearly screamed. "That too! I'd rather die than let a man take me again, do you hear me?"

"Duh, some problem! Take me if you want!" Nergan's voice was louder, he had come up closer to the boy. "I was a bottom once or twice, not a big deal, I would do anything for you, I love you, Ariel..."

Now it seemed he kissed him, or rather tried to. There was a struggle, a rustle of clothes, Ariel's muffled voice, "Don't! Let me go!"

Another minute of this, and you'll make your dramatic entrance. "Hey, guys, did you see my scarf, I must have left it here!"