Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 09:26:52 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: Love Of Grace Chapter 5 This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. Love of Grace By RHAVEN2002 CHAPTER FIVE Kat dragged himself to the bathroom. It was morning, the sun shined and the birds sang, but Kat was too exhausted to notice. Though he dosed off and on all night, he was still restless. The shower didn't help him any, he still couldn't wake up. He threw a towel around and stumbled into the hall, yawning with every breath. On his way back to his room, he heard talking coming from Calvin's room. Though he knew from previous experiences, they probably wanted to be alone, at the moment he didn't care. "Morning." Kat said as he entered the room. "Um. Morning?" Calvin said awkwardly as he pulled the sheet over him and Demi, trying to hide their nakedness. "Is everything all right?" "Didn't sleep well last night." Kat said climbing into bed. "Hey, you're still wet!" Calvin complained as Kat rolled over him. "Sorry." Kat said lazily. "Are you going over to Mr. Grace's still?" Demi asked. "I don't know, maybe." Kat snuggled his face into Calvin's pillow and yawned. "I think you need to go over there Kat. Andel is kind of expecting to see you today." Calvin said. "He is?" Kat lifted his face out of the pillow just enough to ask the question. "Why wouldn't he?" Calvin said smiling. "Maybe I'll go then." Kat said nuzzling back into the pillow. He hear Calvin and Demi whispering, but was too tired to care. Suddenly Demi pulled off his towel. "See I told you he had your butt." Demi laughed. "I think you're right. That looks just like mine." Calvin giggled in return. "It's it just so cute." Calvin slapped Kat on the buttock. "Come on guys, leave me alone." Kat moaned. "But you have my butt." Calvin cackled, laughing so hard he could barely talk. Kat growled as Demi and Calvin continued patting and poking at his butt. "Okay, that's it. I'm going to Andel's house." Kat fought his way pass all the grabby hands and pinches. He stomped his way to his room, leaving the two still giggling. He wasn't really mad, it had all been in fun and it had helped him wake up a little. Kat pulled out clean underwear and threw on the clothes he had worn the day before. They seemed clean enough; at least that's what his nose told him. Kat was ready to go, but his legs started to shake at this thought. He took a deep breath and forced himself to head outside. It had turned out to be a wonderful day, a cool breeze felt good against the warm rays of the sun as Kat crossed the street. He could barely breathe as he approached Andel's door. What was Andel going to say, would he even let him in the house again? Kat wanted to run back home, but now he was too nervous to do anything. Somehow, he managed to ring the doorbell. It only took a second for Andel to answer the door. "Good morning Kat. I was just fixing myself a bowl of cereal, do you want one?" Andel said motioning for Kat to enter the house. "Sure." Kat managed to say, although he wasn't really hungry. He followed Andel into the kitchen and had a seat at the table. He waited patiently as the man poured another bowl of cereal. "You look tired." Andel said and he placed the bowl in front of Kat. "I. I didn't sleep well last night." "Funny, neither did I." Andel added with a smile. Kat's heart sank, had Andel been up all night worrying about Calvin's visit? It made Kat feel horrible, all that had happened in the last few days had all been his fault. Kat sat there in a stupor staring at his bowl of cereal. He didn't know what to say to Andel. Should he apologize? Should he just leave? "I can see you're not hungry." Andel said picking up his empty bowl and taking Kat's. "You didn't even take one bite." "Sorry." Kat said weakly. "It's all right. Anyhow I have something to show you, follow me." Andel said excitedly. Kat frowned, but followed the man down the hallway. Andel threw open the door to his studio and gestured for Kat to enter before him. Kat peeked into the room first; he wasn't sure what he expected to see or what Andel wanted him to see. Slowly he entered the room and there it was. A large canvas nestled on top of an easel. Andel had started painting again. "Oh my God." Kat found himself saying. The painting though obviously unfinished, was amazing. A boy with his face held up, letting the sun warm him. Kat stepped closer to the painting and smiled. "Is that me?" "I guess it is." Andel stood next to Kat and looked at the painting as if seeing it for the first time. "I painted all night long. I was the greatest feeling picking up my brush again." "This is so cool." Kat said stunned. He wasn't sure how to feel, it was great that Andel was painting again. Did it mean everything was all right, that he was all right? "Sure it's cool." Andel paused long enough to get Kat to look at him. "So tell me what's wrong, Kat." "What. what do you mean?" Kat said nervously. "Something is bothering you and it's more than you being tired." Kat looked up at Andel and then back to the painting. "Nothing's wrong." He lied. Andel arched an eyebrow. "I had a nice talk with your brother yesterday. Calvin is a very responsible and mature young man." "I guess." Kat mumbled as his knees started to shake again. "I was kind of shocked when he showed up." "I'm sorry, okay?" Kat interrupted. "I'm sorry he bugged you! I know you hate me now!" Kat ran from the room. He didn't know where he was going, he just knew he needed air. He couldn't breathe and he couldn't think straight. Kat found himself in the backyard staring down at the pool. Kat walked over to the edge of the pool and sat down, letting his feet dip into the pool's cool water. "Kat?" Kat turned around to see his brother walking towards him. "Calvin, what are you doing here?" "Andel called me." Calvin said quietly as he joined his brother at the edge of the pool. "He hates me Calvin, doesn't he? That's why he called you! He wants you to take me home." Kat cried. "No, he doesn't hate you. Andel's talking with Demi right now. He called me to show you everything is all right." Calvin looked over at his brother and sighed. "You should have told me you were this upset. I thought we had worked everything out?" "Can we join you?" Andel asked sticking his head out the backdoor. "Sure." Calvin answered for them both. "We brought everyone drinks." Demi said solemnly, though he was smiling as he stared eagerly at the pool. "Kat, I didn't lie when I said I like Andel." Calvin nodded and smiled when Andel handed him a Sprite. "It's not that." Kat whispered. "Please Kat, tell me what's wrong." Andel asked as he sat down on the other side of Kat. "I think I can honestly say we all love you here and care when you are unhappy." Kat held his breath and jumped into the pool. "Damn Kat!" Demi almost laughed. "I was scared that you hated me now." Kat said once his head cleared the water. "I thought Calvin had ruined everything. I figured you never wanted to see me again." Kat swam to the center of the pool; he wasn't sure why being in the pool made it easier to talk. He was just glad he was able to say what had been bothering him aloud. "I was afraid once you knew that I loved you, it would scare you away." Kat started to swim to the center of the pool, when he heard a loud splash behind him. "Believe it or not Kat, but there's nothing anyone can say to me that would make me stop loving you." Andel said as he swam towards the boy. Before Kat could react, Andel had him in a hug. "Well.um, we have some things to do." Calvin said uncomfortably. "We do?" Demi asked. "I was hoping we could have a swim?" "Not.right.now." Calvin said sternly. "I think they need some time together." He whispered to Demi. "We're catch you guys later!" Calvin called out as he pulled Demi away from the pool. "You don't have to leave." Andel said as he swam to the edge of the pool. "That's okay; we'll catch you guys later." Calvin said. "Kat. see you tomorrow?" "See you tomorrow." Kat said softly. He almost felt like flying, he had been released of all his pain and misery by simply diving into the pool. Calvin and Demi disappeared into the house as Andel pulled himself out of the pool. The man pulled off his shirt and check to see if the others were gone. Although Andel was a little more at ease, he still had his paranoia. Kat was beginning to like Andel's little quirks. "Aren't you coming back in?" Kat asked as Andel sat down in the lounge chair. "You go ahead and swim. I'm happy here watching." Kat swam to the edge, pulled off his shirt, and managed to remove his shorts without drowning himself. He wasn't going to argue with Andel about not swimming, not today. Kat was just happy to have him watch, to have him near. "Kat, I'd like us to have an open communication here." Andel said relaxing back into the lounge chair. "I'll tell you when something is bother me and." "I'll tell you when something is bother me too." Kat finished for Andel. "I promise." Kat didn't swim very long; the lack of sleep drained him quickly. "Finished swimming already?" Andel asked a bit shocked to see Kat pull himself out of the pool. "Too tired." Kat confessed. Andel helped Kat climb onto his lap. "I'm sorry you didn't sleep well last night. Next time just give me a call or something. I promise there is nothing you can say that would upset me or make me hate you." Andel reassured as Kat relaxed back against his chest. "I. I don't think I've ever been so scared." Kat professed. "Oh sweetheart." Andel moaned. "I wish I had known you were feeling so bad." Kat yawned deeply and rubbed hard at his eyes, trying to make them stay open. His head felt heavy and his limbs weak, not even this beautiful day could keep him alert as he yawned once more. "Come on, let's get inside. I don't see any reason we can't take a nap." Andel didn't wait for Kat to reply. He lifted up the boy and carried him inside. Kat drooped sluggishly in Andel's arms, too tired to mock protest. To take a nap in the middle of the day was a taboo for Kat. It was something he only did as a child. However, today, it didn't seem that bad of an idea. All his worries had vanished; all his concerns had become empty. A nap did sound inviting. To sleep the sleep of the loved, to be invited into that dreamland that could only reflect his happiness. "Here's your favorite towel." Andel grinned as he handing Kat the huge beach towel. The boy stripped out of his wet underwear and grabbed the enormous towel. To play Superman again was a wonderful thought, but his body was unwilling. Kat simply pulled the towel tight around his body and sighed lazily. "You take my bed and I'll nap on the couch." Andel walked the boy to the bedroom. "Sleep tight." He said leaving Kat alone in the room. Kat climbed into the bed. It was soft and drew him in, his body instantly succumbing to its siren song. His eyes were shut before his head hit the pillow. Kat rolled over to his side and forced his eyes opened. There was something missing, something he needed to sleep in peace. Kat slipped out of the wonderful bed, his body complaining with every move. Quietly he looked into the living room. Andel was sprawled out across the couch, its cushions caressing his body lovingly. Andel had slipped out of his wet clothes and now only worn a ratty pair of shorts, apparently his painting shorts, for they were splattered with every color of the rainbow. Kat advanced towards Andel, trying his best to be silent; he pulled the towel tightly around him to minimize the noise. He stood at the edge of the couch and watched as Andel napped. His face was one of complete peace, almost angelic in its soothing happiness. The man's chest rose hypnotically with each breath. Another of his deep yawns attacked Kat. "Kat? What's wrong?" Andel sat up quickly as he awoke with a start. "Nothing's wrong." Kat said climbing onto of Andel. He yawned again and Andel tentatively lay back down. "Impulsive, unpredictable and sleepy." Whispered Andel with a chuckle. "Andel." Kat said snuggling his face against Andel's neck. "Yes?" "Calvin said once that you were a recluse." "I guess that could be true." Andel whispered tightening his hold around the boy. "I've been thinking." Kat said lazily. "I think everyone is a recluse." "I don't understand, what do you mean?" Kat lifted his head. "We are all hiding. We're all afraid of the unknown." With that, Kat lay back down and yawned. It didn't take long for sleep to capture him in its gentle embrace. Kat awoke and inhaled deeply. He carefully lifted his head so not to wake Andel. However, it was pointless; Andel looked over at him and smiled. "How long have you been awake?" Kat asked. "An hour or so." "You didn't wake me up?" Kat asked looking over at the clock on the wall. He'd been asleep for over four hours. "Wake you, are you crazy? I could spend the rest of my life with you sleeping on top of me." Andel laughed. Kat sat up and looked down at the kind man. Andel slowly reached up and pulled the towel away from him. "You are so beautiful." Andel said in a hushed voice, bringing his hands up to Kat's shoulders. He let himself discover the boy's perfect body with his fingertips, examining each curve. The warmth from Kat's soft skin energizing Andel's senses. Kat also reached out to Andel, massaging his hairy chest, with joyful giggles as the hairs tickled his fingers. Kat leaned forward and kissed the man. Andel ran his hands down Kat's back and returned the kiss. They held each other for a moment before Kat sat up again and scooted down onto Andel's legs. The boy tugged on Andel's shorts, trying his best to remove them without help. Andel laughed and gave assistance. Kat remained on his legs, his hands rubbing the smooth skin of Andel's hips. Finally, Kat lay back down, sighing as he rested his head on Andel's chest. "Come on." Kat said taking Andel's hand and standing up. "Where are we going?" Andel asked confused, but allowed the naked boy to guide him off the couch and down the hallway. At Kat's house, Demi and Calvin embraced a unity of odd flawlessness. They held each other and kissed, they held each other in a love that knew no boundaries. Words were not needed to express their feelings, their love. His thoughts drifted to his brother next door, Calvin smiled, and he hugged Demi tighter. Life wasn't perfect, but no one had ever promised that it would be. Fear, hate and jealousy would always be man's first reaction. However, in quiet moments like this, Calvin didn't worry about any of this. With Demi in his arms, he found Nirvana and that was all that truly mattered. Kat lead Andel to the large bed, the man followed without question or complaint. The sounds of birds singing echoed into the room, the world outside continued, without a care of what they did here. Andel pulled Kat into his arms and kissed him. It was a kiss of celebration, of freedom, a kiss of thankfulness and love. After all, Love is love, not matter where you find it or who with. The End