(C) 1996 Jason Palmer Author's Note: This was originally written for a friend of mine, someone with a lot of fire, who stuck with me even when I wasn't an easy person to deal with. He inspired me to write this, and I want to thank him for making me think enough to do this. He knows who he is, I believe. This is the closest I will ever come to thanking him directly. (Background information: The Kel and the Raahk are two races of felines. Imagine a domestic housecat from earth, and cross it with the body of a twenty one year old man. This is Cilain, one of the Kel. Areago, a Raahk citizen, is a cross between a Siberian white tiger, and a man five years older with a generously muscled physique-- a gymnast, perhaps. The Kel and the Raahk have been at war for centuries, battling over the largest continent on the planet. Neither has mastered space travel, nor even advanced sailing-- what cat likes to be over water?) "Blue-eyed Diamond" by The NightCat Cilain stepped into the tavern, and sat at the bar. It wasn't an especially attractive place; the floor was hard wood, as were the tables, though the latter had warped a little with age and moisture. The air was thick, filled with the scents of alcohol and cheap catnip. It was quiet there, with only a few people, mostly Kel civilians, drinking and chatting. There was nothing remarkable about that day, besides meeting Areago. Cilain had no other friends, and he had no family. The latter had been killed years ago by the Gra'el, and the former had never existed. It wasn't something new; he was used to living alone. So, other than meeting his one friend in the world, nothing really set that day apart from the rest. His was a race of felines, descendants of a splice between domesticated cats and humanoids. They were the Kel, a peaceful race, seeking more the security of hearth and home than conquest. Over the centuries, the Kel had developed more value in medicines and philosophies than most others on their world. They were a very docile, gentle race of creatures, though when angered they became quite violent and unstable. Over the years, Cilain had made several friends, and had become very close to them. Each time he'd grown close to someone, they became the center of his life, his very reason for happiness. A few gave the illusion that they'd felt the same for him, but over time that had died out. They had been interested in his inborn ability, his natural rapport with the elements. One by one they would all gain a fascination with his talents, and, subsequently, each in turn would become angry and leave him the moment he refused to make his powers work for them.' He'd been born with a very strong source of energy, more intense than that of his peers. What he had mistaken for love was simple usery. Love does not come easy, and Cilain learned this with such painful, agonizing repetition. Several times when he'd actually fallen for someone, only to find out that those feelings could never be returned. Years of pain and betrayal had jaded his emotions, memories that hurt him even now, as a matured' feline. Tears had fallen like gentle rain, until there were none left. The skies were emptied, and when one has no more tears to cry, he cries acid-- burning drops of wretched cynicism. Then someone came along, and changed everything. Areago was quiet, with a proud face, as a feline's would tend to be. He was of a hybrid species, with a father from the Raahk empire, and a Kellan mother. Born with traits of both races, Areago was rather muscular, and white-furred, as Cilain. His coloration and large stature gave him away to the Raahk people, and they rejected him. The tigerstripes which clung to his body meant instant hatred from the Kel. Universally he was known as a nameless' feline. Both of his parents were known as traitors to their own people for falling in love, and therefore he was immediately classified as the spawn of conspiracy. The Raahk and Kel, being at war, did not look kindly upon children of traitors. It was one of the few things they agreed on. Yet to those who knew him, (in other words, to Cilain alone) he was known as Areago. They met by chance, in a neutral bar, a place right on the border between their warring homelands. It was known for being a haven for `deviants' and both felt they belonged there. Conversation was made one evening, a drink was offered, and they began talking. Talking is different from speaking, for when you really talk to someone, you don't just speak with your mouth. You don't just say words; you express yourself. You convey something to someone, and, in a way, you open up to them, if only a little. A little of Cilain was all Areago needed. He had simply opened the door, when the sunlight burst in, and warmed his soul. He fanned out for Cilain like a flower to the morning sunrise. Cilain was attractive, especially for a Housecat (as they were referred to by the Raahk). His eyes were blue, as blue as sapphires in the sky. They seemed to see into Areago, with a gaze so penetrating they broke through any barriers before he could put them up, and yet such warmth and compassion that they seemed to hypnotize, entrance. They met weekly at first, in the same bar, at the same table. For both of them, it quickly became the only thing they looked forward to in their lonely lives. They spoke of Areago's past, of the inadequacy he felt, without the massive, tigerish strength of his father or the elemental powers of his mother. Cilain had insisted that he was beautiful regardless, more so than anyone he'd ever met. Had it been anyone else giving such a complement, Areago would have believed they were simply trying to flatter him, or get something from him, but there was something in those eyes that reassured him. Perhaps he noticed perfect sight, or was it perfect honesty? In the end he found both and more in those eyes, more than he could ever have imagined. As the weeks passed, Areago found himself thinking about Cilain more and more. He would yearn for their meetings while they were apart, and would rush back to the bar every week to see him. Something was so pure and strong about that feline, and it intrigued Areago intensely. They became good friends quickly and easily, and in time, their friendship grew. It had been one ordinary evening when Areago asked Cilain about his powers, the genetic abilites of each Kel. It felt odd to ask, because neither of them had discussed it before. With a simple question, it had begun. From that moment, the first instant he had seen the sorrow, the weary sadness on Cilain's face, he loved him. Cilain first spoke of his friends, his family, and his Energy. He warned Areago that he couldn't get too close, that every time he'd ever gotten close to someone he'd been hurt-- that they had wanted his power, and not his heart. "You've been hurt every time?" Areago asked him (repressing his other question, which was, Aren't we close already?'). A small, silent nod was Cilain's response. "It makes me insecure. I never know if someone wants me for who I am, or what I can do." He frowned and looked down, seeming frustrated. "You know what I mean, right?" When he glanced back up, his expression was enough to melt Areago's chilled heart. The feline was so attractive, but so gentle. A mild anxiety lay across his eyebrows, and below, the question swam in his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes. What Areago told him next stuck in Cilain's mind for years afterwards. "An asset like your power would fill the minds of only those who couldn't understand anything else. It turns their eyes green with envy and greed. They can't know anything else. They aren't rejecting you. They don't even see you." With that, he reached out, ran a finger under Cilain's chin, and smiled. "Of course, I don't see how they could miss these exquisite blue gems you call eyes." Areago had reached out to him. Cilain took Areago's hand in his own, and squeezed lightly. Not breaking his gaze, he leaned forward a little. "You're like no one else, Areago. I'm . . . wondering if you're real!" He smiled, but his eyes were glistening with tears. Inside his chest, Areago's heart beat faster. He could feel tears of his own pushing at him, trying to work their way out. He hadn't felt friendship or affection in such a long time, and this person before him, his friend, was in so much pain. His eyes finally glassed over, and he said, with trembling voice and hands, "If nothing else in this world, I am real, my friend. For you, I am real." He reached out with his other hand, and Cilain immediately clasped it. Silence followed for a few moments, as they stared, unable to understand their feelings, or the strange, intoxicating emotions that hung in the air. In that moment Cilain realized he loved Areago. Slowly, hesitantly, Areago stood, and Cilain followed suit. They stepped out of the tavern to find it was no longer late evening but early morning. There was no reality for them. Time had fallen away like a second skin, and their surroundings were distant-- miles away. The two companions left the bar then, and stepped into the crisp morning air. "Ci," Areago said. He had unconsciously nicknamed him this about an hour ago. "I'm exhausted." Cilain nodded, and smiled a little. He didn't quite know why he couldn't stop grinning, though somewhere within him, he felt the reason. No one had ever taken the time to nickname him, or to treat his name with any sort of affection. No one had cared for him enough to show it. "So am I, I'm afraid," he told his new friend. The felines stood side by side, two white figures on a dark road. Without hesitation, or even their foreknowledge, they clasped their hands together. Their fingers entwined, two silky furred arms brushing gently together. Areago gave Cilain's hand a gentle squeeze, and found it felt very nice to touch, to feel something yielding but firm and alive within his grasp. "We can go back to my home, and talk more, if you'd like," he said. He had never offered such a thing before, but it seemed right, necessary. With a relieved sigh, Cilain nodded. "I'd like that. I was afraid we'd have to . . . say goodbye." He stood, looking up into Areago's amber eyes. He brought the tiger's hand to his chest, and pressed it to his heart. Areago's expression became serene, placid. He placed a hand on Cilain's large, round shoulder, and ran his fingers up the feline's neck, clawtips disappearing in snowy fur, and then gently caressing Cilain's face. "My friend, I promise you," he said, with a low, quiet voice, "I will never leave you." Something burned inside him. He meant those words with every part of himself. Cilain's vibrant blue eyes gazed at him with some new understanding. His free hand rested gently on his companion's hip, and ran lightly over his side. There were no more words; none were needed. There was something between them, some tingling magnetism. Then it was no longer between them but inside them, for Areago leaned closer to Cilain, and their bodies touched. Neither knew what to expect, but it was so natural, so right. Cilain felt the large, warm body of the tigercat rest against him, and he shivered, despite the heat. "Areago--" he whispered softly. "Shhh," came his reply. Areago leaned down, and his furry muzzle grazed lightly over Cilain's. His whiskers tickled lightly at Cilain's as their lips pressed together. The touch, the warmth, and the tenderness were all shadowed now beneath something more, something like music. It ran through their bodies, a rhythm all their own. Areago felt something reminiscent of fear, but much more desirable, and it fulfilled him. They parted a little, and their gazes met once again, but there was a subtle, yet raging heat between them. Cilain looked at Areago through lidded eyes. "What are we doing?" he asked softly, in a gentle whisper. A smile came to Areago's lips. "That was a kiss, my friend." Then the smile faded a little, and his expression became thoughtful. "I've only seen it done between male and female. I don't think males do this often, or . . . ever." Cilain blinked, and raised his eyebrows. "Why not? It feels so nice." Areago shrugged, and then slid his arms around Cilain's body, bringing them into a very intimate embrace. "Does it matter?" he whispered softly into one of Cilain's black ears. Cilain's ears were the only things on him that weren't ivory white. Before he could answer, Areago kissed him again, this time parting his lips slightly. Cilain moaned softly, and his fingers splayed on Areago's back, pulling their bodies more firmly together. He didn't know why, but this felt so good, so warm. There was something inside him now, responding to these kisses, awakening at the feeling of this body next to him. Their mouths were in constant motion now, lips seeking out one another, pressing and withdrawing. Areago's breath was warm and sweet. Cilain breathed it in with his scent, and he felt dizzy. His knees weakened a little, as he struggled to speak and kiss at the same time. "What's . . . mmm.... what's happen . . . mmmph . . . happening, Areago?" The tigercat found he wouldn't stop kissing either. Perhaps he could, but he just intensely didn't want to. He needed to kiss Cilain. He could feel a deeper need, something warmer-- no, hotter, scorching, inside him. There was some hazy need to get closer to Cilain, but he no more understood it than the one he felt it for. "I... ohhmmm . . . I don't know . . . uhmmmph . . . " Pressing a hand to Areago's throat, Cilain pulled away a little, regretfully. His eyes were terrified, but the fear was masked, distorted by something else, something much stronger and yet so subtle it could be read as sleepiness. It was, for the first time, desire. All of these things passed between them, in unspoken expression. When Cilain spoke, his voice was low and husky. "Areago--" he stopped, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. He began again. "We should get inside. I'm a little . . . frightened, but I like this. I really, really like this." There was nothing more he needed to say. There were more words inside him, waiting to come out, but they would tear the delicate fabric of the moment. Areago nodded, and placed a finger gently on Cilain's muzzle to silence him. Then, Areago felt his own knees weaken as Cilain parted his lips, and slowly engulfed the finger with his soft, wet mouth. He seemed a little surprised himself, but there was a shared consciousness between them, and it throbbed, beating like their pounding hearts. It drove fear from both of them, leaving only need, and passion. Areago realized for the first time, as the dawn was born that morning, that he lusted for Cilain. His body needed him. He felt the feline's warm, velvet tongue swirl around his digit, and the teeth nibble gently as he withdrew it, and then the tingling was very tangible, coming to life where his legs met, firming against Cilain's thigh. They both shuddered now, and in their eyes was realization. Areago whispered several words harshly into the air, and touched the sky with his mind. His only inheirtance from his mother, save his white fur, was his ability to teleport. For once it came in handy. He willed them to no longer be here, but in his home, and everything began to fade away except for the silken touch, the beating heart, and the heated gaze between them. Around them the world disappeared, and it was them and only them. They were shifting from the outside air to Areago's bedroom. Perhaps a few minutes ago Areago would have taken them to his living room, but now there was no question. Very gradualy reality took hold once again, and they were standing in Areago's room. It was rather typical of a tigercat's apartment; the carpet was midnight black, and, besides many green plants and small potted trees, the only thing in the room was a massive pile of satin cloth and feathers. This was undoubtedly his bed. Areago stepped back gently, and cool air seemed to swallow Cilain up. He felt alone again, and a melancholy loss as the warm body pulled away from him. He smiled though, to his new friend, and, to his surprise, he yawned. He realized how incredibly exhausted he was, as everything caught up with him. His eyes watered in response a little, and it made him feel generally sleepy. Teleporting the way they had was known for taking a great deal of energy, and it often left the travelers tired afterwards. Areago, still holding his Cilain's hand, grinned at this. "I am tired as well, my friend. Let's get some sleep, and we can discuss . . . other matters later," he said, sounding a little weary himself. Casting a long look at Areago's bed, Cilain chuckled. "Is that thing as soft and comfy as it looks?" To his dismay, he felt incredibly cute, and he had a hard time hiding it. He did not want to be cute, and so he was a little embarrassed. Cuteness was a childish thing, and Cilain was certainly no child. Still, all he wanted to do was curl up, have a nice nap, and purr. His friend's smile only broadened, and, if he noticed any cuteness, he was kind enough not to say so. He pulled Cilain to his side, and began to walk them toward the bed. "Lay down and find out," he said softly. Cilain nodded, and collapsed into what felt like a pile heaven. The satin curled around his body. It felt so incredibly comfortable! He gazed up at Areago, and felt strangely at home. Before he knew what was happening, the striped feline was kneeling down, and laying next to him. By now they were both purring loudly. Areago rolled onto his back, and Cilain rested his head on the tigercat's chest. In a few moments they were both drifting off blissfully into the world of dreams, together. Neither of them really knew how they had come together, only that situations had put them there, and that it felt right. The last thing Cilain would remember thinking before he fell asleep was that it felt nice to curl up next to Areago's purring body, and that there was nowhere in the world he'd rather be. Nowhere in the whole world. Sleep came easily and deeply for both of them, and they both began to dream before long, of their lives, their futures, symbolisms, prophecies, and the like. Curled up against one another, they both relaxed. Their bodies settled into a state of slow breathing and heartbeat, passing the hours away in silent sleep. However, somewhere along the line Cilain began to have a nightmare. It shook his dreams, rending them apart, and then twisting what was left into a series of pains and sorrows. Images of loneliness, death, pain and sadness tore through his thoughts, slithering, burning into his gentle state of slumber. His body fidgeted a little, and his sleepy smile turned into first a painful wince, then a grimace of terror. Without warning, he sat bolt upright, awake, with the words, this has to end' reverberating through his thoughts. It suddenly made sense. Yes, this all had to end, and he would eventually be returned to the lonely pit he'd managed to peek out of for the moment. It would all end. Areago would go away, and it would be over. Before he quite knew what was happening, he was weeping over the loss of his new friend, even as Areago was waking up and trying to comfort him. "Ci?" he asked groggily, though very concerned. "What's the matter?" He sat up, his stripes rippling over his strong body as he moved. He slid a protective arm around Cilain, pulling the cat's trembling body close to him. Cilain could only cry, and so he continued, softly, "Please, my dear friend, tell me why you're crying." The care, the tenderness in Areago's voice made Cilain nearly frantic. Was he going to lose him now, even after he sounded so warm, so compassionate? How was he going to deal with that? Still, he managed to pull himself together. It was terrifying to say aloud, as if releasing a demon from pandora's box. "I'm . . . I'm afraid you're going to leave me behind," he said between sobs, and collapsed into the tiger's lap, shaking weakly. Areago's eyes widened, and suddenly he was very awake. Leave him? He was bordering on telling the cat he-- no. He'd think about that later. Right now he needed to comfort him, and reassure him. "Never," he soothed, stroking Cilain's head, rubbing between his dark ears lightly. "Never in all eternity shall I leave your side." His touch was tender, and his voice sounded surprisingly gentle, even in his own ears. Very slowly, Cilain sat up and faced Areago once again. His eyes were red with tears, and his chin quivered a little. "They all have," he said softly, almost inaudibly. "Everyone else. My whole life has been full of pain. One terrible sadness after another." The tiger placed a hand on Cilain's cheek, and gazed into his eyes. "Share them with me," he murmured, sounding almost nervous. "P-please." Cilain was clearly stunned. "What?" he asks, too startled to remember he was crying. "I know you Kel have . . . " he paused, thinking over what he was about to say. It wasn't rational to ask someone to share their worst failures with him, especially Cilain, who guarded his sadness so carefully. Yet he continued. ". . . empathic abilities. Open yourself, Ci." He gripped the cat's shoulders, firmly with excitement, though not painfully. "Show me." Reality seemed to break off, and Cilain only nodded slowly. He put a hand up, palm facing the tiger, and Areago met it with his own, almost without his foreknowledge. Their fingers slowly entwined, as they clasped to one another, eyes still locked, each now holding a piece of the other's soul. Cilain opened himself slowly, parting the door just a crack, letting loose some of the demons that plagued his soul. The demons were of memory, a phantasmagoria of tragedy, roiling and searing his emotions as they spilled out over him, and, through his link, into Areago as well. He watched the tigercat's breath hitch in his chest, and his eyes grow distant as he suddenly saw everything. The female who had held him close to her while he slept at nights, who told him he was a beautiful cat, who smelled of lavender, who had eventually scowled at him and shunned him when he kept his special power from her. The playmate, who had, from birth, been his best friend, but who had tried to kill him last year, insane with jealousy and hatred for his abilities. They saw it together, as one, as the memories were played back, each instant of heartbreak and loneliness, of separation and alienation. It hurt Cilain as an old wound will ache at times, but to Areago it was like slicing deeply into flesh for the very first time. Cilain wanted him to stop, because it was hurting him, but part of him needed this. Part of him needed to share this torment, this burning emptiness. Twice he begged Areago to stop, to let him take the pain back, but the tiger refused, insisting on sharing it all. He would not say why. Instinctively, Cilain's arms curled around Areago's body, and pulled him close. It felt good, the strong, intimate touch of the tigercat's large body around him. They both cried now, weeping for the things in life they would never do. In that moment Cilain and Areago lost themselves in one another. Echoes of the emotions they shared would stay in their hearts long after the pain had retreated back to the deep recesses of their memories. The bond was becoming stronger, tying their hearts together. For over an hour they held one another, sometimes picking out a painful nerve, and weeping, sometimes just whispering softly about how they needed one another, about how crying together is so much better than crying alone. Very gradually, the pain ran dry, every drop of it exposed and in the open, and their bond strengthened, drew closer, leaving both of them feeling cleansed at facing the old, rotten memories. "Does this ease your fears, my love?" Areago asked softly, when he felt it appropriate to speak. "Do you feel more secure now?" There was a long pause, and, even now, Cilain shook his head, his voice raw with emotion. "No, it doesn't. You've seen how often I've been deserted, and how jaded it's made me." That statement held no surprise for Areago, who had been left nearly as many times as Cilain himself. "I am not like them," he replied softly, gazing with searching tenderness into the cat's blue eyes. "My feelings for you are different." There were fear and uncertainty in Cilain's eyes. "How?" he asked simply. His response came in three words, three words that had never been spoken to him in his life. Areago said, "I love you." There were tears in his eyes, and he seemed about to cry again himself. Areago. Strong, resilient Areago. Silence followed for a few long moments, and with each passing second Cilain drew closer to the conclusion he had been working toward since the night before. "I love you, too," he said breathlessly. They kissed then. There was no other way, they both knew. This kiss was quite unlike any they'd shared before. It drew out something very strong in Cilain, something he could recognize only as overwhelming love, driven by rushing emotion and not simply lust. Love is stronger than sex, and they both felt it in those moments. For a long time afterwards they lay there in each other's arms. Cilain took his time, and carefully examined Areago's body, from the large frame and the gentle thudding of the heart inside his chest, to the way his striped fur spilled over his shoulders. Areago was beautiful, strong, and yet yielding and warm. He was perfect, as for as Cilain was concerned. He had helped take something horrible away. The pain didn't seem to hurt like before. It began to dawn on him that, for the first time in his life, he could share his sadness with someone, and that that made it bearable. Someone else knew of his pain! Someone would understand what he meant now, when he explained how terrible it was. He held Areago, with his silent pride, his quiet strength, and sighed. "I don't feel the same anymore, Areago. I'm . . . different now." The words just didn't seem to form. The feelings were ready to burst out, if he could only articulate them! Amber eyes searched his expression. "How are you different, my friend?" Areago asked, smoothing Cilain's whiskers back against his muzzle with one hand. They didn't stay back; whiskers never did, but it was a gesture of affection. They lay on the bed now, on their sides, holding one another loosely, sharing a warm gaze, thinking similar thoughts. Cilain struggled to put his emotions into words. If the right words didn't come immediately, he just kept talking until they did. "I've felt a lot of pain in my life. I've been alone, and no one seems to understand me. I didn't know if I could share my pain with someone." He paused, and tried to form his next two sentences carefully, "What I'm trying to say, I suppose, is thank you. I can relate to someone now, where I never could before." He smiled, triumphant at last! An amused grin had settled on Areago's lips, and he ran his fingers through the fur on Cilain's side. The poor kitten was trying everything he could to tell him one simple thing. He wasn't alone anymore. Though the words didn't matter so much, did they? He understood exactly what Cilain meant, even before he said it. Areago believed that physical expressions of affection often outweighed verbal ones. "I'm glad, Cilain," he replied simply. His fingers smoothed back those whiskers again, and he moved a little closer to him. "Come here," he whispered softly to the cat, motioning him over. Eagerly the housecat slid into the Areago's open arms. They gazed at one another, occasionally touching a chin or caressing an ear. Areago ran his finger's over Cilain's chest, and down his stomach. "You have a very nice body," he said softly. Cilain cocked his head. "So do you," he told him, smiling. "You're taller than I am, you know." That was very amusing. Areago couldn't help chuckling a little. "I'd sacrifice my extra inches in height for softer features." An odd thought came to Cilain's mind. It made sense, and it felt like the right thing to say. "If you did, I'd have to lean down to . . . to kiss your mouth." It seemed an innocent enough statement, because it was true, but he found himself blushing, and feeling rather warm. "Height makes no difference when we're laying down," Areago whispered. Not breaking his gaze with Cilain, he touched his nose to the Kel's, and tilted his head some, pressing their lips firmly together. Oh, that felt so good! The lips were a very sensitive area, very tender. It was something very intimate to touch yours to a friend's. It felt strangely hot and tingly. Cilain enjoyed the sensation, and he found himself easing into Areago's curves, sliding into his arms. Hips, stomachs and chests pressed tightly together in one fluid motion. He tilted his head a little, and parted his lips, allowing his tongue to slip out occasionally. He hoped that perhaps Areago would-- ah, yes, he was doing it, too! Their kisses were wetter, warmer now. The breath of his friend filled him once again, setting his senses on edge. He began to kiss more with his tongue, easing it over Areago's lips very gradually, tasting his furry muzzle. Soon their tongues began to graze one another, and that was SO wonderful. Cilain put one hand behind Areago's neck, and slid his tongue into the foreign warmth of his mouth. His tongue danced with his friend's, running over it, feeling the slightly rough texture, and tasting the odd taste. They lay there for some time, their forms pressed tightly together, and their jaw muscles working as their mouths searched one another. They were in their own world, two rapidly beating hearts and minds, exploring a new pleasure they'd never dreamed existed They were all that mattered; everything else vanished. There was no pain, no past, no future, no meaning to anything outside of their two bodies. Cilain found bliss running his tongue over Areago's impressive fangs. He was fascinated by their shape, and their sharpness. Areago began to feel an uncomfortable heaviness between his legs. Something was happening to his furry sheath. It was becoming warm, and thick. It felt a little uncomfortable, until --when he pressed it against Cilain's thigh, when he ground his hips against his friend's it fulfilled some need he hadn't realized he had. He realized this even as he was kissing Cilain. Cilain noticed this as well, and moaned softly, pulling regretfully out of the kiss. He found, to his dismay, that he was completely breathless. "What's that?" he asked, motioning to Areago's thickening sheath. "What's going on down there?" Areago shrugged. "I haven't a clue. It just . . . did that." He pressed it once more against Cilain, and this time slid up a little, pulling his sheath down, just a bit. This brought a groan from deep in his chest, and a gasp as his erection slid out from within the furriness, into view. It wasn't particularly frightening, but it surprised both of them. It looked smooth and pink, pressing up into Cilain's tummyfur. With one finger Cilain reached down and stroked it, hesitantly. Areago immediately made a stifled sound. "Yesss . . ." Everything seemed to change then, spinning on some invisible axis, twisting the situation into something less innocent. Cilain looked into Areago's eyes with some new intent, though he had no idea what it was. He knew it was there, however, and he intended to see it through. He smiled, though his voice was low, and trembling. "You like that, don't you?" he whispered. A quick nod from Areago encouraged him. He was giving his friend pleasure, he knew that much, and by the look on his face, that expression that was so deceivingly near a grimace, he knew it was fairly strong pleasure. He closed his hand around the shaft, and found it very warm to the touch. Although he hadn't the slightest idea what to do with it, he knew that contact was important. He slid his hand up and down its length, and queried Areago. "What does this feel like?" There was a deep, strong purr rumbling in the tigercat's chest, and his eyes remained nearly shut. "In--incredible," he grunted. "Like . . . like flying." Cilain moved a little faster, fingers and palm gliding over the smooth flesh easily. He looked into Areago's eyes, and leaned forward to kiss him. This also seemed right, because the tiger began to lap eagerly, fiercely at his mouth. His tongue was suckled in Areago's mouth, as he shivered all over. Cilain found himself unprepared for this, and his hand faltered on Areago's erection. Almost immediately it was guided back to its ministrations. It brought a strange lightheadedness over Cilain, and he wondered if the thickness in his own sheath would yield forth a similar result. He broke the kiss to look down, and yes, it was firming up. His sheath looked heavy and larger now, as a long length of flesh began to poke out, into the cool air. Five fingers curled around the shaft, squeezed gently, and Cilain thought the pleasure would destroy him. He closed his eyes, and his mouth slowly dropped open. Areago's hand was firm, but not painful or rough. He worked the penis in his grip with such tenderness and dexterity, tightening his hold, then loosening, gliding over it with his fingers. Cilain found himself pushing his hips forward, grinding his prick into the warmth of the tigercat's fingers. Cilain encouraged Areago by increasing the speed at which he stroked the erection in his own hand. The tigercat grunted loudly, driving his hips forward, and his erection throbbed once, and again. Cilain opened his eyes at this, and he noticed a look of shock and distress on Areago's face. "Ohhh . . . ohhhhh Ci . . . don't stop . . . I'm going . . . ohhhh . . . to . . . OHhhh!" the tigercat whispered huskily. He hugged Cilain's body very tightly to his own. He knew instinctually that he was coming to some sort of climax His whole body shook as he held Cilain so tightly. His strong heart pounded in his chest, and his breath came in long gasps. His prick was spasming, and actually squirting something against Cilain's body. Hot jets of some sticky juice gushed from his cocktip. It alarmed him, but it felt so good! Some tension inside him was releasing itself, and at the same time he thought it would cause him to faint. The liquid was warm, invading their fur, running down between his legs. "Areago, what're you doing?" Cilain whimpered to the grunting tigercat. He also felt the warmth liquid spurting into this fur. The realization began to dawn on him that they were doing something very private, expressing themselves in a way that only loved ones used. They were, in a sense, mating, though certainly no offspring were going to result. Areago groaned deeply, feeling waves of hot pleasure run through him. It subsided a little, though something inside him was still clenching, tightening spasmodically. He pulled back a little, and looked into Cilain's worried eyes. The worry disappeared slowly, until something unmistakable, and yet so foreign remained. It was love, tainted with fear, but love nonetheless! He kissed Cilain's lips tenderly, and then openly. Areago wanted to comfort him so much with his strength, and his caresses. He wanted to look into Cilain's eyes and tell him not to worry, that they would always be together, that he would never hurt him. The words were too much, though. He kissed with his heart, everything inside him pouring into his motions, and for a while there was nothing but that kiss. Then it ended, slowly and regretfully. The tigercat lay Cilain's body back on the bed, and he fondly caressed the feline's chest. Kneeling over him, he examined the wet fur below the Kel's tummy. Cilain smiled. "You've covered me in . . . something." He laughed softly at this. A mischievous grin spread across the tigercat's muzzle. "That," he said proudly, "is the product of a feline's lust. You should be honored, my friend." Cilain nodded. "I am, but now I'm also pretty sticky." Areago giggled fitfully at this, laughing at some joke Cilain didn't understand. He knelt down and began to lick over the soft fur of Cilain's stomach, grooming it carefully. Above him the Kel began to laugh now. "Areago, that tickles!" This made the tigercat grin, and lick faster, his big tongue swiping over the silky curves. Then, as he lowered a bit, he began to actually taste the juice he had splattered on his friend's body. It wasn't sweet, or bitter, but salty. In any case, it wasn't unpleasant, and it had to be cleaned from Cilain's fur. It was interesting to explore one's body with his mouth, and he began to slow down, and enjoy the task. He kissed at Cilain's thighs, as he slurped up more of the strange liquid. For some time he cleaned Ci's fur, and with each passing moment the ecstasy, the hope that possibly he wouldn't be alone began to form in his mind. Could they possibly find with one another what they had been denied so many times before? Could the memories they were building now carry with them in a new life, beginning now? He prayed they could. They had been two lonely kittens, two diamonds in the rough, finally joining hands and facing the loneliness, delving into the infinite blackness without fear. Perhaps a friend, a companion is all one needs to conquer any problem. Perhaps then one sets aside fear and replaces it with their loved one. Perhaps only then can one be free.