THE BOY HEROES FROM THE LAND OF ERIK (A Series of Epics)

Epic no. 4 -

 

Lev's Tale

 

By DamiJon

Email at damijon123@gmail.com

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Chapter Seven

 

As Aldan heads into the school he immediately notices that all of the students have left. However, the principal and two teachers have stayed behind, sitting in the children's desks, hands over their heads in silent frustration. He knows that something has gone wrong. Jack fesses up. "It's Lev..."

Aldan stops and his blood runs cold. "Lev? What? What happened? Where is he?"

Raven interrupts Jack before he can reply, "One of the kids was bullying this boy named Jay and Lev did what he always feels the need to. He stood up for him by using violence instead of coming to us." She gulps. "He threw him to the ground without even touching him and began to choke him before the three of us were able to get him out of it. As soon as he realized what he was doing he ran into the other classroom and told us to leave him alone."

"Is the boy alright?" Aldan takes a step towards the other classroom. "Is Jay alright?"

"They're both fine. And the bully would have fought back, had it not been for principal Jeremen taking him out of the school and scaring him shitless with threats to the prison if it happens again."

Aldan nods. "I'll talk to Lev." He thinks about the prophecy. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

Aldan goes to the other classroom, pausing at the door and knocking. "Lev, I'm coming in." He waits for a moment, then enters. He closes the door behind him.

Lev is curled up in a ball, hiding in a sphere of flames in the center of the classroom. All of the desks are pushed to the side and the flames are controlled to not burn down the entire school. Obviously, he's using them to avoid anyone coming in contact with them. "Go away, Aldan."

Aldan stops and kneels on the floor. "You know I can't do that, as your counselor. I sure as hell can't do that as your friend and the father of your boyfriend. I'll stay over here. Tell me what happened."

He grunts, "I attacked a bully that had it coming! Grant is an asshole and a piece of shit! Nobody likes him. He should be put in the prisons have the key thrown away."

Aldan nods. "He was picking on Jay, right?"

"Yeah. He made fun of Jay for being gay, called him a faggot, and joked about his brother that had just been executed yesterday. It was disgusting! The teachers wouldn't stop him no matter how loud they yelled at him. I'm the only one that could."

"It's partly my fault. I should have been here." He looks at Lev. "You defended Jay. What's wrong now? Why are you in here, using the flames to keep people away?"

"Because they're all angry at me now! They think I'm a freak! A monster!" The room rumbles and shakes as he yells. Aldan notice a black shadow figure watching against the wall where all of the tables are stacked. It vanishes into the air.

"I'm not mad at you. I don't think you're a freak or a monster. Neither does Bryan. Raven doesn't. Jeremen doesn't. Kate doesn't. Lev, what's the shadow saying to you right now?"

The fires diminish, but his eyes are a grayish black. "It tells me that I should kill you and leave the school. Burn it down. Kill everyone that I see."

Aldan nods, "Are you going to? Kill me, I mean. It's not like I don't deserve in some ways." Aldan looks around. Lowering his voice, he continues. "While you were here stopping a bully from hurting Jay, I was next door at the prison. You couldn't guess what I was doing. And it was worse than what you did."

"Do you want me to let it decide your fate?" His eyes are almost black now.

"No. I don't trust the shadow. I trust Lev. The demon-wolf boy that the shadow torments and uses because the shadow has no power without you. So it lies to you. Tells you we hate you when you know, in your heart, that we love you. You know it, Lev. Think about Bryan's face when he sees you. Has anyone ever looked so happy as he does when he's with you?" Aldan glances around the room, expecting to see the shadow.

"Errggg... STOP!!! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Lev stands up, hitting his head with his hands. Suddenly another shadow emerges out of his back, sifting through the walls like a ghost. Lev's eyes go back to normal revealing his teary green eyes and scared face. He falls down to his knees, reaching to Aldan as he cries." I don't know how much longer I can handle it. I'm just a vessel for their using."

Aldan rushes forward and takes Lev into his arms. He hugs the boy close and tight. "I know, Lev. I know, baby. It's okay. Right now, you're okay. I've got you, Lev. I've got you." He rocks Lev, trying to give him some measure of comfort and strength. "I've got you, now."

Lev finishes his crying, eventually standing up and holding himself together, leaving the room first as he goes to apologize to the principal and teachers. "I'm sorry for acting out. I know it's not my duty to stop aggressors like Grant. That's your job. Hopefully, I'll soon be dead and you won't have to worry about me acting out."

Jeremen stands out of his chair, a sympathetic look on his face. "None of us want that you, Lev. If we have to tell you it every day, we will. We're here to help you. You deserve happiness and life."

Raven and Jack nod, the latter responding in agreement. "Yes, Lev. We'll never give up on you, no matter what happens."

"No one's dying anytime soon. Not on my watch. I've had enough death." Aldan thinks back to Joshua. "More than enough. We'll figure this out, Lev. Don't forget, we have Aizen's concert tonight!"

"That's right." He's still slumped with his head down, depressed, and hopeless. "I guess we should get going." He grabs his clay pot from out under his desk and waves to the teachers before they leave.

Aldan fetches his basket from his office, storing the files in securely in his desk. He locks the desk drawer and slips the key into his pouch. Meeting Lev at the entry, he waves good bye to the other teachers and Jeremen. He walks with an arm around Lev's shoulders. "Do you think your friend Jay would enjoy the concert?"

"I forgot to invite him. I'll make sure do that next time." Bryan said he'd meet me at my school this morning. "Should we wait around here for him?"

"I think we should." He sits on the steps leading up to the school. "You know, I saw two shadows with you in there."

"You saw them?" He turns his face to him in surprise.

Aldan nods. "Yes. One was in the corner when I entered. The other. . .sort of. . .appeared through your back and disappeared through the wall."

Lev sits in silence and contemplation, thinking about how the shadows must have been watching him. "Are they watching now?" He can't see them anywhere nearby, but they must be... Eventually, Bryan comes into view, running towards them in glee. "I wonder if I should wear this to the concert or not. Then again, if I don't wear this, I'm left naked in just a fundoshi. Oh, boyfriend incoming."

Aldan shoulder bumps Lev. "I think that's Bryan's second favorite outfit of yours." He stands and looks back at the prison. Then at Bryan and Lev.

Bryan sprints at the pair when he sees them. He slows just enough to not bowl Lev onto the ground as he launches himself at his boyfriend. He hugs Lev tightly, kissing his neck and burying his face in Lev's neck. "I missed you! So much!" When Aldan clears his throat, Bryan looks at him and smiles. "You, too, dad!"

"I missed you too, babe." Lev hugs him under his armpits, kissing him deeply. The two teachers and principal exit shortly after. Jack observes. "I never knew you had a boyfriend, Lev!"

Lev slaps Bryan's ass and lets him sit down next to him. "We've only been together for a few days, but I feel like I'm already in love with him. Words cannot even describe how I feel for him."

Raven blushes and squeezes Jacks arm. "They're so cute together. I'm happy for you, Lev. Glad you found someone. Have a good night, you three. See you tomorrow."

As they walk away, Lev goes back to kissing his boyfriend again, tickling his side with his tail. "Excited for the concert tonight? I'm pretty excited. And I get to meet your other brother too! I bet he's already home! Boy, is it gonna be a shock when he see's the two of us together and kissing in front of him. You think he will be jealous? I bet he likes men too. Runs in the blood, huh?"

Aldan sighs, "I hope he doesn't. I don't think you could handle the three of us." He laughs.

Bryan blushes a little. He kisses Lev. "Just so long as you love me best, I don't mind sharing. A little bit. Sometimes." He waves a hand. "Aw, Mikey wouldn't be any fun. He'd just want to draw us all with our stiffies."

Aldan starts, "Shhhh! Not so loud. A little privacy." He looks around at the busy street. "Do we have to time to head home and get cleaned up, do you think? Or we could rush over to Jay's and get him. What do you think, Lev? Or straight to the concert hall?"

"If I knew where he lived, I'd send him a letter..." Lev thinks as they begin to walk. "We should probably head home and eat before we leave. It will start around dusk."

As they walk, Bryan positions himself between Lev and Aldan. He wraps an arm around Lev's waist and leans his head on his shoulder, while holding his dad's hand.

Aldan looks at his boys. Worry hides behind his eyes. Right now, they are so happy. But two shadows? He almost wishes Bryan had been a little slower in getting here. He sighs, "I know where Jay lives, Lev. I visited his mother after Dakota."

"Huh? What part of town is he in? If you have the exact address, that could help. I'll just throw the letter to him from our house." He winks at his boyfriend, letting them dwell in the mystery.

Aldan wracks his brain. "I think it's 67 Poe Road." Aldan stop and smacks himself in the forehead. He turns and races back to the school. "Files!"

Aldan flies back to the school, arriving just in time. Before Jeremen can lock the doors, Aldan races in, unlocks his desk, grabs Jay's folder and memorizes his address. He replaces the file and locks the desk drawer again, rushing out again. He wishes Jeremen a quick goodnight and jogs back to the boys.

"So you have it, right?" Lev holds hands with Bryan as they walk.

Aldan nods again as he catches his breath. "Indeed, I do."

"Good. Let's get home and have our bellies full before the concert. There should be plenty of great wine at the show. If I remember, it'll be located at the library near where Bryan and I first met." Lev kisses him on his cheek.

Bryan giggles as Lev kisses him with his long tongue and snout. Aldan shakes his head, feeling proud of them both, happy for them both and a little jealous of them. He pushes aside the memories of the night the three of them fucked and concentrates on thoughts of the concert and the two shadows.

With his father distracted, Bryan leans close to Lev, kissing his furred ear and whispering, "Will we have time for some sucking do you think?"

Lev's ear tingles to gentle touch to his ear. He holds his hand in front of his mouth and whispers back, "That depends. Will your brother drawing us while we're sucking each other?"

"I bet if we let him he would." He glances back at his father with a guilty smirk and gleam in his eye. "What if Mikey wants to play with us?"

"I don't know if I want that... I told Aldan that I want it to be just between the two of us for now on. Maybe he or Mikey can join in ever once in a while though, if they're all bored and lonely. That, I have empathy for." He nudges Aldan's side with his shoulder.

Aldan is knocked from his thoughts. He smiles down at his boys. He nudges Lev back. "Feeling better, Lev? It's really good to see you smile."

Bryan nods. "I know, right? His smile is just great!" He looks at Lev, his eyes twinkling with affection and admiration.

The two of them eventually get home after a half an hour of catching up on what they learned in school, Lev having to explain what happened to him as well, assuring his boyfriend that he's ok, but deep down he knows otherwise. He tries to focus his mind on being present and positive for Aizen's concert tonight. As they enter the house, Lev immediately makes a fresh coffee for himself and Katy, handing one to her as a greeting. He finishes his cup quickly, leaning against the counter as he tries to relax. "Is Milliken already home?"

Kate sips the coffee gratefully, "I may never make coffee again, you know. Certainly when you're here. Yes, Mikey is upstairs rearranging his books with the new ones he brought home." She takes Sally and Jereminy upstairs to change for the concert.

"Ugh. More books." Bryan sighs as he takes Lev's hand and leads him upstairs. "Every time Mikey gets a new book, he pulls all of them off of their shelves to rearrange them. It's a pain!" They pause outside the door. Bryan takes both of Lev's hands in his and stands facing him. "Mikey can be strange. Just remember that he means well, okay? He's just weird." He kisses Lev. "Mmmmm. Ready?" Bryan opens the door and leads Lev inside.

Milliken is inside. He's got several stacks of books on his bed and on the floor. He's standing between two stacks, looking at one book's spine. He's chewing on his thumb as he looks from one stack to another. As they enter, he looks at the two boys. His mouth goes slack and he is obviously shocked.

Lev stands by the door, waiting for Mikey to answer first.

Bryan pulls Lev into the room by his hand. "Mikey, this is Lev."

Milliken stares at Lev. "He's a demon, but not like any I've ever seen or read about."

Bryan nods. "Yep. He's my boyfriend, too."

Mikey sets the book down at the top of one stack. He steps towards Lev and stops. He turns back and takes the book he just placed, and sets in a smaller stack on his bed. He holds his hand out to the book. "Stay!" He approaches Lev. "Your boyfriend? But Daddy loves demon-boys. Is he like Drew?" He leans down to look at Lev's feet. "No shoes. Demons never wear shoes. It disconnects them from the earth. But wood floors do not." He looks Lev over closely, pausing and commenting on his fur and tail. "Canine tail. Black wolf. Most demons have feline tails. Ears of a wolf as well. Green eyes..."

Lev lets him look over his features, even moving up his robe so that he can see his tail. He walks over to the side of Bryan's bed and sits down. "It's nice to meet you, Milliken." He can't help but to get the hots for him. `Oh Gods,' he worries. `This will be the third in the family I've gotten a stiffie for.' "We're going to a classical concert tonight and you're welcomed to join. It's at the students library."

Mikey goes to his small desk. He pulls out paper and a pencil. He begins making notes. "Is Lev short for anything? What's your full name?"

Lev crosses his arms. "It's not short for anything. My full name is Lev Garnet Shafiel. I'm the only breed of my kind, half demon and half black wolf. None other exists on this planet."

Mikey's eyes go wide, "You're your own species? Amazing." He looks at Bryan. He closes the bedroom door. "Have you two copulated in any way? Have you fucked?" he prepares to write.

Lev laughs, tugging on Bryan's shirt. "Sit with me. Is it okay if I tell him?" He waits for permission. "Yes, we have had sex."

Bryan sits next to Lev, blushing like a beet multiplied by a red apple. Mikey makes a few notes on his paper. He looks up. "I see. Do you wear the traditional demon fundoshi? Or do you have a unique undergarment? Are same sex relationships common among demon-kind?" He cocks his head to one side. "Did you know Drew?" His voice is different with the last question. Softer somehow. Less clinical.

Lev carefully strips off his robe, setting it to the side to reveal his fundoshi as an answer. "Same sex relations are not only common in our kind but are equal in relation to those between men and women. And no, I never met Drew. I think something was preventing me from ever meeting him. An entity. It knew that if i met him earlier on things might have gone down differently. But who knows." He squeezes Bryan's hand.

Bryan squeezes Lev's hand in return. Mikey observes Lev closely. After a moment, he starts to blush, turning away from Lev and his brother. "Uh. . ."

There's a knock on the door and Kate's voice calls through the door. "Get dressed and downstairs NOW. We have to leave soon."

Mikey looks at the door, then at his books, then at Lev and Bryan. "Th-thank you. If I have any more questions, I guess I'll ask after the concert." He turns his back to Lev and takes off his shirt, moving a pile of books on his bed, revealing a clean outfit laid out for him. He pulls the shirt on without turning around. He's chubby, with rolls of baby fat along his sides.

Lev slaps Bryan on the butt. "You better get changed too! I'll go downstairs and wait for the two of you." He takes his time observing Mikey's body, then his boyfriends for a moment before heading downstairs. Once down there he quickly rushes to his seat at the table. "We should eat as fast as we can so that we can get good seats. I have a feeling it's going to be packed tonight."

The table's already set with dishes and food. A large pot of stew steams in the middle of the table. A smaller bowl sits in Lev's place, filled with cubes of raw beef and pork, raw vegetables, and a lighter brother that does not steam as hotly as the main dish. Sally and Jereminy are already eating, their chests and stomachs covered with large towels in case they spill. Aldan smiles at Lev and dishes himself some stew. "Did everything go okay with Mikey?"

"Yeah, I think so. He's pretty nice. I'd like to read some of his books if he'd let me." Lev rushes to fill up his plate. As soon as the two brothers have made their way downstairs Lev jumps out of his seat, slapping his forehead. "Oh, oh! I forgot! Can someone get me a paper and a pen? I have to write a letter. Quickly, please!"

Mikey pulls a piece of paper, small quill and tiny inkwell from a small satchel worn over his shoulder. He careful unscrews the inkwell and sets it before Lev. I try not to go anywhere without some way to record my observations. "The concert tonight is an unusual opportunity to observe demon-kind among their own people in a relaxed atmosphere." Sally looks at Mikey and giggles

Lev tries to not a mess as he moves from pen to ink to paper in cycles as he writes. His tongue sticks out as he quickly has the entire page full. He blows on it, folds it into a triangle, then runs to the open window in the kitchen. Bryan follows closely, curious as to what he do. "And away we go!" The paper flies right out of his hand and up to the sky, disappearing in a split second. He tickles his boyfriends belly while he's not looking and runs back to the table. "Hopefully, it doesn't go straight to his door but instead flies right into his room and hits him on the head." Lev chomps down on his raw food, imitating Bryan for a moment, then remembers his manners.

Aldan pauses as he eats. He carefully puts his spoon down, takes a small sip of coffee. "What the blazes was that?"

Lev responds with pride. "It's a little special trick that only a few demons can ever achieve. It has to do with our connection to the planet and use of meditation. It's hard to explain and I don't even really understand it yet."

Kate whistles and Sally and Jereminy clap excitedly. Aldan shakes his head and returns to supper. Mikey grabs his inkwell and looks as if he's about to start writing, but a sharp word from Kate causes him to carefully pack his materials away. Bryan leans over and whispers. "What other magic can you do that you haven't showed us?"

"Tons of stuff, but I don't want to get carried away with it or show off too much. We should get to eating." Lev sits up in his chair as he finishes his plate, licking it clean. "Delicious, Katy. Thank you, once again." He rubs his stomach, which hurts a bit from eating so fast. "Oh boy... I think I need to calm down for a moment before we go."

Bryan leans his head on Lev's shoulder as he eats. In between bites, he slides one hand under the table and between Lev's legs. He rests his against Lev's dick, the red tip poking out from the sheathe, smiling happily as he dunks bread into his stew. Milliken watches Lev closely as he eats. After a few moments, Bryan begins squeezing his boyfriends equipment. He tries to slip his hand into his robe and under the fundoshi but quickly gives up. As everyone finishes, Kate clear the table.

"Right. Does anyone have to pee? Now's the time, before we leave." Aldan looks at each of the children and Lev in turn. Jereminy raises his hand and Aldan takes him to relieve himself. They return as Kate finishes the cleanup and the clan heads for the sitting room and the front door.

Lev waits by the door quietly and starts to feel anxious that they might show up late and get bad seats. "Come on... We have to hurry!"

Kate and Sally wait in the sitting room by the fireplace. Bryan stands next to Lev, holding his hand and looking at him with lovey-dovey eyes. He bumps gently against him every few seconds. Smiling whenever Lev looks at him. Shortly, Aldan returns, carrying Jereminy, with Milliken following behind.

"Right! Everyone's assembled, let's get going. I don't want to be late on Aizen's big night." Aldan and Kate shepherd the children out of the house, pausing long enough to lock the door before they set off. Aldan carries Jereminy, Kate keep firm hold of Sally's hand. Bryan keeps hold of Lev's hand and the family let's Lev lead the way. Mikey casts his eyes down and mumbles to himself until Aldan reaches out with his free hand. Mikey grins and skips to move alongside his father, taking the offered hand. He begins to tell Aldan and Jereminy what to listen for in the concert, given that demonic compositions tend to favor deeper octaves and longer measures....

Lev chats with Bryan as they walk, recounting how they first met, only this time they're taking the opposite way from home. "Do you think this would be considered our first date?"

Bryan thinks for a moment. He shrugs and grins." Sure!" He lowers his voice. "But shouldn't we have dated before we sucked and stuck out thingies in each other with dad?" He laughs, looking around quickly.

"I don't think our relationship is really normal anyway, but what does it matter?" The two of them bump into each other playfully, kissing and hugging freely as they walk to the library. It's only a ten minute walk away, closer towards Bryan's school than anything else. The student library is the largest in the entire kingdom and holds more than two million books on it's six top and four bottom floors. Some consider it to be a national treasure to the world. As they come closer, Lev explains, "My friend that's playing tonight is named Aizen. He's supposed to play four original compositions that he's made by himself tonight. There are six other students from the school that are having performances this week, all under eighteen, and all of them are considered to be the best that the kingdom has. Since Lev is considered the last one to play, the winner will be announced tomorrow." He frowns. "I doubt that he will win though. The music we play from the mountains is much rawer and more different than what people around here know. Not even I know that much about it since I was born here. What I hear in my temple is only a small accumulation to its history and I think Aizen wants to bring all of it to the audience in ways that they might understand better. That's why he started learning and writing for instruments from here that he's never played before."

Milliken perks up noticeably. "Do you think he'll have one composition for each of the great historical eras of demonkind???" He hops up and down as he asks. "Four. . .four. . .four. What else could he do with fours? The cardinal points on a compass! The earthly states of matter! The four creator races. Oh! Did he give you any hints, Lev?"

"No, not really. Just one. You'll have to wait and see. He might take an autograph after the show." Lev chuckles. They enter the library, which has around six hundred chairs already placed out inside of the massive library. Shelves have been moved aside and against the walls, a process that takes massive labor and is done only twice a year. A third of the seats have already been taken up, but there's also plenty of people strolling around to get wine from the readymade bars or to simply look at books. The atmosphere inside is surreal, no matter how many times one goes inside of it. One feels as if they've walked into someplace sacred. A small stage has been set up so that no matter who is sitting they're able to see the musicians play. Instruments have already been set up and tuned; two violins, a viola, cello, lute guitar, and piano.

Kate stops as the family enters and gasps. "So many books." She looks over to Mikey who's staring all around. "Hands to yourself, Milliken! Don't go grabbing books without permission." He nods but is too awed to speak. Jereminy squirms in Aldan's arms, twisting this way and that, asking 'what's that, daddy' over and over, Aldan patiently explaining the answer to each new question. Bryan holds onto Lev's hand, wrap their arms together, staking his claim to the demon-wolf-boy and daring anyone to question them.

Kate speaks in hushed, reverent tones. "Will your friend be conducting or playing?

As she asks and Lev answers, a voice calls out. "Lev! Aldan!"

"Both, ma'am." Lev looks towards the distance to see who it is.

Holt waves to them from the front, near the stage. He gestures for them to come closer, pointing to a row of unoccupied chairs. As the family makes its way to the front, Holt's face alternated between beaming proudly and tortured worry. "I'm so pleased you all could make it. I'm Holt, Aizen's life-mate."

Jereminy points at Holt. "Elf!" He laughs in his father's arms. "Daddy, a real elf!"

Aldan nods. "Yes, Jer, that's Holt. He's my friend." Looking at Holt, he apologizes. "He's never met an elf before."

Holt nods, reaching out to shake Jereminy's hand. He looks at everyone. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it in time. They should be sending us to our seats any moment now!" He looks over Bryan and leans close to Lev and speaks in heavily accented and slowly enunciated demon-tongue. "He is adorable! You are so cute together."

Lev blushes, taking a seat between his boyfriend and his best friends boyfriend. Before he gets a chance to make any small talk, an announcer walks up stage and speaks loud enough for everyone in the library to hear. He calls for everyone to take their seats, as the performance will begin momentarily. The once gracefully silent library turns into a madhouse of chatter and chaos as people scatter around to find open seats. It isn't long before two thirds of the place is full. Aizen walks up stage first, dressed in comfortable dark green pants that are bags up high and tight on his calves and a solid gray tunic. While the shirt is only one color, it's in no way casual. The materials on it are noticeably intricate by every thread. It's obvious that he made these clothes himself. He moves different sheets of music to all of the different instruments as three other musicians take the stage. Two of them are humans and the second is a jaguar anthro. All of them are three times his age and much taller than him, making him the outcast of them all. After a lengthy discussion with the other musicians over different sections that they'll play, he eventually sits down at the piano and faces the crowd, waiting for everyone to take their seat.

Lev notices him, whispering to Holt. "It doesn't look like he's nervous."

Holt sits in the front row, facing the piano with Aizen able to see him with the slightest motion of his head or eyes. Lev sits on Holt's right, with Bryan on Lev's right and Milliken at the end. Just behind them, Kate and Aldan sit, two empty chairs between them.

Holt's eyes are moist. He glances to Lev, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly. "He's so glad you're here, Lev. I can feel it. I'm glad, too. Isn't he just the most beautiful being you've ever seen?" His voice is low and breathless. Outwardly, Holt seems calm, but Lev can feel the moistness of his palm and a very faint tremble as he waits for the concert to begin.

Aldan and Kate hold Jereminy and Sally on their laps, allowing the children to see more clearly and allowing the parents the keep a careful handle on the young ones. Aldan's eyes are watery as well, and Lev senses sadness in them. Bryan leans his head on Lev's shoulder, sighing happily. He wraps his arms around Lev's arm, resting one hand on Lev's privates.

Aldan leans forward, whispering something to Holt in elfish. Holt smiles back and whispers, also in elfish. Then there is silence. The assembled crowd, friends, family, teachers, mentors, tutors, faculty, administration, benefactors, other musicians and composers all wait. Barely breathing. Hanging at the moment. Holt's face is more worried and concentrating than Aizen's. . .

Aizen's mentor walks up to the stage, signaling everyone to be silent during the performances, only after each piece can they make noise. He gives a brief background on his student Aizen. "Before we begin, I'd like to introduce the composer and main performer for tonight, Aizen, a young demon of only eleven years old that migrated to our land only a month ago. Since he has come to our school, he has surpassed almost all students in the musical department at a rate unlike any other that I've ever seen. Aizen is a prodigy - there's no doubt about this. He comes from a different world, a culture that is so ancient and personal, that I feel to warn you that this might not be your average performance, but the boy continues to surprise me. Please, welcome him warmly."

The crowd claps, cheers, even whistles loudly and wildly. Aizen stands up, blushing red, his tail unable to stop itself from dancing as he walks up to his mentor. He coughs, catching his voice before he speaks as loud as he can without yelling. "Thank you for coming out to support the School of Arts tonight. I also thank the Students Library for having us as well. It's an extreme honor to be here." He looks to Holt, Lev, Bryan, then Aldan before his eyes travel onwards to the rest of the crowd. "Tonight's performance will be split into four different pieces. Two of them will be string quartets and the others will be played solo by me. I wrote these pieces in dedication to a friend of mine, who I think I'd consider my best friend, named Drew, a fellow demon, who was executed at the young age of thirteen a few months before I moved here. The pieces don't focus on that certain event of his life, although it has its influence. There is a clash between the darkness he dealt with and the beauty he also saw in it as well, because in reality, he was not just a criminal or a troubled soul, but also an empathetic friend, a lover, a firm believer in his faith, a father, a husband... Nevertheless, I start with solo piano, then we move onto the string quartets, and end on a solo piece for lute guitar." Aizen bows before he walks back over to the piano, closing his sheet music and placing it on top of the case before he sits down.

Lev squeezes Bryan's arm as Holt does the same to his. "I have goosebumps already."

Bryan turns in his chair, looking back towards his father. Aldan is hiding his face in Jereminy's back. His shoulders shake for a moment, almost imperceptibly. Bryan looks lost for a moment, shifting in his seat. Kate reaches over and takes Aldan's hand. Mikey stares at the stage, a piece of parchment spread over his things and charcoal pencil in hand. Holt's lips move in a silent plea for his partner.

A shy voice peeps out from the aisle. "Lev? Lev?"

Lev turns his head around, trying to find out who it is.

In the twilight of the library, Lev sees green hair. Jay has arrived in the nick of time. He looks around, waiting for Lev's response. He's trying to avoid notice. When Lev looks at him, he shrugs his shoulders and holds his hands up, mouthing 'Where do I sit?' He looks almost terrified.

Lev quickly tosses a pen out of his pocket at Aldan's chest. "Hey, Aldan! Jay is here. Can he take one of the open seats?"

Aldan glances over at the boy and nods. Jay, watching the exchange, slides quietly down the row, sitting next to Aldan. He's very careful not jostle or touch anyone as he makes his way to his seat. He sits, immediately looking all around, as if afraid someone will notice him. His clothes are clean, but show patches and mending at the elbows and knees. It's obvious that he's embarrassed.

Aldan wipes his face with a handkerchief and leans over to Jay, whispering something to him. Jay looks at him in cynical disbelief. Aldan nods and crosses Jereminy's heart with one finger. Jay relaxes, smiling for an instant and turning his attention to the stage.

 

Suddenly, the music begins. The sound from the piano silences everyone immediately with its serious, cold tone. A slow, mournful melody, minimalist, yet so complex. The second movement is much more jazzy and upbeat, but then it turns into a huge, unbelievably loud piece. It looks painful to play, as he does so fast, and it sounds as if there are five or six pianos playing on top of each other due to the power of the reverb and echoes. It swallows the entire library from every angle until suddenly Aizen stops, stands up, and waits for everyone to clap. After a few minutes he walks back over to his instrument.

Holt watches nervously. He wishes he could be next to Aizen, somehow lending his strength to him. He knows the concert will take a lot out of him. When he can tear his eyes from his love, he scans the audience, trying to gauge their reaction. He worries that Aizen's composition is so different from what they're used to that they'll judge the music harshly. He worries that Aizen will make a mistake. He worries. He clenches Lev's hand in his own, squeezing tighter and tighter. Oddly, to an outside observer, Holt seems placid and calm. Only his friends would note the subtle changes in his eyes. And only Lev can feel him tremble.

Bryan listens, leaning his head on Lev's shoulder, one hand on Lev's leg. The music is loud and complicated. Lev and elf-boy seem to like it. Bryan closes his eyes and lets his mind wander, letting the music permeate his soul, unwittingly giving in to the spell that Aizen is casting. Next to him, Milliken scribbles short notes on papyrus. For the first act, he hears the music technically, noting the arrangement of certain notes and the patterns. It does not occur to him to close his eyes or to feel the music.

Aldan holds Jereminy. The music reminds him, in places, of his own symphony with Drew. He feels the mournful passages. He sees the similarity between their pieces, he sees the similarity between the demon-boys in his life. He holds Jereminy closer.

Without any introduction into the next part, the quartet begins to play. It begins violently atonal, spectral, and chaotic, all of the string instruments playing off of each other's sounds until they've become one, which leads into something less extreme and more soothing, ethereal, and ambient. Aizen leads the mean sound with his cello, playing low notes, while the others play serene and beautiful harmonies off one another. The tranquil and surreal peace seems never ending until the heavy timber comes closer to an end. Aizen leads it again with a much more animated solo, his fingers all over the instrument, plucking, stringing it with a bow, slapping at it and pulling out every sound that he can from his instrument while the others follow it with a much more mysterious atmosphere. The first part of the quartet fades to silence and they wait for the crowd to clap. This time it's much louder than before, even some whistles here and there. After they've fixed their pages, the second part begins. Elements from before are still present, but some of the material he's read and learn from his month at school has influenced the piece. It's as impressionistic and romantic as anything he's ever written before, a powerful love ballad. Towards the end, Aizen stops looking at his paper and looks to his love, then to his newly found best friend, and finally to Aldan. Can he tell that this was written for him? That he translated every single sound from the music box into this quartet? The tears that he see's tell him so. This time after the music is over all of them walk to the front of the stage and bow.

Aizen pulls up the piano chair to the center front of the stand, grabbing his guitar lute from beside the cello, and sits down, waiting for everyone to be silent. "Again, I'd like to thank you all for coming out to night. It looks like... We actually sold out. So I'm a bit nervous. I have one more piece for you all tonight." He whispers as he looks down at his bare feet. "This is for you, Drew." And suddenly the necklace glows for a short moment.

The worst of Holt's nerve pass. Aizen is in command. Music is his element. As much as Holt is at home in the forests, Aizen is at home with an instrument. He watches, filled with pride and love for his partner. At the mention of Drew, he utters a silent prayer. For a boy who led such a tragically short life, he impacted the hearts of Aizen and the others powerfully.

Bryan thinks back to his words and conversations with Drew. He touches his own necklace, looking at it and smiling. He cuddles closer to Lev, not caring who can see or what they think. He whispers in Lev's ear a quiet, but heartfelt 'I love you, Lev'. He kisses his cheek before settling in to enjoy the last piece.

Aldan recognizes the strains and rhythms before Aizen stops and speaks. He closes his eyes and remembers holding Drew in his arms as they listened to their song. He hopes, no. He knows that Drew is listening tonight, even before the brief flash from Aizen's pendant. He cries for his lost love. Drew. For Drew. He doesn't notice Jay watching him, curious and concerned; but unsure of what to say or do, he just watches and listens.

Aizen exhales, then begins to pick away at the strings of his guitar. It's not romantic or like the other intense pieces. Instead, it comes deep from his own heart and relationship with Drew, growing up in the mountains with him. Some parts of the song contain fragments of the first songs he wrote when he was first given the guitar. The center melody of it is one that he played inside of a cave to Drew when they were still very young. As he plays the technical piece perfectly he looks back and remembers how he had his first sexual experiences with him, even a relationship that fell through. He remembers how they'd travel to the lakes to fish for food with other anthros. His fingers are tired, but he continues to play every note as they were written down on paper, all the while with his eyes shut. The blonde demon inhales as he opens his eyes, looking to the crowd in an intense daze of concentration, and finishes the piece. He forgets that there's no back to the chair and almost falls out as the crowd stands up and cheers, claps, whistles loudly. The other musicians from the quartet help him as he comes down the stage, finally letting his emotions overtake him as he cries by the stairs. "I don't know why I'm crying. I'm not happy or sad."

The jaguar anthro helps him stand up as they walk away from the stage and back to the rehearsal room. "It's okay. Maybe you're overwhelmed that you've gotten this far. Remember when you told us about yourself when you first joined the school? How you had almost died in the forest countless times? You probably never thought you'd survive and commit to your dreams like this, but here you are. Listen to them cheer for you."

After the teacher and announcer have made their last speeches most of the people either exit, search through the library out of convenience, or head to the bars for wine. Lev and Bryan lean up by the stage, holding hands as they talk about the concert together. Eventually, Mikey joins in. "I don't think he will win the award since it was so confrontational and abnormal for the humans here. I'm kind of surprised by how many demons made it though." He searches through the crowd, spying his grandparents. Lev waves to them and they wave back.

Bryan leans against Lev. "I don't know if I understood everything. I feel like I didn't, but I still liked it. I think Drew would have liked it a lot."

Aldan and Kate spend a few minutes talking as Sally and Jereminy play among the empty chairs. They were well behaved during the concert and now's their time to release pent up energy. Aldan looks strained, but he and Kate hold hands as they talk.

Mikey listens to Lev and Bryan and Holt. He points at Jay, who stands off to the side, looking at Lev nervously. "Who's that boy?"

Holt beams. He listens to people as they discuss the concert as they filter out. After a few minutes talking with Lev and Bryan, he heads back to the rehearsal room.

Lev notices Jay, motioning for him to come over. "That's Jay. He goes to my school! Hey Jay, why don't you introduce yourself?"

Jay walks to the three other boys, waving nervously. "Hi... I got your letter, Lev. Didn't even notice that you sent it to our house. Mom found it on the kitchen table."

Bryan smiles at Jay. "I'm Bryan and that's my little brother, Milliken."

Milliken looks at Jay for a moment, makes a note on his paper, and awkwardly extends a hand. "Your hair is green. Is that natural or do you color it somehow?"

"It's a rare genetic thing." He shrugs. "Do you think it's gross?"

Mikey looks up from his paper. He seems confused for a moment by the question. "No..no. Why would I think it's gross any more than blonde or brown hair? As a genetic trait, do your brothers and sisters all have green hair, too?"

Bryan smiles at Jay. "I like it. It's cute on you." He looks at Lev. "You already stick out in a crowd, wolf-boy. Maybe I should do something different with my hair. I must look boring."

Jay blushes "Yeah.... We all have it."

Lev notices his reaction and gets an idea. "Hey, Bry, let's go upstairs and check out some of the alchemy books. They're locked up behind a wall, but they give me permission to go through." He winks, taking him with him. Now the two awkward boys are alone together.

Mikey barely notices Lev and Bryan leaving. He's intent looking at Jay. Bryan heads off with Lev, letting Kate and Aldan know that they're checking out some books. Mikey stands next to Jay. He starts to speak but stops. Jay can see him counting silently to himself. 'One, two, three.' He looks at Jay again and smiles an awkward smile. "May I ask you some questions, Jay?"

Aldan keeps a close eye on Mikey and Jay. Kate has run into some neighbors and, after a quick kiss for Mikey, causing him to blush and sputter, she takes Sally and Jere and heads home.

Mikey smiles, genuinely this time. "Does the green hair extend everywhere? Under your arms? On your legs? Above your penis? Does it feel like regular hair? May I feel it?"

"It will, but right now I don't have any hair elsewhere on my body since I haven't started puberty. You can touch my hair though!" He steps up closer, descending his head to him.

"Thank you." Mikey touches Jay's hair, patting it from above a few times. Then he runs his hand through it. He leans close, peering at the hair, then at Jay's eyes, eye lashes and eyebrows. He stops and is about to start writing when he stops. "If you'd like, you can feel my hair. It is typical hair a boy my age." He makes several notes.

"Are you sure?" He's careful with how he touches Mikey's hair, touching it softly as if it were an anthro's tail. "Do you have any friends, Milliken?"

Mikey looks up. "Yes. Bryan, Lev." He stops for a moment, thinking. "And Drew. He's dead but I remember him and sometimes he talks to me when I sleep. Do you have any friends? Or do your peers ostracize you for being different?"

"I have two. There's Lev and Angela from school. Nobody else though... Would you like to be my friend?"

Mikey looks at Jay. "That means you would have to be mine. But I'm . . . different. Almost everyone gets irritated with me quickly. I ask too many questions and I don't understand people sometimes, which leads me to ask more questions. So they stop being my friend. It's easier if we don't start if my questions would bother you." He looks down, concentrating. "I'd like to be friends, though. Yes."

"Yes? Yes!" Jay jumps once, then bows. "I'll be the best friend that I can be. May I hug you?"

Mikey blinks in surprise and steps back, "Wait!" He puts his pencil and paper down. "Yes."

"Okay. I'm going to hug now!" He leans in, squeezing him with love and ease. Afterwards, the two of them talk together sitting down and make a date for tomorrow to hang out.

 

Further along the crowd of people, an old man with a cane notices Aldan walking around. He moves as fast as he can to him, putting out a hand to stop him from wandering. "Aldan. That is you, right?" It's Drew's father.

Aldan looks at the old demon. Part of him hates the old demon, for how he abandoned Drew. But Drew insisted he hold no grudge. "Yes. How are you, sir. What did you think of the concert?"

"I... I..." He stumbles, trying to find his words. The man looks ten years older than before just in the short amount of time. His eyes are red from holding back tears. "It was the most powerful musical performance I've ever heard."

"Yes, it was magnificent. Aizen is quite the prodigy." Aldan sighs. "Here, let's sit, sir." He helps the old demon to a nearby chair, sitting with him. "Aizen used our song, Drew's and mine, as a basis for part of the performance tonight."

"Your song? I don't..." The man coughs up blood into a cloth. "...Understand what you mean by that..."

"Would you like some water? I could get some, no problem?" He looks back to the stage. "Our song. It was a ritual we shared. A song was revealed to us that told our story, Drew's and mine. Of this life, of our past lives together and our future lives. It was our love given musical form."

"I see. I know of that magic you speak of... Well, it was beautiful. What the two of you had must have been as well." His tears finally begin to rain down over his crumbled, tired face. "I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for being so rude that day. There's so much I'm sorry for. I wasn't a good father. If I had done more, maybe I could have saved him. Now the damage has been done and I'm going to die a miserable, painful death and be forgotten, known by everyone as the one who abandoned his own son. That's how it will be seen with the new Lord. She believes in that other boy. You don't see it, but after tonight the kingdom is going to be having a racket for what that boy said upstage."

"Over what Aizen said? Why?" He rest a hand gently on the old demon's arm.

He coughs out more blood, wiping his mouth as he stuffs the cloth into the pocket of his robe. "Dedicating a performance to a convicted killer. That was very bold. Not many will see it through the lenses that he does. Not like we do."

Aldan nods. "He hadn't considered that angle. You may be right. I hope that part of things doesn't cause Aizen too much trouble." He looks at the old one. "What will you do now? How long do you have?"

"With the help of the mages from town and our medians, I'd say about four or five months. I don't know who I'm battling for though. They said it's a sickness that spread from my heart to my throat." He wipes away his tears. "Aldan, will you forgive me?"

"Yes. It's done." He looks at the old demon with sadness in his eyes. "He's buried on Robin's Road, facing the river. There's a marker. Perhaps, I can show you. I think Drew knew you'd feel this way. He made me swear to forgive you, to not hold a grudge. I think he'd want you to meet your step-grandsons."

"Perhaps I will." He smiles mournfully. "I think I'll sit down for a moment if that's okay."

"Of course."

"You're a philosopher, is that right?"

"I once was. Not anymore. A book of mine is somewhere in this library. I brought a few copies of it here from the mountains."

"It's a shame your studies didn't give any insight into the shadow that assaulted Drew."

He sighs. "But nobody really understands it completely. All we can do is fear it since there's no way to stop it. After Lev, it will find another and another. I have no doubts about that."

"Wait here, sir." Alden stands and heads to a fountain. He gets some water and returns to Drew's father. He pauses for a moment, making sure that Mikey and Jay are okay. He sits with the old demon, offering him a drink of water. "I can't accept that we're helpless. I consulted a man of learning. He's of the opinion that the shadow can be destroyed, under the right circumstances."

He takes slow, tiny sips from the cup. "Thank you... You're a better man than I could ever be. You're a beacon of hope. Like a lighthouse of some sort."

"I just try to do what I think is right. It's not easy and I don't know if it makes me any better. If only we could drive it from the body and kill it before it flees. That's the key. The expert said to kill the body. But we can't do that. Have to drive it out. Did nothing in your studies and leaning speak of spirits and possessions?"

He thinks back, knowing some things that might relate, but certainly are only myths and spectacles, nothing of real importance. "Some elf and mage tribes have encountered a similar entity that might be the same. Other than that, I have no real idea. I must ask on a different note. Do you plan to keep your promise and stay with Drew or will you find someone else at some point?"

"He made me promise not to seek an early death. He didn't ask that I stay alone. I don't know what I'll do. Everything reminds me of him and the loneliness is too much to bear, sometimes."

"I see." He looks away. "If love comes your way, you have to take it and immerse yourself in it no matter what the cost. There's too little of it to go around these days to just let it go to waste. I only had my one love. Drew had you. And if you find others, I don't know how he would feel about it."

 

After speaking to a few people for the newspapers, Aizen goes to leave his rehearsal room, running right into Holt as he's knocking on the door. He holds it open, leading him inside. It's actually an office space made for some of the workers to restore old art and texts and print books. "Hey, love. What did you think of the show?"

Holt looks around the room, standing on tippy-toes to see things up high. Bending over to see things lower. "Well, to be honest. . ." He looks at Aizen with a pained smile and shakes his head. "I thought that it was. . .now, don't be angry, Aizen. I love you, do remember!" He wipes his forehead in apparent nervousness. "I thought it was MAGNIFICENT!" He shouts the last word and continues shouting. "MAGNIFICENT JUST LIKE AIZEN HIMSELF!" He throws his arms around Aiz, lifting him and spinning. "It was tremendous! Stupendous! Wonderous! Mellifluous!"

"Oof!!!" Aizen freezes in surprise. "Can you put me down?" He laughs. "I'm glad you liked it. Seems like a lot of people here enjoyed it as well. And not just my kind either. I spoke to some of the newspaper reporters a few minutes ago. They said they'll give it very positive praise too! They asked me about my history, culture, where I'm from, and why Drew was such an important inspiration for me. I clarified and tried to explain that I believe the kingdom shouldn't be executing young people to try and push my message. Maybe it will make people think further than, 'oh, that boy was just some killer', and then to, 'he was troubled and needed help' or at least something a bit sympathetic. I don't know." His feline tail swipes back and forth as he takes his boyfriends hands. "Let's go someplace else." He takes him to a personal office room and shuts the door. It's full of different kinds of paper and craft materials for hard book covers.

"Oh, you're such a rebel!" Holt holds Aizen and nuzzles his nose and mouth against Aizen's neck, nipping lightly. "Have you decided which party to go to? Aldan quit the prison over some of these same issues. Perhaps the two of you could work together to change people's minds. You can convince the King himself or convince enough people so the King becomes convinced. My famous boyfriend." Holt stops and gets a pouting look on his face. Aizen swears his ear almost droop a little.

"Ah, no parties for me. I'm going home with you after all of this. Curious what they'll say in the papers about the concert tomorrow, but for now..." Aizen leans in to kiss Holt, putting his hands at his waist.

Holt smiles at Aizen, pride practically flowing from his eyes. He holds Aizen loosely, moving his hands around the demon-boy's sides and waist. He leans into Aiz, poking and rubbing his obvious erection against his husband What can they say? "It was brilliantly conceived." He kisses Aizen. "It was flawlessly executed." He kisses again. "It was a marvel and it made grown men and demons cry for its beauty and soulfulness."

"Yeah? Think you can make me cry with this?" Aizen clutches Holt's crotch, squeezing him by the balls, then leads his back and ass against a printing table. "Strip for me."

Holt grins and quickly removes his tunic and pants. His undergarments follow and he stands nude, his cock hard and straining, eager to be inside his lover. "What do you have in mind, love?" He pretends to yawn and stretches his arms high, letting Aizen view his entire body.

Aizen takes his time to strip, showing off every bit of his body to his lover with small dances here and there. His clothes end up in a mixed pile with Holt's. He walks over to him, grinding their dicks together and masturbating them with one hand. "Feel good?" He spits down on both of their heads, lubing them up as he massages his sack. "You're so beautiful, Holt. So perfect. You're all I need." He tongue kisses him, humping and grabbing Holt's ass cheeks with both hands as they frot.

Holt breathes heavily, pulsing his own hips in time with Aizen's hand. He lowers his head, nibbling and biting at Aizen's neck and collarbone. He reaches behind Aiz and gently teases the base of his tail before suddenly slapping his ass. He grins mischievously, his tongue poking out of his lips as he slaps with the other hand. "Yeah, that feels great. You're the beautiful one, Aizen. You're all I need, too. I love you so much." He kisses Aizen as he smacks his ass again, holding the cheek and squeezing as their tongues wrestle and their cocks grind against each other.

"You want to fuck me?" Aizen's still flaps around in excitement, taking one of Holt's hands and putting it to his ass crack.

Holt lowers his face, looking at Aizen almost shyly. "Yes, I want to fuck you right now, right here. And again later after you fuck me. I want to fuck and suck until we both pass out naked, on the floor." He kisses Aizen passionately as he lightly teases his hole with his finger. "Then I want us to it all again until you have classes or I have duty."

Aizen can't help but to laugh. He kisses him on the lips softly, makes his way down his body with kisses, his tongue trying to trace the visible veins of Holt's half-elven body as he does so, then he arrives at his second favorite part of his boyfriend. He wastes no time taking it into his mouth, working on it as he plays with his balls and rubs his hole. Aizen sucks it without ever pulling out, unable to let go of the unique taste that he loves so dearly. As he feels his lovers cock pulsating in his mouth he finally takes it out, holding and masturbating it with one hand to suck on his nuts. "I need you in me so bad."

"I need to be in you. I need you." Holt breathes heavily. His chest heaves, his veins even more visible as his heart beats powerfully. His nipples, normally flat and pale, have swollen a bit as Holt pinched and rubbed them as Aizen worked his cock. They're hard and puffy, faintly bluish. He runs his hands through his boyfriend's hair, carefully brushing his horns. "On your hands and knees or bent over something. Please, Aizen...I need to fuck you soon!"

Aizen kneels on the floor, holding himself up by his elbows, and sticks his ass up in the air. His tail moves out of the way and strokes him off as he waits eagerly for Holt to fuck him. "Ahhh... I think I'm starting to get some better control with my tail and now you're gonna give me some!"

Holt drops to his knees. He smacks Aizen's ass twice more before leaning in, spreading his cheeks with his thumbs and kissing the hole. Holt licks and kisses, massaging Aizen's anus with his tongue, loosening and lubricating his boyfriend while relishing his unique taste. He eats Aizen's ass enthusiastically, beginning to finger him after a few minutes. "Gotta make sure you're ready. . ."

"I knew you would, babe." Aizen leans his head to the side see as much of him as he can. "I fucking love you more than anything."

Holt drives his tongue deep into Aizen, as deeply as he can. When he pulls it out he begins kissing his way up Aiz's back until he's in position. His cock is almost painfully hard, leaking precum. Spitting into his hand, he slathers saliva over his head and shaft, gently teasing the wet, hot hole with his cock. "Anything? Not your music, I hope. I love your music. You wouldn't be you without your music. I love you more than almost everything. More than anyone ever..." He pushes in, easing his cock gently in his lover. He spends a few minutes slowly, carefully fucking Aizen. Letting the demon-boy get used to his cock sliding in and out. He slaps his butt once or twice, giggling as he does so and moaning. "You are so deliciously tight!"

"Ahh.. Ahhh, fuck yeah. That feels perfect babe." Aizen's tail goes towards playing with Holt's nipples "My next performance will be dedicated to you..." His thoughts go towards the beautiful, sensual melodies he will write for it in the future written and inspired by his most intimate moments with his lover. "Make me sing!"

Holt nods, too into fucking his boyfriend to realize Aiz can't see him nodding. He braces himself and raises his hips, giving his thrusts more power. At the same time, he increases his speed, going from slow and gentle, to deep and hard fucking. His balls slap against Aizen, giving a rhythm to their song of love. " Ungh....fuck...you feel . . .so hot!" Holt grunts his love for Aizen in between strokes, falling into elvish as he nears climax.

"Oh Gods! Oh, fuck me! FUCK!" Aizen purrs, moans, and sings his lust for him as he feels himself closer to a dry cum. "Pound me! Fuck yeah! Fuck that ass!" Aizen moves his hips and butt, showing how much of a fucking bottom he really is for his elf. His body jolts in shock as he feels himself have his spermless orgasm. "Ahhhh!!! Fuuuuuck! Hooolt....."

Holt, driven by Aizen's cries, takes hold of his hips. Sweat drips from his face onto Aizen's back as Holt drives his cock into his lover. As Aizen trembles and moans, Holt holds him tightly as his own orgasm builds. "Ah, yeah. Aizen! Cuming soon. Where do you want it?" He gasps the question between breaths, his balls slapping loudly against his lover.

"Inside of me, of course! On my face when we get home."

Holt is too caught up in his impending orgasm to answer beyond noises and single words. "Mmkk. . . fuck!" He adjusts his hold on Aizen's hips, pulling him back into cock as he thrusts forward. "Ah! Unghhh." AIzen hears the breath catch in Holt's throat as he shoots the first spray of elfen jizm deep into him. Holt continues to thrust as he cums. "Ai. . . .ZEN!" He cries out loudly. After a half dozen thrusts and streams of elf cum, he stops. His dick is still hard inside Aizen. He slumps forward, kissing Aizen's shoulder, tugging gently on his chin until he turns his head and they kiss. Exhausted, out of breath, sweating. His cock shrinking slowly inside his boyfriend. He kisses him deeply, but slowly. "I love you, Aizen...I love your ass."

"Oh man..." He pants, exhausted as his body falls to the carpet. "Can we just lay here for a bit before we go? I need to get my energy back before we get back home and fuck again."

Holt lays down next to him, holding him close. He strokes Aizen's cheek and face. "We both have to recover. We should stop on the way home and have a nice dinner. Maybe a bottle of wine? Then, the rest of the night we can make love."

"Sure. They get the cheap stuff out front. We get the expensive stuff out here." His tail curls up and brushes Holt's leg as he traces his fingers over Holt's chest. "I love you, Holt. Love you so much..."

 

Chapter Eight

 

As the demon and elven lovers embraced, another couple on the second floor of the library explore a closed off part with no lights, except of one in the palm of Lev's hand that he had cast. The wolf-demon's ears twitch as he notices the glass door shielding him off from the small section of alchemical literature. He puts a finger to his mouth, whispering 'shhhhh' as he grabs Bryan's hand, the two of them passing through the glass wall as if it were thin air and onto the other side. "I knew with just a bit of practice that I could perfect that trick."

After they pass through the glass door, Bryan reaches back and taps it, seemingly to check if it's real. The tinking of his nail against the glass causing him to smile broadly. He lets go of Lev's hand and slaps both of his hands over his mouth as he bounces up and down in excitement. His eyes look like they're about to pop out of his head. After a moment, he close his eyes and takes a deep breath. Opening his eyes, he leans close and whispers to Lev. "That was so amazing! Oh my! That was so much fun!"

"Yeah? We can do it again when we leave. Give me a minute. There's a few books I wanted to look for." Lev runs around in the dark, lets a fire stay in the middle between two shelves as he grabs a few books all near each other. All he has to do is place his hand on the books for a short moment to absorb every page of information. Bryan can't notice, but as he's doing this his eyes go black, only returning to normal after he's absorbed all of the information. "Ahhh. Perfect. Bryan? Where are you? Oh wait!" He shuts out the flame, closing his eyes to sense exactly where Bryan is. He pretends that he can't sense him with his overly strong animalistic scent and hearing abilities. "Oooooh, Bryan! Where are you? Are you hiding?"

Bryan giggles to himself, trying to be silent. He tries to sneak up on Lev, fumbling against the stacks. He tries to throw his voice, as he's seen at the seasonal fairs. "Ooooo...I'm going to get you Lev....Where am I???" Lev can easily tell where he is, but Bryan keeps making his ghost-y noises.

Lev jumps up on top of one of the bookshelves, almost silently moving around to sneak up on him, he crawls like a spider down to the floor without making a sound, sneaking up behind Bryan, and then tickling him to the ground. "Boo!!!! Hhahahaha!"

Bryan `eeps; in surprise as he falls to the ground. He tries to tickle Lev back, but Lev has him down and helpless in short order. He rolls onto his back, looking up at Lev in the darkness. "Kiss me, Lev!"

Lev kisses him playfully, tickling under his armpits as he does so. "Do you think everyone is waiting for us downstairs?"

Bryan walks his fingers along Lev's arm. He shrugs. "I don't know. Why? He playfully tweaks Lev's nose, complete with a 'boop' sound.

"I know something you don't know." He stands up, picking him up with one hand. Lev makes a fire with one hand as he leads him back to the glass wall, letting him walk through it with him. He destroys the flame as they move into lighter parts of the library where other people from the concert have gathered to read out of convenience.

"Yeah," he leans close. "You know what my butt tastes like." He whispers and giggles, sticking his tongue out his boyfriend. "You know lots of stuff though. Right?"

"I can give you a taste of it with a kiss." He grabs Bryan's nose with two fingers. "Nah. What I meant to say was that I think your brother and my friend Jay have it in for each other. I think I could see it in the way that they looked in each others eyes. Just a feeling."

Lev takes Bryan's hand, swinging it back and forth as they run down the steps together, spying Aldan at the chairs near the exit of the library. Jay is with them, yawning and stretching out, his belly visible too.

"What mischief have you two been up to?" Aldan asks, with his eyebrow arched. Mikey looks up from his paper for a moment, then goes back to what he was doing. Aldan stands. "Your grandparents said they'd see you later. Should we wait for Aizen and Holt? I haven't seen them leave." He looks at Jay. "I imagine you're staying over tonight, Jay?"

Jay shakes his head. "No... In fact, Ma' wanted me home a while ago. I'll definitely get a spanking this time." He sighs. "See you tomorrow, Milliken?"

Aldan looks around. "Hmmm. Seems a little late for you to be heading home alone."

Aldan moves over and hugs Mikey, who whispers in his ear. Aldan nods. "Well, if we're not going to wait for Aizen and Holt, we can all walk Jay home and ask his mother for permission for you to stay over, if you'd like to, that is, Jay?"

Jay looks to Mikey, blushing. "I'll lead. I know the fastest way to my home."

Aldan gathers things together as he watches Lev. "I remember where you live, Jay, but you do know the fastest route. If you do want to stay over, is there anything you need to grab? We wouldn't want to have to make two trips." He looks thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe we could find some flowers or something to put her in a better mood so she'll say yes."

Jay thinks for a moment. "I think if she see's all of this company and knows that they're my friends, she will reconsider."

The group exits from the library soon thereafter as have most of the others. Jay spends most of his time with Mikey, but chats with Lev every now and then about school stuff. Lev walks slower so that he can talk to Bryan. He speaks to him on a serious level about the stuff that Jay has gone through and to be cautious with him as he is with him, how their problems are similar, which made them good friends that can empathize with each other. When they arrive at the house Jay ends up having them stay about a dozen feet away from the house as he enters. His mom does notice everyone, along with many of his other paranoid and frightened siblings. It isn't for another half hour that he comes back with a small school bag that has clean clothes in it. He apologizes, explaining that his mother made him do some chores before he could leave.

Once they show up at the house, Bryan is quick to give Jay a typical tour around the house, introducing him to the sisters and his mother, Whirlwind and the daily procedures for feeding and taking care of him, along with each room of the house. Bryan and Lev venture upstairs as he and Mikey have desert in the kitchen after the youngest ones have been put to bed. Mikey eats twice of the sweets that he should and Jay only eats some just to not feel rude to his new friend and the mother. Afterwards, they head upstairs while Aldan spends time talking to his wife and reading in the living room with a glass of whiskey and a thousand-page war novel.

Lev and Bryan are on the bed leaned up against the wall and cuddling, playing with each other's hands in relaxation when the other two boys come inside. Lev waves. "Are you sleeping in the same room as us tonight?"

Milliken looks confused again. "It is my room, too. There is enough room for all of us. You two on Bryan's bed and Jay and I on mine." He points to each bed in turn.

Bryan stifles a giggle.

Mikey squats down and pulls out his locked chest. He motions for Jay to sit down as he unlocks it. He takes his notes from this evening and carefully arranges them, before inserting them into a leather folio. "I'll keep lose notes in here until I have enough to rewrite. Then I'll put write them in here." He holds up a thick, leather bound book with straps near the tops and bottom and a lock keeping the book closed. "I'll have to start a new page for you, Jay."

"Oh, how amusing!" Jay sits down, observing him and his mechanical motions.

Lev takes off his robe, placing it on the nightstand as he gets into the covers, patting a space for Bryan.

Bryan gets out of his clothes, walking around for a moment in his underpants, He's about to climb into bed when he stops. "Aha! Wait." He walks quickly to the door and exits, return a few minutes later with a ceramic basin bowl and pitcher. He sets these on Mikey's desk, careful not to put them on top of any papers or notes. "You can use the basin if you have to tinkle and the there's water and a cup if you get thirsty. It can be weird to try and find things in a new house in the dark is all."

He smiles and climbs into bed with Lev. Lying next to the demon-boy, he lifts his hips and pulls his undies off, dropping them on the floor. He winks at Mikey.

"Bryan, you're naked." Mikey says, wonderingly.

Bryan nods and fumbles around under the covers, trying to untie Lev's fundoshi. Lev helps him and Bry drops it onto the floor, too. "And now?"

"You are both naked." Mikey observes. "Which means. . . that they two of you . . .are going to have sex?"

Lev thinks. "We could, but we don't have to. Sometimes lovers sleep naked. It also feels nice to cuddle with someone you like when you're naked. Being naked in general is a liberating feeling. What do you think, Milliken? Jay?"

Jay twiddles his fingers, shy and afraid." Oh, I don't know... I don't like being nude in front of people like your kind do, Lev. Not to discriminate or anything."

The demon wolf nods. "None taken."

Milliken begins to blush. "I agree with Jay. I do not have a lover, so it would be very strange for me to sleep naked." He pauses and seems to be wrestling with some thought. He bites his lower lip, then his thumbnail. "Normally, I would like to observe how two males from differing species mate." He looks at Jay, blushing ever more. "I think that would be rude, though, with him here." He blinks slowly and shakes his head. "With my friend here, I mean. I'm not used to having friends, Jay. I warned you if you remember."

Jay moves up closer to Mikey in bed. "It's okay if you want to watch. I don't mind..."

Lev pulls back the sheets, revealing both of the naked bodies underneath, his tail slapping the bed in excitement "Yeah, Milliken! He said it's okay!"

Bryan hesitates, covering himself with his hands. He blushes but doesn't say anything.

Milliken looks at Jay, his eyes wide and searching. He looks over to Lev and Bryan, biting his lip and thumb again. "I don't know. Conventionally thinking, sex between lovers should be accorded respect and privacy. Jay and I have only just met." His voice trails off. "He probably won't even like me tomorrow."

Lev thinks. "Maybe you're right. Demons have a very extreme sexual innuendo." He sighs. "I guess Bryan and I will just have to do it in the bathroom again!"

Jay laughs into his hands.

Mikey holds out his hand. "No, no. That's not what I meant, Lev. You two can do it in here. I just won't take notes or sketch it out or, really, watch." He looks around at all three boys. "I don't know! I don't understand what you want me to do." His face begins to redden, but he doesn't seem embarrassed. He seems frustrated.

Bryan pulls the sheet back over he and Lev. "It's okay, Mikey, don't get flustered. You don't have to watch or do anything. Okay? You can if you want to, but don't have to." He whispers to Lev. "He gets frustrated and upset sometimes when new people or new stuff comes up. It's like it's too much and his brain boils over."

Lev leans his arm over Bryan. "But don't you have questions? Like, how do we do it? What kind of things are there to do? It could be an informative learning experience."

Mikey nods. "I know. I . . .You don't know what I'm like." He looks at Jay. "You won't like me once you see how I am. No one does."

Jay looks confused. "What do you mean? You don't seem weird. I'm the weird one!"

Milliken looks at Jay and blinks. "Green hair isn't weird. It's a genetic anomaly. Unusual, but not weird. You're not weird at all." He looks down and pulls at bits of lint on his blanket. "I think you're neat. Interesting and nice." He looks up at Jay, his face very sad. "That's why I want it to be a while before you realize you don't like me."

"Whatever you think is weird about you, I'll accept it, because I can't lose any friends."

Lev grunts. "Well, do you want to go to bed Bryan?"

Bryan pokes Lev in the ribs. "We're in bed, silly. I think you meant to ask, `Do you want to FUCK?'" He giggles and kisses Lev on the mouth. He pulls back, a web of spit stretching between their mouths for a moment before it snaps. "Ans yes! I want you to fuck me again." He looks over at Jay and Mikey. "We'll do it under the blankets if you want or you guys can join in. Right, Lev?"

"It might be a bit hard under the covers, but oh well." Lev leans on his side, kissing Bryan softly. One of his hands reaches for his lovers dick under the sheets. "Want me to suck you?"

"Mmhmm!" Bryan nods. He starts moving the blanket around, spreading his legs and raising his knees and fidgeting to allow access for Lev. He sighs with exasperation and frustration. "This more complicated than I thought!"

Mikey leans over and whispers to Jay. "Are you sure it wouldn't bother you? I like you. Please don't stop liking me because I'm weird."

Lev goes under the sheets, putting his head right where the money is. His hands spread out Bryan's legs as he sucks on Bry's nuts, licking his finger before fingering him and sucking him as well.

Jay twiddles his fingers. "Uhm, I told you I don't mind."

Bryan pulls the blanket up over his head so that he can watch Lev. He moan softly. "Oh, Lev. That feels great." He brushes Lev's hair with his fingers, conscious of his horns.

Mikey watches Lev's feet as the poke out from beneath the blanket. Formless shapes move in hiding, muffled moans and moist, sucking sounds pique his interest. Nervously, he knits his fingers together, unknots them, taps his thigh, drumming his fingers. The whole time, he stares at the lumps on Bryan's bed, chewing the inside of his cheek.

Lev pushes his finger all of the way in as he sucks faster, using his other hand to massage his thighs. His large furry tail slaps around wildly under the sheets. He looks up at Bryan, smiling as he licks his erect dick with his long wolf tongue. "You taste so good, babe."

Bryan lays down on his side, pulling at Lev to get his hips close enough so he can suck his demon-boy while being sucked by him. "I wanna taste you."

Mikey can't help be feel aroused, his dick hardens as he hears Bryan's muffle moans. Looking at Jay, he looks at his new friends face and lips. He looks down at his crotch. Is there evidence of arousal? Mentally, Mikey goes through the checklist of human arousal, looking for signs that Jay is 'horny' or disgusted. He smiles as he notes that in his mind, he puts quotes around horny.

Jay carefully moves up closer to Mikey so that their kneecaps are touching. I think we should ask if we can watch.

Mikey nods. Standing slowly, he walks with soft steps to Bryan's bed. He taps lightly on one of Lev's exposed feet as he also clears his throat. "Mhem. Excuse me?"

The sheets are moved off in a matter of a few seconds, exposing the two of them naked. It's Lev that throws it to the side and against the wall. He grins devilishly. "Look who it is! Curious to know what we're doing, huh?"

Milliken nods. "Yes." He stares at the two intertwined boys, their mouths and dicks so close together, Bryan sucking Lev's red wolf cock as he looks at his little brother and smiling at him. He waves and without thinking, Mikey waves back.

Lev announces. "Ah-hem! So what we're doing is giving each other blowjobs, or sucking each-others dicks! This position is called sixty-nineing, because our bodies look like the numbers. It's important to not let your teeth touch over the head of the persons penis you're sucking. That's why I put my lips over my teeth when I go down on Bryan. Suck and use your tongue. It's all an improvisation and everyone develops their own unique style. Watch us closely." He squeezes Bryan's ass cheeks as he sucks him intensely, using his tongue specifically on the tip and around the head.

Bryan moans and pulls off of Lev's cock. "Another thing you can do is just hold keep the head in your mouth and use your tongue on it." He sticks his tongue way out of his mouth and licks Lev's head, swirling around it, licking along the pee slit. "See? That's the easy way, but it works nice and it's fun to feel it and taste it. Of course, his cock isn't human right now unless he were to transform, but you get the idea." He takes Lev's head into his mouth for a minute, pausing to speak again. "When you're comfy with that, you can start sliding up and down. And if you ever get tired, you can lick it like a lollipop!" He goes down and up on Lev a few times before pulling off and licking the length of his shaft.

Jay blushes as well, gripping Mikey's hand. "Are you aroused at all?" He speaks in hush tone.

Lev slaps Bryan's ass. "Sit up so I can show them something very basic and important." Lev spits into his hand, masturbating his boyfriend off. "This is called a handjob. Spit and lube helps when you want to rub someone's wang. You will also need some of that for sex so that it enters easier and doesn't hurt the partner. There's many ways to give someone a handjob." Lev rubs his thumb over Bryan's pee slit as he rubs his balls, then jacks him off backhanded, slower and rougher. "When I'm about to cum, I like to have my balls squeezed really hard, almost painfully. It really gets me going and I cum, or shoot sperm or ejaculate, like crazy." He kisses Bryan, letting their tongues meet and battle each other. "And that's called a tongue kiss. I like having my tongue in Bryan's mouth and exchanging spit."

Bryan pulls Lev's head back towards his into a deep, tongue kiss. "Kissing is almost the best. You can to it quick and nice or be all into it like we were just now. You can sneak a kiss almost anywhere. My favorite thing is having Lev fucking me. We'll show you that in a minute. It was really cool to have daddy's dick in my mouth at the same time."

Mikey looks at Jay and nods. "Yes. Are you?" A moment passes and Mikey blinks. "What?" He asks, looking at Lev and Bryan.

Lev pinches him. "Dude! Hush! Uhm, how do you want me? What position?"

"Ouch! What did I do?" Bryan asks, pouting a little.

Mikey looks at Lev, and points to himself. "Who? Me?"

"Nah. I was talking to this sucker." Lev tickles Bryan under his armpits, cuddling with him on the bed.

Laughing, Bryan tries to tickle Lev back. "I want you to fuck me." He slides down his mattress, pointing his butt toward Mikey and Jay. He pulls his knees to his chest, talking to them between his knees. "You guys will have to come over here to get a better look at this part." He shrugs and adds innocently. "If someone's dick ended up in my mouth I wouldn't object." He grins.

Milliken looks at Jay. "What should we do?"

Jay stands up, taking Mikey with him. "Let's do what they say. If you wanted to put it in his mouth, you can." He keeps holding his hand.

Lev puts each of his hands on each cheek, putting his mouth close to Bryan's butt. "And what I'm about to do is give him a rimjob. That's when you lick the anus. Not only does it feel good to the partner, but it also relaxes his muscles before the anal sex starts." Lev licks like the dog that he is, then digs in like the demon that he is. His mouth is engulfed by that delicious taste of ass, licking and pushing his tongue in as far as he can as he does so. He doesn't stop or come up for air until he knows that Bryan is ready. After that, he spits a large amount onto his five and a half erect dick and uses three fingers on his shaft to position it to Bryan's hole. "It's best to enter slow, especially the first time. Ask your partner if they feel good, wait for them to tell you when to move, because consent is the sexiest thing ever in my opinion! Since we've fucked a lot, I'm not going to go easy on him." Lev pushes his entire cock into Bryan, taking his legs with both hands as he leans in, his face inches from his lovers as he moans out loud, "Fuuuck! That's what I'm talking about!" He rocks himself in and out slower than how fast he entered him. "Ohhhh yeah. You feel so good and tight, Bry. Let me fuck that ass until it can't take anymore."

Bryan arches his back and neck as Lev mounts him. He gasps and moans. Remembering their audience, he looks past Lev to Mikey and Jay and smiles. "You guys gotta try this...it's almost the best thing ever..." He stares at them, looking down at their crotches. "You guys...oh, yeah, Lev... You guys can take turns sticking it in my mouth."

Bryan stands next to Jay, holding his hand. His heart races and he adjusts his penis, pushing it to one side. He's entrances by Lev and Bryan. He moves next to them, staring down at Lev's cock going in and out of his brother, his brother's cock hard and bouncing with every thrust from Lev. He whispers to Jay. "What should I do?"

Jay squeezes his hand, blushing. "Well, I don't want to do anything like they're doing... But you can play with them if you'd like. Or..." He whispers into his ear. "We could try playing later when they go to bed. You can touch yourself if you'd like, though."

Lev is pounding away now, working up a sweat that drips all over Bryan's chest, neck, and face. His tail lays motionless as he fucks him, glistening to the candle light around the room. The two of them together are exceptionally beautiful and perfect, even while they're being watched it's obvious that they're made for each other. "Ahhh, fuck. I'm gonna go faster." He groans, biting his lip as he starts to fuck him faster.

Bryan nods, holding Lev's side and shoulders. He reaches to the demon-boy's chest pinching and fondling his nipples. "Yes, Lev...faster, harder!" He looks over to his brother and Jay. "Take off your clothes and let me suck you guys, please??? Please!?" He reaches out for them for a second, before grabbing back onto Lev. He grunts and moans with every thrust from his lover, his voice becoming higher pitched over each passing moment.

Mikey shifts from foot to foot. He unconsciously leans closer to get a better look at Lev fucking his brother. He keeps hold of Jay's hand, squeezing it tightly. He sniffs, then runs a finger through the drops of sweat that have landed on Bryan's chest. He holds his fingers close to his eyes, rolling the moisture around, parting the fingers and putting them together again and again. He sniffs his fingers and sticks one in his mouth. He notices Jay watching him and blushes. "I was testing viscosity, smell, and taste." He adjusts himself again, a pained expression crossing his face as he does so. "It really hurts. Is that normal?"

"It means you're really horny, I think." Jay let's go, reaching into his shorts to touch himself. "It's ok. You can touch yourself too. You can play with your brother if you want or wait like I said."

Lev kisses Bryan deeply, then lets go, holding his head close as he feels himself close to climax. "I'm gonna cum, babe! Holy fuck!" Right as he feels his dick pulsating, he pulls out, jacking himself off close to his lovers face. He shoots four jets of thick creamy white cum onto Bryan's face, rubbing the tip of his red dick against his lips as he finishes in exhaustion. "Ahhh.... If you could see what you look like right now. Sorry I came so fast. I was just really horny." He licks up the cum off of Bry's face, snowballing it in a kiss with his boyfriend, then falling to the left of the bed in a cuddling position.

"Wait!" Mikey says loudly as Lev begins licking his spew from Bryan's face. He looks at Jay, confused and anxious. "Can I do both? Is that allowed?"

"Do both of what?" Lev looks at him confused.

He holds out a closed fist. Raising the index finger. "One. I'd like test your semen." Another finger extends. "Two, I want to stick my dickie in his mouth." Another finger. "Third, I want to play with Jay."

Bryan opens his mouth wide and sticks his tongue out, wiggling it around.

Lev does the same, a bit of it still in the back of his mouth. He spits the remainder of it into Bryan's mouth. "Come on over, buddy."

Jay blushes, sitting on the corner of the bed, continuing to touch himself in his pants.

Mikey leans forward and presses his lips against Jay's. He pulls back and licks his lips. "I like the way you taste." Quickly, Mikey undresses. Shirt, pants, under garments end up on his bed. He stands naked before the other boys. His pudgy body is pale and wreathed in baby fat. Little rolls on his sides and belly, his boy-boobs pooch out, ending in large, pouty nipples which are very pink. There's no hair on pubis, where it has it's own roll of fat, no hair his arms or on his legs. His thighs are as pale as the rest of his, large, thick and meaty. His dick is also thick, like his fathers, but measures only three inches, with a large bulbous circumcised head. He stands for a moment, looking worried, as if waiting to be laughed at.

Jay's eyes bulge out and he masturbates even faster. Lev notices this and comments. "Are you sure you don't want to join in, Jay? Not even with your lovebird?"

He shakes his head. "Uhm, I'm ok. Sorry. I'm quite shy."

Lev licks his lips as he notes Mikey's appearance. "Suit yourself. Just don't go telling anyone at school about this. Hey Mikey, you sure have a nice body. Your brothers is the best though." He moves out of the way so that he can squeeze in-between, rubbing his hands and fingers over his back, feeling his chubby body fat as well. "Man, this is so hot. I get to see some brotherly bonding!" He jacks off with some of his own spit.

Mikey kneels on the edge of the bed. He looks at Bryan and Lev and at Jay. He smiles at Jay, the first real smile the green-haired boy has seen from him. "What do I do?"

Bryan smiles and rolls onto his side, moving close to his little brother. "Just stay there. Relax." He looks at Jay. "Jay, can Mikey play with yours through your pants? He leans forward and kisses the tip of Mikey's dick. Mikey gasps as he watches, a shiver passing over him. Bryan grins the sticks his tongue out, rolling it around and over Mikey's pink, round head so that all three boys can watch. "You taste neat. Kinda like..." He stops himself, remembering Lev's admonishing from earier.

Jay shakes his head. "Oh... I don't know. I still feel weird about it. I think I'll play with him after the two of you go to sleep."

Mikey continues to watch fascinated as Bryan sucks his cock. Bryan, remembering lessons with Lev, does his best to make Mikey's first blow job a good one. He uses his tongue around the head, sucks hard as he slides up and down the fat shaft. It's easy for him to take his brother's cock all the way into his mouth and he does so over and over. He pauses and licks Mikey's dick and balls, grinning at Lev. He looks up at Mikey, who is staring down at him, in rapt attention. "Is there anything Lev can do?"

Milliken looks at Lev. "I . . .I don't know. You are supposed to be teaching us."

"I'll do this." Lev moves Mikey's cheeks open, licking his butthole with sloppy motions. "Mmm.. Tastes just like my boyfriend!" He continues licking, sometimes looking towards Jay to see if he's okay. "Feel good?"

Mikey nods, barely croaking out a single word "Yes." Moans and whines escape him more readily as his older brother works his nine-year-old dick for the first time, and his brother's teen-aged, demon-wolf boyfriend rims him for the first time. He trembles and shakes and slides down, almost melting, onto one side, his head near Jay's lap. He reaches for Jay,

Jay doesn't know what else to do other than awkwardly watch and touch himself. He can't even process what exactly is going on other than the fact that he knows he loves it all. Meanwhile, Lev finishes eating him out, going towards rubbing his back and massaging him as he uses his tongue to lick and taste his body. The flavor in his mouth is a bit strange, so he walks over to the nightstand and has some water before heading over. He sits beside Jay, asking if he wants a massage and gives one to him politely as the two of them watch the brothers go at it.

Bryan is sucking his little brother loudly. As he sucks, he rolls Mikey onto his back. Slipping a hand between Mikey's butt cheeks, he begins gently massaging the outside of his butthole. Responding to his brother's touch, Mikey spreads his legs farther apart. He looks up at Jay again, frowning for a moment as Lev massages him. The frown disappears and Mikey's emotionless, almost mechanical face takes over. "How come he can touch you and I can't?" He reaches out to Jay again. "Please hold my hand."

Jay crawls up closer to him, taking his hand. "I just don't want to do sexy stuff with anyone else other than you." Lev grins, pretending to shoot an arrow through both of their hearts. He's amazed that one of his friends from school is falling in love with his boyfriends brother. "Awww. That's so adorable, Jay."

Milliken looks down at his older brother. Bryan looks happy as he slobbers and licks, sucks and swirls Mikey's three inches. He keeps one hand between his legs, stroking and squeezing himself as he blow his little brother. Mikey lays back and squeezes Jay's hand. With his other hand, he begins tapping on his chest. An irregular pattern that bears no connection to Bryan's rhythm in giving head, but after a minute, Mikey reaches down and taps Bryan's skull. "I would like to stop now."

Bryan lets the glistening boy-cock falls from his lips, he face going from joy to concern in a matter of seconds. His eyes flick between the Mikey and the other boys. "I can do better, Mikey. Honest, I can."

Mikey shakes his head. "It's not that. You suck very well and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you."

Lev stretches out, walking on the bed before laying down by Bryan. "They're probably tired, you know. Plus this stuff is all new to them. They've never seen it before."

Jay lets go of Mikey's hand, running his fingers up his friends back.

Bryan nods, trying to hide his disappointment. Lev knows him too well, as does Mikey. "Yeah. I guess it can be a lot to take in." He turns towards Lev and kisses his chest, snuggling his face against his boyfriend.

Mikey watches Bryan for a moment, before sitting up with a heavy sigh. "It felt very nice, Bryan. I just want to stop for now." He takes Jay's hand, standing and pulling the green haired boy with him to his bed. Moving the books and papers aside he stares at them for a moment. Several times his hands jerk towards the piles, but he pulls them back. Turning his back to them, he steps closer to Jay. He starts to reach to hug him, but stops, instead taking Jay's hands in his own. "Should I get dressed? Or would you like to get undressed?"

"You can stay as you are." Jay strips to his undergarments, moving into the bedsheets. "Does it matter which side I sleep on?"

Lev massages Bryan's shoulders, fixing the sheets a bit for them as he uses his powers to dim the candle lights. "You should get some rest too. I might try to sleep tonight, but I think tomorrow will be the right day for my rest."

Bryan looks deep into Lev's eyes. His hand wanders over the demon-boy's chest and ribs. He smiles, somewhat sadly, and nods. As he snuggles up to Lev, resting his head partly on Lev's arm, partly on Lev's shoulder and chest, he yawns. "Are you sure? You know, once I'm asleep, you can move around and stuff. I sleep pretty hard, at least mom and daddy say I do. You won't wake me." He looks up at Lev. "Just don't leave, okay?"

Jay cuddles up closer to his friend under the sheets. "I like looking at you too, Mikey." He feels at his chubby belly and nipples. Meanwhile, Bryan has already fallen into slumber, and Lev appears to have his eyes closed, possibly resting as well.

Mikey giggles softly, "That tickles." He rolls onto his side, facing Jay. He reaches out and touches Jay's hair. He lets his hand travel down along Jay's neck over his chest and nipples. "I like your body more than mine."

"Aww... Well, as long as we like each other, that's all that matters." He speaks in hush. "Do you want to touch each-others thingies?"

Milliken nods. "Can we? If you don't want to, we won't."

"We can play with our hands, but nothing else for now, if that's okay." He looks at him serious, putting one hand at Milliken's hip.

Milliken nods again. He places his hand on Jay's hip. "I know the theories, and what my brother and Lev showed us, but I'm not sure what to do." His head bobs as he swallows hard. "I don't want to mess up." He looks at Jay, his eyes watering. "I always mess up. Can. Can we kiss?"

"Yeah. I'm kind of... Anxious too. Afraid I'll mess up. Here I go." Jay puts his lips to Mikey's, kissing them softly. "Now you kiss me."

Mikey swallows hard and nods. "Okay. Here goes. . ." He kisses Jay as softly he was kissed. He holds the kiss slightly longer. When he pulls back, his eyes sparkle and he's grinning broadly. Before either can speak, he leans in again and kisses Jay slightly harder and longer again. "It tingles everywhere! Everywhere!" He holds out his arm between them. the very fine hairs stand on end. His falls to a scared whisper. "Did you. . .was it . . .Are you . . ." He sighs, holding his eyes closed. "Was it okay? Did you like it?"

He giggles and tickles Mikey's side. "Yeah, I really liked it. You're a sweet kisser." The two of them kiss more as their bodies move against each other. Jay takes off his undergarments under the sheets, putting the head of his soft cut two-inch dick to Mikey's. Their dicks are completely identical in every way.

Looking down, Mikey is fascinated by their penises. "Biological variance would predict very noticeable differences in our penises. Yours looks just like mine! Or, mine looks just like yours." He looks Jay, unconsciously moving his dick very slightly against Jay's. "Is it a sign?"

"A sign of what? That we should be together or that we're somehow related?" He's mainly joking, but then remembers how serious Milliken takes these things. "Here, let's play with each others."

"Yes, lets." Mikey's face grows serious. "I don't think we're related. The green hair would have appeared somewhere in our family and it hasn't." He kisses Jay again. "You kiss nicely. How do we play with each other's? There are so many options." He sits up. "I have a book . . ."

"Let's just pull and squeeze them like Lev showed us." Jay motions for him to lay back down in bed with him. "There is one difference. When I get older, I'll have green pubic hair and yours will be darker."

Little do they know that Lev is not asleep, but in fact sporting a boner as he listens to them.

For the briefest moment, Milliken is torn. He looks at Jay and lies down with him, pushing his hips forward so that their dicks almost touch. "I think your green pubic hair will be very cute. Mine will be boring." He reaches down and runs his fingers over Jay's pubis. "I wonder which of us will get hair first."

"Hmmm." He thinks about all of his other brothers, who started going through puberty at thirteen. "Hard to tell. Maybe we'll both start at the same time too?" Jay tugs and masturbates Mikey until he's hard as his own erection grows to three inches. "Does that feel good? It feels good to touch it."

"Yes. Very good." He reaches down and begins squeezing and pulling on Jay's, very gently. His fingers trace their way all around the base, along the shaft, across the circumcision scar, around the head. "Yours feels so warm! So big, too."

He laughs. "Big? Not like Lev's. I bet your Dad has a really big one." He hugs him with one hand as they play with each others penises, then kisses him on the neck and cheek.

Mikey's eyes go wide and he gasps loudly. Lifting his head to expose more of his neck, he moans. Squeezing Jay's dick, he jerks it faster for a moment before stopping. "Faster or slower?"

Lev's chuckles to himself. Even if he didn't have a wolf's hearing, he would have heard Mikey that time. His own cock is hard against Bryan's leg.

"Slower... Oh, man... I feel weird. It feels like I'm going to pee!" His toes curl up as he moans, trying to not be too loud. He licks his hand before going back to jacking off his friend. Meanwhile, Lev begins to masturbate his hard cock.

"Okay..." He moans, again, more loudly than he intends as Jay's slicked hand strokes him. He brings his own hand to his mouth, licking it generously, and grinning. "Oh my. I can taste you on my hand!" He reaches down and strokes Jay slowly, his spit-slicked hand sliding up and down slowly over the shaft and head. He's squeezing tightly. After a few strokes, he licks his hand again, not only to keep it slick, but taste Jay again.

"Oooooh, Mikey! Stop! I'm gonna..." Jay has a dry cum, thinking that he's about to pee. His body shivers and jolts with electricity through every part of his body as he is overwhelmed with ecstasy. "I think I had an orgasm, but nothing came out." Lev is jacking off faster, trying not to smile or show that he's still awake.

Milliken pulls his hand away. He watches intently as Jay shivers, lifting the blankets to watch his new boyfriend's dick twitch and jump. As the motion subsides, he reaches down and lays his hand on it, but does not stroke. "Should I squeeze you more? Are you okay? Nothing came out, not like Lev." Without waiting for answers, he kisses Jay again, gently sliding his tongue against Jay's lips. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."

"Don't apologize. I'm ok. Do you want me to keep touching you?"

Lev squirts his load onto Bryan's leg, apologizing to him in his mind.

"No. I mean yes." He shakes his head. "I mean that I want you to hold me? But you don't have to touch my thingie anymore. Unless you want to." He reaches up and touches Jay's cheek. "I just want hugs as we fall asleep. Tomorrow we can play with each other more. Maybe you can stay over as much as Lev does. He's always here now. I think he's got clothes in Bryan's dresser." He looks thoughtful for a moment. "He has no chores though. So maybe he hasn't moved in."

"Well, It would be better than living with my crazy family." He stops playing with him and cuddles closer. "I'd like to see you tomorrow and the day after and after." He puts one leg between Mikey's and one arm under his left armpit, tangling them together stomach to stomach.

Mikey adjusts himself and his pillow so that their heads are close together, their foreheads practically touching. He reaches around Jay and pulls him closer. "Do you really mean that? It's okay if you don't. I'll still like you."

"Yeah, of course I do!" He yawns loudly. "You're my second best friend after Lev. He's always there for me, but you're different. I like you in a different way, I think. Maybe one day you'll be my number one."

"Number one?" Mikey kisses Jay again. "I have a confession. You are my number one. You don't seem scared or upset when I think." He yawns. "Yawning is contagious. I think the gods have plans for all of us. Daddy meets Drew. Because of that, Daddy meet Lev. Because of that, Lev meets Bryan, and we all meet you." He yawns again, more loudly and longer this time. "The gods are strange but they give us minds to think and figure these things out. I think they have plans for . . ." He yawns and his eyes droop. "... All of us. . ."

"I certainly hope so..." As Mikey falls asleep, he whispers the three words, 'I love you', to his friend, knowing that he can't hear. Lev can though, which melts his heart with happiness knowing that his friend that hurts so deeply might find someone like he has.

 

Chapter Nine

 

The morning dawns, not with the sun shining brightly and the birds singing, but with roiling clouds and distant thunder. Rain starts and stops in short fits that promise a great deluge when the darker clouds roll over the city.

Kate, as always, is first awake in the household. She dresses without waking Aldan, kissing his cheek before she checks on the children. Seeing Bryan and Milliken entwined with Lev and Jay, she know they're all more than friends. Shaking her heads as she goes downstairs, she says under her breath. "All the men in this house crave other men. What's a woman to do?"

She starts breakfast, heating water and fetching fresh eggs from the chicken coop. Lenson, the neighbor down the road, trades a jug of fresh milk for a few eggs, and Kate starts the work of making biscuits.

Upstairs, Lev can hear her working in the kitchen.

Lev gets dressed and rushes downstairs, taking a quick bath before he goes to help Kate. He makes a small batch of coffee for just the two of them as they work diligently and quietly side by side. "Thanks for always being so kind to me. Cooking human food is fun and all, but I really like being around you. I hope you don't think this is weird, but I sort of imagine that you're like the mother that I never had. My parents were very abusive to me... But I'm sure Aldan already told you."

She seems surprised, her eyes misting as Lev opens up to her. She hugs him tightly. "You're welcome here, Lev. I'm happy that we're like a family. You make Bryan very happy and you do make the best coffee I've ever had." She goes back to baking. "But Aldan doesn't reveal confidences. He's told me you've had a hard life, and unfair life. She looks at Lev, her eyes kind and understanding. He doesn't talk like that unless there's reasons. I don't know the specifics, Lev. I think Aldan would say that those are your secrets, and yours to reveal when and to whom you choose." A knock on the back door draws her attention. She answers and has a short conversation, returning with a covered bucket that she leaves near the door. "Fish and eels for you, dear."

He takes them to the table, setting it to the side and close by his seat. "Thank you for getting food that I can actually eat... I know that sounds stupid, but it means a lot to me." Lev and Kate continue working, having to make an even larger meal than normal and at a faster time rate before everyone wakes up and makes their way downstairs. Once his job is done with the cooking and baking, he sets up the table, wipes the seats clean, grabs the newspaper from outside, and makes a larger batch of coffee. "We sure worked hard for this morning, huh? But it's fun." He sits down at his seat to drink from his cup and read from the papers. His face lights up when he reads that Aizen had won the school award for his compositions last night. The reviews praise it highly and there's even a small interview with him where he talks about himself, the demon community, and the pieces themselves. He looks to the front article, which reports something that he otherwise wouldn't expect... Overnight, there was an attack at the castle that took the lives of twelve guards and one of the king's highest-class soldiers. He sets it aside and under Aldan's empty cup that rests where he typically sits at the table. The report in the paper mentioned that the explosion was caused by a fire that painfully burned the bodies alive. Nobody knows how it happened exactly, but the theories believe that it was an attack with magic.

Kate fills an iron skillet with sausages. Their sizzle and smell fill the kitchen. "Oh, honey, this is nothing. When his family visits, that's when things get hectic. His parents, his older brother and his wife and children. It's a mad-house, I'll tell you!" She glances at Lev. "Be a dear and tell the Bryan and the boys to hurry up. Remind them to dress warm. It looks like a storm is coming."

"Will do." He puts his coffee cup down and hurries upstairs, sits down beside Bryan and tugs his shoulder until he's awake. "Hey, sleepy-head. Time to get up. Breakfast is almost done."

He walks over to the other bed. Jay has been awake for a little bit now, but has just been lying in bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about a hundred things at once. He sits up, waking Mikey up. I think it's time to get dressed. He jumps out of bed, hiding his privates as he goes to put on his clean clothes. Thunder rumbles the house as it starts to rain harder. "Oh man. I know we need the rain, but it sure sucks to walk to school in it! I don't know how that one kingdom by the forests can deal with all of that constant rain they get."

Lev laughs. "You think this is bad? Talk to Aizen. He grew up in the mountains. Stay with him for a few days in the winter and you'll never complain about weather again."

Jay looks out of the window with a sad look on his face. "Yeah... I guess you're right. This weather makes me depressed too. I don't really want to go to school today. Not after yesterday."

"But he's not going to bully you ever again. You can trust me on that. The teachers and principal will talk to him. Maybe Aldan will talk to him too. You'll be fine, Jay." He gives him a sympathetic smile and goes through the dresser, finding an outfit for Bryan. "I think these will look good on you for today. You have to dress warmer since it'll be like this for most of the day. Tonight it will most likely stop. At least that's what my heart tells me."

Bryan gets up, stretching and yawning. He relieves himself into the chamber pot, then washes his face and hands in the water basin. Milliken follows suit, although he moves much more slowly, still half asleep where Bryan seems alert and ready to go. He looks happily at Lev. "Is there anything you can't do?" Bryan grins. "Do you think we'll have time to fuck after breakfast or do we have to wait until after school?"

Mikey moves slowly, reluctantly. Sitting on the side of his bed, he almost falls back to sleep as he pauses in pulling on his socks. He manages to smile at Jay. Bryan continues on, "You have to go to school, though. everything you learn will help you be happier later. Dad won't let anyone bully you as school anymore.

 

Especially since you're Mikey's boyfriend now!"

Mikey glares at Bryan. "It's not normal to be this happy, this early. I can't wait to dissect your brain."

Jay blushes but doesn't say that he's wrong. Lev lays back on the bed, watching and waiting as the rest of them get ready. "Oh, I don't know Bryan. I think we might have to leave for school earlier today since it will take longer to get to school in this rain."

Bryan grumbles, "Stupid rain." After getting dressed, he leans against the desk below the window, staring out at the clouds. A flash of light is followed seconds later by a peal of thunder. "Wow. Those clouds look dark." Looking at Lev, he smiles wickedly. "Have you ever done it in the rain?"

Milliken finishes dressing. He bobs his head with the lightning flash. "Six second from flash to sound. That means the lightning strike was 30 miles away, approximately." He looks out at the window. Grabbing his chalk and board, he makes some quick calculations. "We have more than an hour before the worst hits us. The leading rain will be here sooner, of course. We should eat and get a "MOVE ON", as daddy would say."

Lev laughs into his kimono, then grabs Bryan to take him downstairs with him. "Come on, buddy. Let's get you full of some meat. All you can think about is sex, huh? Is that all you dreamed about too? "He pulls up his seat, fixing his plate of food for him as well. "There you are, love."

Soon the entire family, plus two, is digging into breakfast. Fresh biscuits, fried eggs, sausages, gravy, with grapes and sliced honeydew melon. Lev has a selection of fat eels, none too happy at being stuffed into a bucket with a pair of large perch. Less happy when Lev tears into them. Aldan reads the paper, reading aloud to the family the article on Aizen and the competition. Bryan, Milliken and the others cheer the news. Aldan reads the account of the explosion and fire with a somber face. He doesn't say anything but continues on with his breakfast.

With breakfast finished, everyone dresses in their warm jackets. Aldan and the boys head out. The wind has picked up, blowing chill from the north, carrying the obvious smell of rain ahead of the storm.

Lev ignores the wet ground as he walks, holding hands with Bryan for a moment until he decides to walk up to Aldan and speak with him. "Hey, what did you think about that other part in the paper?"

Aldan looks behind him. Jay is watching Milliken explain to Bryan how he can calculate the storm's distance and arrival time. Lowering his voice, Aldan confides, "It's unusual, very unusual, obviously. I just wonder if perhaps someone isn't trying to sow panic or fear. Perhaps to drive suspicion towards you? To push matters to a head." He shakes his head and sighs as they walk. "Part of me wonders if I'm simply being paranoid. I worry for you, Lev. This just makes me worry about another set of circumstances and variables."

"It made me think that it could have been a demon that did the attack, but that doesn't seem right to me." He shakes his head, sighing. "I wonder if it was somehow Cruiberg. Who knows. Anyway, I guess I should say goodbye to Bryan before we part our separate ways." Lev stops walking until his boyfriend catches up to him, then walks a bit slower. "I'll see you after school, alright? I might have to stop home to grab clean clothes again."

Jay listens attentively to everything that Mikey says and absorbs the information as if he were one of his teachers but interrupts him when he notices that Lev is saying his goodbyes. "Hey, Milliken, maybe we should go to a café of some sort before he go back to your home tomorrow? So that we can be together with just the two of us?"

Mikey cocks his head to one side. "We could do that. I'd like that very much. Where should we meet?"

Bryan takes Lev's hands in his own and pulls him close. He kisses him on lips, sticking his tongue into Lev's mouth with exaggerated sloppiness and noise. Aldan looks at them, shaking his head. Mikey watches them for a moment before turning away, his cheeks reddening. Bryan laughs. "You guys love it. You know you do!" He looks at Lev, then looks down at his crotch. "I know you love it!"

Lev grabs him by the crotch, leaning back in to kiss his boyfriend in the same obnoxious sense. "I love you, babe. See you soon." He waves as he runs off towards Aldan.

"There's a café by the prison that your Dad works at and the school we go to. Red Birds. They have some of the best sweets and pastries in all of the kingdom. Does that work?"

Lev can hear them even from far away and yells. "But their coffee is mediocre at best! Get the tea instead!"

Milliken nods. "I'll wait if I'm there first. Bye, Jay! I lo..." Mikey blushes. "Learn lots!"

He rushes to catch up to Bryan and they rush to their classes.

Aldan waits for Jay and Lev to catch up to him. "I wanted to give you boys a heads-up. Don't try and pull anything at school. I won't go easy on you, just because you're involved with my boys. Or because we've been involved." He looks at Lev.

Lev nods. "I'll do my best... I promise that I'm trying. Maybe my best effort is worthless." Jay stays silent, holding his hands behind his back as he walks with them. Once they get to the school the rain comes down hard and brutal. The rain has everyone in the school out of focus and joking about being trapped in classes if it starts to flood outside. Lev and Jay take their seats as classes begin, the students being split into two separate rooms. Aldan goes to his office to prepare for his second day of work. It takes a mere fifteen minutes before Jay enters and sits down across from him, looking at him anxiously.

Aldan looks at Jay. "Seems like I know you from somewhere, young man. It's Maks, isn't it?" He smiles warmly at Jay. "What's wrong, Jay?"

"Huh? Well... Lots of things, I guess." He goes silent for a bit. "I have all of these weird feelings for someone that I can't quite understand and then I have all of these thoughts about things that have happened to me and and and... I can't stop thinking about my brother that passed. It's like, I have this new friend, but I don't know if I can really be a good friend to him if I'm always depressed and hurt."

Aldan nods. "I understand, Jay. And I have a confession that I have to make." Aldan takes a deep breath. "I like you. Milliken likes you a lot. He doesn't like hugging people. His mother and I are about the only ones he lets hug him. I hope you don't judge him too harshly for what I'm about to tell you. . ." Another deep breath. "I was Dakota's last guard. I was in charge of his sentence." Aldan stares down at a paper in front of him on his desk.

Jay doesn't look shocked, but he's still depressed. "I sort of guessed that you knew him since you were working at the prison."

Aldan nods. "I didn't know how much you knew. But if that's not going to create a wedge between us. . . Look, you're worried about Mikey, right? You like him and he likes you." He rocks back in his chair. "The thing to remember with Mikey, is that he's different. Most of the time, other kids realize that early on and either avoid him or pick on him. It's hard for him to recognize emotions in other people. You just have to be honest with him. He can deal with that. If he know the reasoning, he can piece through it in his way and understand. He'll never be like Bryan, kissing you in the middle of the street. But he likes you a lot. Don't worry about you not being able to be a good enough friend. You will be." He leans forward. "Now, what else is on your mind? Do you have any questions about Mikey? Or anything?"

He continues to look down at his shoes as he talks." Mikey just seems so innocent and I'm corrupt. I mean, look at where I'm at! Maybe I understand him because I know what it's like to be bullied. I'm afraid my sadness will catch onto him and then he won't want to be with me because of it. It doesn't upset me that you were there for Dakota because I know that you probably cared about him and wanted to make sure he was okay. I forgive you for any of that."

"What makes you say that you're corrupt, Jay?"

"Because of what happened to me when I was younger. I'm dirty inside. I... Don't think I can get intimate with Mikey for a long time. Maybe that's good news to you." He shrugs, looking away to his right.

"You're not dirty inside. What was done to you was stuff that was... done to you. It's not stuff that you did. You're not dirty inside at all, Jay. Whether you're comfortable with being intimate, which I'm guessing you mean as sexually active, Milliken is still young. I don't think he craves such things the way an older boy might, like how Lev or Bryan do. Holding hands is intimate for Mikey. Hugging." He shakes his head. "I don't know why or how. But he's taken to you like no one else. Be his friend. Intimacy comes when it's right for both of you. Both of you. One more thing, Jay. If I thought you were dirty, would I let you sit at our table? Stay overnight? Like you said, I worked next door for years. I know dirty. I know corrupt. You're neither. You're a boy who was betrayed and hurt terribly, and that is in no way NO WAY your fault or responsibility. None."

Finally, Jay looks up to his counselor. "I guess you're right. It's hard to get out of my head and negative thoughts though. I always feel like it was my fault or I'm the bad one, when in reality I'm not."

Aldan shakes his head. "No, you're not that bad one. Another thing, Lev doesn't trust or like too many people either. And he's another one who thinks the world of you. Don't ever doubt that you have friends, Jay."

Jay nods his head. "Thank you, Aldan."

Aldan nods and smiles. Anytime, Jay. Aldan looks around awkwardly. "I'm not sure if we should shake hands or hug or anything."

"Uhm, I'll just bow my head." He stands up from his seat and bows. "Thank you. I'll see you later in the day?" He peaks his head out of the door, looking to his classroom. "Bye, Aldan."

"Bye, Jay. See you later." Aldan makes some quick notes in Jay's file.

An hour passes before the next student comes in. It's Grant, whom the principal actually marches into Aldan's office and has him set down. The principal puts a hand on Grants shoulder, looking to him. "This troublesome fellow said that he doesn't have any interest speaking to me anymore, so I thought I'd hand him to you. He bullied a student yesterday, so I thought maybe you could talk to him. I'll leave him to you."

The principal smirks and leaves the room frustrated. Grant is a bit chubby, messy ginger hair, a bit of acne, pudgy hands, and pale skin. "I didn't even want to speak with you. What's the point of even trying to talk to me? You don't know me. You're already judging me."

"Am I?" Aldan leans back in his chair. "What's my judgment, then? Tell me."

"You think I'm an asshole and a piece of shit. Well, maybe I am." He grins widely and crosses his arms. "But so is everyone else if they were more honest about themselves."

"Maybe that's true, Grant. But why are you a piece of shit? What's your unique craptitude?"

"Well, I hate the way people look at me because they see how ugly I am. I know that I am. Why can't they just look away? I hate fags and how normal it is for guys and girls to be up on each other in public like that. I hate non-humans because they're just as ugly as me. Like Lev... His kind are just a plague. I don't even know why they even live in this kingdom." He leans in his chair.

"I see. Is that why you were bullying Jay yesterday?"

"Yeah. He's a fag and has that stupid green hair. Total freak. Cuts himself too."

"Why not just not look at him?"

He shakes his head. "How can you avoid someone that sticks out like that? Fucking freak. Or like Lev. Double freak."

"But everyone's a freak, right?"

"What?" He falls forward, hitting his hands on the desk, looking confused.

"Everyone's an asshole. Everyone's a freak."

"Yeah.... So your point is?"

"If everyone's a freak, then no one's a freak. Because everyone's weird and different. So why do the differences matter?"

Grant thinks for a moment, seemingly frustrated. "Well, demons are powerful, and they could kill us all if they wanted to. Same with any of the mages, elves, anthros, vampires, and other beasts."

Aldan leans forward and scoffs. "But they haven't. Name a beast that scares you. Any beast at all that scares you."

"Scares me? Nobody scares me."

"Nobody? What about all those demons, elves, vampires, and mages you just mentioned?"

Grant is getting really frustrated now. "You know what? Fuck you. You can't help me either."

"Truth is, no one can help you if you don't want to be helped. I could tell you about the vampire count that I killed, the drake, the demons, the elves that have died at my hand and you wouldn't care one bit. But you are scared, Grant. Terrified."

"Am I? He looks at you full of pride and all pompous."

"Yes, you are. You're scared of lots of things. Mainly, you're scared of anyone realizing how afraid you are. You're afraid of being alone. No friends, no family. You bullied Jay because he has green hair, but also because he has friends, and you don't. You're afraid that you'll never have friends." Aldan stands and looks out the window. "Everyone your age has that same fear deep down. Everyone. You're no uglier, no prettier. In fact, somewhere out there is someone who will think you're beautiful. But you're afraid of that, too. Hate and fear are two branches on the same tree, Grant."

Grant goes quiet into deep thought, playing with his thumbs, looking as if he's about to cry. "Uhm.... May I go now..."

"One final thing before you go." Aldan goes to the door. "You're not alone now. You won't be in the future. Stop trying to drive people away before they hurt you. We all get hurt. Everyone." He opens the door. "And we all get afraid. Next time you're feeling either, or angry or hateful, come see me. I'll tell you some of my war stories."

Grant leaves without speaking, running off to the other classroom to sit down and sulk. Deep down he knows that Aldan is right, and he's been told some of what he's heard before but hearing it from a man with such authority might have hit him harder. He thinks to himself. `How would I even apologize to these people that I don't like anyway? Why would they want to be friends with me? How do I accept their cultures and lifestyle?'

Aldan meets with two other students later on, who more or less have simple concerns that can be taken care of with less stress than that of Jay's or his bully. After he's finished, he has a small lunch with the teachers. Lev seems pretty up and positive today, despite the other students dreading the rain. Right before Aldan leaves the school the rain comes down harder, thunder cracking loudly across the sky. He runs to the prison afterwards and one of the guards that he saw yesterday gives him a cloth to wipe his face and hair down. He even goes to get him some ginger water to keep his immune system up. The warden comes by shortly after. "How was work at the school?"

Aldan nods. "It was good. I think, well, I hope I helped some of the students today. What do you have for me?"

The warden goes to Aldan's box, pulling some folders out and handing them to him. "As I said yesterday, there's only six on your case load right now. Five recent, one that's been here a while. One of them committed an act of molestation, so I don't know how well you'll work with him. The judges have decided to give him the rope, first youth to get it in a few months. His family is still trying to change that, but I don't believe it will work. The other five are murderers, of course. Visit whoever you may today. Two seems good enough for you to see before you have to make it back to the school."

"Right. Let's start with the hardest ones first. The long termer and the molester." Aldan takes the files to an office and skims the two pertinent ones, starting with the molester and finishing with the long-term inmate.

The first file has information on a teenager, aged 16, Neke More. He comes from a wealthy family, high grades, an athlete as well. His file states that he was intoxicated with a woman and had forced her to give him a blowjob and penetrated her with his fingers before being stopped in public by officers. His execution date is set to happen in two weeks and to happen by hanging. In the second file, a teen named Alexander Steele. His father is one of the kings highest honored warriors. Aged 15, coming from a rich family. He has been in the prison for a month now and is scheduled for execution by the block in five days. His crimes that he killed his older brother with poison after finding out he would be chosen to serve as one of the kings newly training high class warriors like his father had been. He also killed the man he bought the poison from.

Aldan sighs to himself. "So young, so stupid." He heads for Neke's cell, pausing to speak with the guards on duty. He asks what sort of prisoner Neke has been. Has he been rowdy? Sullen? Once he's learned a little from speaking with them, he heads for the cell.

Neke lays in bed and listens to the rain. His figure is tall, skinny, but muscular with messy brown hair and a long face. He stretches out his back when he hears someone coming close.

Aldan taps the cell door. "Neke More? I'm here to make sure things go smoothly for you. To make sure that everything you need done is taken care of. Can we talk?"

Neke makes a scared sound as he answers. I guess you can come in.

Aldan enters. He sits at the table. "Are you being treated alright, Neke? Is there anything that you need?"

He wraps himself around his legs as he answers in fear. "They haven't gave me fresh water to bathe with since I came in here. Anything I need? That would help. How about having my sentence changed? You can do that, can't you?"

"I can't change your sentence. The water I can do. Hold on." Aldan leaves the cell, making sure it's secure. He asks the guards for fresh drinking water and warm, clean bath water. He takes the drinking water back with him, re-entering the cell.

"Drinking water. Bath water's being warmed. What about food? Have you been eating?"

"Barely. They give me a small salad and some chicken." He bites on his hand. "Are you sure you can't change it? Don't you know that people can hang for fifteen minutes before they die? You can talk to them. Give me fifty years! I don't care. Not this. This is, cruel!" He stands up and out of his bed, pacing around before he sits down and drinks from his glass of water.

"I can speak with the magistrate who sentenced you. But according to your file, you were caught in the act. There's not much lee-way in sentencing rapers." As those words sink in, he calls out from the door. When a guard responds, he instructs him to bring beef, bread, butter, and stew. And beer. "We might have more luck asking for the axe instead of the rope."

He shakes his head." Judges said that the axe is to never be tarnished with the blood of someone that's committed my crime. But I was drunk! Can you blame me? I couldn't control myself. I regret it, yes, and I've apologized, but nobody gets it."

"But you don't deny doing the deed. And being drunk is no excuse. Do you think that made the woman you raped feel better?"

"Uh, maybe?" Neke drinks the rest of his glass, slapping his hand over his head.

"I've seen a lot of these cases, Neke. It doesn't make her feel better at all. I'll do everything I can to make sure the sentence is carried out correctly. Which you understand means your neck snaps when you fall." Aldan watches Neke closely.

Neke looks at Aldan painfully, still not accepting that he will inevitably die for his crimes. "Maybe I can have more time? Two weeks is too soon. I'm not ready. Can't you see that I'm scared?"

One of the guards knocks on the door. "Food is ready, sir." Opening the door. He opens it, putting food on the table and a mug of ale before he leaves.

Aldan nods. "I can see that you're scared. But so was your victim. Did you give her more time? There's decent food for you. You'll get decent meals from now on until the end." He sets up a plate and sets it opposite him. "Come on and eat. What happened that night?"

Neke consumes his food rapidly before he begins to speak. "I went to the bar with a couple of my friends and we drank heavily. There was a bartender there who kept teasing us, talking to us, and she was oh so beautiful. Once my friends left, I had went to the alley where the dumpster is and tried to relax my drunken mind. Eventually she came out and said she would help me since I looked sick. I could see her cleavage when she leaned over and then... I just got out of control." He goes back to eating his food, staring at the mug of beer, wishing that he could have it all to himself.

Aldan notices him eying the mug and pushes it over to him. "Go ahead. You were waiting for her by the dumpster?"

He chugs the entire beer down before continuing. "No. I wasn't waiting for her. She came to me. Then I was overwhelmed by my need for her. I did not care at that time that she didn't want me. Not until the next morning when I woke up in my cell thinking that it was all a horrible dream."

"Not need. Want. You didn't need her. You could have stroked yourself. You could have found a prostitute or rent-boy. But you forced her. The only person responsible is you."

He grows sully and saddened, pushing his food away as he cries into his hands and feels sorry for himself. Aldan watches with some pity. Once he is finished crying, a guard comes in to replace the bath with fresh warm water. "Thank you for the food. And speaking to me."

"I'll be back when I can, as much as I can before the end. I'll be with you then, and I'll make sure the job is done right. Is there anything else you need? Books? Cards? A priest?"

"All of the above would help." He tries to smile.

"I'll be back with them when I can. Do you have any messages or letters for anyone?"

"I don't have any papers to do that."

"I'll bring something for that, too." He stands. "Take your bath while the water's still hot. If you want me to stay, I will. Otherwise, I'll leave some privacy. Your choice."

"You can go now. Thank you." He walks over to his bath, taking off his shirt and putting it over the chair.

"Be well, Neke. Think about who you have to make peace with. And how. I'll be back." Aldan exits the cell and heads back to the guard room. He asks them to make sure Neke get warm water every other day and one hot, decent meal a day.

Aldan sits by himself for a couple of minutes, gathering himself before visiting with Alexander Steele. Again, he asks the guards on duty if Steel has been any trouble. Once he's filled in, he heads into the block and Alexander's cell.

Alexander's cell is much larger than the others with a much larger bed and clean sheets. His hair is light brown and hangs long to almost cover his eyes. He's definitely a noble citizen. Alexander is sitting at his desk and puts his book down when he notices Aldan coming in. He looks confused. "And you are? Name?"

"I'm Aldan, Alexander. I'm here to make sure you're being treated fairly and that you're prepared for the sentence you face." Aldan looks around the cell. Mentally he noted every luxury that contravenes standard procedure, every regulation and rule being broken.

"Mhmm. I've heard the name. You fought in the army? Killed the count? That is you, right?" He reeks of pride. Aldan can tell how self-absorbed he is by his mocking voice. "Yes, I have heard all of the stories."

"That's me. Though I was unaware of any stories making the rounds."

"Ah. Sit, sit." He pulls up a chair for Aldan and sits back down. "My family are deeply connected with the king, so I hear all of these stories. You might even know my father."

Aldan wracks his memory for the name "Steele". "Yes, I understand that your brother was chosen for the Ivory Guard. You objected, registering your disapproval through poisoning and murder?"

"That is correct." He smiles and shuts his eyes for a brief moment. "And I would have taken out my father too if I had the chance. After all, he is why I'm here. Damn fool knew I was the better warrior than his favorite first born son."

"Not if you had to resort to poison." Aldan states this without emotion.

"I know. I could have used a sword, but I thought I'd get away with it better this way."

"But poison is a woman's weapon. Or a coward's. Why not challenge your brother to a duel? The slot going to the winner? And then killing the poison merchant. Careful, yes, but also cowardly. Certainly not an endorsement of your calling as warrior." Aldan smiles politely. "Is there anything that I can do to help you prepare for the axe?"

"Ah... One thing I'd like before I go is a rent-boy or a nice fuck. That would be the most enticing. That and seeing my father die." He leans one arm on the table, biting one his lip as he stares at Aldan.

Aldan chuckles. "I don't think I'll be killing your father. Preferences for the boy or the nice fuck?" He looks around at the 'cell'. "I somehow suspect you enjoy certain privileges beyond most prisoners."

"Well, I'm not royalty, but close to it." Alexander rolls his eyes. "Ah, someone younger than me or strong like you."

Aldan looks at the boy. Almost a man. He drums his fingers on the table as he considers their options. What would Drew say if he gave Alexander a mercy fuck? Does he deserve compassion? He 'checks out' Alexander. "What about your mother? I imagine she must be heartbroken? Her eldest struck down by her baby? No thoughts for her?"

"She is most certainly in pain, as she should be. They wouldn't give me the honor that I deserve, so they lose both of their sons and die alone. Ah, maybe I should have gone for them instead of my brother." Alexander walks over to his bed, sitting down and spreading out his legs.

Aldan drums his fingers. "How do I know you won't harm a boy? Or a man? Or try to use them to escape somehow? You seem completely unrepentant."

"You don't know." He winces at him. "I was questioned this morning about the attack that had happened last night. They thought that I might have some information or that I was involved. Of course, I wasn't.... It would be nice to escape prison, but it's highly unlikely."

Aldan leans back, smiling a little. "Strip, Alexander."

"Strip? Are you sure about that?"

"Well, if you're modest or scared. . ." Aldan lean forward and stands.

"No, of course I'm not. I'm a warrior, after all." Alexander calmly takes off his prison clothes, then his undergarments. His small flaccid penis, about three inches and circumcised, is engulfed by a forest of dark pubes. He scoots closer to his pillow.

"Not bad." Aldan moves closer. "Lay back. Spread your legs." He stands at the edge of the bed, towering over Alexander. He's alert, he doesn't really trust this prisoner, but he is curious. "Raise your arms above your head. Let me get a good luck at you."

Alex lays on the bed and does as he is told, getting a slight erection as he spreads his legs. He puts his hands up and under the pillow, showing off his hairy armpits. His smell is clean, even perfumed, unlike any other prisoner Aldan has had before. "Well? Are you going to fuck me? I think that would make you the best counselor of all time."

Aldan sits on the bed. He begins rubbing a hand over Alex's stomach and chest, teasing his nipples and pits. Playing gently with his pubes. "There will be conditions."

"Go on." Alex remains still as he grows to his full length at four inches. The look in his eyes is mischievous, dangerous.

"One. I like to bite." A slow, gentle run of his hand along the inside of Alex's thigh

"Good. I like to bite too." He chomps with his teeth. "I like blood."

Aldan arches his eyebrow. "Two. I may want to piss on you. Before, during, or after." Smiling, Aldan continues to lightly stroke Alex's body as he continues. "Three. Try anything to hurt me or to escape, I'll feed you your own balls. Ask the guards about being Joshua'd."

"You wouldn't be serious?" His face changes to look of sudden disappointment.

"I should let you try to kill me? Bite out my throat? Bite off my cock? Knock me unconscious and try to escape?" Aldan takes Alex's wrists and holds the boy's hands above his head. He lean down, pursing his lips and blowing over his nipples. "That would be awfully foolish of me, wouldn't it?"

"It would..." Alex pulls back, reaching under his pillow for a knife with a six-inch blade. He hands it to Aldan and groans. "Guess I won't be needing this then."

Aldan takes the knife and feels its edge. "Last conditions. I have to clear it with the warden." He gently tugs on the hairy pits and the dark pubes. "And trim these. You agree to all of these, I'll make sure you get fucked good and proper a couple of times."

"Yes?" Alex feels at Aldan's large muscles and shoulders, gasping at how much stronger and powerful he is. "I like it rough. I like it when it hurts." He scratches his own chest, licking his lips as he does so. "I don't need the knife. There are plenty of other ways for me to make an escape."

"Oh? How?" Aldan leans down moving in to kiss Alex. He pulls away at the last moment, pinning the boy to the bed.

"It's so easy to steal a blade or sword from a guard. They never notice." He moans as he's pinned down. "Killing them would be just as simple. I'd let other prisoners out as a distraction. I could snap a guards neck, beat him with a chair, who knows... This is the third guard-knife I've stolen without them noticing."

Aldan keeps Alex's hands pinned and kisses his chest, sucking briefly on his nipples. "A shame you have no core. No honor. You're clever and with training you'd have made a top swordsman, I'll wager." He moves up, kissing and gently biting his neck. Too bad. We could have had fun for months. Training with the blade, fucking you long and hard when you did well. Making you watch me fuck a boy when you didn't."

"A shame that the kingdom will collapse soon and i will be long gone and free before it happens." Alex licks and kisses at Aldans neck, reaching for his cock.

Aldan pins Alex's hands down and climbs on top of him. "What makes you say the kingdom will collapse soon?"

"Cruiberg is strong. Once they've conquered more of the forest and caused chaos here in the kingdom, everyone will be shitting their brains out." He laughs mischievously. "Once I escape, I will get asylum there and use my information to take down the king. You're a fine and lovely man. You should join them while you still have the chance. When I have my own power in Cruiberg, I'll make sure you live."

Aldan grinds against Alex, keeping the boy's hands immobilized. "I've read some reports and heard rumors their power is growing." He nips at Alex's neck and lips. "Pity's for me. I've no way to contact them. I doubt they'd take kindly to me seeking them out in the wilds."

"Lucky for you, I know some of them. I'm like a raven in that sense." His stomach rises as he's kissed and he tries to fight back against his arms being pinned down. "What do you want to do with me? Fuck me or question me?"

"Both."

"Well, get on with it, bastard!"

Aldan rolls Alex onto his stomach. He grinds against his ass, kissing and biting the back his neck and shoulders. "What do you want, Alex?"

"Drive your cock inside of me. Fuck my ass like you hate me. Pull my hair, bite my skin, do whatever." The freakish boy humps the bed as he puts his hands behind his back, feeling at his own skin as he fantasizes about what Aldan will do to him.

Aldan smirks to himself. He grips the knife Alex gave to him tightly, and using it as a blackjack, punches the boy in the back of the head. Enough to knock him out, but not enough to kill him. Once the boy is knocked out, Aldan cuts the expensive silk sheets into strips and ties the murderer's wrists, elbows, and feet. Tying the boy to the bed, he quickly searches for more weapons while calling for the guards. "If you were just a murderer, I'd have fucked you a half dozen times. But a traitor? The torturers will get their pleasure with you. . . You'll probably enjoy it."

There's only two other blades - a small razor hidden by the bath and a pocket knife up by his window. One of the guards hurries by, rushing in and stops when he see's the boy naked, stunned and confused. "Aldan, sir, what seems to be the... problem?"

Aldan holds up the blades. "Fetch the warden immediately. We'll have to postpone this one's execution. Matters of grave urgency. Hurry man!"

As the guard hurries away, he sits and watches Alex. He considers pissing on him and fucking him anyway, but quickly dismisses both ideas. Hate fucking him would be a horrible choice. He waits for the warden, going over last night's event and what Alex told him.

The guard rushes out without questioning. About five minutes passes before the warden comes in, who stops by the bars before entering. He lights a cigarette and raises one eyebrow. "Aldan, may I ask why one of my prisoners is naked and tied up in his bed?"

"He wanted me to fuck him. He wanted it badly." He gestures to the boy. "But in addition to being impatient and amoral, he's a talker. He mentioned contacts he has with the Cruiberg. And his certainty that soon they'd be the power here. He was irked that he'd be dead before they got here." Aldan relays the conversation to the warden. "I believe it highly likely that he know more about the explosion last night and the Cruiberg plans that the interrogators from this morning learned. I suspect that they were overly deferential of his family."

"Ah... I see. What a shame. How can someone his age have such grudges against those that raised him with privilege?" The guard walks over to the table, sitting down and looking over one of the knives. "We can't carry him out of the cell like that. He needs clothing. I'll have a group of guards lock him into a maximum-security cell underground. The traitor will probably live for as long as he wants if the information, he has turns out to be useful. Strange how that works, huh?" He finishes his cigarette, calling out to some guards in the hallway and explains the situation to them, how they will need to put him in clothes and take him down to a cell downstairs for extensive questioning. "Besides him, how was the other inmate? You have any requests for Alexander? Do you still want to see him since he's technically still holding a death sentence?"

"I'll see him. Maybe somewhere inside of him there's something redeemable. Maybe." He sighs. "If nothing else, he'd be a good fuck, I suspect. Prisoner Neke is terrified. I'd like make sure he get warm water for bathing every other day and that the guards give him the decent food. I'll visit them both again. Neke is probably a decent enough sort, but his drinking seems to run him into dangerous territory."

"Alright, then. Make sure that you write out a report before you leave for today." He lights another cigarette, sitting down on top of the table as he thinks. "This is troublesome in many ways. Someone else will need to take his place during the day he was supposed to be executed. I'll have to decide who and relay it over with one of the judges today. Hopefully, we can get information out of this traitor as soon as possible, but I'm not counting on it. That means I'll be here for an all-day work-day." The warden equips the knives and blades that lay on the table and has the guards enter, pointing for Aldan to follow him out into the hallway. The prison echoes from the sound of lightning and the ceiling shakes. It's still raining like war drums. "You have any other thoughts, concerns, questions to ask?"

"I'm curious, sir, what you know about the explosion last night? If anything?"

"Hmmm? He exhales smoke in your face on accident. It was most likely magic. Most likely caused by that of a mage or demon. Investigations are ongoing. There's no way it was some mere accident. It was definitely a planned attack. That's all I know for now. Well, with this Steele boy confessing to you about Cruiberg, it could be them for all we know. But we don't know anything. Maybe Alexander is pulling our leg?"

"That's possible." He shakes his head. "I feel for the boy if he was. They'll find out the truth. The hard way." He accompanies the warden back to the offices. Aldan writes out a report for each visit, taking care to be as accurate and thorough with Alexander's as possible. He turns them in, waiting for the warden's approval before he heads back to the school.

By the time Aldan arrives back at the school the final classes are almost done. Aldan stops by the other room, silently watching as a few students meditate with Raven. Lev is one of the few, who is deep into his meditation, so much that his body is floating a few inches above the ground. Nobody else can tell since they're also meditating with their eyes closed. Aldan can feel the connection and positive energy between them all. He see's that these troubled ones can achieve such nirvana and peace within themselves and together without having to give in or fall into the darkest paths that the young prisoners that he see's have done. Lev's ear twitches when he hears his counselor, his boyfriends dad, his friend, breathing carefully from by the door. Slowly, he raises one palm, forming some sort of geometric symbol in his hand with fire. It suddenly stops raining. Raven opens her eyes and quietly welcomes everyone back into their conscious lives. The symbol that was in Lev's hand vanishes and as he descends back to the carpet Aldan notices some sort of black mist slip into his back and through his robe. Lev stands up, running past Aldan and grabs his empty clay pot and waits for Jay outside.

Jay reaches down to tie his shoes and then watches as Lev cleans his feet with a cloth and bucket by the door. Once Aldan shows up outside, he begins to explain. "Mikey and I are going on a date today at the café, so we will be home a few hours later on."

Lev tickles Jay's stomach. "Oh, I knew you'd be lovebirds! And I can't help but to feel as if I set it up. Brilliant! I'm so excited for the two of you. I wonder what Bryan and I can do today."

"Homework?" Aldan says with a sidelong smile. "Jay, take this." He hands Jay some copper and silver coins. "If I know Mikey, he left his money at home. You two make sure you're home before dark. Understood?" He rests a hand on Jay's shoulder as he talks to him. "Other than that, have fun and stay out if trouble."

 

Lev walks close with Aldan, talking about the things that they wanted to teach him in class but he had already learned. He explains about how hard it is to participate in school when he can literally read a book in a split second by simply touching it with one finger. Meditation practices and the lessons on coping are the only things he really enjoys about school. Jay only follows them for a minute or two and stops by the café, waving his hand before he enters. He remembers what Lev said about the coffee and gets himself a chai, finding a seat by the window where he can stare out at the rain. At first during the day it seemed depressing and hopeless to him, but now he see's the beauty in its composition. Staring at the rain lets all of his issues dissolve. He sips from his warm spicy tea and waits for his new friend that he love so deeply to show up. As he waits, he talks to himself. `Oh, Dakota... If you were here right now, you'd be so proud of me, finding someone like Milliken. He's such a good friend. I think I'm falling in love with him too. But I need you. My other brothers and sisters, you know how it is... You understood me like none other. You were the first I told that I was being hurt by Grandpa. Can you lend me some strength to come clear with my friend? I'm afraid he will judge me... I don't want to lose him, but he doesn't want to lose me either. It's all so confusing. I'll visit your grave soon. I love you, Dakota...'

He sighs, swinging one leg over the tall chair that he sits at and waits. Even though it's raining, it's not cold outside, which can be noted by when Jay puts his hand against the window. He waits. Waits... `Mikey... I love you so dearly.'

Milliken stares out the window of his classroom. There's only seven other students and one teacher in the room, which is lined on three walls with bookshelves. Even around and over the door, bookshelves strain and sag with the accumulated written knowledge and culture of thousands of years. The teacher, Professor Redmond, is finishing a lecture on the volcano worshipping dwarves of the Iron Peaks. Mikey barely listens. He read the text for this lecture months ago, and his mind is clouded with thoughts of Jay. He feels a warmth when he thinks of the boy who moaned at his touch last night. He realizes that he misses his green haired bed-mate. Mikey sighs, looking down in surprise and confusion - his penis is hard. He shifts, casting a guilty glance around the room. The others are absorbed in the lesson. Dwarves and volcanoes flee from Mikey's mind as he grapples with these new feelings and desires. He's scared that he's going to do something wrong, but he can hardly wait to see Jay again. To talk with him. To hold his hand. Feel his arms around him again. "I don't like to be touched though. Why is it different?"

Professor Redmond stops. He strokes his long, dark goatee. "Is there a question, Milliken?"

Everyone turns to Mikey. He stands at his desk, covering his erection with his blackboard, and shakes his head. No, professor. He sits down, his heart pounding. He's sure everyone saw his hard penis. Once class is excused, they'll tease him for it. Another thing to mock Mikey about. He close his eyes and begins ticking through his list. The names and birthdays for his family. The dates of each of his father's named battles and subsequent promotions. The exercise calms him. He adds yesterday. The date of the concert and the day that he met green-haired Jay.

"Class is dismissed. See you all tomorrow morning." With that, the children gather their books and boards and head for home. The rain has eased and Milliken races through the streets. He avoids other pedestrians and travelers. He doesn't want to get dirty, doesn't like to talk to strangers, doesn't want to be touched. But most of all, he doesn't want to be delayed. His mind notes the priority of this last thought and files it for further examination. Maybe when there's not a baker with a cart of bread blocking his way!

Mikey spies the café and rushes inside. He's late. He knows he is! Jay's been here, waited for him, and left in disgust at his tardiness. Standing in the entry, Mikey scans the tables desperately. Every split second increases his panic. Until he sights the shock of green hair near the window. He squeaks in happiness, not noticing the quiet chuckle of the men at the counter near him. He walks quickly to the table and sits next to Jay. It doesn't enter his mind to sit across from him. He needs to be near him. He takes Jay's hand in his own, his own cold and wet hand. He smiles, breathless. "Hi!"

"Hey, Milliken! You're earlier than I thought you would be. Here, let's go look at the pastries and tea." He hugs Mikey, not too lovingly since there are a few people inside, who are too preoccupied with their own conversations to even care. They walk over to the front and the store owner greets Milliken politely.

"Hello there! Looking for something to drink? Maybe you're hungry? Oh, I bet you are!" The store owner is young, speaks freely and is a bit awkward in how he presents himself. He runs around, grabbing a plate with a slice of lemon pie. "Since you're just young ones that probably don't have enough money, this one is on me! Have a go at it!" He grabs two forks and sets it on the plate. "Now what can I get for you, young one?"

Milliken looks at Jay. His eyes begin to well with tears. His eyes fall to the floor. "I forgot my money at home. I'm sorry."

Jay tugs on his shoulder. "It's okay! Your dad gave me some. Get whatever you want!" The store is flooded with an array of tea jars of all kinds from across the planets, even some that they bought from the demons in the kingdom. There's tons of deserts and pastries, none that could be healthy, but are all handmade and fresh. There's also a basket of exotic fruits plucked right from the nearby forests.

Mikey looks at Jay. Wiping his eyes, he starts to smile. "I have a good dad. I'm cold!" He looks at the owner. "Do you have any hot soup? Sir? Jay, do you want to share a sandwich? Then we can get two different desserts and share those, too. If you want to."

"Sure, Mikey." Jay almost tears up just listening to his friend speak with him, totally in the moment and recognizing the beauty of it all.

The shop owner looks around, trying to remember everything that he's serving today. "We have a nice pumpkin soup if that's alright. I can make a panini sandwich with some fresh greens that will also fill you up. That will take a few minutes for me to warm up."

Jay whispers, "If only Lev was here, then he'd have it ready in a second!" He laughs.

The shop owner looks to Jay with a bright smile. "What kind of deserts are you looking at?"

"Oh, sir, pumpkin soup and a Panini would be perfect." Mikey looks at the desserts on display. "I like something with filling. Custard or creamy. And blackberry tea, please."

"Sure thing. Have a seat and I'll bring it out to you."

Jay takes the lemon pie with him back to their two seats by the table. "How was school today? Boring? Exciting? You probably know everything that they teach. I'm always bored during our math classes, since I'm a whiz at that, but everything else can be so confusing! Everyone was acting weird today because of the weather and the attack that happened this morning. Someone in class said it's a sign that we're going to war soon, but I don't know enough about it to really have an opinion..."

The shop owner brings over a large pumpkin soup that he sits between them and a panini sandwich cut into two pieces. Jay hands him some change. He sprints back to behind the shop to grab some of the deserts, putting them to the left of Mikey. "Here you go! Let me know how it all tastes before you leave. Oh, I almost forgot your tea! One moment." He grabs the warm mug of tea that he forgot at the counter and puts it on the desk. Jay sips from his tea, his knee touching Mikey's as he faces him.

Mikey tastes the soup. "Pepper. Cloves. Nutmeg. Salt." He takes another spoonful. "I think cinnamon, but very little. It's very good." Pouring his tea, he takes a tiny sip before adding honey. He looks at Jay and sighs. His eyes narrow and he fidgets for a moment before staring out the window. "Classes were typical. The lecture after lunch was on a book that I read weeks ago. That was boring. All I could think about was you and meeting you here." He glances at Jay, blushing. "Morning lessons were more interesting. Professor discussed the use of covert violence as a means of settling or instigating political disputes. In light of the attack last night. He likes to use practical examples for our lessons." He takes a bite of sandwich, dunking a corner into the soup for a second bite. "Does he really remind you of me? How is that?" He looks at Jay and fidgets again. HIs lips move silently and he quickly takes another bite.

"I don't know. He's just very alert and observant. It's a good thing." Jay takes his time eating his sandwich, switching from it before going back to his tea. Once he's finished, he tries the slice of pie. "Nobody bullied me today, so it was a good day."

"I still don't understand why people bully you. When I was being picked on, mother said it was because I was different, and the other children didn't understand why. He arches an eyebrow. Most of them stopped with Bryan talked to them. The others when Bryan told them about daddy working in the prison. He told them he'd throw them in cells if they didn't stop. They must have believed him because they stopped." Finished with soup and his half of the sandwich, Mikey wipes his hands, staring at Jay as he does so. Fidgeting and tearing his eyes away, he begins tracing his finger over the tabletop, almost writing as his lips follow silently along.

"Well, there's this one guy there at my school and he's a knucklehead to everyone. Maybe Aldan can help him out. He's really nice. I spoke with him today and he helped me with some things." Jay looks out of the window, wishing he could just touch Mikey's hand for a moment. "Is it okay if I get a bit serious with you for a moment? I don't want to make you sad. Maybe if you get sad, you can tell me a funny story or something happy? I just feel like... If we're going to be good friends that you should know more about me."

Milliken nods. "I want to know more about you. He visibly bites his lower lip. I . . . I want to be very good friends. As good as Bryan and Lev, except not as beast-like."

He laughs for a moment, finishing his tea and taking another bite of the lemon pie. "Well, you know how your Dad was a guard at the prison? One of his prisoners was my brother. He was executed a few days ago... Dakota did some really bad things, but there's some good things in him too. I found out just an hour ago by Lev that he was buried next to Aldan's husband, someone that you knew. That makes me like your Dad even more, knowing that he did that for me and my family, giving him that beautiful space. It is gorgeous, actually.... I'm still kind of struggling with it. We were very close for a long time, but once he grew heavy into this lifestyle of selling drugs, we grew distant. It hurts a lot. Actually, I'm very hurt by many things right now and that's not the only thing. I'm afraid that my hurt will hurt you too or you'll stop talking or liking me because of it. He shows his wrists to Mikey. I did these to myself a while back. I don't really know why. I guess I felt like I deserved it. Ran away from home a few times too. That's why I go to the same school as Lev. I'm troubled."

Mikey looks at Jay's wrists. He doesn't say anything but reaches out and traces his fingers over the scars, counting them quietly. He looks up at Jay. "I don't like to touch people and I don't like to be touched." He's still holding Jay's wrists. "Even now, most of my brain is buzzing. Like faerie fire. It's saying "Don't hold him. Let him go." But there's a different part that's saying "Never let him go. Never let him go." I never heard the second part until yesterday." He fidgets and looks away. He keeps hold of Jay's hands. "I'm weird, too, Jay. I talk to myself, even when other people are around. You noticed, I'm sure. I scared I'm too weird for you. That I'll do something weird and you'll think it means something when it doesn't. He takes a half-hearted bite of pie."

"But I'm not scared of you... I know it's only been less than a day since we met, but I think you're the most brilliant, awesome person I've ever met." He finishes his tea. "You're the most handsome and beautiful person I've seen. I don't know what this weird feeling is inside of me and it's so overwhelming. Is it love? I... I think I love you. Is that too soon to say? We're so young. Do we even know what that is or means?"

The traces of worry leave Mikey's face. "Love is a difficult subject. Most of the sentient races devote substantially artistic and philosophical energy investigating and trying to define and quantify love. Each race's view of love is colored, obviously, by their own history, culture, and creation myth. As an example, four hundred and . . ." Mikey stops. He looks sheepishly at Jay, grinning and fidgeting. "This is why I don't have many friends. May I ask two questions?"

"Go ahead." Jay stretches out his arms and scratches through his green hair.

Milliken gives a short, almost military nod. "One, I need to know your birthday. Two, may I touch your hair?"

"It's the fourth of Bengledan, so in seven months, I'll turn twelve." He smiles. "Yes, you may touch my hair."

Mikey writes with his finger on the table top. Then he turns to Jay, reaching out slowly, he gently pats Jay's hair twice before running his hand through the green strands for a few seconds. He pulls his hand back and stares at it, sighing. "Thank you. I think that maybe we're in love. The evidence would support that."

"Yes? So... Uhm... Would you like to be my boyfriend? Like how Lev and Bryan are? I mean, they're really... What's the word... Kinky. I'd like to just stay on that romantic level of touching, kissing, and such. The other stuff, I think I need more time before I'm ready for that." He frowns for a moment, then remembers the deserts, which he puts in-between the lemon pie. "You ordered these, so you better eat them and not let them go bad!"

Mikey nods. Y"es, I would. Very much. I agree, less kinky than they are. That's what I mean by 'beastie'. He takes a bite of dessert. What are the other things that hurt you, Jay?"

Jay sighs and looks away. "Did your brother tell you about anything that happened to Lev when he was younger?"

"No." Mikey carefully cuts a bite from the pie and eats it. "I know that Lev lives with his grandparents. I haven't had a chance to speak with him about his past."

"Well... Him and I went through very similar things and that's why we're close friends. We understand what it's like to be hurt by someone..." Jay gulps, looking down at his shoes. "My Grandpa used to touch me in my private spots and do really nasty things to me. He's gone now, but it still hurts. I think about it a lot. That's why I don't want to do any really dirty stuff. At least not yet."

Milliken looks at Jay. He looks at the table and begins writing again with his finger on the table-top. His lips move in silent commentary as his finger glides quickly over the table. As he writes words that only he sees, he begins frowning and pressing down harder and harder. Suddenly, he stops and draws his arm back, ready to sweep it over his work, erasing it all and sending their dishes flying. He stops, motionless except for his breathing. His eyes close and a tear trails down his cheek, dripping off onto his shirt. His lips begin to move again and he opens his eyes and carefully rubs his sleeve over his work area. "I understand." Taking Jay's hand into his own, he leans his head on Jay's shoulder. "Is there more?"

"Uhm... Not really. I've ran away from home a few times. That's about it." He's silent, playing with his fork against the plate. "Does that scare you?"

"No. Why would it? Unless you're planning to run away again and leave me." He takes another small bite and a sip of tea.

"No, I'd never do that. I was scared that telling you all of that stuff would make you hate me or something. Yeah, it's stupid." He blushes, playing with his hair as he leans one arm on the table and looks at him. "I'm kind of full. You think you can finish all of those deserts?"

"Yes. But I shouldn't have so much before dinner. Mother would be upset." He looks at Jay. "Why would hate you or anything? That doesn't make sense."

"know it doesn't. I'm just kind of crazy. Here, I'll try to help finish this pie and you can eat the rest." Jay forces himself to consume the rest of the lemon pie, patting his stomach. "Oh man. When we get back, can we just cuddle in bed for a bit? My stomach kind of hurts."

"I don't think you're crazy, Jay. He looks around the café. Maybe we can take it home. For later. I have chores and homework, but we can lay down and I can read. Or would that be rude and strange?"

"No. You can do whatever you'd like. As long as I'm with you." Jay walks up to the front counter and gets a small container for the rest of the food. He puts it inside and smells Mikey as he gets up close to him. "You ready to go home?"

"One moment." He looks at the owner. "Excuse me. Was there cinnamon in the pumpkin soup?"

owner taps his finger against the table, trying to remember the ingredients. "Yes, but not too much. I'm surprised you could tell."

"It was very subtle." He starts to walk away, stops, and turns back. "It was very good soup, but the desserts are better. May we come back?" He takes Jay's hand.

"Of course! Please, please come back! Have a good afternoon. Be careful out there!"

Jay squeezes Mikey's hand as they walk out of the shop and begin their walk back home. They walk shoulder to shoulder. Mikey talks about his favorite foods and books, Jay listens, and sometimes buggers in with his own questions to learn more from him.