Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 17:17:23 +0000 (UTC) From: Albert Collins Subject: You were there - part 40 Disclaimer: This is a romantic love story about love between young adolescent boys. There are some explicit sex scenes in the story but they are not the main focus of the story. So if you are looking for a story with a lot of explicit sex action, you are in the wrong place. If you like to read a sappy romantic tory with occasional kinky sex scenes, then please sit back and enjoy! Sorry for a long break -- certain real life events are making my life particularly busy at the moment, with much less time for writing than I would like. And somehow it took a lot longer to finish this chapter than I thought it would. I'll try to be less tardy with the next one. Thanks again to all those who wrote with comments, encouragement and feedback! Of course, as usual, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! albert.c87@yahoo.com ***************************** You were there -- Part 40 As the van drove towards Green Oaks, Luke and Diego huddled together in the back, as usual. Frank observed them through the visor with a mild smile. "So, how was your visit with Fidget?" he inquired. "And did you take any pictures?" "It was good, really good, Mr Frank," Diego took the lead glancing at Luke. "Fidget's doing great. Has gotten much bigger. Yeah, I did take a few pictures, but not many. We were sorta caught in the moment, I guess ..." "Well, that's all right," Frank allowed. "Glad to hear the little guy's doing well. I heard good things about that place, 'The Bear Necessities.' They're new but already got a good rep." "Yeah, that place is amazing!" Luke enthused. "It's a bit like Green Oaks actually. But for the bear cubs. They got about 10 acres of fenced-in forest all to themselves. And Fidget already got a best friend. It's another cub, his name is Red." "Does he now?" Frank remarked approvingly. "That's good, good that Fidget's found a friend." "And they also got a baby deer there, her name is Bambi," Luke continued excitedly. "We helped to feed her, it was so cool!" "What?" Frank chuckled. "They've got a deer living with bears? Those people are taking the Bible a bit too literally, I think!" "No, it's not that," Diego corrected. "Bambi's got her own enclosure, away from the bear cubs. Although I don't think Fidget would harm her. He's too smart for that." "Yeah!" Luke seconded. "The staff there, they even said that Fidget was a real gentleman. And he defended a girl cub while we were there. "A real gentleman, eh?" Frank chuckled again. "Well, okay then. Diego, I'd still like to see the few pictures that you took later." "Yeah, sure, Mr Frank," Diego paused. "Umm, also, we've gotta talk to you about something." "Yes, Diego, what is it?" Frank followed up. "It's about Ritchie," Diego volunteered hesitantly. Luke sat up and took Diego's hand. "Oh," Frank sighed. "Luke, are you and Ritchie fighting again? I thought that you guys were getting along better lately ..." "No, it's not that," Luke retorted, "me and Ritchie are cool, we're getting along just fine." "Good, that's great," Frank commented. "So what is it then?" "You gotta help him, Mr Frank," Luke continued. "He's turning 14 next month. It'll be his last year at Green Oaks. You know what that means. Ritchie does too. He's freaking out already. You gotta help him." "Oh," Frank sighed again. "Yes, I see. I don't know, boys, it's a really complicated matter. And I'm not sure it's something that you should be worrying about." "Of course it's complicated," Luke parried with a note of annoyance. "I know how the system works. And yeah, we should be worried about it. We're not little kids any more, Mr Frank. And Ritchie is our friend. Even if he is a bit of a jackass sometimes. But he's not as tough as he pretends. He's not like me. He won't do good on his own, in the fu... freaking foster system. I'm sure you know it too, Mr Frank." Frank furrowed his brow and paused. "You might be right about Ritchie," Frank allowed. "But Luke, you also know that there's only so much that I can do to bend the rules. The law says that I can't keep Ritchie here after he turns 15. Nothing I can do about that." "You gotta be able to do something, Mr Frank," Diego chimed in. "Yeah, officially Ritchie will have to leave. But maybe you can find him a ... placement of some kind, I don't know. At a really good place. Maybe even some place nearby." "Yeah, so that he can still come and visit," Luke seconded Diego's suggestion. "And we could still hang out together." "You wanting to hang out with Ritchie," Frank mused, "now that's a surprising development ..." He paused again. "Well, boys, you gave me a bundle to think about," Frank continued. "Thank you. I admit that the thought about Ritchie's departure has indeed entered my mind before but I put off dealing with the matter until now. Diego, your 'placement' idea is worth exploring. I can't promise anything. Like I said, these things are complicated. But I'll see what I can do. And I'll talk to Ritchie." "Thanks, Mr Frank, thanks!" Luke sat back, beaming. "I knew you wouldn't let us down!" "Yeah, thank you, Mr Frank, really!" Diego followed. "I wish I shared your confidence," Frank shook his head, "but you are welcome. And thank you for telling me about this. You boys are growing up ..." Luke and Diego exchanged quick smiles. With a satisfied grin on his face, Luke moved closer to the left window and started staring outside. Diego snuggled next to him, with his head on Luke's shoulder. A few more minutes passed quietly. "Stop the car!" Luke shouted suddenly as he grabbed Diego's hand. "Mr Frank, you gotta stop the car!" Frank slammed on the breaks, veered to the right and the van came to an abrupt stop. "What? What is it, Luke?" Frank looked back anxiously. "Open the door, I'll show you," Luke replied. Frank unlocked the door and Luke jumped out outside, followed by Diego. "Wait, Luke, wait," Frank cautioned as he exited the van himself. "Be careful with the traffic." The van stopped in a wooded area with a small pond or a lake on the right and a patch of forest with some bushes and a few grassy mounds on the left. The road was clear of the cars at the moment and Luke run to the other side and then run back in the direction from which they drove for about forty feet. "Luke, boy, what in the world are you doing?" Frank was growing exasperated as he and Diego also crossed the road and run after Luke. Luke finally stopped, leaned down and picked up something. "Here, I found him!" he declared triumphantly. "Look!" "What is it, Luke?" Diego, inquired, slightly out of breath, as they caught up with Luke. "Look!" Luke repeated as he opened his palm. "Good Lord, it's a baby snapping turtle!" Frank exclaimed, looking at a tiny turtle in Luke's hand. "Must have just hatched." "Yeah," Luke agreed. "And I figured he was trying to get back to the water. Cross the road. Couldn't let this little guy get squished by a car." "Hmm, you're probably right," Frank agreed. "It probably was trying to get to this pond right here. I still can't believe you have seen it from the van. The thing is hardly bigger than a quarter." "Guess I was just paying attention," Luke giggled. "And I did see him moving." "You know, it might be a girl," Diego remarked with a chuckle as he gently traced the top of the hatchling's shell with his finger. "Oh, come on, Diego, I've got a feeling about these things," Luke countered. "I just know it's a little dude!" "All right, all right, let's postpone this fine zoological discussion until later," Frank intervened. "Luke, take the turtle to the water. Before you give him -- or her -- a name." They crossed back to the right side of the road and approached the water. Luke and Diego crouched next to each other. Luke extended his hand forward and Diego put his palm next to Luke's. They slowly submerged their hands in the cool still water for a few moments held the tiny turtle together. "Look, he's swimming!" Diego observed as they saw the hatchling energetically move around its feet and tail. "Okay, little guy, go, be a turtle!" Luke slowly removed his hand. Diego followed suit. The baby turtle flapped its tail and swam away. "Do you think he'll be okay?" Diego wondered. "One can only hope," Frank mused. "Very few of these little turtles make it to adulthood. Lots of things here eat 'em. Fish, birds, foxes, raccoons, snakes, even other turtles. The odds are not great, but he might still make it." "Come on, Mr Frank, don't you start with doom and gloom now," Luke countered as he stood up. "Of course he's gonna make it! I can feel it! He's a smart little guy. And lucky too. I mean, how lucky was it that I saw him from the car, right?" "Maybe that's what we should have named him: Lucky!" Diego suggested. "Yeah, Lucky, I like that," Luke agreed enthusiastically. "Lucky the Turtle! Sounds a bit like Luke too, he-he!" "Oh, good grief!" Frank chuckled. "Come on, boys, let's get going before Lucky decides to swim back and join us again." "Bye, Lucky!" Diego waved back at the pond. "I hope you grow up a big and strong turtle. Maybe we'll come back to visit sometime." The loaded back into the van and Frank resumed driving. "You know, boys," he remarked shaking his head. "I'll be real glad when we get back to Green Oaks. Let's hope for no more surprises, eh? You really know how how to drive a man to an early grave. Or at least an early retirement." Luke smirked gleefully but didn't reply. When they got to Green Oaks they discovered that Gregg had just brought Yasha back from the hospital. Yasha was sitting on the terrace surrounded by the other kids with Roxie in his lap and with his cast-encased foot resting on the table in front of him. "Yasha, boy, welcome back! And that really is a very handsome cast!" Luke commented with a chuckle. "Yeah, I know," Yasha smiled widely and tried to get up. "These crutches are going to be a bummer, though," he pointed towards the crutches laying on the floor next to him. "Guess me and Roxie are gonna kinda train together ..." "Yeah, that's smart thinking, Yasha, buddy!" Diego approved. "I bet Roxie will be a great training buddy, won't you, Roxie?" He leaned down to scratch behind Roxie's ear. "I still think it'd be cool to get one of those," Ritchie observed, looking closely at Yasha's cast. "Umm, Mr Gregg, is it okay if I go for a walk?" Yasha looked up at Gregg hopefully. "It was really boring being stuck in bed all that time ..." "Ah, I don't know, Yasha, are you sure you're up to it?" Gregg eyed Yasha doubtfully. "You've just gotten back." He exchanged worried glances with Frank. "Come on, Mr Gregg, Yasha is right, he deserves a break," Luke pleaded. "And we're gonna help him get around, just in case." "Deserves a break, now, that's funny!" Ritchie snickered but quickly piped down after Luke shot him a dirty look. "Yasha, where did you want to go?" Frank inquired, still sounding unconvinced. "Umm, maybe down to the football field?" Yasha suggested. "And maybe Roxie could come with us?" "Yeah, great idea, Yasha!" Luke declared. "Toby, buddy, could you go bring Roxie's basket, please?" he requested not waiting for Frank's final approval. "Okay, to the football field," Frank surrendered. "But Yasha, do be careful! And Luke, Diego, like you said, you help him out, especially on the way down and up." "Sure thing, Mr Frank!" Diego confirmed. "Early retirement, definitely," Frank muttered under his breath as he watched Luke and Diego help Yasha up from the terrace chair. Toby returned with Roxie's wicker basket and she was ready for her first Green Oaks outing. Before they started going down the hill Yasha insisted on using his crutches and getting around by himself, with Luke and Diego staying close by. But as the steeper descent started, Luke stopped him, took the crutches away from Yasha and handed them to Ritchie. "What? I don't need those! I said I wanted a cast," Ritchie pouted. "Come on, Ritchie, be a guy!" Luke explained patiently. "I want you to carry them. While we help Yasha down." "Okay, okay," Ritchie accepted the crutches and immediately stuck them under his armpits and started hobbling down. "Hey, Ritchie, man, I don't think you're doing that right," Devon ribbed him. "You might just earn a real cast this way, he-he!" Luke and Diego helped Yasha as he wrapped his hands around their shoulders and carefully hopped down along the path. At the foot of the hill, when they turned left, Yasha got his crutches back from Ritchie and resumed moving unassisted, although Luke and Diego still watched him closely. When the group reached Winston's enclosure they were met by Amber who run towards the boys and barked excitedly. "Hey, Amber, girl, did you miss us?" Luke leaned down to pet her. "And look, we brought you a new friend. Her name's Roxie." Luke took Roxie's basket from Toby and placed it in front of Amber. "Ah, Luke, you'd better be careful," Frank warned, "you know that thing about cats and dogs ..." "Don't worry, Mr Frank, they're too smart for that," Luke declared confidently. "I'm sure they'll be fine!" Amber approached the basked slowly and sniffed Roxie cautiously. Roxie hissed lightly and hopped on the grass towards Amber. Amber did a play-bow and wagged her tail as Roxie eyed her back cooly. Amber slowly crawled forward, still wagging her tail, and licked Roxie's face. "Eww-ww, Amber!" Ritchie giggled. "That's unwanted physical contact!" "Sshhh!" Luke shushed him. Roxie took it all in stride as Amber rolled on her back next to Roxie and then settled on the grass next to her, panting. Roxie vigorously rubbed the back of her head against Amber's body. "Well, I guess that means Amber's just been adopted too," Danny commented. As if to confirm his conclusion, Roxie stuck her tongue out and started grooming Amber's yellow fur. It was Amber's turn to take it all in stride. "You were saying something about cats and dogs, Mr Frank?" Luke smirked triumphantly. "Well, whadya know," Frank scratched the back of his head. At that moment Winston brayed loudly in his corral, indicating his displeasure. "But at least some things still do make sense," Frank added, nodding in Winston's direction. Yasha sat on the grass next to Amber and Roxie while the other kids started a chaotic game of soccer. When they finished about forty minutes later, Roxie was napping, pressing against Amber's side. "Awww, Roxie, you didn't cheer for us!" Luke chided as he leaned down to pet both Roxie and Amber. Roxie opened her eyes, slowly blinked and stretched her body. "Well, it looks like she had a good nap," Diego remarked. "Amber really makes a nice pillow." "Like somebody else I know," Luke whispered back, causing Diego to blush brightly. Amber turned her head and gave Roxie a long slobbery lap with her warm wet tongue, eliciting a round of laughter from everyone. At the dinner Luke and Diego told everybody about their visit to see Fidget. Afterwards they tried out with Roxie some of the new cat toys that Gladys gave Luke. Cat dice was a particularly big hit with Roxie. It turned out that Ritchie really liked it too, which produced a mysterious round of snickers from Luke. Luke and Diego hung out with Yasha and Ritchie for a while before calling it a day. When the boys came back from dinner to their room, Luke noticed that Diego remained outside. Luke opened the door to find Diego sitting on the top step of the staircase. "Hey!" Luke sat down next to him. "Whatya doing?" "Nothing," Diego replied quietly. "Just listening. It's a really nice evening." He slowly inhaled the warm August air. "Yeah, it is," Luke agreed as he wrapped his arm around Diego. "Hey, did you hear that?" Diego grabbed Luke's hand at the soft chirping bird call nearby. "I think it was a thrush, right?" "That's right, my young Padawan," Luke confirmed. "Yeah, that was a thrush. They often sing here at night." "Wow, and another one answered!" Diego followed up excitedly. "That is so cool!" Luke grinned at Diego brightly. They continued listening to the thrushes signing for a while. "What do you think they're signing about?" Diego wondered pensively. "I donno," Luke considered. "Maybe they're friends. Telling each other about their day." "Yeah ...," Diego put a hand on the railing and closed his eyes. "I just think it's so cool that there are so many live things right next to us here," he continued. "Not just birds. Like maybe even under the house. Bugs, worms, ants, crickets. Going about their business." "Mice," Luke added with a chuckle. "Sure, why not," Diego agreed. "They gotta live somewhere, right?" "Well, maybe we should bring Roxie for a visit then," Luke joked. "Oh, come on, Luke ...," Diego started protesting. "Relax, dude, I'm kidding," Luke rolled in laughter and wiped his eyes. "You're right, of course. Field mice are really cool. As long as they don't come into the house." "Yeah," Diego again closed his eyes and took hold of the railing. "I can sorta feel them sometimes, you know. Not just the mice. Smaller things too ... Feels weird but kinda cool ..." He opened his eyes and smiled at Luke bashfully. Luke laughed gently and gave Diego a peck on the cheek: "Diego, babe, I really love it when you do that!" "What? What did I do?" Diego sounded slightly defensive. "What you just did right now!" Luke repeated as he stood up. "Come on, Mr Elf-whisperer, let's go inside. It's getting late." He pulled Diego up onto his feet and they got went back inside their room. "Well, it's been a day!" Luke took off his shoes and plopped on the couch. "Yeah, it has," Diego quietly sat down next to Luke and gave him a weird soulful look. "What? What's the matter, babe? Anything wrong?" Luke sat up hearing a pained note in Diego's voice. "No, nothing," Diego reassured. "It's just, as you said, it's been long day. And I had been waiting to do this since the morning." Diego reached out and cupped Luke's cheek with his palm, stroking it gently. Luke's green eyes twinkled and he smiled back tenderly. A small sigh escaped Diego's lips: "You don't know how much I needed this!" "Oh, come here, you elf-kitten, come here!" Luke took Diego in his arms as Diego nestled in Luke's lap, pressing his back against Luke's chest. Luke nuzzled on Diego's neck gently. Diego closed his eyes and cooed softly. He felt Luke nibble on his ear lightly. "Lu-u-u-u-ke!" Diego whimpered and opened his eyes. "Wha-a-a-t?" Luke giggled back. "You said it yourself, it's been a long day. I think I've earned myself a little elf-boy snack, he-he!" Diego reached up with his hand and felt Luke's face with his fingers, delicately touching and probing Luke's lips, nose and cheeks. "What are you doing, Diego, babe?" Luke kissed Diego's fingers, smiling. "Just making sure you're really there," Diego explained softly. "That I didn't just dream you up." "You're such a silly little elf," Luke laughed again. "But I still love you." He leaned down and kissed Diego's nose. Diego run his hand through Luke's messy wavy hair. "I like how it feels now," he commented tweaking Luke's long unruly brown locks. "But we really need to get you a haircut. Can't send you to school like this. Looking like some kind of a shaggy wildman, he-he!" "Sure, I can ask Rafael to cut it," Luke agreed. "Rafael, really?" Diego looked up. "He's a barber?" "Well, maybe not like a professional barber," Luke chuckled. "But, yeah, Rafael cut my hair a few times before. Did it for the other guys here too. And there's not that much skill required to give a haircut like the one you've got now, Diego, man!" Luke giggled and run his palm along Diego's buzzcut. "Hey, hey, be nice!" Diego protested. "Sorry, babe," Luke gave Diego a quick kiss. "You know I love how you look ... But really cutting hair is not that hard. Much easier than pottering. I can do a passable job myself. You can watch Rafael cut my hair and next time cut it yourself." "I donno," Diego hesitated. "I love your hair too much." Diego sunk his fingers into Luke's brown locks again. "My shaggy hero wildman!" "Like that guy from the Bible, right?" Luke suggested. "Who lost his strength when his hair was cut. What was his name ..." "Samson," Diego completed Luke's thought. "Yeah, Samson, right!" Luke agreed. "I remember some movie. He was a real bad-ass dude, right? But sorta with a bad choice of a girlfriend." "Delilah," Diego confirmed. "She cut his hair to let the enemy army win." "Bummer," Luke commented. "That's a real bad choice in girlfriends. Maybe Samson should have tried a boyfriend instead, he-he!" "I think it wasn't allowed back then," Diego replied wistfully. "Oh, come on, Diego, that's just crap!" Luke countered. "Slavery was allowed but two boys getting together wasn't? I just don't believe it! I'm sure there were guys in Samson's army going at it at night. Probably in the other army too!" "Yeah, maybe," Diego admitted. "Still, things were probably different back then ... It's like that book you started reading, about the cave boy, Tao. I mean, Tao's tribe, they really had to worry about survival. Having kids. Probably needed all the guys to ... participate. Even gay boys, like us." "Shit!" Luke exclaimed and hugged Diego tighter. "Guess it's a lucky thing we were born now and not back then. I'm not getting me no girlfriend 'to participate', no sir! I've already gotten me one hell of a sweet elf-boyfriend!" "Yeah?" Diego lifted his smiling face. "Yeah!" Luke leaned down and planted a long tender kiss on Diego's lips. "Okay, okay, I believe you!" Diego declared with a soft giggle as he came back for air. "Oh, wait, there's a song I wanted you to hear. Let me get my iPod." Diego got up, run to his bed and brought back his iPod. He sat next to Luke, found the song he wanted, shared with Luke one of his earbuds and they started listening. "It's a Canadian singer, his name is Rufus Wainwright," Diego commented as the song started. "Now I've heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you?" "Wait, Diego, is that some religious stuff?" Luke interrupted. "You know it's not my cup of tea, right?" "Shh-hh, just listen," Diego shushed him. "She tied you To a kitchen chair She broke your throne and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah." Diego could see that Luke was getting more and more into the song as his foot started tapping the floor. "Maybe there's a God above And all I ever learned from love Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you It's not a cry you can hear at night It's not somebody who's seen the light It's a cold and its a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah" The song ended and Diego removed the earbuds from their ears. "Well, whadya think?" he smiled. "I didn't understand much," Luke admitted, "bit it was pretty cool. Really liked the melody. I think it was about a bad choice in girlfriends, he-he!" "Could be, could be," Diego remarked enigmatically. "And this Rufus guy, he's got a really cool voice," Luke continued. "Smooth. A bit like yours, Diego, actually, although, of course, yours is much better! Still, there's something about his voice, can't quite put my finger on it ..." "I have a theory," Diego chuckled. "Maybe it's because he's gay!" "What? You're shitting me!" Luke exclaimed in surprise. "The dude's gay?" "I can show you his Wikipedia article," Diego confirmed. "He's even married to another guy already. I think they even have a kid." "Wow!" Luke mused with a grin. "Gives you ideas for the future, doesn't it, he-he?!" Diego shook his head with a smile. "Do you think Lucky is doing okay?" he added hopefully. "I'm sure he is!" Luke asserted cheerfully. "He's smart little turtle. Way smarter than those foxes and snakes. And lucky! Hey, Diego, why don't you pray for him?" "Umm, Luke, you sure? I mean, you wouldn't mind?" Diego looked down awkwardly. "Come on, Diego, of course, I don't mind," Luke leaned his head against Diego's. "Yeah, it isn't my thing but I know it works for you and who knows, maybe it'll work for Lucky too, he-he! I mean he's got two cool turtle-bros looking after him already!" Luke pulled out his and Diego's turtle pendants and pressed them together. "You're right, thanks, Luke, thanks," Diego replied with relief. "Cool," Luke winked at Diego. "Hey, are you okay about the school starting next week?" Luke asked in a more serious tone as he wrapped his arm around Diego's shoulders. "I donno, mostly," Diego hesitated. "Still worried a bit ..." "Hey, Diego, trust me, none of those snobbish morons are gonna mess with you," Luke reassured. "And if they try, I'm gonna mess them back!" "No, Luke, please don't," Diego requested earnestly. "Anyway, I usually get along with other kids fine, even the snobbish ones. It's not that ..." "It's not?" Luke sat up. "We're not planning to come out at school for a while and I don't think those morons are smart enough to notice anything on their own. So what else is there to worry 'bout?" "It's sort of a little related," Diego sighed slightly. "It's what Mr Wade said. See, I really don't like secrets. And I'm not good at making stuff up. If other kids start asking questions, about my past life I mean ... Girls, they can be real persistent. You remember Breanna ..." "Shit, yeah, I do!" Luke barked out a brief laugh. "Listen, Diego," he continued more seriously. "Yeah, you're not good at making stuff up, so don't. Just don't volunteer more information than you have to. Tell them that you're still really bummed out about what happened. It's true, right? Even the pushy girls can understand that." "Yeah, I guess," Diego admitted. "I just wish I didn't have to ..." "I know, babe, I know," Luke hugged Diego's shoulder tighter. "We're gonna get through this, trust me! It's gonna be okay ... Anyway, if I were you, I'd be more worried about what you're gonna say to those pushy girls if they really want you to ... participate, he-he! Some of them can be real persistent, and you're awfully cute!" "Oh, god!" Diego slapped his forehead. "I thought you're supposed to make me feel better!" "I just called you awfully cute, didn't I?" Luke mock-pouted. "Yeah, you did," Diego smiled sweetly. "Right," Luke repeated and stood up from the couch. "Well, I'm gonna go grab a quick shower. It's been a long day and I feel like I'm starting to stink ..." "Luke, you really don't have to," Diego started to protest. "You know I love how you smell." "Diego, babe, trust me, you're gonna thank me later!" Luke turned and winked at Diego. "Just don't cut anything important while I'm gone, okay? He-he!" With that Luke disappeared inside the bathroom. When he emerged back out, wearing just his briefs, he saw that Diego was still sitting on the couch in his PJs, clipping his toenails with small scissors. Luke scooted down on the floor in front of Diego, sat up and declared mischievously: "Dude, I thought I asked you not to cut anything important while I was gone, he-he! But damn, that's so sexy! " "Luke, what are you talking about?" Diego laughed back. "I'm just clipping my nails. It's pretty gross." "Diego, babe, you said it yourself once: 'Nothing that comes off you is gross'," Luke countered. "Well, that works double for you, elf-baby! In fact, let me help you with that!" "You're gonna regret it," Diego giggled and handed Luke the clippers. "Not a chance!" Luke picked up the clippers grinning like a wolf. "Okay, let's see, what have we got here? A yummy elf-boy foot!" Luke picked up Diego's left foot and gave the delicate arch a quick lick. "Luke!" Diego squealed. "I thought you were gonna clip my nails!" "Oh, I'm getting there," Luke gently tickled the smooth arch again with his finger, causing Diego to squirm. "If you keep fidgeting, I'm gonna cut something I shouldn't," Luke reproached with a sly smile. "Okay, okay, go ahead already," Diego leaned back on the couch. Luke took the scissors and proceeded to quickly and expertly clipped Diego's nails, first on the left foot and then on the right. Diego observed the action with a quiet grin. "Thank you," Diego commented, "it looks much better." He tried to pull his feet back. "Oh, no you don't!" Luke grinned slyly. "We're not done yet!" Luke held Diego's feet firmly in his hands. "Luke, come on," Diego laughed, "there's nothing left to cut there. You really did a good job!" "I'm not thinking of cutting anything else here," Luke goggled wickedly as he put away the clippers. "I'm thinking of tasting something!" Luke picked up Diego's left foot again and with a mischievous smile started gently suckling on the delicate toe-fingers. "Luke!" Diego wriggled his body, laughing manically. "Mmmm, delicious elf-boy candy!" Luke commented as he stuck his tongue back between Diego's toes, savoring the fresh taste. "Mmmm-mmm!" "Luke, what're you doing?!" Diego attempted to kick his legs. "I'm gettin' you to participate, he-he!" Luke explained helpfully. "Before those pushy girls have a chance to get to you!" "Luke, you know that they have no chance with me, right?" Diego smiled gently as his large brown eyes shone warmly. "I know, babe," Luke grinned back. "But it's still so much fun! And it's a part of you I haven't properly tasted yet before. You're mine now, buster!" "See, Diego," he continued with a wolfish grin, "I really got no idea why they call this thing here 'little piggy.' No piggy is so damn cute!" With that Luke again suckled on one of Diego's toes. "Okay, mercy, mercy, please!" Diego squealed, kicking his feet again. "Mercy? Okay," Luke relented, releasing Diego's toe. "Let's see what else we've got here ... Ah, yes, a perfect elvish boy sole. And it also needs to be tasted!" Luke stuck his wet tongue out and flickered its tip along the smooth surface of Diego's arch. "Ah!!!" Diego screamed and wiggled his body frantically while Luke held him firmly. "Aha, ticklish, are you, babe?" Luke snickered wickedly. "Yes, so please let me go," Diego pleaded, still giggling. "All in good time," Luke declared as he attacked Diego's sole with his tongue. Diego emitted a wile howl and thrashed his leg, kicking Luke in the nose with his large toe. "Ouch!" Luke laughed and sat back. "Oh my god, Luke, I'm sorry!" Diego exclaimed apologetically. "That's okay," Luke reassured, still laughing. "My fault. I didn't realize just how ticklish you are ..." "Not everywhere," Diego confessed sheepishly. "But see, my feet ..." "Well, now, that's really interesting!" Luke's grin grew wider. "Diego, babe, you're a good boyfriend!" "Yeah?" Diego grinned back. "Yeah!" Luke confirmed emphatically. "And I love that I've gotten your sexy little elf-flippers just where I want them!" Luke picked up Diego's feet and planted a row of kisses, first on the left sole and then on the right. Diego's eyes continued to shine warmly. "Oh, man, we should have done this a lot sooner," Luke commented as he massaged Diego's feet gently and Diego wiggled hies toes lightly. A sly smile appeared on Diego's lips. "Yeah, I think you're right," Diego moved his right foot and pressed it against Luke's bare tummy as Luke sat on the floor in front of him. "Ah, Diego, what are you doing?" Luke inquired as he felt Diego's toes caress his freshly washed skin. "I'm participating," Diego explained in an innocent tone as he moved his foot lower. Diego's toes began gently massaging Luke's rapidly growing erection through the thin fabric of the briefs. "Ah, Diego, dude, you gotta be careful or I'm gonna ruin a fresh pair of briefs," Luke warned in a husky voice. "So," Diego continued the circular motion of his toe, "are you gonna do something about it?" "Okay!" Luke giggled and frantically shacked off his briefs, sitting down bow-legged on the floor in front on Diego, naked. Diego slowly extended his right leg and gently squeezed the slick mushrooming head of Luke's dick between his big and long toes. "Ah!" Luke breathed out and reached for Diego's foot with his hand. "No-no-no!" Diego stopped him. "No hands!" He smiled at Luke seductively. "Wow, kinky!" Luke moves his hands behind him and leaned back on his elbows. "Okay, I'm down with that." He grinned at Diego brightly. Diego continued slowly massaging the head of Luke's dick between his toes. "Oh, my god, Diego, how are you doing that?!" Luke exhaled raspily. "Shh-h," Diego smiled, "just enjoy it!" Luke leaned back further. Diego extended his other foot forward and started gently rolling the length of Luke's stalk between the balls and the arches of his smooth feet. Luke's eyes sparkled brighter. Diego increased the speed of his movements. "Ah, Diego, babe, we're about to have lift-off here," Luke warned him as his breathing got harder. Diego released Luke's penis and moved his feet up Luke's chest. "Young people these days, they got no endurance," Diego jabbed cheekily. "Oh, you!" Luke grabbed Diego's left foot and started licking the sole madly. "No, no, please, I give!" Diego giggled uncontrollably and kicked his feet. Luke held fast to Diego's foot, pulled Diego towards him and Diego collapsed on top of Luke, both of them laughing like hyenas. Diego rolled on the floor next to Luke as they both tried to catch their breath. Diego turned on his side to face Luke and embraced him. "Umm, Diego, we are still on the floor," Luke chuckled softly, "and I'm still naked." "Okay," Diego replied enigmatically. He suddenly stood up, scooped Luke in his arms and lifted him easily off the floor, holding him around the shoulders and below the knees. "Whoa, whoa!" Luke laughed, kicking his feet. "Easy, Mr Hercules! Fragile cargo here!" Diego transferred Luke on the couch, placing him on his back, and fell on top of him. "You're full of surprises today, elf-boy," Luke wrapped his arms around Diego as Diego lay on top of him. "But this was a really, really nice one, he-he!" he added, grinning broadly. "Yeah, but we're not done yet," Diego caressed Luke's muscular left pec with palm and gently traced the ridges of Luke's abs with his fingers, followed by a series of sweet soft kisses. "Umm, Diego, babe, what are you doing now?" Luke whispered with a light chuckle. "Worshipping your body?" Diego lifted his smiling face. "What?" Luke caught Diego's ear with his finger. "You need to be worshipped. By me," Diego explained matter-of-factly and lowered his face again. "You wanna worship me, Diego?" Luke queried with a laugh. "Yes," Diego continued with his task. "He-he, today I might just let you!" Luke conceded as he caressed the top of Diego's head. "No, Luke, I'm serious," Diego looked up again. "What? How do you mean?" Luke smiled gently. "Well ... Sometimes, I don't think you quite get it how much I need this. Like air," Diego again planted a row of soft kisses from Luke's neck through his strong chest and down to his bellybutton. Luke shivered lightly and sunk his fingers in Diego's short hair. "And how amazing you really are," Diego rose his gaze. "Like every time I touch you I feel this ... I can't describe it ... It's like a burst of something ... something so good ..." "It's called being in love, babe," Luke smiled and his eyes twinkled warmly. "Yes, but .. I think it's more than that," Diego pressed his cheek against Luke's taught muscular stomach. "And I think the others ... Toby, Yasha, Fidget, Roxie, and Bambi, they all felt it too." Diego gently drew a circle on Luke's tummy with his finger. "Even Mr Ngai today, he also noticed it." "Diego, dude, what are you saying?" Luke rose up on his elbows slightly. "I donno," Diego looked up at Luke. "I mean you always talk about me having these elf-boy powers, right? Well, I think maybe love is your super-power, Luke." "What?!" Luke laughed heartily and leaned forward to kiss the top of Diego's head. "No, I mean it, Luke," Diego spoke with growing conviction. "You've got so much love, it's crazy. For everybody. You basically brought me back from the dead." Diego kissed Luke's chest again. "And Fidget, and Roxie and Yasha. And that thing Mr Philip was talking about, you know like feeling tired after helping somebody, well, that doesn't happen to you at all! You're a love superhero, Luke!" "Diego, babe," Luke laughed merrily again, "that's the craziest thing I've ever heard! But I gotta say I kinda like it. A 'love superhero', he-he!" "Yeah," Diego confirmed. "And luckily, I've got you all to myself!" Diego licked Luke's abs and gently grabbed Luke's dick. "Ah, Diego, dude, you're still dressed and I'm still naked," Luke complained playfully. "That's not fair!" "Yeah, I know," Diego chuckled softly. He gently rolled Luke's moist balls in his palm. "Diego, I ...," Luke started to say something but Diego lowered his mouth over the head of Luke's erect boy member and Luke lost the powers of speech. Luke's penis again felt wonderfully fresh, lovely, alive and at home in Diego's mouth. But this time that wasn't enough. This time Diego was on a mission. He had to show Luke how much he loved him. He had to make Luke feel extra good today. The tip of Diego's velvety tongue danced along the length of Luke's young member, probing every crevice, every fold, every tiny ridge, feeling the breathing power just below the silky skin, tasting Luke's beautiful special boy taste. Diego was dimly aware of the cooing noises coming from Luke above him and he felt Luke's hands caress his head, have and ears but he was far too concentrated on his task. Diego's tongue gently probed Luke's spongy head, probing around the edges and under the folds of the delicate skin. Mmm, so sweet, so intimate, so special. So Luke. Diego closed his eyes and suckled harder. He was so happy. He had his Luke. He was making Luke happy. It was simple. It was right. It was beautiful. Luke's fingers tenderly caressed the sides of Diego's face. Diego sensed Luke's body beginning to tense up and he pulled on Luke's balls again, tugging and caressing them with his palm. He bit lightly just as Luke's hot slick glans was expanding quickly in his mouth. When the eruption came, Diego hungrily drunk every drop of Luke's precious love nectar and gently lapped the sensitive surface of Luke's slowly deflating dick with his warm tongue. Diego lifted his face towards Luke and smiled sweetly as he tenderly caressed the sides of Luke's body with his fingers. "Wow, Diego, that was ...," Luke breathed out a rugged sigh. "You are a wicked, wicked elf-monkey!" "Did you like it?" Diego pulled himself up next to Luke. "Yeah, but," Luke tugged on Diego's turtle necklace and pulled him closer for a soft kiss. "I still don't know what it was all about." "I told you," Diego nestled next to Luke and put his head on Luke's chest. "That was me worshipping you. Giving you pleasure. Being in charge. Showing you how much I love you." Diego gently clamped his lips around Luke's small left nipple eliciting a small whimper from Luke. "Ah, Diego, come on, stop it, have mercy, I'm trying to speak," Luke giggled as he caressed Diego's ears. "And you know you're showing how much you love me every time you look at me, right? And every time we make love." "Yeah, but, I really wanted to do something special," Diego insisted. "Well, it was, babe, it was!" Luke grinned broadly. Luke rolled Diego on top of him. "So, Diego, if I'm a love superhero, how come I feel completely powerless now, he-he?" Luke inquired with a sheepish smile. "I donno, maybe I've got a special immunity against your superhero powers," Diego furrowed his brow. "Or maybe you still got them and just don't realize it. Yeah, I think that's it!" "Oh, my god, you and your crazy theories!" Luke chuckled and kissed Diego softly. "But I'm too tired to argue now. Need to wait for my superhero powers to come back!" "It's okay, I'll take care of you," Diego declared confidently. He got up from the couch and scooped up Luke's naked body, cradling him to his chest. "Whoa, whoa!" Luke burst out laughing. "Who's got superhero powers now?" "Diego, man, when did you manage to get so strong?" Luke wondered as Diego carried him to Diego's bed. "I could always do this," Diego remarked as he gently put Luke's naked body onto the bed. "You just didn't notice till now. Or maybe I didn't show it ..." "Oh, my god, I love my hunky boyfriend!" Luke giggled and pulled Diego on top of him. "It's still not fair that I'm naked and you're not. I didn't get to do anything to you ..." "I know," Diego parried. "But it's like I said. Today was just for you." "Umm, okay. Are you gonna undress?" Luke tugged on Diego's t-shirt. "Not tonight," Diego smiled as he lay on the side face to face with Luke, staring in Luke's brightly shining green eyes. "Feels weird," Luke commented, pulling closer to Diego. "I feel naked, somehow." "You're naked, doofus," Diego chuckled softly. "I know. And whose fault is that?" Luke chuckled back. "Should we turn off the light?" "Do we have to?" Diego wondered. "No. But I think we still should," Luke suggested. Before Diego could stop him, Luke quickly slipped out of bed, turned off the lights and snuggled back next to Diego. "Aww-ww, I can't see you anymore," Diego pouted. "And you looked so nice!" He kissed Luke's bare shoulder. "He-he, you've had your wicked fun for tonight, elfie!" Luke chuckled again. "No more perving your boyfriend's sexy bod today for you." Luke embraced Diego, chewed on his ear gently and whispered softly: "Thank you. I'm gonna pay you back tomorrow, Diego, babe. Good night." "Good night, Luke," Diego whispered back. "You are a love superhero. I believe it." "Well, maybe when you're around," Luke allowed. "But now this love superhero needs some sleep. It really's been a long day ..." Luke wrapped himself around Diego, and Diego stroked Luke's back and sunk his fingers in Luke's wayward damp brown locks. "We really need to get you a haircut," Diego kissed the top of Luke's head. "Ummm?..." Luke was already drifting off to sleep. Diego smiled widely in the dark as he held Luke in his arms. ---- He was walking through a tall warmly lit hall. Shelves filled with endless rows of books all around him. Heavy leather-clad volumes. Wooden ladders. A slightly musty smell. A library. Tall ceilings, narrow, mosaic covered windows. Soft light coming from the outside. Quiet. Nothing disturbing the solemn hall except for the gentle sound of his footsteps on the carpet. Too quiet. A library should be quiet, but this was different. Somehow stranger, more unusual. There was no movement, no sound, no change here at all. He strained his senses harder. Still nothing. He looked around. Nobody, no other people about. No librarians, no patrons. He was alone. He walked to a large plant sitting by the wall and looked at it closely. An ant on a leaf, with its head and mandibles raised, frozen, not moving. They shouldn't have ants in a library, should they? He turned around and scanned the room again. A small fly in the air a couple of feet above him, not moving, its wings strangely articulated, he could easily reach it with his hand. A large grandfather's clock by the wall. He walked up next to it. Frozen like everything else here, the hands stuck at 2:17pm. Now, that's pretty funny. It's always midnight in fairytales, isn't it? He opened the glass door of the case. A long pendulum arm with a heavy brass disk. Somehow, he knew that all he had to do to unfreeze this strange world was to push this arm. Just one swing of the pendulum, and the fly and the ant will be freed. Should he do it? Or should he stay here forever, among the timeless peace of the library? He needed the rest. He earned it. What should he do? He extended his hand forward ...