Spellbound 
Authors: Sairalinde & Anorienbean
Pairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker 
Rating: Adult for graphic m/m sex Warnings: None for now, 
Archiving: Saira's Library, Here With Me, Mirrormere, OEAM, others please ask 
first
Feedback: Yes, please. We live for it. Send to: sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com, 
or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Disclaimer: None of this happened except in our fantasies. We are in no way are 
implying anything about the sexual preferences of either of our main characters, 
or any other peripheral characters used in this story. 
Summary: Craig moves to the mountains to get away from his hectic life and finds 
that his landlord David is more than he appears to be.

AN: Halloween AU set in a world where magic is *real* and there is no such thing 
as an STD or a condom. :-P Please see FICTION in the dictionary for more 
details. 

//Indicate thoughts


....................................................

Like so many times before, David cast the circle, called the quadrants, and 
thanked the God and Goddess. It was ritual, routine, something he’d done 
countless times in his life. His power was as much a part of him as his left 
hand, as his art, his craft, the Craft. 

Simple spell, simple ritual for the summer equinox, but he could feel his powers 
swirling, in him, around him. He was restless but he wasn’t sure why. Why now? 
He decided to burn the energy away, use the safety of the stone dance to release 
all that power that seemed to be captured under pressure like steam in a bottle. 
“From dawn until the day is done, this fire made glows bright as the sun. As 
light grows strong across the sky, I call the flames from air to fly. Burn no 
flesh, no feather nor tree. As I will, so mote it be.” 

Fire spewed up from the ground, bright as gold in a single spike. Beams shot 
from his fingertips, to the sun, and from the sun to him until the circle in the 
woods shimmered with light. He lowered his arms, and attempted to push the fire 
back, but instead it continued to roar, to rage, and to…burn. David swallowed 
hard as the rush of power came back to him, surrounded him, and pushed him 
backwards until he was pressed against one of the stones of the dance. His own 
powers snapping around him, flames licking at him, hot, but not quite burning. 
The stone he was pinned against vibrated its dismay through him. //Oh Gods, it’s 
happening.// “I don’t want this. He won’t understand! The Fates are wrong, he 
isn’t like me, like us!” he shouted and the flames snapped at him like ravenous 
dogs. 

In the wind he heard his answer. “Love waits…love comes…its not too late. He 
will come. And you will have your mate.” 

The flames faded, the power withdrew, and David shakily moved away from the 
stone back toward the center of the circle. With a soft chant and a wave of his 
hand the flames disappeared but for the first time ever, the ground was scarred. 
He sighed heavily and healed the earth before finishing the ritual and lowering 
the circle. 

//And you will have your mate.// “Only if he believes…even if he does love me, 
but he doesn’t believe…it won’t work. It won’t work,” he whispered as he moved 
through the trees. He could almost hear the Fates laughing on the gentle breeze 
flitting through the leaves. Maybe it was already too late? He didn’t voice the 
thought, but shivered with it despite the warmth. 



~~~
Craig rested his forearms against the side of the small shower stall and let the 
warm water sluice over his back. He’d spent the last 12 hours trying to get 
everything unpacked and it seemed he’d barely made a dent in the mountains of 
boxes. Every muscle in his body ached and he wondered again why he was pushing 
himself so hard.

Closing his eyes, he pushed on the tender muscles of his lower back and groaned. 
//At least the bed’s put together, and the coffee pot’s clean and plugged in. 
The rest can wait till tomorrow.//

Stepping out of the bathroom minutes later, dressed only in his boxers, he slid 
between the cool sheets and tried to relax. His body was exhausted, but his mind 
refused to slow down. The whole purpose of moving to the mountains was to get 
away from everything and everyone so he could relax and write. His publishers 
were pushing for a follow up to his warmly received first novel, and they didn’t 
*care* that Craig’s apartment was noisy, or that someone always seemed to be 
needing him to do something for them, or that his phone rang off the hook.

When he’d tried to explain, they’d simply suggested that he find a nice, out of 
the way cabin, hole up there for a year or so, and do nothing but write. 
Otherwise, he was out of a job. A rather lucrative job at that. So, he’d given 
in, hired an agent to find an isolated cabin somewhere in the mountains he could 
rent, and, just like that, he’d leased out his apartment and moved halfway 
across the country, determined not to emerge from his self-isolation until his 
book was complete.

As he lay staring up at the ceiling, his mind continued to wander. His only 
neighbor for miles happened to be his landlord…a Mr. Wenham, whom he’d never 
met, and who lived just on the other side of the woods behind the cabin. //Maybe 
I should go introduce myself in the morning? There’s no one else around for 
miles, so it’s probably not a bad idea to have at least *one* neighbor who knows 
who you are.//


~~~

David paced the living room for what seemed hours, something was happening. 
Something that he wasn't sure he was ready for. The fates were certainly being 
entertained at his expense, he thought darkly. He liked his life. He *liked* the 
solitude, and he didn't like having someone else in control…but he had no 
choice. 

Stopping at the window that faced the woods and rental house beyond he felt it 
again. That pull…circling around him, through him. //He's here.// 

He had known that this was coming. That *he* was coming soon, though David had 
thought he had more time. His control had been slipping in the last few months. 
Little things at first, and then it had grown. 

The last few times had frightened him. The day in the circle with the fire had 
unsettled him and set his nerves on end and then the second time it happened 
scared him even more. 

The moon had been full, the spring equinox, and as he had his entire life he'd 
cast a circle, and almost lost himself in it. The power that had thrummed in the 
air that night had been staggering and it had shaken him badly, it hadn’t been 
like the day with the fire, and this time it was his own power that seemed to 
want to consume him. That was the night he'd heard the voice of the fates in the 
wind even more clearly. He knew that the one person who could help him was on 
their way, he even knew their name now…but he wondered, even if he didn’t feel 
ready for it…was it already too late? 

"If he doesn't believe, none of this will matter, will it?" he said softly to 
himself. 

Frowning, he turned away from the window and stalked out the back door toward 
the glasshouse. He was tempted to just ignore him, to go into the studio and 
work…work off the energy that was burning in his veins but he couldn't. The pull 
was too strong and almost against his will he started walking toward the woods. 
It was tempting to go to the circle, tempting to see what he looked like…but he 
fought the pull. Instead made sure he skirted the woods around the circle, and 
just walked along the moonlit paths trying to clear his mind. At least that's 
what he told himself.

~~~

Pulling the blanket up under his chin, Craig rolled over on his side. Again. Bed 
had seemed like such a good idea, but he couldn’t get comfortable. He felt like 
there was something he needed to do before he could relax. He had *no* idea what 
it was, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to get any sleep until he figured it 
out. With a frustrated sigh, he rolled out of bed and fumbled for the light. 
Sliding into his favorite sweatpants and a hooded shirt, he wandered around the 
house for long minutes, unsure of what, exactly, he was looking for.

When nothing seemed to jump out at him, he went back to the bedroom and slipped 
into his sneakers, then stepped out into the cool night air, staring at the 
dense woods behind his house. //Maybe it’s there. Maybe I just need to walk for 
a while and completely exhaust myself.// His sore back protested as he walked 
down the steps and headed into the darkness.

David stopped walking as he felt the air almost tremble around him as he closed 
his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Releasing the breath slowly, he 
realized what he felt. Nothing could change what was already set in motion, he 
knew that, even if he wanted to fight against it. Moving through the woods 
slowly, he felt the pull again, a tug at the center of his being, and he had to 
fight against it to keep from going to the rental house. Turning up at your 
neighbors doorstep in the middle of the night wasn't exactly good etiquette. He 
almost laughed at that thought, and continued to walk purposefully away from the 
circle and the rental house. He wouldn't let his curiosity, (that's all he let 
himself believe it was for now) get the better of him. He was just restless, he 
just needed to walk...to let the energy pent up inside him out. As he walked 
along the moonlit path, he worked to release the energy, he could feel it almost 
dance in the air around him, but it wasn't consuming like it had been in the 
past. It was there, just under the surface. The power, snapping, crackling but 
not overwhelming. He'd seen his name on the rental contract, Craig Parker. He 
wondered if Craig had any idea what the Fates had in store for him? David almost 
laughed. "If he knew he'd probably be packing his things back up and getting the 
hell outta here," he whispered to himself.

Slowly and rather painfully, Craig wound his way through the dense trees, 
following the path that seemed to head straight thorough the center of the 
forest. “What am I doing here, freezing my ass off, when I have a nice, warm bed 
waiting for me not two hundred yards away?” he asked himself even as he 
continued to move forward. 

Stopping suddenly, Craig’s breath caught in his throat and his hand rested on 
the rough bark of the tree behind him. Just before him, right in the middle of 
the forest, was a circle of rocks. The trees and brush had been neatly cleared 
from the center of the circle and as he moved forward, the hair on the back of 
his neck stood up. He started to touch the stone closest to him, but, just 
before his fingertips brushed against it, he changed his mind and backed away. 
//What the hell is this?// For some reason he couldn’t explain, he skirted 
around the edge of the circle, eyeing it wearily. //This is…..odd. I should be 
scared, but….hell, I don’t even know what I am…//

A sudden jolt stopped David in his tracks and without thinking about it he 
turned and headed toward the circle. The woods were more dense there, and he was 
surprised that anyone would go *there* in the dark. //Why should I be surprised? 
The Fates seem to want to play with my life so damn much anyway. Nothing should 
surprise me anymore.// His pace picked up and he moved swiftly through the 
trees. //Just don't go inside it. Damn it...don't go inside. Not yet. Neither of 
us are ready for that.// Within moments he stepped out of the dark shadows of 
the trees and into the clearing and almost directly into the path of the other 
man, who was distractedly looking back at the stones of the circle. "Do you 
always take walks in unfamiliar places in the dark?" he asked softly, knowing 
his words would startle the other man, and his hands automatically reached out 
to keep the dark haired man from stumbling over a tree root in his shock. 
"Easy," David whispered, "I didn't mean to startle you."

One moment Craig was looking back toward the strange circle, and the next he was 
falling forward into a stranger’s arms, his heart pounding in his chest and his 
lungs forgetting to draw in air for a few seconds. He bit back a yelp of 
surprise, somehow unwilling to break the near-silence of the forest and closed 
his fingers over the stranger’s forearms as he stood up straight. “I…um…yeah,” 
he stammered. “I mean, no, I don’ t usually do that. I just…I couldn’t sleep.” 
As he pulled away and tried to gather his wits, the clouds shifted and he could 
see the other man’s face. Soft looking ginger colored hair blew lightly in the 
breeze and glittering blue eyes stared back at him. //My God, I don’t know who 
you are, but you are the most incredibly handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life. 
Maybe I got to my feet a little too quickly…but damn…you scared the hell outta 
me.// “I’m sorry. I just…I didn’t expect anyone to be out here. I’m not sure 
what I expected, really, but…it wasn’t…you.”

David's hands stayed on the other man's arms probably longer than they should 
have. He almost laughed when he said he hadn't expected him. //Oh but I expected 
you...but by the Goddess I didn't expect you to look like *this*// He was almost 
tempted to thank the Fates after all...almost. "You should be careful wandering 
about out here, Mr. Parker," David said softly, and almost smiling when he saw 
the momentary flash of wariness pass over the other man's face. His hands slid 
down Craig's arms, pausing at his wrists for the barest of moments, feeling the 
pulse jump under his thumbs before his hands dropped away. "Sorry to hear you 
couldn't sleep, I hope the rental house is all right?" he asked, trying to act 
as if it were perfectly *normal* for him to be wandering about in the woods 
himself.

Craig shivered and simply stared at the other man for long moments. “I…you…must 
be Mr. Wenham,” he smiled, telling himself to snap out of it and stop staring. 
“The house is fine. Perfect, in fact. I just couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe a 
walk in the woods would help. Guess I should have tried warm milk instead, eh?” 
Glancing back at the circle of stones he shook his head and laughed. “Anyway, 
I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you while you 
were….um….making…um…whatever it is you’re making. It’s….nice. Just a 
little….unusual. None of my business, I know. I’ll stay out of your way. No hard 
feelings?” His hand reached out toward David, and he found himself hoping that 
at least they could shake hands. David’s touch had been warm and soothing and 
Craig found himself wondering if someone was waiting for the red-head back at 
his house, which couldn’t be too far away. 

David cocked his head to the side curiously when Craig said 'whatever it is 
you're making'. He glanced over at the stone circle and smiled briefly. "I 
didn't make that, it's always been here," he said taking the offered hand. He 
felt the connection with Craig spark within him for a moment and he gasped as 
the jolt raced up his arm. He could feel the power within him seem to be 
tempered for a moment and his hand dropped away from Craig's. "Uh, no hard 
feelings at all. You...you can call me David. I think we were having the same 
trouble tonight...I was...restless. Decided a walk out here was better than 
pacing my living room until I wore a hole in the rug," he grinned.

Craig laughed and nodded in agreement. “Well David, nice to meet you,” he said 
as he forgot about the circle and found himself more than happy to gaze at the 
man before him. “And you can call me Craig. Since we both seem to be wide awake, 
can I interest you in a cup of hot chocolate? I think I *might* know which box I 
can find a pan in, and the chocolate was the first thing I unpacked. I can make 
extra if you want to take some back to….your family or something. I’ve got 
plenty.”

David smiled and nodded, "Thank you...that sounds perfect," he said watching the 
way Craig's eyes seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. "I'm afraid I don't have a 
family. I live here alone, prefer the solitude. Seems to suit me, and my work," 
he said glancing up at the sky. "We should get in before the rain anyway," he 
said gesturing for Craig to walk with him.

Feeling happier than he should at sharing a simple cup of chocolate, Craig bit 
back a smile and fell into step beside David. //He doesn’t have a family. Good 
to know. I mean, not that I hope he’s lonely, but….still.// “I didn’t even 
realize it was going to rain,” he said, looking up through the thick foliage in 
a vain attempt to see the stars. “You must have a better sense of nature than I 
do.” Now that David had said it, Craig could almost feel the heaviness in the 
air as the breeze around them picked up and caused him to shiver. “So…you 
already know what I do for a living from my rental application,” he continued as 
he folded his arms across his chest. “I think the solitude will suit me too, 
and, hopefully, I can get some writing done for a change. Since you seem to have 
the upper hand here, do you mind if I ask what you do for a living?”

David almost laughed when Craig said he must have a better sense of nature. They 
walked side by side and he smiled when Craig asked him what he did for a living. 
"I'm a glass artist, my glasshouse is just the other side of the woods here. I 
had thought about going out there to work off this...restlessness, but decided 
on a walk instead. Glad I did now," he said smiling. The wind was starting to 
pick up and as they made it to the other side of the woods he could see the 
lights in the rental house glowing cheerfully. "So what's it like to kill 
someone...on paper that is?" David asked with a mischievous grin.

Craig laughed, already feeling more at ease with David than he normally did 
after knowing someone for months. “Tougher than you’d think,” he said, shaking 
his head and walking faster. “Seems easy enough, but then you have all these 
imaginary cops and detectives and CSI guys running around in your head, causing 
trouble every time you turn around. It can drive you more than a little crazy at 
times.” They finally stepped up on the porch and he held open the door for 
David. “Not that I’m *really* crazy,” he continued with a chuckle. “At least, 
the voices in my head assure me that they have every right to be there.” 

David laughed as Craig held the door open for him. "As long as you don't start 
arguing with them, I think it stays out of the realm of psychosis anyway," he 
commented as they walked into the kitchen. Now that they were in the light, 
David found he had a hard time not looking at Craig. He didn't want to seem like 
he was staring but the other man was utterly gorgeous. Of course, the Fates 
wouldn't choose someone I wouldn't be attracted to, he mused. "Rain's here," he 
whispered as the first fat raindrops began to slap against the window panes.

Laughing at David’s remark, Craig shook his head and began warming the milk as 
he pulled the container of chocolate from one of the shelves. Wincing as his 
back reminded him that he should *not* be moving like that, he moved a little 
more slowly and looked out the window for a moment, then back at his guest. 
“Wow,” he said as he stirred the milk and arched an eyebrow at David, pushing 
away the thoughts of how the red-head was even sexier now than he had been at 
first glance. “You really *do* know your stuff. I didn’t even think about rain 
till you mentioned it. Glad I met you and didn’t get caught out there in this. 
I’m so sore from all the moving, I don’t think I could have made it back here 
very quickly.”

David watched Craig as he moved about the kitchen and felt a wave of concern hit 
him when he saw the other man wince. He remained silent but had to fight the 
urge to go over to him and take the pain away for him. Then when Craig said he 
was sore from moving, David stepped a little closer to him, though still not 
close enough to touch the other man, even though every fiber of his being wanted 
him to. "I...I don't want to sound incredibly forward, but I'm pretty good at 
backrubs," David said before he could stop himself. He closed his eyes for a 
moment and shook his head at himself. //Oh yeah, while you're at it why don't 
you just throw him over the table and have your way with him?// "I'm sorry, that 
was a stupid thing to say when we've just met," he said leaning against the 
counter and turning his attention to the pattern of raindrops slipping down the 
glass of the window.

Craig swallowed the lump in his throat and turned to look at David. As the other 
man simply stared out the window, Craig had to bite back a smile at the way he 
was pointedly avoiding looking at him. //Well, my back *does* hurt. And I’ll 
never get everything moved tomorrow unless I get over this…// “It wasn’t 
stupid,” he said softly as he added chocolate to the milk and kept stirring. “I 
mean…I can barely move, and it’ll only get worse if I don’t try something.” 
//Besides…if you really don’t mind, I’d love to just feel your hands on my 
skin.// David’s hands, just like the rest of him, Craig discovered, were 
mesmerizing. Shaking off that thought, he reached up into another cabinet for 
two mugs and had to grit his teeth as the pain in his back flared up again. 
//Shit…I’ve pulled a muscle. A BIG one, apparently.// “I…um….yeah…so maybe we 
can give it a try?” he continued. “I can’t afford to be out of commission until 
this goes away on it’s own, and, since we *are* neighbors, and neighbors help 
each other….what’s the harm in trying?”

David turned away from his intent study of the rain against the window and 
smiled at Craig. "If you're sure. I spend so much time alone, I guess I forget 
how to talk to people sometimes. I'm glad I didn't offend you," he said softly. 
He wasn't sure what to do with himself and pushed away from the counter. "Do you 
need a hand with anything?" he asked, feeling slightly guilty that Craig was 
making him hot chocolate while he was in pain.

“Don’t worry,” Craig grinned. “I don’t offend easily. And as for needing a hand, 
I think I’m done, actually.” Carefully pouring the steaming chocolate into the 
mugs, he offered one to David and wrapped his hands around the other one. “How 
about we have a seat in the living room? These kitchen chairs don’t exactly look 
inviting to my back at the moment.”

David smiled slightly and took the warm mug. "Thank you," he said softly as he 
followed Craig to the living room. It wouldn't take much to take away Craig's 
pain. Honestly, he could take it away without ever actually touching him but 
almost greedily, David did want to touch him. He wanted to feel the other man's 
skin, warm against his fingertips. Feel the way his body moved and he could 
almost imagine what it was like to hold that incredible body against his own. 
David shook his head to clear his thoughts and almost sighed. The physical pull 
toward Craig was even stronger than it was before, and it was almost more than 
he could bear. "You've gotten a lot done," he mused as they sat down. Two 
bookshelves were already filled with books, and as he looked around the room he 
could already see Craig's imprint on the little house. 

“Yeah, I was doing pretty well until about 6PM,” Craig said ruefully. “That’s 
about the time I was carrying a box of books in and *someone* who’s supposed to 
love me ran between my feet and tripped me.” He raised his voice at the 
‘someone’, and was answered with an indignant sounding meow. “That little 
attention-whore over there under the table evidently thought that it would be 
amusing to see me fall flat on my ass. I’m quite sure he was laughing at me the 
whole time.” Craig’s words were mocking, but his tone was affectionate, and a 
sleek black cat moved forward across the room to wrap around his legs. “You 
*did* say a pet was ok, right?” he asked as he leaned down to scratch the furry 
head that was now pushing insistently against his calf muscle. “I mean, I’d hate 
to have to throw Max here out, but I’ll do it if the landlord says I 
must...especially after he tripped me like that.”

David grinned over his mug at the cat seeking attention at Craig's legs. "Yes, 
pets are fine," he said softly. He almost laughed when Max looked up at him with 
golden eyes and very nearly glared at him, not liking in the least being 
referred to as a 'pet'. "That wasn't a very nice thing to do to your friend, 
Max," he said smiling as the cat simply pushed against Craig's hand wanting to 
be petted. 

The two of them talked for a long time while the rain continued to pour outside, 
and finally David set his empty mug aside. "So, I've seen you wince at least 
four times in the last half hour, if you do really want that back rub I'd like 
to see if it will help. I don't like to see anyone in pain //especially you//," 
he said softly.

Craig couldn’t help the way his heart skipped a beat at just the *thought* of 
David’s hands touching him. Neither could he help the look of longing that 
touched his eyes, but he was hoping that David mistook that for gratitude. He 
found himself wishing that the rain would never end, and was extraordinarily 
grateful that he hadn’t hung a clock up on the wall yet. It seemed like only 
minutes, but he knew they’d been talking for well over an hour, and he didn’t 
want David to notice the time and head back to home. “I do still want that back 
rub if you’re sure you don’t mind,” he said as he scooted forward on the couch 
and his back spasmed particularly viciously. Gritting his teeth, he had to close 
his eyes for a moment and bite back the pain. “Where would it be easiest for 
you?” he asked as he gripped the arm of the couch with his right hand and waited 
for the pain to subside.

David felt warmth wash over him as Craig looked at him. It was a feeling he'd 
never known before and for a moment it left him speechless. When Craig moved 
forward and in obvious pain, David stood up quickly. "I can tell you're hurting, 
so where ever you'd be the most comfortable is best," he said softly. It was 
tempting to simply take the pain away now, but he knew that he wasn't ready to 
answer the questions that would follow. //He'd think I was insane at best.// He 
stood beside the couch and waited for Craig to decide where he'd rather lie 
down. 

Craig was so very tempted to head toward the bedroom, but now *he* was the one 
afraid of being forward. He looked back at the couch and gingerly started moving 
toward the other end. “I guess the couch works,” he said as he leaned back 
carefully and began to roll over on to his stomach, trying to think about 
*anything* but the bed that was only on the other side of wall behind them. //In 
bed. With David. Yeah…..like he’d want that. He said he *likes* to be alone, you 
big dope. Don’t push yourself on him.// “Will…um…yeah. I mean…will you have 
enough room to work here?”

David watched as Craig lay down on the couch and he smiled. "Yeah, this is 
fine," he whispered. Carefully, David straddled Craig's hips, one knee between 
Craig and the back of the couch and the other knee on the very edge. It was a 
bit precarious, but maybe the awkwardness would keep David's mind focused on 
what he was *supposed* to be doing and not what he wanted to do. Gently, he 
pushed Craig's shirt up, exposing the smooth, warm skin of his lower back. 
Closing his eyes for a moment, David put his hands together, and then slowly 
brushed them over the tender muscles of Craig's back. As carefully as he could, 
he controlled just how much of his power flowed through him as his hands moved 
over the other man's back. "How's this?" he asked softly.

It felt, to Craig, as if a warm heating pad was pressed gently to his back, and 
the muscles that had been bunched and knotted just moments before were now 
relaxed and supple. With a content sigh, he nodded and lifted his upper body up 
just enough to slide his shirt over his head before laying back down and closing 
his eyes. “More please,” he murmured, not exactly sure what David was doing, but 
knowing, without a doubt, that it felt wonderful. “God, David, you must have 
magic hands. The pains are gone already everywhere you’ve touched me. 
Please…don’t stop.”

David sat back a bit when Craig pulled his shirt off and he had to resist the 
desire to lean down and press his lips against the other man's skin. His heart 
seemed to be pounding in his chest, just from these healing touches and he had 
to take a deep breath. Then when Craig said the words 'magic hands' he nearly 
snorted and hung his head for a moment. "Just a trick someone once taught me, 
glass blowing requires a lot of time bent over so back aches are common," he 
said as an excuse. Leaning forward again, David spread his hands flat against 
Craig's shoulder blades and then moved downward to his lower back and then moved 
back up. Slowly, his hands moved over smooth skin and he couldn't fight the 
burgeoning arousal he had from the actions. The feeling of Craig's skin under 
his fingers was almost too much.

Craig smiled and looked over his shoulder at David. “Well, if I can ever repay 
the favor, just let me know,” he smiled. His own arousal was growing steadily, 
and the feel of David’s hands moving over his skin both relaxed him, and, at the 
same time, made him want to roll and give David a kiss that neither of them 
would ever forget. As it was, Craig’s relaxed state made him a little more 
forward than he normally would be, and the words fell from his lips before he 
could stop them. “I don’t want to seem forward either, but…unless you have 
someone you normally call for backrubs, I’m hoping that you’ll call me from now 
on if you ever need one. It’s not often I get lucky enough to meet someone I can 
talk so easily to. Not to mention someone who’s as handsome and good with his 
hands as you’re turning out to be.” 

David's hands stilled for a moment against Craig's back and he smiled. "I'll be 
sure and keep that in mind," he said softly. His hands continued to move over 
Craig, but now it was a touch of pleasure and not healing. He almost felt guilty 
for that, though not quite. He closed his eyes for a moment, and imagined what 
it would feel like to press his lips against the warm skin beneath his hands. 
What it would be like to lick and nip a trail down his back, and he felt his 
arousal pulse within the confines of his jeans, which had become uncomfortably 
tight. Shifting slightly, he leaned over Craig a little more but kept his lips 
from touching him. "I have to admit, Craig...I'd rather do more than give you a 
simple back rub," he whispered. He knew he shouldn't, but it seemed that his 
brain wasn't really in control anymore.

For a moment, Craig would have sworn his heart stopped beating. He’d hoped David 
felt this attraction, but with him wandering around at midnight, barely able to 
walk, he didn’t really see how he could. //He feels it too…he has to, or he 
wouldn’t have said that.// One hand moved back behind him to let his fingertips 
brush over David’s denim covered thigh and Craig would have sworn he could feel 
an erection pressed against his backside. One as thick and hard as his own was 
at the moment. “And, I have to admit that I’d like more than a back rub from you 
about now,” he said softly, blushing at his boldness, but wanting, more than 
anything, to be closer to David.

David gasped softly when Craig's fingertips brushed against his thigh. He knew 
that it was far too soon to explain everything to Craig, to explain who he was, 
*what* he was, but he was almost too far gone to even think rationally anymore. 
When he said he'd like more than a back rub he felt his arousal pulse within the 
confines of his jeans and he shifted his weight, allowing Craig to roll over 
under him. He stared into Craig's eyes completely enthralled, before he leaned 
down and against his better judgment, pressed his lips to Craig's. Immediately 
he felt a wave of desire and contentment wash over him. A kind of peace he'd 
never felt and in that moment he completely understood why the Fates decided 
that Craig was his perfect match. Then all thought fled as Craig's lips parted 
under his own and granted him access. His tongue slipped forward past soft lips 
and smooth teeth to tangle and dance with Craig's. David's blood was rushing 
hotly through his veins, and he knew *this* was what heaven was.

Before Craig could even think about what he was doing, his arms were wrapped 
around David, their mouths were sealed together and it was unlike any kiss he’d 
ever known in his life. Suddenly, he wasn’t nervous or shy, or afraid of moving 
too fast, because he’d never felt more at home than he did right here in David’s 
arms. One hand rested at the small of David’s back as the other moved to tangle 
in his hair, and Craig wasn’t really all that surprised to notice that the soft 
moans that filled the room were his own. David’s tongue was gently exploring his 
mouth, and, after long moments, Craig’s tongue slid forward to do the same. He 
tasted warm, sweet chocolate, and the flavor that could only be David 
himself….and it was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted in his life.

David moaned softly as Craig's tongue slipped forward to explore his mouth. His 
heart was beating so hard he could nearly hear it. One arm slipped under Craig's 
neck, his hand at the base of his neck, slipping into soft dark hair and the 
kiss seemed to heighten and deepen at the same time. David's body shifted 
against Craig's and a low moan was trapped between them as his arousal ground 
against Craig's. A kiss had never been like this, he'd known that Craig was his 
match, he'd felt it from the moment the man had arrived, he'd been drawn to him, 
but until now he hadn't completely understood it all. Only after the need for 
air was so great that he was dizzy did David pull away. "Blessed be," he 
murmured to himself. He blinked a few times and looked into Craig's eyes seeing 
the same desire shining there that he knew matched his own. Part of him wanted 
to stay and part of him was screaming that it was too soon.

Craig’s fingers combed idly through soft, now slightly mussed red hair as he 
stared up at David with a smile. “I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed a kiss 
as much as I just did that one,” he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady 
and his mind off the ache between his legs. The fingers of his other hand 
slipped slowly underneath David’s shirt and moved over smooth, warm skin. 
“You…don’t have to go,” Craig continued as he stared up into lust darkened blue 
eyes. “I don’t want you to think I sleep around, because I don’t, but…there’s 
something about you, David, that makes me feel like I’ve known you all my life. 
I don’t know what it is, but…but it’s more than attraction, more than a quick 
roll in the hay, I can tell you that right now. If you’re at all interested in 
me like that, then…I’d love to wake up in your arms in the morning.”

Staring into Craig's eyes as he tried to catch his breath, David nodded slowly. 
"I've never enjoyed a kiss like that before either," he admitted honestly. When 
Craig said the words 'there's something about you' he smiled. But when Craig 
asked him to stay he felt his heart leap in his chest. //I shouldn't. I really, 
really shouldn't.// He stared into Craig's eyes and knew he wouldn't be able to 
resist even if he tried. "I don't sleep around either…but I have to be honest, I 
really don't want to leave," he whispered softly. The voice inside his head was 
screaming at him that it was a mistake, but his heart was winning the battle. 
This man was his match, his destiny, and everything he would ever want as long 
as he lived. They were destined from the moment they were born, how could he 
ever expect to resist him?

Craig simply stared up into his soon-to-be-lover’s eyes and felt his erection 
straining against the fabric of his boxers. David’s arousal was still pressed 
against his own, and Craig knew that he must be aching as well. Leaning up to 
nuzzle against David’s neck, Craig smiled and felt relief wash over him in 
waves. //He doesn’t want to leave. God, I’m glad, because I’d have a hell of a 
time letting him go.// He pulled away after a moment and licked at the seam of 
the soft, kiss swollen lips before him. “Bedroom?” he asked softly.

//I must be losing my mind, we haven't known each other three hours, yet my soul 
knows his.// David wondered how difficult everything would be to explain, he had 
no idea how powerful the attraction would be until now. He thought he had time 
to explain things before it came to this. "Yeah," David whispered almost 
forgetting himself for a moment and getting them to the room by less normal 
means. He sighed in frustration for a moment knowing he'd have to release Craig 
for them to move to the other room. Carefully, he pulled away and stood up 
beside the couch, offering his hand to Craig.

Taking David’s hand, Craig stood and led the way to his bedroom. He’d honestly 
*never* done anything like this, but, God, nothing in his life had ever felt 
this right, this perfect. If he had been a believer of destiny, he’d have known 
at once that he’d found his soul mate. But, he’d never really believed in things 
like that, so he simply chalked it up to the most powerful attraction he’d ever 
known, maybe even more as they got to know each other better. His soul, however, 
settled down somewhere deep inside him, knowing that finally, he could stop 
looking for someone he hadn’t even realized he been searching for his entire 
life. 

Closing the door behind them, Craig led David to the bed and stopped beside it. 
He slowly lifted his lover’s shirt over his head and took David into his arms 
again in a deep kiss. There was no need for words, and Craig knew that 
everything he was feeling was shining through his eyes…and that was fine too.

David walked with Craig toward the bedroom and tried to will his heart to stop 
racing in his chest. As they stopped beside the bed, he swallowed hard as his 
lover gazed into his eyes, then within moments his shirt was gone and his arms 
were wrapped around Craig, their bare chests pressed tightly together. The deep 
kiss was searing, and sent fire racing through his veins. As they parted for 
breath, his hands traced over smooth skin and taut muscles. A small satisfied 
smile touched his lips as he looked at his lover - he was perfect. David's hands 
continued to move over him slowly, mapping the contours and feeling the heat and 
rapid heartbeat that matched his own against his palms. Licking his lips he 
whispered, "You are so gorgeous," the words came out wonderingly, almost a 
prayer of thanks to the Fates.

Craig blushed and lifted one hand to rest on the back of David’s neck. Slowly, 
his thumb brushed over the smooth skin of his lover’s neck. He found himself 
licking his lips and adding the small patch of skin just *there* that was 
throbbing under his fingers to his list of places on David’s body that he wanted 
to sample. “I was thinking the same thing about you,” he whispered. “You are the 
most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my life.” His gaze caught and held David’s 
as he moved both hands down to unfasten his lover’s jeans. One hand slipped down 
to wrap around the thick arousal trapped there and he squeezed gently as his own 
organ twitched violently in anticipation. “You have no idea how much I want you, 
David,” he continued shakily. Finally breaking their gaze, Craig moved closer 
and fastened his lips to the juncture of David’s neck and shoulder, closing his 
eyes and simply reveling in the taste of the man in his arms. 

David was enchanted by the blush that spread over Craig's cheeks and smiled. He 
sucked in a deep breath when a warm strong hand wrapped around his aching shaft. 
"I might have some idea," he whispered as his arms wrapped around Craig again. 
He moaned softly as his lover's hand continued to stroke him, and warm lips 
moved against his skin. Slowly, David's hands pushed at Craig's sweats and they 
slid down his legs, quickly followed by his boxers. Pulling away for only a 
moment, he rid himself of the rest of his clothes as Craig did the same. Looking 
back at his lover, David's hands settled at Craig's waist pulling him close and 
kissing him deeply, their tongues slipping together slowly as they explored.

Craig felt as if he was lost in a dream. He was almost afraid to open his eyes, 
for fear that David would be gone if he did. But the warm, slick tongue gliding 
along his own, and the smooth, firm flesh beneath his fingertips reassured him 
and, as they finally had to pull away for breath, Craig slowly opened his eyes 
and smiled. Taking David’s hand, he moved to lie back on the bed and gently 
pulled his lover with him. His hands caressed David’s back and then moved lower, 
cupping the firm globes of his backside and shifting his hips to grind their 
arousals together. A low moan fell from his lips and he pulled David closer. 
“Please, David,” he whispered. “I want you inside me.”

David closed his eyes for a moment and felt his entire body shiver with desire. 
"Yes," he whispered hotly against Craig's neck. His hands continued to move over 
his lover's body and he kissed his way down Craig's chest before sitting up on 
his knees between his lover's legs. Looking at Craig that way, spread before 
him, the tip of his arousal glistening with slick fluid, and his eyes so dark 
with desire they were almost indigo. //Gorgeous. Perfect, and...mine.// David 
took a deep breath as his hands trailed over Craig's thighs. "Do you...have 
something...I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. He hadn't exactly been 
prepared for this...and he wondered at that. David had few surprises in his 
life, and that unsettled him a bit.

Craig stared breathlessly at his lover and felt his arousal growing even harder 
as it began to leak onto his stomach. Thankful that at least he’d unpacked his 
bathroom supplies, he wished only that they weren’t in the other room, and he 
didn’t have to leave David to get something to ease his way. Sitting up, he 
placed another kiss to his lover’s lips and nodded. “I’ll be right back,” he 
whispered as he reached between David’s legs and let his fingertips trail over 
the heavy sac that hung beneath his lover’s arousal. “Don’t go away.” With that, 
he slid off the bed and headed into the bathroom, where he’d left a bottle of 
hand lotion on the countertop. He hurried as fast as he could, worried that 
David really would change his mind and not be there when he returned.

Gasping as his lover touched him before sliding of the bed, David bit his lip 
and sighed softly in frustration as Craig disappeared into the other room. //If 
it wouldn't have freaked him out I'd have gotten it myself, and neither of us 
would have had to even leave the damn room.// He sat back on his heels and 
looked out the window for a few moments as the rain continued to pour down 
outside. Within moments, Craig returned and David got to enjoy watching him 
crawl back onto the bed. A small smile touched his lips, "I don't think either 
of us were prepared for this," he whispered. He meant that in more than just the 
obvious way, but Craig had no idea about that yet. //How am I going to explain 
who I am...*what* I am to him, without Craig thinking I'm a complete nut case?//

“No,” Craig agreed. “I didn’t have any idea that I’d meet anyone out there in 
the woods…or that the person I met would be the one person in the world I don’t 
seem to be able to resist….nor would I want to.” As he spoke, he applied a 
generous amount of lotion to his hands and rubbed them together to warm the cool 
cream. He settled back down on the bed in front of his lover and reached for his 
hand. With his right hand, Craig slowly stroked David’s erection as he leaned 
forward and kissed him, slicking the thick organ even as his left hand slicked 
his lover’s fingers.

David smiled when Craig said he didn't want to resist him. Before he could even 
think, Craig was against him, his lips moving over David's, and his hand 
stroking his arousal slowly as well as his hand. When Craig drew away from him, 
David sighed. He knew the attraction, the recognition, all of it was fate, but 
the warm feeling in his heart...he was certain he'd feel that even if he were 
just a normal man and had met Craig. Pushing the thought away, he leaned into 
his lover, kissing him deeply even as his now slick fingers moved between his 
lover's legs, slowly circling and then dipping into the tight entrance. The heat 
and tightness was amazing, and his finger slipped further within while the tight 
muscles clenched and released around him. His lips continued to move against 
Craig's as he prepared his lover.

Craig’s arms wound around David’s shoulders and he lost himself in the kiss. As 
a slick finger pressed against him, then slowly slid inside, his hips shifted 
and a soft moan fell from his lips, only to be lost in the heat of his lover’s 
mouth. David’s lips were hot over his own, and already, Craig would have sworn 
that this, their first time, had already been decreed by some higher power. It 
wasn’t that he simply *wanted* David…he *needed* him in a way he couldn’t 
possibly begin to describe. As a second finger was added to the first, Craig 
moved his hips again, driving the fingers in deeper as his hands gripped David’s 
shoulders. “Please,” he whispered as the slick digits moved deep within the 
tight passage. “I want to feel you inside me, David.”

David moaned softly from the mere idea that the incredible tight heat that 
surrounded his fingers would soon surround his aching arousal. Drawing back 
slowly, David's fingers slipped from his lover's body, and he positioned his 
leaking arousal against him. He could *feel* how much Craig wanted him, and that 
same need was matched within him. As he pushed forward, his arousal sliding 
slowly into the tight channel, David could feel the air around them sizzle and 
dance with energy, with a different kind of power than he'd ever known before. 
He realized a deep moan that seemed to echo in his ears belonged to him as he 
was seated fully within his lover. He paused, allowing Craig to adjust to the 
intrusion, and his lips found Craig's again in a deep kiss. The feelings and 
sensations racing through him were like nothing he'd ever known before.

The very air around them changed and Craig felt as if a warm air was being blown 
over his skin. As he was slowly stretched and filled to perfection, his internal 
muscles gripped at the organ that was sheathed inside him and he looked up at 
David in wonder as their lips finally parted. Having David inside him felt 
amazing…as if it wasn’t their first time, as if they’d made love like this all 
their lives, and he would have sworn he saw more than desire in the incredible 
blue eyes looking down at him. His body quickly adjusted to the intrusion, and 
he pressed his hips down until he felt his lover’s balls resting against the 
curve of his backside. “God, David,” he murmured softly as his body rhythmically 
clenched and released around the thick organ, “you feel incredible.”

David trembled as Craig moved under him, taking him further within the tight 
channel. He smiled at his lover as he began to move into and within incredible 
heat. "You're amazing," he whispered as he leaned down and kissed Craig tenderly 
as their bodies began to move together in a slow pace that built rapidly. He'd 
never felt anything like this, yet it seemed at the same time as if he'd always 
known this was what he had been dreaming of for years. His heart pounded rapidly 
in his chest as they moved, long slow strokes driving each of them higher. In 
one fluid motion, David's arms slipped under Craig's shoulders and he pulled him 
up against him. Chest to chest their bodies moved, and one of David's hands 
slipped between them and wrapped around Craig's leaking arousal.

Craig’s head fell back in pure bliss as David lifted him so gently and their 
bodies moved together. As a slick hand wrapped around his sex, he moaned deep in 
his chest and drove himself down on the thick organ inside him, then back up 
into the grip surrounding him again and again. His arms wound around his lover’s 
shoulders and he buried his face against David’s neck, crying out as his 
prostate was brushed with each inward thrust. His mouth fastened onto his 
lover’s skin as his release built quickly and his body moved faster and harder 
with each passing moment. He held back as long as he could, but after only a few 
minutes, he pulled his lips away from the reddened skin they’d been marking, and 
rested them against his lover’s ear. “Coming,” he moaned as he felt David slam 
up into him again, impossibly deeper with each thrust. “Coming now…” With that, 
he felt the swollen organ inside him ram into his sweet spot and he cried out 
his lover’s name so loudly, his voice echoed inside the small room as he spilled 
over the hand gripping his shaft.

Lost in sensation, lost in *Craig*, David simply let go...his arm held his lover 
close against him, and they continued to move, the pace building and building 
with each gasp, each moan. David's voice mingled with his lover's as muscles 
tightened around him, and soft lips moved over his skin, sucking and licking and 
sending ripples of fire through him. When Craig's release hit, it was incredible 
to watch. The way his head tipped back, the way his eyes seemed lit from within, 
and as already tight muscles clamped down around him, David's own release he'd 
fought to hold back slammed into him. He cried out his lover's name, as he 
thrust deep one last time as he spilled, hot and slick within the tight 
clenching heat of his lover's body. Shivering with the strength of his release, 
David held Craig close, kissing his neck and then along his jaw to his lips. 
"Craig..." he whispered simply, unable to say anything else. Slowly he lowered 
his lover's body back onto the bed. David didn't want to pull away, so he simply 
rested his head against Craig's shoulder, and pressed tender kisses against his 
neck. He couldn't trust himself to speak so he simply lay there, trying to catch 
his breath. 

Still gasping for air, Craig smiled as David tenderly laid him back against the 
bed. His hands moved slowly over the damp skin of his lover’s back and his legs 
slid down the back of David’s thighs, holding him as close as he could as they 
both trembled in the wake of their releases. He loved the way David simply said 
his name, as if that one word explained everything that had just happened…and 
maybe it did. Craig 
certainly didn’t need to hear anything else, and he was in no shape to talk just 
yet. He settled, instead, on simply licking lazily at his lover’s neck, enjoying 
the salty-sweet taste that seemed to be exactly what his body was craving at the 
moment. //God, I hope he doesn’t want to leave. And I sure as hell hope this 
isn’t just a one night stand. Once simply isn’t enough…I’m not sure there can 
ever *be* enough where he’s involved.// When he finally was able to breathe 
somewhat normally, he let his fingers card through the damp hair on the back of 
David’s neck. “You’ll stay, won’t you?” he whispered against his lover’s ear.

David continued trying to catch his breath and smiled when Craig asked him to 
stay. Leaning up, he looked into his lover's eyes and smiled wider. "I'll 
stay..." he said softly and biting back the words that seemed to want to spill 
from his lips. Even if Craig felt it too, even if they'd both felt the same 
things...he couldn't possibly tell him the truth yet, and he certainly couldn't 
just blurt out the words 'I love you' after having known him for such a short 
time. Craig would probably think that he was crazy, or had spent *way* too much 
time alone in these mountains. He almost laughed at his thoughts and kissed 
Craig tenderly. "I'll stay as long as you wish for me to."

“You better be careful,” Craig teased, the words falling out before he even 
realized what he was saying, “because I might just ask you to stay forever.” His 
eyes widened a he realized what he’d said, but he didn’t even try to take it 
back. Something about being here, with David, like this, connected as intimately 
as two people can be, made him feel as if he’d finally reached the end of a 
long, hard journey. Before David could protest, if, indeed, he wanted to, 
Craig’s lips were pressed against his lover’s in a soft, sweet kiss. “Sorry,” he 
murmured, “I guess that sounded a bit….odd, but it does feel good to have you 
here like this. I hope it didn’t make you want to run screaming from the room.”

David's heart leapt in his chest as Craig spoke, but before he could say a word, 
Craig's lips were against his own, kissing him sweetly. When they drew apart 
again, and Craig began to try and explain himself, David pressed his fingers 
against the soft lips. "I don't want to leave, Craig. We have time to make sense 
of all this...and I promise you, we will," he whispered. //Somehow I'll figure 
out how to explain it all. I just hope that you *will* be able to understand. 
You can live without me...but I cannot live without you, not as I am now.// He 
closed his eyes for a moment and slipped from his lover's body. Settling beside 
him, David pulled Craig into his arms. "Just rest, you're tired," he said softly 
as his fingers trailed over warm skin.

Whimpering as David slipped from inside him, Craig felt empty and lost for a 
moment before strong arms pulled him close. He nestled in close and rested his 
head on his lover’s shoulder, crooking one leg over David’s thighs and entwining 
their fingers. He brought each fingertip to his lips for a soft kiss and fought 
back a yawn even as he nestled closer. “Sweet dreams,” he whispered, pressing 
his lips against David’s neck and drifting off into the most peaceful sleep he’d 
ever known. His heart and soul had already accepted what his mind hadn’t grasped 
yet, but there wasn’t a fiber of his being that hadn’t already recognized David 
as the love of his life, the one thing he’d been seeking since the day he was 
born. His mind would see that soon enough. Now that he’d finally found David, 
the search was over.

David smiled as Craig nestled against him and whispered so sweetly to him. 
Within moments he felt his lover drift into the realm of dreams and he pressed a 
soft kiss against his forehead. "Sweet dreams, Craig," he whispered. //How am I 
going to explain all of this to him? He'll think I'm out of my mind, and if I 
show him too quickly...it could frighten him away. Why did they have to make 
this so damn difficult?// He tried to push the thoughts away and closed his 
eyes, focusing on the soft even breaths of his lover, and after a few minutes 
began to drift off to join him in dreams.

~~~


....................................................

David had no idea why he was nervous as he moved about the kitchen preparing 
dinner. //You've already had sex with him, why is a simple dinner date tying you 
up in knots?// He sighed and shook his head. Why indeed. Waking up with Craig in 
his arms that morning had been quite simply amazing. Watching those beautiful 
blue eyes flutter open and seeing the most incredible smile spread across his 
face had been absolutely amazing. 

He couldn't imagine a better start to his day, and even thinking about it left 
him smiling as he worked in the kitchen. When he'd returned from Craig's house 
he'd gone straight to his studio, and worked half the day. His mind was clearer 
that it had been in months, and he knew it was because just being with Craig had 
somehow tempered the power within him. 

As he'd worked David had puzzled over how he would reveal the truth to Craig, 
how he would explain that he wasn't all that he seemed to be. He had never told 
*anyone * what he was, and he was afraid of what sort of reaction he'd get. It 
wasn't every day that your landlord and lover told you that he was a witch. 
David grinned slightly as he finished up the salad and set it on the table.

He could feel that same pull that he had the day before and he knew that Craig 
was coming, that he'd just came out of the forest and was probably nearing the 
studio now.

Looking around the kitchen he tried to make sure he had everything in its place, 
and realized he'd forgotten the wine. Looking out the window to make sure that 
Craig was in fact as far away as he sensed him to be, he turned, and jabbed a 
finger toward the table. He had made the entire meal himself, without magic, and 
was slightly disappointed he'd used it now for some reason. He shrugged and 
headed out onto the porch and down the steps. 

"Well…you found me, and just in time. I just set the table," he said crossing 
toward Craig who's smile matched his own.

Craig’s heart jumped as David stepped outside and walked toward him. He’d spent 
the long hours since his lover had left unpacking and whistling to himself, 
something he’d never really done in his life until today. He’d slept soundly the 
night before, and had awoken warm and content in strong arms that had held him 
all through the night. Not a trace of the soreness he’d had in his back from the 
evening before remained, and they’d talked easily over breakfast, like old 
friends, rather than two men who’d only met the day before. He’d felt lonely the 
minute David had stepped outside the door, and had looked forward to their 
dinner date every moment since.

Sliding easily into his lover’s arms as if he’d done it a million times before, 
Craig caught David in a warm embrace and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. //God, 
he tastes delicious. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of kissing him, even if 
I live for a thousand years and do nothing but kiss him every moment of that 
time.// “I could smell the food from the edge of the woods,” he said with a grin 
as he reached down and tangled his fingers with David’s. “But I must admit food 
hasn’t been the uppermost thing on my mind today.”

The feeling of warmth and contentment David had known only in Craig's arms 
enveloped him again when his lover's arms wrapped around him and soft lips 
pressed against his own. David drug Craig even closer and the kiss deepened 
slightly before they drew apart. He smiled as Craig's fingers tangled with his 
own. "I think I understand completely, I've been a bit...distracted today 
myself," he grinned. "Come on, I just finished up, wouldn't want the food to get 
cold," he said leading Craig toward the house. "Did you get all of your 
unpacking finished?"

“I did,” Craig said, loving the way David’s hand fit so perfectly in his own. 
His lips were still tingling from their kiss and he couldn’t help but smile as 
he realized that they were still just as attracted to each other as they had 
been the night before and again this morning. It *wasn’t* just a fleeting thing 
for him…and maybe it wasn’t for David either. “And Max only tripped me twice 
today, and neither time was when I was carrying something heavy…so it was a good 
day all the way around.” 

"I'm going to have to have a little chat with Max," David teased, "Can't have 
him tripping you like that all the time." He grinned as they walked up the back 
steps onto the porch and David opened the door for Craig. "Welcome to my home," 
he said smiling as Craig stepped inside. He paused for a moment as he realized 
how *right* Craig looked simply standing in his kitchen. He shook himself for a 
moment and smiled. "Your timing was perfect by the way, I had *just* finished 
everything when...when I looked up and saw you out the window," he said trying 
not to let the words 'felt' you slip out. It wasn't entirely an omission.

Craig grinned as he looked around the room, wondering if David had seen how 
quickly he’d moved through the woods and skirted around the circle in the 
clearing. He’d been in such a hurry to see his lover again, he’d had to stop 
just behind the last few trees to catch his breath and gather himself. He’d 
never in his life been this excited to be seeing someone, and couldn’t be 
bothered to wonder how he’d fallen so hard and so fast for the man who stood 
before him. It didn’t really matter…he had, and there was no going back now. 

Gazing around the kitchen, he saw how neat and uncluttered the shelves and 
countertops were. It fit David somehow, and Craig felt instantly comfortable 
inside the warm room. There wasn’t a dirty pot or pan in sight, and the table 
was laden with more food than Craig had had in weeks. When he’d lived in his 
apartment in Chicago, he’d eaten mostly fast food or sandwiches, and he realized 
how much he’d missed a home cooked meal like the one before him. Releasing 
David’s hand, Craig slid one arm around his waist and shook his head. “You 
didn’t have to go to all this trouble for me,” he said softly. “I’m trying to 
decide whether I want to just look around the kitchen, or stare at that 
delicious looking food, or just gaze at you for a while. As wonderful as the 
house and food look, though, I’m having a hard time looking away from my 
landlord…”

David laughed softly and turned to look at Craig. He brought his hand up to 
Craig's cheek and caressed him gently. "It wasn't any trouble, I enjoy cooking," 
he whispered, "And...I think lover might be a little more of an appropriate 
title for me." Before Craig could say anything in response, David pressed his 
lips against Craig's in a tender kiss. Drawing apart a moment later, he found 
himself smiling at the way Craig's eyes sparkled. David took a deep breath and 
moved away from his lover, and gestured toward the table. "We should eat before 
it gets cold," he said for lack of anything else. He was hungry, but quite 
honestly not for food as he watched Craig cross toward the table. //Damn. No one 
has ever made me feel like this.//

Craig’s grin spread from ear to ear as David spoke. //Lover. I like the sound of 
that. A LOT.// Sitting down in the chair next to David’s, he felt as if this day 
simply couldn’t get any better, though, of course, if he could spend a few more 
hours exploring that delicious body next to him, it would definitely be A. Good. 
Thing. Perfect, in fact. He waited for David to pour the wine and lifted his 
glass in a toast. “To another wonderful evening with my lover then,” he said 
softly. “The first of many, I hope.”

David smiled as he set the bottle of wine back on the table and lifted his glass 
with Craig. "I hope so too." Just like that morning, they spent the meal talking 
to one another about anything and everything, except what David really needed to 
talk to Craig about. The longer he waited the more he knew it would complicate 
things but he hadn't found a way to approach the subject. Instead he simply 
enjoyed Craig's company, the way his eyes would light up when he talked about 
something he was particularly passionate about, and David found himself falling 
even deeper in love if that were possible. When they finished their meal they 
moved into the living room, but before David even had a chance to sit down next 
to Craig the phone rang. He told Craig to make himself at home, and went into 
his small office to take the call.

Watching as his lover left the room, Craig leaned back on the couch and looked 
around him. Just like the kitchen, everything was neat and organized. A small 
fireplace was just on the other side of the room, and though it wasn’t quite 
cold enough for a fire yet, Craig found himself dreaming of lying with David in 
front of a roaring fire, curled up together, talking, laughing, sharing kisses 
and making love. The very thought of David lying there, naked and in his arms, 
made Craig’s cock stir with interest and his jeans seem to shrink a few sizes. 
He stood up abruptly and adjusted himself as he wandered around the room, taking 
in the books that lined the shelves and the candles that sat on the coffee table 
and end tables. The candles were of every color imaginable, and in different 
states of use – some burned down almost to the quick, while others were 
obviously new and barely used. He could imagine just how romantic an evening 
here on the couch would be, wrapped around his lover, with nothing but 
candlelight surrounding them. 

With a content smile, Craig’s fingers brushed lightly over the candles nearest 
to him, before his gaze was caught by several unusual articles that rested in a 
bookshelf on the other side of the room. Moving closer, he saw a small, shiny 
dagger encrusted with jewels surrounded by glass bowls of various shapes and 
sizes. The next shelf down revealed more glass ornaments and a long, thin piece 
of glass with a pointed tip and slightly wider base. //What on earth is that? 
I’m sure there’s a good use for it…or maybe it’s just art? Either way, it’s 
beautiful.// His fingertips drifted up to run lightly over one of the glass 
bowls, and he marveled at the intricate pattern and colors even as his hand 
moved toward the dagger. Before he could touch it, his eyes drifted over to an 
old and worn leather book that sat reverently in the corner of the shelf. It 
looked well used and well loved, and again, he wanted to run his fingers over 
the soft looking cover. Reaching out toward the book, he felt a chill run up his 
spine and quickly moved his hand away. //What the hell??//

David returned to the living room after having arranged for the gallery agent to 
pick up some of his pieces which were ready to be shipped to the gallery in New 
York. "Sorry about that, business," he said as he entered the room and then 
stopped suddenly as he saw Craig looking slightly uneasy as he stood by the 
bookcase that housed some of his ritual items. "Craig?" he asked, David had 
known he hadn't actually touched anything, but he could tell that Craig was 
feeling unsettled. He wasn't sure what he should say, so he shoved his hands in 
his pockets and simply stood in the center of the room unsure what else to say.

Craig turned and smiled at his lover. “Quite an unusual collection you have 
here,” he said, shrugging off his uneasiness. //You’re being silly. It’s just 
glass. It’s not like it’s going to bite you or anything.// Pushing the book from 
his mind, he gestured toward the bowls and other glass ornaments. “Did you make 
all these?”

David moved closer and nodded, "Yeah, most of them anyway," he said avoiding 
looking at the wand. "Just a few things I just...didn't want to sell for one 
reason or another. Sometimes if I'm having a hard time with something else in my 
life, I'll do something in the studio and it's more about just getting whatever 
is bothering me out...I suppose painters...probably writers," he grinned at 
Craig, "probably do the same sort of thing. It's not something you'd sell, or 
want to publish or show in a gallery, it's just...a part of you." He reached up 
and pulled down a small bowl of flaming red glass with golden streaks spearing 
through the swirls of shades of red. "I made this the day that I got my first 
gallery show," he grinned. "I was just so excited I remember working for hours 
on it...and it was the only piece I didn't send to the gallery that month. I 
just...couldn't for some reason."

Craig nodded and gently ran his fingers over the small bowl, smiling as his hand 
touched his lover’s and a surge of electricity ran up his arm. “It’s beautiful,” 
he said softly as his fingertips ran over the slick glass. //What could possibly 
bother him out here, away from everyone, in such a peaceful and beautiful place? 
And…whatever it is, maybe he’ll share it with me and let me help him from now 
on?// He studied the array of colors and wondered how it was that David’s wasn’t 
a household name. He was *that* talented, and every single item on the shelves 
was stunning. “I love it…I really do,” he continued. “And I know just what you 
mean about wanting to keep some things back. I’ve got a whole drawer full of 
stories that no one will ever see.” Looking up at David with a sparkle in his 
eyes, he leaned in for a quick kiss. “Well, maybe you’ll see them, if you want, 
but no one else ever will. They’re too…personal. They have too much of *me* in 
them, ya know?”

David smiled when Craig's fingers connected with his own briefly and he felt 
power spark between them. "Thank you," he whispered in response to Craig's 
compliment of his work and then he found his lips pressed against Craig's all 
too briefly. "I know what you mean...a bit more abstract with my art, but *I* 
know so I couldn't part with those pieces. Anyway," he said setting the bowl 
back on the shelf and taking Craig's hand, "I think we were going to sit down 
and relax, I know you must be tired from all that unpacking today...and dodging 
Max," he grinned as he led Craig to the couch. He needed to tell him everything, 
but he just felt better a little further away from the ritual items. He still 
wasn't sure what he would say, but he knew he couldn't lie to Craig, if he asked 
about them or the circle, he'd have to explain.

Craig laughed and shook his head as he pictured Max darting in front of him for 
no good reason whatsoever. Nothing unusual, but irritating nonetheless. Sensing 
that David was a bit uneasy about *something*, Craig let his lover lead him back 
over toward the couch. //Maybe I said something wrong? Or…maybe I shouldn’t have 
touched anything? Or….maybe my imagination ran away with me about that book and 
I’m imagining things?// He still felt a little…odd, about the book, and felt a 
shiver run up his spine as he sat on the couch next to David and looked back 
across the room at the book shelves. //It’s *just* a book. Get over yourself.// 
But the feeling wouldn’t go away, and he knew David had seen him look wearily 
across the room. “I wasn’t being nosy, honestly, but…I saw that book over in the 
corner. It looks….old.”

David looked up and followed Craig's eyes to the book and he sighed softly. "It 
is old...very old in fact. It has been in my family for several generations," he 
explained. "Sort of a family heirloom I suppose." He had been truthful without 
revealing too much, he wondered just how Craig would take it if he told him 
exactly what it was. Maybe David was worrying over nothing? What if Craig really 
*would* understand...or at least not run away screaming. He almost laughed at 
himself and sighed.

Resting his hand over David’s thigh, Craig studied his lover quietly for a 
moment. “Are you ok?” he asked, gently rubbing David’s leg through his jeans. “I 
mean…did I touch something I shouldn’t have, or…say something wrong? You seem a 
bit…I don’t know…uneasy since you got off the phone. Did something happen or did 
I screw up?”

David shook his head and placed his hand over Craig's. "You didn't screw up and 
you haven't done or said anything wrong," he said softly. "Just have a lot on my 
mind I guess. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." His 
thumb moved over the back of Craig's hand gently, trying to reassure him that he 
hadn't done anything wrong.

“You didn’t make me feel uncomfortable,” Craig smiled as he squeezed his lover’s 
hand. “If I can help you in any way, I will. And I’m always willing to listen. I 
won’t pressure you, but I’ll be here if you need to talk, no matter what it’s 
about.” //Besides…it’s been less than 24 hours, and already I’ve gotten use to 
your smile. I miss it when it’s not there.//

David smiled and squeezed Craig's hand gently. "Thank you," he said softly. "The 
same goes for me, if you ever...need anything, I'll be there for you." He 
mentally slapped himself for not taking the opportunity to say what he needed 
to, but it just didn't *feel* like the right time. He was so afraid of pushing 
Craig away if he revealed the truth too soon. It wasn't that easy to take in 
that sort of news and he knew it would be the end of him if he pushed Craig away 
out of fear or...disbelief. //He has to believe for it to work.// Taking a deep 
breath he looked at Craig for a moment. "You know I did have a question for you 
though," he said trying to change the subject, "You write mysteries...have you 
ever considered other genre's?" He knew he was skirting around the issue, and 
Craig's answer could possibly not even help him find out how he'd feel about 
magic, and witches in particular from that question. He knew it was open ended 
but it was all he could think of for now.

Craig could see that there was something David wasn’t ready to talk about, but 
he hoped that one day, when he was ready, his lover would feel comfortable 
enough to discuss whatever was bothering him. “That drawer I mentioned earlier?” 
he said, as he slipped off his shoes and curled up next to David, “it’s full of 
everything…drama, horror, science-fiction. I’ll write about anything, really. If 
something catches my interest, I’ll read everything I can find about it, and 
form my own opinions. When I do that, I’m usually compelled to write them down.”

David smiled as Craig curled up next to him and as if he'd been doing it his 
entire life, his arm slid around him and held him close. "Is there anything you 
are particularly interested in? I mean besides what just seems to catch your 
attention for the moment? Like the science-fiction or the horror for example? Or 
even fantasy...you know stories about magic. Witches, or wizards and dragons, 
that sort of stuff?" he asked as if he were only curious.

Closing his eyes as David’s arm slid around his shoulders, Craig sighed happily 
and started to relax again. “Magic…” he said, opening his eyes and snuggling 
closer. “I’ve never done a lot of reading about magic, to be honest. I’ve really 
gotten into a few fantasy books over the years, but can’t say that I know a lot 
about it. I don’t think I *believe* in magic per say, but I guess anything’s 
possible. What about you? Do you believe in magic, or is it just a genre of 
literature to you?”

David's arm tightened around Craig's shoulder as he snuggled closer and he 
nodded as Craig said he didn't believe in magic per say, he hadn't really 
expected him to, most people didn't in his experience. "Me? Honestly...I do 
believe. I believe that there are things that can't be explained, and I believe 
that even the things that can be explained may not be exactly as they appear. It 
seems to be one of those topics, you either believe, dis-believe, or...are open 
to possibilities," he answered. The fact that Craig said anything is possible 
put David a lot more at ease, at least he wasn't totally against the idea.

Craig turned to his lover and gazed into the blue eyes he’d already grown to 
love, whether he admitted it or not…and he was damn close to admitting it. 
Lifting one hand to gently tuck a lock of hair behind his lover’s ear, he cupped 
David’s face and smiled. “I’m always open to possibilities,” he said softly, 
knowing that David would get the double meaning of his words. “And if someone as 
intelligent and talented and amazing as you believes, then maybe it makes it a 
little easier for me to believe too.”

David smiled and felt a blush creep across his face. "You've only known me for a 
day, I might not be as smart as you give me credit for," he teased turning 
slightly and pressing a kiss against Craig's palm. He watched as Craig's eyes 
sparkled and he smiled. "I think there is some magic in you, there has to be 
with the way that your eyes sparkle like that," he said softly, before leaning 
forward and capturing Craig's lips in a tender kiss. He was relieved that Craig 
wasn't a total skeptic, and he intended to tell him the truth as soon as it felt 
right. Drawing away, David's hands continued to move over Craig's back gently. 
//I don't know what is harder, not telling him what I am, or not telling him 
that I love him.//

Sighing into the kiss, Craig moved until he was practically sitting in David’s 
lap and forgot everything and every one else in the whole world. When they 
finally drew away, he noticed that David’s eyes were sparkling themselves, and 
laughed softly. “Maybe it’s your magic that makes my eyes sparkle,” he teased, 
“because I certainly seem to be under some kind of spell. And I love it…whatever 
it is you’re doing, please don’t stop, because it feels too good already for me 
to even think about not being with you.” His words were true, and he didn’t even 
try to stop himself from saying them. David didn’t *seem* to be afraid of 
getting too close, and hadn’t shown any signs of pulling away…or even wanting 
to. That gave Craig hope that maybe, just maybe, David really was looking for 
more…the very same things that Craig had already found in the glittering blue 
eyes that were gazing back at him from beneath long, pale lashes. 

David laughed softly and shook his head, "Then I won't stop, because I don't 
want to even think about not being with you either, Craig," he whispered softly. 
"I know we barely know each other, but I...care...about you a great deal," he 
said having to keep the word love from slipping out. He wanted to give Craig 
more time to adjust, he'd had the last few weeks to think about the person he 
was destined for, Craig had known that feeling for less than 24 hours. All they 
needed was time, and as long as Craig was close by, David at least had time now 
without his powers overwhelming him.

“And I //love// care about you a great deal too,” Craig said, moving closer and 
pressing dozens of soft kisses against David’s neck. “Do you know I missed you 
the moment you left the cabin this morning? And I practically ran through the 
woods to get here tonight for dinner. And, as wonderful as the food was, that’s 
wasn’t exactly why I was hurrying.”

Smiling David tried to return the sweet kisses that seemed to be making his 
heart flip in his chest. "I missed you too...and honestly, dinner wasn't the 
only thing I was hungry for," he admitted. Leaning forward he captured Craig's 
lips again in a deep, passionate kiss, and as his arms wrapped around his lover 
as he pulled him even closer. Their tongues slowly explored one another's mouth 
and David could feel his blood almost humming in his veins. "I want you, Craig," 
he whispered. "Come up to my room...and make love to me." He knew that he could 
have said something different but it was the truth. What they'd done the night 
before wasn't just sex, and he was certain Craig knew that as well as he did.

Craig’s breath hitched in his chest as David spoke and he pulled back to look 
into his lover’s eyes. “I would like nothing more than to make love to you,” he 
whispered honestly. His arousal began to fill and harden immediately at the 
thought of being inside this man that he already loved, and David’s words made 
him realize that he wasn’t the only one who knew what they already shared was 
more than a simple roll in the hay. With a final kiss, he slid from David’s lap 
and stood up, offering him his hand. “Lead the way. And maybe we can see if we 
can’t get a few of these clothes off as we go? I’m not the most patient person 
in the world when it comes to something I want. And, God, I want you more than I 
can say.”

David laughed when Craig said he wasn't a patient person. Taking Craig's hand he 
stood up and led him to the stairs that led to the second floor and his bedroom. 
Their progress was impeded by stopping to kiss and touch one another, and they 
left a trail of clothing along the way to his bedroom. Once inside the room, 
both men quickly stripped away the last of their clothes before falling to the 
bed in a tangle of arms and legs, their lips seeking one another's for deep, 
passion filled kisses. David could have taken the opportunity earlier to tell 
Craig the truth, but he hadn't, he'd been too afraid to ruin things, and now it 
was too late. Rolling so that Craig was on top of him, David smiled. "I love the 
way your body fits against mine so perfectly," he whispered honestly as he gazed 
into glittering blue eyes.

Craig smiled and let his fingertips trail over David’s chest as he leaned in to 
nibble on his bottom lip. “They do seem to fit perfectly, don’t they?” he asked 
softly. //Almost like we were made for each other…if I believed in those kinds 
of things.// Resting on his knees between his lover’s legs, Craig kissed a warm, 
wet trail down his neck to suck on first the right nipple, then the left. “Do 
you have anything?” he asked, hoping that David was more prepared then Craig 
himself had been last night.

The feeling of Craig's fingers trailing over him, sent shivers of desire through 
David and he absolutely loved the way Craig nibbled on his bottom lip. The 
gesture was so tender and sweet that it made David's heart skip in his chest. He 
almost sighed when Craig asked if he had anything and pointed at the nightstand. 
//I do now. Convenient talent sometimes.// He nearly laughed at himself but 
instead smiled at Craig. "Just hope that stuff doesn't go out of date," he 
teased. He certainly didn't want Craig to assume he did this often...seduced his 
tenants.

Arching his eyebrows as David spoke, Craig couldn’t help but wonder again how on 
earth a man like this could be alone. From the sound of things, he hadn’t slept 
with anyone in a while, and, for some reason, that thought made Craig smile. 
Even though he’d have absolutely *no* right, he knew he’d have felt hurt if 
David had been with someone else recently. //God…I’m jealous? He might not even 
*like* me this much…and might not take to kindly to finding out that I’m already 
falling for him, after less than a day!// He reached over to the nightstand and 
opened the drawer, then grasped the tube of lube that lay there. Leaning down to 
lick at the thick organ that rested against his lover’s stomach, he felt the 
heat of his David’s skin warm his tongue. Craig’s breath caught in his throat as 
David lay before him, cock swollen and purple and dripping in anticipation and 
lust-darkened blue eyes regarding him from half lowered lids. Leaning back down, 
he licked at the seeping tip of David’s erection, then slowly lowered his lips 
as he slid one finger between the cleft of his lover’s backside.

Gasping softly as his lover licked him, David's fingers sunk into Craig's soft 
dark hair. //He's perfect, so incredibly perfect.// David shifted under his 
lover, unconsciously wanting, *needing* more. When Craig looked up at him, David 
felt his blood hum in his veins from the look of desire he found in those 
dazzling blue eyes. Within moments a deep moan was pulled from within him as 
Craig's mouth lowered around his aching shaft. His breath came in soft sharp 
pants as his lover took him deep into the warm cavern of his mouth, and a slick 
finger circled and pressed against him. David spread his legs wider in 
invitation and gasped as the slick finger dipped inside.

Craig worked his lover’s arousal with his tongue and lips, taking him in deep, 
swallowing around the head, and pressing his tongue to the thick vein that wound 
it’s way up from the base to the engorged tip. His finger moved deep inside his 
lover unhindered and he slowly added a second, moaning as the tight guardian 
muscle clenched around him and pulled the digits even further inside. Crooking 
his fingers, he found and nudged his lover’s sweet spot as he swallowed around 
his length once again. His own cock was aching and leaking on to the bed sheets 
and he pulled away to look into his lover’s eyes. “Ready for me?” he asked 
shakily as his free hand reached down to slick himself.

David moaned as Craig's mouth made love to him, it felt incredible, and even 
though he *knew* they were made for each other, it was still stunning. His hips 
moved back to meet his lover, as slick fingers delved within him, his muscles 
clenching around them and pulling them deeper still. When they brushed against 
his sweet spot, David bit back a shout, and trembled under his lover. After long 
moments, Craig drew away and asked if he was ready. "Yes, please, Craig. Please, 
I want to feel you inside me," David whispered hotly.

Grabbing a pillow from the head of the bed, Craig gently lifted David’s hips and 
slid the pillow underneath them. Placing one of his lover’s legs on each of his 
shoulders, Craig lined himself up and pushed forward, slowly sheathing himself 
inside incredibly tight heat. When he was seated fully inside, he turned his 
head and pressed his lips to David’s calves as his hands moved over firm thighs, 
soothing tensed muscles as he waited for his lover’s body to adjust. After only 
a moment though, he realized that this position put him entirely too far from 
David’s lips, and he carefully slid long legs down to wrap around his waist as 
he leaned forward and sealed his mouth over his lover’s. “Much better,” he 
murmured into the kiss as he slowly rocked his hips and delved deeper inside the 
tight passage as David’s body continued to relax around him.

David moaned as Craig's shaft slowly delved within him until he was completely 
filled. The feeling of completion almost overwhelmed his senses as Craig paused 
to wait for him to adjust to the intrusion. David stared up into his lover's 
eyes even as his hands tangled in the sheets. When Craig moved, and his legs 
slid down to wrap around him, David smiled into the kiss. "Yes, it is much, much 
better," he whispered against full lips. As Craig began to move within him, 
David shifted his hips back to meet each of his lover's inward thrusts. Their 
bodies fit so perfectly, and their lips sealed together, each of them sharing 
their very breath as they moved. David felt warmth spread throughout his body, 
and he was glad that Craig's mouth was against his own to keep from telling him 
how much he loved him.

Using every last ounce of control he possessed, Craig moved slowly, thrusting in 
deep, pulling out until he was almost free of his lover’s body, then sliding 
slowly back in, burying himself to the hilt. He pulled away from their kiss only 
long enough to allow them both to draw breath before sealing their mouths 
together again. They moved together as one for long, perfect minutes, and Craig 
was completely lost in his lover’s body, in the warm blanket that seemed to 
surround them, and in the sounds of their soft moans that combined and filled 
the room. Sliding one hand between them, he stroked David with long, sure 
strokes, wanting the pleasure to last for both of them until they lost control 
together.

David felt as if he and Craig were the only two people that existed. The long 
slow thrusts pushed him toward the edge as his lover's thick shaft moved within 
him, brushing against his sweet spot and then drawing away only to thrust in 
even deeper. His hands released the sheets and his arms wrapped around his 
lover, twining into soft dark hair as they kissed until they were almost 
breathless, only to draw apart and kiss again. When Craig's hand wrapped around 
his leaking arousal trapped between them, David moaned deeply, and thrust up 
into the firm grip and back down impaling himself with his lover's shaft. His 
heart was racing in his chest, though their movements were slow and steady and 
if felt as if they were one.

Craig’s release built all to quickly, and he pulled away from the kiss to stare 
down into his lover’s eyes as his thrusts became impossibly deeper and more 
erratic. His grip tightened on the organ in his hand and he licked at David’s 
lips as he continued to move. “Come with me,” he whispered raggedly. “Please, 
David, let go and come with me, love.” His brain didn’t even register the 
endearment, and any other words he might have let slip were lost in yet another 
kiss to beloved, kiss swollen lips.

David's heart skipped in his chest as Craig called him 'love' but he didn't get 
a chance to say anything in response before his lover's lips sealed over his own 
in another soul searching kiss. His body moved with his lover's as their pace 
increased and he felt his release build within him, until with a soft cry lost 
in Craig's mouth, David lost control. His release spilled between them as his 
muscles clenched tight around his lover. It was incredible the feeling of 
warmth, love, and contentment that settled over him as his hips continued to 
move, coaxing his lover to join him in his bliss.

David’s muscles clamping around him and the sound of his soft cry pushed Craig 
over the edge, and with one final thrust, he arched his back and buried himself 
deep. He came with a low moan, his seed spilling inside the tight passage 
surrounding him as his hips rocked and his body tensed. His hand continued to 
coax the last drops of his lover’s release from him, and when they were both 
spent, he lowered himself over David’s body and buried his face in the warmth of 
his neck. Trembling from head to toe in the wake of his release, he closed his 
eyes and smiled. “Perfect,” he murmured softly. “Just like last night…perfect.”

David watched enthralled as Craig's release washed over him. He felt his lover 
pulse and spill deep within him and moaned from the sensation even as he watched 
his lover. He was perfect, absolutely stunning and David felt his breath hitch 
as Craig lowered himself to rest against him. His arms wrapped around Craig 
immediately and he smiled even as they trembled together in the aftermath of 
their combined releases. "It was perfect...*you* are perfect, love," he 
whispered softly.

Leaning up on one elbow, Craig carefully slipped from his lover’s body and 
rolled to one side, gathering his thoughts. He reached behind him for some 
Kleenex and cleaned his lover, then himself before turning his attention back 
toward the blue eyes that were regarding him seriously. “Maybe we really *are* 
perfect together?” he asked. “Maybe we were….at the risk of sounding ridiculous, 
maybe we were just…made for each other? I don’t know if you believe in things 
like that, but….it certainly feels that way to me.”

David sighed softly as Craig slipped from within him, already regretting the 
loss. He watched silently as Craig cleaned first him and then himself. When 
Craig turned back to him and spoke, David smiled. "I do believe in such things, 
and I do think we were made for each other," he whispered. //I don't think. I 
*know* we were.// "Do you believe in fate, Craig?" he asked as his hand trailed 
idly over his lover's arm.

Craig snuggled close and let his fingers curl in the soft hair scattered across 
his lover’s chest. “If…if you’d asked me that a few days ago, I’d have said no,” 
he said softly. “But after less than a day with you, of feeling what it’s like 
to be with you like this – making love, talking, kissing you, holding you….I’d 
have to say, yes, I believe in fate. I absolutely do.”

David smiled and brushed his fingers through Craig's hair. "I'm glad that you 
believe in it now then," he whispered. He could feel the words hovering at the 
edge of his mind and David pushed them away. He wasn't certain if it was the 
right time, and he couldn't risk what he had with Craig so lightly. He'd wait 
until he was certain, but he could at least admit how he felt. "When...I said I 
cared about you earlier...I wanted to say more but...was afraid to. Afraid you'd 
think I was some crazy hermit that had been alone too long or something," he 
grinned. "I...know it seems to be such a short time...but...I love you. I know I 
barely know you, and it's completely insane for me to feel something like this 
so soon...but I do." David swallowed hard and waited to see if Craig would pull 
away thinking he was crazy. He knew that the Fates had meant them for one 
another, he knew both of them *would* love each other, but he feared that logic 
would override emotion.

Closing his eyes in relief, Craig leaned up on one elbow and rested his free 
hand on David’s face, cupping the beloved, somewhat nervous face in his palm. “I 
love you too,” he whispered. “It’s not just physical either…I love the way you 
laugh, the way you think, the way you move. I was afraid too – that you would 
think it was too soon, but I can’t help the way I feel.” His fingers combed 
through David’s hair as he gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes he’d ever 
seen. “Sometimes it feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.” 

David was nervous after his admission, and when Craig cupped his face so sweetly 
and looked into his eyes the words that followed sent a rush of warmth through 
him. He smiled and pulled Craig closer for a deep kiss, showing him how much he 
loved him. When they finally drew apart again, both of them were slightly 
breathless. "I have waited my whole life for you, Craig." He didn't try to 
explain himself, just simply held Craig close and brushed a soft kiss against 
his forehead. There was so much more he needed to tell him, but he couldn't. He 
didn't want to ruin the moment so he pushed those thoughts away and just enjoyed 
knowing that he was loved.

Craig’s smile widened and he rested his head on David’s shoulder with a content 
sigh. “Then it sounds like we’re at the same place,” he said softly. “Both 
believing in fate, being in love, and falling hard and fast. This is a very, 
very good place, I think.” Snuggling closer, he entwined his fingers with David 
and looked toward the door. “Why don’t we rest for a few minutes, then I’ll help 
you clean up the kitchen?”

David's fingers continued moving over Craig's skin and he smiled. "It is a good 
place," he agreed. As their fingers twined together David sighed softly. "That 
sounds like a good idea, love," he whispered. He closed his eyes and simply 
listened to Craig's soft breaths beside him, enjoying the warmth of his lover's 
body pressed close to his own, and without realizing it he drifted off into a 
sleep more contented than he had ever known.

Craig watched his lover fall asleep, gently running the back of his fingers over 
David’s skin and pressing soft kisses to his forehead. His eyes grew heavy and 
he felt the pull of sleep tugging at his consciousness. “I love you,” he 
whispered softly, as he curled around his lover and closed his eyes, drifting 
off almost at once, and falling into the sweetest of dreams.

~~~

It had been several days since David and Craig had admitted how they felt about 
one another. Since then, Craig had spent every night with David at his home, but 
would return the next day to the rental house to work, and David would go to his 
studio to work. Most days it seemed a good arrangement, except today. David 
found himself unable to concentrate. His mind kept wandering to thoughts of 
Craig and more than once he'd completely destroyed the piece he was working on. 

Laying a cloth over the end of the pipe and the ruined glass, he used a hammer 
to shatter it and put the pieces into a bucket for discards. David sighed and 
swiped the back of his hand across his forehead to wipe away the sweat. As long 
as he kept thinking about being with Craig, he'd never get anything 
accomplished. He wondered if his lover was terribly busy and finally he gave in. 

He stalked back to his house and cleaned up, and then made his way for Craig's. 
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the rain until he 
stepped outside onto his back porch. He sighed heavily and in frustration he 
used his magic. He was on Craig's back porch in moments and he knocked even as 
the rain poured down. 

Craig was at his desk, staring at his laptop, a small smile on his face. During 
the hours he'd managed to tear himself away from David, his writing seemed to 
flow easily. He'd written more in the past few days than he had in the last 
year, and, that was during only a few hours a day at his computer. His evenings, 
mornings, and nights were David's...and Craig wouldn't change a thing. //God, I 
love him so much. I can't believe he's been here, alone, all this time....if I'd 
have moved here years ago.....No. Doesn't matter. We're together now. That’s all 
that matters.//

A soft knock at the door startled him from his reverie, and he jump up from his 
chair to open the door. A huge grin was already on his face, and, even though it 
was still early, he somehow *knew* it was David. No one else would have any 
reason to visit, and they *were* in the middle of nowhere, thankfully, so they 
didn't have to deal with noisy neighbors or unexpected guests. Flinging the door 
open, he stepped out onto the porch and wrapped his arms around his lover, 
pressing a soft, sweet kiss to his lips before he even said anything. Moments 
later, he pulled away and gazed into David's eyes. "Hey, love," he whispered. "I 
was just thinking about you...perfect timing." He cringed as the wind blew 
harder, driving the rain up on the porch and making him shiver. "Come in before 
you get any wetter...." He pulled David inside somewhat breathlessly and arched 
an eyebrow. "Wait...you're not even wet! How did you manage that? It's pouring 
out there!"

David hadn't any time to think before his arms were full of a happily grinning 
Craig and his lips were met with sweet kisses. "Hey, yourself," he grinned as 
Craig's eyes sparkled with happiness that he knew matched his own. When Craig 
asked about the rain David almost cringed himself. //Well I hadn't thought of 
that. Shit.// "I uh...got lucky and made it here between showers," he said 
looking down and wiping his feet, which were suddenly wet, on the door mat in an 
effort to not look at Craig. He couldn't lie to him to his face, and he 
certainly couldn't explain how he hadn't gotten wet. //Oh that was just bloody 
brilliant, David. You've got to tell him.// He looked up at his lover and 
stepped through the doorway trying to keep from seeming as if anything were 
really wrong. "Sorry to interrupt your work...I was having a bit of trouble with 
my own and thought I'd come visit you...but if you're busy I can go find a book 
to read or something," he said as Craig led him into the house. 

Craig saw *something* unusual pass behind his lover's blue eyes, but before he 
could think about it, David was talking again. He'd heard the rain beating on 
the rooftop for the past few hours, and had thought there hadn't been a break at 
all, but...he must have been lost even deeper in his daydreams than he'd 
thought, and missed the rain stopping, apparently. "Actually," he began, "I was 
kind of stalled myself. I kept thinking about this man I'm in love with, you 
see, daydreaming about his sweet kisses and the way he seems to know just how to 
touch me and drive me crazy, the way his eyes sparkle and the way he makes me 
feel when he turns that gorgeous smile my way.......and I'm just not in the mood 
to write. Hell, I've written weeks worth of work in the past few days, so I can 
afford to do something else for a change. Any ideas?" 

David laughed and felt a blush steal upwards to his cheeks from the way Craig 
spoke of him. "You were thinking of this man you love? That's funny you know, I 
was thinking about this gorgeous dark haired man with the most stunning blue 
eyes I've ever seen, and thought about him so much that I had to destroy my last 
three pieces because I wasn't concentrating on work I was concentrating on him. 
You might know of him...writes murder mysteries...quite successfully from what 
I've heard," he teased as he followed Craig into the living room. When his lover 
stopped and turned to look at him, David pulled him into his arms. "I kept 
thinking about the way his body fits against mine, and how his lips taste. So 
you see I couldn't concentrate on work at all," he whispered as his lips 
descended against Craig's. No one had ever made him feel this way, no one had 
ever made him *want* the way Craig did. He knew why, but even knowing didn't 
seem to change how amazed he felt when Craig looked at him.

Sinking into his lover's arms, Craig pressed soft kisses to the warm skin of his 
neck and chuckled. "Seems we've both been a little....preoccupied," he murmured 
as his hands wound around David's waist and underneath the tail of his shirt. 
"It's kind of nice, really, having something so incredibly amazing to focus on 
for a change...something happy and perfect and sexy and amazing...something I've 
never felt before I met you." Leaning back and running his fingers through 
David's hair, Craig simply sighed and marveled at how happy and content he felt. 
"It's almost lunch time. Want to join me for sandwiches? There were some 
leftovers from dinner last night that I put in the fridge. I think I'm going to 
give up and not even try to write anymore today, so I'm all yours." Laughing 
softly at himself, Craig crooked his head and winked at his lover. "Well, I'm 
all yours anyway, but you know what I mean..."

David laughed and nodded. "How about sandwiches here, and then you come with me 
back to my studio? You said the other day you were curious about it, you could 
always use glass blowing in one of your books or something. It can be dangerous, 
something like the bad guy throws someone in the forge. Wow, that isn't a 
pleasant thought at all...I need to stop reading your books I think," David 
laughed giving Craig a quick little kiss on the tip of his nose. "Anyway, since 
I can't seem to make anything work out on my own today why don't you come and 
try it...or at least keep me company?" David's hands traced over the muscles of 
Craig's back, and he simply enjoyed holding him close. 

Craig smiled and relaxed into his lover's touch. "Hmmm," he murmured. "Sounds 
perfect. I'll make us some sandwiches while I give the bad-guy-in-the forge some 
thought. Bet that would stink...." His mind wandered a bit and his nose wrinkled 
at the thought as he laughed. "Yeah....so.....I'd *love* to watch your work...or 
give it a try myself as long as you're there to make sure I don't burn down the 
studio. Maybe we can catch a break between showers so we won't get wet." Taking 
his lover's hand, Craig led him toward the kitchen and started pulling out cold 
meats and condiments. He remembered exactly how David liked his sandwiches, and 
kept stealing kisses as they made them and David poured two tall glasses of tea. 
The rain didn't let up as they ate, and Craig was resigned to getting soaked as 
they made their way back to the studio. //Oh well. I won't melt. David might, 
but I certainly won't...besides....maybe it'll be a cold rain and we can warm 
each other up....//

David laughed when Craig mused about the idea of throwing someone in the forge, 
and he shook his head. After a few moments Craig led him toward the kitchen and 
they started working side by side to make lunch. They both stole many kisses as 
they worked and then when they sat down he noticed Craig look toward the window 
where the rain poured down. "I think it'll let up soon," David said softly. He'd 
be sure it would. "Bet there will be a rainbow too, the uh..forecast said it was 
just supposed to be morning showers with the sun coming out later...so chances 
are it'll be a lovely afternoon," he tried not to grin as he ate. He supposed he 
could have stopped the rain earlier when it had first started but it would only 
need to rain another time. "You said you've been able to write more than normal, 
I'm glad coming here has made that easier for you," he said as he sat back in 
his chair. He too had worked better, until today that is, since Craig's arrival. 
Ideas came easier, his power didn't get in the way of his creative process, he 
just felt...settled. Something he'd really never known in his life, and a 
feeling that had certainly eluded him the last few months. 

Craig let his hand trail lightly over David’s leg as he took a bite of the 
sandwich. “I don’t really think it’s this place,” he said, looking around the 
small cabin. “I mean, the cabin’s nice, and actually, I spent less actual *time* 
writing than I’ve ever done before, but getting so much done. I don’t know…it’s 
like I just feel….peaceful. And happy. And inspired…things I’ve never felt 
before. And I think it’s because of you, not the cabin, not the forest…just 
you.” Blushing he shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, sounds silly, I know, 
but…that’s how I feel.”

David smiled over his glass of tea. "It's not silly," he said softly, and loving 
the blush that spread over his lover's cheeks. It was endearing, and David felt 
as if each time he looked at Craig he was the luckiest man in the world. At 
first he'd been angry with the Fates, but each day he thanked them for bringing 
Craig into his life. For choosing *him* as his soul mate. Taking a deep breath 
he closed his eyes for a moment and as he opened them, he heard the rain stop 
outside, and the light shifted as the clouds parted. Sunlight streamed into the 
kitchen and David smiled at his lover. //You have to tell him soon. Find the 
right moment, David. Find the right time, or it's going to end up too late.//

Craig started to speak, but suddenly, his gaze moved from David to the window. 
His eyes lit up and he quickly got to his feet. “Look, love,” he said, turning 
back to his lover with sparkling eyes and a huge smile. “It’s stopped raining! 
Let’s grab our lunch and make a run for it….I think someone mentioned a 
rainbow.” David had no way of knowing, but one of Craig’s favorite things in the 
world was a rainbow. He’d taken countless pictures of them since he was young, 
and his eyes held the excitement of a child on Christmas day as he practically 
bounced in place. “Hurry, baby, please…I’ve not seen a rainbow in over a year. 
They were hard to come by where I used to live…all the buildings got in the 
way…”

David couldn't help smiling at Craig's enthusiasm. "I didn't know you liked 
them...but we do get quite a few up here," he said as he stood up, making a 
mental note to remember how much Craig loved rainbows. He'd make sure he had 
them often. "We'd better hurry, never know when the weather up here might 
change," he said helping Craig gather the remainder of their lunch to take with 
them. The excitement in Craig's eyes was more than worth the little deception to 
give him a rainbow.

When they’d gathered up the rest of their lunches, Craig grabbed David’s hands 
and tugged him toward the door, rambling all the way, almost giddy with joy. 
They hurried outside and ran down the steps, Craig leading the way, until he 
stopped just in front of the porch. Completely forgetting the bag of chips and 
the glass of tea he was carrying, he dropped them both and looked up in awe and 
pulled his lover closer. “Look,” he whispered softly as he leaned back in his 
lover’s arms and rested his head on David’s shoulder. “My God….it’s the most 
beautiful rainbow I’ve ever seen. I wish I knew where my camera was, but I never 
finished unpacking. I’m almost glad I don’t have it with me though…because it’s 
even more beautiful because I’m sharing it with you and not worried about taking 
pictures.”

David was unable to stop smiling at Craig's excitement and when he saw his lover 
drop the glass, he quickly made sure it didn't break when it landed. Before he 
could think of anything else Craig pulled him close and he pressed a tender kiss 
against his temple. "It's beautiful," he whispered. The colors were perfect, 
almost too perfect and David chided himself for almost over doing it. "I'm sure 
there will be other's you can take pictures of," he whispered as his arm 
tightened around Craig's shoulders.

~~~
....................................................


“Yeah,” Craig whispered, almost if he were afraid talking loudly would shatter 
this perfect moment. After a few seconds, he turned in his lover’s arms and 
smiled. “It’s the most beautiful rainbow I’ve ever seen. I’m glad you came over 
and pulled me away from the computer, or I’d have missed it.” Running the back 
of his fingers over David’s cheek, Craig gazed into sparkling blue eyes. “Just 
one of the many, many reasons I love you,” he continued. “Now I see all the 
beauty around me that I never really had time for before. Like your eyes…and 
your smile…and your heart… ”

David leaned in and kissed Craig tenderly. "I love you so much, and then you say 
something like that and I love you even more," he whispered. "Come on, love, 
we'd better go before it starts to rain again," he said pulling away regretfully 
and leaning down to get the bag of chips and the glass of tea. "That was lucky, 
I don't think you spilled a drop," he teased handing the items back to Craig. 
Taking his lover's hand they started walking toward the woods and the studio.

Laughing and wondering how on earth he’d managed not to break or spill anything, 
Craig simply stared at the items in his hand for a moment before he let David 
lead him toward his house. Moments later, they arrived in the studio, and he 
looked around, careful not to touch anything. He’d been here before, but never 
to watch David work, and really had no idea how his lover produced such 
exquisite works of art. “I’m scared I’ll be a klutz and break something,” he 
said somewhat nervously as he set his glass on the table beside the door. 

David laughed and shook his head, "I break stuff all the time, don't worry," he 
grinned. Looking at Craig for a moment he felt his heart skip in his chest. He 
was just so incredibly gorgeous, standing there looking around curiously, but 
nervous at the same time. "Matter of fact," he said pointing toward the bucket 
with his discards, "That's everything I've broken today...I had a bit of trouble 
concentrating." He moved over to the forge and opened the side door, putting in 
more wood for the fire. "You wanna try?" he asked as he dusted his hands off.

Craig grinned as he slowly stepped further into the room. “I’d love to try. As 
long as you’re sure I won’t mess anything up.”

"You won't, and I'll help...besides, that means I get to wrap my arms around you 
and guide you...pretty good deal for me," David teased as he prepped everything. 
"You'll want to put on those gloves," he said pointing. He lifted the long metal 
blowpipe and made sure the end was clear. He looked up at Craig and smiled. 
"Don't worry, I promise you can't mess anything up."

Craig laughed and moved into the circle of his lover’s arms. He craned his neck 
to nuzzle against David’s neck as he pulled on the gloves, then stood perfectly 
still, afraid to touch anything yet and shivering in anticipation of those warm, 
strong arms guiding him. “Ok,” he whispered. “Ready when you are.”

David smiled as Craig nuzzled against him and wrapped his arms around him. "Ok, 
put your hands here," he held the heavy hollow steel tube up. He nodded as Craig 
did exactly what he asked and smiled. "Alright. Now we'll dip the end, there, 
now you have molten glass on the tip," he said guiding Craig's hands. "Now hold 
it inside the furnace, and start turning, slowly," he instructed his lover 
softly. His lips were next to Craig's ear and more than once he had to resist 
the urge to nibble on his earlobe. "Now, hold it up to your lips...there you go, 
blow softly," he whispered. He watched as the glass began to bubble at the end. 
"Ok stop, now turn it again," he instructed. After about 15 minutes or so, the 
glass started taking shape. It looked like an ornament you might find on a 
Christmas tree. "See, you're doing fine."

“Thanks,” Craig grinned, the heat from the fire nothing compared to the heat of 
his skin everywhere David touched him. He tried to concentrate on his task even 
as his body automatically leaned back against his lover, and he tried his best 
not to shiver every time David’s breath ghosted across his ear. “I think I like 
this…as long as you’re this close to me. Can’t see that it would be much fun if 
I were alone though.”

David laughed softly and had to admit that he felt the same way, the feeling of 
Craig's body pressed so close to his own was incredible. His arousal was already 
starting to make itself known, and he could feel it press against Craig's hip. 
He licked his lips and tried to concentrate. "Ok, one last turn, now...pull 
back," he advised. "Roll it on the table in that gritty looking blue powder. You 
won't break it, it's still hot and pliable," he whispered. His hands helped 
guide Craig's as he rolled the glass in the color. "Now put it back in and keep 
spinning...and watch," he whispered. As Craig turned the pipe the colors started 
to melt and blend into the clear glass in deep blue streaks. "Almost done. You 
hold onto it, keep it steady for me." David stepped away from Craig immediately 
regretting the loss of his lover's body pressed against his own. Donning gloves 
quickly he used the shears and cut the form away from the pipe, and finished 
shaping it before cooling the glass. He held it up for Craig to see his work, 
and smiled at him. "You did a beautiful job," he said setting the piece inside 
the annealer. "So what do you think?"

“*We* did a beautiful job,” Craig said, pulling off his gloves and gazing at his 
lover. “Maybe we can put it somewhere where we’ll both see it often? The mantle 
of one of our places?” Slowly, he walked toward David and slipped an arm around 
hiss waist. “It can be kind of a…symbol. Like the swirls of color…how perfectly 
they blended together, circling and mingling…kind of like us. Just…like they 
were meant to be, ya know?”

Smiling at Craig's description David set his own gloves on the work table and 
pulled Craig close. "I'd like to have it where we can see it," he said against 
soft lips. He kissed Craig tenderly, lovingly as his tongue explored his lover's 
mouth. After a few moments they drew apart and moved further away from the 
furnace. "Sorry it's so hot in here," he whispered wiping a bead of sweat away 
from Craig's cheek. The heat never really bothered David, he was accustomed to 
it, but it was nothing compared to the heat within him. His need for his lover 
never seemed to decrease, no matter how much or how often they made love. He 
wondered if that had anything to do with his powers, or if even after they 
bonded, IF they bonded, would he still have this driving *need* for Craig. He 
licked at his lover's lips and smiled. "I love you."

Craig kissed the tip of his lover’s tongue as both arms wound around his waist. 
“I love you too,” he said with a smile. “Very, very much. And it is kind of hot 
in here, but I’m not entirely sure the furnace has anything to do with it.” 
Shifting his hips, he pressed his arousal against David’s thigh and pulled him 
closer. David didn’t seem to be feeling the effects of the warm room, but his 
face was slightly flushed, and Craig was hoping that he had some part in making 
it that way. “Maybe a cube of ice would help?” he asked coyly. “Applied to all 
the right places, I hear it’s quite good for the circulation.”

David gasped as Craig pulled him closer and he felt his lover's arousal press 
against him, even as his own pressed against Craig. He laughed softly and 
nodded. "I do think ice might be exactly what we both need..." he whispered. 
Backing up a few steps to the small refrigerator he pulled his lover with him 
and reached blindly into the freezer. "Is this what you mean?" he asked drawing 
out a sparkling ice cube and holding it up in front of his lover.

“Perfect,” Craig whispered, his gaze locked with David’s. “And the ice cube’s 
not bad either.” He reached out to take the ice cube from his lover’s fingers 
and ran it lightly over David’s bottom lip. His free hand began unbuttoning 
David’s shirt, and he seemed unable to control the slight, almost constant shift 
of his hips as he leaned forward and sucked the cold flesh left behind by the 
ice into his mouth. Their arousals were pressed together through their jeans and 
Craig stifled a low moan. Pushing the shirt away, the hand that held the ice 
cube moved slowly, trailing over David’s neck and down to gently circle his left 
nipple. Craig moved forward and licked the pebbled nub of skin, warming it 
instantly and smiled as his lover shivered before him.

David grinned at Craig's joke, but soon the ice was moving over his lip and his 
tongue slipped out to lick at the cold water from it. The feeling of Craig's 
lips against his neck was almost too much. As his shirt was opened and Craig's 
hand with the ice moved down, he shivered. David's breath caught in his throat 
as the cold wet cube circled his nipple, then he moaned and shivered violently 
as the warmth of Craig's tongue replaced it. "Oh love," he gasped as his hands 
sunk into Craig's hair. "I want you so much," he whispered as his hips moved to 
meet Craig's, his arousal leaking against the fabric of his jeans.

Craig’s free hand deftly unfastened his lover’s jeans as his lips and cold 
fingers repeated their ministrations on the other side of David’s chest. Within 
moments, he pushed the jeans to the floor and slid the ice in between his own 
lips. His hands moved over the thick arousal that rested against David’s 
stomach, hard and leaking as he kissed his way back up to beloved lips. “Make 
love to me, sweetheart,” he whispered as his lips descended over David’s in a 
kiss that was both searing in it’s intensity, and breathtakingly cold thanks to 
the quickly melting cube of ice.

David's breath caught in his chest as his lover's lips moved over him, the 
coldness of the ice only driving him more and more crazy. Then Craig's whispered 
words before kissing him deeply sent a thrill throughout David's body. His hands 
worked at Craig's clothing and in moments his lover was as bare as he was. 
Lifting Craig up, he set him on the edge of the counter, their lips never 
parting. Both of them were so caught up in the moment David used his magic and a 
small packet of lube was in his hand. Craig could always just think he pulled it 
from his pocket, he figured.

Craig’s hands moved over David’s skin and he moaned into the kiss as his lover 
lifted him onto the counter. His legs parted and his fingers moved through damp 
hair, darkened from sweat borne of heat and desire. The thought ran though his 
mind that there probably wasn’t any lube in the studio, and he was on the verge 
of begging his lover to take him just as they were, using their own juices to 
ease that way, when he opened his eyes and saw a small packet in David’s hand. 
//Oh, he’s *good*…// “Hurry, love,” he whispered as he pulled away from the kiss 
to nibble on his lover’s earlobe. “Please…need you so much, sweetheart…”

"I need you too, love," David whispered as he quickly slicked his fingers and 
himself. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, his finger moved down to his lover's 
cleft, and pressed against the tight entrance, circling it for a moment before 
dipping inside, and then sliding past the tight muscle. David's lips found 
Craig's again, and he kissed him deeply, even as his finger moved within his 
lover preparing him as quickly as he could without hurting him. A second finger 
was added as he felt his lover relax and his tongue invited Craig's into his own 
mouth to explore. After several long moments David drew away to catch his 
breath, as his fingers continued to twist and scissor inside the tight heat.

Craig’s moan was lost in his lover’s mouth as his body opened and stretched 
before the gentle onslaught. One finger quickly became two, and his hips rocked 
on the counter, driving the digits in deeper as he buried his face in David’s 
neck and shivered with desire. He reached down and wrapped his hand around the 
base of his cock, knowing that he could come from the look in David’s eyes and 
the probing fingers alone, but determined to wait until his lover’s length was 
buried deep inside him and they could come together. “Please, love,” he 
whispered as his body gripped the delving fingers, clenching and unclenching 
rhythmically around them. “Take me. I’m ready.”

David's cock twitched as tight muscles continued to tighten and release around 
him. Withdrawing his fingers, he quickly positioned the head against his lover 
and pushed forward, breaching him slowly until he completely filled his lover. 
Drawing Craig closer, his lover's legs slipped around him and David felt himself 
incredibly slip even further inside. He held still for a few moments, giving 
Craig time to adjust to the intrusion while his lips, teeth, and tongue moved 
against Craig’s neck, marking his lover gently.

Craig’s head fell back as he was stretched and opened even wider, and a soft 
moan slipped from his lips. Sliding closer to the edge of the counter, he 
tightened his legs around his lover’s waist and rested his forehead against 
David’s. “Perfect,” he murmured breathlessly as he clenched his internal muscles 
around David’s length. 

David moaned as already tight muscles tightened even more, and he slowly began 
to move. Their pace started out slow, but quickly grew to something else 
entirely. It was as if they simply *craved* one another, and David could feel 
his power circling around them, he tried to reign it back, but simply couldn't. 
No one had ever made him *want* the way Craig did, no one ever made him feel 
like this and he knew that he'd have to tell his lover very soon. He closed his 
eyes against the thoughts swirling in his head and simply lost himself in his 
lover. One hand slid between them and wrapped around the leaking shaft between 
them, stroking in time with his rapidly increasing pace. "So close, love," he 
whispered brokenly.

Craig thrust up into David’s fist and back down on the slick organ that was 
moving inside him, his release building with breathtaking speed. The air around 
them seemed electrified, and if he hadn’t been so close to a mind-blowing 
orgasm, he would have wondered what was going on. He’d felt this before with 
David, mostly when they’d made love, but even when they weren’t he’d sometimes 
*sense* something unusual, something just out of reach or rationalization. The 
feeling was stronger than ever now, but it didn’t matter…nothing mattered but 
the feeling of the man he loved getting ready to come inside him. The thought 
alone triggered Craig’s release and he cried out his lover’s name as he came 
without warning over David’s fingers, forcing himself to keep his eyes open and 
his gaze locked with the beloved blue eyes before him.

David felt his lover was close and continued driving them both higher and 
higher. When Craig cried out as his release spilled over David's fingers, David 
felt his own release slam into him powerfully, spilling his seed deep inside the 
clenching passage. His own cry echoed inside the studio and his eyes remained 
locked with Craig's. He could almost see his power sparkle around him before it 
faded away. It took him several long moments to even catch his breath and he 
rested his head against Craig's shoulder. "I love you," he whispered, barely 
able to form the words. His legs were shaking and he knew if Craig's arms and 
legs hadn't been around him he might simply collapse.

Holding David tightly, Craig pressed a tender kiss against his temple and closed 
his eyes. “I love you too,” he said softly. “And...I…I felt…*something*. It was 
almost as if….if the very air around us was moving, dancing around our 
bodies…but it wasn’t scary or….anything like that. It was….soothing. And 
somehow…fitting. Like someone or something was rejoicing in our love even as we 
were. Did you….did you feel it, love?”

David took a deep breath and smiled. At first when Craig began to speak about 
the air dancing around them he worried, but then Craig said it was soothing. It 
hadn't frightened him at all and that made David almost sigh with relief. "I...I 
did feel it too," he whispered honestly. He decided he'd have to tell Craig 
soon. He hadn't been able to control his power that time, it had danced and 
sparked around them, and while it *was* wonderful, it scared David that he 
hadn't been able to pull back. In the back of his mind he thought maybe that's 
the way it's supposed to be with your soul mate, sharing your magic with them, 
but he wouldn't let himself focus on the thought. Grabbing a soft towel from the 
counter he stepped back, slipping from his lover and feeling the loss of the 
connection almost acutely. He bit his bottom lip as he cleaned Craig and then 
his own hand. "How about joining me in the shower?" he asked, as he leaned down 
and picked up their shirts from the floor.

Craig sighed regretfully when David slipped from inside him. He still wondered 
about the change in the air, and got the feeling that David wanted to say 
something more about it, but was holding back for some reason. //Don’t be pushy. 
Maybe he didn’t really see it, and is just trying to make you feel better. It 
sounds crazy….air moving and dancing…he probably is scared you’re losing your 
mind.// As soon as David had cleaned them both, Craig slid from the counter and 
took his lover’s hand with a smile. “A shower sounds good,” he said, giving 
David’s hand a gentle squeeze. “A nice, cool one. I…I probably just got too hot 
and started seeing things.” //Please don’t think I’m crazy and fall out of love 
with me. Please.//

"What? Oh love I felt and saw it too," David whispered pressing a soft kiss 
against Craig's forehead. "Come on, it's hot in here," he said as they righted 
the rest of their clothes. He took Craig's hand and led him toward the door. As 
they stepped outside a cool breeze met them and David smiled. "I don't think 
today could have been more perfect," he said as they walked toward the house. 
//Now I just need to figure out exactly how to explain what you felt back 
there.//

Craig studied David from the corner of his eye and pushed his worries to the 
back of his mind. //What can’t you tell me, love?// “I agree,” he smiled, not 
letting his anxiety cloud his voice…much. “Maybe a nice, cool shower, and we can 
settle down for the evening and relax. And, of course, put our new creation on 
the mantle where we can see it.”

David smiled and turned to Craig, "It was perfect, *you* are perfect....and your 
plans for the rest of the day are perfect too," he grinned. He could tell that 
Craig was feeling uncertain and he hoped that he could remove that worry soon. 
He only hoped that he took it well. Not everyday a person tells you they are a 
witch.

Craig smiled and released David’s hand to wrap an arm around his waist. “At 
least it’s not still raining,” he said softly. Refusing to dwell on his worries 
any longer, he forced himself to relax as they went inside. Half an hour later, 
they were cool, clean, and snuggled up together on the couch, trying to decide 
if they wanted to read or watch a movie, and he’d more or less reverted back to 
his old self. //Maybe he’ll feel comfortable enough to tell me what’s bothering 
him one day. Until then, I’ll be patient, and keep loving him with all my heart. 
Forever, whether he tells me or not.//

~~~


David walked around the studio, cleaning it up a bit, storing tools and supplies 
away. Something he did at least once a week so that he didn't have trouble 
finding something when he needed it. He had convinced himself it would be fine. 
Everything would be fine, but he was already starting to feel the thrum in his 
veins. His power pulsing inside him, he could almost tell exactly how far Craig 
was from him. This morning Craig had decided to drive into town to get a few 
things, and David hadn't thought much about it. He was certain he'd be fine. 

Ever since Craig had come to live at the rental house, David's powers had stayed 
in check. They only seemed to overwhelm him a little when he and Craig made 
love, but he figured that would be expected. It was never like it had been that 
day in the circle a few weeks before Craig had arrived. Never like that. 

Craig drove quickly down the mountain road, singing off tune and tapping his 
fingers against the steering wheel. His mood had never been better than it had 
these past few weeks since he and David had become lovers, and he couldn’t 
remember ever being happier. 

David had been hard at work in his studio while Craig was curled up on the couch 
in his lover’s living room, typing away on his laptop. He needed to do some 
research before he could continue writing, and had called ahead to the library 
and reserved a few books. He’d been hesitant to disturb David, but had knocked 
softly on the door and told his lover he needed to grab a few things at the 
library and could pick up some groceries while he was out. They didn’t go to 
town often, and when they did, it was to stock up for several weeks at a time, 
and he found he wanted to buy something nice for David….just because.

As he drove down the hill toward town, he found himself moving more quickly than 
was really safe, suddenly restless and wanting to hurry back to David. //You’re 
being silly. He’s fine. You’ll be home in a few hours, and you can curl up with 
him for the rest of the night. Now slow down and relax. He probably wants some 
time alone anyway.// Despite the nagging anxiety, Craig forced himself to slow 
down and take his time, and was soon wandering through the crowded aisles at the 
rather small library housed in the middle of town.

~~~

David continued to move about the studio, trying to focus his mind on the task 
at hand but unable to. The more he tried to shake off the burning in his veins 
the worse he started to feel. The less in control he felt.

Leaning against the worktable he dragged his hand across his face. //Blessed be. 
He's only in town...how can I feel like this with him only at the library?// 
David took a deep breath and considered going to the circle to release his 
powers but he was too frightened to try. What if it surged back on him like last 
time? With Craig not here...and with it this strong...he might not be able to 
resist the pull. 

David sighed heavily and paced round the room. Finally, unable to control it 
anymore he began to chant, trying to focus the power and to clear his mind and 
he prayed that Craig would come home soon.

Normally, Craig could lose himself in a library for hours. Today, however, he 
couldn’t shake the feeling that something was *wrong*. Very wrong. He needed to 
get back to David’s, but he had no idea why. He grabbed the books he needed, and 
tapped his fingers nervously as he had to fill out the paperwork and wait for a 
library card to be issued. As soon as the card was in his hand, he checked out 
the books and hurried back to his car. Deciding that he and David could come 
back to town together some other time for anything t