He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter Fifty Two - Chasing Spring

Although the sun had already risen beyond the horizon, the steel grey blanketed sky blocked the warm light, allowing night to effectively linger and morning to be delayed.  Drizzled raindrops bounced on top of the green forest canopy, which sheltered the ground below that it barely became wet.  The lake was an exception and the rain fell freely onto its surface causing a natural melody to be heard by any nearby creature.  But only two beings were in distance of its symphony and they were somewhat distracted.

The two boys sheltered within the lakeside cave filled it with breathless moans. For almost three years the boys had helped each other achieve release. Their touches were not shared every time that they had met, but the number of times that pleasure was sought had gradually increased, especially over the past few months. Willow's eyes were sheltered between his lashes as his mind was lost to the feelings. Their harden members were squeezed together between their hands, their fingers partially intertwined as they moved up and down in unison. His forehead was nestled against Slate's thick neck, trickles of his sweat trailing down from his temple before following the lines of Slate's collarbone and chiselled chest. After a few more minutes, Willow cried out and Slate echoed his sentiment, their mixed seed coating their stomachs.

After a few moments catching his breath, Willow was the first to rise from their loose embrace. He lightly laughed before taking a cloth rag and ran to the lake to soak it in water. Seeing his slender back and the soft curve of his bottom as he bounced happily out of the cave, Slate felt his member stir again. He swore a curse word from another language beneath his breath as he grabbed his trousers and began to slip them on. "Here," Willow touched his shoulder, handing him the damp rag. He took it quietly, pretending not to see Willow's wandering eyes. "You're still hard."

"Don't worry about it," Slate said softly. He wiped himself down before he finished dressing.

"But if you want some help..."

"I said it's fine!" Slate snapped, immediately regretting it on seeing Willow's hurt look. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. "Sorry, there's just been.. some things happening back home.. I didn't mean..."

"It's okay," Willow replied, but didn't meet his eyes.

Slate sighed, bitterly. "I should leave first."

"Oh? Not going to finish the game?" Willow chuckled awkwardly, indicating their abandoned game of Othello.

Slate returned his smile. "Nah, you know I will only beat you!"

"Really?" Willow, still in all his naked glory placed a hand on his hip and lifted up his head haughtily, resembling a ghost of his forgotten past. "Come back tonight and I will prove you wrong!" Frozen by his own memory for a moment, it took Slate time to respond, but even then he just laughed softly and agreed.

****

Willow was absently scratching the wood in his hand with the tip of his blade, a leaf formed of a spiral beginning to form upon its surface. But his eyes did not see what his hands were creating, for they were blinded in memory of that morning as his ears were filled with the raised voice of his friend. The other boy had not once spoken to him that way before and even though he had recognised some times in the past where his friend was not entirely himself due to other things happening in his life, he had never let it spoil their time together. Willow's carving ceased and with a sigh, he let his head fall onto his work and his lap. It was becoming more frustrating that he could not share more of Slate's life; the boy was unable to enter deeper into the forest due to restrictions in their time and he could not bear the enclosed feeling of the earth when he entered Slate's world too far.

Fern glanced over from where she was weaving baskets and observed her brother for a moment. A smug knowing look appeared upon her face. Ah had Spring come for her brother at last? Despite now being nineteen, the girl had not yet left her parents home for various reasons, but even if she had, she saw no reason not to continue interfering in her younger siblings lives.