Lost

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A series of six shorts charting a developing intimacy.

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Found

Author’s Notes: Sorry the song isn’t much cop. I had the mellow loneliness of Isolation in my head when trying to write it, but it didn’t help all that much…

Howard dreamed…

The sun was setting ahead of him, a huge golden orb sliding slowly down the sky towards the ocean, burnishing the high light clouds. Between his thighs rolled the muscles of the unicorn’s powerful wings, pounding the air with a steady, forceful beat. A warm, salt-scented breeze blew his long hair backwards as he scanned the waves below him…

There. A tiny islet, little more than a rock jutting out of the sea, its minute white-sanded beach washed by gentle rollers and backed by a small patch of scrubby grass barely large enough for the unicorn’s alighting. Howard slid smoothly off the animal’s back, landing lightly and moving to the sand as the unicorn folded its wings and idly snatched a mouthful of the herbage.

A romantic, heroic figure in old-gold silken tunic and hose, his dark-gold leather thigh boots accentuating long lean legs, Howard stood on the shore, on a rock overhanging a deep channel, one hand resting on the hilt of the light-sabre, and gazed towards the horizon. Waiting. He’d wait forever if necessary…

There! A flash of silver in the sunset, a sleek shape leaping joyfully from the sea. Howard watched as the creature cavorted carelessly in the waves—then he began to sing, the rich sound echoing across the waters.

“Come to me, let me show you how much I long for you

Come with me, let me show you a world full of wonder

Come bright one, come waterchild, my light, my moon

Come to me, come for me, come with me, come home…”

The creature had paused, its head turning in his direction, rich blue eyes unblinking as it listened. Slowly, very slowly, it drifted closer, lips slightly parted, expression abstracted, until Howard could see the delicate traceries of light and dark azure in its eyes. He knelt on one knee on the rock and inclined his head.

“Hello.”

“‘ello.”

Even in the dreamscape, even envisaged as a fabulous mythical creature, Vince still sounded like Vince. Howard chuckled quietly as the mer-creature pulled itself up to rest its elbows on the rock and grinned cheekily at the knight.

“I thought I was the one s’posed to be doin’ the singin’“

Howard smiled, fingers trailing through the cascade of blue-sheened night-dark hair.

“And since when have we ever done the expected?”

“S’pose…” Vince inclined his head. “You goin’ to take me with you then?”

“You’d come with me?” There was surprise in Howard’s voice. Vince nodded vigorously.

“Dead right, mate! S’borin’ ‘ere, nuffin’ to do but swim all day and nobody t’talk to ‘cept the dolphins.”

“Truly, a fate worse than death!” The maverick reached out and pulled the mer-creature to him, lifting him a little awkwardly. Vince wrapped his arms around Howard’s neck, helping as best he could while the maverick stood upright, one arm under Vince’s shoulders, the other under his long supple tail—nearly dropping him as Vince kissed the corner of his mouth. The merman giggled.

“Oi, steady on!”

“Don’t surprise me then!”

Vince pulled himself closer, breath warm against Howard’s ear as he whispered, “Don’t you like surprises?”

Howard shivered. “Well… no… no, I prefer everything tidy, organised. Surprises aren’t organised. They upset the order of things.” But standing on a lonely beach with a double armful of fantastical beauty—beauty, moreover, that had come at his call and seemed willing to do as he wanted—he found himself revising his opinions. Perhaps surprises weren’t all so bad after all…

He turned from the shore to find the unicorn watching them, and wondered how they were going to manage. Vince would have to sit in front of him, so he could keep a safe hold of the fabulous creature: not having legs was going to prove tricky… He frowned. In more ways than one. He tried to glance down surreptitiously at what would be the groin in a human, but Vince noticed and chuckled.

“Want to see?”

Howard reddened and averted his eyes. Vince stroked his face until he looked back.

“S’nuffin’ to worry about. S’like a dolphin’s.”

“I don’t know anything about dolphin… anatomy.”

Vince’s grin became positively wicked.

“S’nearly a foot long, an’ it’s… wha’s that word that means you can move it around when you want?”

Howard swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “Prehensile?”

“Yeah—prehensile.”

“Um… a foot long?”

Vince nodded. “Nearly.”

Shit…

“But that’s OK. You can do me, it’ll be safer.”

Perhaps dolphins weren’t evil after all… Howard shook his head, eyes closing briefly. When did this encounter change from the deliciously romantic to the crudely pragmatic? A touch to his mouth had him opening his eyes again, to find Vince tracing his lips with one cool webbed finger, blue eyes intense. Impulsively Howard pulled the merman closer and kissed him, just a light brushing of lips to lips, and Vince sighed against his mouth, body moulding itself to the knight’s. And do I really care…?

Howard strode the few paces to where the unicorn had dropped to its knees and was awaiting them. Vince still in his arms, Howard wrestled them both onto the animal’s back, settling them more or less comfortably. He smiled at the merman.

“OK?”

“Yeah, s’OK. You awright?”

“Never better, little man.” He touched his heels to the unicorn’s sides, holding Vince close as the animal rose to its feet and leapt into the air, skimming the waves as it circled to gain height then heading off towards the sunset.

Howard nuzzled Vince’s hair—hair that smelt of the sea—and dared to run his hand down the smooth cool back to the base of one of the lacy fins, the sleek skin under his fingers strangely arousing…

… but something else was impinging on his consciousness, something more substantial than the dream… a warm body close to him—very close to him—half on top of him… and a hand, touching him… no, gripping him, gripping his erection firmly, sliding slowly up and down… something else… something else pressed against the length of it, stroking both… warmth and pressure building at his groin…

Howard moaned, then gasped, hips bucking upwards against the body lying over him, arms instinctively wrapping the thin frame tightly as he shuddered and came, feeling the other cock jerking against his own…

Panting he forced open tired eyes to see Vince gazing down at him. The smaller man offered a quick, nervous grin, kissed the corner of his mouth, then snuggled down against his warmth, the hand that had been wrapped around their cocks sliding wetly up Howard’s chest to rest over his pectoral muscle, the hot sticky palm covering his nipple.

“Mornin’.”

Speechless, Howard closed his eyes again, not at all convinced that this wasn’t simply a more realistic continuation of his dream.

Vince lifted his head. Howard lay beneath him, loose and trembling very slightly. One long curling tendril of hair lay over his right eye, brushing his cheek: it suddenly looked endearingly cute to Vince, whose previous concept of cute had been anything frilly, pink and sparkly. Which categorically did not include Howard Moon. Wasn’t it strange how realising you loved someone changed your whole outlook?

But Howard was tensing, his breathing becoming shaky, and Vince could see he was waking up enough to start panicking. He had to put a stop to that right away!

He lowered his head again, brushing a little kiss to the corner of the maverick’s mouth, then moving downwards, nibbling gently along his jaw then down his neck, ignoring the prickling of the stubble and grinning to himself as Howard moaned very quietly, his head rolling back to make access easier. He jerked when Vince bit more firmly at the skin where his neck met his shoulder, and to his delight Vince felt a twitching movement at groin level. He slid his sticky hand back down to cup Howard’s balls—then stretched his neck, tongue lapping at the semen-slicked nipple in front of his face.

Howard yelped and tried to pull away: a hint of nails on the vulnerable part Vince was holding convinced him to remain still. He looked down, eyes wide, as the smaller man licked again, lapping up their mingled come, then bit lightly at the nipple.

Howard closed his eyes with another moan. Like most men he wasn’t particularly sensitive there, but what Vince was doing was so… sick… depraved… so fucking erotic… He could feel his cock hardening in response, and a second later Vince had wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing and fondling, thumb rubbing over the head, pushing down the foreskin to tease the silky firm flesh underneath.

“Vince…” It came out as a groan, and Vince chuckled, moving his head back up to the maverick’s neck and biting his earlobe.

“Yeah?”

“What… are you… doing…?”

Vince nipped his jaw.

“What d’you think I’m doin’? God Howard, I know you’re a virgin but you must ‘ave some idea…”

“… why…?”

“‘cos it’s you, ya great pillock. It’s always been you. Now shurrup, lie back, an’ think of England.”

“… rather think of you…”

“Whatever.” But Vince was grinning, his eyes sparkling with delight, as he began to pump the cock in his hand, relishing every moan and shudder from the big man below him…

“Nuffin’ wrong with your stamina, small eyes!”

Howard’s eyes did indeed look particularly small at that moment—mostly due to them being more than half shut, his eyelids drooping with exhaustion. Vince had woken him at nine in the morning: it was now one thirty in the afternoon and so far the little bastard had wrung four orgasms out of him. Almost as though he was trying to make up for lost time. Howard felt as though he’d melted into the mattress: it took just too much effort to move as much as a finger. Not to mention the soreness at his groin: Vince was incredibly talented with his hands, no doubt of that, and considerate, but all the same, Howard’s cock ached from the manhandling, and his balls felt drained and wrung dry. Which they were, in effect, he reminded himself…

Vince slid an arm over the body below him, straddling Howard’s hips and resting his arse—lightly, carefully—over the maverick’s limp and tender genitals. Palms over Howard’s chest, he leaned forwards, gazing into what he could see of the rich brown eyes.

“You OK, Howard?”

Howard grunted an affirmative—all he could manage right now—and Vince sighed happily. And leaned forwards, settling against his knight’s strong body, to kiss him.

A real kiss. A proper kiss. Not the awkward sham of Howard’s birthday, oh no. This was warm and affectionate, leisurely and… loving? Yes, Howard decided, loving. There was nothing aggressive about it. Vince took his time, tongue licking his mate’s lips, asking for entry, and Howard parted them with a contented sigh. And it was oddly soft and gentle, an exploration of each other, a learning, an acceptance, a sealing of intimacy. Wherever this strangest of pairings took them, there was always that quiet promise of trust…

Howard gradually became aware of the hardness pressing into his belly, and forced his eyes open to frown at the smaller man.

“Um, Vince?”

“Mm?”

“You’re… unsatisfied.”

“Nah. I’m very happy.”

“I meant…” Howard slid a hand between their bodies, touching Vince’s cock for the first time with a shiver of something part fear, part excitement, part exhilaration. Vince chuckled.

“Oh, that. Yeah, well, I can see to that later.”

Howard wrapped hesitant fingers around the firm flesh, encouraged when Vince groaned and shifted so the maverick could get a stronger grip, fondling and squeezing. And Vince didn’t—couldn’t—last for long. Howard watched his face as he came, drinking in the expression of near-ecstasy with a sense of awe.

He’d done that. Didn’t matter if Vince was the same with everyone he’d ever had sex with; right here and now, that expression was for Howard.

Vince collapsed against the maverick, panting, slim hand weakly stroking the broad chest.

“Fuck, Howard…”

“Would… would you like to do that too?”

There was a startled silence, then Vince laughed affectionately.

“Oh yeah. But maybe not today. Not sure I could get it up again so soon.”

“We could wait a bit…”

Vince pushed himself up to grin into Howard’s face.

“You’re eager!”

Howard lifted his head and kissed the smaller man.

“I want… everything…”

“An’ we will. We’ll do everythin’. There’s lots to try. But we don’t need to do it all at once.”

Howard closed his eyes with a contented sigh.

“And here I thought I was the patient one.”

“Jus’ goes to show…”

The following week was an expedition of discovery for them both. The first time Vince had crept up silently behind Howard and wrapped slim arms around his chest while kissing the nape of his neck the maverick had nearly shot through the roof with alarm. And embarrassment: Naboo and Bollo were sitting opposite at the table. But to his utter surprise Naboo simply rolled his eyes and sighed exasperatedly then went back to reading his paper, while Bollo grunted an incomprehensible warning then ignored them. Little by little Howard grew more accustomed to having Vince—tactile, demonstrative Vince—hug or kiss or grope him in public. Well, outside of their room, anyway, if not exactly in public public.

Then the first time Vince had settled between his wide-spread thighs and taken his aching cock into that hot wet mouth… Howard lasted less than a minute, so overcome by the sensations that he almost passed out. Vince had been quite worried for a moment or two!

Howard reciprocated, of course, as soon as he’d got his breath back, and while he wasn’t entirely happy with his performance—it was the first time he’d tried it, after all—Vince seemed perfectly happy. Howard promised himself he’d get more practise. He doubted Vince would mind…

“Naboo?”

The shaman glanced up at Vince, who looked unusually reticent.

“What d’you want?”

“Um… you remember that oasis place? When Howard got lost and I sent the falcon to find you?”

“Yeah.”

“Well… d’you think you can find it again?”

“‘course I can. I’m a shaman.” He frowned. “Why?”

“I wanna take Howard back there.”

“Why?”

“… cause it was lovely there.”

Naboo studied Vince’s face: he seemed hesitant and refused to meet the shaman’s eyes.

Ah… OK… Naboo smiled.

“You wanna take a big blanket. An’ somethin’ good to drink. An’ some food. An’ lubricant. How long d’you need?”

Vince grinned happily.

“Think a week would be enough?”

“Pro’bly. An’ I reckon I can spare you for a week.”

“Thanks! You’re a diamond, Naboo.”

The shaman scrutinised him closely, then nodded, apparently satisfied with what he’d seen.

“You’re happy?”

“Yeah. Totally.”

“OK then. When d’you wanna go?”

“What’s this all about?”

Vince looked up from packing his case—yes, case, singular, and a small one at that—to scowl at his mate.

“It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises.”

“Yes you do. Now ‘urry up. We won’t need much.”

Huffing irritably, Howard opened his mostly-empty wardrobe and dragged out a handful of items almost at random, folding them neatly and pushing them into his carryall. Two minutes later he turned to Vince.

“Happy now?”

“It’ll do.” Vince smiled and leaned forwards to kiss him, thoroughly, and by the time they pulled apart Howard’s grumpiness had evaporated. He shook his head, mock-despairingly.

“You know me too well.”

“Good thing too!” Vince grinned and grabbed his hand. “C’mon.”

It always quietly amazed Vince that despite Howard’s fear of flying, he was perfectly at ease on the flying carpet. And on the winged unicorn, for that matter. One of these days he’d have to see if Naboo would lend them the carpet for a little mid-air fun…

It took less than two hours to reach the oasis, and Naboo landed with the minimum of fuss. To Vince’s surprise, instead of dropping them off and returning right away, he climbed off the carpet, and produced a large, soft blanket that he unrolled under a group of palm trees, strewing cushions and pillows over it. A large, enchanted coolbox came next, full of bottles of wine and packets of foods. And finally, the shaman magicked up a small pool separate from the oasis itself, and filled it with cool fresh water. Vince frowned, puzzled, and Naboo glowered at him.

“That’s for you two. The oasis is drinkin’ water for everythin’ ‘round ‘ere—don’t you dare pollute it!”

Vince’s eyes widened, then he nodded solemnly. That hadn’t occurred to him.

“I promise, Naboo.”

“‘ave a good time! I’ll pick you up in seven days.”

The shaman climbed back onto the carpet, waved briefly and was soon lost to sight. Vince turned to a stunned-looking Howard and grinned.

“Awright?”

“You’ve marooned us in the middle of the desert?”

“No, you twat! It’s the oasis.”

“In the middle of the desert.”

“Yeah. But this time we got food, an’ drink, an’ somethin’ to lie on so the sand don’t get up your bum.”

Howard just stared at him, speechless. Vince sighed and began to unbutton his shirt.

“Don’t touch m… umph.” Vince’s mouth on his shut Howard up, and by the time the kiss ended, some minutes later, he was so flustered and aroused he forgot what he’d been going to say. Vince grinned up at him.

“C’mon.”

Leading his almost incoherent mate over to the blanket, Vince swiftly divested him of his clothing, stepping back to admire what was revealed.

“Lookin’ good, small eyes.” He wriggled out of his own clothes, dropping them carelessly to the sand, and pressed himself to Howard. Who moaned and wrapped his arms tightly around the thin body moulded to his. Vince nipped his earlobe.

“I want you.”

The whispered words evoked another of those moans that Vince had come to love so much, and a shudder that rippled through both bodies. Howard’s legs suddenly seemed to give way, and he dropped inelegantly to the blanket, dragging Vince with him.

“… Vince…?” His voice was unsteady. Vince kissed his neck.

“Yeah?”

“Will it hurt?”

Vince chuckled and nipped his jaw.

“Nah. I’ll make sure it’s good.”

“… thank you…”

Vince had pampered him, taking his time, kissing and licking his face and body, making sure Howard was a quivering heap of yearning flesh before urging him over onto his stomach—but Howard had just enough willpower left to object.

“Want to see you…”

Vince kissed him, pushed his knees up a little more, and reached for the tube, slathering his cock with gel then pausing. It would be more comfortable for Howard if he eased some lubricant inside—but now it came down to it, he really wanted his cock to be the thing that took the big man’s virginity. He ran a slick finger experimentally down the smooth skin behind Howard’s balls and around the puckered entrance, expecting him to flinch, but instead he moaned, spreading his thighs wide and pushing back against the gentle pressure. Settling between the long, lean legs, Vince centred himself and began a slow, steady, tantalising thrust inwards…

“… oh god…” Neither of them knew which had said it: neither of them was quite sure where Howard ended and Vince began. Lying in a sated tangle of limbs, sweat drying on tired, quivering bodies, neither wanted to move ever again…

“OK?” It was Vince’s voice, quiet, soft, loving. Howard nuzzled the silky black hair, kissing the smaller man’s forehead.

“I’ll never be the same again…”

Vince giggled. “Yeah, well, that was the general idea.” He kissed Howard’s neck. “Are you OK, though? Not hurtin’ too much?”

“My arse is a bit sore. But I don’t care.” He ran a hand down Vince’s back, making him shiver. “That was wonderful. That was the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me.” A moment’s silence, then, cautiously, “Can we do it again?”

Vince pushed himself wearily up so he could look into Howard’s face, smiling at the expression of reverence there.

“Oh yeah. Any time you like. But it’s your turn next time.”

“But I’ve never… I don’t know…”

Vince silenced him with a kiss.

“You’ll learn…”

Howard sighed contentedly.

“I have a very good teacher.”

Vince trickled water over Howard’s broad back, then ran his hands through the dark hair. Leaning forwards to rest his chin on the maverick’s shoulder, he slid his hands down Howard’s chest to his groin, fingers teasing the half-hard cock there. He chuckled.

“Hungry again?”

Howard leaned back against him, turning his head and nibbling at Vince’s angular jaw.

“Can’t resist you, little man.” Never could…

Vince kissed the corner of his mouth.

“Howard…”

“Mm?”

“Will you let your hair grow a bit? And let me style it?”

There was a pensive silence, then Howard sighed.

“If it’ll make you happy.”

“Thanks Howard.” Good first move. We’ll worry about getting’ you into somethin’ more this century later. No point in hurryin’ you…

His stomach gurgled. Howard turned his head, eyebrow raised.

“You’re hungry too.”

Vince looked sheepish. “Yeah. Sorry.”

Howard twisted up onto his knees facing his lover, pulling him close, shivering as their cocks pressed together under the water, hardening immediately.

“Oh god…”

But Vince’s stomach growled again, and Howard hauled them both upright.

“Let’s eat first…”

“Howard?”

“Mm?” The maverick was stretched out on the blanket, relaxed and at peace for possibly the first time in his life. Vince ran a finger down his leg.

“D’you want some roseberries?”

“That would be nice…”

Vince loped over to the nearest bush, gathering a double handful and carrying them carefully back. His attention was caught by one of the fruits, and he held it up for closer examination.

Perfect. He tickled Howard’s ribs, waking the dozing maverick with a start.

“Don’t tickle me.”

“Awright. But look at this.”

Howard sat up, scrutinising the fruit, then smiling. Two of the crimson berries had grown together, creating a near-perfect heart shape.

“Lovely.”

“It’s for you. From me.”

Howard quirked an eyebrow.

“You found it. It’s yours.”

“Yeah, but… it’s like two things in one. And a heart. And if you eat it, it’ll become part of you, and it’ll be like part of me will be in you forever.”

Stunned and moved, Howard gently took the fruit and slipped it into his mouth, eyes closed as he savoured the taste.

“Perfect. The best thing I’ve ever eaten.”

Vince grinned and kissed him. Howard reached behind him, feeling under one of the pillows, and pulled out his closed hand.

“I found this earlier. It’s not as pretty, or as tasty—but it’s from me, for you.” He opened his hand, offering it to Vince. On his palm lay a small stone, a dull, dark red, shaped roughly like a heart. Vince took it curiously: Howard gestured upwards.

“Hold it in the light.”

Vince did—and gasped quietly as the sunlight fired the stone with flashes of ruby and shimmering silver.

“It’s beautiful!”

“It’s yours.”

“Oh, Howard…”

The maverick touched a fingertip to his nose.

“Don’t you go getting all soppy on me, now!”

“As if…” Vince closed the stone in his hand, its solidity comforting, reassuring. A bit like Howard himself, in fact. “I could have it made into a necklace or bangle or somethin’.”

Howard nodded, quietly pleased.

“We’ll do that, when we get back. But for now…” He pulled Vince back down and rolled onto his side, gazing down into bright blue eyes. “… I’m still hungry. Think I always will be.”

Vince grinned and tweaked his cock.

“Have to see if we can’t do somethin’ about that, then…”

Alestrel
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