By the time that AJ and Shay made their way back toward their friends, AJ still hadn’t regained his full composure, but he did have more control. Some of that control splintered again when he looked over to where Brian stood, tears streaming down his cheeks. In that one instant, AJ dropped all sense of trying to regain his dignity. Screw what the others thought! Screw anyone who was looking on. With a sound that was half cry, half sob, he launched himself across the grass and toward his lover.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p>
No one stopped Brian as he too shot forward. The two met halfway, arms instantly wrapping around one another. All the words that needed to be said had already been spoken. Shay had opened the wound, cleaning it out, but they all knew that only Brian would be able to help him heal it over.<o:p> </o:p>
Tears that he thought were done with were suddenly back, pouring from him. He hadn’t known he had so many tears to cry. No longer did he try to hold them inside. Letting out that first sharp, manic grief in him had left his mind clearer than it had been in a long, long time. AJ could clearly see where he had messed up. Where he had held on to the human aspect of himself that said to lock away emotions and deal with them later. That was not the way of the elves. What you felt, you felt. There was no shame in it.<o:p> </o:p>
The tears he cried now with Brian were cleansing. With them, AJ felt the last of the darkness fade from deep inside of him. He felt like he was clean again. Like he was whole. As the tears abated, AJ did the one thing he wanted to do more than anything else. His hands came up, fisting in Brian’s curls, their mouths crushing together.<o:p> </o:p>
Passion and love exploded like fireworks inside of AJ. He felt the answering sensation hit Brian, staggering him. Then Brian’s hands were knotting in his hair, holding him just as close, his warm lips kissing back just as fiercely. In that kiss was everything they needed to say to one another. Every reassurance, every apology, every shared sensation from this episode.<o:p> </o:p>
When they pulled back, a sigh slid past AJ’s lips. He saw the answering feelings in Brian’s beautiful eyes. So many things were so much clearer now. Like a fog that had been lifted from the world. He looked over Brian’s shoulder to where Shay stood. “Thank you.” It was all he could say. Words couldn’t begin to describe the gratitude he felt toward his friend for doing this for him.<o:p> </o:p>
Shay grinned at him in that familiar way. “Shit, Alyck.” He said with a wink and a chuckle. “You think I’m done with you? Boy, I aint done yet.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Who you calling ‘boy’?” AJ responded automatically. It felt amazingly refreshing to tease with Shay. When was the last time he’d let himself be comfortable enough to really tease like this? Not a forced playfulness, but honest good humor?<o:p> </o:p>
Shay grinned at him. “I am older than you, Alyck.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Oh, give over, Shay.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Nope. Till the day of my passing, I will never let you live that down.” Another wink had Brian and AJ chuckling. “Now, chit chat done.” Shay told them, pretending to sound serious. “Part two of Shay’s surefire cure is about to start.”<o:p> </o:p>
Laughter tickled AJ’s throat. “Surefire cure, huh? If that was part one, I’m terrified to find out what part two is.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Well, actually, I’m going to use something you taught me, Alyck Tuian.”<o:p> </o:p>
That had AJ staring at his friend in confusion for a moment. Then, realization hit him. He couldn’t stop himself from sighing. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he demanded.<o:p> </o:p>
If anything, Shay’s grin grew wider. “Maybe I am.”<o:p> </o:p>
Another voice interrupted them. It was Flreu, who was smiling as he stepped forward. “I can’t restrain my curiosity. What is it my grandson taught you that has him sighing so?” He asked amusedly.<o:p> </o:p>
Before Shay could answer, AJ shifted so that he and Brian faced Flreu. “When he was under my care and his mind would get full of thoughts, he and I would often talk. For hours, if necessary.” AJ explained. He stole a glance at Shay and curled his lips wryly. “After that, I’d set him to some physical labor. Weapons training, usually. I always told him that there was nothing better for clearing…”<o:p> </o:p>
“…the mind than building up a good sweat.” Shay finished. He raised his eyebrows. “I used to hate those words. It gives me immense pleasure to turn them around on you, Alyck.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Shove it, Shay.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Nope. Come on, you and Brian both. The both of you need it. It’ll do you good. You need the physical challenge.”<o:p> </o:p>
The two lovers looked at one another, then back over to Shay. “Who will we fight?” they asked together. There options were limited if they wanted a physical challenge. Still, it surprised him when Flreu volunteered. Shay gave no one any time to protest, though. He soon had the area clear for them, had each one with their weapons, and had moved the others to the sidelines to watch. “This will be a lesson for you all.” He told them. “Watching masters fight will always teach you something that no amount of lessons will ever teach you.”<o:p> </o:p>
AJ and Brian were amused, standing beside one another and looking out to their Grandfather. “How are we to do this, honored Grandfather?” Brian called out. “Who would you fight first?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Let us test the two of you together.”<o:p> </o:p>
The couple looked at one another again. Slowly, their smiles spread. AJ still felt it was fair to give Flreu one last chance. “Are you sure, Grandfather?” he called out. The grin that Flreu gave was almost wolfish. He said nothing, only brought his sword to bear and made the first feint forward.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ had his swords out quickly, nothing that Brian had his sword in hand too. They had fought together before, were comfortable working together. But as their blades met Flreu’s, as blows were dealt and parried, as the sweat started to form on their skin, they realized that Flreu’s skill level was high enough that they’d never best him like this.<o:p> </o:p>
So they simultaneously flung the bond open wide as it could go and merged their consciousness into one. No longer were they AJ or Brian. They were one.<o:p> </o:p>
They moved forward, a sword slashing out to draw attention as another blade dipped down, under Flreu’s guard. But the elf was fast and not only deflected the blow, but scored a hit. They felt the pain slide across their arm; neither was sure which body the arm belonged to. They were one. Both felt it, hissing as it sliced through them, and both pushing it down to be dealt with later.<o:p> </o:p>
They spun, three blades slashing through the air at different levels, scoring two hits on Flreu’s skin. The light in the King’s eyes grew brighter at the new challenge. He noticed the difference in their skill. “Now this is more like it.” He said with a grin.<o:p> </o:p>
“Bring it on.” They told him. As one, they moved forward.<o:p> </o:p>
~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p> </o:p>
Donnelly stretched out on the grass, watching the fight in front of him. He saw the shift on both Brian and Alyck’s faces, reminding him of another time in a different place. “Man.” He mumbled to no one in particular. “They’re scary talented when they get like this,”<o:p> </o:p>
“Like what?” A soft voice asked him.<o:p> </o:p>
Looking up, Donnelly met Tao’s eyes. He instinctively flashed a wide, flirtatious grin. “They opened their bond, from how Alyck describes it. Joined themselves together so they share everything. Every thought, every feeling. Brian said it’s like they’re merged together as one.” He looked back out at the fight, noticing that the two had started to drive Flreu back a little. “When I asked him about it, Brian said that it feels like he’s one person in two bodies.”<o:p> </o:p>
“I do not envy the King, then.” Tao said teasingly. The humor in her voice had Donnelly smiling. He couldn’t resist looking up at her again, watching the way the light played across her features. She really was a beautiful woman.<o:p> </o:p>
That beauty was even more evident when her face suddenly lit with laughter. It took Donnelly a moment to clear his head enough to look over and find out why she was laughing. When he finally did, he couldn’t help but laugh as well.<o:p> </o:p>
One of Alyck’s swords had been lost somewhere along the way so that he carried only one with him. But he and Brian, working as the unit they were, had somehow managed to knock King Flreu to the ground. Alyck and Brian stood, bodies turned slightly so they were stomach to stomach, faces turned to the side to look down at Flreu, their arms on that side each holding a sword out, crossed over his throat.<o:p> </o:p>
The fight was over. It was easy to see who had won. Donnelly grinned. He shifted a little, pushing off from the ground to rise to his feet. While Flreu stood up and AJ and Brian laughed with him, hugs being exchanged between them all, Donnelly fetched the loose sword for Alyck. He didn’t think about what he was doing. He simply did it.<o:p> </o:p>
For quite a while he’d fought being what he was supposed to be in this battle. He’d agreed to serve Alyck, in a sense, but he hadn’t actually wanted to commit to doing it. His pride had gotten in the way. But the longer that he was here with Alyck and Brian, the more he came to actually relish his role. It was easy, really, to serve underneath the man. He was honest and fair and more kindhearted than most would be in his position. In the end, it felt more like helping a friend than serving a superior.<o:p> </o:p>
There was never any doubt in his mind who the superior was, though. Even though it had scraped Donnelly’s pride at first, he had to admit that Alyck easily outshone him in the magical department and that was before the Goddess had helped his magic along.<o:p> </o:p>
Smiling softly, Donnelly carried the sword over his shoulder. Just a short time ago he wouldn’t have known what to do with a sword. Now he carried one as easily as he had once carried his gun.<o:p> </o:p>
When he reached Alyck, he was busy taunting back and forth with Shay. Flreu and Brian stood with them, arms around one another’s waists. The foursome looked happy, smiling and laughing at one another.<o:p> </o:p>
Donnelly curved his wrist, dropping the sword point down and shifting his grip on the handle. He saw Alyck turn, saw the small smile there, and he held out the hilt of the sword. “Your weapon, Alyck.” He said, eyes twinkling. “Thought you might need this.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Thanks, Donnelly.” Alyck took the sword, quickly and efficiently spinning it enough to slide it in the baldric behind his shoulder. “You enjoy watching the fight?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Hell, I always do when you two fight like that. Never fails to amaze me, you know?”<o:p> </o:p>
The grin Alyck gave was just slightly smug. “Can’t say I do.” He teased. “Seeing as how I’m on the inside and shit.”<o:p> </o:p>
It never failed to amaze Donnelly to listen to Alyck talk. When he was with Flreu he spoke respectfully, sounding just like any other elf. When he spoke as trulion there was an air of command to his words that left little doubt that he expected you to obey him. He used bigger words and a more formal speech. But when he spoke to Tao, his infliction changed slightly, his manner just a little different. When he spoke with Nura and Ubayy, he almost sounded like a parent. With the others, he had that slightly parental, slightly friend tone. With Brian, he could be rough and coarse or sweet and flowery or commanding or any of the others he used.<o:p> </o:p>
When he and Donnelly spoke, it was like they were two modern day men just chatting. Alyck slipped into what Donnelly thought of as his ‘AJ’ mindset. He didn’t use the huge words, didn’t speak like he was a royal dignitary, he just spoke. Average words, swear words, a relaxed comfort. Just two friends chatting. It made Donnelly feel a little special.<o:p> </o:p>
Shay stepped in then and interrupted the two. “Alyck, I’m not quite finished with you yet.” He said teasingly.<o:p> </o:p>
Humor brightened the rings in Alyck’s eyes. He winked at Donnelly before turning toward Shay, faking a deep sigh. “What now, Xshayarshan?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Quit calling me that.” Shay grumbled, making a face at him. <o:p> </o:p>
Alyck shrugged. “It’s your name.”<o:p> </o:p>
“It’s not what I go by anymore. Just Shay, if you please.”<o:p> </o:p>
“And if I don’t?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Then you can shove it up your ass.” Shay shot back. “It’s my name and I’ll be called what I want. Now, can we get on with this?”<o:p> </o:p>
Contrary to Shay’s obvious exasperation, Alyck simply folded his hands in front of him and quirked an eyebrow, clearly waiting for Shay to ‘get on with’ it. Donnelly had to smother back a chuckle. He choked it back and tried to listen to what Shay was telling the couple.<o:p> </o:p>
“That pretty much burned out everything in there, for the most part.” Shay was saying, moving his hands to his hips as he spoke. “But there’s one last part of things that would help take the last edge off and help you both find peace. Trust me, I’ve Seen. It’s not necessary, but it’ll help the both of you tremendously.”<o:p> </o:p>
“You speak in riddles, friend.” Brian piped up.<o:p> </o:p>
Alyck looked at Shay, his grin growing wider. “I think I understand.” He said, the grin growing bigger and bigger and bigger. “Is this an order?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Absolutely.” Shay and Flreu spoke together.<o:p> </o:p>
By now, Alyck’s grin had stretched over his whole face, making his eyes seem to glow even more. Whatever they were talking about, it had sure made Alyck happy.<o:p> </o:p>
It surprised Donnelly when he Alyck suddenly spun, dropping himself down slightly and running to Brian. He caught Brian’s stomach with his shoulder, scooping the man up in one swift move. Alyck never broke stride as he shifted Brian’s weight onto his shoulder and kept running toward the castle. Laughter echoed back from them.<o:p> </o:p>
Small gasps of surprise sounded behind them when Alyck and Brian suddenly took to the air, soaring toward one of the higher tower tops. That was when Donnelly finally understood what was going on. He turned to grin at Shay. “You gave them orders to have sex?” He said bluntly, laughing just a little.<o:p> </o:p>
Shay’s pure white eyes seemed to sparkle a little. “It’ll take the edge off that last bit of tension and give them both the love they need to feel right now.”<o:p> </o:p>
That had Donnelly holding up his hands while laughing. “I’m not arguing! Just amused.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Yes, well, we better go give some kind of heads up to the kiddies.” Shay shifted, looking over to where the others stood waiting. “If we don’t, they’ll panic a little when some of the rumbles start. They’re not used to how the world reacts when our magical buddies there get to doing the nasty.”<o:p> </o:p>
That had Donnelly laughing even more. He smiled at Shay when the other man slung an arm around his shoulders. Though he wouldn’t have been able to a short while ago, Donnelly easily slid his arm around Shay’s waist now and walked with him.<o:p> </o:p>
“So,” Shay said suddenly, his voice a low whisper. “You and Tao, eh?”<o:p> </o:p>
Startled, Donnelly looked over. “What? I just, she’s a friend. I’ve known her a long time.”<o:p> </o:p>
“She’s almost getting tired of waiting for you.” Shay warned him, still speaking in that quiet voice. “She worries you’ll never say anything and in her culture it’s not her place to say something to you. You’ll have to make the first move.”<o:p> </o:p>
Those words were enough to leave Donnelly stunned as they closed the last bit of distance between him and his friends.<o:p> </o:p>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p> </o:p>
“Alyck Tuian!” Brian called out with a laugh. “You put me down right now!”<o:p> </o:p>
Wind whipped around them as they went higher and higher. The next thing Brian knew, they were shifting position and he found himself falling. He didn’t panic; AJ would never let anything happen to him. Sure enough he landed a moment later, softly. It took just a second to realize that it was moss beneath him. Just another second beyond that to realize that they were on a tower top. Their tower top.<o:p> </o:p>
The emotion that was coming across the bond now was easy to read. Brian stretched out his body, shifting to rest on his elbows with his head thrown back. One leg bent, sliding up just slightly. His lips curved in a small smile. He felt his own passion start to build.<o:p> </o:p>
Goddess, but AJ looked good. Brown breeches, laced together at the waist to hold them on. Those laces were loosened slightly, dangling down. He wore nothing on his feet, no shirt to cover his chest, no band to hold his hair. The only other item he wore was his two swords. But AJ was already removing those, tossing them to the side.<o:p> </o:p>
A light was starting to glow in AJ’s eyes, brighter and brighter. It echoed over their bond, adding to the fire that was building in Brian’s stomach. Neither spoke a single word. For the moment, they didn’t need them. They didn’t want them. Anger and heartache and passion were all building together. They twisted and twined around each other, building inside until they were ready to explode.<o:p> </o:p>
Brian had no idea who moved first. Whether he tried to come up or whether AJ dove down, it didn’t matter. In a flash Brian found himself stretched flat on his back, AJ’s warm body pinning him down. Hands were busy at his buckle, undoing his sword belt. At the same time, AJ’s lips were pressing against his.<o:p> </o:p>
A moan built in Brian’s throat. He threw his arms around AJ’s neck, gripping fistfuls of hair. His body arched upwards, letting skin brush against skin, deepening their kiss until the both of them were moaning together.<o:p> </o:p>
A curtain of AJ’s hair fell around them, shielding them from the light. It made the world seem even more magical around them. Brian felt his pants shift, felt as the laces were undone and then AJ was using air, grabbing at the bottom to pull them down and off his legs. He didn’t resist. No, he waited until AJ was done and then used air as well, allowing him to keep his hands in AJ’s beautiful hair while using his magic to disrobe his partner.<o:p> </o:p>
In no time at all they were both naked. Brian arched his body up, surprising AJ as he rolled them to the side. He broke their kiss to smile down at AJ. “You are absolutely beautiful.” Brian whispered, one hand coming up to stroke over AJ’s cheek. It was the truth. He had never met anyone more beautiful than his AJ.<o:p> </o:p>
Love brightened the rings in AJ’s eyes. They were glowing softly, a rainbow of colors. “As are you, Brian o Littrell.” He whispered back.<o:p> </o:p>
Dipping his head, Brian nuzzled his nose along the side of AJ’s neck. He pushed his hips a little, letting their erections rub against one another. In response, AJ’s legs tightened around his hips and he arched up against him. Soft moans were sounding near Brian’s ear. He smiled against AJ’s skin before nipping at it.<o:p> </o:p>
Warm hands slid up and down Brian’s back, trembling a little as Brian moved his lips back up for another kiss. Their lips joined together and broke apart over and over, tasting and teasing and driving them slowly but surely mad for one another. The haze of passion took over Brian’s mind. It was building to that breaking point. But for now, he wanted only to enjoy. His hands were roaming over AJ’s skin while AJ’s roamed over him, adding to the fever, adding to the need.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ moaned against Brian’s mouth, nipping at his bottom lip. “Please, Bri, please.” He begged, rolling his hips again. “I need you. I need you inside me.”<o:p> </o:p>
But Brian ignored him. His tongue came out, tracing AJ’s lips, darting into his mouth and making AJ moan even more. Shifting his weight, he propped himself up on one arm, his other arm sliding over AJ’s stomach, up and over his chest, pausing to pull at an already hard nipple. He rolled it between his fingers, pinching lightly in the way he knew that AJ loved.<o:p> </o:p>
A guttural growl built in the back of AJ’s throat. Without warning he bucked, sending them rolling back over until he was the one on top, sitting straddled on Brian’s hips. The sensation had Brian moaning. He couldn’t stop himself from grinding his hips up against AJ. The wind picked up speed around them, making AJ’s hair dance around them.<o:p> </o:p>
Bracing his hands on Brian’s chest, AJ lifted his hips, using a little air to steady and guide things. Then he was sinking down onto Brian and neither one of them was thinking anymore. The passion that had been building now seemed to consume Brian. His hands on AJ’s thighs, he threw his head back as his lover sank down, pulling him into that tight heat. Sweet God above. “God, Alex…”<o:p> </o:p>
“Fuck, Brian.” AJ swore as he fully settled down. No sooner had he settled then he was already starting to shift his hips. “Oh, fuck, you feel so good, heart song.”<o:p> </o:p>
Then there were no more words for a while. AJ started to ride, his body moving and rolling and taking Brian higher and higher. His blood felt like it was on fire, burning its way through him. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, could only feel. Through hazed eyes he watched as AJ leaned back. He watched as AJ moved one hand, wrapping it around himself and pumping in time with his own rolling movements.<o:p> </o:p>
Passion had Brian tight in its clutches. AJ was overwhelming his senses, melting his brain. Nothing else in the world existed anymore. Nothing but the image of the man on him, over him. Had there ever been anything more beautiful? The wind tore around them, whipping AJ’s hair this way and that, blowing warmly against their skin. Thunder rumbled in the sky, building in dark clouds over their heads and yet still it seemed that the sunlight came through even as the rain started to pour.<o:p> </o:p>
They were caught in the middle of a hurricane, yet neither of them could stop it. Higher and higher they rode together until, with a scream that echoed through the sky, Brian lost that final bit of control. His body bowed up and he buried himself as deep as he could inside of AJ while the orgasm slammed into him like a fist, taking everything from him and leaving him floating back down to earth. He barely heard AJ’s scream as he joined him. Barely noticed when AJ collapsed next to him in the moss.<o:p> </o:p>
Overhead the storm raged away. On their tower top, the two men snuggled close together and smiled with content. Shay had been right; this had been exactly what they needed. It had been perfect. Sighing, Brian let his body drift into a kind of half sleep. Problems could wait till later. For now, he was going to enjoy this feeling.
<o:p> </o:p>
THIRTY FOUR<o:p> </o:p>
STORIES<o:p> </o:p>