Long live the young, and their precious attributes

Title: Long live the young, and their precious attributes.
Author: Fishy (fishyz9@yahoo.com)
Beta: Kei.
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Notes: AU, PWP
Summary: Morality gives pause to a love that is too young. A love that will wait wearily to be rehashed in drunken laughter.

Long live the young, and their precious attributes.


Erestor leaned on his folded forearms, which rested on the railing of the bridge. It was a cold night and as his breath misted before him he wished he could have had the foresight to storm out of the hall in the right direction, towards his rooms. Or to have at least taken a cloak. But he had been too angry, too…embarrassed, to think.

He clenched his jaw and refused to let his eyes water; he was more than this and would not show such utter weakness as to weep, not again, and certainly not over this elf. He had been the cause of too many dreamless, lonely nights.

“Glorfindel,” he ground out through chattering teeth, wrapping his arms about himself. He was more than chilled, perhaps due to his emotional state. As cold as he was, though, retiring meant travelling through or passing by the hall in which that damned elf sat, making merry with his companions.So if frostbite was the price of retaining some dignity this night, then he would gladly sleep on this bridge.

Why though? Why had he brought it up after all these years? And in front of his fellows no less! He was not sure what hurt more, having Glorfindel share this intimate memory with his companions present for light entertainment, or the fact that he spoke with such casual humour. As if…as if it had been nothing to him at all, just an amusing memory.

Well, he was not over it. And as much as he tried not to think of it, or the ache it brought whenever he looked upon the warrior, it still pained him, this unrequited love of old that he had not been able to shed as he grew into adulthood. Oh, just….why?

“He is heartless, that is why,” he muttered to himself. But even as he spoke the words, they lost their gusto as he knew them false. Glorfindel was a kind hearted elf and not one to intentionally hurt another.

But his words tonight, oh they had stung him, they had stung him something awful. He shook his head, wiping at his dry cheeks as if in warning to any tears that may dare spill. Cheeks that were now rosy pink from the cold. His words. Oh how he hurt now because of them.

**Not but a few moments ago**

“Ai, Glorfindel, I know not what to do,” the elf chuckled. “I do not wish to hurt his feelings, and he is my best student. But I can not permit his flirtatious behaviour to continue. It is not professional, not to mention his father will string me up if he finds out.”

All gathered laughed heartily. It was a small group, the twins, only just of age, a fellow of Glorfindel’s and himself. But of all the laughter that could be heard, it was that of Glorfindel, who had overindulged with the wine that night, which was the loudest.

A certain dread had spiked in him then, as the warrior laughed breathlessly whilst gesturing to the advisor. His cheeks had grown warm when he realised that Glorfindel intended to share his own experience with a student of old.

“G-Gildor, I know of what you speak, my friend, for I was once faced with the same predicament - with our dear councillor here, no less!”

The twins’ eyes had gone wide, begging to be told all. It was not often they heard of their tutor of history in his younger days. Gildor had smiled, looking to the councillor in surprise, and Erestor had simply flushed as he looked to Glorfindel in shock.

“H-he invited me to his home one eve, claiming that his parents had invited their son’s tutor for an evening meal…” he stopped to chuckle, “when I got there of course, his parents were nowhere to be found and a romantic setting was in their place!”

The twins laughed and leaned forwards in their seats, wanting to hear more, and Glorfindel seemed only too glad to indulge them. It was only Gildor whose laughter had subsided some, seeing the advisor’s blush and uncomfortable rigidness.

“Glorfindel, please, I do not think you need to…” Erestor tried to placate, but the warrior waved him off and continued as he leaned forwards to the twins.

“He made some feeble excuse for their absence... didn’t you, Erestor?” though he did not wait for the advisor’s reply. “…and served me wine he was not yet old enough to drink!”

The twins were beside themselves now, urging the warrior to go on as Erestor continued to try to give pause to the drunken elf, even going as far as to gently touch his arm in a friendly but subtly pleading manner. But the warrior paid no heed, and continued to regale them with his tale.

“I sat, thinking his parents may join us soon and save me from this potentially awkward situation…” he did not see the blanch on Erestor’s face, at such unintentionally hurtful words. “…but they did not, and as the evening progressed Erestor’s intentions became clearer…”

“Glorfindel, please…” Erestor tried again with a forced smile that went ignored, only Gildor had noticed the hurt in his voice, and the slight falter of his composed countenance.

“…It-it was ‘Oh Glorfindel, you are such a wonderful weapons instructor,’ this, and ‘Glorfindel, you are so handsome’ that…”

By now the twins were beside themselves, and Glorfindel could barely draw breath to speak. Erestor had fallen silent as he looked down into his wine glass and anywhere else in the room. His anger, born from such unintended embarrassment, slowly began to mount.

It was Gildor who attempted to change the subject “Winter has come upon us suddenly this year. Why, I damn near fell and broker my neck this morn when...” But he went ignored, and was interrupted.

“But that is nothing.” Glorfindel leaned forwards to the twins, just as both Elladan and Elrohir did so. “My face must have been a picture when he actually invited me to his summer festival dance!” Laughter ripped through the thankfully empty hall as the twins fell back in their seats. None but Gildor noticed how Erestor sat silently, swallowing painfully a gulp of wine as he tried to ignore the moisture that cornered in his eyes.

“Glorfindel,” Gildor spoke in a low voice, attempting to gain his inebriated friend’s attention, but when his attempted warning went unheeded he settled for laying a concerned hand upon Erestor’s arm instead, which was slowly pulled away as Erestor attempted to hide his embarrassment and flushed cheeks behind his glass.

“He actually gave me a wrist flower- they were customary amongst the young to give and wear to these dances,” Glorfindel explained with a chuckle to the twins. “And then….and then…” He tried to continue but had tears in his eyes and was short of breath as his mirth mounted.

“Glorfindel, please don’t…” Erestor spoke now quietly, any false smile gone from his lips as his anger subsided and relinquished to the undignified show he had been subjected to.

“And then he declared his love for me!”

The twins howled, and near slid out of their seats they laughed so hard.

“Ai, such moments to have lived, long live the young and their precious attributes, aye Erestor?” He turned to Erestor then, holding up his drink to clink glasses, but Erestor did not return the gesture. Instead he stood and set his glass down upon the small table between them.

“Erestor?” Glorfindel asked bemused, still smiling as he thought Erestor still of good mood but of strange character that night. When seeing the glare shot in his direction his smile faltered slightly, but still he tried to return the atmosphere to the light and breezy tone of but a moment ago. “Oh Erestor, come now….it was so long ago, and adorable too…”

Erestor turned to Gildor then, ignoring Glorfindel.

“’twas decent of you to keep your student’s identity anonymous, Gildor. I prey you let him down gently. For to have one’s heart shattered at such a tender age never quite leaves a person. Good eve, ‘gentlemen’.” He spat the last word out, and left the halls with all the grace he could muster.

**On the bridge**

Erestor wiped quickly at his eyes, reminding himself of his age and berated himself for his somewhat emotional departure. The way Glorfindel had regaled them had been as if….as if he did not remember how crushed Erestor had been, as if he did not remember the tears he had burst into before the warrior when being turned down. He shook his head, that was not how it happened at all, and he would know, for he remembered that night more clearly than any other.

**Many years ago**

His heart beat a thousand times per second, or so it seemed, as he fluttered around the room, making sure all was perfect. His parents were visiting with friends that eve, and tonight was his one and only opportunity. Lighting the last few candles he surveyed the room with pride. Flowers adorned it from every angle, candlelight set the mood, and the meal was ready. A knock sounded at the door and he near leapt out of his skin. Patting down his hair and straightening his shirt, he went to answer the door.

For a moment he forgot how to speak. Glorfindel looked breathtaking, and though he always thought so, tonight he appeared to have a more informal and personal look to him, or so Erestor thought. Tonight he was not Glorfindel his tutor, tonight he was Glorfindel, his date.

“Glorfindel, please come in.”

“Thank you, Erestor,” he said, smiling at what seemed excitement in those eyes of his student as he looked down the hall, expecting to see Erestor’s parents at any moment. “I hope this is to your parents’ likings,” he spoke kindly as he handed a bottle of wine, as was customary, to Erestor.

“Oh thank you, I’m sure they will love it when….when they return.” He finished quickly as he took Glorfindel’s cloak and hung it nearby.

“When they return?”

“They ah…they were called away, but will be here shortly,” he lied.

Glorfindel seemed to accept this, and allowed himself to be ushered into the living room. Erestor pored them both a glass of wine, and only just stopped himself from curling his feet beneath him as he usually would, and crossed his legs instead.

“Ah…” Glorfindel began with a chuckle, “should you be drinking that, Erestor?”

“Oh, I am quite accustomed to wine, Glorfindel,” Erestor spoke with a wave of his hand, and took a tentative sip, using all his willpower to swallow the potent drink. He had always preferred hot coco, but thought it not grown up enough for tonight.

Glorfindel did not miss this, and only grew more bemused. Conversation ambled by, and his confusion mounted at his student’s odd behaviour. Compliments were rained down on him, just as his suspicions began to mount.

“So, when exactly will your parents be joining us, Erestor?”

“Ah well, they bid me to apologise if they were to keep you waiting, and, if the temptation grew too great, to begin the meal without them. They should be along soon.” He stood then and took the wine from Glorfindel’s hand, allowing his fingers to gently brush against the warrior’s, and linger a moment. In that instant though, he had been discovered by the warrior.

When they entered the dining area, Glorfindel closed his eyes as he sighed. Erestor, possibly one of his worst but most cunning students, had fooled him.

Erestor pulled back Glorfindel’s seat, but when the warrior did not move his happy smile faltered somewhat. “Is something wrong?”

“Erestor, if your parents were to be joining us, why are there only two places set at the table?” he asked softly.

“Ahm…well...” Erestor was blushing, and Glorfindel groaned audibly, something he immediately wished he had not done, as his student’s face fell a little.

“I suppose you have caught me,” Erestor tried with a nervous smile, his fingers dancing over the back of the chair as he bit his lip.

“Erestor, what is this?” He gestured about the room.

“It…it is a date, Glorfindel.” he said, giving one of his loveliest smiles.

“Well, usually one is polite enough to inform the other first,” Glorfindel replied with an edge he could not hide to his voice. He could very well get into trouble because of this.

“Please, do not be angry with me,” Erestor pleaded. “Will you not sit and eat with me?”

“No, Erestor!” Glorfindel softened as Erestor startled at the raise in his voice. “Erestor,” he began in a gentler voice. “Erestor, you are one of my students…”

Erestor’s eyes lit up. “Ah, well, you see, that does not matter! I do not even like to use the sword. I can leave your classes...”

Glorfindel rubbed his temples; he knew Erestor did not enjoy sword play, and had been confused as to why he had insisted on being a part of his class. To begin with, he had thought it an attempt to win his father’s appraisal. But having met his father, he knew the elf to be unabashedly proud of his son’s wit and intelligence. Now he knew why Erestor came to his lesson each day, now he knew.

“Erestor you are too young, this is wrong, immoral. And I cannot believe you would actually put me in such a position!”

“But I come of age in but a few years, only a few years!” Erestor pleaded, knowing he was quickly loosing the argument.

“Erestor,” Glorfindel began with a sigh, and touched his student’s shoulder gently. “This, what you want, can not happen. And I do not think I can be your instructor any longer.”

Erestor crumbled at that, his chin trembling as everything he had planned backfired. “But why? I…only wanted to tell you…ask you…” he spoke in a trembling voice.

“Good night, Erestor,” Glorfindel said, feeling every bit the heartless wretch as he began to walk away.

“Wait! You….please just wait there one moment?”

Glorfindel sighed and stood still as Erestor fished something out of a nearby drawer.

“I…I saved all my money so I could get you the very best one.” He pulled a wrist flower from behind his back, removing it gently from its packaging and presenting it to Glorfindel with such innocence and hope. “It is the colour of your eyes, see?”

“Oh, Erestor...”

“Will you go to the dance with me, Glorfindel?” Erestor whispered, his hands trembling as he held the flower aloft.

“Erestor,” Glorfindel spoke tenderly as he took a step back, and saw the beginnings of heartbreak in those dark brown eyes. “No, I can not. I am sorry, the answer is no.”

“But…” a tear fell down a pale cheek, and Glorfindel swallowed at how crushed his now former student looked. “But you have not even tried it on, will you not try it on?” Even as he spoke, Erestor took the warrior’s wrist, and with shaking hands attempted to slip the flower on himself.

“Erestor, no!” The flower fell to the floor, petals ripping from the stem, and Erestor’s saved money blowing to the wind. “I ….I am sorry, Erestor, but I can not go with you.”

He turned and entering the hallway quickly pulled his cloak from its hook and swung it about his shoulders. He reached for the door handle, but Erestor, recovering from his momentary shock, was now standing between him and the door.

“Glorfindel, I…you….please I, I am sorry if I…”

“Erestor, please move”

“Please, if you would just...”

“Erestor, let me by.” He reached to gently pull Erestor aside, and it was when he had both hands upon those slender shoulders that he heard a tremulous whisper.

“I love you.”

Glorfindel paused and was saddened to see that the young elf in his arms trembled. “Oh Erestor, you do not love me...”

“I do, I swear to you that I do! I…” He leaned forwards, his cheeks damp with tears. “I would give you anything you ask of me,” he whispered shakily. “I w-would….do anything you asked of me.”

Glorfindel closed his eyes, and ever so gently pulled Erestor to one side, out of the way of the door.

“D-did you not hear what I said, my Lord? I love you.”

“I heard you,” he said gravely,

“So why do you not say anything in return?” Erestor was close again, trying to place his hands upon the warrior’s broad shoulders, only for Glorfindel to hold them at bay.

“Erestor, go blow out those candles, throw away those flowers, and get to bed with you. I shall not tell your parents of tonight, and it would be best to forget these farfetched fantasies.”

“No...” His frame shook slightly as he began to cry.

Glorfindel turned his head away as Erestor tried to kiss him, such an innocent thing he was being offered, but his sense of morality would never let their lips touch. Erestor was just a boy, a nice boy, but just a boy.

“But I love you,” he whispered again.

“I am sorry, Erestor.” As quickly as he could, he opened, and closed the door, leaving a heartbroken elf behind him.

**Back on the bridge**

He was shivering, though he knew it was not only from the cold. He was old and wise enough now to know that he had put Glorfindel into an impossible position. Even though he had never quite recovered from such a terrible feeling of rejection, Glorfindel had done the right thing and that there had been nothing else the warrior could have done. Though, still….he could not help the pain he felt now. Wine or no, such insensitivity did not speak of the friendship they had been able to develop, admittedly sometimes strained, but a friendship none the less. Not that he had had a choice, for he was chief councillor, and Glorfindel, Captain, and as both held positions of authority, it was necessary they get along companionably, if not just in the office.

Yet he still felt a sense of betrayal, because for all the anguish his young and inexperienced heart had been put through, he had pushed this aside upon Glorfindel’s return to Middle-earth. He had buried any lasting feelings and crushed dreams to help this warrior from another age who had rather ruthlessly been thrust back into a world so changed from how he last knew it. He had thought that at least he….he had gained Glorfindel’s respect.

On that bridge he stayed, shivering and feeling, all of a sudden, very young once more.

**Back in the hall**

The twins had fallen into stony silence, Gildor sat shaking his head, and Glorfindel….Glorfindel seemed almost stunned.

“I think you may have gone too far this eve, friend.” Gildor spoke softly.

“But…oh it was all in jest, I mean…well you were saying about this student and I…”

“I did not discuss it in rip-roaring laughter before his very eyes, Glorfindel.”

“Erestor has ever had sense of humour, and it was so long ago! Why would such a thing bother him now?”

“Why indeed? Perhaps that is something you should give thought to, Glorfindel. Just a thought,” Gildor said as he stood. He squeezed the blond’s shoulder, said his goodnights, and took his leave.

The twins quickly departed thereafter, feeling more than mild guilt at having laughed so and not noticing their dear tutor’s hurt.

So Glorfindel sat alone, just as Erestor stood alone upon the bridge, both pondering on days past. The warrior reached to refill his glass, and thought better of it. Placing it upon the floor beside him, he closed his eyes and sighed.

“Oh, what have I done?” he muttered.

Of course such a thing might perhaps offend Erestor. He thought back, straining to bring those old, hazy days into clear clarity and….and there it was. He could see Erestor now, so young, offering himself, giving his love, and suddenly he did not feel of such a merry nature any more.

He lashed out and kicked the glass over, spilling its contents over the floor. He had become far too reliant on liquor of late. Alright, yes. Yes he had gone too far, he should not have spoken of such an intimate subject. All he could think to do was blame the wine, that and the fact that, in all honesty, it was so long ago that he had not thought twice about laughing over it now.

That was the question; why was Erestor not laughing along? He knew he would laugh if there were anyone alive to tell of the things he got up to as a child. He also knew the advisor to have a sense of humour about him, dry and sharp, very much to his liking. He was also a mature elf, wise and not easily upset. So why? Why had something that happened thousands of years ago upset him in a simple retelling of it? Perhaps it was disrespectful now that he thought upon it, and Erestor was an elf who demanded respect, but…if so, why had his eyes glistened? He was made of sturdier things than to sniffle at something he had said!

Getting to his feet, he sighed; he would have to apologise, there was no way around it. He did not fully understand, but he had no wish to have Erestor, someone who was dear to him, someone to whom he owed much, to be wroth with him.

~~~

Having visited the advisor’s rooms and finding them empty, Glorfindel had taken to simply wandering the grounds in search of him. He held a lantern containing a lit candle to see by and held his cloak close about him, for it was a bitter night, the cool night air having much to do with his now sobering mind. He was near to giving up his search, snatching in frustration at a closed flower and pulling it from its branch when he spotted the advisor.

With his arms wrapped about himself, he stood, on one of the bridges that towered over the stream, staring out with a melancholy expression across the valley. And for a moment Glorfindel thought he had never seen anything quite so solemn and still in that quiet, reigning night. He headed in that direction and was dismayed when, on trying to meet Erestor’s gaze, the advisor quickly looked away, though the blond was thankful that he did not leave, that he was too mature for such games.

“Erestor, what are you doing out here? It is freezing. Come now, come on inside.”

“I am fine where I am, thank you, I was enjoying the fresh air.”

“Erestor…”He stepped closer and would have been amused at how Erestor turned away from him, were it not for the guilt he felt. “Erestor,” he said again, surprise and slight hurt clear in his voice. “I’m sorry.” He spoke gently and sincerely as he walked to Erestor’s other side, trying to face him, only for Erestor to turn away again.

Growing impatient, he raised his hand to gently turn Erestor’s chin, and was shocked to see the tears he was trying so hard to repress. “Oh gods…Erestor, I am so sorry. I never...I never thought…”

“No you don’t do you? You never think of the consequences of your words.”

He stood somewhat dumbfounded, knowing that there was more to what Erestor was saying. Again Erestor turned from him, facing away. Noticing the shiver run through that slender frame, he was brought out of his stupor and quickly unhooked his cloak. He was glad Erestor did not shake him off as he draped the heavy fabric about him. His hands lingered upon those shoulders and slowly he turned Erestor in his arms. He was met with some resistance, but eventually had Erestor securely in his arms.

“My dear friend to whom I owe so much, forgive me.” He was gladdened but frowned also as Erestor accepted the embrace, resting his head against Glorfindel’s chest. It was the fact that Erestor clung to the front of his tunic that perplexed him so much.

“Erestor?” He spoke tenderly, but little did he know the advisor was taking a moment to say goodbye to any ridiculous childhood hopes, and to strengthen his resolve.

Without looking up, Erestor pulled away. Unclasping the cloak from his shoulders, he handed it back.

“You are forgiven,” he answered flatly and turned to leave, but was given pause as Glorfindel would not relinquish his secure hold of his arm.

“That was not forgiveness, Erestor”

“And that was not an apology!”

“Erestor…” He was truly at a loss. “…I told you I was sorry,” Glorfindel insisted in mild distress.

“You are sorry to have offended a friend this evening,”

“Aye! So why…?”

“But you are not sorry for.…for…”

“For what? What, Erestor?”

He had not the energy to continue, to explain what he knew mattered not to this elf. So instead, he turned to the valley, breathed in the crisp air and whispered, to himself only, “A lovely evening, to spend alone.”

He turned to Glorfindel, ignoring the pricking in the corner of his eyes and clenched his jaw tightly before whispering…

“Blow out that candle, and throw away that flower….”

It was only then that Glorfindel noted the flower he still held, and in the dim light of the candle, that it was a dazzling blue. A terrible feeling stirred within him, a most terrible, terrible feeling.

“…and get to bed with you, Glorfindel.”

Glorfindel stood with a limp flower in one hand, his cloak in his other as Erestor, with his arms wrapped about himself as if nothing or no-one else would stave off the cold for him, left the bridge.

He let his hands open, falling empty.

“But you were a boy, just a boy,” he whispered to the night.

~~

It hurt, but it had always hurt. Now though, he could tell himself he was free of this longing, or that at least now it might diminish with time, whereas before it would not. He could tell himself this and hope, a real hope.

His room was illuminated only by the moon riding high outside, and looking to his bed he smiled faintly, for he was tired and looked forwards to finally feeling warm. He slipped off his shoes and freed the braids in his hair. Reaching beneath his robe to pull loose the ties to his leggings, he allowed them to slink down his legs. His robe next slid from his shoulders and finally, with a sigh, he was bare.

Facing the bed, he did not hear the door to his chambers open. It was only by the light that spilled over his pillows from the hallway that he knew someone else had entered his chambers unbidden. As if in slow motion he tuned, and the flickered lights of the hallway momentarily distorted and hid the identity of his intruder, though as the door was slowly closed he saw it was Glorfindel standing there. And though he was naked, he felt no compulsion to cover himself, for Glorfindel’s eyes looked directly into his own.

He gasped as he was advanced upon, as Glorfindel came to stand before him and placed a hand firmly either side of his slim neck.

“You were a boy,” he pleaded, his voice a strained whisper, “a young boy. It would of been wrong, Erestor, so very wrong.”

“I may have been young, but I knew how to love, Glorfindel” he replied unsteadily.

A careful hand moved to his cheek, and a thumb gently touched, caressed, the preciously soft skin beneath.

“Do you still know how to love?”

Erestor’s face contorted in distress as he slowly began to pull away. “Do not do this to me again, please…”

“How can you not, if my turning away your innocence pains you still?” He held gently yet steadfast, allowing no retreat.

“And what if I loved still?” Erestor asked defensively. “In what new way would you crush me this time?”

“Erestor,” he murmured, bringing his brow to rest upon the one he held. “I did not know you still…Erestor, you are no longer a boy.”

He trembled, though this time it was due to a feverish glow to his skin, not the lone chill of biting winter, a change of seasons upon his flesh and in his heart as it was. They were quiet for a few moments, eye to eye, breath to breath. Glorfindel brought his lips closer to Erestor’s, his words spilling heatedly from his tongue. “Let me kiss you,” he husked.

His lips pressed forwards, just as Erestor’s recoiled.

“Please…let me kiss you.”

“Glorfindel…”

“I would give you anything you ask of me, I would do anything you ask of me, Erestor.”

Those words first spoken in innocence as a gift were now decreed in bated breath and long denied reciprocation.

“Would you risk yourself once more, Erestor?” When the elf in his arms did nothing but tremble, he rested his cheek against Erestor’s temple and whispered, “Let me into your arms this night, let me into your bed for years…” He placed his hand upon Erestor’s flat chest, trembling ever so slightly at the pounding it felt beneath flesh and bone. “…let me in here for eternity.”

“And shed this chill?” Erestor whispered, feeling Glorfindel’s head nod against his. “Then kiss me, and let me be done with it. But be good to me, please be good…”

“Erestor,” the blond breathed, before finally giving Erestor what he had long yearned for, and what he in his own heart had only just realised was equally desired.

Their lips connected, and their bodies touched. And fall upon the bed did they, though weightless they floated and descended upon those sheets. A smile dared touch Erestor’s lips as Glorfindel, who leaned above him, shrugged the cloth from his back in a slow feline manner, undressing for him, and then leaned down to be gathered up and cherished. He knew at that moment that he would love that smile for every day he drew breath and there after.

The only sound to travel through that chamber was their passionate breathing as they moved in one motion. Erestor’s arms gripped fiercely at the broad back, holding the blond close as he was slowly rocked and deeply penetrated. His thighs were spread impossibly far apart, and he savoured and honed in on the feel of Glorfindel’s hard, thick heat, brushing his inside walls, taking such pleasure from him and returning it with all he was.

Their noses brushed a second and, opening his eyes, he saw Glorfindel looking at him. Their motions slowed to a temporary stop, and he was engaged in such a kiss. A kiss that said sorry, a kiss that said forgive me, and a kiss that said love me.

Returning the kiss, a kiss that spoke yes, yes and yes again, their rocking continued. They kept silent as skin slid with sweat, they did not speak or murmur as their pleasure mounted. It was only after the physical pleasure had been achieved, after skin became slick with more than just sweat, that they melted into one another. They lay there completed and, in their own way, ready to begin. Long had one waited, and long had the other been dazed and lost. But one thing was for sure. The young lived long to prosper in their precious attributes.

The End.