Lost in his heart-sick thoughts, Roedel was barely aware of Mackeson, snuggling up against his side. When he finally realized the other man was pressing tightly against him, he actually found the contact welcoming. Roedel reflected on Mackeson as he listened to him breathe, the man seemed an intricate puzzle, one that made very little sense. Looking at him, it was difficult to embrace the notion that such a dainty little creature could act with such cruelty and hatred.

Roedel glanced at the man sleeping restlessly beside him. Mackeson�s head was laying on his arm, giving him full view of the man�s face. It occurred to Roedel, that Pitt was more beautiful than most of the women he�d known. His face was finely chiseled, though somewhat gaunt - his ivory skin flawless. However, it was his mouth - his supple, generous lips that drew Roedel�s appreciative eye time and time again.

To Roedel�s dismay, Mackeson carefully untangled himself and rolled onto his side, turning his back to him. In his current state of despondency, Roedel wanted to protest the loss of human contact. He wanted to reach over to Mackeson and draw him close again, feel the rise and fall of the man�s chest against his torso. Roedel longed to feel Mackeson�s life, as if the feel of the other man's heartbeat or measured breaths might validate his own.

A faint gasp elicited Roedel�s attention. He turned his head slowly to gaze at Pitt. The man�s restrained whimpering and the gentle motion of his arm betrayed him. Roedel could feel a heated blush rise to his cheeks as he realized what Mackeson was doing. Yet, try as he might, he couldn�t force himself to look away. His eyes remained fixed on Mackeson as if in a trance, his own excitement mounting as he listened to the other man�s heavy breathing. His cock began to twinge involuntarily as he watched Mackeson�s body tense. The young man mewled softly as he came, leaving Roedel incapacitated with arousal. Feigned slumber, Roedel listened as Mackeson shifted beside him. He laid wakeful, but silent for what seemed an endless expanse of time...

When Roedel awoke late the next morning, Mackeson had already left. A sudden sense of loneliness overwhelmed him as he laid beneath the shelter. Abandoned to solitude, there was nothing to dwell on but his recent loss. He smirked to himself, thinking it ironic that he should long for Mackeson�s company. The man was a depraved bastard, known far and wide for his insatiable thirst for blood. At least that was the way Roedel had always viewed him, until now. He was beginning to suspect that somewhere, buried deep within Mackeson, laid actual feelings. Roedel conjured up the image of Pitt, as he�d seen him the night before, masturbating quietly beside him. Catching Mackeson in that vulnerable moment, engaged in such an intimate act, made Roedel feel pity for him. He wondered if the man had ever known the affection of another, or if he was truly as detached and aloof as he appeared. Last night, part of Roedel had been inclined to reach out and enfold the man�s fragile body in his arms...to solicit consolation as well as bestow it. They shared a common bond now - they were both utterly alone.

Roedel cringed as he struggled to his feet. His battered form was still sore, but the physical pain was bearable. He sighed heavily, running his fingers through newly cropped auburn hair as he limped over to where Pitt had left his satchel laying in the grass. Roedel crouched carefully, trying to be kind to his bruised body. He rummaged through the contents of the satchel until he found what he�d been looking for. Tobacco and whiskey...a wonderful way to kill time, and dull sentiments.

When he first heard Mackeson approach, he was sitting beside the campfire - nursing the bottle of liquor as he rolled cigarettes. Hearing the rustle of underbrush, Roedel glanced up absently, drawing in a sharp breath as Mackeson came into view. He was bare-chested, displaying the palest, most slender torso Roedel had ever seen on a man. Lengthy dark tendrils framed his sculpted face and cascaded over his shoulders, spilling down his back. He seemed a vision of delicacy, but with a distinctly menacing presence. Realizing he�d been studying Mackeson for far too long, Roedel reprimanded himself and quickly averted his eyes.

�Everythin�s been taken care of.� Mackeson stated flatly, as he dismounted his horse and to scrutinize Roedel.

�I owe ya, Pitt,� he looked up into Mackeson�s exacting stare gratefully. �Thank you.�

Mackeson nodded soberly in return and approached the campfire, swaggering in his typical cocky manner. Roedel observed the man�s arrogant strut, noticing for the first time how incredibly narrow Mackeson�s hips were. His eyes skimmed up over the man�s milky white flesh, hungrily devouring Mackeson�s smooth hairless skin and small erect nipples before climbing further upward to his face. Mackeson narrowed his grey eyes with suspicion, causing Roedel to blush fiercely. He wasn�t certain what had suddenly come over him.

�Uhrm...ain't ya gonna sit down? I rolled us a few cigarettes,� Roedel regarded Mackeson shyly, �what happened to yer shirt?�

�It needs a washin',� Mackeson lowered himself to the ground, moving close to fire, �what�d ya do raid my tobacco this afternoon?�

�Yeah, I did actually. Hope ya don�t mind. Here...� Roedel inched closer to Mackeson and offered him a cigarette.

�Thanks,� he grumbled softly, pressing the cigarette between his lips. The very gesture seemed sexual.

�I�ve been meaning to ask ya. You still planning that trip up North? Wasn�t that where you said you were headed - off to get yerself killed in Newport?� Roedel asked studying Mackeson with astute interest.

�That�s right, Dutchie. What�s it to ya?� Mackeson flashed him an uneasy glance.

�I don�t know. I guess I don�t think it�s such a good idea,� Roedel shrugged.

�Aww...and suddenly ya care?� Mackeson spat with sarcasm, then shuddered involuntarily.

Roedel smiled sweetly, watching as goosebumps appeared over Mackeson's skin, �yer going to freeze, Pitt.� He draped his arm around Mackeson�s shoulders and pulled him close, offering him the warmth of his body. Mackeson recoiled and shrugged Roedel�s arm off.

�What�re ya doing? Don�t go touching me like that.� Mackeson grimaced, �stop acting like such a sissy all the time. It ain�t right the way you are - always so damn needy and naive. It�s startin' to wear on me.�

�Jesus, Pitt - are ya ever NOT hostile?� Roedel grinned impishly, �and stop saying I�m the sissy, when ya look so very girlish yerself - although I must say your behavior is anything BUT ladylike.�

Mackeson stood in a huff and crushed his cigarette out with his the heal of his boot, �to hell with ya, Dutchie. All ya ever do is whimper like a child.�

�Say what you�d like about me, I was not the one whimpering last night.� Roedel struggled to conceal his amusement, turning his face away.

Mackeson glowered at the young man and clenched his fists at his side, but when he spoke, his voice was a seductive purr.

�Did ya like it...like watching me?� Mackeson took a step closer to the man, appraising him with a piercing stare, making Roedel squirm with discomfort. He cleared his throat nervously and tossed Mackeson an apprehensive gaze.

�Sorry, Pitt. That was out of line, I shouldn�t have...�

Before Roedel was able to finish his apology, Mackeson pounced, knocking the man over and onto his back. He pinned Roedel�s arms above his head, using the entire weight of his body to press him firmly to the ground. The heat of Mackeson's bare flesh burned through the flimsy material of Roedel's shirt as he stared up into Pit's adamant face, only inches away from his own.

Mackeson's breath caressed him as he spoke in a grating, stilted voice, �I do believe its yer turn to whimper, Dutchie.�

His eyes locked with Roedel's as he slid his hand between them, his agile fingers unfastening the clasps of Roedel�s trousers.

�Pitt, don�t...please...� Roedel�s eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty as Mackeson slipped a hand inside his open pants and palmed his balls. Roedel gasped at his touch, writhing beneath Mackeson as the man continued to fondle him. His lips crushed down over Roedel's ruggedly, his warm, slick tongue thrust forcefully against Roedel's closed lips, demanding they part. Unable to resist the sudden rush of pleasure flooding his body, he opened for Mackeson, permitting the man's probing tongue access to his mouth. He found himself kissing back with fevor, teasing Mackeson's tongue with his own, reveling in the moist heat of the other man's mouth as their tongues slithered together. Roedel's cock stiffened against Mackeson's hand, evoking a muffled groan from deep within Pitt's throat. Mackeson wrapped his fingers firmly around Roedel's rigid shaft, squeezing him gently before beginning the long, slow strokes.

�Do ya like this?� Pitt whispered hoarsely against Roedel's lips, rubbing his thumb over the head of the his cock, smearing the seeping fluid over the sensitive tip.

�Uhrm...yeah...I think so,� he panted heavily. Mackeson laughed softly at his response, running his tongue along Roedel's jaw line. He drew back suddenly, tugging at Roedel's clothing. Roedel let the man undress him, then watched intently as Mackeson removed his own boots and trousers. Roedel's eyes traveled over the other man's lean form appreciatively, not allowing himself to think of how very wrong this should probably seem to him.

"Spread yer legs, Dutchie." Mackeson commanded. Roedel complied willingly, moving his legs apart so Mackeson could crawl between them.

Mackeson ran his fingers lightly over Roedel's inner thighs, then lowered his face toward the man's swollen cock. Gazing up into Roedel's face lustily, he grasped the base of the man's dick and flicked his tongue over the very tip. He traced the rim lightly with his tongue, moving downward to caress the painfully engorged shaft with long wet licks. Mackeson moaned huskily as he brushed the weeping head over his provocative lips, coating his full pout with the salty fluid. Roedel lifted his hips, urging the man to devour his entire length. He watched breathlessly as Mackeson wrapped his lips around his shaft and swallowed him. His heart caught in his chest as he watched his cock disappear repeatedly between the man's lips.

Reaching down between Roedel's legs, Mackeson pressed a finger against his tight pucker, sending an electrical jolt through the man's body. He rubbed against Roedel's constrained hole with his fingertip, teasing the ring of muscles open before he lunged his digit deep inside, fucking him rigorously with his finger as he continued the steady suction on Roedel's cock. Roedel thrust his hips upward with abandon, clutching at he long strands of hair that fanned out over his stomach and thighs.

"Oh God, Pitt..." He lamented, momentarily blinded by ecstasy as his cock throbbed spastically within the confines of Mackeson's mouth, filling his throat with heavy streams of cum. When he was completely spent, Mackeson released his cock and climbed over his body. He leaned down to cover Roedel's mouth with his swollen lips. Roedel wrapped his arms around Mackeson's slender waist, tasting his own saltiness on the man's tongue as they shared a long wet kiss.

"I wanna be inside ya, Dutchie." Mackeson drew back, peering down at Roedel with desperation in his pale grey eyes.

"Yeah...do it then," he invited, drawing his knees up. "I wanna know what ya feel like."

Mackeson stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then nodded. He grabbed his thickened member and pressed the cushiony tip against Roedel's constricted hole. He thrust savagely against the man's unyeilding muscles, forcing them to open wide and accept his girth. Roedel bit back a scream as he was impaled with one forceful stab of Mackeson's cock.

"Ahh...Jesus...ya feel so good...so tight." Mackeson grunted, sinking himself far inside Roedel.

Roedel could feel his muscles begin to relax around Mackeson, the pain giving way to a much more delectable sensation as the man speared into him over and over again. His cries mingled with Mackeson's as they moved together in a fierce rhythm, the steady friction of Mackeson's stomach gliding over his cock arousing him once again.

"I've wanted ya...for so, so long, Dutchie," Mackeson panted breathlessly, quickening the pace of his thrusts.

"Harder Pitt, please...I need it...I need to feel it." Roedel begged shamelessly as the man drove him closer and closer to climax. Mackeson cried out softly as he came, his hot seed shooting deep inside Roedel's ass. The delicious sensation of Mackeson's warm juices filling his insides, pushed Roedel over the edge. He dug his fingers into Mackeson's back harshly, gasping as his cum mingled with the sweat between their groping bodies.

They laid tangled together in silence for a moment, almost afraid to speak and acknowledge what had just transpired. Mackeson nestled his head into the crook of Roedel's neck and nipped at him gently.

"Pitt, hey..." Roedel smoothed his hands over Mackeson's hair, tugging him upward to feast hungrily on his delicate features.

"Yeah?" A genuine smile spread out across Mackeson's thin face as he peered down tenderly at Roedel, a smile free of malice or contempt.

Roedel grinned back complacently, brushing the mussed hair out of Mackeson's glistening eyes. "Let's climb beneath those blankets,I think I'm going numb," he mumbled, pulling Pitt's head down to his, brushing the man's silken lips with his own. They chuckled lightly against each other's mouths, both hesitant to end their embrace.

Mackeson rolled away from Roedel, then stood and clasped the other man by each wrist, yanking him to his feet. Once he was standing, Roedel snaked his arm around Pitt's tiny waist and pulled him close against his body, escorting him over to the meager shelter. They crawled beneath the skimpy blankets, pressing their bodies together, basking in the warmth of their shared body heat - exploring, kissing, proving to themselves how very alive they were.

EPILOGUE:

Long after Mackeson had drifted into a sound sleep, Roedel laid wakeful, spooning the man's scrawny body from behind. His petite frame melted comfortably into Roedel, fitting against him perfectly. Roedel buried his face in Pitt's satiny tresses, inhaling his essence, savoring his musky male scent.

They'd spent the entire evening violating each other in the most pleasurable of ways, unable to sate the feral cravings they'd unleashed. Roedel closed his eyes, tightening his hold on Mackeson as he recalled how breathtaking the man had been only a short while before, straddling his hips. Mackeson had hovered above him like a fallen angel pleading for retribution, his eyes hazed over with lust as he rode Roedel's shaft with bestial intensity. It was almost as if he relished the abuse. Overwhelmed with fervor, Roedel had clasped Mackeson's cock ruggedly, moving his hand in quick wrenching motions until Mackeson sobbed, his thick cum spraying out over Roedel's bare stomach. Afterward, Pitt had collapsed beside him, panting and exhausted as he clung despondently to Roedel's damp body.

When Roedel finally slipped into a state of suspended animation, it was Mackeson he envisioned. Pitt was brushing his lips tenderly against his skin, his breathy voice wavering against Roedel's ear, "I always did like ya, Dutchie. Always...I'll raise that toast to ya in Newport."

Roedel's eyes bolted open and his stomach lurched. He reached out through the darkness frantically, hoping he'd feel Pitt beside him, though he already knew in his heart that the man was gone.

"Damn you, Pitt!" he muttered weakly, feeling the bile rise in his throat.

Roedel threw his blanket off and fumbled for his crumpled trousers, his hands trembling as he dressed. Scanning the campsite hastily, Roedel realized that Mackeson had left with nothing more than the clothes on his back. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh at his good fortune because, without a horse, there was no possible way Mackeson could have made it very far - or cry at Pitt's display of selflessness. Roedel's heart clenched as he mounted Mackeson's horse. One thing he knew for certain, he wasn't about to let Pitt slink away in the middle of the night to fulfill some masochistic death wish. He'd find him long before Newport, and if not...he'd meet him there.