- Days passed, and Leopold could not get his cousin out of his head. Why hasn't he called? Shouldn't he have called by now? Maybe he really didn't want to stay in touch, or what if that meddling old bag told him something about me after I left... Suddenly, the phone rang. Leopold dived acrossed his bed and grabbed for it, but held it there on the ringer until it had fineshed it's second ring, then casually answer with a "Hello?"
"Leopold?"
It was Valek. Oh my God! "Yes, who's this?"
"This is Valek. We met at the family reunion."
"Oh, yeah, I remember you." That's it, Leopold, just play it smooth.
"Yes, well, I was wondering if you were busy this afternoon?"
"This afternoon? Let me check..." Leopold eyes his nails a moment. Proping the phone between his shoulder and ear, he picked some dirt from beneath one nail. "Nope, doesn't look like I've anything planned, yet."
"Marvelous. Do you know the park near the center of the city? The one with the mansion ruins?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Meet me at the old mansion around sunset."
"Secret meetings in secluded places at dark. Sounds interesting." Leopold was grinning.
"We shall see," Valek had a mischevious tone to his voice. "See you there." And the Valek hung up, before Leopold could say another word. Leopold hung up, then rolled onto his back on his bed and sighed, arms spread out. What a man. Always so suave, so cool. Valek was almost as cool a customer as Leopold. Better be careful not to be TOO cool, Leopold, or else no one will be making moves! Leopold sat up, combed his hair, and picked out his best "come hither" outfit.
He's late. He's late. He's not coming. He's not interested in me. It was just a prank and he hates me. Leopold! Shut up. He's coming, just give him a moment. Leopold leaned against the half collapsed outter wall of the mansion. The entire park had once belonged to this rich old guy somewhere around the turn of the century, but he died without an heir, and the place had been crumbling ever sence. The state had claimed the grounds as a park and built play equipment for kids, but when they tried to tear down the old mansion, protesters arrived, shouting bullshit about "historical importance." So techinically, the mansion was off limits to the public, as it was dangerous, but a quick climb over the ivy wrought iron gate and one could gain easy access to building. Leopold yawned. He'd gotten here too early, and he was bored. He leaned his head against the wall and looked up at the stars to occupy his time. Leopold was not a star gazer, however, and so the stars bored him as well. Leopold closed his eyes and picture Valek as he had been that day. Ebony locks capturing the suns rays. Deep green eyes lighting up with laughter at Leopolds jokes. Leopold didn't even hear the tall, dark, and hansom man walk right up to him and lean into Leopolds ear. It was only when the man whispered a soft "What are we dreaming about?" that Leopold startled, screaming out. Quick to react, Valek clamped a hand over the younger mans mouth to silence him, looking about to see if they had been caught. Noting that no one had heard, Valek lowered his hand. "The park is closed, and we're not supposed to be here, so keep it down," he whispered now. Leopold frowned at him. "If you hadn't have sneeked up on me, I wouldn't have screamed." Leopold glared at Valek mildly, but the dark haired man was only grinning. Playfully, he waved for Leopold to follow him as he walked for the half rotten front door. On the door, swinging by it's last nail, hung a sign that read "Permitance not allowed. Violaters will be prosequted." Valek paid no heed to this, and pushed to door open, strolling on it. Leopold followed. "What are we doing in here?" he whispered only a touch louder than when they had been outside. "So no one will see us," Valek answered simply. "What will we be doing that needn't be seen?" Leopold asked, hurrying to catch up to Valek and stand at his side. Valek looked to the younger man, and placed an index finger to his lips. Slowly, Valek shushed the boy, and dropped his hand again. After that, Leopold followed in silence. Valek lead Leopold through the maze of rooms, moving from one to the next until he found one he seemed to like. It was a billiard room, or parlour, with no windows. There was a pool table in the center of the room, one leg missing. Leopold casually leaned against the wall, crossing his feet at his ankles, and crossing his arms. "So, what are we doing here?" Leopold had been examining the floor, so he did not see Valek come back around to him, did not see him standing there until the man was almost on him, looked up only a second before Valek placed a hand on the wall on either side of Leopold, leaned in, and locked his lips on Leopolds. Leopold was so surprised by this sudden drastic display that he gasped in the middle of the kiss. Valek had begun to curl his fingers in Leopolds blond hair before Leopold reacted, kissing the man back as his days at the boarding school had taught him. Valek seemed mildly started that Leopold had reacted as such, and pulled away, leaving his finger twisted there in the light golden locks.
"What's wrong?" Leopold asked, confused.
Valek took a moment gathering his words. "We shouldn't do this." With that, Valek untangled himself from Leopold and took a few steps away, turning his back on the dumb-founded boy. Valek had his arms crossed, one hand under his chin, deep in thought.
"Talk about your hot and cold, jeez. What just happened here?" Leopold moved off the wall to walk around Valek and faced him. Valek met his gaze.
"I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, setting in that garden maze. If not then, then certainly the more we talked, the more my fondness grew. I did not know we were cousins at the time."
"So?"
"So? So, it's not proper. These feelings I have, they shouldn't be allowed. Not for my own cousin." Valek tried to turn away again.
Leopold grabbed his arm and forced him to remain there. "Proper? Valek, I thought one such as yourself... I thought you were to smart to be fooled by all of that."
"All of what, Leopold?"
God, the way he says my name... The way it rolls off those soft lips, that wet tongue... "Society has you brainwashed. These idiots have fooled you into believeing their rules! What's 'proper' and what isn't. Valek, don't let them fool you. It's all lies, lies they use to control you."
"So your saying these feelings I have for my COUSIN aren't wrong?" It was a challenge.
"I'm saying these feelings you have for ME aren't wrong. Forget that we're related, we're told to 'love our brother,' right? What love is there greater than this?" Leopold took a step toward Valek, placing their bodies a breath apart, and was relieved that Valek did not step away. Valek stared deep into Leopolds eyes, searching for an answer to his own inner torments, Leopold took it. Leopold still grasped one of Valeks arms, and after a time, Valek raised the other to caress Leopolds cheek. He whispered Leopolds name, like something treasured and precious. No one had ever said Leopolds name like that. Leopold never broke eye contact. "Yes," he whispered back. Leopold felt Valeks other arm moving around his waist, and released it. Valek moved forward slowly, and brushed his cheek against Leopolds other cheek, like a cat loving him. Leopold felt that wet, warm tongue on his ear lobe and melted. That was alright though, Valek supported the boy easily with one arm. Leopold felt that wet extension slide down his neck and throat, then move back upwards to caress the soft, tender flesh beneath Leopolds jaw. Leopold thought he heard himself moan, but he was so lost in lust he could not be certain. Leopold felt a sharp pinch, but not a hard one. A love nip, maybe? Leopold was almost beside himself with lust, and made a grab for the opening to Valeks pants. His hands, however, were stopped by Valeks. "Not tonight, darling. It's too soon. Maybe later, but not tonight." Leopold was severly disappointed. "What do you mean, it's too soon?" What was Valek talking about? Leopolds pout must have been obvious for Valek suddenly caught Leopolds lower lip between Valeks teeth, gently, and sucked on it. Leopolds blood was on fire! Damnit, why not tonight? After releasing his lip, Valek straightened Leopold, and gently stepped away. "Come along, I've business to attend too." Valek held out a hand and Leopold took it without thinking. Then they left the mansion, and after one final goodnight kiss, Valek left Leopold at the door. Leopold turned to the sign that threatened to fall off. Leopold grabbed the sign, and with one good tug, pulled it free from the rotten wood. "Not allowed, my foot." Leopold dropped the sign in the dirt, and headed home.