| Title: Of Past and Present Author: Kitsune Spirit Warnings: MAJOR SAP THAT WILL ROT YOUR TEETH, Shounen Ai, very slightly citrusy. Romance. PG-13 Part 15 ~birthday surprise~ The wet spring slowly passed for the two lovers. They spent their time talking, snuggling together, and on many occasions getting drunk. Summer had come and gone. The summer was spent in parts of town and in the fields surrounded by flowers, making love under the stars. They were happier than either had been for a long time. It was now autumn, the 30th of August to be precise. The surrounding lake was now cold, and during some of the trips back from town, Kala-nesh had built a small bathing hut in the large garden where they had privacy and warmed water. The trees around them were decked in vibrant shades of gold, amber, browns, many yellows, and sun-kissed orange. When it was warm enough, they would sometimes picnic outside, or lay out at night, watching the fireflies and the stars sparkling millions of miles away from them, basking in the thick dark blanket of the sky. This day was special. It was Kala-nesh's 25th birthday and Zesian was waiting anxiously for Kala-nesh to wake up. Kala-nesh was awoken by the cooked, delicious smells of breakfast served by his love. It was not the food or the kind thought that stopped Kala-nesh's breath' but the beauty that was Zesian. His hair had grown longer in the passing months since he met him in March, and it was worn down, free from its usual binding. Emerald eyes shone at him, filled with love and devotion. It made him smile, and forgetting the breakfast for just a moment, he bundled a surprised Zesian into his arms, pulling him close and kissing him. He held him like he had so many times before, and knew that this would be one birthday where he wasn't alone, and now, he just waited for January to come. Zesian's birthday. He set Zesian down as his stomach growled in hunger, both laughing as they sat. Zesian was next to the older man as he ate, glancing at him and smiling. "Is the food ok?" Zesian asked nervously. He had cooked something he had found in a book and was afraid it'd be horrible. "Zes, you have to ask?" Kala-nesh replied, grinning as Zesian smiled again. Whenever he used that nickname Zesian smiled, his eyes growing wider, lighting up and sharing his soul with the man before him. Kala-nesh would do anything to protect the delicate thing from shattering. "I have a birthday present for you, Kala-nesh," he whispered. Looking up, Kala-nesh grinned. It wasn't a happy grin but a lust-filled one. "You?" he smiled, knowing it would cause a blush to rise over the younger man like it always did. But somewhere, he also hoped it was he. "Yes, but that's later," Zesian giggled as the other man almost choked on his food at his reply. "Finish eating and I'll get it". Zesian walked out of the room and came back holding a box tied in dark red velvet. Setting the tray down, Kala-nesh patted his lap, and Zesian joined him. "It's not much, but I wanted to give you something which means a lot to me. I hope you'll like it," he said in a whisper. Kala-nesh hugged him tightly; he had noticed the hint of vulnerability behind the soft voice. Seven months ago, he wouldn't have realized that the man before him could be so gentle and afraid so easily. It made his heart rejoice knowing he made the man happily, being the only one who had crept in and had been given this kind of love, been given the man's heart. Unwrapping the ties he pulled off the velvet; it was a simple wooden box in design, but adorning it was painted dragons, entwining their tails. He opened it, and bright gold caught his eyes as he noticed the silk adorning the inside of the box. Putting his hand in he lifted out a carved dragon. Looking more closely, he noticed that it was two, carved in a loving embrace, mouths close together and dangling from them a gold ring. "It's not much, but I wanted to give you something that meant something deep inside, not something to just be castaway with no use." /I hope he likes it,/ Zesian prayed. It had taken him a lot of courage and time to give this gift. He had carved the dragons himself, painting them. One was a vibrant gold the other black with soft blue hues. Their bodies were intertwined as if lovers. The ring itself was more the gift, and Kala-nesh took it gently from the grips of the mouths, holding it in his fingers. "It...it was my mother's; it was the only thing that father didn't sell and that she gave to me. She said to give it to the person I loved the most... I...I know we can't get married or anything, and we haven't known each other for a long time, but..." His voice softened as he twiddled with the red fabric. "...But I was hoping that you'd be mine, but only if you want, I mean you don't have to, I just..." He babbled on until a soft kiss hushed him. As they parted he noticed tears on Kala-nesh's face, dampening his hair. "Of course I will, Zes," He smiled, giving the man a hug. "It's the best present I could have ever received; thank you so much." He hugged the other man tightly, slipping on the ring, surprised that it actually fit his finger. He looked to Zesian, who shrugged. "I had it made bigger in town" he said, smiling. "No use if you can't wear it, ne?" He paused before asking; "You really like it?" "Hai, it's the best, thank you. I know how afraid you must have been, afraid I would say no, but I do love you." Zesian's eyes watered happily, he never grew tired of being told how much he was loved, and Kala-nesh never grew tired of telling him. He loved to see the smile that adorned Zesian's face and knew it was just for him. Placing the packaging away gently, he scooped Zesian up into his lap. "Now, how about you?" Kala-nesh grinned, his face changing from joy to blatant lust. "You haven't let me unwrap my last present yet." And they both giggled as he proceeded to unwrap, and try out his favorite present. |