“Hey, Cosmo,” Ace greeted warmly as he entered the living room/library in the early evening hour. The young man he was addressing was stretched out on the couch, watching the 3d, remote in hand.
 “Hey, Ace,” the teen returned listlessly, not even looking up.
 Ace paused with a frown. That was hardly typical of Cosmo’s attitude in life. He wondered what was wrong.
 “Everything okay?” he asked lightly, pulling off his cape and draping it across the back of the easy chair.
 An indifferent shrug. “Yeah.” Cosmo looked up briefly. “Why?”
 Ace kept his face neutral. “Nothing,” he returned. For a moment his partner looked at him, something going on deep in the gray eyes but not quite coming to the surface. With a slight shrug Cosmo returned his attention to the t.v.
 Okay, what was up? Ace perused his memory. Nothing had gone wrong in practice today. The props had come in for the new show, no problems there. So what was wrong? Crossing his arms over his chest, Ace quietly watched his young companion. The only thing the teen seemed to radiate was a depressed gloom.
 Strange.
 Curious, Ace let his attention focus on the magic force, the power that was always around him, part of him. Opening his perception Ace found something peculiar. Now that was odd. Cosmo was shielding; rather heavily from the movement in the currents. While Ace really couldn’t normally decipher Cosmo’s spell use by the shifting currents, the shield spell was used readily enough to make it’s unique impression on the eddies and currents of power recognizable.
 Now, Ace was worried. Cosmo almost never shielded, unless during a show or during a dangerous situation where Ace might be forced to call up the magic force without notice. Here, in the safe confines of their home, it was something the teen simply never did.
 So. What was wrong?
 “Going out tonight?” he tried, keeping his voice unassuming. Whatever was bothering Cosmo he didn’t seemed inclined to share. An unusual event given the change in their relationship.
 Another listless shrug. “Naw. Just going to stay home,” Cosmo returned simply, offering no more than that.
 Now Ace was worried. Cosmo rarely wasted free time when they got it. The young man loved the dance clubs. They were his second home and he never passed up the opportunity to go.
 Cosmo shifted on the couch. A slight, aggravated twitch and resettled, hand rubbing across his face. Ace paused, studying the body language. No, Cosmo wasn’t listless-- he was restrained. Ace had seen it before when Cosmo was trying to wait for a big date with Ulene. A strange kind of forced stillness.
 Now that started to make more sense!
 Ace smiled. Cosmo was, well, to put it politely, hot and bothered. Ace chuckled at his own density. Of course! Cosmo was a seventeen year old. An age synonymous with an overactive sex drive.
 That explained the shields. Cosmo was trying not to make things harder on himself. Things were still tentative in their relationship. They hadn’t talked much about it since their late night discussion in Ace’s bed, both of them were still feeling out the sudden shift in their friendship. Cosmo more so than Ace. The young man still seemed nervous about the fact the magician could have affections for him, let alone love. Now it seemed like physical attraction was starting to add to the unsure mix.
 He smiled gently, with some amusement, some pity. Love should not be this hard on anyone. But then, Cosmo never made anything easy. It simply wasn’t his way.
 So what to do? He certainly couldn’t let his partner sit around glumly on the couch. And their relationship was still to new and uncertain to engage in any more exuberant pursuits. Especially given Cosmo was still underage.
 Ace chuckled, very softly. Oh, it had been some years since he had had to court anyone. So long he’d almost forgotten the steps involved. No, they could not commit to an extreme physical relationship, yet, but there were other less excessive ways of showing ones affections.
 “May I?” Ace asked politely, gesturing to a section of couch. Cosmo arched a surprise eyebrow at him, hesitating before scooting over, sitting somewhat upright. It allowed enough space on the couch for Ace to sit down. There was a brief moment where both men resettled, Cosmo still keeping his eyes on the screen, almost willfully ignoring the presence of the man beside him.
 Ace smiled as he felt the currents shift. Cosmo was reinforcing the shield. Now he was certain about the problem.
 “That doesn’t look comfortable,” Ace commented lightly. It actually didn’t. Cosmo was sort of half laying, half sitting on the remaining section of couch.
 His partner shrugged and mumbled. “It’s okay,”
 “Here.” Ace reached out and caught Cosmo’s arm, tugging him back. There was a brief flash of panic in the young man’s eyes as Ace urged him along.
 “I won’t bite,” Ace laughed. Cosmo blushed, perhaps embarrassed at thinking just that. That made Ace smile all the more as he gently rearranged Cosmo to lean up against him, letting an arm drape comfortably around the slender shoulders. Cosmo was still thin, though he was starting to fill out at last, the latest growth spurt the teen was experiencing seeming to finally be putting meat on his bones, though he would probably never gain much more in height.
 “Better?”
 A quick nod was his answer. “Yeah,” Cosmo muttered. The teen  was still rather stiff, propped against him. Almost afraid to relax. Ace didn’t mind. He simply had offered Cosmo the chance for a little more intimacy in their relationship. He would not push. Both of them needed to ease into this venture.
 So Ace watched the t.v. with no real interest. While his eyes were on the screen he felt every slight change in the young man in his arms; that being where his real attention was. At first, there had been nothing, then slowly, very slowly Cosmo relaxed, letting a little more of his weight slump against the magician. Ace accepted the extra burden easily, letting his right hand knead gently at Cosmo’s right shoulder. It didn’t seem to startle the young man, so he kept up the gentle massage.
 He let himself drift in the moment. There was a warm contentment in just having his younger friend with him. Having him in his arms. Ace allowed himself the small pleasure of letting his fingers flit up to brush at the soft red hair. Cosmo stiffened slightly, but didn’t protest. Ace accepted it as a blessing and let his hand travel to the back of the young man’s neck, massaging gently.
 “Feels nice,” Cosmo admitted softly, voice a bit shy.
 “I’m glad you like,” Ace returned. Very glad. While in public, Ace was not one for extravagant gestures of affection, preferring to express his love in more physical means in private.
 Cosmo relaxed against him a little more with almost a sigh. That warmed the magician. He almost laughed. He felt almost like a young teen again himself; sitting on the couch, hoping to get lucky. The very mental image made him chuckle.
 “What’s funny?” Cosmo asked curiously, craning just enough to peek back at him.
 “Just remembering,” he offered. The answer didn’t seem to quite satisfy the young man, but that was what Ace intended. He wanted to get that shield down subtly. Offer Cosmo a reason to drop it and probe. Ace knew what a drain it was on his partner, emotionally and physically to have the shield up.
 Cosmo looked at him a moment more, then turned away again, not sure what to do in the older man’s arms. Ace grinned lightly. Not as if he was any more sure what to do with the young man in his embrace. But, he was looking forward to the prospect of learning. That, sent shivers to very pleasant places indeed.
 Ace blinked and found himself looking again into a pair of scrutinizing gray eyes. Undoubtedly that last thought had tapped against the shield. Ace never broke stride in his massage, offering a pleasant smile to Cosmo’s cocked brow. He saw the curiosity and slight annoyance in that gaze. Cosmo wasn’t dumb. He'd probably figured out what Ace was trying to do. Now if only Cosmo would oblige and let the shield down and relax.
 “Not too heavy am I?” he asked suddenly.
 Ace shook his head. “No. Not at all.”
 Cosmo frowned a little longer, then shifted again, this time turning slightly more into him. Ace let his hand fall to land across Cosmo’s collar bone. The new position made the neck rub impossible, but it brought the young man right against him. Ace turned his face and let a few of the spiky red strands of his companions gravity defying hair tickle across his face. He drew in a deep breath, enjoying the soft masculine scent of his partner.
 Strange... He never had really thought about such things before. How everyone had their own particular smell. Cosmo smelled nice he decided. Whether Cosmo would be thrilled by this particular he didn’t know, nor felt inclined to share. Ace took in another deep breath, enjoying the guilty little pleasure
 Of it’s own accord his right hand had started to trace lazily across Cosmo’s collar bone, sweeping back and forth slowly, the thin red shirt was no barrier to his sensitive fingers as they traveled over the prominent bone.
 “Uhm... Ace”
 “Yes?”
 “What are you doing?”
 Ace was once again looking down at his partner who was once again looking up with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. A quick check confirmed that Cosmo had yet to relax and let down the shield.
 Ace shrugged. “Snuggling,” he declared pleasantly, his hand never stopping it’s slow caress. “Do you mind?”
 Cosmo blinked, almost comically. It seemed like he couldn’t decide how to feel.
 “Uhm...” he started, then stopped frowning. “It’s kind of weird.”
 Ace’s eyebrows raised. “Weird?” He was surprised just how much that statement hurt. Not a jabbing pain, but a soft rejection. Was Cosmo having second thoughts about their relationship? It was not a pleasant consideration, but entirely a possible one. Stopping his hand took an effort, but he did it. Not liking it either.
 The rejection showed on his face as Cosmo frowned uncertainly. The teen licked his lips hesitantly. “Well,” he started, “it’s just that.... well.. uhm. I’m not use to well...”
 Ace was utterly intrigued. Cosmo was blushing a bright, delightful red. Now what was bringing that on?
 The young man let out a snort and turned away, slouching against him, going suddenly silent.
 “What’s wrong, Cosmo?” Ace nudged his jaw. A gentle request for Cosmo to face him. He relented, still blushing.
 “Well... I’m not use to having someone make the moves on me!” he blurted out, the blush deepening.
 “Or, is it that you not use to having a man make the moves on you?” Ace countered. Cosmo had never really mentioned his feelings about homosexual relations. It was simply a topic that had never come up, but now it was becoming a very real part of their lives.
 Cosmo stared at him neutrally, not answering his question, but not pulling away either.
 Ace offered a small smile. “If you are having second doubts....” It would break Ace’s heart if he was. The magician had only recently come to grips that he had a growing love for his apprentice, to lose that blossoming feeling, it would cut him to the quick. But he would never do anything against Cosmo’s will.
 “Is that why you’ve got you’re shields up?”
 Cosmo blinked, then ducked his head. “You noticed, eh?”
 Ace chuckled. He was no empath, as his partner was, but he was not totally obtuse.
 “Yes, I noticed. Are you having second thoughts?” It was an important question and it had to be addressed. Cosmo slowly shook his head.
 “No. It’s not that, Ace,” Cosmo admitted at last. “It’s just.... I don’t have any idea what to do. I mean... I’m attracted and.. I’ve never...”
 “Never been attracted to a man before?” Ace finished. Cosmo nodded and dropped his gaze. The older man caught his chin and lifted it without resistance.
 “Neither have I,” he offered as consolation. “I may be a bit older, but I honestly admit that I have no more experience than you.”
 Cosmo thought about that momentarily. His brow quirked down in consideration.
 “Then... how do you know? Well..”
 “How to make the moves?” Ace stated bluntly. Cosmo glared indignantly at his assessment.
 “I don’t. I..” Ace shrugged. “I just follow my instincts. Do what feels right.”
 It didn’t seem to make the teen feel any better. He slouched back against him, arms crossing over his chest. A classic sign of displeasure in his friend.
 “I’m not trying to force you into any sort of role, Cosmo, if that’s what’s bothering you,” Ace tried softly. He was aware that in homosexual relationships there tended to be a masculine and feminine role taken up by the lovers. It wouldn’t work with them. In no way. Anyway, it wasn’t what Ace wanted. He had no ego for such things. “I’m sorry if it feels like that.”
 Cosmo looked back at him, still frowning slightly. “No. It’s not that,” he sighed, throwing his hand up in frustration. “It’s just that. Well, I’m not use to it!”
 Ace gave his partner a tight hug. “It’s all new for me too, Cosmo. Don’t forget that. You’re not the only one flying a bit blind here,” he explained humorously.
 That set the young man back slightly-- thoughtfully.
 “I never thought of that,” he admitted, then shrug. “You’re just always so confident about things,” Cosmo sighed, then shrugged again.
 Ace laughed and hugged him once more. “If you didn’t have your shields up, I’m sure you could feel my nervousness. I have never been one to openly express my true emotions.”
 “Tell me something I didn’t know,” Cosmo grumped. Ace laughed again.
 “Now wait a minute here. You are the empath of the two of us,” Ace pointed out playfully. Cosmo rolled his eyes.
 “Strong emotions only, dude,” Cosmo shot back. “And even those are few and far between.”
 “True. True,” Ace admitted. “So. You’re okay with this?” He tightened his hold ever so slightly. Cosmo nodded and offered a small grin.
 “Yeah. I’m cool with it,” he chuckled, relaxing back against the older man. Ace accepted the weight happily. A moments serene silence settled over them as Ace let his hand start it gentle exploration of Cosmo’s collar bone again. The teen let out a slight sigh and relaxed a touch more against him. Curious, Ace inspected the lines of the magic force and smiled. Cosmo had finally dropped the shield. Good. Now perhaps the young man could relax and enjoy this. Ace knew he was.
 Briefly he looked up to the t.v. A movie was playing. Something old. It seemed vaguely familiar, but nothing enough to catch his attention. No. Cosmo was currently the focus of his evening. This was pleasant. Very much so. How long had it been since he had taken the time to simply cuddle on the couch? Even with Mona such things had never happened. There just wasn’t time, or passions were too bridled to allow such gentle pleasantries.
 Yes. It was like being a teenager all over again. Discovering the joys and mysteries of a new relationship. Of territory never charted before.
 A soft shudder of excitement rippled through him.
 Indeed, very uncharted territory. But a joy nonetheless.
 “Ace?”
 “Hmmm?”
 “What are you doing?”
 Somewhat to his embarrassment, Ace blinked and found that his hand had wandered, quite of it’s own accord, from his partner’s collar bone to weave curiously through the thick red hair. Ace looked at the fingers currently carded in the red locks.
 “I’m playing with you hair,” he stated, as if it was the most obvious thing on the earth. Like hell if he was going to admit that his body seemed to have a better idea of what to do than he did.
 A chuckle bounced through the slender body in his arms. “Thanks for stating the obvious, dude,” Cosmo snorted. Ace laughed himself, yet never removed his fingers, letting them pull through the silk soft threads.
 “You like doing that, don’t you?” It was an innocent question, curious, not demeaning in the least. Ace smiled. Cosmo was being inquisitive about how he felt about such things. It was a good sign the young man was relaxing into the relationship.
 “Yes. I do. I hope it doesn’t bother you.” He really hoped it didn’t. Ace truly enjoyed playing with Cosmo’s hair. It was so soft, despite its course appearance.
 “No. I like it. Feels nice,” Cosmo admitted, shifting slightly, turning toward him. He reached, somewhat awkwardly despite his new angle and slipped his own fingers along Ace’s temple, through the white strip there. Ace closed his eyes slightly as the warm fingers brushed along his temple, lifting the white strands.
 “It is soft.” It was a statement of surprise. Ace opened his eyes but Cosmo’s attention was purely on his hair, where the young man’s fingers were gently rubbing back the white band, ruffling the usually smooth coif.
 “It’s just. Well... It always looks stiff. Like you use too much gel,” Cosmo explained at his curious glance. Ace chuckled and lifted Cosmo slightly, letting him turn against him more so it wasn’t so awkward for the teenager to reach him. A thrill of excitement coursed through him at the young man’s explorations. A selfish pleasure at Cosmo curious venture into his own body.
 “My hair’s always laid rather flat. Except for the forelock,” Ace explained. It was one of the reason he kept his hair short. Appearances. He could never wear his hair like Cosmo did. It just didn’t have that kind of body.
 Cosmo’s fingers had traveled to the little white forelock that always seem to pop up despite Ace’s best efforts to keep it flat. It was as if the white strip was attempting to announce it’s presence. Demanding to be noticed.
 ‘Story of my life,’ Ace mused in slight annoyance.
 “Cool,” Cosmo stated, pulling the white strands gently through his fingers, absolutely fascinated. He blushed slightly as he caught sight of Ace’s amused smiled.
 “Sorry,” he apologized, letting the hair go bashfully.
 Ace shook his head, catching the fallen hand.
 “Don’t be sorry. I don’t mind,” he assured, raising Cosmo’s hand to his temple again. Cosmo accepted the invitation and ran his hand through a second time, letting the hairs tangle completely in his fingers.
 “Cool,” he stated again. Ace chuckled. Cosmo had never been one for flowery descriptions. A strange, wicked grin came over the young man’s face suddenly and Ace had half a second to frown before the hand carded in his hair suddenly moved madly. He let out a startled gasp as Cosmo promptly riffled every hair on his head.
 The young man was laughing against him. Soft, shuddering giggles rocking them both as Ace glared down at him, hair thoroughly mussed. Oh ho, so that was the way the youngster wanted it.
 “Two can do that,” he declared, deftly flicking Cosmo’s glasses off and attacking the red mop with both hands.
 “Hey.. cut that out!” Cosmo laughed in protest, offering no resistance whatsoever. Ace did stop at last and, to his chagrin, realized that he had had little impact on his friend’s hair. It still looked pretty much like the wild jumble it always looked, red hairs attempting to go every which way at once.
 Cosmo grinned smugly up at him, clearly having expected this result.
 “You’re not the first to try, bud,” he stated at Ace’s obvious annoyance. Ace shook his head and chuckled, letting his hand travel over the red hair with less violent intentions.
 “Hopefully, I’ll be the last,” he commented lightly.
 Cosmo smiled slightly. “Hopefully,” he confirmed quietly. Then gray eyes twinkled mischievously. “It looks good, dude.”
 His hair. Sticking out every which way. Ace was not flattered.
 “Thanks,” he shot back dryly, attempting to fuss the wayward locks into a semblance of order. Cosmo snickered at his fussiness, leaning against him again, head pillowed on the older man's shoulder. There was a brief shuffling as Cosmo shifted, a touch more upright at last, snuggling comfortably. Another giggle bounced through the young body as he relaxed again.
 Ace chuckled himself, hoping he’d managed to get his hair back under control. So, Cosmo was a playful sort. It really didn’t surprise him. It would keep the magician on his toes, Ace had no doubt of that. The prospect was not without its appeal.
 Cosmo let out a soft sigh of contentment, eyes having drifted back to the t.v. Ace’s own eyes had drifted down to the nape of Cosmo’s neck, that rested against his shoulder.
 A sudden desire bloomed in the magician. One that had come to him in the past but never had the opportunity arisen. Almost cautiously, Ace shifted slightly, and laid a gentle kiss to the pale skin where the young man’s neck slopped into strong shoulders. Cosmo stiffened momentarily as he sucked delicately at the warm flesh, a satisfying thrill running through Ace as he released the small nape of skin and latched onto Cosmo’s neck. This time Cosmo relaxed against him with a soft exhale.
 “Ace?”
 “Hmmm?”
 “What are you doing?”
 Ace trailed chaste kisses up Cosmo’s neck till he reached an ear.
 “How do you feel about hickeys?”
 That elicited a laugh. Cosmo looked back at him yet again, but the gray eyes held more than humor. Excitement tinged their depths. Anticipation also. Ace knew he felt it as well.
 “Uhm... I remember someone mentioning we wouldn’t do anything till I was legal age,” Cosmo pointed out, not entirely without annoyance at the fact.
 Ace smiled, locking eyes with his friend.
 “I also remember someone asking about kissing,” he pointed out.
 Cosmo blinked, eyes widening, mouth hanging slightly open. “Oh,” he said distantly, a slight blush on his cheeks. “Yeah. I guess I did ask about that.”
 Ace nodded. “Yes, and I agreed. Remember?”
 Indeed the teen did as the wide eyes narrowed suddenly, a smoldering curiosity there. He craned his head back, offering his neck playfully.
 “Yeah..... I do.”
 Ace accepted the invitation and laid a trail of soft kisses over the young man’s throat, going down to the nape were he nipped gently, eliciting another soft murmur of satisfaction. The low sound reached straight into him in the most pleasant of ways as Ace let his tongue dance lightly over the skin, devouring Cosmo’s salty sweet taste.
 Cosmo let out a soft rumble as he drew back slightly. The teen moved, this time, returning the gift, lips brushing along Ace’s jaw and traveling down his throat. Ace shuddered as Cosmo nipped playfully at his neck, sucking hard at the nape. Oh, that was going to leave a hickey, but it felt so good.
 “Feel good?” Cosmo inquired softly, lips brushing against him as he spoke, raising small goosebumps. A very positive sensation.
 “Yes.” What else could he say? It felt damn good. Cosmo accepted the compliment and caught his neck again, sneaking kisses all across his throat as somehow the teen managed to nimbly position himself in his lap. By the time the young man was done they were facing each other; eye to eye.
 “You okay?” Ace asked, noting the strange, distant look in his partner’s gaze. Cosmo nodded slowly, a slightly awed smile coming to his face.
 “Yeah. It’s just. I..” He blushed faintly, eyes sliding to the side. “It feels good to make you feel good.” Then peeked uncertainly at him, as if this confession was out of the ordinary.
 Ace let his lips travel again over Cosmo’s neck, the young man turning and offering himself as he sucked with a bit more pressure. This earned him a slight shiver of pleasure through the lean body. He pulled away, just enough to face Cosmo again.
 “I feel the same way,” he stated, letting his eyes confirm the truth. Cosmo took that in with a slightly predatory smile.
 “Cool.” His blessing for the whole venture. Ace chuckled softly, in both pleasure and amusement. Cosmo laughed lightly with him. Then, cautiously, he moved forward, hand drifting up to the side of Ace’s face. Ace had no trouble recognizing the silent inquiry and leaned forward, accepting the offer. His eyes dropped shut as the teen shyly brought his lips against Ace’s.
 Warm. That was Ace’s first impression as Cosmo gently pressed against him. Warm, tender. The kiss was fleeting, but it touched off nerves through out his body. More, his brain stated firmly. He definitely wanted more. Letting his eyes slit open, Ace saw Cosmo looking at him the same way, the smoldering gray eyes offset by shy curiosity. Ace felt the same. Aroused and intrigued all at once.
 “How was that?” he entreated softly. Their last kiss had been a startlement to the teen, though he had apparently enjoyed the event. Cosmo licked his lips uncertainly, but didn’t answer, instead, he pulled Ace to him again. Ace went more than willingly. This time it was not a brief press. Ace felt Cosmo tongue hesitantly trace over his upper lip. Shivers of pleasure ripped through him as Ace opened to the silent request. It was perhaps not the most graceful of kisses, but it filled his world as Ace let Cosmo explore him, tongue dancing lightly across his in the investigative embrace.
 Cosmo pulled away with a slight gasp, eyes wide, not with fear but arousal. Ace let his hand travel over the red hair, gently cradling the young face.
 “Am I encroaching?” It was a question of his emotions. Ace knew his own state of arousal at the moment, he didn’t want to impress to hard on the young empath and force him to shield.
 “A little” Cosmo admitted in a whisper. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
 “Do you like?” A referral to the kiss. Cosmo’s eyes narrowed suggestively as he nodded.
 “Yes.” It came out as a rough purr. Ace shivered at that. Cosmo’s voice had that effect on him, he had learned. When his pitch, his whole tone spoke volumes. Passionate volumes.
 Ace started this time, bending down. Cosmo met him halfway. The shy curiosity was quickly giving way to rich pleasure as Cosmo’s arms wrapped around his neck, their lips locking together. Firm, hot, passionately. When Ace broke away he maintained his own unconscious grip on the young man, holding him close to his chest, feeling the distant pulse of his companion.
 “I love you, Cosmo,” he breathed, the words falling out of their own accord. The young man’s eyes widened slightly in a panic. Ace brought his fingers across the uncertain lips, hushing Cosmo before he could say anything.
 “You don’t have to answer that if you’re not ready,” Ace said softly. “I understand.”
 He did understand. Ace had never been one to deny his own feelings: Cosmo was not so certain, the teen always having a harder time dealing with such emotions, especially ones of a positive nature. He would not rush the young man to any hasty conclusions or declarations.
 For a moment there was consternation in the pale gaze, then a slight nod. Cosmo accepted his words silently. The uncertainty left his face, being replaced by a more primal emotion.
 They kissed again. Passionately. Deeply. Each man exploring the other, arms tight about one another. It could go on forever as far as Ace was concerned. While the fiery joining was exciting him in new ways, it was enough for now. A first step in the road to a longer, more intimate relationship.
 “Ace?”
 “Hmmmm?”
 “What are we doing?”
 The words were raspy with desire as Ace looked deeply into the eyes of the man held tenderly in his arms. He smiled seductively, mouth brushing light over his partner’s lips.
 “Making out on the couch,” he answered, sucking teasingly on Cosmo’s lower lip. There was a slight quiver of pleasure at his declaration. Cosmo settled deeper into his embrace, offering himself for another kiss, muttering so softly as Ace’s lips captured his own.
 “Cool.”