Imaginary Friend

Jacob watched Abel's eyes cloud again with tears, huge drops actually dripping down over those red-streaked cheeks.

Abel's lips pouted, turning down again. The hand not resting on Jacob's cheeks rose up and wonderingly touched at the wetness slipping down to collect at his jaw.

“What is this?” Came that soft unsteady lilt of Abel's new voice. “Why does it ache so much inside?”

Jacob chuckled softly, interlacing his fingers with those digits still pressed to his cheek. “Those are tears. You're crying.” He nuzzled into Abel's palm, smearing more of that wet redness around his face.

“This...” Abel questioned curiously, head tilting as he wiped at his face again and drew back his hand to study that salty moisture. “-is crying? I am crying?” He turned to look worriedly at Jacob and pouted. “I never knew it felt so unpleasant.”

Jacob snickered. “Not too many people like crying. Though, it's not always bad. Sometimes people cry because they are happy, like you are now, and other times, people cry because they are sad. But I promise you,” He warned regretfully, a silly smile dimpling his cheeks. “Crying out of sadness is always worse.”

Abel frowned, looking back at Jacob and sighing unhappily. “I don't think I want to be sad then. This is bad enough.”

Another light laugh escaped Jacob, though he tried to stifle it. The last thing he wanted was his love to think him mocking, but...Abel was just so...cute. Like some newborn puppy, just out into the world. All curiosity and unhindered expression. It was a delight.

Now he had a task to do though, and he gently pulled Abel's hand from his face, still keeping hold of it. With his other hand, he cupped his palm and scooped up water to wash over Abel's body. The blood slowly washed off, staining the liquid further.

Belatedly, he realized he was still only in his tie and naked everywhere else. With a heated blush, which thankfully Abel was too distracted to notice, Jacob quickly yanked a towel from the nearby rack and threw it over his lap, bunching the sides into a loose knot.

Abel was looking down, staring at the tub and the pinkened water with his brow creased. “This is the bathtub!” He announced suddenly, flapping his hand through the water and looking back up. “And this is water. It feels like something.”

Fighting back a smirk, Jacob nodded. “Yes, it feels wet.”

Abel looked down again. “There's something wrong with it. It's supposed to be clear. Or have bubbles in it.”

“Well, usually only kids take bubble baths.” He said with another scoop of water over Abel's shoulders.

Piercing brown eyes met his once more. “You took a bubble bath 97 days ago.”

Jacob blushed right down to his toes. How the hell had Able known that? Had he been...watching Jacob? Before that night, as nothing but hands, had Abel...been there?

“Abel...” He queried, clearing his throat in embarrassment. “Have you been...How long have you been watching me.”

Abel was now playing with the water, scooping up handfuls and letting it spill back into the tub, making little circles. “I have been with you since you were born. I was born then too.”

Said so damned simply.

Jacob felt unable to breath, but somehow he managed to fill his lungs. “That's not...That's impossible.”

Abel blinked up at him, tilting his head again and looking decidedly innocent. “No, it's not. I wouldn't lie to you. I have been there, here, the whole time.”

“But...” Jacob though quickly, his mind racing. “Where did I get the scar on my knee then?”

“When you were 14, you tried to impress your friends by jumping your bike off that old bridge by your mother's house. But you didn't make it and instead fell into the dried up river and onto some rocks. You were lucky enough to only get some cuts and bruises. But you started crying quite hard and all your friends laughed at you.” Abel stated calmly. “I wish I had been human then. So I could have comforted you.” With an slight furrowing of his brow, he asked, “I am human now, right?”

Jacob swallowed, a little nauseous from thinking about what all this meant, but...What difference did it really make? Abel didn't judge him. Didn't think him a useless person even though he'd seen him at his worst. So...Wasn't this better? Abel already knew his whole history, knew his flaws and faults and imperfections, and still loved him. In the end, wasn't that the most important thing?

It was funny how much easier having had an invisible phantom for a lover made accepting unbelievable things. Like, for example, accepting that someone had been shadowing you for your whole life and you never knew they were there.

“Jacob?”

He glanced up, surprised and taken out of his thoughts. Abel was staring at him, confused and looking concerned. Smiling again, Jacob tried to remember what Abel had asked. “What? Oh, yes. Yes, you are human. Though...I can't really say what you were before. I don't know.” He shrugged apologetically.

Abel didn't look too concerned though. “You still haven't told me why this water is the wrong color.” He gestured downwards.

Jacob saw that now the water was almost opaque in its redness , and a closer look showed Abel to be covered in goosebumps. “It's the wrong color because it washed off all the blood and that stained the water.” He explained simply, reaching for the drain switch and opening it, letting the water empty out the tub. “Are you cold?”

Abel watched fascinated and drew his legs up away from the drain, almost as if he were afraid he'd get sucked down it. “...Cold?” He asked distantly, then shook his head and blinked back up at Jacob. “Blood? What blood?”

“Your blood.” Jacob pointed to Abel's arms, where there was still a coating of redness. “You were covered with it when you became visible. But,” When the water was gone, Jacob reached up for the extendable shower head, bringing it down and switching the water to come from that instead of the tub spout. “I don't see any cuts or anything, so I think you're okay. I mean...It might not be your blood, but I'm pretty sure it is.”

“My blood...” Abel asked again, seeming concerned again.

But Jacob needed to finish cleaning him before Abel caught a cold or something. “Nevermind that, I'm washing it off. I'm gonna ask you again, are you cold?”

Abel stared at him blankly. “I don't know what that means.” But he shivered despite himself, then looked quite confused because of it.

Jacob shook his head, smirking. “You're cold right now. It means the temperature of the area around you is less than your body's temperature. And it makes you cold and shiver.”

“You shiver when we make love. Are you cold during that?”

Well, he certainly was blunt. “Uh...Not exactly. I'll explain that later.” Jacob said quickly, blushing as he reached for the water knob. “I'm turning on the water again. Cover your ears.”

Abel did so obediently, hands lifting up to cup over the sides of his head.

Then Jacob turned the knob, and the loud splash of water immediately sounded, making Abel wince and cup tighter over his ears. “Sorry.” He mouthed, testing the water to make sure it was warm enough. Once it was, he slowly moved the shower head towards Abel, making sure his lover saw him doing that, then he let the water spray over Abel's feet.

Abel gasped and flinched, jerking his legs up and away from the the water. “What's...?”

“Is it too hot?” Jacob asked worriedly, testing it again. It was warmer than the tub water had been, yes, but still not too bad. “It feels fine to me. Did it hurt you?”

Abel, who could still hear him through his palms, looked confused. “...I don't think so. It...made me tingle funny.”

“Is that all?” Jacob asked with mirth, moving the water back towards the ex-phantom's legs. “That wasn't pain. That meant it felt good. You are cold, just like I thought, and nothing's better than some nice soothing heat.” Inches away, he paused, still smiling. “Is it okay?”

Abel hesitated, then nodded reluctantly, shifting a bit and lowering his legs again. “...It won't hurt?”

“No. It might feel weird, but it won't hurt you. I promise.”

He let the water spray over Abel's legs again, and this time, though there was a slight flinch and instinctual curl of those limbs, the male showed visible effort to remain still.

Then, as he grew used to it, Abel slowly relaxed, shivering again as a breathless moan left his lips. “Oh...That's...Oh.”

Jacob chuckled. “See? Isn't that nice?”

Abel's eyes slipped shut as Jacob moved the water further up his thighs, lips parting and head falling back a little. “Mmmm...Nice...?”

Abel was enjoying it, that much was clear, and Jacob was enjoying watching him enjoy it. The water swirling down the drain was growing less pink by the second and Abel was becoming a more normal-colored hue, and Jacob raked his eyes over that body in fascination.

It was odd to see everything he'd been feeling for the past few weeks. His eyes could recognize what his hands remembered, and he took it all in. Those long slim legs, narrow hips and flat stomach. That rounded butt and lean arching back. Seeing Abel now, Jacob was surprised he was so...thin. In phantom form, he'd felt so much more substantial. But now he could see that Abel was really quite scrawny.

But Jacob sorta...liked that. A lot.

Of course...there was also the...Abel's...manhood. Which was also very nice. And which Jacob found he couldn't stare at for too long or he got all sweaty.

Instead, he raised his line of sight to Abel's face, studying that intensely while the male relaxed under the water's spray. Abel had a lovely face. Plain and proportional. What enthralled him the most though, was that Abel had matching dimples like his own. In his cheeks. Visible only while smiling, which Jacob had caught a glimpse of when Abel had first opened his eyes and seen him.

Even in the dim light of the bathroom, Jacob could see that Abel's hair was dark. Very dark. Perhaps even black. But, he wouldn't know until he cleaned out all that drying blood.

Jacob realized that though he'd only wanted to rinse off Abel before to merely get the blood off, now he should just go ahead and give Abel a proper wash. He switched the water off again, watching as Abel slowly uncovered his ears, and opened his eyes, looking a little dazed.

“Was it still too loud?”

Abel thought for a moment, then shook his head. “It isn't as bad as it was before. It's just...surprising to me.”

“I can understand that. Now, can you stand for me?” Jacob asked, knowing this would be easier if Abel had power over his limbs.

“Stand? I...I don't know. I think so.” Then, he struggled for a moment, arms and legs all twitching uncoordinatedly, then, with great effort, Abel grasped at the edge of the tub and stood on wobbly legs. “Ugh,” He grunted, lifting higher. “I feel...like there's something on top of me.”

“I think you mean you feel 'heavy'.” Jacob amended, standing with Abel and holding onto his arms. “And don't worry, I'll help you to stand.” He stepped into the tub behind the wobbling male, feeling his towel start to slip, but not minding anymore. Flinging it outside the tub, he took Abel into his arms. “I'm going to help you shower, okay?”

“I've seen you shower. It didn't hurt you.”

Another thing Jacob had to realize. Every time he showered, Abel had been there. Every time he'd been naked, Abel had been there. Every time he'd jerked off, Abel had...

Every time he'd had sex. Abel...had been there.

“Oh, Abel...I'm so sorry...” He whispered, dipping his head down to rest on Abel's shoulder.

Making a sort of confused grunt, Abel frowned. “For what?”

“For not realizing you were there sooner.”

An tremulous hand rose up and rested on the back of Jacob's head, petting in short jerky movements. “It's okay. I was happy being your shadow.”

“Even when I was with other guys?” Jacob muttered miserably.

“Yes. I was happy seeing you happy.”

Swallowing heavily, Jacob sighed. “You're too perfect.”

Abel turned in his arms, facing Jacob and shaking his head with a smile. “No, not me. You are.”

Said with such innocent sincerity, that Jacob wanted to swoon, but instead he just dipped down to capture Abel's lips with his own. Their first kiss with Abel's new visible body.

It felt the same, still hot and needy and making Jacob moan in his throat. But Abel almost fell apart in his arms, gasping and shuddering as soon as their mouths met. Sudden fingernails clawed at his shoulders, digging in and leaving red marks behind as Jacob deepened it, sweeping in with his tongue to find Abel's slow and unsure.

Jacob had to hold him tight to keep from being dragged down to the floor since Abel's knees had given out. His arms were full of writhing, shuddering, whimpering lover, and he wished Abel could make love to him.

But, as he smoothed one hand down Abel's back to grope over his buttocks, Abel suddenly screeched, stiffening and shoving away from Jacob as he fell to his knees, hands covering his groin and pained whimpers hissing through his teeth.

“Abel?! What's wrong?” Jacob followed him down, grasping at Abel's hands and trying to find the cause of his distress.

But when he was able to, after Abel went limp and fell forward onto him with thick ragged breathing, he discovered Abel's hands covered in thick coatings of semen.

Abel had orgasmed from just being stroked once.

But his eyes were wild and wide. He searched Jacob's desperately, brown orbs watering suddenly. “What was that?!” He gasped, face drawing tight as he panted uncontrollably.

Jacob sighed in relief. For a moment, he'd worried that somehow he'd inadvertently wounded his love.

But instead he'd only made him come.

“You had an orgasm. That's all, don't worry, it's okay.”

Abel sniffled, looking so pathetic that Jacob almost cried. “Really? But...It felt so...much...It...hurt.” He finished lamely, like he'd been betrayed.

“I think that cause it was so intense. I mean, everything else sort of hurts too, doesn't it? But...did it feel good at all?”

Abel was quiet. Then he moved his hand over his spent cock, careful not to touch. “It feels like...my heart is beating here.”

“It's still throbbing. You're experiencing the aftershocks of it. Is it bad?”

To Jacob's amazement, Abel suddenly blushed, looking so demure and shy all of a sudden, he had to fight to stay back and not leap upon him. “It's not bad...”

Jacob sighed contentedly. “I'm glad. I'll be more careful with you, okay? Give you some warning next time.” He stood again, gently grabbing onto Abel's arms and pulling him back to his feet. “Let's shower now. Get you all clean.”

He turned the knob once more, starting the water and adjusting it for heat. He held onto Abel, watching that face for too much discomfort, but thankfully, Abel didn't seem as bothered by the noise this time, and he already liked the feel of water.

With steam rapidly filling the small bathroom, Jacob turned Abel in his arms, aligning his front with his lover's back, and he reached for his soap, running it carefully over Abel's body and washing away the last traces of red from his skin.

With the largest stains gone, Jacob reached for his shampoo, pouring some onto his hands and then moving his slick fingers up to Abel's messy hair.

“Feel any better?” He murmured lowly, fingers sunk deep into Abel's scalp and massaging gently. Shampoo ran down their bodies, coating them in suds, and Abel lightly moaned, reaching up to grasp at Jacob's forearms.

Truth be told, with Abel's body pressed so enticingly up against his own, Jacob was finding it hard to focus on the task at hand. His cock was engorged, pressed up snugly between Abel's buttocks and the slippery shampoo only aiding in its frictionless sliding between those cheeks. Oh, how he wanted to just bend Abel over and fuck him.

But if Abel's first time bottoming were anything like Jacob's first time, it would hurt. Even slightly, Abel would be sure to feel that pain tenfold. And Jacob couldn't bring himself to hurt him. Sadly, the ease with which Abel just came, made Jacob realize he wouldn't be on the receiving end either.

For a while at least.

But in the meantime, Jacob could draw out as many orgasms from his sensitive lover as possible, helping the male to build up a bit more tolerance to the feeling.

Yes, that would be just fine.

TO BE CONTINUED