Rooftop

AN: Alright! Sorry for the long delay! But I had to buy a new laptop and was without the ability to write for like 2 weeks straight! It was pure torture. *_* Anyway, there's a nice long scene with Fen and Ethan right up front! Enjoy the make-up sex! And all the rest of the plot.

Also, I like all the conflicting reviews I'm getting. ^_^ Cause it means this story is making an impact. And I like making an impact.





Content, warm, held.

Wait. Held?

Oh, that's right. Fen had finally woken up the night before and Ethan had fallen asleep in his arms after quite an emotional exchange between the two.

He blinked open sleep eyes and carefully glanced up, but it was no use, because Fen was already awake and gazing down at him, something strange glinting in his eyes.

{Good morning.} The larger male murmured, that lovely voice filling Ethan's head.

Ethan continued to blink sleepily, confused a little bit. “I'm not...in a coma?”

Fen shook his head. {I apologize for saying that. It was a lie. I was merely testing to see how...devoted you were. Does that bother you?}

Yawning, Ethan shook his head. “No.” And it didn't.

{Good. How did you sleep?}

For a split second as he had woken, Ethan had forgotten the night before, forgotten that Fen was awake and responsive and no longer trapped in that deep sleep. He'd forgotten that he was no longer alone. But realizing that all of that had happened, he'd instantly relaxed.

Now he could only smile widely and bite his lip as his eyes grew hot. Burying his face in Fen's chest, he mumbled happily, “Great.” He leaned back, his emotions under control for the moment, still smiling. “I slept better than I have in...” He grew serious. “Well, better than I ever have in my whole life, I think.”

Fen gave him a soft smile. {Thank you. That is quite a compliment.}

Nestling closer, Ethan gazed up with sparkling eyes. “It's true though. I feel so safe with you. So...protected and secure. And warm. Like, your body feels so good next to me and I...” He blushed, swallowing heavily and looking away as he realized that he was tingling faintly in his nether-regions.

{Ethan...} Fen warned softly, pushing him onto his back and dipping down close to his lips. {I wonder perhaps, if you would like to mate.}

Blinking, Ethan looked back up, meeting the casual gray of Fen's eyes. How could the other ask something like that so easily? Ethan blushed just thinking about it. But, he also knew instantly that he wanted to. He very much wanted to. He and Fen hadn't had sex for...seven days. Seven long days.

And for a teenage boy who was still at the peak of his sexuality and only recently began having regular sex, seven days was pure torture.

But, even as his muscles all tightened in anticipation, Ethan couldn't help but feel shy. Fen had said that he had forgiven him, but what if there was still some lingering...doubt?

{There is no doubt, Ethan. I admit that yes, I am still a little hurt and it might take me some time to fully trust you again, but I love you and I forgive you.}

Ethan raised his eyebrows. “You're...reading my mind again?” But he wasn't angry. There was nothing he wanted to hide anymore, nothing he didn't want Fen to be a part of, to share, but he was just surprised that Fen did it without him saying it was okay.

{Not on purpose, I assure you. For some reason, during my sleep and since I woke up, I have not been able to block your thoughts. At all.} Fen paused. {Does that bother you?}

Adamantly, Ethan shook his head. “No! Not anymore. I don't wanna hide from you anymore. I don't want to hide at all.”

{Nevertheless, I am trying to regain that ability, because believe me, you say that now, but when we have any arguments in the future, you might think differently.}

The future.

When Ethan thought about that, his heart sped up excitedly and he felt a flush rise to his face. They would have a future. Together.

Suddenly Ethan wanted to 'mate' very badly, and he reached out, grabbing two fistfuls of Fen's long dark hair and pulling their mouths together. Fen gave a surprised grunt, but otherwise didn't protest as Ethan parted his lips and pulled Fen's lower one between his own. Then Fen seemed to realize what they were doing and brought his tongue into play, delving into Ethan's mouth and stroking along that pink muscle teasingly.

{Feeling bold today, yes?} Fen asked, a smirk in his voice as his mouth continued to kiss.

Ethan, of course, couldn't respond like Fen, but he blushed, tilting his head and deepening the kiss even more. Then he remembered that Fen couldn't censor his thoughts, therefore granting him his own version of non-verbal communication, so he tentatively tried his own thought-speak, confirming that yes, he was feeling bold.

Fen snorted, breaking their kiss and rumble-laughing in mirth. {Does that please you? Talking like me?}

“Yeah.” He said, forgetting for the moment he didn't have to use his voice. “Oops, ummm, I'm not used to thinking and then not talking.”

With a slight grin, Fen shook his head fondly. {Then do not try. I like your voice. It is very soft and melodious. Keep talking to me...} Then he dipped down and nipped at Ethan's neck, which made him emit a very pleased squeak. {And do not try to stop your lovely noises.} He bit harder to illustrate his point and Ethan couldn't hold back the stuttering yelp it caused.

Flushed from having his aroused sounds brought to attention, Ethan closed his eyes to ease the embarrassment, although he kept his head tilted so Fen could continue to nibble on his neck. It felt good. Very good, and Ethan could feel himself growing hard very quickly. He shifted, trying to adjust his shorts and give himself room to grow, but they were too restricting, and he grunted frustratingly.

Fen moved back and without asking, hooked his thumbs into the waistband of Ethan's shorts and pulled them down. The waist was a few inches too large for him and they slid off his hips easily.

Fen then made an abrupt choking sound and pulled back, making Ethan sit up in alarm. “What's wrong?” He asked worriedly. The larger male looked quite taken aback and he followed the other's line of sight down to his own lap.

Oh.

He was still wearing the damned thong. He'd forgotten that he'd never taken it off before slipping on the shorts the previous night. And he was hard. So he looked...like a whore. His cheeks grew even darker as he rolled to his side and covered his face with his hands. “Oh jesus, don't look at me.” He tried to squeeze his legs together and pull them higher to block the view, but the shorts were still around his thighs and also slightly caught under one of Fen's knees.

Fen made a soft cooing noise. {That is lovely, my dear darling Ethan. I did not realize you were still wearing this.}

Then, before Ethan could even ask how Fen had known he was wearing it at all, Fen dipped down and nuzzled against his crotch, nosing his cock through the thin fabric of the thong.

“Ah, Fen!” Ethan keened, mind effectively blanked at the feel of Fen's hot breath on his aching erection. He would have liked to have Fen stay there, but instead of following his wishes, Fen decided to move away,.

His shorts were shucked off and then Fen was fingering the straps of the thong, pulling at them and letting them snap back against Ethan's skin. It stung a little, but it helped his embarrassment, and he felt himself giggling very softly, amused at Fen's childish actions.

Then his giggling stopped abruptly as Fen simply broke the straps and pulled the flimsy material off him, leaving him suddenly naked.

Ethan squeaked and instinctively rolled onto his stomach, just needing to block the view of his hardening cock.

{I thought you said you did not want to hide from me.}

Blushing, Ethan stammered, “I m-meant...mentally. N-Not...l-like my b-body...”

{But it is such a sexy body.} Fen murmured appreciatively. {Let me prove just how sexy it is.} Then Fen stroked down his back and one lone finger delved into the crack of his ass, lightly teasing the puckered flesh of his anus.

Ethan gasped, not expecting such a sudden intimate caress. But Fen didn't pull away. Instead he lay on Ethan's back, chest pressed along his spine, but careful not to crush, and pinned him on his stomach as that devious finger swirled. Ethan's legs were spread apart and Fen settled between them, exposing all his private parts.

He bunched the sheet between his fingers, trying to keep from pushing himself off the bed towards Fen's solid weight at his back. He also had to fight the urge to hump forward into the soft sheets rumpled beneath him. His erection, trapped between his stomach and the mattress, throbbed painfully as that teasing finger traced around his entrance, nail scratching faintly as it circled the sensitive flesh.

It had been too long and he was already completely hard and leaking.

Ethan ached inside, a deep longing pulse that made his muscles tense and and his back arch wantonly, seeking contact and relief. As that digit kept flickering against his body's welcoming opening, he strained towards it, gasping raggedly. “Fen...Please, Fen...” He begged vaguely, not able to voice his need.

Fen pushed Ethan further down into the mattress, that heavy body flattening him out and almost crushing the air from his lungs. He choked, not in distress, but breathing raggedly as Fen continued to play with his sensitive intimate place.

Possessive lips descended on Ethan's neck and sucked at his fevered skin, teeth coming out to nibble along that thick muscle connecting shoulder to spine, and Ethan groaned. “Oh god, Fen...Don't...Don't tease me...I...” But he couldn't bring himself to say it, he couldn't ask for it yet.

Fen's lips were gentle and warm against his back, not hurried like they had been before, but slow and careful, somewhat restrained, like Fen afraid of doing something Ethan didn't like. But, Ethan liked all of it. Fen's weight on him, the insistent heat of that broad powerful body, even the agonizing tracing of that unfulfilling finger, which kept circling around his hole, not breaching.

As that hot mouth slid to a particularly sensitive spot on the back of Ethan's neck, he arched back again, thrusting his hips into the bed and rubbing his leaking cock all over the sheets. They grew damp beneath him, soaked with his own pre-cum. It made his belly and hips slick, and it made him feel dirty.

He liked it.

The raw, dirty, sticky feeling of himself and his own arousal obvious. If only Fen would just...Just...

He writhed, trapped in his position, legs still spread and Fen still pining him to the bed, unable to do anything but take what Fen was allowing him to have. Which wasn't much. Yet.

The hand not playing at his entrance stroked down Ethan's side, almost ticklishly, but also igniting paths of fire under his skin. It rubbed gently along his hip, finger fanning out to cup his hipbone, then sneaking underneath to grip Ethan's length and ease those elegant fingers around it, pumping up and down a few times.

“Ah! Fennnn...” Ethan whined, panting quietly. “Please....”

Fen's hand released him and moved upwards, splaying over his stomach, and at the same time, that finger went away from between his buttocks and that newly unoccupied hand leveraged his backside up into the air. Ethan's knees were pushed forward, just a bit, to help prop him up, and his erection hung heavy between his spread legs. He knew what was coming, and he shuddered excitedly, fisting the sheets and burying his face in them. “Fen.”

His mate was kneeling behind him, hardly making a sound except for soft breathing, and Ethan felt vulnerable, being so needy and aroused. Fen hardly seemed affected at all.

Still kneeling behind him, Fen trailed kisses down his spine, loving each little knob separately and stopping at the cleft of Ethan's backside. Then he trailed back up, tongue peeking out and leaving a wet path where he had previously kissed. It sent shivers straight up into Ethan's skull, and he grabbed a mouthful of bedsheet, stifling his quickening breaths.

Little whimpers escaped in time with his gasps, and Ethan tensed, the anticipation building terribly. Finally Fen was back down near his thighs, kissing softly, tongue twirling in little circles until finally, finally, it dipped into the furrow of his backside and ever so slowly, traveled down towards his puckered circle of flesh.

A long, drawn-out moan, muffled by the sheets, slipped past Ethan's lips as Fen's tongue pressed against his anus, increasing in pressure until it slipped inside ever so slightly. Ethan's head whipped back and his jaw dropped open, his body straining back and pushing into Fen's mouth. “Ahhhh, Fen...Fennnn...You're soooo....Uhhhn....”

That wicked muscle played around the rim and slowly thrust into him, curling and pulsing against his insides as Fen's lips sealed around the outer flesh of him, adding suction as well.

“Fen!” Ethan cried, torn between gasping and moaning as he clenched himself tight and pulled helplessly at the bedding.

Warm wet heat spread out along his backside, making Ethan's stomach blossom with butterflies, and he squirmed, wanting more. Fen's fingertips began to knead along his sides and slowly caressed his flushed skin, wrapping around his hips and holding him in place. The tongue inside him slowly withdrew, and Ethan groaned in frustration, but Fen remained close. Moist kisses were pressed all along his innermost skin, then that tongue flattened out and swiped up his cleft from his balls to the base of his spine.

“Oh god...Fen, I need, please, I need...please...”

All at once, Fen's hot mouth moved away, and he was heard shifting behind him. Instead, a finger probed at his opening once more, this time slicked by spit. With the added moisture from Fen's saliva, it easily slipped inside, and shallowly thrust.

Ethan whimpered, shuddering and moving his hips the tiniest bit to try and entice Fen to finger him deeper, but his mate continued to slowly torture him. Not venturing close to that spot inside him that made him see stars, but not stopping that delicious assault on his delicate insides. Those light touches had him pulsing and leaking, his cum dripping down to soak further into the already slick sheets. Every increasingly deeper thrust of that fingertip had him hissing in through his teeth and trying to spread his legs more, but at this point, his knees were already pointing out to opposite sides of the bed, his legs almost doing a split.

A second finger joined the first, though they both stayed barely inside him, and they gently moved along the rim of his anus, slightly dragging on his inside skin as Ethan's muscles involuntarily contracted against the intrusion. The unbearably intense tug of those fingers on his flesh had Ethan panting and gasping at once, sounding almost as if his were drowning.

When a third finger pushed in with the other two, Fen bent over Ethan's back and began kissing his spine again. Ethan couldn't keep his body from attempting to dislodge those fingers stretching him, but the soft soothing caress of Fen's mouth on his back helped relax him, making him more accepting.

Without warning, Fen decided to be merciful, and Ethan choked out his name reverently as his prostate was touched, lightly and teasingly. Another throb of heat rushed through his abdomen and he sucked in air, gasping in frustration. He could feel his orgasm close but not nearly close enough as Fen pressed on him from the inside. He needed more. “Fen! Oh god, please!”

For the first time since their lovemaking began, Fen spoke, voice wrapping around Ethan's brain like spidersilk. {What are you asking for, Ethan? What do you want?} Kisses continued to rain down upon his back.

Ethan swallowed, fighting to wet his throat and form the words he needed to ask for more. His chest heaved as Fen flicked his prostate again, and he lifted his head off the bed, feeling sweat drip down his temples. Licking his lips, he tried to speak. “I want...” His voice died abruptly when Fen flicked again.

Without removing his fingers or ceasing his movements, Fen teased, {Should I stop? While you collect your thoughts?}

Ethan shivered, trying again. He managed a weak throaty whisper. “ Want...You...”

{How do you want me?}

His stomach flipped at being forced to be blunt, but he swallowed his shyness and tried again. “I want...you...” His cheeks bloomed with heat, and his stomach flipped again. “...inside...me...”

Fen's fingers rippled, curving and stroking the inside edge of his sphincter. {But I am inside you. Do you not feel this? My fingers stroking you and touching along your insides?}

With a strangled moan, Ethan blushed anew, his lust making him suddenly bold again. “No! I w-want you inside me! Make l-love to me! Please!”

At that, Fen withdrew, giving him one last caress. Ethan was then flattened back to the bed, one hand reaching between his legs to smooth his erection flat against his tummy while he was pushed down. Still kneeling behind him and between his spread thighs, Fen shifted forward, one hand bracing on the mattress by Ethan's shoulder.

Breathless with anticipation, Ethan bit down on the sheets again, his hands resuming their deathgrip on the bedding. It bunched between his trembling fingers and he fought to relax his body, wanting Fen to be able enter him as quickly as possible. His toes dug into the sheets as well, and he couldn't resist pushing himself against the bed just the tiniest bit, helping to rub his aching cock against the soft fabric.

The heat of Fen's body localized near his backside, and the rounded globes of his ass were pried apart, exposing him even more. Both hands held him wide open and a hard thick mass of flesh touched his entrance. Fen teased him again by rubbing against his opening, that hot length sliding up and down between his cheeks.

“In, please...Put it in...Please...” Ethan whimpered, hips wiggling in an attempt to follow Fen's movements. “I can't wait anymore, please, Fen, I want you in me...” Then he held his breath as Fen's erection nudged slowly at his opening.

With one gentle push, Fen slipped inside, easing past the first wary ring of muscles protecting Ethan's inner walls, and seated himself completely to the hilt without stopping. That first delicious breaching made Ethan mew in ecstasy, burying his face in the sheets once more and tilting his hips up into the air, toes still digging into the mattress. “God, yessss...Oh god, yes...”

After a moment's pause, Fen groaned quietly and leaned forward, blanketing himself on top of Ethan and forcing both their hips back down to the bed. Completely flat, Ethan couldn't move, couldn't seek friction, nor seek for that magic angle that made Fen hit his spot.

The back insides of his thighs were pressed tight to Fen's own legs, and he felt the sharp jut of Fen's hips cradling his ass. His narrow back was completely covered by Fen's warm chest, those broad shoulders dwarfing him and making him feel as if he were being absorbed into that larger body. But, it was a good thing, a good feeling. He wanted to be possessed, owned, made someone else's, and he wanted Fen to do it. He wanted to belong to Fen, belong with Fen.

Calming fingertips pet down his sides as Fen breathed heavy on top of him, and then those hands glided over his ribs, following their bony path up towards Ethan's chest, where they landed on his nipples, coasting over them then skimming back. Ethan's breath hitched at the gentle tickle of heat that made his arms break out in goosebumps. The fingers continued to caress him, slowly circling and rubbing over his erect buds. The touch was so stimulating that Ethan almost forgot Fen was buried in his ass, all the way to the hilt.

That is, he forgot until Fen pulled out partially and slowly pushed back in.

“Fen! Uhhhhn god!” Forgoing his grip on the sheets, Ethan instead groped forward at the headboard, grasping the heavy wood's curved top and resting his trembling chin on the pillow near his head. If only he could move his hips, if only he could make Fen move again. “Fen, please, do it again....Ahh!” His plea was answered as Fen withdrew once more and returned deep, moving a little bit faster this time.

A warm hand smoothed over Ethan's jaw and cupped his chin, tilting Ethan's head back and making his neck accessible. Lips connected to his vulnerable throat, kissing his erratic pulse and laving over it with a fluttering tongue.

Fen was almost too deep, but it made Ethan's insides clench deliciously, almost painfully, but he didn't mind because it was real, wonderfully wonderfully real. So much better than those few times Ethan had stolen away to the other hotel room and attempted to masturbate, thinking of and missing Fen. That had been lonely and unsatisfying, not nearly anything like this. And Ethan wanted more. He wanted the pain, the pleasure, the too deep ache that was sure to leave him sore tomorrow, and the blinding white release at Fen's hands and cock. His vision blurred as he focused on that penetration, and his eyes slipped shut, a gasping broken moan leaving his throat and vibrating into Fen's mouth where it was latched onto him.

Then, most likely because he could hear Ethan's unfiltered thoughts, Fen started thrusting, still sheathing himself completely each time, and Ethan let out a harsh bark of pleasure as his prostate was struck perfectly. Those first tentative movements, a little unrestrained but still so careful to not make Ethan feel anything too painful, had him choking on sobbing moans.

“Fen! Fen! Oh god, I can't...Oh god!” Ethan as he cried out, his hips helped find a rhythm, moving surprisingly smoothly with Fen's, creating a fluid arching wave between them.

Fen breathing was ragged in his ear, sounding as frantic and needy as Ethan did, and it made him flush anew, turned on even more by Fen's obvious arousal.

They made love slowly, though Ethan wanted it faster and so hard he couldn't see straight. Fen's hips ground into him, pressing directly into his prostate, and creating delicious spasms in his entire lower body. His thigh muscles quivered and fought to raise him up to press closer, but Fen was too heavy and he couldn't seek his own relief. Though, Fen was hitting him in all the right places and he could rub against the sheets, which was leading him swiftly and blindly towards his own orgasm, and he could tell it was going to be quite intense.

Already, his body was shuddering, his throat producing sounds he hadn't ever heard before or thought were possible. “Harder, please, Fen, harder...” He begged, shamelessly seeking his end.

Apparently Fen was beyond teasing and playing, because a deep groan spilled from his lips and brushed by Ethan's ear, then the larger male immediately began to fuck him hard, making the sturdy hotel bed shake and squeak like it was about to break.

“Ahhn! Fen! Yes! Ugghhh!” Ethan screamed, his eyes rolling back into his head from the sheer intensity of having Fen pushing so forcefully into the depths of his body. Their flesh dragged together, almost not lubricated enough, but only adding to the overall feeling of claiming Ethan so desired. He could feel the pull of Fen with each withdraw, and the push with each shove back in.

An inescapable heat was building and burning from somewhere behind his balls, and spreading through his ass and cock. Ethan tilted his hips as much as he could, begging Fen to go deeper, even as he humped forward into the bunched sheets. His back arched impossibly, a soundless cry opening his lips as that heat threatened to overflow.

Fen's movements faltered for just a moment, before beginning again at an even more furious pace, and the larger male gave a deep longing moan. The sheer desperation in that needy plea gave Ethan that one final push, and he was falling, flying, leaping off the edge headfirst into his orgasm. He heaved his ass off the bed, managing to thrust them back against Fen's pistoning hips, and buried his face into the mattress as he spurted thick and hard onto the sheets below him, soaking them with his seed as that ache grew to a frenzied throb that had him shuddering and sobbing out in ecstasy. Fen reached down and stroked his cock, using the ample wetness of his semen to slide along his twitching length, wringing the last drops of his release out to join the rest.

Exhausted and soaked in his own sweat and sperm, Ethan collapsed, laying limply on the bed and convulsing weakly every time Fen hit his prostate again.

Then, with one last deep grunt, Fen shuddered, driving into his body for a few clumsy seconds, then tensing and groaning long and loud. Ethan twitched as he was filled with that familiar wetness and before he could even enjoy that feeling of claiming, Fen was pulling out, falling to the side and flopping onto his back.

They lay in silence, basking in the afterglow of what just transpired, and Ethan, wanting to be closer to Fen, managed to drag himself on shaky weak arms up onto Fen's heaving chest and pull himself to Fen's mouth. He kissed his mate, light loving kisses on the corners of those pretty lips, then Fen opened his mouth and it was deepened.

Ethan sighed in relief, pressing closer and tentatively probing outwards with his tongue. He needed affirmation, needed assurance, of Fen's presence. He needed Fen to prove he was really with him and this was not some simple tragic dream anymore.

With their mouths sealed together and their tongues in a duel battle, Ethan draped himself comfortably on Fen's chest, taking in their mingled scents and letting himself raise with each intake of air into Fen's lungs.

Eventually, he broke away with a sigh, nestling into the curved nook of Fen's side, and they just lay there for a moment. He reached behind himself to grab at the sheets and pull them over their bodies, but instead he grabbed some small bundle of fabric. Bringing it in front of his face to figure out what it was, he gasped softly and almost threw it at the end of the bed. Then, blushing all over again, he rolled away from Fen and burned with shame, covering his face again.

It had been the tattered remains of the thong, stained with his own pre-cum and looking like some cheap hooker's garb. Why had he even put it on? That damned thing wasn't him at all, and he'd felt so mortified each time he saw it, that he couldn't even think.

The bed jostled and shivered as he felt Fen sitting up and undoubtedly studying him.

{You know, you should not feel so ashamed by your body. I think I have pretty much shown you how unbearably attractive you are. That little bit of lingerie only highlighted that.}

The bed dipped by Ethan's back, but he still hid his face. “Jeez, how'd you even know I'd had it on before?” Ethan asked, muffled behind his fingers.

{You forget I heard everything while I was in my healing state. Everything, Ethan. And I also saw you put it on while I was searching your mind for confirmation of what had happened.}

His embarrassment somewhat abated, Ethan peeked out and blinked over at Fen. “If you watched what happened, then...How come you didn't know I was still wearing it? Didn't you see me leave it on?”

Fen cleared his throat awkwardly and Ethan could almost swear he saw a light pinkish tinge on his cheeks. {Well...I was still angry and confused at that point, and when I watched that in your head, I kind of...skimmed over it, because it made me feel...aroused...and I did not want to feel that yet.}

At that, Ethan couldn't help but feel a little smug and proud that just seeing his body like that could make Fen lose himself. The efforts he'd taken to make himself stronger must have been working.

{They are working.} Fen murmured tiredly in his head. {You look wonderful, my love. Not that I did not enjoy the way you looked before, but now you look so much healthier. Like I can touch you without breaking you.}

Ethan smiled to himself, pleased, and they fell into comfortable silence. Then, of course, Ethan interrupted it as he had another thought.

“Hey, if you could hear my thoughts and everything that was going on around you, then why'd you need to watch my memories?”

Fen shifted on the bed, turning to his side and smiling at Ethan. {My my, you are certainly the astute one.} There was teasing in his voice, but also a little trace of awe. {To tell the truth, I was confused by being able to read your thoughts while in my state. I had only been guessing the night before when I said that blocking was not a survival need. See, I should not have been able to read them. We should have been shut off from each other.} He paused, thinking. {I mean, I have never been in a Bond before, but I have been in a healing state and I know how they work.} He paused again. {Usually, we must shut down everything, which includes our Bond if those in the state happen to have a Bond. It is a defense mechanism for if those and their mates ever are in a life-threatening situation. One who is badly hurt enough can enter the state, cutting off the Bond and then, if the other mate dies while the first mate is in that state, the second mate will not die. I do not really like it, because it brings the chance to abandon a Bond-mate, and I do not support that.} Fen grew serious at the end of his speech, looking to Ethan intensely. {Ethan, know that I will never enter that state to abandon you. I would have to be close to death to enter it anyway, but I would never take that step.}

Ethan blinked back at him. Then he furrowed his brow and smiled. Fen was so...dumb sometimes. “Fen, you silly thing, I already know that.” He slid up close to Fen and nosed his collarbone. “Of course I know that.” There was no doubt in his head or his heart that Fen would ever be...as stupid as him. With all his might, he thought that as hard as he could, wanting Fen to hear it echoing around that silly head of his. “Of course I know.” He repeated, adding voice to thoughts.

Fen cooed again, and they cuddled for a while, their still-sweaty skin drying and creating crustiness between the both of them. Even though Ethan grew increasingly uncomfortable as Fen's seed dripped out of him and dried along his ass crack, he didn't want to move away.

But Fen moved first, perhaps sensing his discomfort. {Let us go wash up. And...} He turned to Ethan. {I do not want a bath. It seems all you ever do is take baths. I prefer a shower. Quick and efficient.}

Ethan was a little taken aback. “But...I like baths.” He pouted, pursing his lips. “There's nothing wrong with baths.”

{Maybe if I am in the mood for romance, but otherwise, I would like to shower.}

Ethan sighed, not really upset. “Hey, do you have showers where you come from?”

Fen didn't answer, instead he motioned to the bathroom. {Come, let us get clean.} Then he disappeared inside.

Well, that certainly was rude. If Fen didn't want to talk about his past or his home, then he should he should just say so. But ignoring Ethan like that was just plain...mean. “Hey, I'm not done with you! Come back here!” He scampered out of bed and stalked to the bathroom, yanking open the door and glaring inside.

Fen was by the mirror, staring sorrowfully into it, and Ethan was so surprised by the look on his face that his frustration disappeared immediately. “Fen? Are you...okay?”

There was an unhappy sigh from the large black-haired male at the question and he met Ethan's eyes in the mirror. {Is it alright if we do not talk about that yet? My past, and my...origins? Because I really am not ready to share that yet.}

Though the plea was heartfelt and Ethan didn't want to go against it, he couldn't help but think how unfair it was that Fen knew all about him and his history, but he himself knew nothing of Fen.

{I know it is not fair.} His mate admitted honestly. {But, I can promise that I will share it all with you when I am ready. I know that is not fair either, me making you wait for my life story, when I already know yours without your permission, but it is all I can offer.}

Begrudgingly, Ethan realized he had to accept that. But not for long. He'd be pestering Fen as soon as he felt the other felt less...sensitive about the subject. And though he hadn't much wondered about Fen's homeland or family or past before, now he could feel that familiar bubbling of curiosity that he hadn't felt in years. Before the tragedy, he'd been quite the inquisitive boy, and he realized that traits he'd had back then, were slowly resurfacing in his psyche.

Like his need to always be close to another person. It was only after the murders that he'd craved solitude. And right now, he wanted to walk behind Fen and curl over that drooping spine. So he did.

Fen rumbled happily and laid his hands over where Ethan's rested on that flat muscled stomach, and Ethan let his fingertips lightly glide over that satiny skin. It was certainly soft, softer than a normal guy should have perhaps, and very nice.

Though...In the back of Ethan's mind, he couldn't help but miss the furry feel of Fen's true form.

There was a disgruntled snort from above and Ethan looked at the mirror to see Fen half-way glaring at him.

“What?” He asked innocently, not understanding the sudden shift in mood.

With his brows drawn together, Fen frowned. {I do not have fur.}

“Huh?” Ethan pulled back, staring at Fen's bare pink-skinned body stupidly. “Yeah...I know.”

Fen turned then, and continued to glare at Ethan. {No, not right now. I meant, you just had the thought that you missed my 'furry' body. In my real shape, I do not have fur. It is just how my skin is.}

Ethan blinked slowly, thinking Fen was truly odd sometimes. “Well, it felt like fur.”

Still sulking, Fen grumped, {But it is not. That is the difference.}

Skeptical, Ethan just stood still, trying not to think too loudly about how full of hot air he thought Fen was at the moment.

Fen whined in his throat and his thought-speak even sounded whiny. {I am not being full of air right now! My people do not have fur. Animals have fur and we are not animals. We are beings like you. I am not an animal.}

An accidental smirk twitched Ethan's lips. “Yeah? Well, my people don't have wings.”

At that, Fen just grunted, stubbornness etched on his face. {Fine, we are not identical. But, if nothing else, understand that I do not have fur. It is degrading to compare me to an animal.}

Ethan felt a little bad for teasing, and he pressed close again, realizing all at once that they were both still completely naked, and other than a light blush on his cheeks, he didn't much mind it. As long as Fen didn't draw attention to it, he'd be okay. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think I thought you were some sort of beast.” He paused and looked back, a new realization appearing. “Is it cause I kept calling you a creature and a thing before? Is that why it bothers you? Cause I know you're not. That was all before, and I was just scared and confused. I know now you're an intelligent being.” He smiled awkwardly. “Probably more intelligent than me.” He actually was pretty sure Fen was smarter than him, but he didn't really care. Fen wouldn't use it to an advantage. “But you gotta admit, you do feel sorta furry.”

Heaving a great big sigh, Fen just rolled his eyes, but not angrily. {I guess it could be confused with the feeling of fur, but it is really just my body hair. You have hair on your body, on your legs and arms that is visible. Mine just covers me more. Everyone is like that.}

Ethan snorted, making a face. “So, you're really just this big hairy construction worker?” He giggled. “I bet underneath all that fuzz, you're a totally different color.”

Fen seemed past his little bout of frustration, and he wrapped his arms tighter around Ethan's shoulders, making them connect head to groin very closely. {Actually, I am black all over, as you well know. Admittedly, being in this form is sometimes a little disconcerting. I find myself looking down at myself and being quite surprised that I am...pink.}

Ethan laughed out loud, hiding his face in Fen's warm chest, and loving the mental picture of Fen being shocked by his own skin. “You should just change back then. I wouldn't mind. I...” He ducked his head down lower, biting his lip shyly. “I kinda like the way you looked as a...man-angel or whatever.”

There was a rumble of half-sad laughter and those arms hugged him harder. {You know I cannot do that. We have to stay in hiding.}

He did know. He knew that as much as he wanted to see Fen in true-form again, he couldn't, and perhaps wouldn't ever, see it again. They couldn't take that risk.

But he was happy with Fen regardless of what he looked like.

Not that Fen was unappealing in this form. Oh, far from it. Why, Ethan could safely say Fen was very appealing.

Very very very...appealing.

His hands roamed lower on Fen's back and rested on the lovely swell of his ass, fingertips tracing little patterns. He was feeling frisky all of a sudden.

{Hey now, none of that.} Fen chastised softly. {If we mate again, you will be liable to break. I am already pretty positive you will not be able to walk in a few hours.}

Ethan straightened indignantly. “What? That's ridiculous! I feel fine.” Though...even as he said it, there were some less than encouraging twinges of discomfort in his backside. “Well...Maybe you're right.” He admitted, rubbing the base of his spine.

Fen, though he had been the one to warn against falling back into bed, still made a disappointed whine when Ethan turned away to turn the water on in the shower, letting the room slowly fill with steam.

Ethan held his hand under the spray and waited until it was the right temperature, then he pushed back the curtain and stepped into the stall. A happy sigh drifted out as the hot water sluiced down his skin and made his whole body feel better. He grabbed the little pack of soap and tore it open, crumpling the paper in his palm and placing on the side of the tub. The soap was pink and smelled like flowers, but Ethan liked it anyway, and he slid it over his skin, scrubbing his arms and chest and rinsing it in the falling water.

Turning around, he caught sight of the curtain moving aside and he jumped, startled, but then he saw Fen stepping in and realized he'd forgotten the other had been in the room. “Don't hog all the water.” Ethan warned as he tried to make room for the larger male. But it was quite difficult and after some fumbling and Ethan almost slipping on the soapy floor, they ended up on opposite ends, Fen under the hot water with the soap and Ethan standing and shivering on the other side of him. “I said don't hog the water.” He grumbled.

Fen smiled at him and continued washing that long black hair, and Ethan watched, entranced by the sight of those shiny dark tresses falling wetly around Fen's face. It was the first time he'd seen Fen wet. Speaking of which, it was the first time he'd seen Fen bathing.

With on raised brow, he peered up into Fen's soft eyes. “Hey,” He asked, watching how Fen worked his fingers through the scalp of his head and then scrubbed down thick sectioned pieces to the ends. “How come I've never seen you shower before?”

Fen paused, blinking, then he smiled again, focusing on working the shampoo from his hair. {Because I never needed to before today.}

“What do you mean by that?” Ethan asked with a furrowed brow.

{Well, while I am in this shape-shifter form, for whatever reason, I normally do not require bathing.} This was all explained calmly as Fen rinsed his hair. {There is no skin build-up, no oil-buildup, no body odor. It is like I am in a body case of some sort. Of course, I can get dirty if I were to try. Like, my hands can have stains on them, but after a while, it seems to fade into my skin, or fall off somehow. Truthfully,} He smiled apologetically. {I do not really understand it, but I just know it works.}

It made halfway sense to Ethan, but he couldn't really figure out why Fen chose today to shower if he didn't need to.

{Well,} Said Fen, once again reading Ethan's mind. {I like the way water feels on my skin and on my hair. Also,} This was said with a perverted gleam in those eyes. {You look so nice all wet and soapy.}

Ethan was pulled into Fen's arms, crushed against his chest and then Fen was kissing him, tongue slipping past his lips and rubbing slickly against his own. With a happy groan, Ethan melted into Fen's arms, reaching up and wrapping his arms around Fen's neck. When Fen pulled away only enough to move his mouth from lips to neck, Ethan moaned softly, hips arching forward and into Fen's. “Uhhn...I thought you didn't want to have sex again?” He asked smugly, as Fen's hips inched closer to his.

{Do not think I do not want to be inside you again, because I always have that desire in the back of my mind. Always.} Fen nipped at his neck. {But, I know you will be too sore for it, and besides, we really should be hurrying up and getting out of this place. As long as we are here, I will not be able to relax.}

Ethan, who was only halfway listening and instead focusing on the little jolts he was getting from Fen's gentle teeth biting at his pulse point, made a noise in his throat, hoping it meant what he tried for it to mean. Which was 'more' and 'harder'. But Fen either didn't understand, or didn't care, because the larger male was moving away and taking a deep breath.

{You make it quite difficult to pull away, you know.} Then Fen smacked Ethan quite hard on the ass, and Ethan yelped in surprise.

“Hey!” He scowled indignantly, rubbing at the sore cheek with one hand. “What was that for?!”

{To get rid of your erection.} Fen said with a smug look down as he stepped out of the shower.

Well that made sense, thought Ethan, looking down at himself and seeing that he'd been half-hard. Though, it was swiftly returning back to normal. And for whatever reason, just because Fen had acknowledged that he was naked, Ethan felt his cheeks getting hot and he had the urge to cover himself.

But Fen was already turned away and toweling off by the sink, slowly and painstakingly drying his long hair. Now that Ethan was alone in the shower, he could focus on washing his more...dirtied places. Like his stomach, which he easily scrubbed clean, and he whole entire ass area. That took some more time. He had to lean forward with one hand braced on the tiled wall as he gingerly sudsed away the remains of Fen's release from his rear. But it was eventually clean and he washed his hair quickly as well, turning off the water and stepping out.

Fen greeted him with a dry towel and Ethan took it, fluffing it over his body and then dragging it over his head to dry his hair. Wrapping it around his waist, he stepped up to the foggy mirror and wiped a hand across it, marking a clear path. His shaggy self blinked back at him and he scowled slightly. “Hey, Fen?”

His mate paused, one hand combing through his long tresses, and glanced over. {Yes?}

“Could you...well, would you give me a haircut?” He asked, fingers toying the frayed edges of his frizzed hair.

{You do not like your hair?}

“No...It's not that. It's just...It's been so long and I just want a little change. Like, only a few inches. Something different, you know? And it hangs in my eyes and I hate-”

Fen's fingers found their way onto his scalp, carding his fingers through the blond strands. {You do not have to make reasons to convince me. I will do it.} He reached towards the sink counter and rummaged around in it. {Oh, right.} He said, pulling out his empty hand. {They are still lodged in the wall.} He chuckled lightly. {Where you threw them.} Then he left the room, returning a few moments later, still chuckling and with the scissors in hand. {Come here, stand in front of the mirror.} He draped one of the hand towels over Ethan's shoulders, running his hands over his hair and holding it out to check length. {Alright, just watch me and let me know when it is short enough.}

Then he began to slowly snip away, blond locks of hair falling to the towel as Ethan watched himself lose several inches of hair. Fen seemed reluctant to trim Ethan's bangs, but the back was soon short enough to his liking. “The back's good.” He said, smiling. “Now what about the front?”

At that, Fen hesitated slightly, raising the scissors up to his bangs and stilling again. {Are...Are you sure?} His face was a little hesitant.

Ethan blinked, confused by that look. “What's wrong?”

{I...} Fen sighed unhappily and dropped his hands, looking down. {I do not wish you to think me shallow or superficial...but...I prefer you with long bangs...} Gray eyes looked up apologetically. {I am sorry. It is not that I would stop being unattracted to you without them, but...the way you look when I see your eyes shining at me from beneath your lovely blond fringe...and the way you blow them out of your face when you are frustrated or thinking hard about something...It is just so...adorable.}

Ethan snickered. Fen could be so cute sometimes. And at that thought, Ethan watched those gray eyes brighten. “Okay, you can leave them long. But, how about just an inch? For the split ends?”

Fen beamed at him. {Of course.} Then he snipped a couple more times, and stood back proudly, surveying his work. {It looks good. And it is mostly even, though I am certainly not a professional or anything like that.} He laughed, smiling at Ethan in the mirror.

It did look good. Before, it had curled and trailed down over Ethan's neck and ears, and made him look like some unwell teenager. Which is what he had been. But now, it was shorter, more manageable, with still slightly long bangs that just barely came down in front of his eyes. He looked older. Well, not too much older, but not like a kid anymore. And the loss of bulk also highlighted his cheekbones and the curve of his neck and collarbone.

He looked grown-up. But still cute.

{You look more than cute. You look hot.} Fen murmured from behind him, draping over his shoulders and kissing his neck. Then he back away, spanking Ethan again, but softer this time and lingering after for a second. {Alright, my love, let us go pack up our things and leave this place.}

Ethan would have leaned into Fen's hand, but when his mate moved away, he moved too, following him to the main room and towards the bed. Fen was still naked, having left the towel in the bathroom, and Ethan couldn't help but ogle him as he bent over their suitcases and searched for some clothes. His broad back formed a smooth straight line from neck to buttocks and it still slightly glistened with moisture.

Fen laughed suddenly. {Should I get on my knees and present myself?}

Ethan did a double-take. “What?!”

{You seem to like seeing me on the ground like this.} He peered back at Ethan over his shoulder, wiggling his hips enticingly. {Your thoughts are all lustful and quite naughty.}

“That's ridiculous! I was not having naughty thoughts!” Blushing again, he turned away stubbornly.

{I am pretty certain I heard the faint desire to lick from my shoulder blades down to my-}

“Stop it!” Ethan yelped, quickly returning to the bathroom. “I'm going to brush my teeth!”

From within the bathroom, Ethan shivered. He'd been thinking exactly what Fen had said, but for all the intimacy he was now accepting and giving, he couldn't be that blunt yet. Taking a deep breath, he approached the sink and grabbed the hotel's mini guest toothbrush that he'd been using for the past week and put some toothpaste on it, sticking it in his mouth and brushing thoroughly. Then he spat, and rinsed with some sink water, wiping his mouth with a towel. Still blushing.

Cautiously, he peeked out the door and was relieved, and somewhat disappointed at the same time, to see that Fen was sitting on the bed, completely dressed. “Oh...You look...nice.” Ethan said, a little surprised. Up til now, he'd only seen Fen in a loincloth, some baggy sweats, and then more ratty clothing of Ethan's. But here he was, in form-fitting dark jeans, a fitted v-necked purple sweater, and really nice-looking black shoes. His black hair, which was mostly dry, was pulled back into a high ponytail, with some loose pieces of his bangs framing his face. His hair trailed down to his mid-back and shone in the light.

{Now then,} Fen said, breaking Ethan out of his trance. {Let's get you all dolled-up too.}

Ethan, still in a towel, approached the suitcases and knelt in front of them. “What should I wear? I didn't really look through these too much this past week. I only kept wearing shorts and underwear.”

Lounging back on the bed, Fen smiled at him. “Wear whatever you like. You look good in everything.”

There was lots to choose from, and Ethan finally settled on a loose pair of jeans for himself, a blue shirt that matched his eyes, and a red zip-up vest. One of those puffy kinds that sorta looks like a life-preserver. And of course, some boxers. For a moment, he debated going back to the bathroom to change, but instead he just took a great big breath and flung the towel aside, fighting the urge to hide himself, and he quickly dressed, only relaxing once he had his jeans on, and was pulling on his shirt. After zipping up his vest, he stood and looked himself over, walking to the mirror by the desk and checking himself out.

The effect of the new clothes that actually fit him, the new haircut, and the new weight gain, all had him looking like his age. Maybe even a little older. Like a college kid. Which was good, because he really wanted to go to college someday. But right now, he wasn't ready for it. And of course, he had to figure out the whole 'Fen' issue.

{You think I am an issue?} Came the somewhat pouty question from his mate.

“Of course not.” Ethan crossed back to Fen, stopping in front of him, and after a moment's hesitation, he leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, lingering for a short second before pulling away. “I just want to focus on you right now. Like, us getting to a place where we won't have to hide and me figuring out where you came from. That's what I meant.”

They just stayed like that for a moment, enjoying the closeness. Fen's hands resting comfortably on Ethan's hips and Ethan's on Fen's shoulders as he stood between the larger male's thighs.

Then, with a regretful sigh, Fen backed him up, standing and piling all the clothes back into the bags. {Alright, let us be going. Is there anything else I am forgetting in this room that we need to bring?} Then he paused, his face hardening. Without a word, he crossed to the desk, opening the drawer and reaching inside.

Uh-oh. Ethan knew what was in the drawer, although he hadn't had to go near it all week. They'd had no interruptions or threats.

Fen's hand withdrew, holding the gun Ethan had purchased illegally at the beginning of the week.

“I can explain.” He said automatically, eyes wide.

Fen sighed, checking the gun and looking it over, then he made sure the safety was on and tucked it, barrel pointing down, into the back hem of his jeans. {You do not need to explain. I understand why you got it. I am not mad or upset, but you will not be holding a loaded weapon now that I am awake. You do not need one now that I am awake.} Crossing to Ethan quickly, he pulled him close. {You can not even imagine how desperately I wanted to wake up when I sensed you had gotten this. I was trapped in my head, caught in the healing state, and unable to even move, yet I was terrified something would go wrong, a stray bullet perhaps, and it made me sick.}

Ethan shivered and held onto Fen, wanting to reassure him. “But nothing happened. I'm okay and I didn't even use it, except for that one day I tested it out in the woods behind the hotel.” Ethan remembered that day exactly, and he shivered. It had been quite horrifying. The sound of the gunshot had made Ethan have a bit of a regression, recalling the sounds of his parent's murder, and he'd cried on his knees amongst the trees. But, he'd done it, and no one had been hurt or had caught him. And now, Fen was awake and everything was fine.

{I know.} His mate said gravely, dropping the issue and just hugging Ethan. {Alright,} He broke away. {I cannot sense any of my kind nearby, though that does not mean they are not close, so we need to be cautious. I will go first, and take one bag, so in case I am caught, you will still have clothes, and then you follow. And if I am caught, run. Run as fast as you can. Understand?}

Ethan blinked up at him in astonishment. “What?! No way in hell!” He stepped back and crossed his arms stubbornly. “I am not going to just run away like some scared kid! I just realized...” He paused, swallowing. “I just got you! I'm not gonna leave you!”

Fen looked stern. {Ethan-}

“No!” He made his face look just as stern. “You have no right to tell me to run! No right! And you know there's a lot of other stuff I'd let you make me do, but leaving you is not one of them! I have my own mind and my own will, and I will not leave you! And don't you dare think you can just control me, cause I swear I will fight it! I will fight it even if I pass out from it! So...just drop it!”

Fen was quiet, then, with a surprised little smile, he looked down. {Very well. Do as you please, but from my side, I cannot promise I will not stop from using my power to make you run.} He looked back up. {Is that okay?}

“That's fine.” Ethan said grumpily. “We can agree to disagree then.”

They were silent again. But it was a silence of rival emotions. Which was strange, because they both were tense due to their feelings for each other. It was that thought that had Ethan relaxing and dropping his arms. “I'm sorry. I know you're worried, and I know I couldn't do much I'm sure, when faced with any of the people chasing you...us. But I can't promise something like that. And you can't ask me to.”

He heard Fen step to him, and warm arms engulfed him once more, then he was being embraced. {I understand. And I am sorry too. But...I meant what I said. I will make you run, if you do not choose to do it on your own.}

Ethan laughed humorlessly. “And if for some reason that doesn't work, I'll probably fling myself headfirst at whoever is hurting you.”

{That terrifies and exhilarates me at the same time.} Came Fen's soft heated reply. He hugged tighter.

Ethan pushed him away then, but not out of anger. He knew they had to get going, and at this rate, nothing would get done. "Come on, then. We gotta go.”

True to his word, Fen exited the room first, one bag in hand, and they made their way to the main lobby, where Ethan paid their bill and Fen kept watch from the side of the room. Then they walked out to their car.

{Do you want to drive?} Fen asked, stopping Ethan in his tracks.

“Me?” He didn't really like driving, and hadn't done much of it in his life. He wasn't even that good at it. Not as good as Fen. So, he shook his head. “No, I'd rather you did. Do you mind it?”

{Not at all.} He said with a smile. {I just wanted to make sure you did not want to.}

They climbed in, Fen in the driver's seat and Ethan in the passenger's seat, and drove out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

{So, should we get some food to go? A drive-through perhaps? I am quite hungry myself.}

“Hey yeah!” Ethan exclaimed, suddenly realizing something. “How are you not like, starved to death? I couldn't feed you when you were sleeping and you were out for a week! ”

{The healing state suspends everything. I do not require food or water during.} He spared a glance over to Ethan. {But, I appreciate you giving me liquids. It was a sign of how worried you were.}

Squirming from the warm praise, Ethan blushed. “Well...I was worried. I thought I'd...killed you. And I was so...” He broke off, feeling his throat thicken painfully.

{Shush now, it is okay. I know.} Fen took one hand off the wheel and placed it on Ethan's thigh, rubbing comfortingly.

The heat on his leg made Ethan squirm again, but from a different feeling this time.

Fen blinked over at him. {Again?} He teased. {Want me to take care of it?} Then he slid his hand up and cupped Ethan's groin, still rubbing.

“Ah! Don't!” Ethan begged, flushing from the sudden contact. He tried to pull his hips away but the seat prevented him from moving. “Oh...don't...” He protested weakly.

{You look so beautiful like that. All trembling and flushed. It makes me-} A sudden siren cut through the air and Fen paused, his hand withdrawing. {I think we have a problem, Ethan.}

“Wha?” He asked, coming back to his senses. Then he noticed the flashing light behind them. “Oh shit! It's a cop! Quick, pull over to the side of the road.”

Fen bit his lip. {But Ethan...We do not have-}

“Hurry up! Or we're gonna get in trouble!”

Fen did as he asked and carefully pulled over, and turning off the engine. He rolled down the window.

A police officer stepped out from the car behind them and approached the driver's side. “License and registration, please.”

Ethan froze. Oh fuck, he thought. They had never gotten the registration because it had been sent to the other motel, and Fen certainly didn't have a license. Speaking of which, Ethan didn't even know how he knew how to drive. But that was a problem for another day. He realized that no one had answered the cop yet and he was still waiting. “Uhhh...Officer, we lost the papers for this car, and his...uh, his license was with it.”

“Doesn't he know how to talk?” He asked curiously, gesturing to Fen.

In Ethan's head, he suddenly heard the nervous desperate voice of his mate. {Ethan! He can see my mouth! What do I do? I cannot hide my face from him and project into his head!}

“Ummm...No! He can't talk.” Ethan said, pulling an idea from nowhere. “He's...umm, He's...mute! He can't talk! At all.” He let out a deep breath then, cause the cop didn't seem to disbelieve him.

But then, to Ethan's surprise and horror, the policeman started to gesture with his hands, in unmistakable sign language, and he was directing it at Fen, who just sat there blinking in confusion and glancing at Ethan worriedly. {What is he doing with his hands?}

“It's sign language.” Ethan said out loud without meaning to.

The cop paused. “Well, yes son, it is. My sister happens to be deaf, so I've known it all my life. But, you're friend here doesn't seem to be able to understand me.”

Ethan paled. This wasn't good at all. “Uhhh...He's only recently mute and doesn't know any sign language yet.”

There was a moment of tense silence, then the officer backed away from the door, pointing to Fen again. “Can I ask you to step out the car, Sir?” He gave Ethan a pointed look. “Does he understand that?”

Fen gave Ethan one last uneasy look, then he was opening the door and stepping out. From his seat in the car, Ethan could still see them and hear them, but his heart was pounding so fiercely that it was hard to listen. After a moment of questioning and no answers from Fen, who no doubt couldn't understand the officer since he didn't have Ethan right there to hear the echo in his head, Fen was pushed up against the car, with his arms planted in front of him, as the cop patted down his sides.

Then Ethan almost freaked as he remembered the gun. And almost as soon as he thought it, he heard Fen gasp. He turned just in time to see the officer withdrawing the gun from Fen's jeans, and grabbing for his handcuffs.

In a gruff voice, he said to Fen, which Ethan could now make out from the open window. “You'd better have this thing registered, or else you're going to be in even bigger trouble.” The handcuffs flashed in the air, and Fen's hands were pulled back, but then Ethan saw Fen's arm shoot up behind him in a blur, and the cop fell to the ground out of sight.

“What the fuck?! Fen!” Ethan shouted, alarmed.

Without answering, Fen reached down, and came up with the gun again, tucking it back into his pants and swiftly climbing back into the car. He shut the door and started the engine, peeling out without a word.

“Fen! What the hell did you just do?! Did you kill him?! Did you kill him?!” Ethan felt like jumping out of the car. He couldn't be next to a murderer! He wasn't safe with a murderer! He had to get out! Out out out!

{Ethan, calm down. I did not kill him. I merely knocked him out. He'll be fine in a couple of hours. I am not a murderer.}

The effect was instantaneous and Ethan calmed, at least enough to keep from jumping out of the car. But he was still extremely freaked about the cop and he rocked in his seat. “Oh god, oh god! We're in so much trouble! You attacked a cop! Oh shit! And there's cameras in those cars! They've got our license plate number and know what you look like! We're gonna go to jail!” Ethan hyperventilated, quickly freaking out. “What are we gonna do! They'll plaster your picture all over the news and you won't be able to show your face anywhere!”

{Then we shall go somewhere else.}

“Huh?” Fen had spoken so calmly that Ethan quieted and looked to him in confusion. “What do you mean? Where is there to go?”

{Well...} Fen thought for a moment. {I have been thinking...I really would like to stop pretending to be...human. And you yourself have expressed the desire to see me in my true-form too. Perhaps...we go somewhere where I can be normal.}

The idea was ridiculous. “I don't understand. Where could we go that you could show you're real self? And wouldn't the shift alert your kind where we were?”

{Well...I could shift, and then fly to wherever you were. Meet you there. And then, we'd be alone. Together.}

“But where?” It still didn't make sense.

{How about...somewhere up north? Where there are lots of big trees and lots of wooded areas? We can live in the woods, and I will build us a house. Someplace secluded, but near a town where you can shop for us.}

Ethan grew suspicious. “How long have you been thinking about this?”

With an innocent smile, Fen shrugged. {Just since...the first night we mated.} He turned sheepish, biting his lip.

Ethan stared, surprised. But...not really that surprised. He didn't think Fen would want to stay human for the rest of his life. So, thinking he had nothing to lose and as long as he was with Fen he'd be happy, he took a deep breath...and nodded. “Okay.” He said gently with a smile. “Let's do that.”


TO BE CONTINUED

AN: Please, leave me a comment! It helps me write better and faster! Seriously, how can I write if I don't know how people feel about this? REVIEW PLEASE! I beg of you!