The Secret Place

 

A/N: Written for Dribs, Drabs, and Doggy Tales Week 43: Earth. Review if it pleases you (it shall certainly please me).

 

​The Secret Place

 

            They held hands as they ran through the forest. The noise and life of the city dissolved into the thicket of trees. Others might have exercised caution, but this was their secret place. It was their home. In the distance, a nightingale called her song, adding her voice to the relentless pitter patter of the pouring rain. Dusk was dissolving into twilight, coupling with the clouds to settle into a gray haze as the moon gave the sky definition A blanket of stars peaked from between the clouds.

            She turned to him as they ran and he flashed a smile, lifting her spirits as they neared their spot. Twigs crunched into the damp grass. Their run ended.

            "Sarah," John started, but she silenced him with a finger against his lips. He read her expression and saw a coy smile, guileless and unashamed. He took her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers, crushing her body against his, calling her home into her rightful place.

            She welcomed his advance, her breathing heavy as her lungs struggled to take in the moist air. Their wet, muddy clothes clung to their bodies as the scents of wet grass and soggy earth ensorcled their senses.

            Before long they were shed of their clothing, once more natural children of the Earth. John took his time to gaze into her eyes and search them. For a moment, she feared he would break the spell and send them back to the world they had escaped, but he relieved her worry with another kiss, this one deeper than the others.

            She reciprocated with vigor as he laid her against the blankets they had left so many years ago. Their legs became a tangle of limbs, fitting neatly together as he laid his body over hers, parting her thighs after another kiss.

            Her fingers slid up into his hair as leaned in for another kiss, slipping past her lips to her neck. She moaned into the dual storms of passion and rain as he slipped inside of her. They shuddered in ecstasy as he began his movements and their moans were added to the song of the night between gasps.

            He was in no hurry and she did not spur him on. They savored each thrust, each delicious separation, and each inch of each other's flesh. He pulled his face back to watch her expressions and she met his gaze, lust and love dancing through her eyes.

            Their connection heightened, the time of finishing bean to draw near. He slid deeper into her, adding more force, though not to intensify the pleasure; he wanted to be as much a part of her as he could. Soon, the task of watching her face became impossible and he returned his head to the crook of her neck as she dug her fingers into his hair.

            The rain continued to fall as her moans grew and she could take no more. She gave her cry into the forest as she arched her back. He gave one final thrust as deep as he could go and convulsed inside of her.

            He slipped out of her and laid behind her as she turned on her side. His fingers moved to her stomach and she laid her hand over his. He kissed the top of her head and together they dreamed.

            They did not know for certain how long they slept, but when they awoke the moon neared her zenith. The rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared, the seemingly infinite expanse of stars twinkling down at them. They laid together in one another's arms until the moon was halfway gone, watching, refusing to think and to speak as they savored the moment (one they would never forget so long as they drew breath).

            Wordless yet, they stood and gathered their wet clothes before joining hands once more. There were no eyes for miles and they enjoyed their freedom as they made a slow pace to the car.

            The drive was silent, but it was no longer the comfortable kind that had settled over them before. This one was, contemplative and somber, was filled with thought and anxiety. Though he knew that he could speak no comfort, he racked his mind for the words all the same.

            When they reached her house, John threw the car into park and cut the engine. Now dressed in damp clothes, they met at the hood of the car. The moon faded and twilight had returned.

            "Sarah," John said and this time she let him speak. She refused to meet his eyes. Over the drive, he had chosen his words with the utmost care, but now they slipped from his memory like a watermelon seed from a wet hand. He thought of the many ways to comfort her, but he knew what had to be said. This task would not be made easier by pretty words. "I'll never forget you..." he forced out.

            She broke down. Her tears came without mercy and stained her cheeks as she fought to keep her sobs down. He felt his heart shatter as he took her into his arms. For the last time, he wounded himself. He bit his tongue and fought his tears away. He would not cry. He would be strong for her. Is that the right choice? He didn't know. He didn't know anything and he prayed that he made the right choice.

            As he drove home, dawn was at his back. He picked up his things from his home and headed to the airport.

            His pain came and went in bursts, but the black haze was constant. His entire first semester at the University was dark and she was the only thing on his mind. He dove into school. Eventually, the haze lifted and both players found happiness, for mother Earth takes care of all her children. Even so, neither forgot their first love or their final night in their secret spot.