"I don't usually do this, you know," Julian admitted to Arthur in a quiet moment before the blissful chaos of what would happen next.
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Julian and Arthur walked hand-in-hand along the Alma River. The cool night air wrapped around them, but neither felt a chill. The warmth of their intertwined fingers, the lingering electricity from their kiss, and the unspoken sexual tension pulling them together was more than enough to keep them both warm. The silver moon rippled on the river's surface as it followed the two men's journey through the eastern side of town before crossing one of the many historic bridges to the western side of town. They strolled in comfortable silence towards their shared neighbourhood.
Julian squeezed Arthur's hand. "Do you always analyze people like that?"
Arthur turned to look at Julian and smirked. "Only the interesting ones."
Julian let out a small laugh. "You're something else."
Arthur stopped walking and turned to face Julian, his gaze soft yet intense. "And you," he said softly, brushing a strand of Julian's curly black hair away from his forehead, "are remarkable." Julian felt his breath catch in his chest and his heart start to race. Arthur's fingers trailed down his soft cheeks; firm, sure, utterly disarming. Julian's mind was racing with thoughts of desire and uncertainty when he heard Arthur say "Come home with me" in a low voice full of intent. Julian hesitated momentarily before nodding shyly.
Their walk had a destination now and their feet knew it. Their carefree, slow meander turned into a brisk speedwalk, though neither men would ever admit to quickening their pace if asked. Before long, they were on the dark wooden porch of Arthur's house. Julian looked back at his own smaller home before he followed Arthur into a dimly lit interior foyer. Arthur flicked a switch, revealing walls upon walls of bookshelves. The scent of aged paper, cedarwood, and longing tinged the air as Julian closed the door behind him.
"You really do live in a library," Julian said, his voice betraying his wonderment and slight intimidation.
Arthur chuckled. "It helps that I've had a couple more decades than you to read or write these." Their age difference was obvious to anyone with sight, but it was the first time that either of them had acknowledged it explicitly. Julian blushed at the thought of having kissed a man who was older than both of his parents. And yet, the thought thrilled him, endured him to the man more. Arthur's air of earned maturity and self-actualisation pulled Julian to him more. Julian turned to face him, nerves fluttering in his stomach. Arthur cupped his face and kissed him again--this time slower, deeper, more deliberate. Julian melted into the kiss, his hands gripping Arthur's jacket and pulling his makeout partner close to him. Arthur's hands traveled down Julian's back, pressing him firmly against him. The sensation of Arthur's solid frame against his own sent a rush of heat through Julian's veins. Their subtle height difference meant that Julian could feel Arthur's erection pressing against his stomach. For his part, Arthur could feel Julian's erection pressing against his thigh as they kissed. Tongues swirled and tasted the insides of each other's mouths, exchanging salivas and expressing a hunger that only built as they spent more time together. Arthur parted lips with Julian - though he wished he hadn't once he did - and said, "Shall we go upstairs?" before extending his hand to the younger man. Julian nodded, took his hand, and they walked up the two flights of stairs to a landing before turning left and entering Arthur's bedroom.
The professor's room was as rich with books as the rest of his house. Accents of dark mahogany furniture dotted the large primary suite - including a large king-sided bed. Books were strewn all over the floor or haphazardly stacked on top of one another in piles that felt both chaotic and perfectly organised at the same time. Navigating towards the bed felt like a maze but once they saddled up to the left side of the bed, Arthur pulled Julian against him again, their bodies flush as he unbuttoned Julian's shirt with steady hands, revealing the artist's smooth skin beneath. Julian shivered at Arthur's touch, his hands still cold from walking along the river, but he didn't pull away. Instead, Julian mirrored Arthur's movements. He pulled the green pinstriped jacket off Arthur's broad, square shoulders and unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it aside to reveal a muscular chest covered in the most beautiful pasture of grey and black hair that Julian had ever seen on a man. Without thinking, he pressed his hands against Arthur's chest, feeling both the hard muscle and the soft pillowy patch of chest hair.