Hi guys, apologies for my submission. I have been busy with work and submissions will take a while from now on. By now, it should be obvious that Ch.03 was not an error! XD
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Alec:
Wisps of steam rise from the stream as it rustles and flows along the shallow riverbed, flanked on both sides by forested valleys, leaves tinted orange, red and yellow. The original maple story. Stunning in its ephemeral beauty, the trees' swansong before the deep freeze arrives. Yet I am excited because this stream is near the source of the hot spring. Black not-so-well-hidden pipes siphon water off to the hot spring guesthouses downstream. There were other couples all scattered around, dipping their feet into the water. I jogged to a comfortable spot, took off my shoes and dipped my feet into the hot water as a gust of cold wind swept through the valley, bringing with it ominous-looking rain clouds and pungent stench of sulphur (and rotten eggs).
"Fuck!" I had scalded myself. The water was too hot.
"Warned you so," Brandon taunted from behind me.
It is too warm and heavy. I wake up and was treated to a mop of blonde hair on my chest. Seb, the Australian stud, had decided to sprawl himself all over me. Surprisingly, the futon could fit both of us. For some reason, I wish that it is Brandon who is sprawled all over me even though it is impossible; heck he has said as much. I cannot help but think of him, even in my dreams. There is no room for me, there never was and he had warned me before. I have lost my best friend and lover of four years.
Seb and I were both decidedly hard, our morning wood pressing against each other. It is just downright erotic and hot as hell. Seb, with his athletic build, washboard abs and chiseled pecs, now breathing gently against my neck. Memories of our intense gymnastic session the night before brought a wry smile to my face - the stud begging for my dick and looking thoroughly well-fucked by the end of it.
Then again, Brandon and I were like that once too, were we not? Me, lying on his abs, gently teasing his balls and dick as he moaned while his fingers played with my hair. In the end, we still...That sobering thought chased away all else, like storm clouds in the sky.
Seb rolled over and freed me, tossing the quilt to one side in the process. God he really can sleep, it is already seven thirty. Then again, I am a morning person. Time for a wake-up call, or rather, wake-up suck, I thought. If I wanted to be slutty, might as well go down the full way.
I licked the tip of his cock, savoring his taste slowly before taking his entire seven-inch length in my mouth as I fondled his balls, gently teasing him.
"Fuck, Alec, that's so hot." he moaned, as his eyes snapped open, all signs of drowsiness gone. His head flopped back onto the futon in a sign of surrender as I licked the underside of his shaft. Fifteen minutes later, my pre-breakfast appetizer was served.
I recalled the dream I had as I changed. I have burnt myself, badly, I thought. Seb was murmuring something as he insisted on styling my hair. I admire his handiwork in the mirror; gotta give him his due, he is good with his hands.
I scrolled through the long list of unread messages on my phone as we walked to the dining room. One of them is from Darius, my best friend since I was 14 and my current flat mate, which he sent a few days ago.
"Do I need to send a search-and-rescue party into the Japanese Alps? xD".
No wonder he is my personal shrink, he knows me best. I had left the country in a hurry without telling anyone, only adhering to an itinerary I had planned with Darius on a trip which we never executed many years ago when we were both still in high school. I ignored his message.
Breakfast was delicious. Thank goodness Seb could use a pair of chopsticks properly. I doubt I can handle the well of unwelcome memories that will come rushing to the surface of my mind, if I have to teach him, like I did with Brandon.
"Dude, where did you learn how to fuck? Last night was phenomenal and I am no Mary or Joseph," Seb drawled, rather randomly.
Thank goodness we were the only ones in the dining room and we were done eating.
"Practice makes perfect, dear" I replied sweetly as I winked back at him.
Someone gasped and I looked up.
Oh fuck.
Fuck you, Darius. Why did you dispatch a search-and-rescue team - the worst possible one too?
*********************************************
Brandon:
We froze and looked at each other in the eye. The world seemed to stop turning on its axis. Nothing else mattered except him. We were in a bubble with the Australian enclave sequestered in one corner, making its presence felt. Time seems to adopt a non-liner quality with Alec. It surges and ebbs like the tides, pulling us together and apart at the same time. But Alec only waxes, he never wanes. I could see him like the full moon on a relatively cloudless night - but it is not hard to feel the cold winds bellowing around us, sending clouds our way, threatening to overshadow everything. I must have been blind to send him away.
Alec finally stood up. He seemed slimmer. His features sharper since we last met. Since I pushed him away, and he ran off. His lean and toned five foot nine frame has never failed to attract me. The black hair slicked back in a new retro 30s style that so befits his face shape. Back in high school, he was just above average, just another intellectual. But over the years since graduation, his features have only grown sharper and more defined. Definitely more than above average.
"How nice to see you Brandon. What a coincidence. Brandon, Seb. Seb, Brandon" Alec said smoothly as he made the introductions.
"Hey" Mr Down Under said sheepishly as he blushed. He obviously knew that I heard what he said. There were only three of us in the room anyway.
"Hi" I said rather stiffly and tried to plaster a smile - but I could not.
"Let's go Seb. Enjoy your breakfast Brandon. Have a nice day" Alec continued with a faint smile as he extended his hand to his new-found lover before striding out hand in hand.
I stood rooted to the spot as Alec and Seb strode out of the room towards the entrance. Alec pulled on his woolen sweater that fit over his frame like a glove - a sweater we bought together in Helsinki last spring. He was wearing a pair of spray-on skinny jeans which of course showed off his lean and toned legs. Jeans from Pull&Bear. Four years with someone makes one so attuned to each other's' behavior, habits and personal effects.
Sex has its unintended consequences, no? I thought silently. A tear rolled down my cheek without me realizing it until the granny from yesterday walked in with my breakfast tray and she stared at me with a questioning look. I hastily wiped it off with the sleeve of my sweater as I sat down at the tiny table with my name displayed on a placard. She began setting my table and handed me a pair of chopsticks, a fork and a spoon.
My phone buzzed with an incoming message from Jasper. "How's Japan? Found Alec?"
