Chapter Text
A mystical and sourceless radiance softly framed their contours, highlighting the delicate sweat of their bare skin, and the traces of their tattoos, and the vast pitch-black night sky enveloped them like a moth-eaten blanket protecting their lust-filled eyes from the harsh divine light above it; and their lustful voices wavered on the shimmering air, the branches throwing down flurries of violet petals at their command as Chi got his legs locked around his lover's hips, those deep thrusts driving him in a euphoric state, those avid kisses breathing life into him, the silky grass gently caressing his skin, his pulsating hole tirelessly aching for more; and Chino ground himself against those wet walls without restraint, granting them eternal red-hot sensations outside the boundaries of their minds. Their eyes not losing each other for a second, the night sky was no match to the dark and living sea of their gaze they were floating in this time either.
Moving steadily as he reacted to every tremble of Chi, his lover's bright and vibrant spirit never ceased to intoxicate Chino since the first swelling flame of their love. Those soft and pleading lips on him felt like some keys to a greater realm of pure sexual love where all walls of shame and self-doubt break down; a realm he proved to be worthy of entering as he was reciprocating the touches of those lips with deep kisses. His lover's unmistakable taste tingling on his tongue, accompanied by Chi's desirous moans, always made him feel like a god rising above the world with his love by his side. A glorious vital force freely circulating between them, even the quiet and unfeeling time melted away in order to not disturb them in their uncontrolled passion.
Soon, the edge of ecstasy was only a few steps away for Chi. His lover's overwhelming presence always quenched his thirst for love and passion, thrilling his heart to no end as if he was embracing immensity itself; their union, as Chino penetrated him, felt as if creating a whole new universe. His grip on his lover's shoulders suddenly loosening, an astonished pleasure appeared on his face as he shuddered, and felt himself soar into the heavens, his trembling arms falling, the aftershock of his long-awaited climax not leaving his body for a long time; and soon, Chino mirrored his lover's rapt face and moan as he completely forgot himself, too, and joined him in satisfaction, the living power releasing from his groin drawing new stars on the dark skies in their eyes, and on the one above them.
Time slowly began to flow again as the convulsive shudder eased in Chi; and, embracing his lover's enamored panting in awe, Chino felt the urge to confess his love again, to tell Chi there was only him and no one else in the world, yet remained silent, knowing his beaming smile said it all.
His lover appeared to understand his unspoken words as his face set to an unseen expression of a celestial tranquility. "I can't think up a happier ending than this," Chi hummed in a lulling tone, noting his love's sudden confusion with a content smile. "I'm so tired, Chino. There's no fight left in me, I guess."
No, fuck, don't you dare to give up, you're not beaten yet, baby, Chino replied in an instant, trying to prevent the harsh reality from breaking into their sanctuary, but oddly enough, no words came out of his mouth; nevertheless, words had become useless and unnecessary, since his lover still could read his unbending mind anyway.
"I've got nothing to do here. You don't need to watch my dreams anymore. You still have some unfinished business out there... and a new love," Chi continued without any traces of resentment.
No, you still have me. Me, and your friends and family, and the band and everyone... we're all counting on you!, Chino told him the same thing he had told his lover countless times before, to no avail. The lush silken threads of grass now appeared to be dry and brittle under their limbs as Chi went on, unflurried.
"I've never felt more alive than with you," he suddenly squeezed Chino's hand, making his troubled love unable to take his eyes from him. During their journey as friends, then, as a couple, everything they had experienced was uplifting and expansive, whether they were walking on stars, or on fire. And Chi finally felt ready to set all his burdens down before letting his spirit break away. "You allowed me to feel an endless peace and joy of my true nature, and I'll be eternally grateful for your kindness and affection. But she has the right to enjoy your company, too, and I won't deprive her of the pleasure of your love. I know you'll be in good hands, baby."
Chino felt his stomach contract in fear. He didn't like Chi was speaking about himself in the past tense, but a paralyzing tickle in his throat prevented him from mentioning it. The source of that eerie radiance revealed itself in the meantime as a red dim glow slowly superseded the black density of the starry sky; and the feeble light reflecting in his lover's eyes spread a painful and dreadful realization through Chino's body.
I know there's another place where we belong, he tried to say something; something which might have been the first seed of a future acceptance, however difficult and bitter it would be.
"That's right. See you there someday. I love you, Camillo," Chi replied with a kind and serene smile, and squeezed Chino's now trembling hand one last time, fully convinced, his courage and acceptance making his downcast lover proud and envious at the same time.
I love you too, Chi, you're never over!, Chino now wanted to scream in a last effort to prevent the inevitable, his quivering lips emitted no sound this time either, his mind refusing to accept the fact his heart had known for a long time; no time was needed to keep Chi awake and alive anymore as he helplessly watched his love slip from his arms, and vanish in a red rain on the verge of awakening.
The last picture of that unworldly smile inexorably drew him out of the most beautiful nightmare of his life as the glowing warmth of Chi's skin disappeared, the unspoken words burned his tongue, and the tears of bitterness prickled his eyes. It was at that moment he knew with a terrible certainty what lay ahead for him and his lover's family; he knew, and he had vainly hoped for the opposite, that the day of the worst news had finally come.