Page 22 of Midnight Pleasure

“And you think you can just walk away from all of it after everything we’ve been through? Well, let’s just say everything?”

Apollo’s face turned stony. The statement said with pure finality. “I already have.”

While the miles passed in silence, his mind couldn’t help but return to Ares. A wave of intense emotions surged inside him. Consumed by a sense of despair, he desperately clung to the dwindling hope that Ares had stayed because he cherished their homestead and the idea of them. Despite all the events, distance, and pain, Apollo was certain that Ares was his everything.

Finally, they reached Foggy Basin. With a wide smile, Apollo eagerly unbuckled his seat belt and swung the truck door open, feeling the fresh mountain air fill him with an exhilarating sense of freedom.

Apollo didn’t turn around to thank Rafael. There was no need for him to say anything. He walked off towards the cabin, his steps determined, conveying his determination and finality in ending this chapter of his life. However, just as he reached the front door, he spoke loudly and determined, “I never want to see you again. This has been over and it will remain over. Never bother us again.”

“Have it your way, but don’t fucking come crawling back to me,” he replied stoically, void of emotion. “But remember, Apollo, you’re the one that left. You’re the one that made that choice.” And with that, he sped off, kicking dirt and gravel in his wake.

A sense of peace entered him. This would be the last time Rafael would ever bother Apollo and Ares. Like a promise etched in his bones. As he continued inside, closing the past and opening a new future.

Here’s a condensed version of the passage, maintaining the focus on the tender moments, the intimacy of the cabin, and the loving relationship between Apollo and Ares.

***

∞∞∞

The welcoming smell of pine and wood greeted Apollo as he stepped into the cabin. The space was cozy, filled with familiar memories that tugged at his heart, offering both comfort and relief. This was home. The tension that had coiled tightly in his chest unwound, and for the first time in weeks, he could almost breathe.

As Apollo moved through the cabin, he noticed the subtle changes. A woven blanket with rich earth tones draped over the back of the sofa—Ares’s touch. Fresh wildflowers in a simple vase brightened the dining table. Books stacked neatly on the coffee table, some titles unfamiliar. A small collection of Ares’s sketches, including an unfinished drawing of the cabin itself, adorned the kitchen wall. Each detail painted a picture of the life Ares had built here, making the cabin not just a place, but their home.

He wandered through the cabin, his bare feet whispering across the wooden floor, but the bedrooms were empty. A flicker of disappointment gave way to curiosity. Where was Ares?

Stepping outside, Apollo made his way toward the bee colony behind the cabin. His breath caught as he saw Ares standing among the wildflowers, his back turned. There was a softness to Ares now, a quiet contentment that filled Apollo’s heart with love so strong it ached. This was paradise.

Apollo sat down on the soft grass, his eyes never leaving Ares. The wild scenery surrounded them, the vibrant colors of the flowers, the gentle hum of the bees, and the sun filtering through the trees. It was all so beautiful, so perfect, it all seemed like a dream.

When Ares finally noticed him, his face lit up with a wide, genuine smile that took Apollo’s breath away. Ares hesitated for a moment before walking toward him, his steps cautious. But Apollo wasn’t hesitant. Not anymore.

Apollo stood, closing the distance between them, and pulled Ares into his arms. It wasn’t just a reunion—it was a declaration. The familiar scent of wildflowers and honey clung to Ares’s hair as Apollo inhaled deeply, letting it wash away the darkness of the past weeks.

Ares clutched at Apollo’s shirt, as if anchoring himself, and they stood there, the world fading away as their breathing synchronized. For the first time in a long while, Apollo felt a deep, quiet peace, with something primal and simmering just beneath the surface.

“I was so scared, I couldn’t get anyone to give me a ride and no one in the state” Ares whispered, his voice trembling. “That you would blame me for—”

“Shhh…I could never blame you. I just wanted to come home to you.” Apollo pulled back slightly to meet Ares’s gaze, his voice husky with emotion.

“I tried calling, seeing you, even wrote some letters. No one would help me. They said you were in solitary. I’m sorry—” Ares appealed, but there was nothing Ares needed to feel guilt for.

“I am back at our home. It’s over. I belong to you, forever, if you will have me,” he declared, his thumb brushing gently along Ares’s cheek. “I know what I want. And what I want is right here.” He tangled his fingers in Ares’s curls, drawing him closer.

Their lips met in a kiss that was both a demand and a promise, slow and deliberate. Tension mounted in Ares, the way his body instinctively leaned into the kiss, asking for more without words. But Apollo held back, savoring the anticipation, wanting to make Ares feel every moment, every touch.

When the kiss finally ended, Apollo undressed Ares with the same meticulous care as he approached everything else. Apollo removed each piece of clothing slowly, almost reverently, until there was nothing left but the warmth of their skin and the connection between them. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in their own private universe.

Apollo’s hands roamed over Ares’s firm yet gentle, exploring every curve and dip with admiration. Ares responded with a pleading expression. His body quivered as he surrendered himself wholly, his trust a last resort in the face of passion.

“Tell me you want me, that you want this,” Apollo pleaded, his voice raw yet tender.

Apollo’s lips traced a path down Ares’s shoulders. Each nibble sent shivers down Ares’s spine, igniting a fire within him. His breath became increasingly unsteady, mirroring the intensity of the moment.

As their connection deepened, Ares’s grip on Apollo’s shoulders tightened, his fingers digging into the firm flesh. The sensation of their bodies pressed together, skin against skin, fueled the raw hunger coursing through their veins. Heat radiated from Ares body, as they laid down.

Ares’s breath was unsteady as he tightened his grip on Apollo’s shoulders. “You,” he breathed. “Just you.”

Satisfaction darkened Apollo’s gaze as his hand slid lower, teasing Ares with the promise of more. “Good,” he moaned, his lips caressing Ares’s ear. “Then do as I say.”

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