Page 23 of Midnight Pleasure

Ares shivered in anticipation, his eyes half-lidded as he kneeled before Apollo, a mixture of reverence and need in his gaze. The act sent a surge of possessive pleasure through Apollo, but he kept his touch gentle, wanting to make this moment unforgettable.

As Ares looked up at him, his gaze full of trust, Apollo's heart swelled with a fierce, protective love. He cupped Ares’s face, his thumb brushing over his lips before tracing the line of his jaw down to the pulse that beat steadily beneath his skin.

Apollo whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Take your time.”

The world around them blurred, leaving only the two of them bound by the love they had found and fought for. The devotion they shared was more than just bodily; it was a communion of souls, a bond that was unbreakable.

When it was over, and the world slowly came back into focus, Apollo looked down at Ares, his chest tight with emotion. Ares’s gaze was soft, his eyes filled with a quiet satisfaction that made Apollo’s heart ache with love.

“You’re mine,” Apollo exhaled, his voice rough with possession and something deeper, something that had been building between them since that very first night.

“And you’re everything,” Ares acknowledged, his voice trembling with emotion as he reached up to touch Apollo’s face.

They lay together in the soft grass, the world around them coming back to life with the gentle sway of wildflowers and the hum of bees. But none of it mattered. They had each other, and that was enough.

Apollo planted a soft kiss on Ares’s forehead, his heart full. This was what he had been searching for, what he had missed for so long—a genuine connection built on trust and love.

Ares curled into him, resting his head on Apollo’s chest, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on his skin. There was a peace in Ares’s eyes, a contentment that came from knowing they had fought for this and won.

“I love you,” Ares whispered, his voice soft and reverent.

Apollo beamed, his hand gliding through Ares’s silky hair with pure delight, a radiant warmth spreading through his entire being. “And I love you.”

Chapter 11: New Beginnings

Two years have passed since Ares stood on their cabin porch; the first light of morning softened by trees, casting long shadows across their yard. The air was crisp, yet the lingering scent of pine and earth from their cultivated garden lingered. In the distance, he could hear the soft clucking of chickens and the low bleating of their mini goats as they stirred from their sleep. It was a peaceful sound that had grown as familiar to him as his heartbeat.

He smiled as their two-year-old Great Pyrenees, Hecate, Katie for short, came bounding across the yard, her fluffy white coat aglow in the sun. Though Apollo was gentle about the title, Ares had given her—a ball of energy, always raring to chase the ducks or herd the goats. Ares couldn’t help but laugh every time he’d holler “Katie” and see the playful glare Apollo shot. A minor act of defiance, a reminder of their unique bond.

Living in a small cabin in the woods, surrounded by animals and working with his hands, was beyond his imagination. His hands had calloused. The closest he had to a pet was a Northern goshawk he trained at falconry schools. But watching Katie nipped at the heels of a duck, he realized just how much he had grown as a person and a lover.

He leaped off the porch and into the garden, knowing he’d find Apollo tending to the bees. They had opened an online business selling organic honey, which did well that year. It had given them another stream of money that sustained them well. In addition, Apollo had his successful wood sculpting business as another income stream.

The artistry had taken off the previous year when he started selling handcrafted journal papers through local festivals that transformed into a small but fulfilling business. More than a fleeting moment, pride remained. It affirmed his talent and hard work, confirming that Ares was on the right path. Each sale was more than a transaction; it validated his artistic vision and impact on lives.

But there was no more incredible pride than witnessing the awe-struck gazes and whispered admiration as people marveled at the intricate details and lifelike beauty of Apollo’s masterful sculptures. Apollo was a craft master, his hands capable of coaxing beauty from raw, untamed wood.

Apollo’s manner of dealing with people seeking information about his craft was admirable. Ares’ heart swelled with delight as he marveled at Apollo’s subtle complexity, discovering the immense beauty and talent that lay within his gentle demeanor.

Excitement bubbled up within him as he neared the beehive. A wide grin formed on his face at the sight of Apollo’s strong, broad shoulders, his passion for beekeeping radiating from every pore.

When Apollo returned to finish his nursing certification, he discovered another side to his talented mountain man. Apollo’s presence seemed to heal aura. The atmosphere seemed to change, the very air lightening to become serene. Ares could see his patients relax, their anxiety melting away as they realized Apollo cared.

Everything—from watching Apollo tend to their animals or the garden or nurse their bees with gentle precision it deepened Ares’s love for him. Apollo was his steady anchor, unwavering, dependable, and grounded. Ares always relied on his unwavering reliability.

Getting closer, Apollo gazed up, a smile playing on his lips. “You’re up early,” he said, his voice low and rumbling, never failing to make Ares’s heart skip a beat.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Ares responded, his voice full of excitement, as he ducked behind Apollo, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Too much on my mind, I guess.”

“Anything you want to talk about?” He offered, eyebrow raised, lips ready for a kiss.

Ares shook his head, his eyes following the light dance of the bees as they flitted from one radiant flower to another. He leaned against the weathered fence, feeling the texture against his back for support, letting Apollo go.

The gentle hum of the bees and the soothing rustle of leaves in the breeze filled his ears. Then Apollo’s sweet kiss met his lips, adding warmth and tenderness to the scene. “Just reflecting on our journey. This life is everything I never realized I needed.”

“We’ve built something special here, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, we have,” he agreed with a satisfied smile. “And it’s all thanks to you,” he continued with a grateful smile.

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