Page 24 of Midnight Pleasure

Apollo looked at him and added, “It isn’t just me. To survive this world without you would subject me to the most inhumane punishment. I would go to any extent to reclaim your soul, even if it meant battling the gods.”

“I am aware,” he stated, Ares was certain that that man loved him and would forever remain loyal to him. This made him feel special.

Ares took Apollo’s hands in his, marveling at their strength and precision. He outlined the rough edges of his fingers, able to draw beauty from raw wood and turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he looked up through his lashes at Apollo, admiration in his eyes.

“Your hands,” Ares sighed…are magic. I fall for you again whenever I see them move, creating something unique only you can see.”

Apollo’s gaze softened, warmth spreading across his features as he laced his fingers with Ares’s. “They only find their purpose when they’re holding yours,” he admitted, bringing their intertwined hands to his lips for a gentle kiss.

His heart swelled with the quiet joy of the moment. “You always know what to say,” he mocked, leaning in to kiss the corner of Apollo’s mouth.

“And you,” Apollo responded, his voice low and rumbling, “make everything worth saying.”

In the hushed silence, surrounded by the familiar scents of the farm, the earthy aroma of dampness from the recent rain, mixed with the crispness of pine needles and the faint tang of moss.

Ares broke the comfortable silence with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You see, I’m still not convinced Katie’s such a bad name,” he suggested, steering the conversation back to one of Apollo’s least favorite subjects.

Apollo groaned, rolling his eyes. “It’s Hecate, Ares. Hecate.”

“Sure, sure,” he rebuffed sarcastically, grinning. “But she responds better to Katie.”

He exhaled, his gaze shifting to Apollo, who couched to greet Katie as she barreled into him, knocking him over. Apollo’s laughter rang out, clear and joyful, filling the air with a warmth that mirrored the sun’s rays. A surge of love swelled in his chest, so strong it almost took his breath away. They found each other, two souls with their own sacred space in the world.

Ares remembered his past life, the toxic relationships, and the shadows of Brently and Rafael. However, those memories seemed distant, like echoes from a powerless history. Brently vanished, leaving no trace, and they moved Rafael to some far-off place, forever removing him from their lives. Ares had no knowledge of where they had gone, and, he didn’t care. He was no longer haunted by those ghosts.

As another year had passed. They had weathered literal and figurative storms and emerged stronger for it. One by one, the toxic ties of Ares’s past fell away, leaving nothing but the peace he had always longed for. And in that peace, he found a steady, unwavering, and true love.

Apollo shook his head, but the annoyance he tried to muster didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Only because you keep calling her that,” he shot back, his voice laced with the kind of affectionate exasperation that had become a familiar part of their relationship.

Ares’s laughter rang out, light and free, filling the yard with a warmth that wrapped around them both. With a flick of a switch, the world aligned, pieces falling into place. Worries and fears that plagued him faded away. This was his true home, with Apollo.

With a playful glint in his eye, Ares moved toward the water jug sitting on the picnic table, his steps deliberate. He scooped up a handful of the chilly water and, with a grin, tossed it in Apollo’s direction. The droplets caught the sunlight as they sailed through the air, twinkling before splashing across Apollo’s chest.

Apollo stood frozen for a moment, with a mock look of betrayal. “Oh, you’re going to regret that,” he warned, his voice low and full of playful menace.

He didn’t wait for a response. With a laugh, he turned and crossed the grass, heart racing in excitement. He heard Apollo’s footsteps pounding behind him; the sound growing closer with each passing second. The anticipation sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.

Just as Ares reached the shade of the giant oak tree at the yard’s edge, muscular arms wrapped around his waist, dragging him back against his solid chest. Apollo’s voice resonated like a gentle caress, its warmth spreading through his body.

“Caught you.”

Ares laughed, breathless from the run and the closeness of Apollo’s body pressed against his. “Maybe I wanted to be caught,” he taunted, tilting his head back to meet Apollo’s gaze.

Apollo’s eyes darkened with passion, the playful glint shifting into something deeper, more intense. “Is that so?” He drawled, his lips brushing against Ares’s ear.

Before Ares could respond, Apollo turned him around, backing him against the tree trunk. The shade cast cool shadows over them, but the heat between them was undeniable. Apollo leaned in, his hands sliding up to cup Ares’s face, his thumb tracing along his jawline. Time stopped when their eyes met.

Then, Apollo closed the distance, capturing Ares’s lips in a sweet kiss smoldering with heat. It was deliberate; every movement of Apollo’s mouth against Ares teased and ignited a fire that raged beneath the surface of his skin.

His hands gripped Apollo’s shirt, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss with a need that bordered on desperation. Apollo’s tongue slid against Ares, deepening the kiss further, turning heated, more intense. Apollo locked lips, claiming Ares anew, marking him beyond words. He responded with equal fervor, his fingers tangling in Apollo’s dark hair, holding him close, not wanting the kiss to end.

When they broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they tried to steady themselves. Ares’s heart raced in his chest, his body humming with the lingering heat of the kiss. “You’re impossible,” he stammered, a smile tugging at his lip.

Apollo grinned, his thumb brushing over Ares’s swollen bottom lip. “And you love it.”

Laughing, his eyes shined with affection as he looked at Apollo. “Yeah, I do,” he admitted, his voice full of warmth. “But don’t think I’m done teasing you.”

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