SILENT INTERLUDE

The silence was delicate, as he stole away. Stepping cautiously into the shadows, he chanced a back-glance at the motionless figure sprawled upon the warm, expansive bed. He held his breath, before letting go of it in one single shattering exhalation. His apologies flowed out of him in that sole emission. And the room was empty of his presence. Once again.

He remained as inanimate as before. For awhile. A shuddering tear found its way past the barrier of resistance, and slid regretfully down his cheek. A trembling hand swiftly wiped any evidence of it away. Afraid of exposing his own loneliness, aware of the utter nothingness of the situation. This was what he feared. The unnerving loss, the thought of being abandoned. Yet it was pointless to hold on, when that will bring not happiness but dull, throbbing sorrow. He did not long for that any more than the desolation that had already consumed him, his life, and every day.

A forbidden relationship. Tender petals of fallen flowers, the soothing rustling of dry leaves in the dark streets, were indeed comforting.

The end of summer, the gradual finale of a vibrant season. Autumn would soon sweep graciously into the city. The change would be obvious, striking a hollow chord in everyone's heart. He gazed unsmilingly at the happy rays of teasing sunshine, as he strode blindly down the streets. Heading towards no destination, but to create a false impression of walking out of the other's life just to satisfy himself. How he enjoyed self-delusion.

He stopped unexpectedly, his attention drawn to a common sight of a small child struggling to reach the string of the blue balloon which had escaped her clutch. An odd compassion drove him to action. Reaching up, he gently disentangled the string from the offensive tree, before crouching down to return it to her. The charming shy smile he got in return was rewarding, and warmed his deadened heart momentarily. The afternoon cheer and hustle-bustle of his surroundings, only served to intensify his painful mind struggle, and he hastily disappeared into a pleasing coffeehouse nearby for solace.

He started, an involuntary jerk which surprised his companion. His friend followed the line of his intense stare and blinked curiously at the tall, slender figure standing just meters away. "..."

It was either intuition, or just plain politeness on the friend's part. An amused and half-embarrassed grin tugged at the side of his friend's mouth, who stood and bade him farewell before disappearing silently into the crowds on the massed streets. He could not be bothered, right at this minute, when he was faced with someone whom he dreaded to see again, yet secretly longed to not only see, but touch, kiss, love, and appreciate.

He just could not be.

It would be silly to turn and leave, he convinced himself. He treaded purposefully towards the seated and frozen person, steeled and ready for a confrontation. He halted, confused, confidence drained, when he came nearer to the other. "... Hi."

The half-shaky greeting he got in response was genuinely endearing to him, and fond memories hit him solidly, like a sledgehammer. Taking a seat without permission, he tried to avoid that familiar unwavering smoky stare. "Look at me." He dared to look up, not expecting, nor anticipating. The confusion that was mirrored in the other's eyes nearly made him grab and pull this graceful yet frail creature into his arms immediately. That was what he desired to do. The impulsive urge to hold, and never let go. For without his love, he was witheringly cold.

The echoing misery pounded madly in the chambers of his mind. Excruciating pain shrieked mercilessly. ... He gave up.

Would it be the same again, he wondered. Eventually, it seemed to be that old story. On replay. No matter what he gave, the other would not reciprocate. But he knew the reasons, and though he hated them, they were inevitable. One last try. Reaching out, he whispered achromatically. "Stay with me."

The bodies writhed together in sync, with that same overpowering desperation to keep together. He clamped his hot mouth around his love's erect nipple, tauntingly. His tongue then wrestled with the other's, in a flirty, lust-filled dance. He littered hungry kisses down the other's taut and slim body possessively. The impatient and soft whimper uttered enticed him further as he smirked at the blatant display of anxious desire. A keen tussle for control drove his wants to a higher peak, and he gnawed at the lower lip of his lover, his hands stroking the other's erect length, and touching everywhere else sensitive.

Closer, closer, and he slipped gently into the raging heat of his lover. Enveloped wholly, he allowed the relentless strong feelings to wash over him, rendering him lost to the searing intensity of the situation, of the moment. He started moving, encouraged by the words his lover gasped, those spontaneous, catchy and delectable sounds that flew off those luscious lips, which tempted him to no end. Eden. Faster. Harder. Deeper.

And it was soon. The mad, unrestrained emotions assaulted him in a flash, and he threw back his head in ecstasy as he gave a final frantic thrust, their sultry passion escaping and amplifying rapidly. Hearing his lover's cries as he chanted his name repeatedly, over and over again. Those dizzying fireworks again, he thought laughingly to himself, as both of them collapsed, spent but sated. Surrendering to slumber, he stroked his lover's damp but still silky hair lightly, breathing in the salty uninhibited scent of the atmosphere. He was only scarcely aware of the whispered words, "... I am sorry," before he was lost to the skies of quiet arcadia.

The hushed lull was fragile, as the room remained peacefully barren. Outside, the morning sunshine glowed blissfully, and the streets cheerfully bustling as always.

Painted in this animated and vivacious scene of life, were colors of merry indulgence, wallflower enthusiasm and austere affection.

The two of them strolled comfortably side-by-side, hands clasped lingeringly for assurance. They had no destination, but it did not matter. After all, they were not searching for an end. They were contented, to continue down a hopefully immortal road. Together.

SILENT INTERLUDE; END; 23:08, Monday, 26 April 2004; KUMACHI - Sayonara