Ivory’s smile grew. “Oh no Max, don’t look away from me.” He gently nudged his chin towards him. His blush grew too as he continued welcoming his touch to his cheeks. “I… I…” admittedly, he did not know how to respond to such a compliment. He almost felt dizzy as his beloved kissed his other cheek.
His arms were still around Max’s waist. “Oh, love…” he reveled in his gaze, the way those blue eyes looked at him. “I wish I could say the same, because I kept my feelings hidden for so long I wasn’t even aware. But now we can, and we should do it forever and ever. I want you by my side, always.”
Even though he had less energy these days, deep down he really hated being alone. Growing up, he was never alone. He had Pearl and Max together with him. But now, everything had changed. Living with his mother as an adult himself had its tensions. Sometimes it seemed better if he and Duchess Winn were apart. And now that his dear friend was back, and had grown into his lover, he craved him and his company like a man in the desert with no water.
The sight of Ivory, his blush, his smile….God everything about the man in front of him was perfect. Max felt lucky just to be able to stare into those eyes that were looking back at him. And he just kissed Ivory on both cheeks! Good lord, he could not get over feeling the delicate skin underneath his lips. He couldn't get over anything about Ivory. The man had owned his heart.
"Ivory, I promise that I will never get on another ship if you are not there with me." His eyes glimpsed down to his beloved's arms around his waist. The feeling kept him weighted down. It made him feel whole. "Please never let go of me. I don't want to go anywhere if you're not there with me, please."
Part of him regretted ever going to Amsterdam. He could've gone to school in London or somewhere closer to home. And he didn't even come home for the summer or Christmas. Some of the days blended into nothing. Between studies and practice, it all just blended into one long day. No matter what, he had always thought of Ivory and how much he missed him. Now it doesn't matter. He has Ivory and Ivory has him. They'll get to spend all night together in the same bed. Max will get to stare into those mesmerizing eyes for as long as he wants to.
Ivory let out a sigh. “I don’t plan on letting go any time soon. You’re mine now, and shall be for as long as I live.” He smiled.
All those years alone… how did he survive? Looking back now, it seemed to him that he was simply a dead man walking. It was still true, a little bit. He felt a little more alive, but his body seemed to be shutting down more instead. It was so strange, perhaps what they say in church is true. Without God, you are spiritually dead.
But oh, now he had his god. He had found his light, and he felt alive again. Maybe this is heresy, but having Maximilian here, in his arms and feeling his kisses, why, it felt like the Holy Ghost himself had descended upon him. At least, that’s what he imagined it felt like. What they spoke of in chapels and churches felt like this, yet he never encountered the feeling in an actual church. Why did they never speak of things like this? It felt so holy to him. If only his body still worked properly to match.
Everything that had occurred before did not matter so much now. Thirteen long years alone, yes, it was painful. But perhaps it did some good. He learned things, he became a man. Max’s absence was a yawning, looming feeling, Pearl’s ghost seemed to haunt him. But it was no matter now, right?
He tried to move his fingers a little. It was difficult, very difficult, but it seemed easier this time. He tried to actually hold Max’s waist, not just have his arms around it. He let out a breath and rested his head on his lover.
“Max..?” He asked softly. “Forgive my bluntness, but… would you kiss me? Maybe it is inappropriate, considering my current condition, but oh… I can’t stop thinking about it…”
Those words soothed him. Not once does he ever want to be anywhere else other than with Ivory and his arms. Maximillian didn't want to be anywhere else. This was where he was meant to be.
His face turned bright red at the question. It was difficult for him to decide if he was shy or not about having to respond. Words failed him. Max had always dreamed of this for as long as he could remember. It was all he ever dreamed about in his sleep. This wasn't a dream.
"Ivory, if I kiss you now…I can guarantee you that you will not be able to stop thinking about that either." Max chuckled as he brushed through Ivory's hair. He wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it. Of course, everything about Ivory occupied his mind twenty-four seven. There were no flaws on this man. God was Max bewitched body and soul by this divinely handsome man. His man, his lover.
Delicately, he lifted Ivory's chin up. In a blink of an eye, Max leaned in, his lips brushing, tentatively, against his lover's. If there was any way of finding heaven on earth, he certainly found it. Warmth completely consumed him. His stomach was in knots even by the time he pulled his lips away.
Giid heavens his heart was about to burst. In a split second, he wondered if he was truly going to heaven or not. His head was as light as heart. It flew fleetingly with each beat. "Was…was…was that…" Max tried to keep his breathing under control. He lightly laughed, "Was that alright?
Frankly…my dear…I cannot stop thinking about it already."
Ivory felt the heat from his beloved’s face and quirked a smile. When he didn’t respond at first, he amended, “If you say no, I shan’t be sad. I’ll understand.”
He leaned into Max further as he touched his hair. “Well, I think that’s all the more reason to do it now, if you wish.” He shivered with anticipation. When Max lifted his chin, he already felt like melting on the spot. Their lips brushed against each other, and Ivory melted into him. All of the muscles in his body seemed to tense and shiver. A little voice in the back of his mind hoped that their glasses weren’t getting in the way. By the time they separated, Ivory’s face was so hot and red that he worried he was getting another fever.
“Oh, dear Max…” he gently cupped his cheek, as best as he could with unmoving hands. “It was so lovely. I can’t stop thinking about it either. Thank you.”
