"I fear that anyone seeing us together would see at a glance how it is. How I want you." Gideon continued.

Gareth's eyes glowed and he licked kiss swollen lips. "How do you want me?"

"Like this." Gideon bent and sealed their mouths together again, sliding one hand around to stroke Gareth's flat abdomen, cupping his taut buttocks with the other. He stripped Gareth of his clothing with shaking hands, scarcely able to believe he was being so bold even with the door locked. "It could be the last time." He muttered against his lover's lips.

"It won't be." Gareth sounded so certain, so sure that nothing would go wrong. Gideon stepped back and shrugged off his own shirt, then unfastened his trousers, pushing them along with his small clothes down over his hips to pool on the floor.

They stood naked, surveying the changes two years had made to their bodies. Gareth was still slender, but his chest was sprinkled with fine gold hair, his muscles were well defined. And arrow of golden hair led down to a mature cock, erect and already leaking drops of pre-ejaculate. The swollen head had flushed the same pink as the tiny sensitive nipples that peeked form the curls on his chest.

Noticing that Gareth seemed to enjoy the sight of his own body, Gideon smiled. He was broader, heavier, and much more thickly muscled than he had been two years ago. Daily riding and fisticuffs had given him bulk and breadth, and all of it was solid muscle. Not much good for graceful ballroom dancing, but Gareth seemed to like what he saw if the way his gaze heated and his breath quickened were any indication.

"I don't..."

Gareth stepped close and the sensation of skin on skin that he'd sorely missed robbed Gideon of speech. "Ng." he finished, gliding careful hands over smooth flesh.

"I didn't come for this, Gideon. I didn't expect it."

Gideon felt embarrassed heat rise in his cheeks. He knew what Gareth meant. "I won't. But I need..."

"Shhh." It was Gareth's turn to shush him. "We can still enjoy one another, just not in that way. Remember how we did it at first? Before we knew any better?"

They huddled together under blankets in their room at school, and proximity being what it was for young boys, had eventually discovered that by rubbing against one another exquisite sensations and ultimately release could be achieved. Gideon nodded. His breath came in short pants, and he'd swear he could happily give himself satisfaction just looking at Gareth's form, but he wanted Gareth to enjoy as well. "Come to the fire, Gareth."

They lay together in front of the flickering flame, on the Aubusson carpet, rutting as carefully against each other as Gideon could manage, until his cock caught just right on Gareth's and the moment he'd resisted so long came to an end in a flood of silky sperm. The rich earthy scent teased his nostrils as Gareth gasped and strained against him, and another burst slicked their frantic movements.

Stilling, Gideon buried his head in Gareth's sweat-dampened hair and tried to catch his breath. He snuggled Gareth close and rolled to his side, storing up the moment against an uncertain future. When their heart rates slowed and the heat of the fire dried the sweat on their skin, Gareth pulled out of his arms. Sitting up, Gideon propped his chin on his elbow and stifled a sigh. He felt so alone watching a silent Gareth pull on his garments.

Gareth raised the window sash and smiled jauntily at him. "I'll see you on the field of honor in an hour, shall I?"

"Gareth!" He had something to say, something to give Gareth before facing him over crossed swords.

Gareth raised an inquiring brow, and Gideon's lips twitched. "On the desk. There's a letter for you."

"A letter? I'm right here. Why would you write me a letter?"

"Christ, Gareth! We're fighting a duel in an hour. I could die. You could die. I wanted you to know how I feel, if anything happens."

Gareth leaned over and rifled through the envelopes to find the one with his name on it. "Nothing's going to happen tomorrow, Gideon. I'm an excellent swordsman. I promise not to pink you by accident. I trust you not to slice off an ear when you draw first blood."

The light hearted teasing soothed his troubled soul a little, but Gareth's cocky certainty bothered him still. "Even a small wound can become septic and cause illness or even death."

Gareth's eyes narrowed and he tapped the letter on his chin. "I'll take the letter. I'd rather you had the courage to tell me aloud how you feel, but it's the first love letter I've ever received. As for the rest, time will tell which of us is correct."