Mature sexual content ahead.

Desire bloomed through Lucien like a rose unfurling its petals. Castor's kisses were molten fire that ignited every nerve and spread through his body like sunshine on a cold, bitter day. With Castor's lips against his throat, sucking the delicate skin like he anticipated to leave his mark, Lucien couldn't bite back the moan that slipped out.

"Castor," he panted, the name escaping on a shaky breath as his fingers threaded through the silken strands of his dark hair.

"Yes, love?" Castor's warm breath tickled the shell of Lucien's ear, making him shiver.

Words failed him. How could he possibly put that growing ache into anything coherent? Lucien's jaw worked soundlessly as he struggled to even articulate the desperate need building within him, his chest heaving with every ragged breath.

Instead, he pressed his thighs together like it could quell the storm rising inside him. He shifted awkwardly, his fingers loosening in Castor's hair as mortification crept in, and a vivid blush crawled up his neck, settling high on his cheeks. But Castor was no fool. He always noticed everything.

His piercing gaze dropped and his lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. Lucien felt the heat rush straight to his face as Castor's eyes lingered just long enough to make him squirm.

Lucien tried to focus on anything but those coal-dark eyes, but there was no hiding the tent that had sprouted in his pants or his very flustered face. Just when he thought Castor would find some way to tease him, gentle fingers reached for his chin and coaxed his gaze back.

"Don't be embarrassed." Castor pressed a feather-light kiss to his warm cheek. "It's actually very flattering."

"Oh," Lucien rasped.

Castor slid one hand up his thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Is this okay?" The heat in his eyes was enough to make Lucien melt. "Can I touch you?"

A breathless, "yes" slipped out as Lucien braced Castor's shoulders like they would anchor him. Castor kneaded him through the tight fabric of his black denim jeans, his nimble fingers wasting no time with the button and zipper. Desire twitched and ached between his legs as Castor stroked him through his plaid boxers. His heady gaze never wavered from Lucien's.

"Wait," Lucien gasped out through a ragged breath, and his shaky hand tightened against Castor's shoulder. "Some could see. Or hear us."

Lucien whimpered when Castor withdrew his hand, leaving him to shiver against the cool fall air. "Let me take care of that." Castor raised one hand, fingers curling in a deliberate, fluid motion as the air around them shifted and thickened, as if the world itself held its breath.

A soft, pulsing glow emanated from his fingertips like flames themselves and spiraled outward in shimmering waves until it covered the entire porch. An unearthly stillness fell over them, and Castor's scent only smelled stronger with everything else tuned out around them.

"There," Castor said, his voice laced with satisfaction. His hand lowered, but the barrier remained, cocooning them in an intimate bubble of safety. "It's just us now."

Castor brought his hands back to Lucien's waist, brushing his thumb just under the hem of his boxers. The teasing was enough to make Lucien buck his hips against him in a silent plea to just touch him already. His glasses had already fogged up, and he felt a warm tingle of magic caress his face as Castor eased them off and put them aside so they wouldn't get broken.

"Castor," Lucien cried out in a shameless voice he barely recognized.

That was the only encouragement Castor needed to tug Lucien's boxers down to his ankles, abandoned on the pavement with his jeans. Castor eased his legs apart and stroked him as moisture beaded over his thumb. Ragged breaths escaped Lucien's parted lips, and Castor took that as an invitation to lean in for a kiss.

Pleasure swept over Lucien in such a whirlwind that had him whimpering for release until his hips thrust against Castor in a final shudder. Sticky spurts landed on his thighs and covered Castor's fingers as Lucien took a moment to catch his breath. Reality came creeping back in as he looked down at himself.

"Sorry." Lucien's face burned as he scrambled to conjure up a cloth to clean them, but the magic that danced on his fingertips ebbed and waned as the green sparks struggled to weave what he desired. Instead, red flower petals fluttered into his palm. "That's not what I meant to do."

Castor chuckled, and with the swirl of his finger, radiant fiery embers weaved a black cloth. "It's okay." He first wiped his hand, then moved over Lucien's trembling thighs. "Did that feel good?"

"Yeah." Lucien's rosy cheeks burned as bright as Harvest Fest lights. "But what about you?"

Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, but he caved to his desires and dipped his hand between Castor's legs. He fumbled with the zipper, and Castor's warm, callous fingers helped guide him. Lucien wanted to make him feel just as good.

Those nerves flew away into the wind once Lucien leaned in, their lips meeting in such a fervent kiss that left no space for doubts or hesitation. His fingers hooked around the seam of Castor's black boxers and tugged them down, exposing him to the chilly fall air. He stroked him with as much passion as he kissed him, until Castor's hips bucked against his hand and moaned softly against his mouth.

"Lucien," Castor panted, his fingers tightening around the collar of Lucien's shirt.

"I love you," Lucien breathed against his lips, cherishing the closeness and feel of Castor unraveling at his mere fingertips. His body practically bowed to touch, and it amazed Lucien how he had the power to affect him so much.

The feral moan Castor made as he came had Lucien's lips back on his, devouring the sound. It was so deep and primal, as if reverberating off Lucien's own body. As his tremors eased and his heaving chest slowly returned to its normal rhythm, Lucien coaxed a little magic to conjure a damp green cloth to clean themselves up with.

"We should probably put our pants back on so you can dispel that magic shield." Lucien chuckled, awkwardly glancing down at the two of them half naked perched on the swing. When Castor didn't respond immediately, Lucien cupped his face between both hands, stroking his cheeks with as much tenderness as he had other areas. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. I just need a moment, love. Let me enjoy this for a little longer, okay?" Castor pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Lucien smiled. "Yeah, okay."

Unlike Castor, whose natural warmth seemed impervious to the chill, Lucien shivered as the cold draft sneaked between his legs. Hastily, he wriggled back into his boxers and jeans. As if sensing his discomfort, Castor redressed himself as well and raised a hand with a casual snap of his fingers. The magic around them shimmered and flickered like a candlelight in the wind, until none of the shield remained.