"Come on! Let me go to the market with you. I'm going crazy being stashed away in here!" Thomas whined as Alex was organizing items in his backpack. 

"Not going to happen Thomas, the Flara have spies everywhere, in case you forgot. They have a bounty on your head so high they were willing to send not only one Cantorian, but two! What does that say to you?"  questioned Alex as he picked up a small bottle and put it tenderly into his bag. 

"It means you needed to train me so I could survive. I get it, but I was surviving before you showed me how to fight with a sword!" Thomas put his hand over Alex's bag trying to stop him from packing. "I have been stuck in here with nobody to talk to aside from you since I got here. I even killed you on accident! So much has happened, I need to find something, anything to blow off steam!" Thomas explained as Alex lifted his gaze to Thomas. 

"Look I get it, you want to go out and find somebody else to sleep with so you don't feel so pent up around me! All I'm saying is you're not ready to leave our hideaway. What happens if you get too excited while porking some poor guy that you blow a load of magic with your load and eviscerate him! That would be pretty traumatizing, not to mention you would burn all my contacts in the market!" Alex lifted Thomas's hand off the bag, moving a small loaf of bread into the bag making sure to keep it away from the bottle he had put down earlier.

Turning Alex around, Thomas pulled him away from the table. "Look, not everything in my world revolves around sex! I just want a change of scenery for a little while. All I've seen since I came here is you, me, and the packed in walls!" Alex nodded his head making him throw his hands up in frustration. "Look you can't just keep me locked in here, I need to get out too! It's been months, do you know what solitude does to a person-" He froze as Alex's eyes fell to the ground.

"I do... More than anyone I know what solitude does to a person. That's why I want to keep you here. I want to keep you safe..." Alex managed to mumble out as he continued looking at the ground. "I know you want to get out, but I can't risk losing you. Not since..." Alex fell silent, the whole room growing deathly quiet. "I may be a little dirty minded, maybe I like to pinch n prod every once in a while. But I have no intention of trying to force you into anything. I want to keep you safe. That's how love works..." 

Thomas let out a little gasp in surprise at his sudden deceleration. Looking at Alex with anxious eyes he spoke up, breaking the silence that had begun deafening the room. "What are you trying to say Alex..." 

"I don't know," Alex replied before pulling away to resume his packing for the journey. "Forget I said anything okay? I don't know what I was thinking." Thomas stood there watching as Alex began to quickly throw things into his bag. Tossing things in with little to no caution as he tried to hurry the process. "Look I don't know why I said that, don't read into it okay? I think I'm more stir-crazy then you." He closed the pack slinging it over his shoulder in a rush before starting towards a corridor. "Look if it means so much to you to get outside I'll make sure it happens this afternoon when I get back okay? Just be patient a little longer." Before Thomas could say another word, Alex sprinted off at an almost inhuman level of speed leaving Thomas standing there alone.  

Watching Alex sprint down the corridor Thomas let out a little sigh. "Crazy old man," He mumbled to himself before starting off towards the kitchen. Now that he's in a young body he thinks he can say and do whatever he wants with no repercussions... Stopping mid-stride, he felt his heart begin to beat faster, "love..." He echoed the word softly, mulling over the letters. How could he love me? He hardly even knows me. Maybe he didn't mean to say that? Maybe he just wanted to press my buttons and make me panic! He slowly resumed his pace heading towards the kitchen. "Well mission accomplished," He exclaimed to himself. 

Entering the kitchen, Thomas saw a large slab of meat sitting on the cutting board. Growling in frustration as he started towards it. Why can't he ever clean up after himself? He thought forgetting about Alex's low-key deceleration of love. Looking around he saw a few random ingredients seem to highlight themselves in his eyes. They were practically begging to be used. Closing his eyes, his mind began to wander. What to make, what to make. If we are going out today, then I shouldn't make soup. Maybe sandwiches? He opened his eyes looking for the bread. Seeing none he let out an annoyed sigh, closing his eyes again he began planning something else for dinner. Maybe a roast? He thought as he opened his eyes again. Smiling when he saw a few potatoes and a small bundle of carrots. "Perfect, roast it is!" He exclaimed to himself, "Now, where does he hide those onions?" 

---

The entire cave smelled delicious as Thomas lay relaxing in the hot tub, his clothing was in a small pile by the entrance to the stone tub. That roast is going to be delicious, I hope Alex likes it! His eyes shot open, "What did I just think?" He questioned himself, "No, no I couldn't..." His heart began to beat faster as he questioned what he had just thought. No, I don't care if he likes it or not. His heart began to pound as the thought of Alex's smile. Banishing the thought from his mind, he closed his eyes trying to forget about his charming smile. No, I don't like him. I'm just horney, and he is the only man around, yeah that's it! A loud knock on the corridor wall behind made him panic. Turning around slowly he didn't see anybody. 

"I'm home! Oh, I see you were waiting for me!" Alex's voice echoed through his mind making him blush at the thought of being naked in front of him. Thomas quickly stood up to get out of the tub in hopes of getting dressed before Alex returned, he brushed off the thought of Alex craving his body. Reaching for the towel he used to wear, he quickly began drying himself off as a knock on the corridor in front of him startled him.  "I'm home!" 

The feeling of De Ja Vu washed over him as he looked over at Alex, he was wearing his casual robes, but he had shaved his face, as well as his hair was combed over. "Welcome home. Dinner is almost ready if you want to eat before we go." 

A smile crossed Alex's face before he started forward. "Get dressed and follow me, I have a surprise for you."

"What about dinner? It's almost re-" 

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure it will be fine. Just hurry up and come with me!" Alex interrupted as Thomas reached for his robe and tenderly lifted it over his head. Letting it fall over his body, he let the towel fall from beneath the robe. Bending over to pick it up Alex spoke again. "Come on, hurry up! You're not old, put a little more pep in your step!" 

"What's going on with you? You're acting like we're in a burning building or something!" Thomas exclaimed while folding the robe, but Alex began walking towards him. "Come on, you can take care of that later!"   

"Slow your roll dude!" Thomas cried out as Alex reached forward taking Thomas by the hand, pulling him away. 

"We don't have long, we need to hurry!" Alex exclaimed as he headed for the exit. "I don't know how much longer the-" He fell silent, pulling on Thomas with renewed vigor. 

Following as Alex pulled, Thomas's cheeks began to burn. He's holding my hand, does he really want to be with me? He shook his head scattering the thought. No, it's probably just getting late and he wants me to see the sky before it gets dark. He thought as Alex started up the ladder towards the hatch."Where are we going?"

"It's a secret," Alex replied mysteriously as Thomas started up the ladder. "Once you get to the entrance of the house you need to wear a blindfold." 

"A blindfold!" Thomas repeated as he paused on the last rung of the ladder. "Why the hell would I wear a blindfold? I could fall!" 

"I'll protect you, don't worry about it! Just hurry up and put it on, otherwise I'll be an old man again before we get there!" Alex replied, extending the blindfold to Thomas as he got up the last rung. Taking a breath of fresh air for the first time in months Thomas sighed in content. 

"I never thought this bungalow would look so full of color!" Thomas exclaimed as he took in the shades of tan and green, brightly contrasting against the dirt and stone he was used to seeing. Turning around he saw Alex standing impatiently with the blindfold in his hand. Jeeze, what's got you so antsy!" 

"Come on, just put on the blindfold! We're going to miss it!" 

Reaching forward, Thomas took the blindfold and began covering his eyes. "Fine! Are you happy now?" He asked, suddenly he was being lifted up in Alex's arms. "What the hell man, let go of me!" 

"No peeking!" Alex replied, ignoring Thomas's request as he went running off in an unknown direction. "You're really going to enjoy this! Just keep your eyes closed!"   

"You're carrying me like a small child, I'm more afraid of you dropping me then ruining some surprise you have." Thomas pouted, his words however seemed to be blown away with the wind that fluttered over his hands. The whistling from the wind began to change. It began to vibrate as the air around the two began to hum. The wind died down, and soon a bright light shown through the blindfold. 

"You can open your eyes now, but after I put you down." Alex instructed as he slowly put Thomas down, leaning him against something rough, but firm. "Okay, you can take off the blindfold now..." 

Lifting his hands up, Thomas began to untie the knot he put on the blindfold. Opening his eyes, he gasped at the scene. The sky was a dull reddish orange. The sun was just beginning to set, and they were sitting under a large tree on a hill overlooking the forest. "It's beautiful..." He managed to say as he took in the hues of light. 

"I'm glad you like it." Alex said with a grin as he sat down beside him. "I went into town and picked up dinner already. We have shepherds pie. For dessert, we have actual ice cream! I froze it myself! I hope you like berry medley!" 

Looking over at Alex, Thomas let out the breath that he had been holding. "Alex, you didn't have to do all this. I just wanted to see something not grey or brown. This is too much!" He looked at the ground beside him and saw two small wooden bowls sitting side by side with a small container that had somehow had ice packed around it. 

"I wanted to. After I left this morning, I realized how unfair it was to keep you down there for so long. I've been greedy, keeping you away from the world in the name of safety, but in reality I have been just trying to keep you..." He began to blush looking away quickly. "Here we should probably eat before the hot get's cold, and the cold gets hot." He took one of the small pies, handing it to Thomas with a weak smile. 

Looking at the food with a grin, Thomas lifted the fork that had been buried into the top of the pie. "Thank you Alex." He managed to say before taking a bite. Flavor exploded in his mouth as he chewed. The lamb was tender, and the vegetables were just soft enough to fall apart when he poked them with the fork. 

"Well how is it?"

"It's amazing!" Thomas exclaimed, taking another bite to his lips. "The potatoes taste like there is actual cheese in them!" 

Alex smirked, "There is cheese in them. I traveled two towns over to get the cheese!" 

Looking over at him, the sun began slowly falling behind the hills in the far off lands. "You..." Alex smiled as Thomas took in his features in a new light. "Why did you do all this for me?"

A chuckle escaped Alex's lips as he took a bite of his own food. "I thought it was obvious. I did it because I wanted to go for a nice stride to another village!" Thomas's cheeks began to burn as a smirk crossed his lips. 

"I don't get you Alex..." Thomas said in a whisper as he put his food down. 

"Is the food okay?" Alex replied, looking at him concerned, trying to change the subject. 

"It's like one minute you are an old man just trying to get into my pants, now you're going miles to get cheese for one dinner. Hell, you even made ice cream!" Thomas managed to gain the courage he needed to look up at Alex. He was looking over the hillside, and refusing to make eye contact. "What is it exactly that you're trying to do today Alex?" 

They both fell silent as Alex took in a deep breath. Letting his breath whistle out of his mouth, he began to focus on Thomas. "Look, I know I may be an old man on the inside. I know that I have no right to even try to do what I want to, and you would be crazy to even think about it! I just..." He took another breath, his cheeks burning bright red as he scooted a little closer to Alex. "I just don't want to be alone anymore..." 

"Well you're not alone." Thomas replied, his mind racing as his heart began to pound in his chest. "I don't plan on heading out anytime soon with those Cantorian's on my ass-"

"That's not what I mean." Alex interrupted, leaving the two of them in silence.  "You know what, nevermind. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have even brought it up." He grabbed his food quickly beginning to eat it.

"Alex," Thomas said in a soft whisper, his heart throbbing. "Do you... Do you wanna go out with me?" His eyes shot open as he questioned the words he just said. 

Coughing on a bite of his food, Alex looked over at him in shock. "You wanna what?" 

Thomas looked at the sky and watched as the sun finally pass the hills. Deep shades of purple haze began claiming the sky above them. "I don't mean sex or anything like that..." He managed to say, his face burning hotter by the second. "I just think that maybe..." His gaze went over to Alex, his eyes were so wide he thought they were going to pop out. "I don't know..." He trailed off unsure of what to say.

"Do you want to go out with me?" Alex restated Thomas's question as he began focusing on Thomas. 

"I don't know, why do you have to be so forward?" Thomas cried out, his heart beating faster than it had ever beat before. "You throw me off guard with every word you say, and it pisses me off! I don't understand why I want to be with you. All you want to do is get into my pants, so I don't know why I even-" He froze as Alex lifted Thomas's hand before bringing it to his lips. "W-What are you doing?" Alex yanked on Thomas's arm, pulling him closer for a kiss. His heart felt like it was going to explode as Alex's passion flowed into him. Giving in, Thomas began leaning into the kiss. The second he did  Alex pulled away. "W-What's wrong?" 

"Nothing, everything is perfect... That's why I'm worried." Alex replied, his voice starting to shake. 

"Well, maybe you shouldn't worry so much..." Thomas whispered before pulling Alex back into another kiss. 

----------------------------

Well another section down! I finally got them to kiss! I hope I didn't rush the story too much, I figured with the emotion of the death of his master and resurrection, the passion might take hold. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the story and I can't wait to hear from you! Make sure to drink lots of water, hydration is always the bane of every writer! :)

-Asted!