Times Waiting

by Chair in the Stairway

It remained, for the longest time, as a part of us; the third point of a triangle. Now, it slips between our fingers, just as you do, my beloved, between mine. We are forced to fall apart, possibly doomed to never reconfigure.

1. Secluded Waters

Introduction: Secluded Waters

No one had seen it.

No one had seen that spring as it dwelt silently upon the face of this world. It took on the form of a birth mark rather than a blemish and justified its existence with the fact that love dwelt between its walls, after having been realized within. No one had witnessed this love, as intense as it was between the two beings whom held it. Both cherished it just as silently as the spring dwelt upon this Earth, though probably just a little bit quieter, as their lives had played out, leading to this moment, this very moment, and the ensuing elliptical events, which would come to be documented only by the following. No one had viewed the simple denouement of all those moments previously experienced in this spring. They shall forever remain shrouded under this blanket of water, ever flowing and free as it is, so that these two beings may cherish them as exclusively as possible, grateful for memories relived with every glance towards the moon through blades of grass that caress rather than cut. They laid beside that special someone; someone special enough to steal one's eyes from the influence of the moon as it appeals to those deepest desires through waves lapping up against one's mortal skin, just as the form of a lover would. Neither would drift away intentionally. No one had intruded upon this love, as barricaded by trees, ever presently turned the other way in overt bashfulness. These naked beings, proud of their undressed sincerity, chuckled at such shy beings in between kisses. Their love was draped in moonlight and twinkling stars that remained romantic in glow, though oblivious otherwise, and kept alive by flames, ever present within those two hearts, leading one to be quite baffled as to how such an organ refrained from being slain and remained unstrained throughout these trials placed by those two lovers, as it stood; as it was.

No one had seen it; simple as that.

Even the lonesome youth, whom had been waiting patiently, waiting desperately, waiting faithfully, and waiting ever lovingly, within that spring, to be reunited with his secret to appear and combine strengths with him, as promised with that last kiss of each expended night. He waited to cast all notions of an outside world to the wind for the trees to pluck and the skies to consume, prompting both beings to indulge in each others' company. However, the moment of his oncoming love, as fiercely heated as it was, radiating that concentrated sign of passion as it did, arrival had not been foreseen. The expected form had leaped into the air, twisting and yelping, as one might say, and rippled the waves in a fit of faked fury, then settled along with them as it ran one hand across its significant other's chest, while the other graced that definitive cheekbone, and delivered a soft kiss to his upper shoulder, tickling his skin, which displayed a sort of sensitive quality, as opposed to the manliness implied, as it crawled under those vibrating fangs. Goose bumps, no doubt, emerged all over that receptive form.

The no-longer-lonesome youth expressed surprise and glee as he separated his mandibles spontaneously, then brought them back together, prompting them to wriggle about as he rose a hand to his chest. He spread those four fingers, which were as numerous as the mandibles snuggly secured to his face, about the hand of the accompanying one that took hold of his right pectoral, returning the favor as he whispered a promise. The beloved one behind him immediately relished the words and initiated an honored gesture, which consisted of a neatly tucked stomach, extended, yet relaxed, muscles, and inwardly curved mandibles. The palm that had rested gently against the accompanied youth's features slithered down that sinuous neck, so as to call all palms to his love's chest. The beloved one saw it as deserving, as well toned as it was, giving any eyes whom fell upon the chest the pleasure of a sneak peek of the body that had been built alongside it. Prying eyes would surely drift a bit to peer at the abdomen for reasons other than admiring its organ-protecting qualities, though that body remained the beloved's alone to press up against and, on especially special occasions, join with. Such was the advantage of finding mental qualities eternally alluring to compliment the physical aspects of the accompanied youth.

His physical aspects, which received more of the beloved one's attention now, as they would surely decay with time, ranged from his dark purple skin to the many grooves and quirks that decorated it.

The most remarkable feature of the accompanied youth, who came to be called Rek'd upon the day of his birth, was that his claims of childhood had yet to be peeled away by metallic shards, infused particles invented in preparation for invasions, impositions of presence, other such intrusions, and simulated swords consisting of expertly carved curves and certain death. As Rek'd's beloved ran his palms over those familiar bumps and curves, still invoking a series of sudden outburst of stimulated breaths, much like those expelled when feeling the edge of a sword slicing through sensitive skin, and further excited his pores. Warmth poured over the longing form. Alongside the accepted frisking, the smoothness becoming of this accompanied youth surprised his beloved, whom had found his own skin to be wrapped ever tightly and infected with a wearing quality that heightened in effect with each passing day. A tinge of jealousy was to be expected of this, though one would not find it. Only a yearning to claim ownership of the body and soul of he who possessed this desirable cocoon existed and even that was speckled with child-like freckles.

A few moments were spared for the reintroductions of both forms and soft expulsions of noise, which increased in intensity after both youths had gone about the effort to face each other and embrace loosely, those two beings drifted closer. The ensuing kiss, and the kisses that followed, made the scene appear more like a reenactment of one octopus fighting amongst itself, only to settle half-way through the self-imposed conflict to find that the love for oneself is the best love of all, disregarding the love that Rek'd and his beloved coveted and expressed here in this secluded spring. Those mandibles from each being clamped their corresponding significant other, prompting those two youths to remain close and not to stir the water into waves just yet. Instead, they gazed into each other's eyes as the ends of their upper lips were curled back and their palms crept across the opposing body, resting here and there, though mostly down there.

The taller, more expressive, effeminate, and straight-forward of the two, which would happen to be none other than Rek'd, claimed a surprising authority over the moment as his eyelids laid shut and his lips dripped whispered words wishing for his weary beloved to just love him for tonight. He noted that it had always been their joined moments that brought about an extensive delight that satisfied the needs of the masculine entity that dwelt and burned within them every waking moment of their lives. "Weariness fails to trump my desire," The beloved one assured Rek'd as their bodies collided more directly than before, due to a sudden grazing against the bank of the spring, which allowed the accompanied youth to lean forward and straighten his arms, planting his palms sternly against the grass as those mandibles wriggled and stirred about each other. "My desire for you."

The beloved one cooed as his body bent against the bank. His body, which boasted an average height, a strengthened frame and an overwhelming masculinity made bearable over the years, showed signs of willingness to be led. "I don't have any problems with that, honey. Desire away."

Rek'd found himself restraining his urges, regardless of the statement that drifted from his beloveds' now occupied mouth, not wishing to bend the man so far as to break him. In time, though, he propped the significant other up onto the springs' bank, and climbed from the waters with him, dripping along with him, desiring along with him, and delving into this clear pool of love that had been shared along with him. It was at this point that the beloved one came to find Rek'd's ever flourishing strength to have grown quite considerably since the last time they had met. It had been far too long since then, thus this night was silently dedicated to both their needy forms.

The beloved one stretched his arms towards the sky, as if he were to pluck the moon for his secret delight, then slowly wrapped them around Rek'd's back, enjoying the light scraping of teeth against his neck, as illustrated by a dreamy moan that filled the air. "A-kur," The accompanied youth spoke his beloveds' name passionately, then paused, savoring, for a few moments, the aftertaste bestowed upon his tongue by such a name, before it slowly became familiar to the lips long deprived of it. "You know I am quite content with the small delights that are kisses and shared words," Rek'd adjusted himself over A-kur, leaning in closer so that their foreheads rested against each other. Twas a loving ritual the two had agreed upon, should thankfulness ever needed to be expressed. "But I will indulge further, for our sakes; for our forsaken sakes."

A-kur voiced no concerns.

The two youths joined and, after select parts of grass had been torn and every bit of skin had been stroked and delighted sounds had been thrust into the brisk air of this, they settled with newly warmed forms and rekindled feelings that only arose after such an audience was held.

Afterwards, Rek'd laid in the grass, with A-kur resting peacefully by his side, and watched the stars in the sky. He subconsciously illuminating a sense of superiority over such oblivious creatures as he identified a few with his second finger and peered towards his beloved every now and again to be sure of his attentiveness, finding, instead, those eyes to be focused on him. It was implied, by now, that the stars above were marvelous demi-gods, though it was widely unknown that these beings intertwined by this unseen love had been risen up to a level that would rival the ranks distributed amongst the stars, though both youths hardly wished to be seen and heard by those surrounding them. They only wished for such focus and praise from each other; both were rightfully granted this humble wish. Rek'd had not expected it to have come true to this extent, though he was delighted none-the-less, and, when A-kur slid closer to him, running his head and hand over the supplied pillow-of-a-chest, and released a dreamy sigh as his mandibles loosened and spread, he smiled to show such. A realization occurred, though; his skin conflicted ideally with A-kur's dark brown wrapping. Rek'd allowed the priority of bringing up such a detail to slip from his mind.

"The stars reflected in your eyes state that you are as nonstop as that sky above," The beloved one mumbled, not once glancing towards the sky as he reached his arm upwards to touch Rek'd's features, first starting with a stroke of his sturdy cheekbone, then a curved run about his jaw, and a retrace that placed all four fingers against a prominent brow, at the side of which the palm was rested. The accompanied youth being accepted the peering proposal of his company, whom had been gazing at him this whole time with a warm smile fixed into those alien features. This smile, as alien as it was, caused every appendage connected sternly upon A-kur's jaw to branch out and curve around the tips as they wriggled against his dispersed tongue. The moment was enhanced by the dazed quality each set of eyes expressed, which prompted the covers to droop down about half-way as the pupils behind them looked over their significant opposites with a commendable amount of admiration. "I know these compliments are a but clich‚-" A-kur continued after a short silence, causing a chuckle to slip from Rek'd. "-but I felt you should know your eyes detail you and just a few of the infinite discoveries I have the means to find."

The beloved one shifted onto his front, propping his body up so that it could drift over the surface of Rek'd's, and pressed their foreheads together as both cooed quietly. The accompanied youth had developed a dark blue hue that overlaid his usually dark purple cheeks, announcing to A-kur that his secret delight had been quite flattered by the spoken compliments, despite the short disclaimer between them, and readily took them both to heart. A kiss ensued, then silence, as both recognized the moment was one not needing words.

Then: "I'm afraid I may never get the chance to find them."

During the moment of silence, Rek'd and A-kur had shifted, with the former sliding against a tree, with his back to it, where he pressed the latter to come and place his body against the chest he so readily adored. A-kur complied, knowing he would not be able to inform the youth he accompanied of the aforementioned development in his life until their eyes had separated. The development would likely snag him from his given position in this universe and place him elsewhere; somewhere not far away on a cosmic scale, though far enough away to render this love impossible to express and impossible to indulge in, though not impossible to harbor. As long as A-kur remained breathing and a reunion remained possible, then it would be a burden worth carrying, though it was implied that this new development wasn't desirable to those who were not ready to risk leaving everything behind in favor of serving those above them. In this respect, A-kur was unlike all those other youths whom had found a mate whose love would prove to be strong only temporarily. The beloved one had found a bond worth cherishing the rest of his life and, should that life be snuffed out suddenly, he would like to boast that he had been able to cherish it greatly up to his very last moments.

It was implied, by the ensuing silence that had followed that statement, that wherever the beloved one was going, Rek'd would not be permitted. The segregation measures often placed within the Sangheili Forces divided troops by body type, so as to train them for the job best suiting their abilities, then dispatch them in a similar manner so their enemies could finish the job.

It was obvious, from that drawn out silence, that Rek'd had put two and two together and was rather hurt by four, though displayed his strength by not crying, shouting out in despair, or wishing for pity to be drawn from his partner for him to be buried in. Instead, the accompanied youth curved his neck forward and wrapped his mandibles around the back of his beloveds' neck, scraping that already rough skin with his fangs. His eyes closed as he reflected the dilemma, finding no way to avoid A-kur's departure other than developing a similar body type within the allotted time between now and his day of leave, which had yet to be revealed, and requesting to be reassigned to the legion in which his beloved was a member. Even if the former step had any chance of coming to pass, the latter would be lost to the fact that such a legion was likely already filled and organized after months of consideration, prompting those who filled and organized it not to accept any changes whatsoever. A sigh escaped Rek'd lips as he unwound his neck and placed his head atop A-kur's, unwittingly denying the beloved warrior before him the pleasure of feeling one more gust of breath against his back. The night's cool wind lapped up against his shoulder blades, as if to make up for, until Rek'd detected a shiver and pulled closer, banishing the chills that ran down the spine now sealed tightly.

"I'm to leave tomorrow morning, Rek'd," A-Kur stated, amidst the silence, before falling back within its grasp.

It was obvious, from the drawn out silence, that there were few words to be uttered in response to this situation, this dilemma, and A-kur had felt guilty for bringing it about after such a loving, pleasurable, and memorable encounter, though he knew it had to be done, otherwise Rek'd would come to find his beloved warrior had dissipated within his palms after some time of living day by day without their paths colliding. The market stands early morning and the fields at sunrise, an encompassed crop patch mid day and the storage shed in the late afternoon, the bathing area and the caf‚ in the early evening, and, finally, the secluded spring at midnight all acting as meeting places in which the lovers to meet. Surely, they would not be avoided by happenstance for any given number of years, especially given that the last had been saved for those special nights defined by the days prior, which are so taxing, so vexing, and so mind numbingly horrible that these two youths were required to seek comfort within expertly chiseled arms and on naturally bulky pecs, lest they wish to be rendered absolutely mad.

It was quite obvious that what needed to be said must be said, what needed to be done must be done, and what needed to be promised must be promised and, furthermore, kept, tonight. Thus, Rek'd allowed his arms to stir and crawl up A-kur's body, wrapping about him tightly as the neck accompanying the body whirled over the beloved one's shoulder and bent inward whilst rubbing against any skin its corresponding counterpart exposed. A soft chorus of coos filled the air, from both Sangheili warriors, as the beloved one allowed the nuzzling to come to pass. The accompanied youth felt one palm glide over the back of his neck, whilst the other ran over his hip, eventually securing key points so as to hold the entangled bodies together. Mandibles wriggled, as they had before, only they did not touch or tangle as their hosts did, but expressed a glint of glee already implied. Why glee?

"I've known not what our elders' intentions were when they held us back, held us so far back, as we, the youth, attempted to entangle in romantic situations," Rek'd stated as he held A-kur earnestly, promising himself that he wouldn't let go, even though his brain attempted to explain to his heart that letting go was inevitable. It was inevitable, though not necessary, the two mutually agreed. "And I've not known how to comprehend, or even how to peer at, such situations ending in tragedy until now, dear A-kur," The accompanied youth twisted his neck so that his eyes may gaze into his beloveds', so as to read being behind them. A-kur attempted the same. "I've known not of suffering's stings, until now, dear A-kur, and I fear what is to come, to become of me, to become of us, without you by my side and me by yours and only yours, in the near and distant future," A hand was detached from the beloveds' body and jammed into one of his palms, declaring this moment as one of joining, though not in the context established before, in which grass had been torn and every bit of skin had been stroked and delighted sounds had been thrust into the brisk air of this night. This joint gesture held a meaning that led A-kur to lower his eyelids and practically squeal in glee as his mandibles spread the farthest they've ever had, then closed together, squished against each other, as anticipation of the following sentence rose. "Thus, I propose to you, A-kur Iknede, a binding promise, one I bestow upon you, and will only ever bestow upon you-" Rek'd's grip on his beloved warrior tightened considerably. "I promise that, with all the fiber of my being and all the strength of my body and all the fondness in my heart, I will track you down, just as feverishly as that expected from a nemesis, and I will reunite with you, even if I must do so in our afterlife," Rek'd shed a tear at such a possibility, A-kur had thought, then realized such was only a shooting star, reflected crisply by the accompanied youth's eyes as it fell. The beloved warrior felt the grip on his hand tighten as that star fell from those eyes; those sharply green eyes. "At such a point-" Rek'd continued after a period of silent reflection. "-I will ask of you what I had wished to ask of you tonight. I shall not reveal it now, as you will require plenty motivation to remain alive and well, just as I will once my name has been called upon. Such a question, such a burning question that resides within my heart, will serve well to be the greatest spark in which to keep us both burning for each other, in case either of us ever run out of hope, of will, of sight and sense of direction, and of love for each other. I hope this justifies my withholding of this question from you, my beloved A-kur, as, otherwise, I would allow it to pour from my lips for your consideration."

"If there was anyone I would not question, it would be you, Rek'd," The beloved warrior answered in a whisper, holding the trees in suspense as they leaned back, ever slightly, so as to catch wind of the cause of these two familiar youths being separated needlessly, though they never received a response. "Being set to wait doesn't bother me in the least. I am patient and thankful for your assistance to help keep my head on my shoulders. Thus, I gladly accept your binding promise; your proposal."

"You overjoy me, my beloved A-kur," Rek'd told him, then engaged in one last kiss, savoring it for however long both warriors wished.

After the kiss, a gaze between the two was held, then the beloved warrior stood and offered a hand to the accompanied youth, gazing at him still, taking in the sight of the form deprived not of the claims to childhood. Hopefully, they would not be pried from it before the reunion.

The two, still gazing at one another, strolled to the bush that held their day time clothes, which were to be traded in tonight for another drab pair of cloths for Rek'd and a suit of fitted armor for A-kur, and slipped on their garments, doing so slowly as they snapped the last pictures of their attractive, bare, and youthful hides with their eyes. The two, still gazing at one another, strolled through the woods, holding hands as the moon above indirectly beamed down at them from between the leaves, not realizing this love brilliantly displayed by such a simple gesture. The two, still gazing at one another, reached the edges of the forest and stood hand in hand, until A-kur had pulled Rek'd into a hug, then bid him a loving farewell, leaving the no longer accompanied youth to wallow in the moment, wondering if withholding his question, his burning question, was the correct course of action. He supposed, given the effects, that it was, though the heart that beat earnestly within the Sangheili warrior told him otherwise, even after he had walked home and had gone to bed.

That heart, beating earnestly within this Sangheili warrior, kept its beholder up throughout the night, forcing him to peer out the window and gaze into those of a similar building, from which lights seared through the darkness. A very similar form sat up, presumably upon its own resting spot, and thrust both palms upon its forehead. It shook violently, as if a lump of distress that could be anything but helped had been placed within its lap. Rek'd, stricken deeply by the form, turned the other cheek and hugged his sheets close as he resisted the temptation to silently weep.