CHAPTER ELEVEN - THE TRUTH AT LAST

"It all started when I was ten, I guess. My brother, Zeke, and I were playing on the pavement outside. I can't remember why, but we had an argument. I got mad and pushed him. He fell backwards, lost his balance and landed on the road. A car was speeding along and... Zeke died instantly they told me..."

Markiel gasped, wrapping his arm around him.

"After that, I changed. I couldn't be happy, no matter what I did. My parents noticed and sent me to a shrink. All the doctor could do, was to give me these stupid pills. Longing to be normal, to have some stability in my life, I went out with this girl. Desperate to prove myself, I hurt her and she left me... I gave up after that.

"But, a couple of years later, I met you and everything changed. I was happy again. My smiles and laughter were real once more. Markiel, you cured me. I wanted you so bad, that I kept distancing myself... That might seem weird, I know."

Markiel shook his head. It was exactly like him. He distanced himself from other people so he couldn't be hurt. He wrote this now, showing Zephyr.

"Markiel, I told those bullies to rough you up. I wanted to save the day and have sex with you... I went about it the wrong way. Again I'm extremely sorry."

The breath was knocked out of Markiel as shock hit him hard. He didn't know what emotion he should be feeling: angry, scared or understanding.

"I never meant for them to hurt you. I just wanted them to scare you a bit, so I could save you... So you would be even more attracted to me. I wanted to be absolutely sure that you wanted me as much as I do you before I did anything I would regret. I didn't want to lose you."

"You didn't have to... I've loved you a lot since you first talked to me a week ago. I've just been... confused at your behavior," Markiel typed quickly, getting over the initial shock. "But I understand now. Zephyr, I forgive you."

Zephyr had his face in his hands, crying softly. Markiel had to poke him softly so that he looked up. His face cracked into a smile. "You really mean it?" he sniffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "After everything that I did?"

"Of course. We are fiends, right?"

Zephyr laughed and hugged Markiel tightly. "But I want to be more than friends. I want to be your boyfriend!" he cried. He placed a hand on either side of Markiel's head and brought his lips to his. They kissed long, hard and passionately.

Markiel had his eyes closed, letting the other boy's tongue explore his mouth. Sitting there kissing felt so good to him that he felt warm and... safe. He started to press up against Zephyr, his small hands on his chest, feeling the heartbeat beyond the clothes and flesh. He was aware of Zephyr's hands clutching at his back, bringing him closer and closer.

Suddenly, kissing wasn't enough. Markiel wanted to touch and be touched, to be naked together. Now more than anything. He pulled away from his lover and smiled at him.

"Um... Do you want to go inside?" Zephyr asked timidly. Markiel nodded, putting his head to his chest and closing his eyes. He took in a deep breath and readied himself. Zephyr stood, lifting Markiel to his feet and holding his hand. He smiled at him.

"Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Markiel replied, his heart fluttering in his chest like a caged bird.

-Alright! Are you ready for the last chapter!!??