After about ten minutes of thinking, Merton realized that Alistair was standing stock-still and just staring at him. When Mert's mouth twisted upwards into a smile, Alistair's did as well. " What's so funny? Have you decided yet?"

Giggling at Alistair's hopeful expression, Merton shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to help you escape this spell, or maybe I should say curse, but I am just worried about giving you my flower."

"Flower?" Alistair said, still staring oddly at Merton. "Never mind. But anyway, I'd really appreciate it if you would make your decision quickly. I'm tempted to just make it for you."

"That wouldn't be very chivalrous!" Merton said, in a falsetto voice. " Usually my suitors bring me at least some flowers, or chocolates, or something."

"Mertonia, you know I would've if I could've." Alistair grinned. Then he searched through his pockets, "You can have this lovely stick of gum."

Accepting it thankfully, Merton stuck the gum in an Egyptian vase he had on his shelf. He turned around to face Alistair, realizing that he was standing right behind him. Merton spoke quietly. "I think.maybe we.aww, hell. It was gonna happen anyway."

Merton gave a mischievous smile; then allowed Alistair to throw himself at him. As he melted into this consensual kiss, Merton realized that he might as well go with it and deal with any misgivings later. At some point in his life, he had to be a stupid teenager and do teenager-ish things like randomly sleeping with someone, even if it was a guy. Alistair could care less either way.

When they both pulled back for breath, Alistair's look was one of surprise, Merton's of anticipation for what was to come. As Alistair leaned in for another kiss, Mert consented, leading them both towards his bed. With their lips locked together, Merton could almost forget the fact that it was Alistair, and the part of him that remembered thought that it might be okay that it was him. After all, Merton really did like blonds, and Goths too. They didn't necessarily have to be girls. There is a thin line between love and hate. There could hardly have been a better quote.

That night seemed to be both incredibly slow, and incredibly fast, but by either viewpoint it was incredible. Both learning things they hadn't before known, the boys were hesitant, but both were sympathetic to any mistakes either one made. As they continued to explore, Merton did forget his misgivings, because he realized that they were ill founded. Alistair said it was his first time, but to Merton it sure as hell didn't feel like it.

By the time they were through, they had certainly exhausted the possible ways the Great Rite might be preformed. They both lay in Merton's bed, realizing how unlikely a couple they made. But Alistair was saddened too, because he knew it was a one-time thing, because no matter what Merton said, it wasn't forever. Alistair asked sullenly "Do you mind if I take a shower before I leave?"

Merton sat up, the covers amazingly covering his sensitive areas, like they always do on TV. " No, it's fine with me. Just so long as you don't mind company."

Alistair looked at him suspiciously. "But we already broke the spell."

"What spell?" Merton asked, smiling mischievously again. "You mean I needed a reason for that?"

Alistair eyes went wide. "You mean you liked that?" Merton nodded fervently. "And now, even though I'm not under the spell anymore you still wanna.you know?"

A slow smile played on the dark lover's lips. " Maybe I could recast the spell if that's going to be a problem. I think I remember it."

The light-haired lover looked away and stood up, the covers falling away disappointedly. He really was rather stunning in the nude, Merton thought as he stared guiltlessly at Alistair's bare form. Swallowing uncomfortably, Alistair stood up. "Merton.there.there was no spell."

"What?" Merton asked inquisitively, straightening up as he looked up to Alistair's shifting eyes.

"You never.well, I didn't know you had cast a spell. I hoped, but didn't know. That stuff about a spell was.wrong. It was a lie. I made it up. It was an excuse."

Blue eyes wide, Merton looked almost suspicious. "An excuse for what?"

"An excuse to.you know." Alistair said, his eyes on the floor, and his cheeks aflame.

Expecting to hear a gasp of surprise, or a snort of disgust, Alistair looked up to Merton's face, which registered only a look of slight suprise. "You mean, you weren't forced to want me?" Alistair shook his pretty little head. "And you still did?"

Merton's face lit up as Ali nodded. He stood up smoothly, and walked over to the lighter boy. It was Alistair's turn to gasp in surprise as Merton drew him close and kissed him passionately. He smiled into Merton's mouth. Leapin' lizards, the man of his dreams actually didn't hate him, quite the opposite actually. As they pulled away, both of them were beaming.

" You still up for that shower?" Merton asked, his hands on Alistair's waist. Smiling, he answered himself. "Yes, I believe he is."