Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. This one isn't as long, but it does have a sort of lemon-esque scene… nothing graphic at all, just lots of hintyness. Seeing as I had a dedication last chapter, I'll have one for this as well: To all of the people who have reviewed any of my stories (this one and the others). Your reviews always make me feel better! Anyway, on with the chapter:


Tala was sitting on a chair he had dragged into the hall, miserable. Bryan hadn't come back yet. Tala was sitting watching the door, writing absently, eyes flickering between his notes and the door. Eventually it opened, but it was only Spencer. Tala felt his heart sink, but nodded and smiled vaguely, pretending to listen to what Spencer was saying. After a while Spencer walked away, leaving Tala sitting there.

With a small smile he realised he felt like Cinderella. Waiting for a carriage and Prince Charming. Though when he thought about it, Bryan was hardly charming. But when they had kissed... Tala had felt as if his heart were about to burst. And now he was waiting. And he felt as if he could easily wait forever.


Bryan wandered around the market, mind reeling. He ignored everyone around him and simply drifted. Tala loved him. And he was surprised to find that he loved Tala too. And yet he had hurt him. Pain wasn't what Tala needed right now. Tala needed someone to understand, to hold him and comfort him and be everything he needed. And Bryan wasn't sure that he could be that kind of person.

He saw a flash of red and white and thought for a second that it could be Tala, but it was only a cloth. Bryan looked at it longingly. He wanted Tala. He wanted Tala to be his, and to be Tala's in return. He nodded at the stall keeper. "How much?"

"Twenty roubles." Bryan dug in his pockets and then handed over the money, refusing his change as he walked away. He needed to be home. He needed to see Tala.


"Bryan?" Asked Tala breathlessly as Bryan poked his head around the door.

"Tala...I'm sorry...I...I don't want to hurt you..."

"I wasn't hurt. I...I just can't seem to stop crying now..."

"Come here." Bryan opened his arms wide and Tala ran into them. Bryan dropped the cloth he had bought to the floor and lifted Tala up into his arms. "I love you, Tala. And I want to be with you for as long as I can be. Even if that isn't very long..."

"Bryan..." Tala said, voice choked with emotion. Bryan kissed him gently and stroked his hair, fingers running softly through the silky strands.

"Shh, Tala. Shh, I'm here..."

"Don't leave me again..."

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I can't seem to help you..."

"Just don't leave me..." Tala whispered. He clung to Bryan desperately and then kissed him, a strong, fierce kiss that left Bryan's lips wet and swollen. He leaned back against the wall for support, moaning softly as Tala pried his lips open and ventured his tongue into Bryan's mouth, tasting and seeking and teasing and in effect driving Bryan mad with delight. "I've always wanted to..."

"Anything. I'll give you anything..." Bryan gasped.

"I want you..."

"Then have me."

Tala smirked suddenly, an expression Bryan hadn't seen on his face for a while. "Can I have you? Can I have...all of you?" Bryan kissed him again, panting slightly.

"Take me."

"Did you mean that like it sounded? Because it sounded like an invitation to fuck you..." Bryan paused for a second. Did he want this? Was he ready to give Tala his virginity? Was he ready for this? But...it was fast becoming apparent to him that Tala was a finite resource. Tala wanted him...and he kind of liked that. "Do you want it in writing or something?" He asked sarcastically.

Tala shook his head. "Are you sure?"

"No. I'm scared. But I trust you, Tala." He let Tala lead him up to his bedroom and lay him down on the bed, closing his eyes and moaning as Tala touched him all over, hands teasing away his clothes. Fumbling, Bryan's hands found Tala's straps and zips and tore them open, revealing Tala's smooth, beautiful skin.

As the rest of the house slumbered, sounds of desperation, need and passion echoed around Tala's room, reverberating off the walls, followed by screams and moans of pleasure.


"Bryan?" Bryan mumbled something unintelligible and rolled over. Tala smiled and ran a hand down Bryan's back. He nuzzled and nibbled at Bryan's neck. "I love you."

"I love you too...Tala...last night..." Bryan turned to him, blushing. "I've never...felt that way before..."

"It's been a while. Actually...it's been forever. I don't think I've ever had sex before where I had a choice about it...you were sort of my first..." He smiled. "If I can be this happy for the rest of my life...I can go peacefully, Bryan."

"I want to make you happy Tala..."

Tala looked thoughtful for a second then leaned over the side of the bed and picked up Bryan's trousers, digging out his diary. He lay on his front, flicking through it to somewhere near the middle. He handed it to Bryan and got up. "I'm going to get a shower." Bryan nodded and looked down at the page. It was a list.

"In my life, I want to be fulfilled. There are lots of things I'd like to do before I die. So here's my list:

1) I want to try streaking.

2) I want to be loved.

3) I want to go to a party and dance all night.

4) I want to sing karaoke.

5) I want to be kissed by someone who means it.

6) I want to burn down the abbey.

7) I want to set Wolborg free.

8) I want someone to cook for me.

9) I want to be wanted.

10) I want everyone to know exactly who I am.

11) I want to tell Bryan how I feel.

12) I want someone to surprise me. In a nice way.

13) I want to be happy.

14) I want to be lucky. So I won't leave the list at thirteen.

Bryan smiled and reached over onto the bedside table for a pen. He put a tick next to the numbers two, five, nine, and eleven. He read through the list again another couple of times. He got up and sneaked along the landing to the bathroom, where the sound of the shower hissing loudly reached his ears. He pushed open the door and crept across the room. His hands snaked around the shower curtain and grabbed Tala around the waist, stepping into the shower behind him. Tala jumped and turned, then he leaned against Bryan's chest, laughing. "Cross off number twelve..." He said quietly. "Sneaky git..."

Bryan stroked Tala's wet hair reverently. "Do you have some kind of obsession with my hair?" Bryan shrugged and nuzzled his cheek into Tala's hair.

"I like it." Tala sighed and ran his hands through his hair, pulling out the loose strands. He flicked them from his fingers and sighed.

"Bryan...when I die...I don't want to be buried. I want...to be cremated."

"Oh."

"I want to be cremated...because I can't stand the idea of being in the earth...being buried under feet of dirt and rocks..." He saw the uneasy expression on Bryan's face and sighed again. "I'm sorry Bryan. But I want to tell you everything...if I don't tell you things as I think of them I'll forget...and if I forget I'll never tell you..."

"I don't mind."

"But I know you do..."

"Then I'll make myself not mind. I love you Tala."


R&R? Please?