16. "We've never done anything like that before."

Darren's POV on chapters 16 and 17 of As a White Knight on His Steed
...

I was super-excited to bring Chris home with me the next weekend. There was something about being out in the world together, away from camp, that made our relationship seem much more real. Not that it had felt unreal up until that point, exactly, but there was something so magical, and so insular, about camp life, that it was difficult to imagine how things would translate to the outside world.

I mean, Chris and I had literally never seen each other anyplace else. And that little piece of me that would never outgrow magical thinking couldn't help but wonder whether Chris even existed in the real world. Because, honestly, he seemed too good to be true.

So, as I drove away from camp, I steered carefully with one hand, holding on tightly to Chris with the other. Just in case.

I needn't have worried, though. As we cruised up Highway 1, instead of vanishing like an enchanted wood nymph, he stayed right next to me where he belonged – just as beautiful, just as perfect, just as mine as ever.

I couldn't wait to re-introduce Chris – now starring in his new role as my boyfriend – to my parents. The closer we got to my house, though, the more I could feel him tensing up.

"Relax," I told him, squeezing his hand, as I parked at the curb. "They're going to love you. Because I love you. And because how could anybody possibly not love you? Have you met you? You're totally lovable!"

Chris squeezed back, smiling. "Okay," he said. "Let's do this."

We grabbed our bags full of dirty laundry from the trunk, and then I let us in with my key. "Mom, Dad, I'm home!" I called out.

When there was no answer, I walked into the kitchen and found a note on the table.

"My parents had to go to one of their charity things," I told Chris. "They'll be back between 4:30 and 5:00. So it looks like we've got the house to ourselves for a couple of hours."

Chris let out a sigh of relief, apparently still not completely convinced that my parents were going to love him. Which they totally were. But instead of trying to convince him, I decided to take advantage of the fact that we were on our own for the rest of the afternoon.

"C'mon," I said, "let me show you my room."

Chris followed me up the stairs, and we were in my doorway before I remembered that I'd been in a bit of a hurry when I'd left at the beginning of the summer.

"Oops, sorry about the mess," I said, gathering up stray clothing and tossing it into my dresser, then pushing the drawers closed with one hip. "I didn't realize I was going to be having company."

"Don't worry about it," Chris said. "I'm not your mother."

"Nope. If you were, you wouldn't be allowed in my room," I joked.

Chris wandered over to a corkboard on one wall and stood looking at an old photo of the two of us, arms around each other, laughing into the camera. "Where'd you get this?" he asked.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind. "My mom took that at the beginning of the summer when we were twelve. I've always loved that picture. It reminds me how happy we were to see each other again after having been apart all year."

"I always missed you so much," Chris said. "I lived for your letters."

"Me too. I kept every one you ever wrote me."

"Really?"

"Yeah, wanna see?"

I opened my closet and pulled a box off of the top shelf. Inside were hundreds of envelopes, some addressed in childish printing, some in loopy cursive, and the most recent in the hybrid combination of the two that Chris had settled into as a teenager.

"I'm really sorry I stopped writing so often when we got older," Chris said with a little catch in his voice.

"Hey, it's okay. We've talked about all that, and I understand."

Chris draped his wrists loosely around my neck. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"I love you, too," I said, tipping my head for a kiss. "You know," I added, pulling back slightly, "my parents won't be home for a couple of hours yet. Do you think I could talk you into taking a shower with me?"

"Hmmm…. We've never done anything like that before."

"Nope. We're shower virgins."

"So this is another one of those 'losing our virginities together' moments that you were talking about?"

"Yep. If you want it to be, that is."

Chris hesitated for a moment, and I was just preparing to suggest that we go downstairs and bake some cookies instead, when he surprised me by saying, "I'd like that."

I'm sure I was beaming like a ten-thousand-watt idiot as I took his hand and led him down the hallway, stopping at a closet to gather a couple of fluffy cotton towels and washcloths.

Once we reached the bathroom, I stripped and turned on the water, testing the temperature with one hand. I was thrilled that Chris was finally feeling comfortable enough to get naked with me, and I didn't want to make him self-conscious by staring at him while he took his clothes off, so I focused on the shower instead. "Look – we've got this cool rainforest shower head," I pointed out.

"It looks great, Dare," Chris agreed, giving me one of those indulgent smiles that said you are the world's biggest nerd and I find you adorable. Which made me feel like the world's luckiest nerd.

I stepped into the shower, holding out my hand to help Chris in after me, making sure to keep my eyes on his face. Chris, however, seemed to have no such scruples. Busted.

"You were totally just checking me out, weren't you?"

Chris grinned back at me. "Maybe."

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Do I pass inspection?"

"You'll do," Chris drawled nonchalantly.

I flicked a washcloth at him. "You are such a brat!"

"Hey!" Chris said, grabbing the washcloth and wrapping it around the back of my neck, drawing me in closer, "you'd better behave yourself if you want to have any chance of getting lucky here, mister."

"Oh my god," I said, feeling suddenly dizzy. "Are you serious? I thought I was lucky enough just getting you to agree to a platonic shower together. You mean we're actually going to get to do stuff, too?"

"We'll see," Chris replied coyly.

"Okay, well, now you're just a brat and a tease."

"Admit it – you love it."

In an instant, my mood changed from playful to serious. "I do love it. And I love you."

"I love you, too," Chris said, pulling me in for a kiss. Then he got a gleam in his eyes. "If you wash my back, I'll wash yours," he offered.

I had no idea where this uncharacteristic flirtatiousness was coming from, but I was not going to question it. I grabbed a bottle of orange-scented bath gel and lathered up a washcloth. "Turn around," I told him.

Chris was quick to comply. I began at his shoulders, rubbing circles with the soapy washcloth before gradually working my way lower. Chris leaned into my touch, and I wanted nothing more than to run my hands over his entire body. I thought I'd better not push my luck, though, so I stopped when I reached his lower back and handed over the washcloth. "Your turn to do me," I said.

We turned around under the gently falling water, and Chris added a little more bath gel to the washcloth before beginning to stroke it up and down my back.

I hummed contentedly, and Chris stepped closer, pulling the washcloth out from between us. He reached around, holding me against him with one arm while running the washcloth across my chest. His naked body was pressed up against my back, and I could clearly feel that he was getting just as turned on as I was.

Setting the washcloth aside, Chris began running his fingertips along my collarbones, then down over my pecs, before tracing around my nipples. I shuddered against him, breath hitching.

"Is this okay?" Chris asked.

Well, that had to be the dumb-ass stupid question of the century. I mean, what did he think I was going to say? Um, nah, I don't really enjoy being lathered and fondled in the shower by my incredibly hot boyfriend… But before I could tease him about it, Chris slipped his hand a little lower, and I groaned instead.

"This is so okay," I breathed, leaning my head back onto his shoulder. Chris kissed my outstretched neck, allowing his hands to continue their exploration.

As he gradually worked his way lower, I could feel my muscles quivering under his touch, my breath becoming ragged, little moans slipping from my throat. When he finally took my cock in his hand and began slowly pumping up and down, I couldn't help gasping, "Oh my god, please don't stop!"

Chris stroked faster, clutching me hard against his chest. I thrust forward into his hand, my hips stuttering as I came. Chris stroked me through my orgasm before gently turning me around and pulling me into an embrace.

I half-collapsed against him, knees giving out, and Chris staggered a little, supporting my weight. He kissed the side of my face where it was buried against his shoulder. I took a few more shuddering breaths before tipping my head to return the kisses.

"That was unbelievable," I breathed. "Please let me return the favor."

Chris smiled. "Well, since you asked nicely…"

I kept one arm around him, stepping back slightly to give myself room to run my other hand down his belly to his cock. I marveled at the texture, the skin as velvety soft as a foal's muzzle. I gave a few experimental tugs before swiping my thumb over the head. Chris let out the sexiest little noise I had ever heard, and I quickened the pace with my hand, bringing our lips back together and kissing him deeply.

Chris clung to me, and I could feel him pulsing in my hand as he came, crying out into my mouth. I think we both probably blacked out for a moment. When the world came back into focus, Chris was glowing.

"Unbelievable," he agreed.

End Notes: Chapter 16 of As a White Knight on His Steed ended with the boys in the shower, right before things started heating up, and my end notes said that I was holding out for at least five reviews before I posted the next chapter. (I got eight the first day.) Apparently I've gotten kinder as I've gotten older, though, so I decided to dispense with the teasing and combine chapters 16 and 17 into one. You're welcome. ;D

I stole a couple of lines of Darren's internal monologue from a review that crisssquared wrote of Chapter 17 in the original story, 'cause they were too good not to use. So, as you see, reviews really do help me with my writing process. May I have one from you? :D