Stolas woke up slowly, feeling warm and relaxed. He snuggled into the pillow he was nestled up against, savoring the comfort of his bed. As he started to fully come back to consciousness, the events of the night before slowly came back to him. Did... did I dream that? he thought, his eyes still shut. He could vaguely remember bits and pieces of the night before, but the reality felt so far out of reach, and the slight hangover he had was only adding to his inability to properly remember. He let out a small sigh, feeling a mixture of sadness and disappointment at the fact it was most definitely one of his more cruel dreams.
That is until he noticed how unusually warm his pillow is.
He opened his eyes, his blurry vision gradually clearing as he blinked. As the room came into focus, he came face to face with the very real and very awake Phenex, currently reading. "Finally awake sleepy head?" Phenex said, without looking up from the book. "I'll be honest, I'm a little disappointed. I was enjoying watching the content expression on your face as you slept!"
Stolas blinked a few more times, the sight of his friend, in his bed causing his heart to skip a beat. That wasn't a dream... "You stayed... here?" he asked, still a little groggy from sleep. He looked at Phenex, his cheeks heating up slightly.
"Given how you would almost immediately start to complain and cling harder to me if I tried to let you go. Yes, I stayed" he told him with a snarky smile on his face.
Stolas couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed at the other's words. In his half-asleep daze, he must have unconsciously snuggled up to Phenex and refused to let go. "did I really do that?" he asked sheepishly, a light blush covering his cheeks.
"Yes, you did" Phenex's smile only grew. Stolas' face grew hotter from mortification. He had no recollection of doing that last night, but it sounded exactly like something he would do. "I-I'm sorry" he murmured, hiding his face in a pillow. "I didn't mean to-"
"You don't need to apologize. I thought it was really cute!" Phenex said before putting the book he had been reading down on the bedside table.
Stolas peeked out from the pillow, eyeing Phenex carefully. He was still feeling embarrassed, but his heart was also fluttering excitedly. "You... thought it was cute?"
His expression lost the teasing edge and softened, "Yes, I did" Stolas felt a rush of affection at the other's words. It was still hard to believe that this was all actually happening and that Phenex would find his behavior cute. He looked him dead in the eyes, a lingering doubt still in his mind. "Can I... ask you something?"
"Anything"
Stolas took a deep breath to try and steady himself, his heart beating rapidly with nerves. He had to ask the question, even if he was afraid of the possible answer. "Last night... that wasn't a heat of the moment thing right? You... you do love me... right?"
Phenex laid down on his side so he was eye level with Stolas as he answered. "I have had a lot of time to think about it since last night. And as stupid and dangerous of an idea this is, I want to be with you. Even if only for however long you have left before you marry Stella." Stolas felt his heart skip a beat at the words, his breath catching in his chest. To hear Phenex confirm again that he loved him was like a dream come true. "You really do love me" he said mostly to himself, the words still hard to believe. He reached out, tracing a finger gently down the other's cheek.
Phenex leaned into the touch, closing his eyes before speaking again. "As I thought about it this morning, I actually think I had loved you for a while now. I just never realized that's what is was until last night" Stolas smiled gently, his heart swelling with affection as he continued to trace his finger along the other's plumage. For years he had longed to touch Phenex like this, to feel his feathers under his fingers, and now he was able to do so freely.
"Then I wish I had confessed sooner. Maybe we could have had more time together" he admitted, his voice soft and full of tenderness but with a note of sadness. "I just... never thought it could actually be something more than just wishful thinking."
"You have me now, that's all that matters"
Stolas felt a wave of emotion flood through him at the other's words. It was almost too good to be true; He finally had Phenex, the one person he had longed to have by his side for so many years. He scooted closer to him, gently placing a hand on his waist. "Can I... hold you?"
"Do you really need to ask?" Phenex said playful before grabbing Stolas by his hips and pulling him close. Stolas let out a surprised yelp, not expecting the other to pull him closer. He ended up with his head on Phenex's chest, his body pressed up against the other's. He let out a soft laugh and wrapped his arms around the other, nuzzling his face into his chest. It was a bit of a rush to be this close to him, and at the same time, extremely comforting. "No, I suppose I don't" he said, smiling against the other's feathers.
Phenex rested his head on Stolas', a slight chuckle escaped his mouth which caused the sound to reverberate warmly through Stolas as he kept his head rested on Phenex's chest. "Maybe that's why I never was able to find someone I was interested in courting. Because you were right here all along"
Stolas smiled at the chuckle and continued to nuzzle into the other, relishing the sound of his voice. He had always found Phenex's laugh to be soothing, and feeling it vibrate through him now was even better. "Perhaps so" he answered, running his fingers gently through Phenex's plumage. "Or perhaps fate was intervening the whole time, saving you for me"
"That's a rather romantic thought. It sounds like you lifted it straight from one of your "Romance" novels" he teased.
Stolas laughed softly at the comment. "I don't get all my romance ideas from the books I read" he responded, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Though I must admit, I have imagined the scenarios from those novels many times with us in mind."
Phenex's face immediately turned red, knowing exactly what Stolas was hinting at. "H-have you now?" Stolas was almost giddy that he was able to actually make Phenex blush. Seeing the other embarrassed and bashful gave him a sense of pride, like a small victory he had won. "Oh, most definitely" he replied, his voice taking on a slightly sultry tone. He slowly dragged his claws lightly across the other's chest. "Especially the more intimate scenarios."
"There's so many things I wanted to try with you, to see you react" he purred, his voice becoming lower and silkier. He raised a hand to gently caress Phenex's cheek, feeling how warm the other's body was. "You have no idea how much I've thought about it, how much I've imagined what you would sound like, feel like... taste like"
Phenex made a noise that couldn't quite be identified at the sheer shift of Stolas' demeanor. He swallowed a lump in his throat before say, "Then I guess it was a good thing I did my research" he said rather shyly.
Stolas' heart skipped a beat at the shyness in Phenex's voice, and he couldn't help but grin in a near feral fashion. The image of his friend having "done his research" was enough to drive him wild, and he immediately wanted to know more about what that "research" had entailed. "Did you now...?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and excitement. "And what exactly did you use to research, might I ask?"
"The erotic "journal" you have that's filled with smut you wrote of us together"
Stolas' eyes widened slightly at the mention of his secret journal, a mixture of embarrassment and excitement washing through him. He had been careful to keep it hidden, even from his own servants. The fact that Phenex had seen it, and not only seen it but took the time to read it, was both shocking and arousing. "You... you read it?" he asked, his voice nearly cracking at the end.
"Yes, I did. It was... Enlightening" Stolas felt his face heating up at the confirmation, the mixture of embarrassment and excitement continuing to pulse through him. His journal was a very personal thing, filled with explicit and shameless things he had dreamed of doing with the Goetia in front of him. "And how... how much exactly did you read...?" he asked, his voice taking on a breathless quality.
"I had planned on just the first few pages. But I ended up reading the whole thing" Phenex buried his face in his hands, embarrassed to admit how "invested" he had gotten.
Stolas felt his heart skip a beat at the admission and a shudder went through him at just the thought of Phenex reading his journal. The idea that the other had not only read it but enjoyed it sent a thrill through him, the reality of his fantasies suddenly coming closer to life. He reached out and gently pulled one of the other's hands away from his face, holding it in his own. "And did you like what you read?" he asked, his voice soft and a hint of hope in it.
"A little" the words barely came out as a whisper.
Stolas chuckled and gently caressed Phenex's knuckles with his thumb. "The fact that you kept reading says otherwise" he teased gently. He leaned forward, his eyes locked on the other. "Admit it, you got turned on while reading it, didn't you?" he purred, enjoying the way the other nobles feathers were puffing up. Phenex couldn't utter a word, only a slight nod as he shifted around under Stolas gaze. "I knew it" Stolas teased, a victorious smirk crossing his face. "Did you enjoy reading all those dirty little things I dream about you doing to me?" he asked, lifting his free hand to gently run his fingers through Phenex's chest feathers.
Phenex resigned to his inability to speak, nodding once again to answer. Stolas chuckled lightly and continued to caress the other's chest feathers, enjoying the little shivers going through them. He shifted so he was straddling the other's lap, effectively trapping him in place with his knees. He leaned forward as close as he could, his breaths hitting the other's neck as he spoke. "You know... I'd love to reenact some of the scenarios in that book with you" he murmured, his voice taking on a seductive tone.
He started gently nuzzling the others neck, peppering it with light kisses that were barely more than the ghosting of beak on skin. "Would you like that? To act out the things you read in that book with me?" he whispered against the others skin, his voice low and sultry.
"Yes" Phenex breathed out, his breathing quickened as his arousal grew.
"Good" Stolas purred and continued to explore the other's neck with his beak, occasionally letting out a soft nip or kiss that drew out a small gasp. His hands started to roam along the others chest and arms, tracing gently over the other's feathers. "I've wanted this for so long" he admitted as he moved along the other's body, peppering it with slow, sensual kisses.
"I-I can tell"
Stolas laughed quietly at the stuttered response, his kisses growing bolder and more possessive. His hands continued to travel the other's body, moving down his stomach and towards the hips. "It's your fault, you know" he murmured as he nipped at a particular sensitive spot on the other's neck, eliciting a moan. "You've always been so irresistible. And now that you're mine, I can hardly keep my hands off of you"
He lightly gripped the other's hips and started to rock his own against them, pressing their bodies together in a slow, intimate rhythm, enjoying the small gasps and moans that escaped the other's mouth. "You make such pretty noises when I touch you" he purred, his voice low and sultry. He slid himself down Phenex's body until his head was in between his thighs. "But I want to be the one crying your name!" Using his beak, Stolas grabbed the hem of his pants, slowly pulling them off his hips.
That was until the door opened. The family butler entering the room with a tray of tea like he does most mornings, however with two cups this time. "Good morning Your Highness, Lord Phenex" Stolas immediately jolted, his heart pounding against his chest as he quickly pulled back from Phenex. He had completely forgotten about the butler's morning visit, and now he was suddenly painfully aware of their exposed and compromising position. "H-h-hello" he managed to say, trying to keep his voice calm. His mind was racing, thoughts of how to explain this situation filling his head.
Seemingly unperturbed, the butler went about his daily tasks. Opening the curtains in the process. "I hope you two slept well last night" Stolas' mind continued to spin as the butler went about his duties. He desperately tried to straighten out his feathers that were undoubtedly disheveled from his earlier actions with Phenex. "We-we did" he replied, trying to keep his voice as normal as possible.
"I'm glad to hear that sir" he said while neatly folding up the discarded clothes from the prior night. Stolas watched, feeling more and more mortified the longer the butler was in the room. He could feel the heat in his face and on his chest as the awkwardness of the situation settled in. He glanced down at Phenex, the young man doing everything in his power to straighten out his feathers. As the butler moved to make his way out of the bedroom. Stolas quickly called out. "Wait! Please... For the love of all that is unholy, don't tell my father!"
He turned around for a moment, and with his same calm and collected expression he always has. he says "What you do in private is your business" before giving a smile and sliding out of the room and down the hall. With the door to the room now shut, silence fell over the two. Stolas didn't immediately move, still laying in between Phenex's legs with a sense of lingering embarrassment.
After a few moments, his heart rate starting to lower, he slowly untangled himself from his friend and sat up, the covers pooling around his waist. He looked down at Phenex, who was still lying on his back, looking up at him barely able to hold back a laugh. Most people would probably believe him to have found the encounter funny. But Stolas knew that when Phenex is nervous, he starts to laugh.
Leaning down, the prince gently ran his hand through the young man's head feathers, the gleaming orange and yellow feathers catching the sunlight filtering into the room. He moved his fingers from Phenex's head and tenderly traced his beak, marveling at the sight of his friend in his bed. Phenex leaned into the touch, planting a kiss into Stolas' palm.
Stolas' heart skipped a beat and he smiled warmly down at Phenex. "You're beautiful, you know that?" he whispered, running his fingers down to the other bird's neck and across his chest.
"Ugh, you beat me to it! I was going to tell you the same thing" Phenex lightly joked.
Stolas chuckled and rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh shush you! You're not allowed to flatter me more" he replied, gently pushing on Phenex's chest, trying to pretend he wasn't secretly loving the attention and praise. Stolas' face became more serious as a thought occurred to him, "Just promise me one thing" he asked Phenex.
"Anything. You name it" the young man said, his eyes meeting Stolas' own.
anything
The word echoed in his mind and his heart raced at the implications. But he pushed past that and continued to gently run his fingers across Phenex's feathers. "Talk to me... I want this to be enjoyable for both of us, so tell me if there is something I could do better to make you happy" he finally said quietly, meeting his friend's gaze.
"I promise... as long as you promise to talk to me, and never stop talking to me. I could listen to you voice for hours, if I were to die, I would want your voice to be the last thing I hear" A wave of warmth spread through Stolas, his heart swelling at the words. "You are such a poet" he said, a warm smile on his beak. He ran his fingers through Phenex's chest, tracing the shapes of the small feathers and admiring the beautiful color of them.
"As much as I would love to keep letting you do that. We should probably get up and start our day" Phenex said, sitting up and scooting to the edge of the bed, but holding onto stolas so he could remain straddling him for at least a moment longer. A small pout formed on Stolas' beak, but he knew it was true. As much as he would have loved to just stay in the bed with Phenex, he knew that they both had duties and responsibilities they needed to attend to. "Spoil sport" he mumbled, wrapping his arms around his neck and leaning forward to give him a kiss.
He held him close for a few seconds, their beaks pressed together in the soft, affectionate kiss. Stolas savored the moment, holding onto it like a rare treasure to be kept safe. Grabbing onto Stolas' thighs to give him support, Phenex stood up from the bed, holding onto the prince as they broke away from the kiss. "We can continue this tonight." Stolas wrapped his legs around Phenex's waist, his body flush against him. "But I can't wait that long" he replied, a sly smile on his lips.
"Well, you're just going to have to be a good boy and be patient" Phenex's face flushed after the words left his mouth. He had obviously tried taking the line from Stolas' journal, but he was still grappling with the idea of being intimate with his best friend, so it had come out rather awkwardly.
Stolas blinked in surprise. Oh. Oh... that was new. Despite it's awkward delivery, he really liked it. He could feel a hot blush creep up his neck, the words making his heart race. He cleared his throat, attempting to maintain his composure. "And what exactly would I get out of being a good boy if I do wait?" He asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.
"Whatever your perverted mind can concoct!" Stolas had not expected that response and his face darkened further, the heat from his blush spreading down to his chest. "I..." He started, swallowing nervously. Damnit, this guy knows exactly how to get me flustered. He cleared his throat again, trying to recompose himself. "I have a few ideas"
"Oh, I know you do!" Phenex set Stolas down on the ground. "Let's get something for breakfast already. I didn't get to eat anything last night thanks to your distracting me with your admission of love"
Stolas chuckled, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and affection. "In my defense, i wasn't planning on sharing the knowledge that I had been pining after you since we were in our late teens. That was a very last minute decision." He walked over to his walk-in closet and started pulling out the extravagant clothes. "I am deeply sorry for taking up the rest of your night" he said, pulling out one piece of clothing after another. "It was rather selfish of me to confess and then keep you the whole night like that"
"Incredibly selfish!" Phenex played along with the joke as he opened a portal to his own walk-in closet back in his room.
"I know, I know... I'm a horrible person" Stolas responded, a grin on his face. He quickly removed his night clothes and started getting dressed for the day.
"Oh good new!" Phenex yelled out from the other side of the portal. "We won't have to worry about coming up with any kind of excuses as to why I'm here, or worry about seeing your father at all today, He went to the home of a woman he met at the wedding last night." Stepping back through, dressed in a pair of black slacks and an auburn dress shirt with the top most button undone, he continued. "It's just the two of us today!"
Stolas looked over his shoulder to see Phenex coming out of the portal. "Oh perfect, I have absolutely zero interest in seeing my father right now" he replied, grabbing an vest to slid over his own dress shirt, his however was white in color and was unbuttoned far enough to let some of his chest feathers lay exposed. Phenex took a glance at Stolas before looking away with a slight blush. "To think, less then a year and you'll be rid of your father once the estate belongs to you"
Stolas grabbed a pair of gloves out of a drawer, slipping the dark leather over his hands. "I cannot wait for that day to come" he said with a scoff, grabbing the last of his accessories before turning to Phenex. "I will finally be free of that bastard" He walked over to the vanity, grabbing a brush and running it through his feathers to fix any bed head he may have. "No more having to put up with his abuse. No more lessons and lectures from him. No more listening to him spew his bullshit" he added, his voice bitter as memories came back to him.
"And you can decorate the palace the way you want it!" Stolas set down the brush and glanced at Phenex. "I'll be able to tear down every single one of those awful portraits of him and replace them with something that doesn't make me want to gag" he said, his voice dripping with disdain at the mere thought of the paintings.
"I'm looking forward to seeing that"
He let out a small scoff. "I'll make sure you're the first to see when I do" he replied, a sly smile on his lips. "Maybe we can even redecorate the place together" he teased.
"With your artistic eye and my sense of color, you would scarcely be able to tell it was previously owned by your father!" Stolas chuckled in response, imagining what they could change in the palace together. "It will be so different when I'm finished. It'll be more welcoming and comfortable, like an actual home instead of a museum dedicated to flaunting our wealth and status. We'll paint the living room a different color, maybe add more windows to let more light in, throw away the stuffy furniture and replace them with a new designs. Just to name a few more ideas" he said cheerfully, already mentally planning the renovations.
"But first... Breakfast" Stolas said while turning on a dime and heading for the bedroom door, swaying his hips so his tail feathers moved in alluring manner, used by courting couples. Phenex immediately caught on to the sight, quickly becoming flustered. "Are you coming?" Stolas teased from the doorway before disappearing down the hall.
Stolas smirked to himself, having gotten exactly the response he had been hoping for. The look on his friends face had been priceless, the blush on his cheeks noticeable at a mere glance. He had to admit, it was rather easy to get a reaction out of him. He continued walking down the hallway, making sure to keep his tail feathers moving in a way that he knew was attractive, waiting for his friend to catch up to him.
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Phenex yelled out as he quickly made his way from the room and caught up to Stolas. He let out a laugh, amused by the response. "Yes, yes I would" he replied with a smirk, slowing his pace so they could walk down the hallway side by side. He let his tail feathers continue to brush against Phenex to further tease him, enjoying the way his friend reacted. "There's something rather adorable about the way you react every time I flirt with you" he said, side eyeing his friend. "It's always a very interesting mix of confusion and excitement. Like you know you like the idea of it, but your brain hasn't quite figured out how to react to it yet"
"That sounds about right"
Stolas hummed in response, thinking to himself for a moment. "Not quite used to the idea that your best friend secretly harbors some rather deep and explicit feelings for you?" he said, his voice full of humor and hints of flirtation.
"Something like that, yeah" Phenex said as they entered the kitchen. He chuckled and walked over to the kitchen island, grabbing onto the edge and hoisting himself up to sit on it, dangling his legs over the edge. He watched as Phenex move around the kitchen. "Well, you'll get used to it soon enough" he said, using his magic to start the coffee maker that rest on an adjacent counter. "I know it"
The soft hum of the coffee maker along with the rich scent of ground up beans filled the kitchen. Stolas watched as Phenex moved around the space, the sight of his friend going about a mundane morning task such as preparing breakfast being more pleasant than he'd like to admit. He let his eyes linger on the way Phenex's back muscles moved and flexed underneath his shirt as he bent down to grab something from a lower cabinet.
He swallowed, his mouth suddenly feeling dry, as he continued to watch Phenex move around the kitchen. He couldn't explain it, but the casual display of his friend's strength was just so... attractive. Clearing his throat in an attempt to remove the suddenly awkward lump that had formed. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you something. Something that's been on my mind since I woke up"
"I'm all ears" Phenex said while he pulled out a couple of necessary items from the cabinet, standing back up in the process.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts, suddenly feeling nervous. He stared down at the counter, running his fingers along the cool granite surface, almost as if trying to draw in confidence from it. "What are we?" He watched Phenex move towards the stove before he paused at the question.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, well..." Stolas mumbled, suddenly less sure of himself. He hesitated for a brief moment, knowing that his next words were walking a fine line, but he had to speak. "I mean... We aren't exactly just friends anymore, are we? But can't be anything more than that either" he said carefully, looking up and watching his friend's reaction.
"Ah, I see" Phenex replied with a smile before turning on one of the burners. "Well, boyfriends doesn't really work for several reasons and sounds a little childish. I think lovers would be a rather apt title for us"
Stolas' heart skipped a beat as he heard the word 'lovers', the sound of it sending a shiver down his spine. He had to admit, it sounded almost scandalous to be using that word in reference to their new dynamic, and it only added to its thrill. "Lovers..." he repeated slowly, testing out the word on his tongue before nodding in agreement. "Yes, I think i like that word" he replied, leaning back on the counter and tilting his head slightly to the side. "It sounds much more... fitting. Don't you think, my lover?" He added, a cheeky tone in his voice as he emphasized the new word with a sly smile.
"Sooo much more fitting!" Phenex responded with his own smile, using his magic to conjure a wave of heat to caress Stolas' face, like the gentle touch of a hand. Stolas chuckled, enjoying the little act of affection. He let himself relax further against the counter, the sound of the coffee maker in the distance adding to the comfortable atmosphere. He continued to watch Phenex as he cooked, feeling a sense of contentment and... something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.
The scent of breakfast filled the kitchen, further fueling Stolas' sense of domestic desire. Part of him desperately wanted it to be like this every morning. Waking up in a bed that he and Phenex shared, spending the early hours of the morning cooking breakfast together before setting the table and enjoying their meal. And then after that... He swallowed, forcing himself to look away as he realized his thoughts were beginning to become less than innocent.
He quickly tried to rein in his mind by focusing on anything except for the way his lovers muscles flexed as he moved around the kitchen. Instead, he busied himself with making a cup of coffee and admiring the beautiful orange color of his tail feathers. Which purposely or not, were swaying quite vigorously.
Stolas' eyes darted between the counter top and the tail feathers, struggling to keep his mind from wandering into the wrong territory. As if to tease him further, Phenex shifted how he was standing, giving a clear view of a very lovely rear side. He swallowed again, a mixture of frustration and desire running through him. There is no way he's not doing this on purpose! How could his friend be so completely unaware of just how appealing he was making himself?
Stolas' fingers clenched the edge of the counter, fighting to ignore the distracting sight before him. He tried to focus on anything that would help him divert his attention, but nothing seemed to work. Even as Phenex began humming, the melodic tune only added to his frustration and desire.
He must know what he's doing; No one could be That oblivious.
Closing his eyes, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
It's not working.
The sound of Phenex's humming were not doing anything to quell his growing need. "It's ready" Phenex announced, his voice much closer that he had anticipated. Stolas' eyes snapped open, meeting his gaze. He hadn't realized his friend had moved closer to him while he was distracted. "Finally" he replied, his voice coming out a little too rushed and almost breathless. He quickly tried to control his tone, hoping it wasn't too obvious how affected he was by their closeness.
He could feel the heat radiating off of Phenex, their bodies only inches apart now. It was hard to ignore their proximity, or the fact that Stolas was beginning to feel rather... hot. Damn him and how effortlessly attractive he was! He will have hell to pay once evening came.
He swallowed, his mind already running away with the possibilities of the evening, imagining all the things he wanted to do to his friend and have done to him once they were alone. He wanted to run his fingers across that beautiful body, to hear Phenex whisper his name in a deep, sinful tone, to feel those strong hands pinning him to the bed...
I need a cold shower.
Phenex placed the plate on Stolas' left while he sat beside him to his right. "You know, I do still have some time until my classes start, and I could use a wash. Maybe after we eat, we could take one together, to save on time!"
Stolas nearly choked on the food he had just put in his mouth. That statement took him completely by surprise and he struggled for a moment to regain his composure. He was almost speechless, his mind already imagining the scenario that had just been suggested to him. It was a delicious and tempting offer he couldn't refuse. "To save on time" Stolas repeated, trying not to sound too eager in response. "Riiiight"
This was just like a chapter in his journal!
He took a quick sip of his coffee, trying to keep his cool. But his excitement and anticipation were growing with every second. The thought of having Phenex all to himself in the shower, the water running down their bodies as they-
Stolas was ripped from his thoughts by the warm, ethereal touch of Phenex's magic. The "hand" cupped his face, the feeling of a thumb stroking his cheek feathers. The unexpected contact made Stolas' heart skip a beat and he closed his eyes, melting into the touch of Phenex's magic. The tender gesture sent pleasant shivers down his spine and he could already feel his self-control slipping. He leaned slightly into the touch, unable to resist the comfort and affection it provided. Opening his eyes, he looked at Phenex, his gaze filled with a mixture of desire and something more.
He knew he probably looked like a lovesick fool, but the feeling of Phenex's magic against his face was addicting, and he wanted so badly to pull his friend closer to him. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he spoke in a low, slightly shaky voice. "I love you"
"I love you too" Phenex loving gaze was far more assured then it had been this morning. He was becoming more confident and understanding of his own feelings.
Stolas held the eye contact, feeling butterflies flutter in his stomach as he took in those words. Hearing them said so openly and sincerely made his heart feel light. He smiled, feeling a sense of happiness that he hadn't experienced in a very long time. "Say it again" he requested, suddenly wanting to hear those words again, as if to confirm the reality of it all.
Phenex laughed lightly in response. "I love you too"
The sound of those words, spoken again with such conviction, sent a wave of happiness through Stolas. It was such a simple phrase, yet it carried so much meaning and weight. He couldn't help but smile wider as he leaned more into the gentle caress of Phenex's magic. "Again" he insisted, wanting to hear it repeatedly. His voice was slightly breathless.
"I love you too!"
Stolas' grin turned into a light laugh as he heard those words again. It was like music to his ears, each repetition sending a rush of affection and joy through him. He had waited so long to hear those words from Phenex, and now he was getting the chance to hear them over and over again. "Once more" he asked again, his voice filled with an obvious glee.
"I love you too" Phenex said before leaning in and giving Stolas a light, but meaningful kiss. It caught him slightly off guard, but Stolas quickly melted into it. The feeling of Phenex's beak against his own was electric, and he found himself letting out a soft, contented sigh. The moment felt surreal to Stolas, like a scene out of a dream; The butterflies in his stomach fluttered wildly, and his heart thumped loudly in his chest. It took him a moment to fully process what just happened, and once he did, he couldn't help but smile widely. "Again" he requested, now clearly in the mood for more kisses.