Page 93 of Celestial Bodies

Julen turned to kiss Dacias, caressing the hand that rested on his shoulder. “Surprisingly well. Sore, but I’ll survive.” He smiled, and Dacias’s stomach flipped.

He cupped Julen’s cheek as he said, “I saw a beautiful little knoll that will give us an amazing view of the sun and moon.”

Julen’s eyes lit up. “I can’t imagine anything more perfect than watching them with you tonight.”

Julen wrapped his arms around Dacias, gave him a big kiss, and then strolled together to the patch of grass surrounded by flowers.

Julen sat down and looked up at the sky. His face looked so beautiful under the glow of the moon. His dazzling green eyes shimmered as he inhaled the sweet air. Dacias could have crashed his lips to Julen’s right there and then. He knelt beside Julen, reached into his pocket, and retrieved the pendant. “Julen…”

Julen turned to Dacias. Then his eyes caught sight of the gift, and his breath hitched. A beautiful moonstone cut into a crescent shape sat in Dacias’s palm. A pearlescent glaze made the pendant shimmer in the moonlight. The pendant hung from a silver bail etched with swirls connected to a long silver chain.

Dacias gently clasped the necklace around Julen’s neck as he spoke, “I have no home to offer, no riches to support us. All I have is the promise that I will love you forever. That I will be by your side no matter what.”

Dacias reached into his pocket and pulled out a second necklace, a gorgeous orange carnelian carved into the shape of the sun with rays about the circumference. He draped it over his head, then inched closer to Julen so that he could clasp both pendants in his hand. “You are the moon to my sun, my partner in this life. I love you more than I can describe, and I promise to take care of you, cherish you, and love you. You are my soulmate. I have no doubt about it. I love you so much, Julen, and anyone who doesn’t see how remarkable you are…well…it’s their loss. Because knowing that you are mine and I am yours makes me feel like the luckiest man alive.”

The tearspoureddown Julen’s face as he looked at the pendants next to each other and then into Dacias’s eyes.

“I love you so much, Dacias. And I know you love me. And knowing that makes every moment of hardship worth it. If I had to live through it to get to you, then it was worth it.”

Julen began to laugh as the tears continued. “Honestly, I’ve been yours since you picked me off the floor in Cupidor. Even as I pushed you away, I knew I’d never meet anyone like you. Each moment with you has brought me more joy than you can imagine. I love you so much.”

Dacias kissed him softly, and Julen pulled him closer and said, “Make love to me.”

Dacias cradled Julen’s body in his arms. “Are you sure? You said you were sore—”

Julen put a finger to Dacias’s lips. “I’m sure. Please make love to me. I’ve missed you so much.”

Julen unbuttoned his shirt, and Dacias helped him pull it off his shoulders. Then he slowly slid down Julen’s pants, his heart racing with anticipation. After rising, he disrobed himself, feeling the moment’s weight between them.

Gently, Dacias laid Julen on the grass and kissed his neck, each touch igniting a fire within him. His lips trailed down to Julen’s chest, savoring how he responded. When he kissed the inside of Julen’s arm and down the side of his ribcage, Dacias couldn’t help but marvel at how vulnerable and beautiful Julen looked beneath him.

Julen pulled his legs up and wrapped them around Dacias. Their faces drew inches apart, and Julen whispered, “Take me.”

Dacias reached for his trousers and retrieved the vial of oil. His hands trembled as the intensity of their connection took over. His yearning for Julen radiated through his body, but he calmed himself and kissed Julensweetly. Dacias wanted everything to feel like a caress. He wanted Julen to feel treasured. He wanted to make love.

Julen pulled him closer, positioning Dacias and allowing their bodies to join.

Julen gasped as Dacias breached the tight ring of muscle before entering completely. His eyes fluttered, and Dacias leaned closer to suck on Julen’s lower lip.

Dacias wanted to envelop Julen in love. He wanted to inhale every breath Julen released so he could absorb his essence and keep a part of him forever. Julen locked eyes with Dacias. There was so much love and adoration in Julen’s gaze. Dacias wished they could live in this moment forever.

The moon glowed brighter overhead. It illuminated the clearing and reflected off Julen’s beautiful skin, making him sparkle like the necklace around his neck.

Julen looked to the sky and spoke through gasping breaths. “You feel so good. Nothing feels better than having you inside me.”

Dacias pressed another kiss on Julen’s pink lips. Their tongues met in a wild dance.

Dacias could hear his heartbeat—no, he felt it pulse through the air. Slowly, he realized he could also hear Julen’s heart, like two drums beating separately before merging into one rhythm. Their hearts beat in syncopation. He wondered if Julen felt this, too. His questions were answered moments later.

“Do you feel that?” Julen asked.

“Yes! I feel you. I feel your heart, Julen. I love you.”

“I love you too. I love you so much!”

Dacias grabbed the back of Julen’s head and pulled him in for a desperate kiss. Dacias pressed deeper into Julen, who writhed with pleasure—his cry of ecstasy echoing off the trees and awakening the wildlife.

A purple mist wrapped around them, shielding them from the prying eyes of curious forest creatures. The mist formed a soft bed beneath them, growing in size and lifting them off the ground. Dacias pulsed inside of Julen, knowing he was close.

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