Ivory’s smile grew. “Oh no Max, don’t look away from me.” He gently nudged his chin towards him. His blush grew too as he continued welcoming his touch to his cheeks. “I… I…” admittedly, he did not know how to respond to such a compliment. He almost felt dizzy as his beloved kissed his other cheek.
His arms were still around Max’s waist. “Oh, love…” he reveled in his gaze, the way those blue eyes looked at him. “I wish I could say the same, because I kept my feelings hidden for so long I wasn’t even aware. But now we can, and we should do it forever and ever. I want you by my side, always.”
Even though he had less energy these days, deep down he really hated being alone. Growing up, he was never alone. He had Pearl and Max together with him. But now, everything had changed. Living with his mother as an adult himself had its tensions. Sometimes it seemed better if he and Duchess Winn were apart. And now that his dear friend was back, and had grown into his lover, he craved him and his company like a man in the desert with no water.
The sight of Ivory, his blush, his smile….God everything about the man in front of him was perfect. Max felt lucky just to be able to stare into those eyes that were looking back at him. And he just kissed Ivory on both cheeks! Good lord, he could not get over feeling the delicate skin underneath his lips. He couldn't get over anything about Ivory. The man had owned his heart.
"Ivory, I promise that I will never get on another ship if you are not there with me." His eyes glimpsed down to his beloved's arms around his waist. The feeling kept him weighted down. It made him feel whole. "Please never let go of me. I don't want to go anywhere if you're not there with me, please."
Part of him regretted ever going to Amsterdam. He could've gone to school in London or somewhere closer to home. And he didn't even come home for the summer or Christmas. Some of the days blended into nothing. Between studies and practice, it all just blended into one long day. No matter what, he had always thought of Ivory and how much he missed him. Now it doesn't matter. He has Ivory and Ivory has him. They'll get to spend all night together in the same bed. Max will get to stare into those mesmerizing eyes for as long as he wants to.
Ivory let out a sigh. “I don’t plan on letting go any time soon. You’re mine now, and shall be for as long as I live.” He smiled.
All those years alone… how did he survive? Looking back now, it seemed to him that he was simply a dead man walking. It was still true, a little bit. He felt a little more alive, but his body seemed to be shutting down more instead. It was so strange, perhaps what they say in church is true. Without God, you are spiritually dead.
But oh, now he had his god. He had found his light, and he felt alive again. Maybe this is heresy, but having Maximilian here, in his arms and feeling his kisses, why, it felt like the Holy Ghost himself had descended upon him. At least, that’s what he imagined it felt like. What they spoke of in chapels and churches felt like this, yet he never encountered the feeling in an actual church. Why did they never speak of things like this? It felt so holy to him. If only his body still worked properly to match.
Everything that had occurred before did not matter so much now. Thirteen long years alone, yes, it was painful. But perhaps it did some good. He learned things, he became a man. Max’s absence was a yawning, looming feeling, Pearl’s ghost seemed to haunt him. But it was no matter now, right?
He tried to move his fingers a little. It was difficult, very difficult, but it seemed easier this time. He tried to actually hold Max’s waist, not just have his arms around it. He let out a breath and rested his head on his lover.
“Max..?” He asked softly. “Forgive my bluntness, but… would you kiss me? Maybe it is inappropriate, considering my current condition, but oh… I can’t stop thinking about it…”
Those words soothed him. Not once does he ever want to be anywhere else other than with Ivory and his arms. Maximillian didn't want to be anywhere else. This was where he was meant to be.
His face turned bright red at the question. It was difficult for him to decide if he was shy or not about having to respond. Words failed him. Max had always dreamed of this for as long as he could remember. It was all he ever dreamed about in his sleep. This wasn't a dream.
"Ivory, if I kiss you now…I can guarantee you that you will not be able to stop thinking about that either." Max chuckled as he brushed through Ivory's hair. He wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it. Of course, everything about Ivory occupied his mind twenty-four seven. There were no flaws on this man. God was Max bewitched body and soul by this divinely handsome man. His man, his lover.
Delicately, he lifted Ivory's chin up. In a blink of an eye, Max leaned in, his lips brushing, tentatively, against his lover's. If there was any way of finding heaven on earth, he certainly found it. Warmth completely consumed him. His stomach was in knots even by the time he pulled his lips away.
Giid heavens his heart was about to burst. In a split second, he wondered if he was truly going to heaven or not. His head was as light as heart. It flew fleetingly with each beat. "Was…was…was that…" Max tried to keep his breathing under control. He lightly laughed, "Was that alright?
Frankly…my dear…I cannot stop thinking about it already."
Ivory felt the heat from his beloved’s face and quirked a smile. When he didn’t respond at first, he amended, “If you say no, I shan’t be sad. I’ll understand.”
He leaned into Max further as he touched his hair. “Well, I think that’s all the more reason to do it now, if you wish.” He shivered with anticipation. When Max lifted his chin, he already felt like melting on the spot. Their lips brushed against each other, and Ivory melted into him. All of the muscles in his body seemed to tense and shiver. A little voice in the back of his mind hoped that their glasses weren’t getting in the way. By the time they separated, Ivory’s face was so hot and red that he worried he was getting another fever.
“Oh, dear Max…” he gently cupped his cheek, as best as he could with unmoving hands. “It was so lovely. I can’t stop thinking about it either. Thank you.”
( @knightinadream sorry I know we’ve both been slow with this but I don’t want this to die)
"I do not know how to say "no" to you," Max laughed. "And I should be the one thanking you, my dear." How could he ever? If Ivory asked him to jump off a mountain or runaway with him, he would do it. If he asked him for a kiss, he would give him one. And another and another and another and another.
His shoulders tensed up, but with a slow sigh, he let them relax. The feeling of his lover's hand on his face was enough to make Max melt away. He removed his glasses, placing them on the nightstand next to Ivory. Even without them, he could perfectly enjoy staring at his lover and all of his alluring features.
Max leaned in to kiss Ivory on the temple. "I could never resist you, Ivory," He whispered before going in for another peck, this time on the lips. With the back of his left hand, he touch Ivory's forehead, feeling heat against it. Max laughed as he set it down on his lap, "You are so hot…so warm. Either your condition has gotten worse or you must be head over heels for me."
“Well, you fulfilled my request, so I believe expressing my gratitude was necessary.” He smiled up at him. Ivory took deep breaths, trying to recover as adrenaline coursed through him, making his body shiver.
The extra kisses didn’t help much. Ivory grinned widely as the flush on his cheeks seemed to intensify. “I could never resist you either, if I’m honest.” He let out a soft sigh. It was surreal to hear such a thing, to know that someone desired him, that he was desirable in the first place. Every moment like this, with his beloved, took him back to his childhood and made him feel like a youth once more.
Ivory let down his hand from Max’s cheek to lay it on the one in Max’s lap. “Ah, is that so? I don’t feel too weak, so I hope it is the latter. It is already true, anyway. I daresay you have me wrapped around your finger.”
That smile was heavenly. Max was mesmerized every second he stared at it. He was just captivated by Ivory. To say that he is just captivated was an understatement. The only thing that Max knew was that he felt this was about Ivory ever since childhood. Of course, he felt a lot of things but they all were tied to his beloved one way or the other.
"I'm glad that you feel so. And I believe you are strong man too," He grinned. "Just know that you have always had me wrapped around yours too. For as long as I can remember." Gently, he took Ivory's hand then turned it over to check his pulse. After counting for a while, he lost track. There was nothing wrong with Ivory as his pulse was fine, his skin was just so soft. Max enjoyed feeling its smoothness against his fingertips. He intertwined his fingers with his lover's.
His mind kept flip flopping all over the place. Half of it is falling for Ivory over and over again whereas the other half is thinking about his health. Max sighed, "I hate to change the topic of our conversation, my dear, but how are you feeling now? Perhaps you are in the mood to eat a bit more or something?"
Slowly, his body recovered from excitement. He let out a breath, watching Max take his hand and check his pulse. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly when their fingers were intertwined. Ivory couldn’t quite feel his hand, or use his own to grasp Max’s, but it was nice nonetheless.
Ivory looked up at his lover, already feeling the urge to kiss him again and again. When Max sighed, he tilted his head with concern.
It was difficult not to sigh along with him. “Ah… yes, I think I could eat a little more. I’m feeling alright. I’ve said this before, but you being here makes things much more bearable.”
Staring down at his lover, all Max could think about was him and kissing him again. He wanted to lean in and kiss him incessantly, starting with those soft lips and leaving kisses all over Ivory. If only such things like a kiss could instantly heal someone instead of leaving both of them breathless. If only he could now, he must make sure that lover rests and gets well; that was the utmost importance for him.
"Hopefully our time together helps you feel better. Being with you already fulfills my soul." Max grinned, "I'm just grateful to finally be with you again."
Getting up from the bed, he carefully picked up the tray. It rattled a little as he tried to make sure nothing fell as he sat back down. Gazing down at the food, he bit his lip while looking at the egg and remaining apple slices. "Well, you only have these two options here unless you want me to call for a servant. The decision is yours, my love."
Lost in his lover’s beauty and warmth, Ivory found himself leaning closer towards Max. His grins were so contagious. “I already feel so much better than before, my beloved. I do appreciate your presence here with me, very much.” He tried to squeeze his hand a little.
He watched as Max retrieved the tray, taking a breath to prepare himself. He studied the options, eyes hardening slightly. “No no, two options is enough.” He chuckled. “I will try the egg this time, see how I like it.”
Eggs have not always sat well with him during his time being bedridden, but hopefully in small amounts at a time, it won’t be so bad. The egg did look delicious, even if there wasn’t steam rising from it anymore. There were salt and pepper shakers on the tray next to the plate. Normally, when he wasn’t sick, he loved seasoning his eggs to his heart’s content. Nowadays, it was a hit or miss.
Just being in Ivory's presence was enough to fulfill him. For years, there was this emptiness within him that ached. Now it was gone. Max was grateful for his dearest. The light of his life. There was warmth and comfort in Ivory's voice. To hear from him that he was fine was enough to wore off any worries that Max had.
"I am just happy that you feel okay," He said, "Hopefully you will be back to your healthy self soon, but for now, let's have you here, relaxing in bed. And I'll be here as much as you need me here by your side."
Looking down at the salt and pepper shakers, his lips moved to the side. He took them, carefully placing them on the end table. They would have to little steps with this. Appetites have always been a fickle thing. "Alright." Max sighed as he used the fork and knife to cut up the egg into small pieces.
"Here, my love. Just try this piece first and we'll go from there." Gently, Max took Ivory's hand. He placed the fork in his lover's hand and moved the fingers in place with his own on top of them. Then he leaned in towards Ivory, helping holding the fork up to his lips.
