Snippet #1698794

The mood changed in a instant. Why? James wondered for a fleet second. Then he realized why. Oh, he realized. Surprised pulled at his mouth, parting his lips, at first, but hadn't he expected this in the first moment, the first time Gepetto had collapsed into his lap, out cold from too much to drink. James could smell it now, and he imagined that if he could taste, if he still had a tongue, that heady, sweet grape taste would be present. Then he smiled slightly, a fierce feeling feeling welling in his belly. One hand found the small of Gepetto's back, the other the golden back of his head. Such a delicate body. So small. James wondered if he could just take this little doll and put him in his pocket to carry around forever. To protect. he'd never let anyone hurt his little Sun, his radiant warmth. How was it even possible for such beautiful warmth to be wrapped up in such a small, such a fragile body?

Now it was less about depending on each other, but more about forgetting. Forgetting the future, where death and shame lingered. Forgetting the past, fogged by horrible memories and past pains. Forgetting all fear. Just living. Oh God was it living.

Oh, the golden man probably wouldn't expect the expertise James moved with, pushing back against Gepetto's delicate mouth with an uncharacteristic passionate hunger. James had more experience than the handsome, delicate doll on top of him would ever have. But it was so glorious, this heady feeling, like being drunk. But better. So much better. Then James backed off, almost too swiftly. Silly him. He was being rude. He let his head relax against the bed, eyes half closed. If he was a cat, he'd be purring. If he was a dog, his tail would be wagging. But he was neither of those. he was just James, a butler, and a soft sound of pleasure was humming in his chest.