Two young gentlemen's struggles to be together.

Zayden smiled at Zach. “That's somewhere that I've not been in a long time. I would love to accompany you there. I may even look around for something as well,” he said, his pale eyes glued to his new friend. “So tell me, Zacharias… you said that you had ‘just started’ working with Mister Taylor… so… how was your… second day? Not horrible at all, I hope. You know… my first couple of days actually working here were terrible. We were so busy and I had no idea what was going on.” He laughed, the smile still on his face. “Sorry… there I go again. Please… anytime that I start talking over you just smack me. I'm terrible about doing that.” An apologetic expression replaced his mirthful one.

While Zayden spoke, Zach watched and studied the way the young raven haired man’s lips moved and the expressions that he made. It was like watching an alluring and captivating form of art; something that Zach was very passionate about. “No, No. I prefer to listen rather than talk myself. I told you earlier,” Zach assured Zayden. Once again, Zach leisurely sipped the hot chocolate and held the mug while he spoke. “Well, to answer your question,” he grinned, “I was actually distracted at work today. I had this meeting we are having on my mind. When work finished, I went straight here but had to turn back since I forgot the bouquet.” A chuckle escaped his lips, laughing at his own forgetfulness. “How about you? How was your day?”

Zacharias spoke and Zayden listened intently. “No, No. I prefer to listen rather than talk myself. I told you earlier,” Zayden watched Zacharias as he sipped on his drink. “Well, to answer your question, I was actually distracted at work today. I had this meeting we are having on my mind. When work finished, I went straight here but had to turn back since I forgot the bouquet.” A soft laugh came from the young man across from him. “How about you? How was your day?”

Zayden smiled at Zacharias, something that he just couldn't seem to stop doing. He decided to say nothing about Zacharias's distraction. He was glad, however, that the young man across from him had been thinking about stopping by the shop. He wondered, though, if Zacharias had been more looking forward to actually seeing him. Either way, Zayden was just glad that he had stopped by. "My day..was busy as usual." he said, lightly laughing. "It's rare that I'm not busy. It's a good thing that I love my job so much. It can be rather stressful." He fell silent for a moment, simply enjoying the peaceful silence. Suddenly, he spoke. "So, I have to admit..I can't say that I regret running into you. I think that perhaps we were fated to meet." He smiled a bit more brightly at Zacharias. He was very glad that they seemed to be getting along so well.

"My day… was busy as usual." he said, lightly laughing. "It's rare that I'm not busy. It's a good thing that I love my job so much. It can be rather stressful."

For a moment, silence filled the place. Not an awkward stop but rather a peaceful tranquillity. Zach took that moment of serene to take in Zayden's beauty further. The young raven haired young man had pale but beautiful amber eyes and his smile never left his face from the beginning, kindling the feeling of warmth and welcome within the young blonde haired man. By just watching at Zayden, the jitters felt by Zach grew more intense.

The moment was broken by Zayden's words, continuing their conversation. "So, I have to admit... I can't say that I regret running into you. I think that perhaps we were fated to meet." His smile seemed to shine a bit more brightly at Zacharias.

Fate. The word struck a chord in Zach. He couldn’t say that he believed in fate just as he couldn’t have faith in the teachings of the Holy Temple. Nonetheless, though he didn’t want to believe, he felt the same as Zayden.

“Perhaps…,” replied the young blonde haired man, turning his gaze to his side. For a second, his expression weary but quickly returned back into a smile. “Perhaps it is fate.” Slowly, he finished his drink and placed the mug on the table before rising from his chair. “It’s getting late. I should probably go home.” He then reach into the pocket of his pants and took out a cell phone. “Can I have your contact number, Zayden?” Saying the young raven haired man’s name somehow aroused his feelings.

“Perhaps it is fate.” Zacharias said, finishing his drink. Zayden watched as the young man before him as he stood from his seat. Zayden followed, slowly standing as well. His pale eyes never left Zacharias's form. “It’s getting late. I should probably go home.” Zacharias pulled out his cell phone. “Can I have your contact number, Zayden?” Zayden smiled. "Of course you may." And so Zayden told Zacharias his number. "So," he said after giving his number, "Do I get yours as well?" He laughed lightly. After they had swapped numbers, Zayden bid Zacharias a good night. After the young man had left the shop, Zayden locked up the shop and cleaned up much as he did every day. For some reason, Zayden couldn't stop smiling.

He found himself oddly attracted to Zacharias..more so than he thought possible. As he cleaned about the shop, Zayden found that all of his thoughts were of the other man. It didn't seem to take him very long before he was finished and was following his mother out of the shop and making their way home. Once they arrived at their home, Zayden helped his mother with supper, ate, and then headed upstairs for the night. As he was laying on his bed, staring up at his ceiling. He wanted to message Zacharias but decided that he would allow the other man to do so if he wished. He would not bother his new friend.

“Perhaps…,” replied the young blonde haired man, turning his gaze to his side. For a second, his expression turned weary but quickly returned back into a smile. “Perhaps it is fate.” Slowly, he finished his drink and placed the mug on the table before rising from his chair. “It’s getting late. I should probably go home.” He then reach into the pocket of his pants and took out a cell phone. “Can I have your contact number, Zayden?” Saying the young raven haired man’s name somehow aroused his feelings.

"Of course you may." And so Zayden told Zacharias his number. "So, do I get yours as well?" He laughed lightly.

“Ofcourse,” Zach replied with the same light laugh and in return, gave his number to Zayden.


After saying their goodbyes, Zach walked back home with a happy heart. His cheerful expression abruptly changed into a frown filled with resent and annoyance when he spotted something. In the street he was on, people started to move to the two sides, like the sea split into half by the some unknown forces. Everyone was giving way for three members of the Holy Temple: two in white acolyte attire, and one in heavy white priest attire. They had proud but arrogant looks to them, back straight and noses up high. The way they walked demanded for respect and attention.

The members of the Holy Temple were people of power. They had more power than the local authority since the police would never dare to cross the Holy Temple. Most people of Grantz Sky Island are religious bunch. Though Zach does not acknowledge the Holy Temple and their priests, he does believe in the Goddess Lux. He believes that the Holy Temple misused the Goddess’s name to give themselves power over others which is one of the reasons why he dislikes the Priests so much. The words of the Priests are the law in Grantz Sky Island. Secretly, Zach disapproves and does not acknowledge them. But on that day, in his dismay, walking between the other two acolytes in front of him was Brutus Arson.

Brutus Arson was Zach’s old academy nemesis. In Zach’s opinion, Brutus was a hypocrite and a very big liar as well as a bully. Back in the academy, he made Zach’s life miserable by spreading rumours about the young blonde haired man just because he enjoys solitude more than hanging out with others. Many tried to pick on Zach in the academy. Thankfully, he was not a physically defenceless little boy. He couldn’t say that for other victims of bullies. The sight of Brutus made old memories flooding through his head: images of the boy which Brutus and his friends had bullied by the means of physical force as well as harsh words, pushing the young boy to the edge of his mind, and at last, took his own life out of pressure. It breaks Zach’s heart that the boy did not get proper respect when he died. Since committing suicide was shunned by the Holy Temple, no one dared to mourn for the young boy’s death. As for Brutus, no one dared to blame him directly as he was the son of one of the High Priests of the Holy Temple. No had the guts to go against any Priests of the Holy Temple, even more the High Priests.

It wasn’t difficult for Brutus to spot Zach on the street since he was the only person who wouldn’t move aside and gave way, preventing Brutus and his escorts from walking in a straight line.

“Please, clear a path for Priest Arson,” said one of the acolytes. But it was clearly an order.

You might as well add ‘or else’ to that, thought Zach, yet ignoring the acolyte’s request.

The priest’s lips creased into a wide smirk when he saw the young blonde haired man. “If it isn’t Zacharias Morrission,” said Brutus in a mocking tone.

“Brutus Arson…,” replied Zach in the same mocking tone but with a blank face. “I see that your father’s title served you as a leaping stone to the higher ranks in the Holy Temple.”

The two acolytes seemed to be taken aback; shocked that Zach dared to say such words to Brutus, their priest. If Brutus was offended, it did not show. Instead, his sinister smile creased wider.

“And what about you?” asked Brutus. “What do you do for a living?”

Zach took his time. He contemplated whether he should answer but at last, he did. “Nothing as special as yours, but something decent enough.”

“Ah that’s surprising,” said Brutus, the smirk never left his face. “I never thought you could be decent.”

Zach’s face turned into a self-forced half smile. “Yes, yes, I know. You never think.”

Discreetly, the two men glared at each other with their fake smiles. For a minute, only the busy sounds of the market district could be heard. From the corner of his eyes, Zach noticed that passing people swerved aside once they saw Brutus and the acolytes, once in a while bowing down in respect before proceeding on their way.

Finally, Brutus broke the silence. “Move aside, Morrisson.”

A couple of pedestrians’ eyes were on them, watching. Zach could hear them talking, gossiping on him on how he dared to block the path of one of the Holy Temple’s Priests, and he hated it. He wanted to stay his ground but he knew that the outcome would be ill. It took him a moment, but at last, with heavy heart and scathed pride, he took a step aside.

“Good boy,” said Brutus, mocking Zach with a wide smirk on his face then walked pass the young blonde haired man, and with the acolyte, left.

He couldn’t take it. With a displeased snarl, Zach tossed his face sideways and grunted. At that moment, he loathed how Grantz Sky Island worked, he hated the Holy Temple, he hated the Priests, he hated the acolytes, he hated the worshippers, but most of all, he hated himself for being such a coward.



Zach arrived at home with a pale face and weary eyes. The meeting with Brutus had disheartened him.

“I’m home,” said Zach once he had entered the house.

“Welcome home,” replied Talia.

“Finally, we can eat,” said Leon.

Everyone was sitting in the dining room waiting for Zach. Untouched hot food was served on the dinner table. Without delaying, he joined the table so that dinner can start.

While everyone was eating their hearts out, Zach only took a small portion and yet only a spoon full budged from his plate and into his mouth.

“Are you okay dear?” asked Talia. “You seemed quiet, more than usual.”

“What’s wrong, Zach?” queried Morris.

Zach seemed to snap from a dream. “Oh, sorry,” he apologized. “I was just thinking about something.”

Everyone turned their eyes towards the young blonde haired man, waiting for him to explain.

“Well?” asked Leon when Zach did not proceed. “What were you thinking about?”

“It’s Brutus Arson,” answered Zach a little annoyed. “I ran into him and two acolytes of the Holy Temple at the market district. Apparently he’s a Priest now.”

“That mean child is a Priest at that young age?” said Talia with a surprised expression. “I can’t believe they made him into a priest after what he and his friends did to that boy.”

Morris sighed and sipped his coffee filled cup. “Grantz Sky Island is not what is used to be. A lot of things have changed in this once quiet and peaceful place.”

“It wasn’t like this when we first moved here,” said Talia, shaking her head.

“What was it like before?” asked Zach, curious.

Morris started to explain. “Well, when your mother and I first moved here, Grantz Sky Island was less populated than it is now. At that time, we were still teenagers and there was only one single elven Priestess in Grantz Sky Island, Priestess Ruena was her name, and she was the sole guardian of the Holy Temple. Before the time of our current Priests, Grantz Sky Island’s religion of the Goddess Lux was always referred to the Book of Lux which was written in ancient elven runes. At that time, the Holy Temple was simply used as a place of guidance and prayers to the Goddess Lux. Zach was still a baby when war broke out. Priestess Roena used the Holy Temple as a place for refuge and shelter for the needy. People started rushing into Grantz Sky Island from everywhere. There were just too many people that Priestess Roena needed help managing them all. Among all those refugees, she chose one cleric to aid her, and that cleric’s name was Arashi. We all hoped that war would end but it just became worse. When war was at its peak, Priestess Roena had to leave the Holy Temple to aid in the war and left the Holy Temple in the hands of Arashi. Soon after, war ended.”

Then, Talia continued. “People of Grantz Sky Island started calling Arashi as Priest. At first, he objected, but when people didn’t stop, he was compelled to accept the title. A long time had passed since then. The refugees settle in the Grantz Sky Island and Priest Arashi anointed a couple of people in becoming acolytes. The acolytes then, in time, became Priests, just like him. It wasn’t long until Arashi passed on. His place was taken by our current High Priest, Jermas Hegray.”

Morris added: “Since Priestess Roena never returned, the Priests started an attempt to translate the Book of Lux. What they couldn’t, they made their own assumptions. All thing lead to the way it is now. The Priests’ words are law and the original Book of Lux was stored away in a secret place for safe keeping.”

“Grantz Sky Island’s teachings of the Goddess Lux are mostly lost in translation but either no one dares to admit it or just oblivious to the matter,” Talia commented, clearly displeased.

“We should leave Grantz Sky Island and move to the capital or a peaceful place such as the elven forest,” said Morris. “I’m getting tired of living here in this crowded but small city.”

“Dad, all my friends are here,” said Leon. “Besides, Zach just started work and mom still has her flower store to attend to.”

Morris grunted in response.



That night in his room, Zach did not read his books. His emotion was too bothered to indulge in the stories told with written words and runes on paper. He couldn’t sleep as his mind was too preoccupied in the thoughts of how Grantz Sky Island is not up to his liking. And so, he decided to take a midnight jog, alone. With his neon running shoes, he jogged around the neighbourhood until he was bored. The train station was nearby so he got on the train, did some stretches, and got off at the neighbouring housing district. All that running did not lighten his mood. Drenched with sweat and gasping for air, he stopped at a nearby bus stop and sat to catch his breath. Strange enough, all he could think of that could lift his mood up at that time was a certain baker that he recently met. At that moment, he wanted Zayden close to him, just to feel his presence, or at least settle to hear his voice. Zach was not one for conversations which is why he dislikes talking on the phone. It took him a moment, but then, he decided to give the young raven haired man a quick call.

He dialled the number and the caller ring tone played. For a minute, Zach waited. When the ringing tone ceased, he spoke. “Hello?” said the young blonde haired man. “Is this Zayden?”

As Zayden lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling, he couldn't help but wonder when he would see Zacharias again. Most likely not until the weekend. He'd not asked the other young man to come by the bakery and for some reason he doubted that Zacharias would come by otherwise. He slowly shut his eyes, simply enjoying relaxing for a bit. At least it had not been overly busy at the store. He'd actually been able to spend some time with Zacharias. The thought brought a small smile to his handsome face. Zayden couldn't believe how connected to Zacharias that he felt. He wasn't quite sure why he felt that way. However, Zayden could not say that he minded the feeling one bit.

As he was laying on his bed, Zayden was suddenly brought out his deep thought buy the sound of his phone ringing. He fumbled around his bed, searching for his phone. It took him only a few seconds before he found it. He picked it up, looking at the screen to see who was calling him. It was Zacharias. Another smile found its way onto his face. He answered the phone, placing the small item by his ear. "Yes? Hello." he said, waiting for the person on the other end to answer. "Hello? Is this Zayden?" Zayden smiled. "Yes..and this is Zacharias, is it not? I must say that I am surprised to hear from you all ready. Not that I mind at all. Is everything all right? You sound a bit out of breath.." He fell silent, allowing his friend to speak.

As he was silent, Zayden hoped that Zacharias was all right..that nothing was wrong. He slowly sat up on his bed, his dark hair beginning to fall into his face more so than earlier. Sitting on the bed, he pulled one of his legs closer to his slim body.

He dialled the number and the caller ring tone played. For a minute, Zach waited.

When the ringing tone ceased, a masculine voice spoke one the other side. “Yes? Hello.”

“Hello? Is this Zayden?” asked Zacharias.

"Yes,” answered the young raven haired man. “And this is Zacharias, is it not? I must say that I am surprised to hear from you all ready. Not that I mind at all. Is everything all right? You sound a bit out of breath."

Zach gave out a light laugh. “I guess I am a little. I’m out jogging, trying to keep my mind out of something,” he told Zayden and wiped drops of sweat which was running down from his forehead to his nose. “Listen, Zayden. Is your house at housing district three? I’m actually here.”

Zayden could hear Zacharias laugh. “I guess I am a little. I’m out jogging, trying to keep my mind out of something,” Zacharias said, “Listen, Zayden. Is your house at housing district three? I’m actually here.” When Zayden heard this, he was silent for a short moment. He was surprised that Zacharias was so close to where he lived. "Yes, actually. It is. Where are you at right now?" he asked. He wondered how far into the district that Zacharias had come. He waited patiently for his friend to answer him before speaking again. "My house is near the center of the district. It's a two story, brown and cream colored house. Can't miss it. I can wait outside you if you'd like."

As Zayden said this, he gently got off of his bed and quickly changed into a more relaxed out, all the while still listening to Zacharias. He quickly headed downstairs and out onto the small porch. He gently sat down in one of the chairs and kept his pale eyes turned out towards the street. "Where are you now?" he asked, smiling. He couldn't help but wonder what was bother Zacharias. He'd not asked him yet what was wrong but he planned to as soon as they were together. He felt like it would be better to ask in person.

"Yes, actually. It is. Where are you at right now?" asked Zayden. "My house is near the center of the district. It's a two story, brown and cream colored house. Can't miss it. I can wait outside you if you'd like."

“mmm…” hummed Zach, searching for a sign with the street’s name. What he found was something he didn’t expect.

Meters on the other side of the road was the house mentioned. Walking out the front doors was the young raven haired man.

“I’m right in front of you,” said Zach waving his hand. A relieved grin marked his face. That was when it hit him. He was only wearing a grey sweatshirt over a white sweat drenched tank top, grey short khakis, and yellowish glowing shoes. In his opinion, his attire was very inappropriate for meeting friends. He could only hope that Zayden wouldn’t judge on how he looked.

As he was sitting in the chair, listening to Zacharias, Zayden smiled. “I’m right in front of you,” Zacharias said, waving. Zayden smiled even more and returned the wave. He stood and walked to the steps, waiting for Zacharias to join him. His pale amber eyes took in Zacharias's choice in clothing. Though normally, when meeting with a friend, one dressed a bit more formally, however Zayden was not bothered by such things. After all, he was currently not dressed much better. He was wearing a pair of dark sweatpants, a white tee, a thin zip up hoodie, and a pair of shoes that he'd thrown on right before heading outside. His hair was quite a mess, since he had been laying on his bed.

"Do you want to come in? My dad's out of town and mom's probably watching television or something like that. Plus..it's a bit on the cold side." he said, laughing. He waited for Zacharias's answer, a smile still on his face. For some reason, even though he'd worked all day and was very tired, he was really glad to see his new friend.

To Zach’s relief, Zayden smiled. He was wearing a pair of dark sweatpants, a white tee, a thin zip up hoodie, and a pair of house shoes. His raven hair was messy at the moment. Returning the smile, Zach joined Zayden at the steps of his house.

"Do you want to come in? My dad's out of town and mom's probably watching television or something like that. Plus… it's a bit on the cold side," said Zayden, laughing.

Zayden shook his head. “I have to decline. I don’t want to intrude,” he said with a smile and fell silent. He didn’t know what to say next. Awkwardly, he scratched the back on his head and looked around. “Do you… do you want to sit and talk at the bus stop?”

Zacharias spoke, “I have to decline. I don’t want to intrude,” smiling. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, scratching the back of his head. “Do you… do you want to sit and talk at the bus stop?” Zayden smiled brightly at Zacharias. He said nothing about his earlier comment but moved to stand a bit closer to the steps..and closer to Zacharias..though there was still a very respectable amount of space between them. Standing there next to the other young man, Zayden noted exactly how short he was compared to Zacharias. It didn't bother him at all. He was quite used to being the shortest one no matter who he was with.

When he'd been younger, he had been picked on quite badly for it but over time, Zayden had come to realize that such things did not really matter. He offered Zacharias another smile. "All right then. Lead the way." he said. Zayden followed Zacharias to the bus stop though he did not tell his mother where he was going. He didn't think that it would matter. She was normally out of it within a hour of turning the television on.

Once they reached the bus stop, Zayden sat down on the bench and waited for Zacharias to join him. He was curious as to why the other man wanted to speak with him. He waited for the other man to join him before speaking. "So.."he began, his pales eyes falling to Zacharias. "Did you have anything in mind that you wanted to talk about?" He simply gazed at the other man, a smile still on his face. He was glad to see Zacharias but he couldn't help but wonder why the other man had been out by himself.

“All right then. Lead the way,” said Zayden.

While sitting at the bus stop with Zayden, Zach took in the view of their surroundings. There weren't as many people around at night compared to the mornings but among the few people, Zach could see one race that stuck out; -a demon kin- one of the many creatures of the night. The person had red blood colour skin and short but bulky built body. He also had a pair of big curly horns which grew at the sides of his head. On his gaunt square face, he had a pair of round Asian eyes where the whites are yellow and the irises were red. His jaw protruded and his bottom white and sharp teeth showed. He also had a hawk type nose. Because of their looks, they are commonly mistreated in Grantz Sky Islands. Many had moved to the slums where the influence of the Holy Temple was less than the upper part of the islands, but it seemed that some still had homes out in the open.

“So,” Zayden began, his pales eyes falling to Zacharias. “Did you have anything in mind that you wanted to talk about?”

When Zayden spoke, Zach reflexively turned to the man and their gaze met. “Nothing really,” he answered the question with half a smile then once more, turned his head to the street and fell silent. He couldn’t say what he wanted in the open for they would get arrested for scheming against the Holy Temple and their Priests. But by just sitting there with the young raven haired man, he could feel his spirit slowly returning and his mood lifting up. After a moment of quiet, he once again turned to Zayden with renewed vigor in his expression. “Have you ever been to the slums?”

As they sat together, Zayden actually wasn't feeling nearly as cold as he'd first been. He wondered if perhaps it had something to do with the young man that was sitting next to him. When Zacharias answered his question, Zayden continued to eye the handsome man next to him. “Nothing really,” Zacharias said. Zayden couldn't say that he didn't find this odd. Surely there was something that his new friend really wanted to talk about. He wouldn't push the issue, however. Perhaps it was something that could not be said out in the open..how was he to know.

After a moment of silence, Zacharias turned to him once again, looking to be in a better mood than just mere moments before. “Have you ever been to the slums?” the young man asked. Zayden was silent for a moment before he finally spoke. "No..I can't say that I have. Have you? My parents never would go there..and forbade me from setting foot there. Plus..I've really never had any reason to go." He smiled gently at Zacharias. He had nothing against anyone that lived in the slums..he'd just never been.

There was a short pause before Zayden answered. “No, I can't say that I have. Have you? My parents never would go there… and forbade me from setting foot there. Plus, I've really never had any reason to go.”

“Ah,” acknowledge Zach and averted his eyes back to the street.

It wasn’t long until it started to drizzle and water slowly drenched the boulevard. Zacharias enjoyed sitting with Zayden, simply listening to the sound of rain hitting pavement. He could stay there with the young raven haired man under the shade of the bus stop without noticing the time pass by and enjoyed his company. But what he didn’t notice was: he was shivering from the cold air. His breath was white when he exhaled.

Zacharias really didn't say much after Zayden had answered him. Instead, the two of them sat together in peaceful silence. Soon, it began to drizzle. Zayden had to say that he did not mind simply sitting there with Zacharias. Zayden was eyeing his new friend out of the corner of his eye, when he noticed that the other man was now shivering from the cold and he could even see his breath now. Zayden gently shook his head, a small smile on his face.

He gently moved so that they were sitting much closer now, though there was some space between them. He then removed his hoodie. "Here." he said as he placed hoodie over Zacharias's shoulders. "I know it's not much, but it'll help. You're freezing. Don't argue with me. We can always head in. Mom's probably already asleep." He gently placed the back of his hand against Zacharias's cheek for a moment before pulling away. "You're frozen. There's no way that you'll make it home like this." he said, gazing steadily at his friend.

“Here,” said Zayden.

Reflexively, Zach turned his head to the voice. He noticed that the young raven haired man had taken off his hoodie and placed it over the young blonde haired man. He also noticed that their face was close to each other that Zach could feel Zayden’s warm breath.

“I know it's not much, but it'll help. You're freezing. Don't argue with me. We can always head in. Mom's probably already asleep.” Zayden gently placed the back of his hand against Zach’s cheek for a moment before pulling away. “You're frozen. There's no way that you'll make it home like this.”

When Zayden touched his cheek, the jitter which was constantly felt by Zach returned with an overwhelming intensity. His heart pounded hard and fast that it hurt. Their eyes met. As if his body moved by itself, Zach grasped Zayden’s sleeves, pulled him closer, and kissed the young raven haired man’s lips.

When their eyes met, Zayden felt something tug at his heart. It wasn't but a few seconds later that Zacharias grasped his sleeves and pulled Zayden closer to himself..and then their lips met. The contact had taken Zayden by surprise and for a short moment, he merely allowed the other man to kiss him. It had been so long since he'd let someone this close to him and Zayden couldn't say that he didn't like it. As if realizing that he still hadn't reacted, Zayden quickly slid his eyes closed. Then, he placed a hand on Zacharias's neck, deepening the kiss.

Zayden would have gladly stayed like that for forever. He'd not realized how much he'd missed allowing himself that close to someone. It was..liberating to feel wanted again. Zayden gently slid his other arm to wrap around Zacharias's back, pulling their bodies closer. He wondered what had cause Zacharias to act in such a way. From what he could tell, Zacharias was a very shy person and he really didn't seem like the kind of person to make the first move. He was impressed, though, that the other young man had done it.

The two young men were locked together in a passionate kiss. Zach’s heart felt as if it was set ablaze and his eyes slowly closed. Time slowed for him as he was lost in the moment. Everything felt like a dream.

Then, his eyes burst wide open. He abruptly pushed himself away, shocked by what he had done.

“I… I apologize!” said the young blonde haired man with a panic tone to his voice, his face pale. Confused with himself and his reality, he massaged his head and darted away in the rain, leaving the young raven haired man under the shade of the bus stop, alone.

For Zayden, it felt as if they had been kissing for a lifetime when all of a sudden Zacharias pushed away from him. Zayden's eyes had snapped open immediately, eyeing the young man before him. He didn't say anything, for when he was about to..Zacharias spoke. “I… I apologize!” With that, Zacharias quickly left, leaving Zayden alone at the bus stop.

Though he knew that it was forbidden, Zayden could not say that he'd not enjoyed the kiss that they'd just shared, however..he did not appreciate being pushed. Even if Zacharias was only trying to put distance between them. Zayden suddenly realized that the other man had taken off with his hoodie and therefore he was sure to get soaked on the way back to the house. Hopefully, his mother truly was asleep already. He didn't need her asking questions.

After remaining at the bus stop for at least thirty minutes after Zacharias had left him, Zayden finally got up and slowly made his way back to his house. He was glad that it did not take very long at all to reach his home, however, just as he'd thought, he was drenched.

He entered the house quietly and locked the door. He silently made his way upstairs and into the bathroom, shedding his clothing and wrapping himself in a towel. Once he had done that, he made his way quickly to his bedroom and found something else to sleep in. He quickly dressed and crawled back into bed, pulling the covers up around him. His phone had been plugged in and was laying on the bed near his head. He wanted so badly to message Zacharias but decided against it. He knew that he shouldn't be angry with the other man but for some reason..he was. He couldn't explain it.