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"Hm, it's a pretty long bus ride back to Destiny City," Okay, maybe not all that long. Two hours tops, but.. "Unless you don't think you'd be comfortable at my place tonight, uh.. That's not to say I wouldn't go back with you to yours if you prefer, um..."

Umm, what was he trying to say again? A flustered Billy was a sight never before seen. The almost shy, timid, look on his face was also something else all together. He used to appear rather detached from everything. Now, he was brought down to reality, and it made him seem all the more human, not omnipotent like some god sitting on the sidelines watching the fates of those lesser than him play out.

Billy finally seemed to collect himself, "Your place or mine, either is fine with me."

Billy chuckled a bit, "It's just me and my ferret. The neighbors are a bit loud, but," he shrugged. If memory served, Ladon would know all about loud neighbors.

When plates ran empty, and Billy had stashed away the breadsticks, he rose from his seat and offered his and to Ladon in a gentlemanly fashion, and a pleasant smile.

Leaving the restaurant, walking down a calm, softly lit street, Billy felt his heart pounding as he looked at the road and sidewalk ahead. He was so excited, so happy, to have Ladon by his side. And he knew he was going to do his best to make good on his vow to be a better person for him - kind, understanding, supportive, and most of all, work at Ladon's pace. Everything else in Billy's world came second to Ladon's contentment and happiness.


They would eventually reach a complex that was in a fairly clean looking part of town. There were lots of trees, and it certainly had the feel of a college campus. Although the place was on the edge of the 'official' campus, a lot of student's still lived in these apartments, making it an unofficial part of it. It was a just as good, cheaper, option.

They merely had to ascend the stairs to the second floor where they stopped at a door labeled '28.' Billy took out a key from his back pocket and unlocking it, pushed the door open and turned the light on before standing aside to let Ladon wonder in...


It was spacious, clean, but would have definitely looked better if the furniture wasn't mix-and-match stuff from Goodwill. The apartment was very open. Even the kitchen counter area looked out over a part of the large living room that had been designated as a 'dining' space. There was merely a table and chairs, but it was enough. The only thing that could really be called cramped was the bathroom. And despite the lack of many windows, there was a balcony area with a large sliding glass door. Needless to say, this apartment was no cage.

Billy walked over to the kitchen and tossed the breasticks on the counter, along with the key. Then...then he was at a loss of what to do next. He rand a hand through is hair, which promptly fell back in to place.

"Thanks. Make yourself at home. I can go grab you some more comfortable clothes - some to sleep in - if you'd like."

Oh yeah, sleep...

Billy bit his lip then walked over to Ladon, took his hand, thumb rubbing over the boy's knuckles, and said softly, seriously, reassuringly, "You're welcome to my bed whenever you're ready to go to sleep. I'm not going to try anything, I promise. I'll even take the couch if you prefer."

Billy hung on every word - tense, jittery, calculating. His mind was running a marathon trying to keep up with just the simplest of things and how to react.

His body knew how to react. His blood felt warm in his veins. He'd been intent on holding back on dark desire, but it had always been there. He still fought against it however.

"Are you sure? You're not saying that just because you think I want..? Are you?" His eyes looked in to Ladon's, full of earnest longing, and sincerity. He brought Ladon's knuckles to his lips, then held that hand to his chest. Billy's other hand rested on Ladon's lower back.

"I love you more than just for the pleasures of the flesh. So don't think you have to give yourself up to me just for me to be happy."

Billy needed to be sure that Ladon wasn't just saying such things for his sake. Even if he wasn't, even if Ladon was dead serious, Billy would give him every opportunity to opt out. No matter how difficult it may be on Billy's part. His body yearned for Ladon in such very sinful ways, but his heart needed him. Billy's hands itched to explore, his mouth watered, his eyes held within them the kindling flames of desire, and yet Billy would resist, because Ladon mattered that much to him.

But it was Valentines day...

The rational part of Billy's mind told him that shouldn't matter. The other part reasoned that this gave the perfect reason to...do things.

Billy was doing his best to remain rational. He needed to hear it. Needed to hear the order, the demand, the plea that he make love to him. And he needed to know that Ladon really wanted it for himself, not for Billy's sake.

Billy returned the kiss, tender and hungry for more. A series of kisses proceeded before his nose brushed Ladon's ear.

"I love you. I...," He breathed out a long breath. He was nervous and not quite sure how to begin. He wanted to flood Ladon with pleasure and sensation. At this point though, planning was useless. He'd just...let things happen. And do his best to, as far as he knew, give Ladon the best 'first' he could.

Billy hoisted Ladon up, the boy's legs on either side of him, and walked down the hallway to the bedroom, kicking open the door which wasn't fully closed to begin with. Somewhere along the way the kisses began again and by the time they hit the bed nervousness still drummed in the back of his mind but it also kept him grounded in reality, aware of what was important - Ladon.

Thar one obsessive thought would mark everything he did that night, until the two were done and sound asleep in each other's arms.