L.A. Borgaard Starlight in the Heavens 
 
 
 Part One - Joshua  
 
If given only one word to describe her, I guess it would be enigma. 
I didn’t understand what drew me to watch her.  It wasn’t her looks, although she was beautiful in her own right.  Five foot six, lean hour glass shape with full breasts, not too big and not too small, just enough for a hand full.  Rounded hips that blended into a nice firm ass and long slender legs.  I bet she’d be a great dancer.  I could see her swaying seductively, changing in speed to keep with the beat and flow of the music.  In fact, I had seen her dance, though it was always in my dreams.  Damn it, why?  Why the fuck was she in my dreams? 
Her fair skin made me think of peaches and cream.  It amazed me, how much time she spent outside, never burning, even more, never getting any darker.  I also never saw her in anything less than jeans and t-shirt.  Hell, we lived by the ocean.  There were people all over that ran around practically nude and I never even saw her in a pair of shorts.  Except in those damn dreams.  In those, she wore creamy silk.  It flowed around her body as she moved, her eyes closed, face lifted to the night sky and her hair flung away from her back. 
Her hair was dark mahogany that hung in waves to her small waist.  It looked thick, luxuriously soft and silky.  It shimmered in the sunlight.  I wanted to touch it, run my hands through the silken strands and feel it on my face.  What the hell? 
Alex, my partner of seven years, came up beside me, loosely dressed in a dark blue robe, and followed my gaze down to the woman that had drawn my attention. 
As I turned my head to look at his hair, I realized for the first time, it was almost the same as hers.  It was a little lighter maybe, with nice golden highlights.  I glanced back down at the woman across the street.  It wasn’t her hair that I longed to touch.  It wasn’t her skin that I longed to feel.  It was his. 
I pulled him to me and put my face into his hair.  It smelled clean, fresh.  The soft feel of it against my cheek, in my hand, was heaven.  He was heaven. 
When I looked into the dark blue of his eyes, I could feel myself falling.  Even after all this time, each day with Alex was new. 
So why was she on my mind?  Invading my dreams? 
“What’s she been doing?” 
I drew back and looked at Alex.  He was staring across the street with the intensity of a cat watching its prey. Not him too 
 , I thought as a groan escaped my throat.  What was it with this woman? 
He looked up at me, searching my eyes for the reasoning behind my groan and smiled. 
“Did you think it was only you?” 
He reached up and stroked his finger down my cheek, leaving lingering warmth at its wake. 
“We are one, you and I.  We are soul mates to the end.” 
His finger ran along my chin and up to my lips. 
“What you desire, I desire.” 
What I desired was him. 
Plunging my fingers into his hair, I bent to his face and met him in a kiss.  I parted his lips, my tongue doing its dance with his, drawing it into my mouth.  I tasted mint and coffee in his breath. 
A moan escaped me as his hands slid up and down my back, coming to rest on my ass.  He pulled me into his groin and I came alive.  Oh, I was alive before, twitching with the excitement only Alex can give me.  But to be pressed into him, to feel his desire in return, oh yeah, that’s living.  The adrenaline began to flow as the blood left my head and ran screaming to my cock. 
“I need you, Josh.  Please tell me there’s time.” 
His mouth was at my ear, licking and tugging at the lobe. 
How long had I been out here?  Oh shit, his tongue lit a fire along my throat.  We've got to get away from the railing, back through the balcony door, into the bedroom. 
His mouth never left my skin as I pulled him with me—licking along my shoulder, fingers sliding my shirt to the side as they worked at undoing the buttons, tongue following down my stomach, pausing to dip into my navel.  Shirt unbuttoned, he slipped his hands in and ran them down my arms, letting the shirt fall to the floor.  And his fingers were at my belt—his hands working their magic in deftness of movement.  Before I was aware of it, my slacks were down at my ankles and his mouth had me engulfed.  I was in his throat and gasping for breath, my hands returning to the silk of his hair. 
I could hear the moans breaking free from my lips. 
“Oh, Alex.  My Alex.  Aaaah...ALEX!” 
He held my hips firm, keeping me from falling as he pulled shot after shot, swallowing it all... Starlight.  Flashes of starlight filled my vision.  And he was back at my mouth, smothering me with his kisses.  Mint, coffee, and me. 
 *** 
 
I was still out of breath as I backed the car out of the garage.  Before heading down the street, I glanced across at Jo's house.  She gave a small wave and I waved back without thought.  Her hair spilled over her shoulders when she bent and brushed at something on her jeans.  As I drove away, I thought,  It's something in her eyes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Part Two - Alex  
 
I think it’s time we had Jo over for a visit.  This growing obsession we have for her needs to be explained. 
Don’t get me wrong.  The obsession isn’t of a sexual nature.  Sensual, yes, but not sexual.  It’s really rather strange that neither I nor Joshua can seem to get her out of our minds, or our dreams.  It’s been that way since she moved in across the street three months ago.  Now there was an odd day. 
 *** 
 
“Have you seen the new neighbor yet?”  Joshua was just getting home.  He stripped out of his shirt and slacks and slipped into a pair of loose shorts before settling in on the sofa.  Hmm, those weren’t going to last long. 
“No.  I haven’t been home much longer than you.  I hate meetings.  They’re such a waste of time.” 
He chuckled at my comment and patted his lap.  “That depends on the meeting.” 
No hesitation here.  I bounded right over and straddled him, grinding my stiff cock into his and sucked his tongue into my mouth. 
“Mmm, butterscotch.  Did you eat that just for me?” 
I knew it wasn’t Josh’s favorite.  He usually saved them for me. 
“Yeah, I know how much you love that hard sweet stuff.” 
The only hard thing I wanted right then was his dick and I let him know that as I slid down his lap and started to open his shorts with my teeth. 
A loud crash came to us from outside, followed by a yelp... a decidedly feminine yelp. 
We stared at each other for half a second before jumping up and heading to the door.   
What we saw upon opening the door, was a fairly new pickup with its tailgate down, and what looked to be an old sofa dropped on its end.  Standing in the bed of the truck was a guy with an exasperated look staring down and shaking his head.  We made our way across the street as the guy started in on whoever was on the other side of the sofa. 
“I told you to watch your step.” 
He picked up the end of the sofa still on the pickup and pitched it off.  The sofa landed and bounced, causing another yelp from someone on the other side. 
“Hey,” Joshua shouted.  “What the hell are you doing?” 
He sprinted around the sofa, and by the time I got to him, he was pulling a woman out of the street.  The guy ignored us and started to toss the contents in the bed of the truck out onto the ground, muttering something completely unintelligible as he did.  Leaving me with the woman, Joshua jumped up into the truck, picked the guy up by the back of his shirt and pants, and tossed him out onto the lawn. 
My Joshua isn’t one for preliminary warnings.  When he started to get up, all Joshua had to do was point and say, “Sit,” and he didn’t move.  Joshua jumped out of the truck and glared at the guy as he walked back over to us.  He knelt down and looked at the woman.   
“Are you okay?” 
She was staring up at him with an odd look of recognition in her face.  “Half,” she whispered, and then turned to me.  The look was still there when she continued whispering, “And complete.” 
Her eyes were the strangest color I’d ever seen.  I’m not even sure they were a color.  They were almost clear and sparkled with prisms of color. 
“Excuse me?” 
She looked back at Joshua and shook her head.  “I’m sorry.  I must have hit harder than I thought.  I’m fine, just twisted an ankle and maybe bruised my tail bone.”  She looked over at the guy sitting on the lawn and back to each of us.  I almost gasped.  Her eyes had changed.  Now they were pale blue, almost gray.  “Thank you.” 
“So what’s his story?” Joshua asked, helping her to her feet. 
She sighed and winced a little when she put her weight on her injured left ankle.  “I guess he didn’t like my answer.” 
“Your answer?” 
Uh oh, this wasn’t going to be good. 
She didn’t speak but turned her head away. 
In a low growl, Joshua asked, “Is he someone you are likely to run into again?”  She shook her head and allowed herself to be lifted and carried to the porch.  “Come on, Alex.  Let’s do a good deed and help our new neighbor with her stuff, shall we?” 
Between the two of us, we had the truck unloaded in no time at all.  The guy Joshua had tossed out, simply sat, pale and wide-eyed, while we worked.  Once finished, Joshua knelt down at his side and whispered into his ear while grasping his shoulder.  I didn’t hear what he said, but by the speed in which the guy moved afterwards, maybe I didn’t want to. 
My Joshua is a big guy, six foot five and two hundred twenty pounds of solid muscle.  He doesn’t have the build of a competition weight lifter, all bumps and mountains, thank God, but you know he could do damage to you if he wanted.  Personally, I think he’s perfect.  With dirty, blond hair, just long enough to fasten my fingers into and clear blue eyes, the color of a summer sky.  He’s my golden Adonis.  I could oil him up and slide on him all day, every day.  But I digress.  The point being, that when he told you to back off, you didn’t argue. 
We spent the rest of the afternoon helping Jo, our new neighbor, bring in what hadn’t been broken and setting up her house.  I watched her carefully, looking for that change in her eyes, but they remained that same blue-gray color. 
That night the dreams started. 
 *** 
 
Joshua is only working a half day today, so maybe this would be a good time to have Jo over.  It would give us a good six hours of daylight before I knew she would start getting antsy about getting home.  She doesn’t like being outside in the dark.  Such a strange woman, she doesn’t seem to be the type to be afraid of the dark, but you never see her outside in it. 
Except in my dreams. 
In those, it’s dark outside and she’s dancing, her head thrown back and eyes closed.  Her fair skin seems to be glowing and at one point her feet actually lift from the ground.  Then I wake up wanting Joshua so bad it hurts, like a part of my soul has been cut away and the only way to get it back is to have him in me, and immediately.  I’m guessing he feels the same way, because there’s absolutely no prelude to connecting ourselves upon waking. 
I'll give Joshua a call in a few minutes and see if he's up for a visit.  I think; the answer is in her eyes. 
 
 
 
 Part Three - Joshua  
 
The sound of my cell stopped me dead in my tracks.  ‘Love is Forever’ played out, bringing a smile to my lips and a stutter to my heart.  Breathless, I flipped it open and sighed. 
“Miss me already?” 
“Every second of every day that you’re not in my arms.” 
His voice was so smooth.  I could feel it flowing into me, starting at the tips of my toes and fingers; it moved directly to my heart and curled itself around, wrapping me up safe and warm.  Heaven.  All I wanted was to close my eyes and breathe him in. 
“Joshua?  Are you there?” 
“Yeah.  Just forgot where I was for a second.  What’s up?  Besides my dick.” 
I heard laughter on the other side of the phone.  I swear that boy of mine has a funny bone a mile long.  He starts giggling at the oddest of times.  But I love the sound of his laugh.  It makes the day bright even in the middle of a storm. 
As I walked into the building, I gave a nod to the receptionist on the way to the elevator.  She grinned up at me and waved.  Once in the elevator, with the button for the fourth floor pushed, I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes.  Alex’s laughter had subsided to giggles. 
“Alex?” 
“Sorry Josh.  I was just thinking about the look on Mona’s face seeing you with that big bulge in your pants.  Then I couldn’t help but think about her name, Mooaana.” 
The giggles started up again. 
“Ugh, I’m gonna have to more careful what I say to you.” 
I could hear him take a deep breath to force himself to regain his composure.  As he blew it out, I felt myself twitch and looked down.  Shit, that’s not going to be easy to hide. 
“Josh, I was thinking we should have Jo over today.” 
The doors to the elevator opened and I glanced about the hallway quick before stepping out.  My office wasn’t far, so I made a dash to the door and slipped in before my state of mind was clear to everyone present. 
“Maybe it’s time we talked to her about what’s been going on with us.” 
“Meaning?”  I had to ask. 
“You know.  The dreams, the way she’s always on our minds, this obsession with her eyes.  She’s... she’s... I don’t know what she is, but this isn’t normal.” 
I could hear an uncharacteristic strain in his voice and immediately my heart began to hurt.  I wanted to run from the building, get back in my car and race home to him. 
“Alex, calm down.  Please.  If you want to have her over then we’ll have her over.  Whatever you want.” 
There was a long sigh on the other end. 
“I’m okay Josh.  I just... We’ve got to stop this, or at least find out why it’s happening.” 
“I’m with you, love.  Do you need me to stop for anything on the way home?” 
“No.  I’m gonna go across and ask Jo to come by about 1:00.  You should be home by then, right?” 
“I’ll make sure I am.  I love you, Alex.” 
“Yeah, I know.  I love you too, Josh.  Can’t wait ’til you’re home.” 
“Me too.” 
He was right.  We did need to find out what was up with Jo. 
My attention went to the employee files sitting in the middle of my desk and I groaned.  Letting two more go, tossing them to the wind.  Ain’t life grand? 
Somehow I got through the next three hours without losing control and sprinting back to Alex.  Once in the car, I popped in a cd and drove with half my mind wandering, remembering the day I met Alex. 
 *** 
 
It was a bright afternoon day on the beach.  Being a weekday, it wasn’t crowded, so I didn’t have to weave around people as I ran.  I was in a set pace, mind wandering in my own little world when I saw him walking through the surf, fresh from a hard swim.  Sun bronzed and glistening with salt water.  I stumbled as my eyes ran over his lean swimmer’s form resting on the thick outline of his cock through his swimwear.  He shook the water from his hair and I felt my heart skip a beat.  I stopped running, or more accurately stumbling, and watched him walk to his towel and sink down to lie on his back. 
I don’t know how long I stood there staring before I felt a hand rest on my shoulder.  I jumped and turned to face a girl of about nineteen.  She had on the red swimwear that the life guards in the area wore and sported a friendly smile. 
“Quite fetching, isn’t he?” 
I just stared at her until she started to laugh. 
“Come on, big guy.  I’ll introduce you.” 
My face must have taken on a look of horror because she gently rested her hand on my arm and spoke so only I could hear her. 
“Look, if I’m wrong I apologize, but from the way you were staring, my guess is that you are interested.  Am I wrong?” 
“Umm.  No?” 
“Is that a question?  Don’t you know what you want?” 
“No, I mean, yes.  I know what I want.”  What the hell was wrong with me?  I’ve never had a problem connecting my thoughts before. 
“Then what are you afraid of?” 
My eyes went back to the spot where he still lay.  I didn’t think I was afraid of him.  It was just that he overwhelmed my senses.  With only a look at him, I found myself feeling more than I had since the time before my brother died. 
“I thought so.”  She started to pull me then stopped short.  “Uh oh, trouble.” 
Not too far up on the beach, three big guys in suits were walking toward the object of my affections. 
“They never quit.” 
Letting go of my arm, she raised her hands and began to yell and point. 
“Alex, take a swim.” 
He sat up, glanced where she pointed and proceeded to get his legs tangled in his towel as he tried to get to his feet. 
I was moving before I realized it and got to his side just as one of them reached out to grab his arm.  Inserting myself between him and them, I merely shoved and they fell over each other.  Domino effect. 
“Not today,” I growled and picked up Alex’s towel. 
They just sat there in shock.  I looked up toward the railing, separating the beach from the parking area, when I heard a man’s laughter.  This one wasn’t in a suit, but still seemed a little out of place for the beach.  He nodded to me before looking down at the men still at my feet.  After jerking his head to the side, waving them away, he turned his attention back to me. 
“May I have a word?” 
I glanced back at the water.  Alex stood at the edge, feet in the surf, with the girl. 
“Please, I won’t take much of your time.  Only a minute or two.” 
The guys I’d knocked down were standing up and brushing the sand from their pants.  They looked over at Alex then glared at me before turning and heading back to the railing. 
I waited until they were on the walkway and decided to find out what was going on.  When I got to him, the fourth guy leaned on the railing and looked down at me. 
“You’re quite a bull aren’t you?” 
I said nothing.  In my experience, silence gained you much more respect than answers. 
He sighed and looked out at Alex.  “We only want to talk to him.  Tell him the time is drawing short for an answer.  I’m staying at the Laguna Cliffs.  Have him call me.”  He handed me a slip of paper with a phone number on it.  “It’s important that he get this taken care of.” 
With that last statement, he left. 
When I turned back to the ocean, Alex stood alone, facing the water.  His arms were crossed at his chest and his shoulders slumped in defeat.  I wanted to pull him into my arms, cradle him against my chest, and protect him from whatever the world was throwing at him. 
His hair had dried into loose curls and I reached out to touch them when I walked up behind him.  He flinched, but didn’t pull away. 
“He said to tell you the time is drawing short for an answer and gave me a phone number for you to call.” 
He nodded and gave a broken sigh. 
“Your name is Alex?” 
“Yeah.”  He turned and looked up into my eyes.  “Alex Matthews.” 
I was lost.  In his dark blue eyes, I saw my future, the other half of my soul.  “Joshua Emery.” 
Ignoring his outstretched hand, I pulled him close and met his lips in the first of many kisses to come.  He was resistant for a couple seconds then melted into my embrace, parting his lips and entering my mouth with his tongue.  We stood there tasting, searching, and exploring each other’s mouths, bodies pressed hard against each other.  Everything around us disappeared in my mind.  All there was, was him and me. 
“Guys.” 
I heard a soft voice at my ear. 
“Guys!”  My head snapped up and I took a deep breath as the world around me began to return.  It was the girl.  “Not here.” 
She grabbed Alex’s towel from my hand and started to wrap it around his waist. 
“Man, you boys are lucky it’s me here and not Allison or Rob.”  She looked around as she spoke.  “Family beach, Alex, family beach.  Take your friend home.” 
Slowly, I came back to my senses.  The first thing that came to my mind was a severe ache in my groin.  I was packed hard as a rock in my jock.  Oh shit, that was going to make it difficult to walk.  The second thing I noticed was Alex’s cock sticking up past the waist band of his speedos.  I wanted to drop to my knees in that instant, but was waylaid by a tiny hand. 
“Back off, mister.  I’m not losing my job or letting you two get hauled off today.” 
“Mandy?  What?  Joshua?” 
Okay, so the girl’s name is Mandy.  Got it. 
“Oh, you’ve got it bad, Alex.”  She tucked the towel in at his waist.  “Maybe it should be him taking you home.  I don’t think you can drive.” 
She sure seemed to know Alex well.  I stared at her as she ran her hands along his face. 
“Alex, baby, you okay?” 
Just who the hell was this girl to him?  I watched him blink a couple of times, then focus in on her face and smile.  That smile just about turned me into a puddle on the sand. 
“It’s him, Mandy.  It’s really him.” 
My heart skipped again.  Shit, I’ve gotta get him out of here before I keel over from coronary failure. 
“Yeah, baby, I know.  Now go on.  Get outta here.”  She started to walk away but stopped and rested her hand on my arm.  “Hey.” 
“Josh.” 
“Josh.  Now that you’ve found each other, take care of him for me, okay?  He’s... a special catch.  There’s no one in the world like him.” 
I watched her as she walked away and thought, I bet there’s no one in the world like you either. 
I felt Alex’s hand slip into mine and looked into his eyes.  I’d always fought the notion of love at first sight... until that moment in time.  Family beach.  I took him home. 
 *** 
 
I pulled into the garage at 11:45 and rushed into the house, barely pausing to close the garage door.  All I wanted is Alex.  An all-consuming need for him burst through my flesh, my mind, my soul.  I wanted to sink myself into him, blend with him.  He is the other half to my soul and I needed to be one. 
I was frantic when I didn’t find him in the house and found myself almost wailing, calling out for him.  “Alex.  Alex, where are you?  Alex!” 
He ran through the front door and sprinted up the stairs, into my arms and pressed his mouth to mine.  I don't how the clothes came off, but come off they did.  And in him, I became one. 
 
 
 
 Part Four - Alex  
 
I stared at the phone in my hand for a long while, missing his voice.  This was all becoming so unbearable.  In the beginning, it was like this.  We could hardly stand to be in a separate room, but it got easier with time.  We were able to carry on almost normal lives.  He had his job and I had mine.  If you could call it a job.  Babysitting lawyers and accountants, that’s what I called it. 
But now, I couldn’t bear our time away.  I was only whole with him next to me. 
I stepped out onto the balcony and sat with a cup of coffee.  My eyes were continuously drawn to Jo’s house as I remembered Joshua and me in the beginning. 
 *** 
 
“Who are they, Alex?” 
He was asking again.  The same question, always the same question. 
“Why?” 
I was comfortable with my head resting on his shoulder and combed my fingers through his sparse chest hair.  I nestled in closer and licked the skin around his nipple.  He groaned and shifted to his side, grabbing my chin to look me in the eye. 
“Alex.  Please.  Who are they?” 
Distraction no longer worked.  I sighed and closed my eyes. 
“Estate attorneys.” 
I felt his body stiffen and heard silence as his breathing quit, so I rolled to my back and stared up at the ceiling. 
“My parents put me in their will as the executor of their estate and now everyone wants a piece of me.” 
“But... I thought you had a falling out with your parents.” 
“Oh, I did.  I guess they just didn’t think far enough in advance to change their will before they decided to drive off a cliff.” 
I couldn’t believe how much the whole thing hurt again. 
“My parents had plans for me.  I was to marry the daughter of one of their prominent friends and I messed it up for them when I told them no.  It got worse when I told them why.  I wouldn’t then or ever marry a girl.  The whole thought repulsed me.  They yelled, they screamed, they threatened, but I wouldn’t budge.  In the end, they kicked me out.  They said to not bother coming back, that they no longer had an older son.” 
I heard the bitterness in my voice and tried to choke down the sobs as I continued.  Joshua scooted over and half covered my body, kissed my cheek and combed his fingers through my hair. 
“That’s when I left and came to the beach.  I met Mandy and she took me in.  I was going to go into life guard training when I saw the story about my parents’ accident on the news.  After that... the fun started.” 
“Matthews.  I never put two and two together.”  Joshua wiped the tears from my eyes with a corner of the sheet.  “You have a younger brother and sister, don’t you?” 
I sighed, “Yeah, twins.” 
“How do they feel about you?” 
I shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I haven’t seen them since before the blow up.  I don’t even know if they know I’m gay.” 
“Alex, you need to call and take care of them.” 
Fresh tears flowed and I curled up into him.  “I don’t know if I can.  What if they see me the same way?” 
“Then they’re idiots, and don’t deserve to have you as a brother.” 
I giggled.  I couldn’t help it.  Call it a defense mechanism, but I got a bad case of the giggles.  I don’t know if Joshua understood it or thought I was nuts, but he wrapped himself around me and held on until I exhausted myself. 
Once calm, I took a deep breath.  “Okay, I’ll call them in the morning.” 
“Alex?  Would you like me to go with you when you meet up with these people?”  I couldn’t believe it.  I just hugged him closer and started crying again.  “You know I will.  You don’t have to go alone.  You understand that don’t you?” 
And he did.  We met with the attorneys together and when they tried to confuse me with all the lawyer talk, he set them straight.  Every step of the way, Joshua stuck to my side.  We were never apart and when he met the twins, Mark and Lizbeth, they were just as enamored with him as he was with them.  They told me they’d always known I was gay, that our parents would have too if they’d bothered to pay attention. 
Of course, leave it up to attorneys to make things more difficult than necessary.  It took almost seven years to get everything split up, nailed down, and settled.  Seven years of babysitting attorneys and accountants.  But through it all, Joshua never once left my side, other than when his own job took up his time. 
 *** 
 
When I lifted my coffee cup, I found it empty.  How long had I been out there?  I checked the time.  Oh shit, it was after eleven and I hadn’t talked to Jo yet.  In a mad rush, I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and dashed out the door. 
My hands were shaking as I knocked on Jo’s door.  I’d never been nervous when going over before.  What was so different this time? 
She opened the door and moved aside to let me in. 
“Hi, Alex.  Come on in.  I guess the time has come.” 
What?  I stepped inside and she closed the door. 
Without preamble I began.  “Jo, Joshua and I would like your company this afternoon.” 
“Have a seat, Alex.”  She waved me over to a recliner and sat in the sofa across from it.  “How long have you been dreaming?” 
I just sat there and stared at her as she gave me a slight smile.  She knew about the dreams?  I could feel the tremors as they started.  Something very strange was happening and I felt a dark foreboding pulse at the center of my mind.  Memories that had long been buried began to squirm and crawl their way back into the forefront of my thoughts. 
“Things are not always as they seem, love.  Tell me.  How long?” 
I shook my head and pushed the memories down.  “Umm, since the day you moved in.” 
She seemed surprised by my answer.  “So soon?” 
I nodded and listened to the sound of Josh’s car as it pulled into the drive. 
“What time would you like me?” 
Quickly standing, I headed for the door.  I needed Josh, had to have him.  “One o’clock.” 
I couldn’t wait to hear whether or not she was going to be there.  I had to get to Josh.  I raced back to the house and heard his cries as he looked for me. 
In the door, up the steps, yanking the t-shirt off and peeling out of my jeans as I went.  I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. 
“I need you Josh.  Please, I need you in me now.   Now!” 
His slacks came off and I dropped down onto him.  Pain, and then I was complete.  Whole once again. 
 *** 
 
It was 12:00, Jo would be here in an hour.  Joshua was lying next to me, staring into my eyes and running his fingers through my hair.  He leaned in and kissed me.  Just a light brush of his lips, but I felt the stir in my belly and through my groin.  No one could ignite the passion in me like he could with just the gentlest of touches.  I rolled him to his back and pressed my mouth to his as I straddled him.  Slipping my tongue in, I heard myself moan as he sucked it in farther. 
He was pulsing against me, hard against me.  As I moved to his ear, his throat, his chest, he struggled to speak. 
“Oh Alex.  I need you.  Make love... to me.  Fill... me... need you... to fill... me.” 
His belly was covered, thick with our combined precum and I used it as lube slicking it off and pressing it into his waiting hole.  With his legs lifted over my shoulders and the head of my aching dick pressed close, he surprised me by lowering his legs and putting his feet against my ass.  He lifted his hands over his head and pushed against the headboard, impaling himself quick and clean. 
“Aaaah, yes.” 
Okay, that had to hurt.  Joshua doesn’t bottom often.  But he started grinding down, pushing and raising himself with his hands at the head board. 
His moans grew loader as I matched his movements.  Pushing in deeper, I changed direction a little bit and hit his prostate causing a gasp and then he really began to move.  My God, who was fucking whom?  The muscles in his legs went rigid and I let out a shout as his ass pulled me in, milking me dry and ribbons of cum shot up his chest. 
Starlight. 
Everywhere in my vision, there was starlight. 
I collapsed onto him as he spread his legs and let them fall.  I felt his strong hands pull me up to lay against his chest, slick with his seed.  We rested there until it became prudent to get up, shower, and dress for company. 
 
 
 
 Part Five - Jo  
 
It was time.  If I was to be honest with myself, it was past time.  They were pure souls, given to one another, and they needed to understand the pain they felt at separation. 
Dreams since our day of meeting.  Never had the dreams begun so soon.  But then, had I ever before come across a binding such as this?  Had I ever before come across such open souls? 
Shaking my head, I looked at the reflection of the woman staring back at me.  She was average, just as she should be.  Average height, average build, nothing to unnecessarily draw the eye.  Yet, their dreams began the day they met her. 
I tried to remember what had transpired in our first meeting, but it was fuzzy.  Nothing was really clear.  Except.   Half and complete. 
   The eyes in the mirror grew wide as the memory of my first words made its way to the fore front of my mind.  I stared into the mirror and watched the change to the eyes looking back. 
“Half and complete.” 
It is what they are.  Or rather, what they were.  Half when alone, complete when together. 
The eyes grew brighter, the prisms pushing their colors out, into the glass and shining back.  The reflection in the mirror changed and I saw his face.  His face, her face, my face. 
Starlight. 
Oh, for it to be night.  I wished to see the faces of my loved ones.  I wished to dance, to rise in the night sky, and be joined by those that had gone before me.  Such beautiful souls, so full of promise.  Extinguished by a world of bigotry and hatred.  A world where difference is ignored or snuffed out, even though it is everywhere around.  Each snowflake different from the next.  This world thrives on difference and it is being torn apart by the ones that would seek to shape and force everything to singular conformity. 
A bitter laugh escaped me at the thought of this world conformed.  Out of balance.  Such fools.  They would rip their own hearts out if they were ever to truly meet their maker. 
Enough.  The time has come. 
I saw the reflection of the woman staring back at me.  I would show them what I am.  I would show them what they are.  And our journey together would begin. 
“Josen, are you sure?  Are they strong enough?  Is their bond pure enough?” 
I closed my eyes and answered with a smile.  “I am sure.” *** 
 
When the door opened, I was greeted by Joshua. 
“Hey, Jo.  I’m glad you could come.  Would you like some tea or soda?” 
He was nervous, sending quick, furtive glances toward the kitchen as he led me into the living room.  It was hard for him to have Alex out of his sight. 
“Do you think I could have a brandy?” 
“Oh.”  He stopped walking and stared at me as I sat in the corner of the sofa and pulled my legs up.  He’d never seen me drink anything but tea, water, or soda, and assumptions do run rampant in this world. The shock on his face was rather comical. 
“It’s okay Joshua.  I am of age.” 
“I’m sorry,” he said with a shake of his head.  “I didn’t think you drank.” 
“I don’t... usually.” 
The look he gave me was both understanding and confused.  Interesting.  I wondered just how much these two would figure out on their own. 
He nodded, “Okay, brandy.” 
He left for the kitchen and I turned around to rest my head on the arm of the sofa.  I wanted to see my front lawn from their house.  I wished I could remember the day I moved in better.  It might explain why their dreams started so soon. 
“Jo?” 
I turned back to face the living room and took a snifter from Alex. 
“I hope apricot is okay.  Joshua doesn’t drink brandy and I’m afraid I have a sweet tooth.” 
“Apricot will be just fine.  Thanks.” 
Mmm, this was sweet.  I held a small sip of brandy in my mouth and closed my eyes.  I could see and taste so many different things in this single small bit.  The fruit, the tree, the earth in which the tree was planted, sugar, yeast, water.  I swallowed, and smelled the fragrance of the brandy in the snifter and on my breath.  I could feel the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my body.  It was similar but opposite the warmth of love.  This warmth flowed out through my fingertips; love flows in and rests in the soul. 
I could feel Alex’s gaze studying my face.  He understood the taste of the brandy, though, I doubt to the same extent. 
“What do you see?”  I opened my eyes when he didn’t answer.  He had his own brandy, so I nodded at his snifter.  “Taste it, and tell me.  What do you see?” 
He took a small taste, and, as I had, closed his eyes and let it rest on his tongue.   
Joshua came in with a glass of red wine and sat in a recliner, watching Alex carefully. 
Alex swallowed and answered.  “Color.  Amber, gold, green.” 
“And what do you feel?” 
“It’s warm.  Makes my fingers tingle.”  Alex opened his eyes and asked, “Why?” 
“I want you to do the same thing.  Only this time, with Joshua.” 
“He doesn’t like brandy.” 
“No.  Joshua, stand behind him.  Hold him close to you.” 
There was an immediate change in their faces, in the color of their skin, in their very posture as Joshua’s arms wrapped around Alex.  No tension, no nervous jitters.  Alex again took a taste of the brandy.  He closed his eyes and rested his head against Joshua, fitting in perfectly beneath his chin.  Joshua kissed the top of his head and I saw something I hadn’t before. 
“Starlight.” 
My eyes snapped back to Alex’s face. 
“Orchard.  Night sky.  Running brook.  Child.” 
His grip on the snifter relaxed.  I could see it begin to slip.  Joshua took it from his hand and pulled him over to the recliner. 
Settled in with Alex, now sleeping, against his shoulder, Joshua looked at me.  “Jo, what’s going on?” 
Again, I saw what I had missed before.  There was so much more to them.  Why didn’t they tell me?  I have to find out what transpired on the day we came in contact with each other. 
“The day we met.  What happened?” 
Joshua looked confused.  “What do you mean?  You were there.” 
“Yes, but it isn’t clear to me.  I remember meeting Jack, loading furniture and such on his truck, and leading him here.  I remember starting to unload the truck... and then it starts to get fuzzy, very unclear.  I fell, and then you were helping me to the porch.” 
Incredulous, Joshua stared at me. 
“You don’t remember him throwing your stuff out of the truck?  Practically dumping your sofa down on top of you?  How could you forget something like that?” 
“Why would he do that?” 
“Hell if I know.  You said he didn’t like your answer.  I figured he made a play for you and got pissed off when you said no.” 
“A play?”  Things were starting to come together. 
“Yeah, a play.  You know, tried to force himself on you.  Maybe he copped a feel and you pushed him away.” 
“He touched me!  He kissed me!”  Now it all made sense.  “No wonder it was unclear.  A dirty soul.  When you came to help, was there any time that both you and Alex touched me at the same time?” 
“Yes?” 
“Half and complete.”  Alex’s eyes fluttered open and he turned to face me.  “That’s what you said.  And your eyes were starlight.” 
My eyes were starlight? 
“I remembered the words earlier today," I said.  "It is what you are, no, what you were.  Half apart and complete together.  It is the reason for your dreams.  It is the reason for your need, other than the obvious.” 
“The obvious?”  Now why would that statement confuse Joshua? 
“Are you not in love?  Do not all in love need each other?  Yes, the obvious.” 
Joshua actually blushed at my answer.  “Alright, but what about the obsession we have for you?  Why do we dream about you?  Not that you’re not pretty, but you’re not exactly our type.” 
Oh it was too funny.  I couldn’t help but laugh. 
“Joshua, you have no idea just how true that statement is.  There is not a human in this world that would place me as their type.  I am not what you see.” 
Joshua pulled Alex closer to his chest.  He was protecting him, shielding him.  From what?  I could see he didn’t yet know.  All he knew was that to lose Alex would be to lose himself. 
“What are you?” 
I could hear the stress of fear in his voice and it made me a little sad.  There was a time when those like me were not feared but welcomed.  Our touch brought joy and completion to their unions.  That was before the need for dominion overcame the need for love and acceptance. 
“I am many things.”  I had another taste of the brandy.  He said he could see a child.  “I am what is needed for those who wish to accept me.  For you, I am the binder of your souls.” 
“No.  We were one long before you came.”  Joshua said. 
“Mmm, to a point.” 
I set my glass down to free my hands.  They would be needed to show them.  My hands began to glow, both blue, but one light and the other dark. 
Joshua’s eyes grew wide as he watched, but oddly, Alex stayed very calm.  In fact, he drew himself up and curled gently in under Joshua’s chin, and sighed.  Could it be, he already knew what I was about to show them? 
“This is what you were before I came.”  I held my hands apart.  “Half.”  I put my hands together, lacing my fingers.  The blue combined, joining and blending at my fingers.  “And complete.” 
As I pulled my hands apart, the color separated into two distinct shades again.  “Do you see?” 
Joshua nodded and absently brushed his cheek against Alex’s hair.  It was there again and I paused to watch as wisps of silver stretch out into the air.  Bringing myself back to my explanation, I again laced my fingers. 
“This is you now.”  The blue was again combined, but as I pulled my hands apart, the color didn’t separate.  It stretched and grew tight, visibly pulling my hands together again.  “This is the pain you feel.  The incomprehensible need you have to be connected.” 
“There is more." 
Alex's voice was soft, gentle, almost a whisper and it caused an instant reaction in Joshua.  I could neither say nor do a thing as he raced up the stairs with Alex held firm in his grasp. 
If interested in purchasing this book, email the author at books@borgaard.com 
 
 
 Text: copyright 2012 L.A. Borgaard All rights reserved. Publication Date: June 12th 2012 https://www.bookrix.com/-lborgaard