Falling into Kylian's waiting arms, Shae gasped, "Wha--" His face slammed into a firm yet cushiony softness, but he didn't feel any pain. Kylian slowed him before he could cause any damage.

Kylian's hands slid across Shae's back and pulled him to the ground as he fell backwards, Shae cradled in his chest. A quiet thumping raced in his ears. Is this mine? Shae wondered. He looked up into Kylian's green gaze, absorbed in its warm glow. Or is it yours?

As the two boys laid on the ground, Shae still atop Kylian, Shae leaned further into Kylian's chest, afraid that if he let go, he may never feel this warmth again. Kylian stroked his back. Each caress, each gentle brush of his fingers left a trail of newly excited butterflies in its wake. Shae wanted to flee from it, to escape to a world far from these sensations where it was safe, comfortable, but at the same time, Shae relished it. It was thrilling, nerve-wracking, warm. He leaned further, trying to be as close to the hastening thunder in his ears.

"Mmm," Shae sounded. The fingers on his back froze, but only for a second. Shae opened his eyes to see a slight lift to Kylian's lips. He stared at them, wondering if Kylian, too, enjoyed their touch. They're tiny but look so soft...

"You're small."

Shae looked up at Kylian's simple words, his ears burning at the thought of being caught. His eyes met those of Kylian, who had already been watching him.

"Much smaller than me," Kylian said, his hands that now lay on Shae's sides squeezing them to emphasize his point. Shae widened his eyes. His hips throbbed at the touch.

All Shae could muster was "Is that a bad thing?" Kylian watched his hands slide up and down Shae's slender sides. He shook his head.

"No, I like it."

Like it? What does that mean? Shae wondered. He shivered as Kylian's roaming fingers zapped him and grasped Kylian's shirt. Kylian bit his lower lip at the sight. His fingers refused to stop; Kylian wanted--needed to see it again.

As Kylian's fingers continued to stroke him, Shae gazed up at him through hazy eyes as his body excited with each touch. He wanted to plead out for Kylian to stop but couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Touching his head against Kylian's chest, Shae moaned out, "Mmmm." He bit his lip to stop himself from calling Kylian's name, his hand darting lower, to a certain body part craving his, Kylian's attention. Why. Why now? You never reacted like this before.

Kylian watched Shae's ears brighten like the Cheetos he had been craving all day as his fingers traveled under the hem of Shae's shirt. A sudden jerk against his torso brought his eyes to the hand clinging to Shae's jeans. His eyes narrowed.

"Please," Shae begged in a quiet, breathless whisper. Kylian's gaze flicked over to see Shae's eyes closed shut and his teeth gripping his lower lip for dear life. His hands tingled. Kylian wondered if he should grant Shae his wish, or fulfill his.

Kylian shook his head, his hands freezing where they lay. He pulled away. Though the stimulation ceased, Shae didn't move, his body refusing to quiet down. He tried to get his mind off of what just happened, thinking of anything and everything. Shae thought of his grandma and her bright smile. He imagined Farrah's dying dog back home, how much he loved the little guy. He recalled his high school days. That one dampened his thoughts, for the better.

Shae pulled his hand away from his jeans and sat up. Realizing he sat straddled atop Kylian, his ears grew feverish, dangerously feverish. Shae jumped off Kylian.

Unable to look at him, Shae told Kylian in an almost inaudible mumble, "I'm sorry." Kylian sat up, scratching the back of his neck.

"It's okay." Kylian looked up, his eyes softening. "I wanted to show you this," he said, placing a finger under Shae's chin and tilting it up.

Stretched as far as once could see above the two shined an array of twinkling stars against a dark, night sky. Their lights glowed as pure as the eyes of a newborn child.

"Amazing," Shae said in awe, staring up at the millions of white dots, "I've never seen so many."

"I thought you hadn't." Shae looked to see a tender smile on Kylian's lips as he stared up at the sky. Kylian let out a quiet chuckle. "Fireflies."

"What?" Shae wondered if he misheard.

Kylian reached out to the sky and said, "'Fireflies that got stuck up in that big, bluish-black thing.'"

"Fireflies?" Shae asked, "Where have I heard that before?"

"A meerkat once said it when I was a kid." Kylian turned his hand over, as if checking to make sure he didn't hold any of his precious fireflies.

"A meerkat..." Shae's eyes widened. "Oh! You mean from 'the Lion King'?"

Kylian remained silent as he turned on his side facing Shae and locked eyes. He placed his hand over Shae's.

Shae couldn't budge, hearing the silky, tender tone spill from Kylian's lips. "I'm glad I got to show you this."

"Me, too," Shae found himself mumbling. He blinked his eyes, gaining focus. His lips curved into a smile brighter than any of those stars. "Take me again sometime." Kylian's eyes softened.

"Any time?"

Shae turned his hand over and interlocked their fingers, Kylian's being much bigger than his. Shae looked at them before glancing back at Kylian. "Any time. I'll drop everything to come with you."

A chuckle escaped Kylian as he said, "I'll hold you to that."