Valentine Ball

Murron felt a glow of satisfaction at his protégé, although he wished there was another word he could employ to describe the beautiful youth.

"You look good, Aidan. Let's us go to your father. I can already hear the music from here."

Aiden let himself be passed into his father's care as Murron evaporated from sight. The young man felt bereft at his absence, but tried to push it from his mind.

"If you are asked by one that does not please you for a dance, or more, you have the right to refuse, Aidan," his father whispered in his ear. "I want your happiness. I would regret for the rest of my life you chose, or allowed yourself to be chosen, just for my sake. I love you, my son."

"I love you, too," the younger man swallowed. He felt his father's lips on his brow and then there was an insistent push in the small of his back.

"Murron has said how well you now dance. Go and have fun, Aidan." He plucked the rose from Aidan's jacket, settling it in a buttonhole for himself. "I should perhaps have told you I had decided against you wearing this sooner. Now you are just one of the revellers," he smiled. "Dance with whoever you want as much as you wish. I will be near the house and if at any time you feel uncomfortable, come to me."

"Yes, Papa, thank you," Aidan smiled back. Relief and joy flooded his system and he hugged his father tightly. He put on his gold mask with golden wig and took a deep breath.

Donal nodded his approval as Aidan moved forward. Those few simple words had been enough to clearly infuse confidence into his boy. Aiden's movements went from wooden to graceful and his head was high. His friend had been right. Aidan needed freedom to find the right one to love and who would love him equally in return. The thought in his mind, Donal's smile suddenly widened. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, plucking at his beard as was his habit when thinking deeply. An idea had been blossoming in his mind for some days now. He decided it was time to see if it bore fruit. With a last affectionate look in the direction of his son, he moved swiftly away. If he was right, he would be a very happy man.

****

Aidan bowed as he left a young woman glowing from their dance. She had stood aside, as he had done so often, and he had felt impelled to draw her from the shadows. He grinned behind his mask to see that there were now two potential partners for her to choose from.

"You dance very well."

The voice made Aidan start and he whirled quickly. His mask muffled his gasp at the man before him. He was tall and broad, so achingly similar in build to Murron that the young man bit back a soft groan. He was dressed in figure-hugging, midnight-blue velvet pants and matching jacket. His shirt was cream and ruffled down the front. His mask was silver and decorated with peacock feathers, so it was impossible to detect anything of the man's face or eyes. A white wig fell to his shoulders.

"Thank you, sir," Aiden said with a slight bow. "I had an excellent teacher," he added, his voice unconsciously wistful.

"She must be proud of you," the stranger replied.

"He," Aidan corrected instantly. "And I would like to think he is."

"Would you care to walk with me, perhaps dance?"

Aidan considered the request and nodded his acquiescence.

They walked in silence down the slight hill through the tree-lined grove, passing men and women in brightly coloured dress and elaborate masks and wigs. Some were engrossed in their dancing, bodies pressed tightly together.

"Here," his companion selected, choosing the secluded niche where the well stood. "Where I may have you to myself."

Aidan blushed to the roots of his hair, glad the other man could not see. He could not help but wish it was he and Murron dancing together by the well. Then he found himself whisked into strong arms and whirled effortlessly and expertly around the small clearing. He was surprised at how comfortable he felt in the strong arms. One dance was followed by another until Aidan was panting from the exertion.

"Please, sir, I must catch my breath," he gasped.

"I am reluctant to let you leave my arms," the older man rasped.

Aidan felt a sudden frisson and pushed with a strength his boyish frame belied.

"I...I am sorry, sir," he said, quickly putting distance between himself and the bigger male. "I did not mean for you to expect more from me than a dance."

"You are already spoken for?" the other man asked.

"Yes...no," Aidan said, his head dropping. "No," he whispered. "But I do wish to be loved by them, sir."

"He does not return your love?"

"He does not even know how I feel," Aidan sighed, not even noticing that the stranger had said 'he'. "Even if he did, I do not know that he would return my feelings or that my father would approve."

"And if you thought he could return them, you would be happy?"

"Oh yes, sir," Aiden replied, his eyes shining.

"What makes you so certain it is love? You sound very young. Have you loved before?"

"No, sir," Aidan whispered. "I never mixed with others to learn of love, my father became very protective after my mother died. Yet when I am with Mu...with him, my heart soars and I feel as though I could fly and reach the heavens," Aidan said, quickly covering up the name of the man he loved. "There are times when he gets a kind of glint in his eyes and his left eyebrow raises just before he makes a remark which makes my stomach flutter and his laugh...I wish I could make him laugh and his eyes shine like that all the time."

"Look at me, Aidan," the man husked and slowly removed his mask.

Aidan's eyes widened as Murron stood before him and then he was in the bigger man's arms as the world suddenly greyed and he felt he would swoon.

"Are you ill?" Murron asked as he held the young beauty. He removed Aidan's mask quickly in case it impeded the youth's breaths and watched as impossibly long lashes fluttered against a too-pale cheek.

"Murron?" Aiden whispered. He mourned the loss of the strong arms as he was released to stand before the other man.

"Aye, 'tis me," the older man whispered. "Your father came and asked whether I felt more than friendship for you and I confessed my heart. I had held my tongue lest he thought I had taken advantage of you in some way. He believed and I prayed that you might feel the same for me and it seems we were correct."

Aiden's small hands reached and framed the face of the man he had fallen in love with.

"If I am still able to make my choice this night, Murron, I choose you, if you will have me?" Aidan's voice was tremulous. It was one thing to have let the older man know how he felt, but did Murron feel enough in return to want Aiden as a life-mate.

"How could I refuse?" Murron whispered. "No one has ever made me feel as you do. Let me kiss you, my sweet one, please."

Aidan blushed and nodded hesitantly. His eyes fluttered closed and lips opened on a sigh as he was enveloped in strong arms once more.

Murron moved closer and gently kissed trembling lips. 'Sweet, just as I knew he would be', he thought as he looked at the vision of loveliness he held. But Aidan's eyes remained closed and simply swayed closer in Murron's arms. He licked his lips unconsciously and Murron found himself watching that small movement, wanting to feel the wet, pink muscle entwined with his own.

"I think I need another, my sweet" he husked as Aidan's eyes finally opened slowly and gazed into Murron's, shining with the depth of emotion the younger man felt. Murron reached out and pulled the unresisting body tightly against his, feeling Aidan's soft body encased in silk and velvet. One arm was at the small of Aidan's back, the other across his shoulders, melding the slender frame tightly to his.

Slowly, he lowered his mouth to the tempting lips that were still parted and slid his tongue into the honey-sweet depths. Aidan opened as Murron pressed deeper and Murron found the different tastes and textures more intoxicating than anything he had ever experienced. They were both gasping for breath when he finally drew back to look at the young man. Aidan's faced was flushed, lips swollen, eyes glazed and his body aroused. The bulge at the dark beauty's groin was so irresistible that Murron covered it possessively.

"I love you," he husked. "Are you certain you want me? I could not bear it if I were offered paradise only for it to be cruelly taken away in the light of day."

"I love you, Murron. I want you. I will not change my mind. Come, let us find Papa and let him know. Will you believe me then?"

"I think I shall only believe I have truly awakened from my dreams when I have you naked and writhing beneath me," Murron growled. The low moan and hitch of slender hips, pressing the enticing hardness into his hand almost undid the older male. He forced his hand to move away. "However, I will be appeased for now by speaking to your father."

****

A year went by, for two with interminable slowness, for one faster than any preceding year.

For the sake of Aidan's reputation, Murron moved out of his friend's house. He briefly went home to arrange for its sale and when he returned, took up lodgings in the town. He met with Aidan daily and they walked in the gardens. It became more and more difficult to refrain from touching hidden sweetness, but Murron was determined that Aidan would remain virgin till their wedding day.

For Donal, there was a wedding to arrange with all the intricacies it involved, invites to be penned and sent and his wedding present to the couple to complete; a lodge in his grounds. He was building them a home that was big enough for the couple to be comfortable in, far enough away from his house for their privacy and yet near enough that his son could wander to visit him easily every day. He was glad that he had heeded Murron's words, and more, that he had recognised the hidden feelings his friend had for his son. He had never seen either man look so happy. The Valentine Ball, although in unexpected ways, had resulted in Aidan finding love. It was all Donal's heart could ever have asked for.

****

Aidan and Murron burst laughingly into their bedroom. All the necessary formalities were over and they were finally... finally married. They had stayed for the post-wedding party for as short a time as was decent and required of the newly wedded. Then, with a quiet farewell to Donal, they had literally run to their new home. They gazed lovingly into each other's eyes and Aidan slid into Murron's arms and then that laughing mouth was on his and they were sharing a breath that seemed to last forever. The older man's lips moved across his cheek and down his neck, trailing fire in their wake.

"Do you feel ready to go further this night, my sweet love?" Murron husked in a voice like dark velvet in Aidan's ear.

"Oh, yes, Murron," Aidan arched at the fire that ignited when Murron moved his mouth from his ear and nibbled at the base of his throat. The heat seemed to radiate in waves and made him ache for more.

Slowly, reverently, Murron denuded the lithe physique, a low groan of adoration escaping his lips as the beauty of Aidan's nakedness was revealed to him. He fell to his knees, stroking the soft skin of Aidan's thighs, pressing open-mouthed kisses across the warm belly. The youth's manhood was erect and a glistening pearl caught Murron's eye. Leaning forward, he licked it away, the taste as sweet and addictive as he had known it would be. The soft cry and bucking of slender hips reminded him of Aidan's innocence. Murron stopped what he was doing and moved back up to stand beside him. His dark eyes were tender as he gazed at his young, virginal mate.

"Show me how to please you, Murron," Aidan begged,

"Aidan, you are beautiful, gentle and loving and every touch you give me or permit me is a gift that I have never received before. The unique gift of yourself and that pleases me more than I can ever put into words."

Aidan blushed scarlet and reached up a trembling hand, still hardly believing that he could, that they were truly here, and married, about to consummate their love and brushed the hair from the brow of his husband. Murron caught the small hand and nestled a kiss into the palm that sent a shard like lightning up Aidan's arm.

"There is so much more to experience, Aidan. Let me show you." Murron's dark eyes glowed with barely controlled desire.

Aidan found himself panting, aching, fearing and wanting all at the same time from the knowledge of what Murron wanted to do with him, to him. Aidan gasped as he was swept into Murron's arms and carried with ease to the bed. It was a magnificent four-poster and as Aidan regarded it with mounting excitement and trepidation he could see the single, red rose that adorned the white, linen pillow. He was laid on a thick, soft coverlet of forest green and could not resist writhing as Murron climbed to straddle him.

"Now I believe my dreams have come true," Murron rasped as he covered the slender body with his own.

Aidan's movements increased at the sensations flowing through his body and the words spoken in such desire-drenched tones. The thick hair on Murron's chest and legs tickled his smooth skin. Curls enmeshed where their groins met and Aidan could not help but arch into the solid body that covered his, wanting, needing something to ease the ache in his throbbing manhood.

Murron dropped his head to capture Aidan's lips as his lover's hands clutched his shoulders to pull him closer. Their tongues moved in a slow, sweet dance whilst one of Murron's hands slipped between them and gathered both shafts in one powerful embrace. His fingers pressed swollen flesh together, increasing friction, pre-come flowing freely to help them slide together.

Aidan felt his blood rising and heating and desperately sought release. But more than his own pleasure, he wanted to give Murron the gift of glory. He was uncertain of how to achieve his aim and his brain was partially befuddled with the actions to his own body. However, his hands began to move down the powerful, muscular back and fell of their own volition on the narrow hips, pulling Murron closer in time to his own upward thrusts. He moaned and writhed as pleasure built on pleasure until nothing existed but heat and passion and he began to pulse out his release. With a surge of delight he heard Murron groan and his lover's cream poured onto his tingling skin.

They lay in a satiated afterglow, their harsh breathing slowly returning to normal. Aidan had never felt anything like this before. He had stroked himself and attained release, but this feeling seemed to envelop him in softness and boneless contentment as Murron nuzzled at his breasts, sucking each in turn. He was taken unawares as his body, despite its completion, began to respond to Murron's ministrations. He gasped and wriggled erotically as his lover's tongue bathed his body, cleansing him. Then his eyes widened as Murron ran his finger over his own body to collect some of the crème that adorned his skin.

"Taste us, love," he whispered. "Taste how sweet we are."

Aidan opened his mouth and sucked in the two digits offered to him. There was saltiness as well as sweetness, but the thought that it was Murron he tasted sent dulcet bolts to his lower belly, his groin tightened and his sex twitched. He moaned encouragingly as Murron resumed the intimate caresses he had begun earlier. He spread his legs wider, offering himself as large hands trailed languidly down to his sac, squeezing the precious orbs, gently sliding them together and apart. Then Murron was kissing him again and Aidan moaned when one thick, oil slick finger breached his most private place. He tensed instinctively as muscles tried to clamp tightly, but Murron just moved the digit in and out slowly, mimicking the movement with his tongue. Aidan slowly relaxed, curious as to what came next.

"It gets better, love. Just relax, just my fingers for now, my sweet," Murron whispered encouragingly, running his tongue around Aidan's ear to tickle the sensitive skin.

"I trust you," Aidan murmured as Murron moved down to suckle on one of his nipples. "Oh, that feels so good."

The pleased rumble against his chest sent a wave of need through his body and when Murron's finger slid out he felt bereft. Then there were two pushing inside him, wriggling around in little movements. The fullness had grown comfortable when the fingers surged even deeper and Aidan screamed as pleasure ignited within him. He bucked and writhed, his eyes opening wide with shock. He looked to Murron for reassurance and saw the older man regarding him with a tender smile on his lips.

"What was that?" He cried out as it happened again, flames of passion sending a torrent of heat to suffuse his lower body.

"It is pleasurable?" Murron asked, watching him closely.

Aidan moaned, pushing back onto the tormenting fingers and Murron relaxed and smiled.

"I think 'yes'," the older man murmured. Murron moved his other hand to a firm grip on Aidan's resurgent sex.

Aidan did not know how to deal with the dual stimulus. He wanted to push down and thrust up and the fire was raging inside him. He thrashed, almost mindlessly, pleas spilling from his kiss-swollen lips.

"Murron, what can I do for you? Show me how to make you feel as good," he pleaded.

Murron's eyes seemed to blaze with the same inferno consuming Aidan.

"I need to be inside you, so deep that I reach your heart. It will hurt at first, I will not lie, and I am willing to wait as long as you need, my sweet. It need not be this night. We can stop here." Murron made the offer although the older man wanted nothing more than to sink into his beautiful mate's virginal heat.

"No," Aidan insisted, reaching for Murron's prodigious manhood, stroking it hesitantly. "We both need this and then we'll truly be as one. Please, Murron, consummate our love."

Murron tenderly cupped his lover's flushed face, kissing Aidan's soft lips.

"No one has ever offered such a beautiful gift to me," he husked. Murron then began an amatory assault on every one of Aidan's newly discovered weaknesses, sucking an earlobe, nibbling down the expanse of exposed throat, a gentle bite to nipples hard and proud from earlier attentions.

Pleasure built on pleasure within Aidan until his entire body was ablaze with need. He moaned continuously, allowing Murron to touch him as he willed. He felt unable to move under his own volition except to writhe. Tormenting fingers, slick with oil, delved deep inside him. A third crowded inside to stretch him wide. Aidan was bereft when the fingers withdrew and he was positioned on his side away from the bigger male. He whimpered needily, reassured only when Murron crooned in his ear. His hands then clutched the bed linen when Murron spooned up tight against his back, nudging his legs upwards, his iron-hard phallus like a brand against Aidan's buttocks.

"Relax, Aidan. Breathe deep," Murron's deep voice instructed him. "I'm going to enter you."

Aidan obeyed but before he could exhale, Murron pushed in. Aidan cried out at the unexpected pain, his virginal sheath clenching in protest and he tried to pull away. Strong arms kelp him in place and he struggled to find breath.

"Relax and breathe, Aidan," Murron pleaded, willing to withdraw if his lover could not cope. Then a small hand gripped his thigh. In response, the older man's hands stroked soothingly up and down Aidan's chest, tweaking each taut teat and fondling flaccid flesh whilst he remained unmoving within the tightness of Aidan's body.

Aidan took a deep breath as instructed, then another. Slowly, he felt his muscles unclench and tentatively relax around the desired intruder. Pain became a dull ache and the fullness grew satisfying. His hips moved fractionally and, at the almost subliminal invitation, Murron slowly slid completely home and for Aidan only the delicious feeling of being filled with the man he loved finally remained.