Chapter 21: Scapegrace

Despite their tense evening, Will was soon content again.

One night in late June, he went looking for Augustus as he told him he'd meet him by the garden out back, at 'Darkmans'.

Will exited the house and just as he felt a flutter of warm, pleasant summer air, he stopped short in surprise.

A path lit with several candles stretched from the back door, leading to the right corner of the garden. And there was Augustus with a large basket, patiently waiting.

The sun had already set and a quiet chorus of crickets gave the twilight of early summer a romantic, magical quality.

Will stood motionless, delighted as Augustus bounded up to him and grasped his hand.

"What's all this?" Will asked as they approached, his eyes sparkling in candlelight.

"Well," he teased, "I'd say three months together is worth celebrating so I made us a picnic."

"Ohhh," Will purred with delight, settling down on the large white cloth among the lush grass. "You remembered."

"Of course I did." Augustus replied, beaming. He bent down and kissed Will's hand.

"I got a little something too."

A fancy champagne bottle appeared from the basket, now glinting in the candlelight.

"Your parents won't miss it." Augustus quipped mischievously.

They ate their meal and then broke out the champagne.

"I propose a toast." Will announced, sitting up, glass in hand. "A toast to us. Three months and I'm just so grateful we have each other. Nothing makes me happier than you."

Augustus smiled and toasted. "To us. I can't imagine being this happy with anyone else." They clinked glasses and drank.

Augustus leaned in and Will was quickly captivated by sweet, sticky lips, tasting equal parts champagne and freedom.

Augustus curled up against Will as they now laid quietly, gazing at the dark velvety sky. It was miles away, yet felt intimately close.

"Can you believe my Uncle studies all these stars?" Will absentmindedly asked, burying his head on Augustus's chest.

"A lot to keep track of. I know they have some constellations, but look at all those little loose ones."

Augustus replied, pointing at the tiny glittering specks.

"Yeah." Will agreed, breathing quietly and gently stroking his hand.

And there they laid for another half hour, in a dreamy, loosened clasp.

Augustus was gentle, slow with his touch but after some time, he wanted to be more cozy. He wrapped an arm around Will's waist, pulling him closer. His fingers idly grazed the smooth fabric of his dark green vest.

Will felt like no one and nothing else existed now, just them, just at this moment, just in this miniature paradise.

Sometime after eleven, they went back upstairs, bringing the mostly empty champagne bottle with them to keep celebrating.

Once they got to their room, Augustus went to his side of the room and paused, watching Will as he got closer to their bed and put the champagne on a side table. He then grabbed Will, leapt on the bed and pounced on him, grinning.

His hair fell around them as they were nose to nose. They kissed fervidly and everything pleasantly tightened when Augustus tugged at his clothes, impatient.

He wriggled out of his vest. Augustus trailed sweet, sticky kisses along his neck. Will slid his hands onto Augustus's warm back to pull his shift off.

b

Will took in the view of him partly undressed in his bed and felt the thick warmth of desire spreading within him, prompting him to shed his own shift, to be rid of the tangle of cloth he knew would only get in the way.

He took another swig of the champagne and they continued.

The sweet, warm air of early summer drifted through white silken curtains at their bedroom window, adding to the atmosphere. Everything felt natural, sweet & invigorating. The sparkling stars winked with approval.

Countless kisses and caresses sped back and forth between them.

Augustus's hands gripped Will's exposed shoulders as he leaned up to sprinkle kisses on his face. Augustus murmured as Will planted slow, warm kisses on his neck and brushed a hand against his thigh, accidentally-on-purpose.

Will blushed when he tugged on his breeches in return. Augustus became immediately inspired and shifted Will into switching places. His green eyes blazed as he lay atop him,a his hand trailing down Will's body.

"Please?" He begged, now clutching him. His fingers slowly brushed against him with anticipation. A strained breath hitched in Will's throat.

Will's heart began to pound and his head was swimming. Augustus wanted more. He must have become suddenly lightheaded from all of the drinking.

He grabbed the thick champagne bottle and took one last gulp. The cool, effervescent liquid rushed down his throat, emboldening him. His hand trembled when he offered it to Augustus, who immediately accepted it.

Will watched his lips part as he eagerly swallowed the rest.

The triumphant clatter of the empty champagne bottle being tossed on his bedroom floor was the last thing Will needed. A shot of pure rebellion burst through him. He know what Augustus wanted to do with him and as he watched him unthinkingly lick his soft, pinkish lips, he couldn't imagine a single reason to say "no".

"So..." Augustus teased, a lingering hand groping him again.

"You're next." Will promised with a lusty smirk, a hand gripping his shoulder.

Augustus's eyes widened. He never expected Will would say that!

When they kissed again, Will tasted fresh champagne and his heart beat faster, impatient for this tantalizing, new affection.

Augustus's eyes glinted in the moonlight for a second as he moved. Will was astounded as he watched a single finger slowly grazing down the center of his chest. Augustus kissed further down his body, tugging aside his breeches and smallclothes.

He teased Will by pausing before he began, forcing him to squirm in anticipation.

Augustus overtook Will, hungry for new exploits, and the sensation shot through him. Will's back arched and he squeezed his eyes shut, a strained breath caught in his throat. He opened his eyes, drinking the sight.

It started as a slow, sensual exchange. Will's hands gently rubbed Augustus's back, or held his shoulder.

But as his affections intensified, Will whimpered with every move Augustus made on him and felt more energy coursing between them.

Augustus moved faster and now Will was unsteady, entirely lost in unknown heights.

As everything finished, Will grunted with elation and his fingers tensely knotted through Augustus's dark hair as he stayed firmly in place.

Will threw himself back, panting. His entire body shook as the adrenaline racing through him expired and slowly subsided. He soon leaned up and grabbed Augustus, clutching his waist and kissing his cheek again and again.

Will slowly caught his breath and they laid side-by-side to face each other. He stared at his pretty eyes as his breathing evened out.

"You're next." He repeated, making eyes at Augustus.

As soon as he saw the lust gleaming in Will's eyes it hit Augustus: he'd thought of this months ago! Before he pursued Will, before they kissed, even before he knew whether or not Will was interested in women, he wanted this.

He remembered wondering, hoping, imagining: would Will ever want to do something like this to him? Something this intense, this close, this passionate? No one had ever done this to him before. What would it be like?

So now, after being built up in his mind for so long, this was becoming a reality. He wanted to savour everything.

Will leaned in for softer kisses and started groping Augustus between them. His eyes slipped closed as Will continued. He laid on his back now, sinking into the bed, spellbound by his touch.

Will's slim fingers began to toy with the set of laces separating them. Augustus's chest strained when he confidently pulled his breeches and smallclothes aside, an unyielding craving now fluttering through his body.

Augustus exhaled sharply and gripped his hand when he started. As Will devoured this venture, Augustus felt every sensation burn through his body. He'd never been given this very specific brand of attention before and he couldn't stop sighing or quietly whimpering with everything Will did.

Will quickened his pace, bold and unafraid to push him further. Augustus gripped his shoulder and felt his toes curl. His breath was unsteady with the impending euphoria. He never wanted this to stop.

As everything finished, he cried out, a short, frenzied mewl of exaltation.

He splayed back along their bed, basking in the lusty aura. As Will crawled up to join him, he brushed a lock of his dark hair back, and saw a tiny bead of sweat drip off his forehead. He tasted the salt of his skin again as their warm lips gently met.

As they laid together, the high-rising moon shone down on them. Her moonbeams flooded their bedroom with her calm, silent grace. This light cast over them in praise of their romantic pursuits.

Just like the sunlight had smiled innocently at them three month prior.

The Universe believed in their love.

~*~

They awoke still snuggled together and in a haze from the prior evening.

Will kissed him lightly and started getting out of bed. Augustus playfully pulled him back in and kissed him again. Will sighed, eyes closed, having no motivation to leave bed right now.

"Good morning." Augustus fluttered.

"Good morning." Will replied and kissed him again.

They laid together quietly, not moving, just enjoying the early morning: the gentle birdsong, the fact that the sun was already out and the feeling that they had the entire summer stretching gloriously before them.

They did eventually get up and ready for the day.

As Will tucked in his shift, he remembered eagerly pulling it off last night.

When he buttoned his vest, he recalled Augustus tugging it off in anticipation.

He splashed cool water on his face and remembered Augustus kissing him again and again.

By the time he'd fastened his breeches, well, he was distracted.

He demurely glanced at Augustus, who shyly fluttered his eyes at him with a knowing smile. He remembered everything too. They stared for a moment & Will came nearer to him. He held a flirtatious look that said--

"Ready so soon?"

Will's mother asked, suddenly appearing in his doorway, ruining their moment with her unexpected presence.

"Uh--yes." Will stammered, smoothing out the hem of his vest. He silently thanked whatever God was out there she hadn't come by even five minutes earlier.

"Good. Your uncle will be joining us for breakfast and church." She turned and went back downstairs.

Will groaned in discomfort, flopping onto his empty bed once she left. Church! He hadn't thought about it last night. He didn't like having to organise his love life around worship that never really spoke to him.

But Uncle Deus would finally be here to help them!

Uncle Deus is coming to-day! I was hoping to see him. I remember I promis'd myself the next time I'd see him, I'll tell him about myself and Augustus.

Neither breakfast or Church is a good place for that, so I need to choose carefully and think quick-ley. I can-not miss this chance.

Meanwhile, it's been three months with Augustus and it's almost too much romance at once. He took me by a delighted surprise last night. He had a picnic just for us. He'd even nicked a small bit of champagne from my parent's collection. I was so enthralled that after we just sprang into such affections. It was so intense and I lov'd it. We went back to my room, and then he...

~*~

Nary a half hour later, Uncle Deus came for breakfast and joined them for church.

Will debated when and where to talk, but it had to be far from his parents. Unfortunately, breakfast was too close to their prying ears. Making matters worse, Margaret picked a fight with Will and Uncle Deus gave her a death glare.

After breakfast, the entire family, plus Mary and Augustus all went to Church.

Will had no interest in it so he sat there, bored. Besides, he couldn't help but replay the night before in his mind.

Clearly, his thoughts were far and away from the preaching before him.

His mother sat on his left, while his Uncle sat on his right. Unfortunately, they bickered between him, continuing her fight from breakfast.

"Why can't you just do as you're told?" She said, finding a moment during hymnals to nag her son.

"Don't resign to something you don't want." His uncle replied.

"We aren't asking for much." Margaret insisted.

"They're asking for your entire life's direction."

"Tell your uncle to stop ruining our--"

"Well, tell your mother I said--"

"Stop! Both of you." Will hissed with an angry, sharp sigh.

He was annoyed with his mother and even his Uncle. He knew his uncle meant well, but this was fairly immature for both of them. And he wasn't about to be a go-between for their personal argument. He'd seen them battle it out before: politics, religion, science, everything. He refused to get in the middle of someone else's fight.

But this fight was different. It was over the direction of his future.

He didn't have a say in his own life.

He snapped.

It all closed in on him. It was too hot, too crowded.

He had to leave, now!

His mind spun as he clumsily got to his feet.

As the pastor droned on, his sudden movement felt so heavily judged. There he was, literally sticking out in a crowd.

He knew he didn't belong there anymore.

"In worship of God Almighty, we must affirm Him in our daily lives."

They were struggling out of their clothes...

But he was at church, which was for rules and repentance.

"Daily lives including our blunders and sins."

Augustus looked up with pleading eyes, desperate for more...

God might give them comfort, but would it be at the price of conformity?

"Sins, as we all have, and all make, must be corrected."

Their kisses felt so innocent...

Not anymore.

He swallowed hard, the guilt bearing down on him, a lump forming in his throat somehow making everything worse.

He stumbled through the row and made it to the aisle, almost tripping over his own feet. He could barely breathe.

He ran off, the preacher confirming his fears:

"We must repent if we are to be free from judgment and punishment."

And sinners never qualify for salvation.

Augustus teasingly trailing his hand down the center of his chest just before he started to--

No...No!

He struggled against the heavy door. His fingers clutched the iron handle. It squeaked but didn't open.

He was stuck. It was just another obstacle, another burden to push away from himself.

And it was just like his life--if he didn't push and break through, he'd be trapped. He pushed harder and shoved it open, fleeing the pressure at last.

This was his final reason to hate church and not go back.

As he skidded to the ground, some dust kicked up and a few grains were caught in his mouth, adding to his frustration. He coughed and angrily spat them out as a few silent tears fell from his eyes.

He finally had time for his anxiety and true feelings to pour out before him. Out here, his parents couldn't scrutinize or judge them. He slowly caught his breath. At last, he stopped and looked up.

A plan. He had to make a plan. Living in this much fear, with this much anxiety was becoming unhealthy. He and Augustus needed to change their surroundings. But how?

As he sat on the steps outside, he was lost in his own thoughts. He had to talk to his Uncle, he couldn't stand to wait one second longer. Though he felt pushed by him now and again from the near-constant spats with his mother, he knew it was with the best intent so he mustn't disregard it.

He knew he'd have to explain about Augustus, but based on how keenly people were picking up on their situation, explaining might be rather short.

But how would he start? First, he decided he'd stay outside until the service ended. Next, he really thought it over-what did he want to say, exactly?

He was with Augustus, that was the obvious start. He could follow by explaining how his parents pushed him, how unfair it was for Lily, too.

The sun blazed on, bright but overheating. He stared at the dusty streets, still dizzy.

Meanwhile, Uncle Deus had noticed Will squeezing through the crowd to leave. He became worried and after finding a momentary lull in the service, he left. Augustus followed. He had wanted to follow Will immediately, but was concerned about how it might appear if he left on his own. But once Uncle Deus left, he had his chance, and he took it.

"Do you think he's alright?" Uncle Deus whispered to Augustus as the two made a beeline for the door.

"He's...been anxious lately." Augustus vaguely replied.

They found him outside, thinking too hard fixed in a trance-like stare.

Augustus sidled up to him gently and sat beside him.

"Hey." He whispered. "You all right?"

"I'm so tired. How can we keep doing this?" Will's eyes were faded from exhaustion. He was certain they had no way out. Augustus knew he had to be strong enough for both of them right now.

"Get up." He encouraged, helping him as they stood together.

They turned to his uncle and a fresh pang of anxiety shot through Will. This was it--their one chance to find an adult who would help or protect them, maybe even understand them, or at the very least, not hate them.

Will wondered: was love from Uncle Deus as conditional and transactional as love from his parents? He assumed it probably wasn't, but until he bit the proverbial bullet and told him, he had no actual certainty.

Will pressed on and began in an unsteady voice.

"We...we're um," he took a shuddering breath. Augustus simply put his hand on Will's shoulder.

"I know." Uncle Deus said gently.

Will's eyes widened in surprise. "You do? But how? And you don't ...hate us?" He was too tired for any other reaction. He blinked several times, unable to process this.

Augustus looked up and removed his hand.

"Of course I don't hate you." Uncle Deus gently confirmed, softly touching Will's arm.

"I certainly know what it's like to be judged by everyone else. As for the how, I am still a matchmaker. I can see the bond between two people before they even see it themselves. I tried to tell you indirectly. I hadn't dropped enough hints last we saw each other, I suppose." He said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I thought the subject of our dramatic performance would have notified you."

Will could barely focus. Augustus was much more aware.

"Wait....the play! What exactly were you trying to tell us?"

He looked at the boys intently. They needed to know how concerned he was, how much they needed guidance through such a potentially treacherous situation at home with Francis and Margaret.

"I used it as a Cautionary tale. Don't let anyone take your feelings away from you to drive you into hopelessness. If they break you down, they always have control. Make your own choices. Separately and together."

Will had finally drifted back to the present moment.

"Do you think my parents know?"

"I think their only observation right now is your lack of obedience." Uncle Deus assessed.

"They don't pay him much mind otherwise."

Augustus softly added, moving closer to Will.

"But there's a chance they could realise it. They could see it, just like you did."

"It is a possibility." He admitted. "But they lack the keen eye matchmaking requires."

"Can you help us, please?"

Uncle Deus thought as he stood before his Godson and the boy he clearly loved. Someone had to help them.

"Well in fact, I may have been recently--"

Alas, he was cut off.

"Are you ill?" Margaret curtly asked Will, coming up behind her brother-in-law, a scowl plastered across her thin face.

Will shifted his weight and looked away, too anxious to answer.

Uncle Deus turned, and spoke up to protect the two:

"Why yes, it appears they've both had something not quite agreeing with them. A bite or two out of order, I expect. Respite would be of help. Be sure to go easily on them." He added with a confident stare.

Uncle Deus's alibi for the young couple worked. She stalked off, heading towards their carriage home.

"We can't talk more now, too dangerous. I'll be back for your birthday." He quietly assured them.

The morning had been an ordeal for Will. But at least, he had a soothing ride back. He sat surrounded by sympathy: Augustus on one side and his uncle on other as he slowly regained consciousness of the outside world.

As his concentration increased, he felt something slowly approach him, like waves drawing towards the shore, intensifying each time, more and more strength within it.

It was hope that was now flooding over him.

Something Will never thought would happen was now a reality: there was an adult in their lives who not only accepted them, but was willing to help them.