The River

"You forgot your phone in my room," Beau murmured. The look of anger dissipated as fast as gas. "And your keys too."

Asher exhaled in relief. "As for the keys, I thought I had misplaced them." He made to take them from Beau but ended up in a hug.

"I missed you."

Asher hugged him back with a look of puzzlement. "Beau, I left you about an hour ago."

"An hour and thirty-five minutes," the big male corrected, his nose in Asher's hair. "What were you doing?"

"Making friends."

"With who? Did you find anyone good enough for you?"

The topic pushed Asher's mind back to Sean and what they had discussed. He pulled away from Beau with a look of feigned anger. "Why didn't you tell me about the school groups and clubs?"

"Oops." Beau itched his head in guilt. "I can't believe you heard that first from someone else. All groups and clubs are closed for the semester. I was hoping to tell you during the holidays or the beginning of next semester."

Asher nodded. "Well, I know now."

"Hmm." Beau circled his waist. "Do you want to join the soccer team? I am actually the captain there."

"You must be kidding if you think I'd run to a group where I would be distracted twenty-four-seven. Considering the mischief of your fingers, I doubt if I'd learn anything SOCCER-ISH throughout the semester."

Beau chuckled. "You make it sound like I am a pervert. "What group do you want to join?"

"I was thinking of music. I can play the piano. And I know a little about violins."

"Hmm. We have a music group. I will find out more before the beginning of next semester."

Asher pushed into the condo with Beau glued to his waist. Their movements were slow since Beau didn't want to let go. "I have a class."

"I know. That was why I rushed over when I noticed you forgot your key."

With Beau still glued to his back, Asher dragged himself to the room in search of his lecture note. "Earlier today, you said you want to show me your favourite place."

"One of my favourite places," Beau corrected. "I don't know if I put it to you that way." He kissed Asher's neck. "As soon as you are done with your classes today, I will take you there. It's more beautiful in the evening anyway."

"Where is this place?"

"Let that be a surprise. You'd love it. Next time, I will take you to the second one."

Just thinking about what Beau had in stock for him made Asher giddy. "I can't wait."

"I know. I can almost feel your anxiety." Beau kissed his neck again. His nose settled in the crook of Asher's neck. "You smell good."

"I smell sweaty," Asher corrected.

"Nah, you smell beautiful. I could sniff you all day."

Asher reached back to caress his face. "Make sure you don't bail on me this evening."

"I can never bail on you, little pumpkin. I will never do anything to make you sad or hurt."

And Beau was doing that thing where he said words that made Asher's heart skip a beat.

"I know you won't. I will call you when I am done with class. Keep your phone close."

"It is with me right now. Just give me a call anytime."

Asher gripped his book tight. Beau's nose on the sensitive flesh of his neck was sending chills through his body. "Errm... Beau?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I go now?"

"Oh, yes." Beau pulled back and cleared his throat. As Asher made to walk out, Beau frowned. "Where are you going without my kiss?"

Of course! Asher has almost forgotten. He cupped Beau's jaw and pressed their lips into each other. As Beau's hand reached out, Asher pulled back.

"That's okay, big boy." He raced out of the condo with Beau laughing behind him...

*. *. *. *.*

Asher's mind stayed on Beau so much during his lectures that he began wondering if he wasn't on a magically-controlled elixir. He'd heard—and read from most of his lovely fantasy novels—of how lovers cast a spell on the one they cherish to inflate the feeling of love. Maybe that was the case in Asher and Beau's case.

At first, Asher tried to blame his thoughts on the anxiety from where Beau promised to take him in the evening, but he eventually realized that it was more than that. Beau was more than what Asher hoped for.

Their knot was getting strong, much stronger than the initial agreement, much stronger than what Asher and Beau had discussed.

Whenever they were together, Asher would desire more of Beau so much that physical contact appeared insufficient. When they were apart, Asher would crave for Beau, crave for their skins against each other, and pray for them to be together till eternity.

And every day, the thoughts and feelings made Asher ask questions...

When Asher's class finally ended, he raced out, headed straight for his condo. It didn't come as a surprise to him to see Beau standing in front of the door, tapping commands into his phone.

The ambassador looked up in amusement. "Don't tell me you ran all the way here."

"I did," Asher said, out of breath. He unlocked the door. "Sorry if I kept you waiting. We agreed on a call. I didn't expect to see you, though I thought about it."

"By now, you should know some things about me. And that includes not always following laid-down plans. "

Asher exhaled. "I wish there was a spare key I could give you. I don't want you standing outside my door every time."

Beau picked something from the statement. Asher now felt safe around him, even to the extent of giving him access to the condo—alone.

"It's fine. I can always call you. Just keep your phone close."

Asher changed into a loose shirt and trousers. "I am ready."

"Do you have something warm?"

Asher took in Beau's look which he hadn't noticed at first. Beau was dressed in a woolly sweater and loose pants. "Is it going to be cold?"

"Yeah, kinda. It is always chilly here in the evening."

Asher proceeded to wear a sweater. "Is this okay?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

Asher noticed that they were headed for the gate. Since he came to Elite High, he had not stepped foot outside the walls. The main cause was his indoor lifestyle and fear of getting lost. But with Beau, he knew none of those things could happen. He felt safe with Beau, indoors or not. And getting lost with someone who had been in the neighbourhood for so long seemed simply impossible.

"Where are we going?" Asher tried his luck again even though he knew Beau wasn't going to divulge the information.

"It's not far. We're almost there." Beau smirked as they passed security's scrutiny and got out of the gate. "I can't believe these people still search me."

"Well, technically, you're a student—even though you almost do the work of a staff."

"More than a staff," Beau exhaled. "And the chancellor said he trusts me more than some of the staff, so he ends up assigning me with some jobs that should be for the people he employed."

Like doing dorms check.

Like following him to meetings—even when Beau's presence wasn't necessary.

"Take it as training," Asher stated. "I guess it's safe to say that you are already learning how to take orders. Serving someone in the future should not be too hard."

Beau narrowed his eyes. "I can't believe you are sounding like my mom right now."

"Your mom sounds like a very wise woman."

"You wouldn't like to know the hassles of a French mom. Scrap that, French parents."

Asher's eyes lit up. "I've always asked myself where your name and looks came from! Your folks are French?"

"Oui. Je ne vous l'ai pas dit?"

"I don't understand a word of what you just said," Asher chuckled.

"I said, "Yes. Didn't I tell you?"

"No."

"Well, you never asked." Beau stylishly weaved their palms into each other. Since Asher didn't pull back, they continued walking in that position.

The neighbourhood lived up to its name—and what Asher had heard. It was peaceful and quiet, serene, just as Asher loved his things.

As they walked by the side of the university's wall, they had the opportunity to see how long the wall stretched.

"Must have taken them months to erect this wall," Asher mused, staring at it. "From within, it looks so small."

"Trust me, it's not. Took them more than four months of consistency, at least that's what I heard. It was like fencing a mini-community."

When they got to the end of the fence by the left, they walked into a cluster of tall trees. In the glow of the setting sun, the scene looked heavenly.

Beau gently dragged him to pass between two oaks with vegetation on all sides. There, there came into a clearing.

Asher gasped...