Spell Break: Part 3

Episode three in the continuing saga.

Still pretty PG...honestly thought there would be more bad words and dirty actions going on in these.  But don't worry.  That will happen!  


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3

Having Jason around 24/7 was a complication Kelly didn’t need. He already knew he cared great deal for the other man and having him present just intensified the feelings Kelly had developed during last year of online communication. He’d assumed from things Jason had said in the emails that Jason didn’t return his feelings. And it was clear, when they finally met and Jason was shocked to discover Kelly was a man, that Jay hadn’t.

            But over the last few days, Kelly noticed Jason noticing him, appreciating with his eyes, and that made all the harder to remain distant. Because he absolutely could not get involved but Jason, no matter what his heart and his body wanted.

            One of the things Kelly enjoyed most about having Jason in his house was that the man couldn’t sit still while Kelly was cooking dinner.  It didn’t matter if it was something simple and easy to throw together.  Jason had to help.  He made the salad or set the table or any number of other mundane tasks.  Kelly loved having him in his kitchen.  Preparing their meals together was a simple joy Kelly had to work hard at keeping off his face.  He couldn’t let Jason know just about much he enjoyed it.

            The ease didn’t stop once the food was prepared, either.  As they sat at the table, they talked about anything and everything.  Anonymity was no longer an issue; they knew each other in person now so there was no need to keep being vague about their personal lives.  Jason reluctantly fleshed out the story of how he’d been kicked out of his home when his parents found out he had magic.  In return, Kelly shared stories of his own childhood, growing up surrounded by magical practitioners.  Jason loved to hear these stories, Kelly had learned.  They were growing closer by the day, sharing everything about themselves.  Kelly knew it wasn’t a good idea but he couldn’t make himself stop.

            Jason had been there for a week and they had just finished dinner, but when Kelly stood to take the dishes to the sink, Jason stopped him with a hand on his arm.

            “Leave the dishes, I’ll get them later. Let’s practice some more.”

            “Jason…” Kelly said hesitantly.

            “No, come on. I’ve got the shield down. I can hold my own. You can throw harder stuff at me. If I’m in a situation where I need to hold the shield, they aren’t going to be lobbing softballs.  Come on.”

            Kelly thought they had done more than enough for one day but he reluctantly agreed. He led Jason to his home gym where they usually practiced. He let Jason get the shield up before he started tossing harder spells at Jason. Nothing too damaging, nothing that he couldn’t fix if Jason’s shield failed but intense enough so that they could see just how strong Jason’s shield was and how long he could hold it.  Jason had been working hard and Kelly couldn’t be prouder of him. And that made it a little easier to ignore his baser instincts where the man was concerned. No matter what Kelly threw at him, Jason never complained. No matter how many times he got knocked down, Jason got up again.

Nola watched from her perch in the window ledge. She was distinctly unhappy about Kelly hurting Jason, even if it was in the name of teaching. That was strange. Usually, Nola didn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone who wasn’t Kelly. She barely tolerated Mary and the woman was his sister, for Christ’s sake. But Nola wanted him to stop this and Kelly almost listened to her. She was never this adamant unless Kelly safety was at risk. Nola was worried that Jason was becoming too drained and when that thought entered Kelly’s brain, he instantly ceased his attack.

            Jason’s shield fell as the man himself dropped to his knees Kelly was at his side in a heartbeat. He ignored Nola’s smug satisfaction that she was right and helped Jason to stand. Despite Jason’s protests, Kelly refused to keep going. When Jason staunchly refused to go outside to recharge, Kelly bodily pick the man up and carried him out. There were definite advantages of having an extra 5 inches and 30 pounds of muscle.  Kelly knew Jason needed help from the alder if he had any hope of keeping severe bruising and fatigue at bay.

            That tree, on the other hand, had become a total traitor.

            The alder had been Kelly’s source of comfort and power since he was a child. But now that damned tree had traded allegiance. It practically radiated joy when Jason was near, reaching out to the man the way it had once reached out to Kelly. Despite the slight feeling of hurt, Kelly couldn’t blame the tree. He wanted to reach out to Jason, too. Kelly knew that wasn’t an option and once again pushed his feelings for Jason away.

            Outside, the alder’s magic started reaching for Jason the instant that it could feel him. Kelly settled against the trunk and pulled Jason into the embrace that had become their norm. Now that Jason could feel the trees magic, he stopped resisting and sat quiet and pliant in Kelly’s arms. Kelly wasn’t fooled. That wouldn’t last one the edge of exhaustion left him. As soon as the man felt better, he’d start with more questions. That, too, had become their norm.

            Jason heaved a sigh of relief, his body relaxing further and his head lolling back onto Kelly’s shoulder as he gave a little hum of pleasure. Kelly had to fight the urge to press his lips to the mop of light brown curls tickling his cheek.

            “I love this tree,” Jason murmured, his voice content.

            Kelly gave a little chuckle, “Yeah, well. It love you right back.”

            “Mmmmm,” Jason said again. After quiet pause, Jason spoke, his voice stronger, “How come you never told me?”

            Kelly’s entire body went tense. “Told you what?” He asked slowly.

            “About the tree. About finding a natural power source. I didn’t even know such a thing could exist. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

            Kelly sighed. He’d wondered when they’d get around to this topic. He contemplated how to answer as he shifted Jason in his arms so the man’s ass was no longer pressed directly against his cock. No use in torturing himself, matter how badly he wanted to do dirty things to the man his arms.

            “You want the absolute truth?” Kelly asked quietly.

            Jason nodded adamantly.

            Kelly couldn’t help letting another sigh escape. No matter how he said this, it was going to sound bad.

            “Because,” he said finally with another sigh. “It can be dangerous for someone as inexperienced as you to go looking for a power source. I couldn’t trust that you wouldn’t go looking, even if I told you not to. You could have gotten seriously hurt, or dead, and I decided that it was best not to tell you at all.”

            Jason didn’t say anything for several long moments. As each second passed, Kelly worried a little more than he had really upset Jason.

            “And now?” Jason finally asked.

            Kelly cast a wary glance in his direction. “Now… What?”

            “Do you trust me now?”

            Kelly closed his eyes. He so much more than trusted Jason. He really wanted to tell the man all the things he was feeling. But Kelly knew those words were better left unsaid. That was something he couldn’t place on Jason.

            “Yeah,” Kelly said simply. “I trust you, Jay.”

            “Good.”

            They lapsed into comfortable silence again, soaking in each other and the peace and magic the tree provided. God, Kelly cherished these moments. Over the last week, this had become his favorite part of the day. Soon, Jason would be ready to go back to his own place, able to defend himself if a threat should arise. Kelly felt the impending loss like a physical ache in his gut. He couldn’t dwell on these feelings.

            Jason started a subtle wiggling. This had been happening the last couple of times they had come out here to recharge. Kelly fought not to react but there was only so much he could do to quell his arousal when the object of his affection was wiggling in his lap.

            Than Jason abruptly turned his head to place a hot, open mouthed kiss to Kelly’s neck.

            The groan ripped from Kelly’s throat involuntarily. He tried to push Jason away but the man broke Kelly’s hold on him and, faster than Kelly could react, Jason had turned and straddled his lap.

            “Kelly,” Jason said seriously, for all his voice was bedroom rough. “I catch you looking at me. I know you want me. I know you care about me.”

            “I do, Jay.” God, was that his voice? It sounded like he’d been gargling gravel. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I care about you great deal. But that’s why this isn’t a good idea.”

            Jason just leaned closer, an indulgent smile on his face. He wrapped his long arms around Kelly’s neck. “You do realize that’s counter intuitive, right?”

            Kelly watched Jason’s lips move. Have they always been so pretty and kissable? Kelly’s resolve wavered. He caught himself leaning closer, ready to take the kiss that was being offered.

            “You don’t understand,” Kelly forced out, leaning back. Jason’s arms didn’t release their hold and Kelly didn’t quite have enough resolve yet to push him away entirely.

            “Then explain it to me.” Jason’s face was imploring, his tone curious, but not forceful. For a moment, for a split second, Kelly considered telling Jason everything; his whole sordid past, how he’d felt a connection to Jason from the very first comment, how much he admired and desired him. But then common sense returned and Kelly sadly shook his head.

            “Just trust me on this, Jay, please.”

            There must’ve been something in his tone or some emotion on his face because Jason immediately dropped his arms and stood up. Kelly instantly missed the feel of Jason’s body against his own.

            “I trust you. The only one I trust more than you is Strix.” For some reason as Jason said that, a frown crossed features. “But here you are, keeping something else from me. I don’t know why I trust you when you feel the need not to tell me stuff.  I don't know why I trust you so much when you obviously don't trust me the same way.”

            “Jay, it’s not like that--“

            “It is,” Jason interrupted. He looked so sad Kelly wanted to wrap him up in his arms and make it better. But how could he do that when he was causing the hurt? Kelly had to remind himself that this was for the best. This was the best thing for Jason, and Jason was all that mattered.

            Strix appeared out of nowhere, soaring down from the branches to perch on Jason’s shoulder. Jason took a deep breath. 

            “I think it would be best if I went home. I can hold the shield long enough to deflect most major spells, or at least long enough to get away. You’ve shown me how toward my home. I should be safe enough.”

            “Jay, you don’t… “ Kelly trailed off. What could he say? That Jason didn’t understand?  He didn’t but that was Kelly’s fault and not something he was going to change. That Jason didn’t have to go? Kelly didn’t want him to but he could hardly make the man stay.

            When Jason turned and walked toward the house, Kelly fought the urge to call him back. There were so many things that he wanted to tell Jason. There were so many things he couldn’t say. In the end, Kelly didn’t say anything at all.

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