Chapter 123 All Of Me

The water was just right—not so cold, not so warm.

Elian stood at the center of the flowing river, watching Lucien discard every piece of clothing by the bank.

"Are you showing off?" Elian questioned, drinking in the sight of the man in front of him.

"Do you not like me undressing for you?" Lucien smirked, slowly stepping into the water and toward Elian.

Elian blushed, biting his lower lip. "I do." He whispered.

The sound of water gently splashing against a moving body filled the quiet river as Lucien approached.

He closed the last of the distance without a word, strong arms sliding around Elian’s waist and pulling him flush against his bare chest. The sudden heat of Lucien’s skin against his own made Elian’s breath catch. Lucien’s hands splayed across the small of his back, holding him as if he were something precious and breakable all at once.

"I love you," Lucien whispered against the shell of Elian’s ear, the words soft and certain, carried on a warm breath that sent a shiver down Elian’s spine despite the mild water. "Gods, Elian... I love you."

Elian’s hands rose almost on their own, resting against the solid planes of Lucien’s chest. The current tugged gently at their legs, but Lucien stood firm, anchoring them both. He pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss just below Elian’s ear, then another along the line of his jaw, each one lingering like a vow.

"Feel that?" Lucien murmured, guiding one of Elian’s hands lower until it rested over the steady, powerful beat of his heart. "It only ever races like this for you."

Elian’s fingers curled slightly against warm skin. The river water lapped at their hips, cool and clean, washing away the last traces of the morning’s sweat and come, yet the heat building between them only grew. Lucien’s arms tightened, one hand sliding up Elian’s spine to cradle the back of his neck, tilting his face upward.

Their mouths met in a kiss that started slow—tender, almost reverent—before deepening. Lucien’s tongue traced the seam of Elian’s lips, asking, then claiming when Elian parted for him with a soft sound. The kiss turned wetter, hungrier, water dripping from Lucien’s dark hair onto Elian’s shoulders as he leaned in.

Lucien’s hands roamed with deliberate care: one stroking the curve of Elian’s waist, the other sliding down to grip the soft flesh of his ass beneath the water’s surface, pulling their hips together. The hard length of Lucien’s cock pressed against Elian’s own, half-hard and growing fuller with every slow grind.

"Still so sensitive," Lucien breathed against his mouth, voice rough with affection and rising desire. "I can feel you twitching for me already."

Elian’s answering whimper was swallowed by another kiss. He wrapped his arms around Lucien’s neck, letting the larger man take more of his weight as the current swirled around them. Lucien’s free hand slipped between their bodies, fingers wrapping loosely around both of their cocks, stroking them together in a slick, underwater glide that made Elian’s knees weaken.

"Lucien..." Elian’s voice was barely more than a sigh.

"I’ve got you," Lucien promised, lips brushing Elian’s temple. "Always. I’ll hold you like this every morning if you’ll let me. In the river, in our bed, anywhere you want. Just stay with me."

He kissed him again—deeper this time—while his hand worked them both in slow, firm strokes. The water made everything glide, every touch amplified by the cool contrast against heated skin. Lucien’s thumb swept over the sensitive heads, smearing precome that the current immediately tried to steal away.

Elian’s head fell back against Lucien’s shoulder, exposing the long line of his throat. Lucien took the invitation without hesitation, mouth latching onto the pulse point, sucking gently, then harder, marking him where anyone who looked too closely would see. His free arm kept Elian locked against him, chest to chest, heartbeats thudding in sync.

"I love the way you sound when I touch you," Lucien whispered between kisses to his neck. "Love how you melt for me. Love that you’re finally letting me have you again."

Elian’s fingers tightened in Lucien’s hair. The dual sensations—the firm, loving stroke of Lucien’s hand and the possessive press of their bodies—built a slow, liquid heat low in his belly. He rocked into the touch, water splashing softly around them with every small movement.

Lucien’s mouth returned to his, kissing him through the rising pleasure, swallowing every soft moan. His hand never sped up, only deepened the intimacy of the stroke, twisting just right on every upward glide until Elian was trembling in his arms.

"Come for me like this," Lucien murmured against his lips, voice thick with love. "Right here in the river. Let me feel you fall apart while I hold you. I’ve got you, my El. Always."

The quiet declaration, paired with the relentless, tender friction, pushed Elian over the edge. His body arched against Lucien’s, a broken cry muffled against Lucien’s shoulder as he spilled into the water between them. Lucien stroked him through it, whispering soft praises—"That’s it... so beautiful... I love you"—until the last tremor faded.

Only then did Lucien release their cocks, both arms wrapping fully around Elian once more, holding him close while the current gently washed them clean. He pressed soft, lingering kisses to Elian’s wet hair, his temple, the corner of his mouth.

"I love you," he whispered again, the words simple and absolute in the quiet of the river. "And I’m never letting you go again."

Elian took a shuddering breath, placing a soft kiss on Lucien’s chest. "I love you, too..." he whispered. "I love you so much, Lucien." He confessed.

Lucien’s arms tightened around him, holding him gently but firmly.

They stayed like that for a few moments, feeling their heartbeats against each other.

"Lucien," Elian suddenly gasped, drawing his hand away from Lucien, who was about to hold it.

"Yes?" Lucien answered quietly, gazing deep into Elian’s eyes.

Elian’s heart was racing faster now, slowly realising what Lucien was planning to do.

"You’re not wearing your gloves..." He reminded.

"I know..." Lucien gently brought Elian’s hand to his lips, kissing the inside of his palm. "I don’t need it... not with you." He whispered into Elian’s palm.

Elian’s heart skipped a beat, still not believing this was happening.

"You know what will happen if you touch my hand, Lucien." Elian warned softly.

Lucien nodded, kissing Elian’s palm again. "I do."

"And that’s exactly what I want to happen," he smiled.

Elian was speechless, staring at Lucien like he was seeing him for the first time.

"I... I’m going to see your pasts, Lucien... I’ll see your darkest secrets, your fears... your plans for the future... I’m going to see right through you..." Elian reminded slowly.

Lucien cupped Elian’s face, pressing their foreheads together. "I want you..." he pressed a soft kiss on Elian’s lips, "to see right through me." He murmured.

"I want you to stop doubting me. To trust me. To love me without reservation or fear..." His hand slid down Elian’s arms, pausing at his wrist. "I want you to have me fully and be mine fully."

Slowly, he slid his hand into Elian’s, lacing their fingers together without any barriers for the very first time.

Elian gasped, trying to pull his hand away, but it was too late; he could already feel the gentle buzz and hum of another’s memories flooding into his head.

"Lucien..." He whispered shakily.

"Shh... just see me, my love." Lucien whispered, hugging Elian.

With a long sigh, Elian let his eyelids close, welcoming the new memories into his head.

The moment he focused, he saw it... a boy... hiding under a shrub between two tall trees in the deep forests.

---

Fifteen years ago...

In the deep forests, far away from the villages and towns, nine-year-old Lucien hid behind tall trees and bushes, watching the elders hunt.

It was a special event, planned by their noble king, King Alaric. A hunt to unite all nobles and knights. Women were allowed to tag along and watch their men in admiration, but children were strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

Children, they said, were easier prey to wild animals. But somehow, the inquisitive nine-year-old Lucien Valemont had managed to sneak into his parents’ carriage.

He had done it in the grey light of early morning, while the servants were still loading the last of the hunting gear. The carriage was a large, enclosed coach belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Valemont—dark wood, heavy curtains, and a deep luggage boot at the rear. Lucien had waited until the footman turned away to speak with a stable hand, then slipped under the raised rear panel of the boot. The space was narrow and smelled of leather, oil, and the faint metallic tang of hunting knives, but it was just large enough for a small boy to curl into if he tucked his knees to his chest and pulled a thick woolen travel cloak over himself.

He had stayed perfectly still as the carriage rocked into motion, listening to the muffled voices of his parents above him. His mother fretted softly about the cold; his father answered in that low, steady tone Lucien already knew meant the conversation was over. No one checked the boot again. By the time the hunting party reached the forest edge, Lucien had already slipped out the moment the carriage stopped and the adults began disembarking, vanishing into the undergrowth before anyone could notice the extra set of small footprints in the soft earth.

Now he crouched behind a thick shrub between two ancient oaks, heart hammering with both fear and wild excitement as he watched the noblemen form their lines. Bows were strung. Spears glinted. The king’s white horse stood at the center like a living banner. Lucien’s eyes shone. He had never seen anything so grand.

He did not yet know that the next few hours would change everything—that the forest would take more than just the game the hunters sought, and that the boy who had sneaked into a carriage boot for a glimpse of glory would one day become the man who still carried the scars of that day.

---

Back in the present, Elian’s breath hitched as the memory unfolded inside his mind. Lucien’s arms remained steady around him in the river, holding him through every sharp image, every cold rush of childhood fear and wonder.

"I’m here," Lucien whispered against his wet hair, feeling the tremor that ran through Elian’s body. "You’re seeing me. All of me. Keep looking, my love... I’m not hiding anything from you anymore."