Chapter 42: Proof That You’re Real

Basil’s lips crashed against Darius’s with a sudden, searing intensity, catching him completely off guard. His breath snagged in his throat as Basil kissed him with desperate urgency, clinging to him as though he were the only solid thing left in a collapsing world.

For a moment, Darius’s mind went completely blank. Then the flood of sensation hit him all at once, sweeping away the last scraps of restraint he had been clinging to. He kissed him back with equal hunger, intoxicated by the warmth of his mouth, the way Basil’s trembling fingers twisted tightly into the fabric of his shirt, and the uneven breaths shared between them.

This is actually happening.

The thought echoed through the haze clouding his mind. I’m actually kissing my prince.

His hand rose instinctively to the back of Basil’s neck, fingers threading through soft hair as he gently drew him closer. A shaky sound escaped Basil, somewhere between a sigh and a sob, before he leaned in again without hesitation. Every movement was filled with raw emotion, as though he was terrified that if he let go for even a second, Darius might disappear.

The kiss was clumsy, unpolished, and awkward. It was obvious Basil had absolutely no idea what he was doing. He was brutally inexperienced when it came to kissing. The realization warmed Darius’s heart. He found himself wondering whether this might actually be Basil’s first kiss.

The thought sent an unexpected thrill through his chest. Pushing the distracting thought aside, Darius allowed himself to get lost in the moment instead. Eventually, Basil pulled back just enough to breathe, his forehead dropping heavily against Darius’s as he fought to steady himself. Their breaths mingled in the narrow space between them, warm and uneven, while neither seemed willing to create any real distance.

"You’re really here, Darius" he whispered, the words trembling with emotion. "You’re really here with me. I’m not dreaming."

Darius’s expression softened instantly. "Yes, I’m right here with you," he murmured, his thumb brushing gently along his jaw.

"I need to...I need to touch you to be sure. I have to feel you...everywhere. Let me touch you, Darius," Basil said, his trembling hands already moving, tugging at the hem of Darius’s shirt with clumsy urgency. Darius covered the trembling hands with his own, grounding them.

Basil’s eyes snapped up, a crack of fear breaking through the longing. "It’s okay," Darius said, offering a small, reassuring smile despite the pounding in his heart. "I’m not trying to stop you. I just want to help you. Let me help you, okay?"

Basil swallowed hard before giving a small, shaky nod. Together, they worked the shirt up and over Darius’s shoulders until the cool air kissed his bare skin. Basil’s eyes traced every newly exposed inch, his throat bobbing as he took in the sight. "You’ve filled out in all the right places," Basil whispered, his palm flattening against Darius’s chest, right above his heart.

The touch was gentle, almost reverent, sending a shiver straight down Darius’s spine. Basil’s fingers slowly traced the broad expanse of his chest, following the lean lines of muscle before moving up to grip his firm biceps. His gaze lingered on every inch of him, as though he were trying to commit every detail to memory.

There was something almost awe-struck in the way he looked at him, as though he still couldn’t quite believe this moment was real.

To be looked at like this, touched like this, and appreciated by the man he had longed for across so many years made Darius’s pulse skyrocket.

Basil continued tracing his body as if he needed to map every inch of warm skin. "I still can’t believe it," he admitted softly. "You’re actually here with me. I thought I had lost you forever."

Darius’s expression softened. "Tell me how you want me to prove it to you that this is real," he whispered, his voice thick with devotion as he leaned down until his face was only inches from Basil’s. "How do I show it to you that I’m real?"

Basil looked up, his green eyes dark with raw emotion. "Can I... can I really touch you everywhere?" he asked, barely audible.

"Yes, you can," Darius replied without hesitation, leaning in and brushing his lips against the corner of Basil’s mouth. "You can touch me wherever you want. You don’t even need to ask. I’m all yours, my prince."

A shudder rippled through Basil as he leaned in, his hands moving everywhere, sliding over shoulders, gliding down arms, tracing the dip of Darius’s waist, and mapping the line of his ribs. He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Darius’s collarbone, then another, trailing down to the center of his chest. The rasp of warm breath over sensitive skin made Darius’s stomach clench.

​Basil paused, his lips hovering just above Darius’s nipple. "Can I suck it?"

"Y-Yes," Darius breathed, the word sounding more like a prayer than permission. ℯ

​Basil’s tongue tentatively flicked against the tip, coaxing it firm. Then his mouth closed around the tightened bud, and Darius’s head fell back, a low groan spilling from his throat.

"Oh my God, my prince..." The wet heat and gentle pull sent sparks skittering across his nerves. Basil hummed against him, the vibration traveling deep, while Darius’s fingers threaded through his soft blond hair, holding him close.

​Encouraged, Basil grew bolder, his teeth grazing the pebbled flesh just enough to make Darius gasp, "Oh, fuck." Basil’s tongue quickly soothed the sting with slow, warm strokes. His free hand reached up to tease the opposite nipple, rolling the peak between his thumb and forefinger in sync with the rhythm of his mouth, while his other hand trailed downward, his palm skating over Darius’s abdomen and tracing the faint trail of hair that disappeared beneath his waistband.

Darius’s hips bucked forward involuntarily at the contact, seeking more heat. Basil slid his hand beneath the fabric, his fingers wrapping firmly around the hardening length. Darius gasped, instantly catching Basil’s wrist to stay his hand, terrified he would lose control and climax right then and there if Basil kept stroking him.