“I want you in me,” he murmured against Levrith’s lips. “Now. I need it now.” Ceto wrapped his slender fingers around Levrith’s cock, squeezing. “Need this big, hard cock in me. Stretching me open. Fucking me deep.”

  Levrith groaned, dropping his head forward as Ceto’s skillful fingers worked his member.

  Ceto released him, pushing him away, turning over, reaching for a bag on the floor. Levrith ran his hand reverently over Ceto’s plump arse. He leaned forward and kissed one cheek.

  Levrith squeezed the cheeks and pulled them apart, looking at the puckered hole. He swallowed. I’m about to put my cock in there. He ran a finger back and forth over the opening, pressing gently against the skin. Ceto rocked backwards, groaning. The blunt tip of his finger slid in. He gasped at the sight.

  “Here. Take this,” Ceto said, voice strained. Pulling his gaze away from Ceto’s hole, he saw Ceto holding a bottle towards him. “Get it all over your fingers. Then slide them into me.”

  Levrith took it. With fumbling fingers, he pulled out the stopper. He poured some over his fingers, the oil slippery and cool. Then he poured it over Ceto’s hole. It clenched, and Levrith’s cock pulsed. The oil ran down Ceto’s taint, dripping onto the sleeping mat.

  He ran his hand along Ceto’s entrance, all slippery and smooth. Ceto moaned, rocking backwards. Taking that as encouragement, Levrith circled Ceto’s hole with an oiled finger. Then slowly he pressed forward, watching as Ceto’s body sucked him in.

  “Yes,” Ceto hissed.

  Holding his breath, Levrith pushed the finger deep. Ceto rocked back on the digit until the finger was completely inside him, right down to the knuckle. Levrith pulled the finger out and pressed it back inside. He licked his lips, hypnotised by the sight of his finger moving in and out, disappearing inside Ceto. His cock pulsed with need. He had never seen anything so arousing in his life.

  “Add another,” Ceto gasped. His body trembled as Levrith pulled his finger out, then pressed two inside. “That’s good,” he said, rocking back and forth on the digits. “Now stretch them apart.”

  Mouth dry, Levrith moved them apart, stretching Ceto. Ceto dropped onto his elbows, pushing his arse back. “Another. Now,” he demanded.

  “You sure?” Ceto felt so tight around him already. How could he fit another finger, let alone his cock?

  Ceto reached back, grasping at Levrith’s thighs, fingers digging into skin and muscle. “Yes! Now!”

  Levrith added another finger, pushing three in. He watched, amazed, as Ceto’s small, tight hole expanded, accommodating his thick fingers.

  Ceto moaned, arching his back. “That’s enough. Now I need your cock.”

  Levrith pulled his fingers out. Ceto turned. Mouth gaping. Chest rising and falling. Cheeks flushed. Cock rigid and leaking.

  He shoved Levrith in the chest, pushing him onto his back. Ceto grabbed the oil and upended the bottle. A stream of golden liquid drizzled over Levrith’s cock and thighs.

  Levrith startled at the feel of the cool oil against his sensitive, hot flesh. Ceto wrapped a hand around Levrith’s cock, stroking him roughly, spreading the oil. Levrith threw his head back, squeezing his eyes shut and crying out at the sensation of his cock finally getting some attention.

  “You’re going to feel so good inside me.” Ceto climbed on top of him, hand settling on his chest. Levrith opened his eyes. Above him, Ceto held Levrith’s cock in one hand, angling it as he positioned himself above the tip.

  Levrith held his breath, watching as Ceto slowly lowered himself. Levrith held himself completely still. Ceto pressed down, his hand tightening in Levrith’s chest hair as the head breached him.

  Ceto’s eyes fluttered shut. Levrith groaned at the feel of Ceto’s tight heat around the tip of his member. Ceto lifted. He pressed down and lifted again, teasing his hole with the head of Levrith’s cock.

  “Seroth, you’re beautiful,” Levrith whispered in awe.

  He reached out, hands clutching at Ceto’s thighs. He wanted to thrust up, but he forced himself not to, letting Ceto take control. Finally, painstakingly slowly, Ceto lowered himself in one long, fluid movement. His head fell back, Adam’s apple bobbing, moaning as he took Levrith’s cock deep inside him. Levrith gasped at the pleasure that engulfed his member.

  Ceto gyrated his hips. “Your cock feels so good inside me.” He rocked his hips. “So big,” he said, voice breathy. “I’m so full.”

  Ceto rose, Levrith’s cock sliding from his hole. Ceto dropped back down, taking Levrith’s cock deep inside him. Levrith moaned. His fingers dug into Ceto’s thighs. Ceto leaned forward, both hands on Levrith’s chest. He continued rising and falling, Levrith’s cock gliding in and out in smooth, fluid movements.

  “Oh,” Ceto cried. “You feel so good,” Ceto groaned. “That’s the spot. Yes. Right there.”

  Levrith bit his lip, trying to hold back the orgasm that was increasing inside him as Ceto rose and fell faster. Ceto’s chest and neck flushed. The muscles in Ceto’s legs clenched and unclenched beneath Levrith’s hands as he moved, bouncing on Levrith’s cock.

  “I’m close,” Levrith whispered. He could feel his body tingling, his balls pulling up, as waves of intense pleasure flowed through him.

  “Wait.” Before Levrith could respond, Ceto pulled off. Levrith’s cock slipped from his hole.

  Confused, Levrith tried to grab hold of Ceto.

  Ceto lay on his back. “Sorry.” He shoved blankets and pillows beneath himself, propping his arse up. He gestured for Levrith to move between his legs. In a daze, Levrith got on his knees, getting into place.

  Ceto reached for Levrith’s dick, guiding it to his hole.

  “Sorry,” Ceto whispered again. He reached for Levrith’s waist and pulled him forward. Levrith’s cock slid easily back in.

  They both groaned.

  “I just…” Ceto’s chest rose and fell. “I just… I want you to really fuck me. As hard as you can. This is my first dicking in years. I want to feel you for days.”

  He pulled Levrith down for a hard kiss. “You won’t hurt me. Promise.” Ceto guided Levrith’s hands so he was holding the backs of his thighs. “Now hold me open and fuck me as hard as you can.”

  Levrith didn’t need to be told twice. His body was buzzing with the need to fuck. To spend. He squeezed Ceto’s toned thighs, pressing them back and holding Ceto open. He could see his cock buried inside Ceto. He pulled back and shoved forward, thrusting into Ceto’s waiting body.

  “Yes!” Ceto hissed. “Just like that.”

  Levrith thrust again and again, as hard as he could. Pleasure pulsed through him.

  “Tell me how it feels?” Ceto gasped.

  “Incredible.” He panted. “Your arse is so tight around me. I’ve never felt anything so good.” His hands clenched on Ceto’s thighs.

  Ceto’s body jolted with each hard thrust. Ceto cried out, a sound like a sob.

  Levrith watched himself thrusting into Ceto, the skin stretching taut around his dick.

  “I’m close.” Eyes squeezed shut, Ceto reached down and wrapped his hand around his cock. “I’m close.” Silvery liquid drizzled from the tip onto his abs. “I want you to come inside me. Shoot your load deep inside my arse.”

  Levrith groaned and thrust again, ploughing into Ceto.

  “Yes.” Ceto’s hand moved in a blur over his cock. “I swear, your cock was made for fucking my arse.”

  Levrith pressed down harder onto Ceto’s thighs until Ceto was bent right back onto himself. Levrith’s hips thrust hard and fast as his orgasm built and spiralled inside him.

  “Yes. Yes. Levrith!” Ceto’s body went taut. Cum pulsed from his cock, splattering on his chest and throat. His body tightened around Levrith’s cock, and Levrith threw his head back, his cock shooting deep inside Ceto.

  When he could breathe again, Levrith withdrew, collapsing next to Ceto onto the bed in a mess of sweat, seed, and oil.

  Ceto turned on his side, pulling Levrith in for a slow, languid kiss.

  “How was that?” Ceto asked, stroking the side of Levrith’s bearded face.

  Levrith smiled softly. “Perfection.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Levrith reached for a cloth and dipped it into a small basin of water, both of which they now kept near the bed. He stroked the cold cloth along Ceto’s skin. Wiping his neck, chest, stomach, and cock, and then reaching back and cleaning his hole. Ceto flinched at the soreness.

  “Did I hurt you?” Levrith asked.

  “A little, but it’s the good kind of hurt. Tomorrow, with each step I take, I’ll remember that I had your big cock filling me.” Ceto wasn’t lying. The sex had been perfect and worth the slight ache.

  Levrith’s cheeks flushed as he cleaned himself. “We really made a mess this time.” He threw the cloth onto the floor.

  “Messy sex is the best sex. Now lie down. I’m tired.”

  Levrith got up, extinguished the lantern, and crawled into bed with Ceto, pulling him against his chest. “Night, Ceto.”

  “Night.” Ceto dropped a kiss onto Levrith’s chest. “Next time, maybe I’ll fuck you. Would you like that?”

  Levrith inhaled sharply. “Very much.”

  Ceto chuckled, nuzzling his face into Levrith’s furry chest, enjoying the feel of snuggling up next to him. Gradually, Levrith’s breathing evened out. But Ceto didn’t want to sleep. His body tingled, and his head felt light, like he was floating in a river. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this satisfied. This happy.

  And it was because of Levrith.

  He smiled as he snuggled closer. He wished he could stay like this forever, wrapped up in Levrith. He frowned.

  Did he care for Levrith? In a way beyond friendship? He probably should have considered it before now, but he’d been too wrapped up in the sex.

  Obviously, he desired him. And they’d been friends for years. But could it be more? He gazed up at the man. Levrith’s mouth was ajar as he breathed deeply in his sleep. Ceto reached up and touched his beard, playing with the wiry hair. Still, Levrith slept on.

  What he felt for Levrith was very different from what he felt for Silas. He’d loved Silas for years. Silas had saved him, and Ceto had always respected, admired, and looked up to the man. But if he was honest, he was thinking about Silas less and less these days. Was it just because he wasn’t near him? Or was he finally getting over Silas?

  Whatever this was between him and Levrith, it was different. In some ways, it just felt easier with him, like Ceto could be himself. Like they just fit. But they were friends, so of course they got along well. Or could it be something more?

  Ceto dropped his hand and snuggled closer. No point thinking of all that now. It was too much, and Ceto had time to work it out. He could think on it another day.

  Chapter

  Eighteen

  “She’s getting so good at flying!” Ceto watched as Chirp fluttered around before landing on the pawpaw they’d hung. “I think the pawpaw is her favourite.” She squeaked and chirped as her pink tongue darted out, lapping at the orange fruit.

  “She’ll probably be ready to be released soon.” The idea sent a pang through Levrith. He knew she belonged in the trees with all the other bats. Still, he didn’t want to let her go.

  “You think?”

  “We’ll ask Grandma. She’ll know.”

  “Chirp is just like me,” Ceto said. “Well, I’m not going to be released, but I’m much better now. I’m healthy and strong again, and ready to get back to sea. Where I belong.”

  Levrith smiled at the joy in Ceto’s voice. “I’m glad. You’re a terrible patient.”

  “Oy!” He shoved Levrith’s shoulder, then shrugged. “I guess I can’t argue with that. No one tolerates me like you do.” He smiled widely. “And soon we’ll be back on the Naiad’s Revenge!”

  “Aye.” Levrith was pleased. He really was. He was glad Ceto was better. Excited for them both to be back on the ship. But he wondered what it would mean for the two of them. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I’ve…ah…been meaning to talk to—”

  “Who is that?” Ceto walked to the railing, looking in the direction of the dirt path.

  Levrith turned, squinting. He searched in the direction Ceto looked. “I can’t see anyone.”

  “There.” Ceto pointed. “They’re running.”

  Levrith stared. Finally, he spotted a pair running. He couldn’t work out who it was at first, but soon they grew larger, their features becoming clearer.

  “I think those are my nephews,” Levrith said.

  “Do you think there’s trouble?” Ceto asked.

  “I’m not sure.”

  When they got closer to the house, Levrith called out, “Verin, Thelath, what are you doing here?”

  “Uncle Levrith!” Verin yelled. “Grandma told us you have to come.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “No. Just Grandma said you have to come to dinner. She sent us. You have to come now.”

  Levrith’s shoulders slumped with relief. “You can tell her we’ll be there soon.”

  “She said you have to come now!”

  Beside him, Ceto laughed.

  Levrith shook his head. “All right, we’re coming.”

  Satisfied, the boys ran off, back along the path.

  “Well, I guess we’ve been summoned,” Levrith grouched.

  “Guess so.” Ceto clapped him on the shoulder.

  “Oh good. You boys made it,” Levrith’s mother called out as she bustled over, away from his family clustered together around his parents’ house. The children sprinted around the adults’ legs, laughing and squealing as they played. The sun had almost set, the sky dyed a mixture of gold, pink, and purple.

  “Hello, Veratha,” Ceto said as Levrith’s mother hugged him.

  Levrith pulled her in for a hug. “Care to tell us why we were so urgently summoned?”

  “It was Grandma’s idea actually. It’s a new moon tonight—”

  “A new moon for a new beginning.” Grandma walked over, leaning on her cane. “Ceto is doing so much better”—she reached out and squeezed his arm—“and you will both be leaving us soon. It is a new beginning. A new phase for you both. It would be wrong not to perform a new moon ritual to mark the occasion.

  “And tonight, the tide will be at its highest. Perfect conditions.” She nodded. “Now I must go ahead and prepare.” She turned and left, walking slowly. “I will meet you at the beach,” she called back.

  “Do you need any help?” Levrith called.

  She waved her hand dismissively and continued.

  “She’s never been good at accepting assistance.” His mother chuckled. She clapped her hands together. “Now, I also need to go and prepare.”

  “Need any help?” Levrith asked.

  “No. You two just relax,” his mother said and walked back to her house.

  “What are they preparing for?” Ceto asked once she was gone.

  Levrith shrugged. “Mum’s probably preparing food, and Grandma’s preparing for the new moon ritual. I haven’t actually taken part in one in years.”

  They spent the next while moving around and talking with his family.

  Levrith found himself standing with his father and sister as they talked. Ceto sat cross-legged on the ground, listening to one of his nieces, Rela, as she animatedly gesticulated. He nodded along, eyes widening. Levrith smothered a laugh. Ceto had been so timid around the children at first. Now he had no problem with them. In fact, he fit in well with his family.

  “I like him.”

  Levrith startled. He’d been so focused on Ceto he hadn’t realised his sister had gone off, leaving him alone with his father.

  His father smiled, looking in Ceto’s direction. A single earring dangled from his ear, a string of white-and-dark-blue stones. It matched the earring his mother wore. They had both worn them since their wedding day.

  “I like him too,” Levrith said.

  “And it’s been nice having you back.”

  “I’ve enjoyed it as well. I’ll miss it when I leave.”

  “Just make sure you visit us regularly, then you won’t miss us so much.”

  “I’ll make sure I do that. I promise.”

  His father nodded at Ceto. “I’m glad he makes you happy. You deserve to be happy and not so alone.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” He wondered if his mother had said anything to his dad. Or maybe he had just worked it out on his own.

  “Be sure to bring him back next time you visit. He’s part of the family now.” He clapped Levrith on the shoulder and walked off.

  Levrith wanted that. Wanted Ceto to come back, visit his home and family with him, but would Ceto want that? Or would Ceto just remember this time in his life as a time he’d been sick? Maybe he wanted to forget all about it. Forget Levrith’s family. Forget the island. Forget everything that he and Levrith had been to each other here.

  Each time a wave came in, the water splashed at Levrith’s calves before it receded. His toes dug into the soft, wet sand. Ceto’s hand was cool in his left. His mother’s hand, warm, in the right. His grandmother walked steadily around the inside of the circle that the family had created. In her hand, she held several coastal herbs that she had collected, bundled together, and lit.

  The scent of the smoking herbs floated in the air before being carried away on the salty sea air. He could barely hear his grandmother. She spoke too softly, and the constant sloshing and splashing of the waves drowned her out.

  Levrith snuck a peek at Ceto. He had his eyes closed, swaying, forward and back. His mouth moved slightly. Every now and then, he took a deep breath, his shoulders rising. Levrith frowned. Normally, everyone other than his grandmother just stood or sat, depending on the ritual. But Ceto seemed involved in a way Levrith had never been.

  After several minutes, the ritual ended, and most of the family made their way to the beach. A large bonfire blazed, overseen by his father and brother, Vil. His nieces and nephews assisted by dragging dried branches, often larger than themselves, from the shrubbery onto the beach. His mother leaned forward and placed a large pot on the outskirts of the flames.