eleven (1/1)

Several weeks later Minho was able to leave work early enough to go in to the forest.  It was a particularly hot day and Taemin suggested going to his favorite swimming spot.  They hiked together for a while following a different stream that branched off from the main river into a beautiful pool.  The trees encircled the whole pool and flowers drifted lazily around the edges, and the water was so clear the bottom was visible and Minho could even see the fish that swam around happily.  Taemin ran right up to the edge of the water and stood on a grassy bluff.  He looked back and smiled at Minho.  Today, Taemin wore a light blue tunic that clung to his thin body.  Minho knew he was developing a deep attraction to Taemin and today just solidified the feeling. The elf pulled his hair up in to a high pony tail, and revealed his slender neck.  As Minho walked up behind him he noticed a weird spot at the base of Taemin’s neck near his left shoulder, it looked very much like a bruise. “Taemin, what happened?” he felt so worried, he reached out and touched the little mark.  “Huh? Oh, that’s my Lyf mark.” “What?” Minho leaned closer to Taemin’s neck to look closer. He saw it wasn’t actually a solid color but an intricate woven design, that spread out near the edges like the branches of a tree.  “When you are born your connection with the Lyf force is vulnerable and can actually be taken off, kind of like a scab, I guess, as you age it becomes less prominent and sinks deeper into your body.  So, since I’m older you can’t take it from me as easily, it’s under my skin and a part of me now.” The whole explanation made Minho feel very protective.  Taemin’s existence was underneath his finger tips. He gently rubbed it before letting it go.  “Don’t you have one?” “No, I’m not a forest creature, silly.” “Well, no, but, don’t human’s have traits that pass down from generations?” “Oh, yes I guess so.  Eye color is one of them, and sometimes humans have what we call birth marks, that are kind of like your Lyf mark.  It’s just a patch of skin that is darker, but it doesn’t have anything special about it.” “Do you have one?” Minho faulted to answer right away, “Um, yes I do.” “Where? You saw mine I want to see yours.” Taemin pouted his bottom lip at Minho. “I don’t think so.” Minho turned to deposit his stuff at the base of a near by tree and hide the blush on his face.  “Why not, you’re going to take your close off any ways,” the elf put his hands on his hips. Minho chuckled, “Yes, but even so it’s not in a place that you’ll see today.” Taemin cocked his head in that cute way Minho loved. Minho pulled his shirt over his head, and then his pants off, leaving his under shorts on, and turned around for Taemin to inspect him.  The little elf got closer and looked Minho up and down before circling him.  The smaller boy’s eyebrows furrowed, as he pulled his own clothes off and threw them on the ground in frustration, obviously giving up.  “Where is it?” Minho rolled his eyes, “I’m only wearing one piece of clothing, do you really have to ask?”  Instantly, Taemin’s heated and his dark eyes narrowed.  Minho shrugged, “I’ll give you three guesses Taeminni, right cheek, left cheek, or…?” The elf inhaled sharply and smacked Minho on his shoulder. “You’re being awful,” he shrieked before he ran full speed at the water and jumped in with a splash. Minho laughed, loving the reaction he could get out of the boy.  Quickly, he followed after, jumping in, careful not to land on the elf.  The water was warm and surprisingly deep.  Minho shook the water from his face only to be splashed by Taemin.  The elf’s laughter filled the gulf.  Minho gently splashed him back before he swam after him.  Taemin was just as lithe in the water as he was on land and Minho had a hard time keeping up with him.  As Taemin swam Minho couldn’t help but let his eyes wander over the exposed parts of Taemin’s lean body.  His arms and legs were so thin but beautifully sculpted, his stomach was flat and taut and his back was perfect.  They swam and laughed for a long time before they swam to the shallow bank and Minho settled down.  “Human’s get tired easily,” Taemin whined.  He obviously still wanted play but Minho was indeed tired. “Just how many humans have you seen?” “You’re not the only human who comes here you know. Sometimes, people come in groups to gather things from the forest like wood, stones, and herbs, but never do they come in very far.” Taemin swam near him, and continued talking as if he were reminiscing.  “Sometimes, people come in just to be alone and every once in a while some times people come in to do other things.”  “What do you mean?” “You know, they do things.” Taemin had a little mischievous smile on his perfect lips. “Like what, Taemin?” Minho had no idea what he was talking about.  The little elf pulled his legs up to chest and looked away.  “Just things, Minho. That two people do, alone, and in secret.” Now it was becoming obvious, Taemin had seen a couples having sex.  Minho guessed that’s what it was but he wanted to see how much he could embarrass Taemin. “I don’t understand, Taemin, what do they do?” Minho leaned closer to Taemin.  The little elf was significantly pink now.  “You know, some times, that thing two people do.” “No, I don’t that’s why I’m asking.” Minho leaned even closer, almost whispering in to Taemin’s ear.  The little elf, slowly turned his head to face Minho, looking at the man under his lashes, and looking very shy.  “I didn’t know humans accepted same gender love too.” He looked up at Minho through his long lashes.  “What?” Now Minho was a little embarrassed, “um, well, it’s not really, but…elves are okay with it?” Taemin nodded, “are you okay with it?” he asked.  Minho thought a moment, he had been raised being told it was wrong, but he had never thought about his own opinion, no one ever asked.  With his current feelings developing for Taemin he obviously wasn’t opposed to it.  “I think if you love some one, that’s what is important.” It was his honest answer.  Taemin hummed like he approved.  “Can I tell you a secret?” the elf whispered. Minho’s heart was beating way faster than he realized, “of course.” “There was one time that I followed two boys who came in to the forest, and I didn’t leave them right away. I know it was shameful thing to do, but my curiosity wouldn’t let me leave” his voice was quiet and his face was a deep shade of red, he was trying to hide behind his knees.  “They were younger like us, and one looked like a dog and the other boy was small like a fox.  They dog boy led him in to a very pretty part of the forest and sang him a song, professing his love.  It was very sweet, and when they started kissing it wasn’t like a lot of the other couples that just come here and quickly get it over with and leave.” Taemin paused; he looked less embarrassed and now almost sad.  “I could tell they really cared for each other, the way the dog boy held the fox boy so carefully, and they kissed so gently, I really hope one day I can find some one to love me like that.”  Taemin stared out over the pond for a short while. Minho wanted to hold him and tell him how much he cared, but it felt like the wrong time.   The sun was low by the time they had dried off and made it back to the edge of the forest.  They lingered, and tried to come up with more to say so they could avoid goodbye.  Minho had told Taemin that he wasn’t sure when the next time he could come to the forest, so it was even harder.  They finally had run out of things to awkwardly chat about so Minho offered word of gentle parting.  “Taemin I really had a lot of fun today, when ever we are together, it is always so nice.”  “I feel the same, Minho, I, um, I’m going to miss you. I hope you get another day away soon.”  Minho felt butterflies in his stomach as he watched Taemin shyly ring his fingers together.  Ever since they had talked on the beach Minho had the desire to show Taemin that he had feelings for him, and it felt like now or never.  If he thought about it too long he wouldn’t do it.  He quickly leaned forward and cupped Taemin’s soft cheek.  When his lips touched the elf’s time seemed to stop.  He felt the boy hold his breath, he felt the warmth of his soft skin on his, and he felt nothing but ecstasy.  When they parted, Minho kept his face close to Taemin’s and watched the smaller boy bite his lip and fuss under his touch.  He had to make sure he didn’t just ruin everything.   “Minho,” he breathed, “please, don’t be too long.” He rolled up on his tip toes and kissed Minho full on before turning and running up the nearest tree.  Minho stood staring after him for a few minutes, “I promise I will come back soon Taemin.”    (A/N; This was a very fun chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it c:  I started another story, it’s a zombie story and I’d love if you checked it out! Rotten IMPORTANT: Just so you all know I plan on adding another chapter that will have M material, I didn’t make this story M before hand so I will post it as its own separate chapter, I will make it easy to skip over if you didn’t plan on this being a mature story.) Tumblr