A Lasting Love

By:

Daemon Kahlil Wilson

This story and its characters are a copyright of Daemon Kahlil Schaffer-Wilson, and is NOT to be sold in any way shape or form without the FULL consent of the writer (Daemon Kahlil Schaffer-Wilson). This story does not reflect the views of the seller, only the writer. This story depicts intimate relation ships between gay couples and is not recommended to be read by anyone under the age of 14.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

The sun had set on the glistening towers of ArtinCity, turning the sky a beautiful shade of purple. Altarin always thought that the city was better at night, though most people might disagree with him saying that it was too dark and "scary", but Altarin thought it added a cold and awakening atmosphere. He had always lived in the city, weather it was in Artin or another city, he was a city boy, born and raised around the concrete and steel. All the tall glass buildings, the people, the diversity.

Altarin was a young dragon, he had only just turned 14 two days ago, and he was going to be back in school in another day. He was going to be in high school now and he thought of it as a great triumph in maturity and stature. But all it really meant was that to the world he would just be another annoying teenager.

The sun had set, giving way to the night, of which always gave Altarin the perfect environment to think and be creative. He always lost his sense of time at night, the only thing he really paid attention to was whether or not it was midnight. This was one of his most anxious days, he was going to go to high school in another fiew hours. He wasn't ready for any of the challenges he was about to face, even if he thought he was, it was just a matter of time before his big secret came out to everyone in his life. The secret he held so close to his heart, the one thing that he could not escape, day after day. This was his time to become a true dragon, the one that his father always said would grow up and eventually become his own person, a man, the man that had his own thoughts, his own wants and needs, his own sense of joy, and his own family one day.

Altarin missed his father. He always loved him more then anyone could know. But sadly his father wasn't there that night to tell him that it would be all right. He had little memory of his father; he had died in a building collapse. His mother was determined to not let that kind of thing happen to Altarin; she would do anything to keep her son safe, and perfect. But that would be his problem one day... her unwillingness to let go of the sweet young boy that she knew from the past, before his father died. Altarin lie awake most night looking at all the tall buildings wishing it hadn't happened, rehashing it over and over again in his mind trying to figure out why. Why had he died? Why couldn't he have just told him that that day was going to be the last time he'd see his father? But Altarin grew woozy at the thought. He looked at the clock and it said the time was far to late to be thinking of his father. He had school tomorrow, and he must make a good impression.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Altarin woke to the sound of his mother knocking on the door, "Honey, you awake yet?" she cracked the door open and peeked in.

"Mom!" Altarin wasn't fond of sleeping with any clothing on so he was fumbling with his under wear trying to at least cover him self.

"Sorry honey, I just thought you might want to get a move on if you want to get to school on time." She replied averting her eyes.

Altarin was shivering at the cold air coming in through the door way. He got his pants on and headed down the hallway.

"Mom, why don't they make the tail hole in pants bigger?" he asked rubbing his tail.

"Because, you don't want everyone to see your cute but do you?" She replied smiling handing him a glass of orange juice.

"Morning all." Altarin's older brother Telledon said as came into the living room. He was 17 and he this was his last year in high school.

"Good morning Telledon. Looking forward to collage after this year? I hear they have some nice ones in Lesto." His mother said with a fake smile on her face.

"Nah. I heard they have the perfect collage right here in Artin. And then he won't even have to leave home." Altarin said looking up at his big brother with a loving smile, anticipating his response.

Telledon smiled at his little brother, "Yeah, then I won't have to leave my little tail wager." Tail wager was Altarin's nick name. Given to him by his brother because he always waged his tail when he was sitting and in a good mood. Which often happened when he was around his brother.

Altarin smiled so hard he started to blush. He immediately looked down at his plate, still smiling, once he realized.

The arrived at the usual stop, "Gotta go mom, see yah after school." Altarin kissed his mother on the way out and got on the bus.

School wasn't all that different, except the schedule of course. He found hi way to his first class, Science. He seated himself in the right in the middle of the class, figuring it would be the most secure right in the line of view to the teacher. But sadly he was incorrect, the teacher had a desk in the far right corner of the room.

The people started coming in the class one by one, each looking just a little less confused then him.

"Now class," The teacher started as soon as the bell rang "I hope to give each and everyone of you a greater understanding of the universe we live in before this year ends. And hopefully we can safely blow some stuff up along the way." The class laughed at his joke almost in unison. This made Altarin even more uncomfortable as he found himself laughing with them.

Altarin was scanning the room to see what kin of people there were in this class. He knew that the one thing that his father had left him was a good eye for what kind of people are around him.

Later that day, at lunch, Altarin sat alone at a table that he saw was empty. As Altarin sat and ate he could feel at least three pairs of eyes on him at once. But just as he was about to leave the table and throw the rest of his lunch in the garbage, one of the kids watching him, who was also sitting alone at the time, came up behind him and sat down next to him.

"Hi there." The boy was the exact same height as Altarin. He sat next to Altarin and smiled, his eyes were like the rising sun, beautiful and intensely yellow.

"H-Hi..." Altarin didn't know what to say about it. He wasn't so much surprised as he was nervous about trying to socialize.

"What are you called?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's your name?"

"Oh, um... my name is Altarin. What's yours?"

"Hi Altarin, my name is Teosan."

"Where are you from?"

"Oh, well... I... I'm really not from anywhere..." His smile immediately turned down solemnly. "I've move too much to really be from somewhere."

"Oh I'm sorry." Altarin looked down at his food, moving it about on his plate.

"Don't be. It's far from your fault. My dad has a job at the military base here, so I really don't have a choice." Teosan put his hand on Altarin's shoulder.

"Well its better then my life. My dad died about a year ago. He was in a building collapse."

"Aww. I'm sorry I didn't know, I shouldn't have brought it up." Teosan put his other hand on Altarin's.

Altarin looked up at Teosan and smiled. At that moment they found the one person that they thought they might never find; a friend that understood there pain.

After the school bell rang and the two met up in the hallway with there backpacks on and ready to start the day with each other.

"So Altarin, are you allowed to walk to other people's houses?"

"Well I'll have to call my mom and ask, but I'm sure she'll say yes." Altarin produced a cell phone from his pocket and dialed three. The phone rang for a little while then went to voice mail. He stared at the phone with a confused look, "That's weird... my mom usually picks up when I call. Hm... I'll try to call my brother..." Altarin pressed the two speed dial.

The phone continued to ring when his brother picked up, "Hay Tail Wager, I really can't talk right now."

"Sorry but I just needed to ask you to ask mom something for me."

"Oh, well I'm talking to her right now as a matter of fact. But I really don't think she's in the mood to talk..." Telledon sounded like he was panting.

"Hi honey. What's up?" His mom cut in.

"Um... I... just wanted to ask if I could have a... good friend over."

"Oh I'm sorry honey, but we have some things to talk about when you get home."

"Oh," Altarin had a disappointed voice as he replied, "Okay. I'll see you at home." He hit the end on the phone and turned to Teosan, "Sorry but she said we have to 'talk'."

"Oh... okay. Well I'll see you later."

Altarin turned around to head home when he felt a sudden tug. He turned around and saw Teosan holding onto his hand, "Altarin... I know we just me but... I..."

Altarin looked into his eyes and immediately recognized the look he was giving him. It was the look of his past. It was his secret. "I know." He said with a smile. "But I have to go, my mom sounds worried. I'm sorry, but we'll talk later." Altarin turned and walked toward his house.

Altarin arrived at his house and threw his backpack on the floor next to the door. "Mom are you home?"

"Altarin, hey buddy." Telledon peered around the corner, "Um, we have some things to talk about..."

"What things?" Altarin's eyes widened as he remembered what that meant to the two of them, "You don't mean... mom has figured out the secret?"

Telledon nodded in reply, sitting down next to his little brother.

Altarin felt a sudden sting in his stomach as he looked up into Telledon's eyes, "Mom has figured out we are gay?"

The two brothers were staring into each others eyes as a cold feeling rushed trough the air, conflicting with the intense heat in Altarin's stomach.

"She said that I have four days till I have to leave. And by then she is going to put you into a... 'therapy' thing. The more appropriate word for it would be institution." His eyes went soft, tears welling in his eyes, "Altarin... I-I love you!" Telledon embraced his little brother in his arms.

"I-I love you too." Altarin closed hi eyes, burying his face in his brother's shirt. He started to cry, his tears soaking into his brothers shirt.

"I'm so sorry. She found... some stuff on my laptop that... it told it all. Everything, about you, about me. She saw the pictures of me and Rentis. And the pictures of... you and me." He sniffled and tightened his grip on Altarin, running his fingers trough his soft blond hair, "I never meant for her to see those. I'm so sorry Altarin!" Both of there sobs became louder and Telledon separated them, still keeping his grip on Altarin's shoulders, "If you're ready... we did talk about... running away together. But I'm not going to try to rush you or force you to if you don't want to."

"I-I can't, I'm sorry. I love you more then anyone but- I can't leave. I just can't!" Altarin said leaning into his brother, griping him tightly, "I love you so much Telledon! Will I ever see you again?" He looked up into Telledon's eyes.

"Yes Tail Wager. Yes you will, I'll find a way. I'll find you, whatever it takes."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Altarin lay in his bed, missing his brother, tears running down his cheeks. The words of his brother echoed in his head like the sound of a ghost; "I'll find you, whatever it takes." He looked up at the stars and realized that he couldn't live without his brother, but... what could he do? He had no clue where his brother went. Altarin closed his eyes, his sobs became almost audible. Altarin felt cold, alone, and like he would never see his brother again.

But he knew one thing that his brother had taught him; no matter who you are, you can always find a shoulder to cry on. Altarin opened his eyes and sat up. He knew what he had to do now.

Altarin opened the window to his bedroom and crawled out onto the roof and down the old tree by his house that had been there for as long as the house itself and hoped onto the grass in nothing but his underwear. He could feel the grass under his bare feet as he walked away from the house to the pavement. A warm breeze blew across his skin sending a chill down his body, forcing him to take a deep breath and feel the fear wash away an be replaced by a sense of love and courage. Altarin was determined to find his brother. Whatever it took.

"Good by mom, I-I don't know what to say." He said turning to look at his house, the bedroom window where his mother lie awake reading was lit. "I can't say I'm sorry, because I'm not. I don't think you even want me anymore." As he walked away he had only one doubt; was his friend really going to help him?

Altarin arrived at his best friend's house. He picked up a small rock and tossed it at the side of the house where Teosan's window was placed. Teosan opened his window, "Altarin? What are you doing here, and why are you crying?" He crawled out of his window and took a small jump off of the ledge of his house, landing in the grass, also in his underwear.

"My mom found out I'm gay, and she kicked my brother out of the house and was going to send me to a 'gay reformation clinic'. Now I'm trying to find my brother but I can't do this alone. Will you come with me?" Altarin's eyes filled with tears as he described his situation to his best friend.

"Altarin... I... I can't. I have a family that would be terrified if I left. Its just my mom and my sister and me. I can't leave them." Teosan's eyes filled with sympathetic tears for his friend.

"But I can't do this alone... and... I-I love you Teosan. You're all I have left. Pleas." He ran to Teosan and hugged him so tightly that Teosan let out a gasp. Altarin started to cry in Teosan's arms, "Pleas, I love you."

"I-I know. I loved you from the moment I spotted you sitting alone at that table." Teosan stroked Altarin's short hair, "I'll come with you. I'll leave a note for my family. For you Altarin, I love you."

Altarin fell to the ground crying holding something around his neck.

"Altarin, what is that? I never noticed it before."

"It-Its m-my dads. H-He always said that one d-day I would need it to b-bring m-my spirit up." Altarin was shaking, from pain, or the chill of the wind. Either way, he seemed so vulnerable to Teosan.

"Oh, oh Altarin... I... Let's get you in some cloths. And I think you can let go of my underwear now." Teosan picked Altarin off the ground and walked him inside and past his parents on the couch watching a romance called "A Different Day".

Once they were in Teosan's bedroom Teosan put Altarin on the bed and went to the closet to get some cloths for them. "Look, Altarin... I love you, but... can this wait till tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"Because... I want to spend the night with you. In... In the same bed." Teosan turned around and looked at Altarin with an adoring stair.

"But we will be sleeping together all the time on the road."

"I know but, I just want to be romantic."

"Okay fine, he can't get much farther in a fiew hours. He's probably sleeping too."

Teosan made a small exited squeak and clapped his ands together quietly. Altarin got undressed, thought there wasn't much to take off, and got under the covers. Teosan joined him a fiew seconds later.

Teosan wrapped his arms around Altarin's waist and put his tail between his legs, "Altarin, do you really love me or were you just saying that to get me to go with you?"

Altarin felt a sudden warmth filling his stomach as he replied, "Yes Teosan. I love you." He turned around to face his partner, "I love you more then anyone I've met in the past. You... you remind me of my father." His stomach clenched at the name.

"Well that's weird... but thank you. I love you to." Teosan moved his hands away from Altarin's waist and encompassed him in a full embrace.

Altarin retuned the hug and kissed Teosan's lips. Teosan was surprised by Altarin's sudden affection, "Um... Altarin..."

"Yes Teosan."

"I... how much did you love your dad?"

"Not as much as I love you. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know."

Teosan and Altarin soon fell asleep in each others arms. The window was still open, letting in a cool breeze, forcing them to cuddle even closer under the blankets.

The sun rose over the city eventually spreading its rays to the suburbs where Altarin and Teosan slept safely in each others arms. But sadly the sun was not going to be there awakening as they had planned. The sound of sirens blared past the houses waking the sleeping people in them, including the two young dragons.

Altarin bolted up and looked out the window. The police cars had arrived at his house. He could only think that his mother had noticed he was gone, he started t think of her reaction to him missing. Even though he was only three houses away, in the bed of his best friend.

Teosan groaned as he woke up noticing Altarin was out of his arms, "Altarin, what's going on?"

"My mom has noticed I'm gone. The police are there." Altarin crawled over his friend and started to search for his underwear.

Without warning the bedroom door opened. Altarin froze in the middle of the room. He could only think if that was Teosan's mother, what would he do? What could he possibly say that could make this better, him sleeping with her son. The only thing that could make it worse was the fact he was naked.

"Teosan," It was the voice of a little girl.

Altarin rushed into the closet before Teosan's little sister could see him.

"Yes Esther." Teosan put the blanket over his lap to cover himself.

His little sister was six years old and had no clue what was going on. All she knew was that there were scary sirens and her big brother was the one that she looked to for safety. Altarin wished he could be so ignorant, so blissful. He thought of all those times he had with his brother. When he had no clue what was happening.

He thought of all those times he came to his brother for advice. Like the time when he came to his brother because he was having trouble talking to a girl. At the time Altarin could only wonder why his brother didn't have any advice for him. It was a curios thing, Altarin thought that Telledon would have had much more time to perfect things with girls, but for some reason he didn't. But now Altarin knows that even at that time, when Altarin was ten, Telledon was gay. But Telledon had only just discovered that he was like that. Altarin probably only confused him more. He knew this because on that day, after he left the room, he could hear his brother sobbing into a pillow. At the time he had no clue why... but now he could see how confusing it all was.

Teosan pulled his little sister onto his lap and said in the softest and kindest way, "What's the matter?"

Esther rubbed her eyes, "What's going on? Isn't that your friend house? Is he in trouble?" She looked up at her big brother with big eyes waiting for an answer.

"Well, sometimes people leave there houses without telling there parents. And that can make there parents very worried."

"Did he leave without telling?" She asked with a sweet innocent voice.

"Well sometimes people do that because they don't have any other option." He glanced at the closet door.

"But why?" She persisted.

"Well I don't know why, but sometimes we have to do that. But we always come back." Teosan looked at his sister and kissed her nose, "And if I ever do that I will come back."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Teosan kissed his sisters nose once more, "Well you should get off to bed, you have school in a fiew more hours.

"Okay." She hopped off his lap and went out of the room.

"Can I come out now?" Altarin nudged the closet door.

"Yeah, come on out." Teosan giggled "I found your underwear." He held it up so Altarin could see them, "They were on the window sill."

"Oh thanks giggly." Altarin said sarcastically as Teosan continued to laugh at him.

After they both got dressed, the two of them climbed out the window and into the grass below, this time in shoes. Altarin was wearing a thin blue T-shirt with a wavy pattern on it, and shorts. While Teosan was wearing a black tank top and jeans. Both of them were wearing tennis shoos.

They snuck around the police cars and behind a shrub in Altarin's yard. The police were questioning his mother in the yard, while the neighbors were being there nosy selves. One of the downsides to living in the suburbs, no privacy. His mother was in tears explaining the dilemma;

"I think he ran away because I made his bother leave after I found out he was a gay." She explained.

The two officers looked at each other, "You mean to tell me you kicked your son out because he was gay?" the officers laughed at the presumption.

"I will not have some gay under my roof! With my son no less!" She looked furious at the officers.

"But didn't you say your other youngest son is gay as well?"

"But it wasn't his fault. He was tainted by his brother!"

Altarin and Teosan looked at each other and Teosan shrugged. The rest of the conversation was muffled as they snuck out of the bushes and behind a car.

"I feel like kissing you right in front of her just to make her mad!" Altarin clenched his hands into fists.

Teosan put his hand on Altarin's shoulder, "We should get going, your brother is only getting farther as we speak."

Altarin nodded his head and they went off down the road in front of them holding hands. But as they did so, Teosan could only think about what this would all look like when his mother found out he was gay. Teosan's stomach wrenched at the thought but he continued down the road with his friend.

Soon they were on the bridge of which went over the river that separated the suburbs and the city. Between the two was the industrial district; the worst part of town.

Altarin turned to Teosan and held his hands, "Teosan... I really do love you, but if you don't want to do this, I can't force you. But I have to go, no matter how dangerous it is, I love my brother too much to just let him go."

"I said I loved you. That means I'm going with you no matter what!" Teosan gripped Altarin's hands as he explained.

Altarin nodded and they left off toward the city. They both knew what lie ahead. There lives would never be the same... but that was not a bad thing, they would find love.