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James - By Salvar Fawkes

Sequel to Daniel

Inspired by Billy Joel's song of the same name.

Author's Note: This is the first version of this story. If you find any errors, or have any questions, comments, or constructive criticism, please e-mail me with the name of the story in the subject line (filtering=safety). Thanks for reading!

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James

Slow steps echoed into the twilight, with no one to hear them save two young mice. The road next to them wound off in two directions--one back to the city, the other out into nowhere. The earth bordering the road was dusty and half-dead, the sparse vegetation only visible as shadows against the black curtain of night. The memory of a plane's roar faded past the mice as the one reached the other, who started walking as well, both slowly making their way back to the city.

Daniel, a male mouse of about 20 years, was exuding a quiet calm that belied his racing thoughts. He wore beige slacks and a light blue shirt under a slightly oversized red jacket. His appearance called to mind the word trim--small, neat ears and silky, light gray fur. His muzzle rounded nicely around his green eyes, with tidy white whiskers sticking out about 6" at the end.

As he walked, he kept sneaking glances in the direction of his companion, an albino mouse, with pink eyes and pure white fur. Nothing about him was particularly unique, but it seemed to Daniel that the face was somehow familiar...

"James?" he thought, not realizing that he had said it out loud. The other mouse turned towards him, still walking.

"Hello, Daniel."

Those two words stopped him in his tracks. "It is you. How did you get here?"

James stopped as well, turning around to face him. "That's the best you can come up with? We were always friends before, but now there's not even a 'hello?' It's not like I was the one to just take off."

"Well wait just a minute..." Daniel started to say, then stopped. "He's got me on the defensive again," he thought, and resolved to respond differently this time. "I'm sorry. I've gone through quite a lot lately." His tone became more meaningful. "I didn't expect to see you again, James."

James smiled at Daniel's wiser response. "Neither did I. It's good to see you, Daniel. You've changed for the better. I can't say I know what you went through, but it looks as though I'm here to continue it." After speaking these words, he produced a sealed envelope from inside his jacket. "That other mouse said to give this to you." Daniel grabbed the envelope excitedly, eager to hear more from his future self after their wordless parting. He trusted him utterly, and longed for more of his advice.

The envelope was plain white, with just a tag proclaiming 'To: Daniel' on the front. He slipped a short claw under the corner and tore off the top. He looked inside it to find a folded piece of white paper and another envelope. Taking both out, he began to read the letter, a teary smile slowly spreading across his face.

_Dear Daniel,

I'm sorry I had to leave so quickly, but I had to catch my flight. I didn't feel safe abandoning you like that, even though I knew you would follow. It's not quite over yet, though. I gave you a powerful message, but so many years of belief cannot be turned around so easily. James is the test.

I'm sure you remember James--and what happened to make you lose touch. I know it haunts you still. Now it's time to fix that. I'm not going to tell you what to do; you need to figure it out for yourself. One last word of advice: Don't second-guess your inclinations. I'm certain that you know what to do. Good luck.

--Daniel_

The second envelope had on it the words 'Not yet.' in thick black letters. He reached into his pocket to deposit the envelope there, and, feeling the rocks still inside, shuddered a bit thinking of... was it only last night? "It seems so long ago..." With a shake of his head, he pulled the rocks out and flung them out into the dark, feeling his soul lighten as they disappeared.

He did remember James. He had tried to forget, to put it out of mind and move on, but the memory dogged him, not letting him let go. Now, more than ever, did he regret what he did.

"Daniel?"

Daniel looked up, slightly startled. "Yes?"

"You've been staring at the ground for about five minutes. Where are we going?" Looking around him, Daniel realized that they had ended up in front of his place.

"Hmm... Inside, I guess," he said, opening the door invitingly. "I live on the top floor."

As they walked up the stairs, Daniel nervously tried not to look at James, realizing now that his had been the face filling his dreams of late. The memory came back clearer than ever now, and he forced himself to face it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"C'mon, Daniel, we're going to miss it!" Daniel struggled cheerfully under the heavy load of three bags of chips and two 2-liter sodas, while James pranced happily about, urging him on. Both mice were still in their gowns from high school graduation, and James was tossing his hat up in the air.

"You could help, you know," Daniel protested, laughing lightheartedly. "You're going to be eating these, too." James thought for a moment, then grabbed a bag of chips and ran up the stairs, with Daniel following shakily behind.

By the time Daniel entered the living room and plunked down his burden, James already had his gown off, and was sitting on the couch in shorts and a T-shirt, flipping channels. Pouring himself a cup of soda, Daniel shucked his robe as well and sat down on the couch next to him. "Thanks a lot for helping," he drawled sardonically.

"You're welcome, Danny," James replied, equally sarcastic, biting off his name at the end of the sentence.

"I told you not to call me Danny."

"Alright, don't get so touchy about it." They stopped talking for a few moments and focused on the screen, mesmerized by the flashing images.

After a while Daniel took a sip of his soda, and felt he should talk about something relevant. He knew the decisions they both had to make after high school would affect them both, but he wanted to try and keep this friendship going as long as possible. "So, James, what do you plan to do with your life? Still carrying the weight of family pride?"

James gave a smile that was almost a grimace. "You could say that." He held up his stature royally. "Personally, I'm honored to follow in the footsteps of such a great man as my father." After a pause, he slumped noticeably and looked down. "It's getting harder and harder, though." He paused for a second with his head in his paws, considering. "Anyway... I'm pursuing an education. The world can always use an educated mouse. After that, I'll just see what comes. I suppose I'll find out in college." Straightening up again, he turned to Daniel. "And you?"

He smiled warmly. "I'm one step ahead of you--I'm going to see what comes starting tomorrow. I'm going out on the road." A look of concern crossed James' face, before Daniel continued. "'Where's the future in that?' you're thinking. I don't know. It just feels like the right thing to do. I need some time alone, you know? Just to think things over." Raising his head, he looked around. "Look at us, we're getting wistful. Soon we're going to say 'Let's not lose touch!' and share a tearful embrace." James laughed at this--a tortured, half-empty laugh--but Daniel didn't notice. "We'd better cheer up fast."

Taking out a silver flask from his jacket, he poured a bit of clear liquid into his cup before James could see him. "Lechiem!" he said comically, raising his glass. James raised his; they clinked glasses and drank. Coughing from the liquor, Daniel focused his attention back to the television screen as the movie came on.

Throughout the show, James stared pensively through the screen, mentally wringing his paws in anguish. "How can I tell anyone? It would ruin my reputation if it got out... can I trust Daniel with knowing? But... how can I just leave without telling him..." His thoughts overpowered all other senses, and he didn't even notice when the movie ended, and Daniel started flipping channels. The mindless images on the screen passed by him, one by one, without his notice, until it landed on channel 15. He didn't know what movie or show this was; it didn't matter, really. All he saw was a single touching scene.

A stunningly handsome male fox bent forward gently, his eyes closed. The screen was zoomed in closely on his face, so neither mouse knew what was going to happen until the other face moved into the screen. A male raccoon was performing the same action, bending down to touch the fox's lips with his own. Daniel and Joseph watched, spellbound, as they moved closer and closer together, finally touching muzzles. Sad, strangely uplifting music welled up from the background where it had been hiding, filling the room where the two mice watched these two males share a passionate kiss. Daniel watched, allured, unaware of his friend's furiously accelerating heartbeat. The scene went on for seconds that seemed like lifetimes, until James turned of the television set in desperation. Daniel slowly turned, puzzled, to look at his friend.

There were no thoughts in James' head to guide him--his movements were controlled by one overpowering emotion. Daniel merely watched his friend's reaction, his own sedated by the small bit of alcohol, as James slowly leaned forward, imitating the movements he had just seen. His inhibitions lowered, Daniel moved to meet him. No romantic music played--none was necessary. As their lips met, each was filled with only the music of their souls, and the beat of the other's heartbeat.

They held the kiss for a full minute, just touching lips, until they both pulled apart, turning their faces away. A shocking realization smote Daniel's features, and he started quaking. His face reddened considerably, and he spoke to break the embarrassment. "Heh, heh... James, are you... we're not...? ... Nobody saw us, nobody needs to know. It's over now." He said all this quickly, agitated by what had just happened.

"No..." James replied, quietly, yet forcefully. Daniel turned to see James reaching to draw him close, a piteous look of desire on his face, and he backed away. James fell forward, lying on Daniel's chest. "Daniel... I need you!"

"James... what are you doing?" he said, forcing himself not to comprehend. James pulled himself on top of Daniel, kissing his neck feverishly, and breathing in short gasps.

"Daniel, you're my best friend... be my lover! Take me!" he pleaded desperately. Daniel struggled fruitlessly against James' despairing affections, but couldn't let himself escape. All he could do was protest weakly as James started to undress him.

James' gaze, which had been locked with Daniel's, broke when he quickly pulled off Daniel's shirt. He clutched Daniel's body to him, pressing his face into his friend's soft chestfur. Overcome with passion, he started licking Daniel's chest, grooming him with his tongue. Daniel could only stare in numb fascination as James seized his nipple gently in his teeth and started teasing it with the tip of his tongue.

No revulsion came to Daniel's mind, but he forced it there, to drown out the elation he knew he shouldn't be feeling. With a cry, he pushed James away and stood up. "No!" he shouted, backing towards the door. "It's wrong!" Still on the couch, James was crying. The effort of revealing his greatest secret, and the painful rebuke--from his best friend, no less--it induced were too much for his already high-strung nerves.

"Daniel..." James could only watch as Daniel, frightened by his own desire, opened the door behind him. "Don't leave me..."

As James spoke, Daniel was gone, running down the stairs and out the door. He ran with no particular direction, thinking only to get away from the conflict between his illicit desires and all the rest of his life. He gave no thought to James, who would lie on the couch sobbing for hours.

His whole world turned upside-down, Daniel knew nothing for certain anymore, except for one thing. He knew he would never see James again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The whole scene flashed through Daniel's mind in just a few minutes. When he came out of his reverie, they were nearing his door. Taking out his key, he unlocked the door and slowly opened it. He ushered James in, but wasn't able to make eye contact, too ashamed of his past.

When they were inside, Daniel offered him a seat, wincing with the strength of the emotion that washed over him. He wanted to do now what he hadn't then, wanted to make up for all the pain he had caused--but he stopped himself, knowing it would be best to tread lightly at first.

"James..." James looked up, and Daniel turned his face away in shame. "I... I want to..." he started, but faded off, unable even now to confront what he had done. James just looked at him expectantly. "I want to apologize." With a hurt look, Daniel turned his head up to face him. "I was wrong, James."

Cocking his head to the side slightly, James appeared puzzled. "About what?"

Taken aback, Daniel managed to stutter a reply. "About... what I did. Leaving you, I mean."

"There's no need to get so solemn about it. We had to go our separate ways; I understand we can't stay in touch forever." He thought for a moment, contemplating Daniel's odd behavior, then leaned in closer. "What's wrong, Daniel?"

Daniel was completely mystified by Joseph's lack of recognition. "James, I left you in tears. Don't you remember? I... I thought you were going to kill yourself. Even then, I couldn't go back!" He choked out, appalled at himself. "Forgive me, James! ... please..." he cried, pressing his face into the couch and fighting back tears. James put his paw down to Daniel's head reassuringly, then suddenly pulled back, possessed by an inexplicable sensation of fear.

"Daniel... what do you want from me?"

Daniel kept his face buried in the cushions for several more minutes before he lifted his head, wiping away a tear. As he opened his mouth to speak, he knew what he could do--what he must do. He couldn't passively apologize; that wasn't what James needed--he had to take charge. He straightened up, composing himself, and began to speak more calmly. "Think back, James. It was three years ago, just after graduation. We were in your living room, just finished watching a movie." James was becoming increasingly more agitated as Daniel spoke. "Do you remember what we saw on the screen?"

His indifferent facade broken, James kept his eyes closed. With his head down, James shook as he struggled to respond. "I... They were kissing. Two males..." He gulped and fell silent. Daniel nodded knowingly, inwardly amazed at how he knew just what to say, and how effective it was.

"What did we do then?" James looked up at Daniel, as if pleading "Don't make me say it!" but Daniel's face silently commanded him to proceed.

"We... we kissed..."

Daniel waited for him to continue, finally goading him on gently. "And then...?"

"And then... I tried to make you yiff me."

Resting his paws on the other mouse's shoulders, Daniel moved his face closer to James'. "What did you feel then?"

At this moment James realized how much Daniel had grown, how different from the timid youth he once was. He spoke with a quiet forcefulness, sure of himself for the first time in his life. His green eyes were strangely calm now, and as Daniel held James, they seemed to burn straight through to his soul. He knew he could tell him, and everything would be all right.

"I loved you, Daniel." "It seemed so easy to say it," he thought, "Why did I hesitate so long?" "I wanted to be your mate! To live with you, and please you as much as I could! Forever..." He dropped his head, his energy spent. Upon seeing Daniel's unchanging features, a shock of doubt tore through him. "Is he going to hurt me again?" flashed through his mind unconsciously, betraying itself only in a slow feeling of dread. He almost winced with pain, remembering the full strength of what had happened before.

Daniel started stroking his friend's headfur, as he prepared to ask one last question. "Do you still feel the same way?"

James looked up and gave a simple nod in assent, his expression begging for kindness.

"I won't hurt you," Daniel whispered, answering his unspoken plea. "I told you already--I want to ask forgiveness." Finally James understood what Daniel was asking. He pulled the mouse close to him to feel his fur again, uplifted by feelings of relief. Daniel, feeling once again the soft fur of his best friend rubbing smoothly against his, immediately lost his composure. "I'm sorry, James. I didn't know what I was doing..."

They held on to each other for strength, as they both tried to appreciate what their friendship had become. They knew they could be honest, facing the realities of their shared situation, and the other would still be there to offer support. Both felt an incredible freedom in the knowledge that they would be protected, encouraged, even... "loved?" they both thought at the same time, and brought their gazes together.

Silently they understood, and agreed. Time seemed to stand still for each of them, with nothing in their sight or thoughts except the face of the beautiful mouse in front of them. As he leaned in to kiss James, the situation was almost the same as years before. This time, though, Daniel was fully aware of what he was doing, and he was ready for it.

As their lips touched, he felt through them James' heartbeat, synchronized with his own. He flicked his tongue out and licked James' lips. In response, James quickly snatched it his mouth and started sucking on it. Pushing his head forward to touch lips again, Daniel extended his tongue to probe the depths of James' muzzle. Moaning with the pleasure, they continued to explore each other's body, still deep in their passionate kiss.

James pulled away to take off Daniel's shirt, muttering something about it getting in the way. Daniel lay still, just watching lovingly as James undressed him fully. When James had finished, Daniel lay under him, naked, but not feeling vulnerable at all. On the contrary, he felt more protected now than he had ever been--even more than when he was with his older self. He placed his paws on the back of James' thighs, massaging gently as James undressed.

Finished stripping, James lay down on Daniel's body and resumed the kiss. Daniel felt struck by need, grasping at James' body, finally rolling to push him against the back of the couch, just to feel closer to him. He pulled his mouth away from James' to cry out repeatedly, his senses overloaded with pleasure.

Still caressing his friend's murine body, Daniel turned his face to him, trying to calm down enough to speak. "James... will you be my mate?" The look on James' face showed indescribable delight.

"Of course I will, Daniel!" He raised Daniel's paw to his lips, kissing it repeatedly.

Daniel rolled James over and followed him, so that he was lying on top of his chest. "Then get ready..." James spread his legs wide.

"Take me, Daniel! Make me yours!" Closing his eyes, he let his head fall back, and braced himself for the pleasure to come.

Daniel took a deep breath, nervous about fulfilling so many nights' dreams, and shifted himself into position. He reached a paw down to feel the soft, pulsing ring at the base of his friend's tail, sighing in relaxation. James wriggled with pleasure as he was touched in forbidden places, ready for everything Daniel could give him. Drop after drop of warm precum fell on the underside of his tail, and James used it to lubricate his tight passage.

James decided to start where he had left off years before. He bent forward and gave one long lick all the way up Daniel's chest, feeling the strong, stiff muscle underneath his soft fur. He paused for a moment, savoring Daniel's distinct masculine flavor, before beginning to lick in earnest, quickly soaking Daniel's chest fur. "Daniel," he said between licks, "What made you change? I want to thank whoever made this possible."

Daniel laughed gently, rocking back and forth from James' forceful grooming. "You're thanking him right now!" He pet him some more, then reconsidered. "It's hard to explain. Let's just say... I touched a star." James was slightly confused, but Daniel continued. "Without even saying it, he taught me the most important lesson I've ever learned."

"And that was?"

"Do what's good for you, or you're not good for anybody." Daniel fell wistfully silent for a moment, and James brought their faces close together. "I know what you want, James. I won't hesitate any longer." Touching the head of his cock to James' rear entrance, he eased him tenderly into a kiss. Eagerly licking the inside of James' mouth, Daniel thrust forward, shoving himself into his lover's virgin depths.

James' sphincter stretched as it slid easily down the length of Daniel's penis, the soft, wet walls of his rectum gently engulfing it in an intimate kiss. James moaned, feeling for the first time the long-desired sensations of mating with a male. Daniel pushed forward, hilting James, and stopped, quivering with excitement. In response, James clenched his muscles down on Daniel's cock. Daniel pulled out a bit, and he did it again, forcing his cock almost all the way out. Daniel pushed back in quickly, afraid of losing this connection, and James squeezed him once again. Soon they had a rhythm going, with Daniel thrusting every time James compressed, and James clenching down just before Daniel's cock could enter him fully.

Their excited moans rose in volume and pitch, though fortunately there was no one around to hear them. They were consumed with lust, unable to make their bodies do anything but yiff, feeling their love for each other grow.

James' eyes flickered open and shut, their control ignored in the overwhelming feeling of his receptive ass being pistoned by his lover, the beautiful mouse he had desired for years. "Yes! Oh, gods yes, Daniel!" he cried out again. "I'm yours! I love you!"

Daniel stopped thrusting for a moment, backing up to look down on James' soft, murine body. He smiled. Leaning down closer and hugging James tight, he continued.

Daniel felt his lover's inner walls start to produce slick mucus, easing the passage of his thick mousehood. He pulled James' hips to him to hilt him again, forcing his legs to spread wider. James felt the mouse's furry sack settle on his tail, and began to toy with it, feeling Daniel's balls roll around inside, and flicking it lightly with the tip of his tail. With each tease, Daniel's penis would twitch inside James and squirt a little bit of precum, which was quickly lapped up by James' undulating bowels.

James rolled underneath Daniel, reveling in the feeling of being invaded by his best friend, of having his solid member pressed deeply into him. After all these years he had finally found release, and he cried out Daniel's name, over and over again. He knew that this was what he wanted, what he had always wanted, and he never wanted it to stop.

Daniel thrust faster, working James' hole with greater intensity and less control than before. It slid forcefully through James' bowels, repeatedly pushed into his prostate by an occasional contraction of his tail muscles. James wriggled his ass excitedly, knowing it wouldn't be long before Daniel would pour his seed inside him. His own cock was erect, rubbing stiffly between their bodies as they rolled together--right off the couch.

The bump startled Daniel, who sat up to find James sitting on top of him, his buttocks still nestled softly around Daniel's penis. Suddenly, Daniel got an idea.

"James," he whispered, putting his paws on his shoulders. "Turn around--careful, now, I want to stay inside you." James didn't object--he was ready to do anything Daniel wanted. With Daniel's help, James was able to turn around without breaking his connection with Daniel. Now James was facing Daniel, sitting on his lap, with his legs around his waist. Slowly Daniel eased him down, until they were both lying down, facing opposite directions. Daniel sat up and took James' member in his paw, stroking up and down it's length, and bent down to touch it to his lips. James gasped and looked up.

"Are you going to pleasure me, Daniel?" he asked. Daniel nodded once, before slipping his mouth around it and starting to suck on him. James gasped again and fell back down, his breath quickening. "Thank... you..." he breathed, then receded under a wave of delight. He moved his hips up and down, trying to take advantage of the double stimulation to build himself up to the best orgasm of his life. He wanted to give as much of his seed as he could to Daniel. He wanted to give his life to Daniel--and this was a good start.

In the position he was in, Daniel had a hard time reaching his lips down to the base of James' cock, but he tried anyway. Bending his back, he reached for it, but could only get about halfway down. He withdrew his mouth to stretch his back, running the full surface of his tongue over the bottom of James' penis as he pulled away. As he leaned back, he pressed his paws against the base of his spine, heard a few popping noises, and let out a relaxed sigh.

He peered back down at his treat, still savoring the feeling of his dick being continually swallowed by his lover's eager wetness, and reflected on his situation. Not twelve hours ago he was on the brink of killing himself over the very feelings he was now reveling in. He felt so free now, and so privileged to have a friend like James, who, he knew, would do anything he asked. "James would give up his life to save me, if he had the chance," Daniel thought, looking at his friend's blissful expression. "But, then again... so would I. So would I!" he realized exultantly. The thought made him feel good.

At that moment Daniel felt his heart go out towards James as it never did toward anyone--not even his older self, whom he had met a day and a lifetime ago. The feeling he had was more than just lust, more than even love. It was... a way out. He knew that whenever he'd had enough, when he just couldn't take it anymore--he didn't have to. He could give it all up if he wanted to, and he would still have James' unconditional love. And that was enough.

His heart swelling with love, Daniel resolved to make this the best morning of James' life. He put his lips on the head of James' cock again, and, holding onto his waist, jerked himself forward quickly. His lips slipped lightly across James' flesh, all the way to the base, before he recoiled back off again with a slight pain in his back.

James shuddered powerfully. That light, smooth brush across his most sensitive area was the most tantalizing thing James could imagine, and he yearned to feel it again. His eyes conveyed the same message when he opened them to stare lovingly at Daniel. With a smile on his muzzle, Daniel bent down to do it again, loving the enticing flavor of James' musk saturating his tongue.

James could feel his excitement building like a dam about to burst. He felt himself teetering on the brink of the greatest pleasure he had ever felt, and the repeated licks were nudging him closer and closer to the edge, agonizingly slow. He clutched at the floor for support, digging his paws into the shag. He felt it build and build, reaching its peak...

...and at the very instant it peaked, everything suddenly seemed clear. For one brief, shining moment, he felt perfectly lucid. Then he came, and to him it felt like all of his enlightenment became physical, and flowed out of him. He didn't feel empty, though. He felt it flowing into Daniel, pouring himself down his throat, and smiled. He wanted it to go to Daniel, to fill him with his love.

As he was thinking these thoughts, as the muscles in his penis were eagerly ejecting his seed into Daniel's throat, the muscles surrounding Daniel's penis were contracting in quite the same way. As Daniel gulped down his semen as fast as he could, the musky taste of it and the moist, cozy fondling of his mousehood quickly brought him to a powerful climax.

All of a sudden, while James was delighting in the act of giving his seed to Daniel, he felt Daniel's cock spasm inside him, and start to pour semen into his ass. He felt the feeling coming back to him--but different, this time. Instead of being distant and enlightened, he was there, being filled with love by the one he loved. It wasn't just a spiritual sensation, it was physical, too. Daniel's semen poured into him, coating his insides, and flowing deeper inside him.

Their shared climax lasted for more than a minute, each filling the other until they could take no more. Copious amounts of mouse semen soaked into the rug underneath them, oozing out of James' tailhole and the corners of Daniel's mouth. James, overwhelmed with love, finally reached his limit. With a last moan of, "Oh, Daniel..." he lost consciousness.

Daniel gave one last weak spurt before he straightened up painfully, cum dripping out of his muzzle. Panting for breath and wincing at the pain in his back, he crawled shakily up to lie on top of James' body. He slowly kissed the bottom of his muzzle, and tenderly whispered "I love you..." before joining him in sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that day, James woke up in unfamiliar surroundings. Seeing Daniel's body nuzzled tenderly against his, he gave a sigh of contentment.

This small sound woke up Daniel, who looked up at him sedately. They stared for several minutes, saying nothing, nourished by the love they felt. After a while he broke the silence. "Good morning, my love. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, of course," he replied, a bit distracted. "I just..."

"...thought I wouldn't be here when you woke up?" Daniel finished. "I know how you feel. I've dreamed of you, too."

James smiled dreamily. "I just can't believe you're really here. Tell me, Daniel... is it all true?"

"All of it," Daniel said with a reassuring smile.

"Tell me what's going to happen, Daniel. I won't believe it 'till you say it." James pleaded desperately, but still sure that it would be all right. With Daniel here, nothing could be wrong.

In response, Daniel looked around for his jacket. Seeing it draped over a chair on the other side of the room, he started to get up, but stopped when he felt a sharp pain. Looking down, he saw that his fur and James was matted into the carpet, secured by the dried-up physical remains of that moment of ecstasy. He pushed himself up again, quickly, wincing as some of his fur was pulled out.

He walked over to his jacket, rubbing his side where it pained him, and retrieved an envelope from inside its pocket. Tearing open the envelope, he took out a folded piece of paper, and threw it over to James without reading it. James caught it and looked at him doubtfully. "You're my secretary this morning, James. Take this down verbatim," he said, and began to recite what he intended to write in the letter, ten years hence. James read along with his words, mystified, wondering what was going on.

"Dear James," he started, thinking for a moment before he began to speak. "It seems like a dream, I know, but it's all true. I want to be your lover. If you'll have me, I'm ready to give you a lifetime of care, affection, and love. You have freely given me a promise that will last the rest of our lives, and I'll never forget it. You can stay by my side for eternity..."

"You can stop reciting now, Daniel." James interrupted Daniel, who had continued improvising, staring wistfully out the window. He turned back, perturbed, to where James was pointing out those exact words, in parentheses, on the letter. Daniel smiled, slightly embarrassed, and sat down quietly to read the letter alongside James.

_Spain is a beautiful country, don't you think? The sunsets are spectacular, the music is always playing, and the people are so open-minded! In fact, in a few years, the Spanish government will legalize same-sex marriages.

Yes, you heard me right. Enclosed in the envelope are two one-way tickets to Spain, dated 2010--enough time to learn Spanish almost fluently. Keep them safe, and keep them hidden. I will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.

--Daniel

P.S. I'm sure you're a bit confused by now, James, but there is an explanation, I assure you. Ask Daniel._

Daniel just stared, his mouth agape. A tear formed in his eye, running smoothly down his fur to disappear into the corner of his mouth. After all these difficult years, how hard he had to work for no apparent gain, how horrible he felt, at times--he was seeing his perfect future laid out in front of him, and it was beautiful. His whole life had changed in one night, and this sudden retribution was just the right climax. The only thing to top their first night together--a cast-iron promise that it would never end--had just been given to him, and it shocked him. There was literally nothing he could say. James looked up at him.

"What does it mean, Daniel?" He looked up to Daniel for the answer, but more for the feeling of protection he got when he saw Daniel facing him, explaining it all. He felt like he could gaze up into his eyes forever, as long as Daniel would stay there, to help him whenever he needed it. His days of living up to expectations were over.

And, as Daniel explained it to him, he knew he would always be there. Throughout their lives, he knew they could be happy together. They both knew now that the other would stay forever, to love and to cherish, and even death would not part them. Nothing could ever part them.

"Daniel," he said when Daniel was finished explaining, "I like my life, now. Everything is so secure, and... I'm satisfied. For the first time in my life, I'm satisfied!" Daniel just held him again, silently, knowing the full importance of what he said. Life had dealt them some bad cards before, but now everything was all right. He was satisfied too.

---

You just might see a third story here. I'm going to base it on reader feedback, though--that means you.