For The Love of a Friend: Dante and Apollo

by Noah Harris

  There was a pause, before he felt Apollo lean forward again, and this time, it was accompanied by the surprising slick feeling of Apollo’s fingers on his ass. A groan escaped Dante’s throat, rumbling around Apollo’s cock, as the man pushed two of his fingers past the ring of muscles.

  Where the hell had Apollo gotten the lube from?

  The question was wiped immediately from his mind as Apollo’s fingers sank deeper into him, spreading him. Dante forced himself to focus on his own task, using one hand to steady himself on the edge of the bed while the other pumped the base of Apollo’s cock. Dante drove himself forward with more vigor than before, almost able to bring the full extent of Apollo’s girth to the back of his throat before pulling away.

  He was interrupted once more as Apollo pushed a third finger into him, stretching him even further to the sound of a happy Dante. Distracted once more, Dante found himself trying to take more of Apollo into his throat, while pushing his hips back into Apollo’s hand. His head spun, and he felt himself nearly topple and fall off the bed as he fought to balance the sensation of Apollo’s fingers sliding inside him, and the thrill of Apollo’s cock in his throat.

  Apollo’s hand came to rest on his shoulder. “Steady there.”

  Dante pulled off, his chest heaving. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Apollo pulled his fingers free from Dante, bringing his hands up to hold Dante’s face between them. Dante looked up, stomach flipping as he saw the pure, unfiltered desire in Apollo’s eyes. He knew at that moment, that not only was Apollo going to be inside him soon, but he so desperately needed it.

  “Lie back.”

  Dante grinned sloppily. “What, no all fours anymore?”

  Apollo kissed him, whispering against his lips. “I want to see your face.”

  There was no arguing with that, and Dante allowed himself to fall backward, with Apollo following. Their lips met as soon as Dante’s back hit the bed, their kiss slow and deep as Apollo situated his hips between Dante’s legs. Without hesitation, Dante raised his hips, wrapping his legs around Apollo’s waist and grinding up against him.

  “Dante,” Apollo breathed, voice dripping with need.

  “Do it.”

  With a final kiss, Apollo pulled away, drawing a clear bottle of lube up from the covers of the bed. Dante watched, enraptured as Apollo spread the slick substance over his cock, making it shine in the pale moonlight. When he was done, Apollo set the bottle gently to one side, gripping the base of his cock and aiming himself. Dante’s breath caught as he felt the blunt head of Apollo’s cock press against him, pressure building as Apollo pressed forward.

  Without a word, Apollo used one slick hand to grip Dante’s cock and push forward once more. As Apollo’s hand stroked him, Dante let out a low moan, feeling himself stretch wide as Apollo’s head pushed into him. Dante let out a steady breath as his body reacted to the sudden presence, thinking that perhaps three fingers weren’t quite enough to make him comfortable. Apollo didn’t move, save for the hand steadily stroking Dante, sending jolts of pleasure through him even as his body adjusted.

  Then, Apollo leaned forward, inching himself inside with shallow thrusts. Dante brought his legs up and around Apollo’s waist, not caring anymore about the burning, stretching sensation as Apollo sank deeper into him. Inch by inch, Apollo worked his way into Dante, his hand never stopping its sensuous strokes of Dante’s cock.

  At last, Dante felt and saw Apollo’s hips press against Dante’s ass, his cock fully embedded inside him. Dante's legs tightened their hold, drawing Apollo down as he panted for breath. Apollo’s lips met his, and he felt the thick length twitch inside him as their tongues danced over one another.

  “Do it,” Dante repeated, needing to feel Apollo moving inside him.

  Needing Apollo.

  Dante felt the girth inside him shift, pulling halfway out before pushing back into him. His body lit up with a sudden burst of pleasure, his hands coming up to grip fiercely onto Apollo’s shoulders. The gesture only served to make Apollo drive into him again, this time pulling out a little further before driving forward. Apollo’s hips worked, each thrust pulling back a little further than the time before.

  Shuddering, Dante clung tightly to Apollo, barely able to move as his body was wracked with shudders of pleasure. Apollo’s arms wrapped around his shoulders, drawing him in close and pressing Dante’s face into his shoulders. Even as his body tightened and jerked with each thrust deep into him, Dante was struck with the sensation of being held and protected, feeling Apollo’s body wrap itself around him, filling him completely.

  Every word of encouragement, every murmur of Apollo’s name came out as low needy moans as he held onto Apollo, head spinning with pleasure. Apollo kissed and nipped at Dante’s neck and shoulders, his body hard and strong as he thrust down into him. Their mutual sounds filled the air of Apollo’s bedroom as their shared pleasure, a pleasure they had denied themselves for far too long, built and crashed down.

  It was Dante first, his body going taut, curling up into Apollo’s body as he cried out. His fingers dug into the man’s shoulders, Dante’s legs curling in a fierce grip as he felt his cock spasm between them. Warmth spilled between their bodies as he came, mind empty of nothing but the sound of Apollo’s desperate moans in his ears, and the feel of his lover deep inside him.

  Apollo gripped him even more tightly, hugging him close and thrusting hard down into Dante. There came a brief flash of pain as Apollo bit down on the muscle of Dante’s shoulder. The pain throbbed into pleasure as Dante felt Apollo’s cock jerk deep inside him, coming deep as Apollo cried out against his shoulder. They clung to one another as their shared orgasms shuddered through them.

  When he could release his grip, Dante did so, collapsing back onto the bed with a gasp for air. Apollo collapsed forward, resting his head in the crook of Dante’s shoulder as he panted. Summoning his strength, Apollo gently pulled his shrinking cock free from within Dante, collapsing onto the bed beside him.

  “That was…” Dante began, gasping between words.

  Apollo kissed his shoulder. “Amazing?”

  “When my brain is working enough to think of a better word, I’ll correct you.”

  Apollo chuckled, drawing an arm around Dante’s waist and nuzzling into his neck. “Good.”

  They had finally done it. After years of tormenting himself with fantasies, ‘knowing’ that it would never happen, Dante had actually followed through. He’d come back to Apollo, apologized for wounding him in a fit of panic, understood what Matalina had meant and what a waste it would be to toss aside the opportunity he and Apollo had. And finally, he had slept with him, officially taking them that final step between friends and lovers.

  “Guess we broke what little wall there was left,” Dante mused lazily.

  Apollo peered up at him. “Do you regret it?”

  Dante bent his head down, kissing Apollo soundly. “Not for one second. That was…everything I dreamed about and more.”

  “Could have been a fluke, I mean, it was only the one time and I’m sure our dreaming about it for years might have influenced it,” Apollo said casually.

  Dante let out a laugh. “Was that your attempt at telling me you want to go again?”

  Apollo rolled onto his side, wrapping an arm and a leg around Dante. “Yes, but after a few more hours sleep.”

  Dante wriggled closer to Apollo, closing his eyes contentedly. After the exhausting week he’d had, and the complete contentment Apollo had filled him with, Dante wasn’t going to argue. They did, after all, have plenty of time ahead of them.

  Dante cracked an eye open. “Hey, Apollo.”

  “Yes?”

  “I wanna top next time though.”

  Apollo chuckled. “Deal.”

  Chapter 14 – Apollo

  ~~*~~

  Apollo dove down beneath the water, brushing his hands along the silt bottom and yanking himself along. Kicking his feet behind him, Apollo sped his way throu
gh the water. Squinting his eyes to see through the haze as best he could, he spotted the blobs of flesh color he aimed for and shot toward them. As soon as he reached them, his hands shot out from the bottom, taking hold of Dante’s feet and yanking him into the water. There came the sound of a muffled yelp, followed by a huge splash as Dante’s flailing body sank beneath the surface.

  Pushing up from the bottom, Apollo took a huge breath to fill his lungs once more. Dante came up seconds later, sputtering water and curses in Apollo’s direction. With a laugh, Apollo pushed away before Dante could get his hands on him. Apollo might be stronger than Dante, but he knew in the water, Dante would have the upper hand. Dante had always been a strong swimmer, and his grace would give him an advantage.

  “You asshole! I was napping!” Dante bellowed, taking hold of the rock in the middle of the lake he’d been sunning himself contentedly on just moments before.

  Apollo was treading water a safe distance away, grinning. “And you looked so peaceful too.”

  “I was, until some asshole decided I need to go for a dip!”

  Apollo let out another laugh, letting Dante continue to curse him out as he yanked himself back onto the rock. It also gave him the opportunity to admire Dante’s arms as he pulled himself up and out of the water with a grunt. That Dante had to bend over the rock to pull himself up, shoving his bare ass out for Apollo to look over didn’t hurt either.

  “I approve,” Apollo called out as Dante finished his climb.

  Dante paused on all fours, blinking as he tried to wrap his head around what Apollo was talking about. After a moment, he looked back at himself in realization and shot Apollo a dirty look.

  “Perv.”

  Apollo swam closer, still grinning widely. “You can’t blame a man for appreciating a good view when he sees one.”

  “And I’m sure you’ll understand that you’re not allowed anywhere near me or my view after that little stunt.”

  Apollo slid closer to the rock, taking hold of the edge as he peered up at Dante. “Really? Not even a little bit?”

  Dante glared down at him, jabbing a finger accusingly. “Don’t give me that look, it’s not working.”

  Apollo cocked his head, resting his arms on the rock’s warm surface. “What look?”

  “That fucking look.”

  “I thought you said there wasn’t going to be any fucking?” Apollo asked with a wicked grin.

  Dante hesitated and then flushed. “Damn it.”

  Apollo laughed. “Let me guess, you were thinking about it and realized that me just mentioning it made you want to have another go.”

  Dante glared. “Don’t start.”

  “What, being right?”

  “Yes.”

  Apollo let out another laugh and pulled himself up onto the rock with a single, smooth motion. The two of them were on day two of being out by the lake a few miles away from The Grove, and Apollo could feel the little vacation helping both of them. Not that they had needed much help before they’d left. Most of the week before Dante had suggested they slip away for a bit had been spent locked away in Apollo’s house, making up for lost time.

  Dante eyed him warily, bringing his knees up to his chest. “What are you up to now?”

  Apollo raised a brow. “You’re naked, wet, and totally exposed. I wonder what I could possibly have in mind.”

  It was then that he saw how Dante was purposefully trying to keep up the appearance of being mad and cautious. The truth lay in his eyes as they flicked down to Apollo’s crotch, and then up along his body. Dante might have his own version of a poker face, but Apollo could read the heat in his gaze as easily as he could his own mind.

  Dante dropped his legs, spreading them slightly. “Get your ass over here.”

  Apollo was more than happy to oblige.

  *****

  “I remember lying with my mother on a night like this,” Dante said.

  Apollo gazed up at the star-filled night sky. “How old would you have been?”

  “I don’t know, five? She used to do that silly thing you hear about people doing, where they have their kids trace shapes in the stars overhead. I could never find the shape she was making, but I remember laughing my ass off trying. You know, stupid kid stuff.”

  Apollo wrapped his arm around Dante’s shoulders, pulling him closer so his head was lying upon Apollo’s chest. Dante settled against him, without so much as a trace of hesitation or tension in him as he lay down. Apollo smiled, running his fingers through Dante’s dark hair.

  “I don’t think it’s stupid at all,” Apollo told him.

  “It’s one of the only memories I have of her, well that and skipping rocks with her on a small lake like this one.”

  Apollo smiled. “Is that why this is your little getaway?”

  “I never really thought about it before actually. I just know that when I found it years ago I knew this was going to be a place I wanted to go. I never wanted anyone else to know about it, though I guess that was pretty stupid too, since it was a lake in The Grove's territory. But the more I came out here, the more I realized no one else actually did. I don’t know if people didn’t care or if they really didn’t know it was here. Either way, I had my secret place, far away from everyone else where I could come, relax and just be myself.”

  And now he had brought Apollo with him, despite never having told Apollo about it in the first place. Apollo had always wondered where Dante liked to disappear off to, but had never found it in himself to ask the question directly. Now he understood why Dante had been so tight-lipped about the location, and why it was so special to him.

  “Thank you for bringing me out here,” Apollo whispered.

  Dante kissed Apollo’s chest gently before pointing up to the sky. “If you go a little to the left of that treetop there, there’s a star there, bright as fuck. Go up from there a couple of inches to the next one, then to the right…”

  Apollo nodded as Dante continued, trying to follow his instructions. “Okay, and what’s that?”

  “I have no idea, I was kind of hoping you’d tell me.”

  Apollo laughed, squeezing Dante once more. “Fine, let me give it a try then.”

  “Gladly.”

  *****

  Their footsteps crunched through the twigs and branches as they walked back, hand in hand. It was only a few miles back to The Grove from the lake, but they were in no rush.

  “You know, this has been the most peaceful two weeks of my life,” Dante said, arm swinging as he walked beside Apollo.

  Apollo glanced at him, smiling. “Yeah?”

  Dante nodded. “I honestly thought this whole thing between you and me would be a lot harder than it has been. And, I mean, other than me fucking it up in the beginning and everything up to me getting my head out of my ass, this has been the easiest thing.”

  Apollo knew what he meant. Even he had been a little surprised at how easily they had transitioned from friends who made sure not to hug too often, and kept their eyes in safe places, all the way to two lovers who could barely keep their hands off one another.

  “Helps when you don’t have an audience around you at all times,” Apollo said.

  Dante sighed. “Yeah, and now we’re heading back.”

  Apollo squeezed Dante’s fingers. “Take your time. We don’t have to announce anything.”

  Dante stopped, frowning at Apollo. “What do you mean? I can’t keep this a secret, that wouldn’t be right.”

  Apollo took Dante’s face in his hands, kissing him softly. “Listen to me. You’ve gone from terrified to be with me, to accepting it and spending a week locked away in my house, and now a week far away from the village. You’ve already been brave Dante, you don’t have to go further before you’re ready.”

  Dante put his hand over Apollo’s, squeezing. “I don’t…”

  Apollo shook his head. “We have to move at a speed that’s comfortable for us both. I’m in no rush to tell anyone anything. I have you, and that’s
all that matters to me, and all that ever will matter.”

  “I don’t want to, I don’t know, hide from everyone. God, I’m happy, for the first time in my life, I’m happy,” Dante whispered.

  “Then be happy, with me. Let the others find out later when you’re ready, or if they figure it out on their own. Either way, this is just you and me right now, and I’m okay with that. I’ve got your love, and that’s the only thing I need,” Apollo told him, giving his face a little squeeze.

  Dante nudged himself forward. “You have my love, my body, and my heart. You’ve got it all Apollo. It scares the shit out of me to say it, and I hope I don’t fuck it up, but God it’s true, and I’m so glad it is.”

  Apollo drew him in close, kissing him gently as he wound his arms around Dante’s body. Under the warm sunlight streaming through the trees above, with the wind rustling the leaves, and his lover in his arms, Apollo found everything he had ever wanted and more.

  They had been through so much together already, and Apollo had no doubt in his mind that as a true duo, they could face down anything. Neither one of them were perfect, and there was still plenty to work on. They had all the time they needed to do that, and Apollo would savor every moment he had with Dante.

  Apollo kissed Dante softly. “So am I.”

  They made their way back to The Grove, uncertain of the future, but ready to face it together.

  Epilogue

  ~~*~~

  Two months later

  Dante stepped up onto the porch’s first step. “Seriously, why is it that we’re always the ones who have to come and drag them back?”

  Apollo chuckled, close on Dante’s heels. “Because Samuel said we should.”