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“Oy, I need air,” Alter said, gasping. His lips parted from Frankie’s and his pulse felt frenzied and wild. He inched sideways, reveling in the silky sensation of the linens on Frankie’s bed. The sheets felt unbelievably soft against his arms. Sunlight spilled in through the window, bouncing off of the damask wallpaper and making the golden patterns sparkle.
“I thought your endurance was better than that,” Frankie murmured from his position above Alter, his legs on either side of Alter’s hips. He smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I expected more of you after all of our adventures together.”
“You think you’re so funny, don’t you?” He reached up and playfully swatted Frankie’s back.
“Yes, I do.” He smiled smugly. “What have I told you before about having bad manners? Don’t make me repeat myself. That gets tiresome, you know.” Frankie chuckled.
Alter rolled his eyes. His laughter belied his annoyance, which subsided altogether when he felt hot, light kisses on his neck. A divine warmth radiated through his body. He wanted to succumb to the sanctity of the moment, but he wasn’t ready to halt his play just yet.
“I thought you said that I was a good mensch.” He gave Frankie another light slap. This time Alter’s hand made contact with his shoulder.
“Oh, I think you’re a very good mensch when you’re not being rude to me and slapping me.”
“You’re being impossible, Frankie.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Frankie smiled a devilish grin and his eyes lit up. He stroked Alter’s face, his hand drifting down to the pulse point on his beau’s neck.
Frankie’s touch grounded Alter, making him feel utterly present, and prompting his blood to buzz. Alter surged up, giving Frankie a few short kisses on the mouth. Elation flowed through him and the mood became sublime again.
All he could focus on was Frankie; how his lips tasted as sweet as honey cake, how the rings on his fingers felt frosty cold against Alter’s skin, and how his caresses felt like home. Frankie’s kiss was intense and persistent. Their affection rooted Alter, causing him to feel steeped in bliss, a sensation that he never wanted to fade. He thought that they could spend the whole afternoon absorbed in passion, and he would savor every second of their time together.
A hollow ache rose in Alter's stomach when Frankie ended the kiss. His cheeks felt pleasantly flushed as he ran his fingers through Frankie’s curls.
“Do I get to give you shit for needing a break this time?” Alter panted, his inhalations coming in staccato length breaths. He grinned, hoping that it was as sly as one of Frankie’s lively smirks.
“I thought that was my job.” Frankie laughed and his fingers danced down Alter’s jawline.
“It is.” Alter’s hand curled around Frankie’s wrist, noticing how his pulse fluttered hummingbird fast. He looked up and caught sight of Frankie’s twitching knees.
“My legs feel like pins and needles.” He extricated his body from Alter’s and flopped down onto the bed, making the mattress squeal. “Come here, boychik,” Frankie said. His voice was soft while he settled onto his side, and extended his arms for an embrace.
Alter snuggled into him, nestling his cheek against Frankie’s shoulder. He delighted in the feeling of strong arms enveloping him, marveling at how Frankie’s hold was both firm yet gentle.
“Do your legs feel better now?”
“Not yet. They will in a few minutes.”
Alter reached down and massaged Frankie’s legs to coax circulation back into his limbs.
“Oh, that feels good,” he sighed. “It’ll get rid of the pins and needles sooner. Thank you, Alter.”
“It’s the least I can do after all that you’ve done for me.” His eyes met Frankie’s and he beamed.
“I wouldn’t have helped you with Yakov’s dybbuk mishegoss if I didn’t care about you.”
The musical lilt of his voice captivated Alter. So did Frankie’s smile, a sight that made his abdomen flutter. The flutter intensified when Frankie leaned his forehead against Alter’s. This time Frankie was the one who pecked him.
Overwhelming sensations swirled through his body again, sparked by Frankie’s words and the gentle touch of his lips. Alter felt lightheaded from the affection. The emotion that thrummed through him matched the floaty buzz of tipsiness.
“Oy vey, how do you do this to me?” he said, feigning annoyance. His hands stilled.
“I could answer that question honestly, but it would ruin the moment.” Frankie’s mouth curved into a sly grin, one that was short-lived. His expression softened into a smile.
“Are you taking a break from being yourself?” Alter teased.
“Yes, for now.”
Alter slipped a leg in between Frankie’s legs and sighed. He resumed the massage, basking in the tenderness of the moment. Slow, easy minutes passed, filled with glittering amber afternoon light filtering in through the window, and his limbs intertwined like vines with Frankie’s legs.