John stirred in the early morning hours, just as the sun started to peek its head over the horizon. Shifting, he looked over at the lump that had kicked off all the blankets. In the morning glow, his skin looked flawless. His back sloped and slanted, expanded and contracted. Honestly, John couldn't believe he had attracted such a man. His finger slowly slid down Jim's spin, vibrating over each vertebrae. And then he saw it: the telltale mark of a mage. The Dimples of Venus. His heart sank.
A mage. John - a mage hunter who was currently on a mission - had slept with a mage. If that didn't get him thrown out of the Order, nothing would. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to think. Most people didn't know about the marks. It was only something those who were initiated into the Order ever found out about. When he pulled his hands away, he looked over and saw Jim stir. He couldn't just ignore it, but how would he explain this whole ordeal to his superiors?"Johnny?" Jim called out, his voice just as melodic as it was the night before. John swallowed hard before responding, "I am here." He watched as Jim turned to face him. Cocoa eyes blinked open, and a crooked smile slowly slipped onto his face. "You know." John breathed out, "I know." With that, Jim reached up and cupped John's cheek. He could feel the unnatural warmth. Why had he not noticed it the night before? Or had he simply disregarded it as passion? How foolish.As Jim's palm warmed his cheek, Jim leaned forward and whispered, "I can make you forget everything if you want. No more turmoil. No more fear. But is that what you truly desire?" John leaned into the touch, able to feel the warmth trickle to his ear and nose and lips. He could remember the previous nights sighs and moans, purrs and whimpers. They replayed in his ear. That night, he had felt whole for the first time since he was a young teenager without a care in the world and curiosity unbound.He sucked in a breath until his chest felt that it was going to burst. Lips tingling, he recalled the words Jim had murmured in his ear. They were probably sweet nothings, but they were also everything to him. A mage. John's honor was in question here. But then again, so was his identity. Did he ever truly have honor when he lied about himself so consistently? Finally, he released the breath. "No." Jim beamed and pulled him into another, soul-completing kiss.