02-20-2026, 09:59 PM
The moment that stretched between them went on for forever. He knew it last more than mere seconds (he had unintentionally started counting in the back of his mind), but how long they sat there, looking at each other’s eyes, Ian couldn’t tell.
Then his hand was enveloped by Pax’s larger one, holding him in place. Suddenly Ian was holding oxygen hostage in his lungs, and his body stopped recycling the O2 and CO2. “It’s alright.” The man replied, his voice low and gruff. Ian felt …what did Ian feel? He was nervous; that was clear to him. He was fascinated; that was obvious to them both. He was excited… yes, he was excited. But in what sense? In all senses. It gave him such a thrill, as an Engineer, to be able to lay hands on a technological marvel. It gave him a rush, as a former Medical student, to inspect how machine connected to man. And it got his blood pumping, as a male, to be so intimate with someone else in this way.
Pax cleared his throat. Ian blinked. Breathed through his nose. His body was startled, and the spell was broken. This was real.
“Maybe this isn’t the right place.”
“I…” Once again, Ian didn’t know what to say. “Where would you like to go?” He breathed, his question’s volume a mere whisper. His heart pounded fast, and he had to keep from trembling; he was now aware of the emotion his lower lip displayed, and he bit it softly on the inside. He wasn’t about to assume anything, but to him, things at the moment were pretty clear. But it was the others’ call. He was the subject of Ian’s fascination, and if he wanted to continue, he would have to lead.
==Deep breath! Tag==
Then his hand was enveloped by Pax’s larger one, holding him in place. Suddenly Ian was holding oxygen hostage in his lungs, and his body stopped recycling the O2 and CO2. “It’s alright.” The man replied, his voice low and gruff. Ian felt …what did Ian feel? He was nervous; that was clear to him. He was fascinated; that was obvious to them both. He was excited… yes, he was excited. But in what sense? In all senses. It gave him such a thrill, as an Engineer, to be able to lay hands on a technological marvel. It gave him a rush, as a former Medical student, to inspect how machine connected to man. And it got his blood pumping, as a male, to be so intimate with someone else in this way.
Pax cleared his throat. Ian blinked. Breathed through his nose. His body was startled, and the spell was broken. This was real.
“Maybe this isn’t the right place.”
“I…” Once again, Ian didn’t know what to say. “Where would you like to go?” He breathed, his question’s volume a mere whisper. His heart pounded fast, and he had to keep from trembling; he was now aware of the emotion his lower lip displayed, and he bit it softly on the inside. He wasn’t about to assume anything, but to him, things at the moment were pretty clear. But it was the others’ call. He was the subject of Ian’s fascination, and if he wanted to continue, he would have to lead.
==Deep breath! Tag==