Yakusoku.

Chapter 3

Chester caught the last remnants of Cless’s smile wondering what happened. Did something happen? Chester mused to himself. I’m sure Cless is just excited about hunting. After all, it’s a great day.

It was Chester, more than the weather that Cless found truly beautiful. His hair fell like sky in soft blue wisps blowing behind him. The diffused sunlight, filtered in through the canopy above was kind on his delicate, white skin glowing subtly. Stolen by such beauty, Cless reached out to stroke Chester’s cheek, feeling his silky smooth skin.

Surprise played in Chester’s eyes. “Aren’t we hunting?” he suggested, holding back a grin.

“Of course!” Cless replied, feeling the blush on his cheeks turn a heavy apple red. It matched his cape, just as bright wavering about him.

I know he did something bad. Or he wouldn’t be red, Chester laughed to himself, running his sight over Cless’s youthful figure.

Taking this as a positive sign Cless smiled inwardly. Fixated on Chester, Cless grinned at him turning away. At the same time he reached for his sword slung in its sheath by his waist.

It’s that look again. But I don’t feel nervous cause we’re alone now? Lost in thought, Chester forgot completely about their trip in the forest to hunt.

“Come Chester, let’s go,” Cless’s gentle voice called Chester back to the present. Brandishing his sword in one hand, extending the other to Chester, his smile softened and his blush faded.

Feeling any residual fear melt away, Chester took his hand. A joy not experienced in a long time welled up inside him, expressed in the glow of his face, laughter of his eyes, the play of his smile, the spirit of his movement.

He hasn’t smiled like this since his parents died, Cless realized suddenly. Seeing Chester come alive like this stirred memories in Cless from their earlier childhood days. It was the time when Chester’s parents still lived.

Chester was a happy then, like any of us in Totus. His father took him hunting. Amy stayed at home helping their mom out. And my Dad ran the fencing school as usual. Those were the good days, Cless thought to himself.

As Cless recalled the past he and Chester continued deeper into the valley. The air thickened with the rich aromas of the forest. Birds called to each other through the forest branches. Shafts of light pierced whatever openings could be found. Butterflies darted into the light, then shadow vanishing in the dark. It was nature, pure and beautiful in unseen glory hidden from the world.

In the deepening wilderness it became Cless and Chester alone together leaving behind all thoughts of life in Totus. Cless forgot about ushering for Jen and Pennington’s marriage. Chester forgot their gossip, questions like “Why haven’t you found a girlfriend, Cless? Why do you spend so much time with Chester?” Chester could be himself here in the presence of his friend.

Chester relaxed, taking in the sights and smells around him. Cless focused on the trail in front for any signs of boar tracks. He spotted a slight depression, then a series of clearly defined prints.

“There!” Cless whispered, ready to strike with his blade.

“Finally.” Reaching for his quiver, Chester brandished a single arrow, drawing it back his bowstring. His pulling arm tightened against the pressure of the bow. His Fingers clenched the arrow shaft trembling, waiting for a needed release. “I see it,” came a whisper under Chester’s breath.

“It’s mine,” cried Cless, charging forward. The lone boar on the path ahead froze then fled into some underbrush.

The flash of red from Cless’s cape blinded Chester making him loose his aim. “Dammit, Cless! I missed cause of you.” Chester’s anger stabbed Cless like a blade through the heart.

Cless stiffened dropping his sword. “Listen, Chester. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s your fault, all of it,” Chester spat at him, slapping him hard across the face. As Chester moved at him, his bow hit the ground, his quiver slipped off, dangling by its strap in the crook of his arm. He stood there motionless, his breath rising and falling rapidly.

Looking away Cless remained still, rooted to the spot where Chester slapped him. Even the birds fell quiet. Light stopped dancing through the canopy above. Leaves ceased to rustle for the wind died down. Chester’s vision narrowed in on Cless’s reddened cheek. Slowly, Cless’s head turned. His large gray eyes, clear deep pools stared out at Chester, peering out from under tawny bangs and the red bandana across his forehead. He didn’t even wince.

“It’s also cause of you Pennington thinks I’m strange!” Chester’s gaze intensified. “No, it’s the damn whole village.”

“Chester…” His name escaped Cless’s pursed lips. Cless couldn’t find words to express the emotions within, weighing heavily on his face.

“I…I hurt you again, Cless.” Struck by the emotion, regret tinged Chester’s voice.

“No, I hurt you.” Slumping over, Cless’s head sank between his shoulders, clad in silver-white armor he once held high earlier that day. His gaze fell too as did his proud young spirit.

“What?” Something in Chester knew Cless had kissed him when he had passed out, for he tasted again a sweetness still lingering on his lips. He really did it, didn’t he?

“After I found you on the road Chester, I…” Cless couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Tell me!” Fear mounted in the pit of Chester’s stomach churning it inside out.

“This.” Breaking free of any previous restraints Cless closed in on Chester. He grasped Chester’s cheeks in his palms pulling him close. Time and space melted between them as Cless inclined his head kissing Chester deeply.

Oh, god! Chester cried within, going limp under Cless’s deepening kiss.

Even if you hate me, I won’t let go. I’m sorry. Cless thought in his heart. Before this as time passed had Cless found it hard, if not impossible to control his feelings for Chester. It started 5 years ago at 12 when adolescence first started. He found it strange that he dreamed about guys, specifically Chester, but figured it would pass. Instead Cless found that the dreams came from feelings inside his heart, a tenderness no one could know because maybe the world might think it was wrong.

Cless couldn’t help himself. He always knew how he felt. When Chester’s parents died, it drove Chester closer to him, intensifying his already passionate feelings. The hours Chester spent crying in Cless’s arms, asking, “Why are my parents dead? I miss them, it hurts here, my heart,” grew on Cless shaping his relationship with Chester. All Cless could do then was hug him, even place a hand over his heart when Chester was in pain. Even now all Cless could offer was his sympathetic touch.

Tears, not anger welled in Chester’s eyes. “Why Cless?” he managed to say in a pain choked voice after he broke their kiss.

“Why?” It’s the same question as always, Chester. Cless reflected silently. His strong arms grabbed Chester still holding him tightly. I wish I knew.

As Chester settled down he rested against Cless’s broad breastplate. It was the same chest he found support in after his parent’s deaths, the same heart that beat inside and cared. Chester felt it even under the hard protective metal.

“No one else will know, alright?” Lifting a gloved hand to Chester’s face, Cless stroked it, his touch as sweet as his smile that it melted all doubt.

“Yeah,” was all Chester said, his tone low and soft. Sinking further in Cless’s grasp, Chester glanced at his cheek still slightly red. “No one else will know.”

TBC