Chapter 5 Fear

"James!" shouts Net after him.

And when he reaches the deck, James is standing by the few stairs that lead to the sea.

His brown hair blows in the wind in time with his red and white floral shirt.

He has his arms crossed and is gazing out at the open sea.

Their foamy path dances on the surface of the water.

Their path to this point.

The high sails let the breeze rushing show its strength.

"James!", Net calls the name of the man he is only ever allowed to admire in his shadow, "What's wrong?", he approaches cautiously.

James remains silent.

Net is unsettled.

Should he continue to press him?

Not that he's making it worse.

"James!" he dares to call out tentatively once more.

And James abruptly turns around.

His glowing cheeks are at odds with his ice-cold eyes.

His raspberry lips stand still, radiating a sublime arrogance.

Net feels a twinge at the sight of his coldness.

Never could he find words to address him now.

Inwardly torn, he searches James' face for a spark close to him.

All he can do is shake his head.

"Can't I have a moment to myself?" asks James with a hint of doubt.

"But," Net begins, and is interrupted.

"I want you to leave me alone now. Why don't you go back? You'll be received better there!", James voice strengthens.

Net swallows.

A choking hand settles on his throat.

He's not ready anymore.

He won't give himself that anymore.

He just doesn't want to be treated like this anymore.

He just doesn't understand James.

Nor does he care enough to open up to him.

Not even a friend.

Not a brother.

When you love someone, you don't show yourself like that.

That can only mean one thing.

And Nat nods.

"All right!" his cold voice rings out, "I'll leave you alone!" he says, and begins to unbutton his shirt.

James is stunned by the change.

Net takes off his shirt, slips out of his sandals, and climbs onto the white stern rail.

"Net!" exclaims James, watching him head into the water.

"Net!" yells James, jumping to the stern rail.

His widened eyes search for his surfacing cougar.

His heart suffers a fearful tremor.

And when he still can't catch sight of him, tears burst from their ice cellar.

"Net!" breaks his desperate voice.

And he climbs onto the stern rail.

"James! What are you doing?", Max sounds loudly.

"Net's off the boat!" shouts James, jumping into the water.

Max sends Nat to Juna and runs for a better view.

He sees James diving into the water again and again, only to resurface a short time later.

His tears are still flowing and he just can't calm his breathing.

His body is buzzing with adrenaline.

And his heart aches with fear.

With all his might, he tries not to think about it.

He can't think about it.

Don't.

It mustn't be.

If something happens to Net.

And he feels himself spasm as he remembers what sight he just gave him.

The last time.

And his sobbing doesn't let him see anything or dive.

James only hears Max's voice calling.

He can't process what he's calling out.

He's so consumed by his despair.

"James is here!" shouts Max loudly, "You'll be with him in a minute!"

And James suddenly feels two hands wrap around his waist.

"What are you doing here?" he hears his cougar's voice.

James' legs float, keeping him afloat.

And now his hands are rubbing the tears from his eyes.

And he sees Net.

And he's crying bitterly again.

"James!", Net puts a hand on his face, "Everything is fine!", he comforts him, "Come on, let's go on the boat!"

But James cannot calm himself.

Instead, he grabs the back of his cougar's neck with both arms, nuzzles his neck and sobs again.

Net's legs carry them both in the warm, turquoise blue.

His arm around Jaime's waist tightens and he lets him feel his heartbeat.

"Were you scared for me?" teases Net, chuckling at him.

And he expects a dismissive James to put him in his place.

But his mistake sends his heart beating into infinity.

James clutches tighter around his neck and his hot tears flow down Net's neck.

For a moment, Net can't give his legs any supporting power.

And so they glide down into the warm water in their intimate embrace.

Only to surface again.

Max and Nat watch Net's tanned torso swim back up with his bright-eyed James in its grasp.

Max helps James up and hands him to Net when he is back on deck.

Net takes him in his arms.

"I just needed to cool off for a minute," he strokes the wet strands from James' beady face.

And he strokes his flushed cheeks tenderly.

"I'm a very good swimmer!" he declares gently, placing his large, warm hand on Jaime's face.

And the feeling of the warm pressure against his hand, makes Net's heart flutter.

James snuggles up to that hand touching him.

And his eyes still glisten from the thought loss.

And Net can barely hold the intense gaze of those eyes weeping because of him.

His body melts and his heart takes off.

He begins not to notice everything around them.

As if they were in a soap bubble together.

Such a tender moment.

And he is so afraid that the next moment, the bubble will burst.

He can't do anything wrong.

And James sees his cougar's nervousness.

"I'm sorry I was so gross to you!" he finds the right words.

"It's okay!", Net smiles sheepishly.

"It's not!" counters James emphatically.

His raspberry lips want to be heard.

Those lips.

And Nat pauses at the sight.

And sees them forming again.

And hears those words that make him show true.

"I don't want to lose you!" breathes James, and is pulled into a tight embrace.

Net squeezes their wet bodies tightly together.

Strokes James' head.

Kisses his forehead.

And whispers to him:

"I'll never scare you like that again. I promise!"

And his beautiful, dark eyes show sincere and full of love.

So full of love.

That Jaime's body fills with the warmest lightness and he takes off.

And he gives Net a lovely smile.

A warm smile of delicious raspberry delight.

"You didn't even take your shirt off!", Net giggles and slowly begins to undo the buttons of his shirt.

The red and white floral shirt resting wet against Jaime's body.

And covering his delicate skin with just a hint of sensual fabric.

And Net feels his senses spike at every inch of skin he releases with his fingers.

And when no button wears the wet, second skin, his eyes wander.

From the small slit below.

Velvet white skin.

His belly button.

The delicate ridges of his abs.

The sweet peak of his trained chest, pushing through the wet breath, still waiting to be unwrapped.

Net feels a hot wave burning inside him.

He begins to nibble on his lower lip.

With the eyes of a lurking cougar, he begins to brush the offending wetness from Jaime's body.

Tenderly, his fingers slide over his collarbone, pushing the fabric more and more to the side.

More skin.

His shoulder.

So much skin for his eyes to behold.

And Net feels him getting closer and closer.

He wants his scent.

His taste.

Every exposed inch.

And when James puts his hands on Net's chest, he recoils.

Net closes his eyes.

And opens them again when he realizes how James' hands burn on his chest like this.

His thumbs press into his muscles, leaving wild ripples.

And James' gaze is so sensual that the next wave comes against Net's crotch.

And James casually strokes the small, hard peaks of delight on Nat's quivering chest.

Before he exposes himself.

Taking off the wet, second skin in front of Net.

Still looking him in the eyes.

And he sees Net's eyes, not following his instructions.

He caresses him with them.

James feels his entire body tingling and seething heat seeping into his body.

His body he wants to show him.

He wants him to see him.

And Net sees.

What he so desires.

What he wants so indescribably badly for himself.

And his arousal is not the reason why he is so ashamed now.

This quaint feeling puts him to shame.

This feeling that comes instinctively with the first, true love.

When reason is no longer present and obsessive devotion sets the pace of love.

He doesn't want anyone to see him.

"Put some clothes on!", Net's voice suddenly sounds low.

He reaches for his shirt that he had neatly placed on the rack, puts it around James' shoulders and even helps him get in.

And from the bottom up, he buttons it.

The greatest wish.

The greatest treasure.

He doesn't want anyone to see his James topless.

And when he finally reaches the top and looks into James' face, his cheeks start to burn.

James bites his lower lip and his eyes show him a movie.

And James laughs out as he sees Net's color change.

A loud whistle and clap breaks their vaudeville in the bubble.

"You guys are awesome!" exclaims Max, whistling again.

Nat's laughing clap resounds all the louder.

Both sit on the couch and enjoy the performance.

A beautiful moment.

Which now makes them both embarrassed in front of their friends.

And Nat squeals happily as he sees NetJames scratching his head in embarrassment at the same time.

"Come sit with us for a minute. I think it's time we had a talk. We'd like to share something with you!", Max knocks on the lounge couch.

And Nat starts to put a plate of fruit down for each of them.

Their friends have had quite a time.

They had to find each other and now they need courage.

And the heavenly taste of Mother Nature's fruitful splendors can only encourage them.