Could It Be Magic

by Heather Mar-Gerrison

  He sighed. One day he might be brave enough to get beyond just kissing Laars, but he’d have to leave it until his father’s visit was over. He really didn’t need anything else to worry about.

  As he thought about his handsome and charming boyfriend, a knock on his door made him smile. He was quite sure he hadn’t actually meant to summon him again, but he couldn’t deny that it happened nine times out of ten.

  He opened his door to find Laars leaning against the doorframe, a lazy smile playing around his luscious lips, “You did it again, didn’t you – you witch!”

  Saul put his hands up in surrender, “If I did, I promise you, I didn’t mean to.” He grinned back at him as his eyes roved up and down his boyfriend’s body, “What were you doing?”

  He shook his head and chuckled, “I wasn’t doing anything, really but I just got this really overwhelming feeling that I had to see you. So, here I am – still in my pyjamas. Seriously, dude – you’re gonna have to control that summoning thing you’ve got going on where I’m concerned. I’m actually quite scared that you’ll do it when I’m on the shitter!”

  Saul’s jaw dropped, “Holy shit.” He breathed, the realisation that Laars really couldn’t stop himself from coming to him whenever he thought about him washing over him, “I only thought about you for a second.”

  Laars raised an eyebrow, “Oh, yeah?” he asked, sidling up to Saul and making his heart start to beat hard in his chest, “What were you thinking about me for?” His voice had gone all husky and Saul was beginning to find breathing normally a little difficult.

  He went red, “Dunno, really...”

  Laars narrowed his eyes and then he raised his eyebrows and his mouth dropped open in surprise, “You think I’m dangerous?” he asked, sounding really offended, “Because I’ve got red hair?”

  Saul blinked, “What?” he asked incredulously, “Where the fuck did you get that idea?”

  Laars stared at him, “You thought it. I know you did. I heard you... inside my head...” He stared at him, horror-struck, “Fuck!” he exclaimed, “What the hell have you done to me?” He sounded confused – and even a little angry.

  Saul panicked, “I didn’t do anything to you.” He said, “Please believe me.” He added, “I just really like you, Laars...” Fuck. Could he sound any needier? Might as well just blurt it right out there. I think I love you…

  Laars sighed, “And I really like you, too. More than like you, as I’m sure you already know… It’s damned outrageous that you’re forbidden to date me back home. Maybe we just need to sit your folks down and tell them that we’re serious about each other. Love is love, Saul.”

  Saul shook his head, his expression darkening, “Hell’s teeth!” he exclaimed with a visible shudder, “Dad would likely kill me – and you if we tried that.” The fact that Laars had just pretty much admitted that he was in love with him passing him by in his panic.

  “And he’s still coming here?” Laars looked at fearfully, “You haven’t managed to head him off?”

  Saul shook his head. The idea of his father doing something to Laars made him feel physically sick. He didn’t know that he’d do something to him, but he didn’t really want to chance it, either. “No,” he said defeatedly, “He’s definitely coming. You’re going to have to lie low – and I promise that I’ll do my best not to think of you while he’s here at all.”

  Laars smiled ruefully, “That’s going to be nigh on impossible,” he said, “do you have any idea how many times a day I find myself hot-footing it over here just to see you because you’ve made me come?”

  Saul’s body started to respond to his boyfriend’s words. He would like nothing more than to make his best friend come. He looked up into Laars’ face, hoping his errant thoughts hadn’t found their way into Laars’ mind.

  No such luck. The look of shock on Laars face told him that he’d heard every fucking word. Ohhh, shit. Was this the end of a beautiful friendship?

  Laars shook his head slightly and stepped in closer to Saul, crowding into his personal space and sending his heartbeat somewhere into the stratosphere... “I had no idea you felt that way.” He whispered, stroking his fingertips down Saul’s face and looking at him, his expression one of wonder and disbelief.

  Saul shrugged self-consciously, absolutely sure that Laars was freaked out by his passionate nature. “Yeah, well – don’t worry about it,” he mumbled, “I’m sure it’ll pass. Don’t feel that you’ve got to hang around me – and I’ll really work on that summoning thing...”

  Laars frowned, “Baby, I don’t want it to pass.” he asked, “Because I feel the exact same way about you?”

  Saul’s jaw dropped. No fucking way? “Do you?” he asked incredulously.

  He nodded, “Yes,” he breathed, “I totally do,” before leaning in and brushing his lips against Saul’s.

  Saul felt as if he was freefalling. Everything ceased to exist but him and Laars and their kiss. Thrills of desire ran through his entire body. The feelings deep inside him that he’d tried his best to keep a lid on for the past couple of months since they’d first met bloomed inside, flooding every cell with his overflowing longing and desire for this moment of them coming together. Happiness like he’d never felt before threatened to burst his heart right open.

  Laars seemed oblivious to what was happening. He was just holding Saul in his arms and brushing his lips across Saul’s face, murmuring sweet words and stroking his face with his fingertips.

  “Kiss me again,” Saul breathed, “I really need you to...”

  Laars pulled away slightly and his eyes widened as he looked into Saul’s eyes – now half-closed with desire. He closed his own eyes and leaned back in, pressing his lips a little more firmly against Saul’s. He teased Saul’s lips apart with the tip of his tongue before boldly sliding his tongue further into Saul’s mouth, stroking Saul’s tongue, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from him. Saul was in heaven. Nothing in his life had ever felt so good – so right.

  Chapter 27 – In love…

  Saul

  It had been two whole weeks since Halloween, and apart from the impending doom of his father coming to visit in another two weeks, Saul couldn’t help being blissfully happy having Laars Zanelli as his boyfriend.

  All of their friends were totally cool with them being boyfriends and even George, who had been nursing a bit of a crush on Saul and therefore didn’t really like Laars, seemed to be reasonably happy for the two of them. “You two glow.” He said one morning at breakfast, with a small smile, “You’re happier than a pair of pigs in shit.”

  Laars laughed, “That’s because we’re in love.” He said through a mouthful of toast, “You want to try it.”

  George gave him a disdainful look, “I would have done.” He countered acidly, “But you got there first.”

  Saul blinked, “What?” he asked. Did George mean what he thought he meant?

  George rolled his eyes, “Yes, Saul.” He said, “I fancied you from the first day when you had your self-stirring coffee.”

  Laars and Saul exchanged a surprised glance that he was mentioning the self-stirring episode. Surely, he wasn’t aware of Saul’s magical abilities? Saul cleared his throat, “Well, I’m sure you’ll meet someone, soon.” He offered lamely.

  George shrugged, “I’m fine.” He said, “I got over the disappointment a long time ago. I’ve been playing the field…” He got up. “Anyway. I’ve got a hot date with a fine filly this afternoon, so, I guess I’ll see you guys later.”

  Saul blinked, “Did he just refer to a girl as a filly?” he asked in utter disgust.

  Laars nodded, “Yes, he did,” he said, shaking his head, “Clearly, he’s one of those upper-class twats that thinks women are put on the planet, purely for men’s enjoyment.”

  “But didn’t he just say that he fancied guys?” Saul asked, looking totally confused.

  Laars shrugged again, “He’s obvious bisexual.” He said, “Come on – let’s go into town. I need some ne
w jeans.”

  Saul smiled, George’s sexuality instantly forgotten about, “What sort of jeans are you looking for?”

  Laars started to describe what he wanted and Saul listened intently, “Let’s just go to your room first.” He said as they started to cross the campus, “I think you might have a nice surprise.”

  Laars raised an eyebrow, “Hello.” He said, “That sounds exciting.”

  Saul rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t talking about that.” he said with a laugh.

  They got to Laars room and went in. Laars had long ago stopped worrying about locking his door. Saul was always on hand to lock it or unlock it with his mind.

  “Go and look in your wardrobe,” Saul urged, “I think you’ll be happy.”

  Laars went over to his wardrobe and opened the door. “Oh, my God.” He murmured, “How the hell did you do that?”

  Saul giggled, “I don’t know how it works.” He said, “I never really understood the classes back home about materialistic possessions and changing looks but for some reason, since I’ve left the magical community behind, I just seem to be able to do it now in any case.”

  Laars blinked, “You mean these are actually real and I can actually wear them?”

  Saul nodded, “Sure.” He said, “Something else in your wardrobe will have disappeared in place of them – but you can have that item back again at any time. You just have to think it there.”

  Laars shook his head, “Wow.” He said, “You are a genius!”

  Saul giggled, “No.” he said, “I’m a witch.”

  Laars turned to him, his eyes smouldering. “You’re my witch.” He said huskily, “And since we don’t have to go shopping…”

  Saul’s heart rate started to increase, “I have an assignment that I have to do…”

  Laars frowned, “Don’t you want to stay here?” he asked, disappointment apparent in his voice.

  Saul bit his lip. “I really want to stay here.” He admitted.

  Laars blinked, “So, what’s the problem?” he asked, “I want you here – and you want to be here…”

  Saul gazed at him. “I’m afraid.” He blurted out.

  Laars’ jaw dropped, “Afraid?” he asked, “Of what? Of me?”

  He shook his head, “No, no – not of you. I’m just scared that you’re going to get fed of putting things on hold… I don’t want you to get really bored of me.”

  Laars stared at him, “Bored?” he asked, “What the hell are you on about?”

  He hung his head, “I’m…”

  Laars reached for his hand and took it in his, “I’m a very patient man.” He said, “I’m in love with you, Saul. I can wait until you’re ready for more than kissing and stuff. I’m not about to ditch you just because you don’t want to have sex, yet.”

  Saul’s eyes filled with tears, “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Absolutely, one hundred per cent sure.” Laars assured him, “And if you’d only let yourself, you’d already know that.” he smiled at his boyfriend, “You’d be able to read it in my mind.”

  Saul sniffed and nodded, “I haven’t dared.” He whispered, “I was so afraid that it was only me feeling this way.”

  Laars’ smile was full of adoration, “It isn’t just you.” He said, “I love you every bit as much as you love me. And I know that because I wasn’t afraid to check.”

  Saul threw himself into Laars arms, “Oh, God.” He said fervently, “I love you so much I could burst.”

  Laars laughed, “Me, too.” He said, “Let’s have a game on the X Box.”

  Chapter 28 – Blinding light…

  Laars

  Even though he knew he had to be careful not to spook him, he wasn’t about to hold back about how he felt about him – and he wasn’t about to stop kissing him, either.

  “Stop. Stop!” Saul gasped, pulling away, “You’re doing it again.”

  Laars blinked and tried to focus on his boyfriend’s face but it was so difficult when all he wanted to do was meld against him and make them one. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice gravelly with desire.

  “You’re filling my mind with blinding light.”

  Laars jaw dropped, “Am I?” he asked, “What’s that all about, then?”

  Saul shook his head, “I don’t know.” He admitted, biting his lip, “But I can’t stop it from happening and I’m worried that other people might be able to see it.”

  “Other people?” Laars asked in alarm, “What do you mean? Like your father?”

  Saul nodded, “I can’t control it. It’s too strong. I-I think it’s the light of our love and it’s a beautiful thing – but it’s dangerous – for us, I mean…”

  Holy shit. “What’s it going to do when we actually…” he trailed off. Hell, Saul was incredibly passionate already. If and when they took their relationship to the next level, that light was going to be off the scale… Hang on a minute – was that why Saul wouldn’t sleep with him? Did he already know about this? Time to ask. “Did you know about this light thing? Before we got together, I mean?”

  Saul’s face went bright red – right to tips of his ears, “I, uh…”

  “You did!” Laars exclaimed, half-amused and half-indignant. “You little witch!” he laughed, “Come here.”

  Saul melted against him, “I’m sorry – it mentioned something about it in my spell book but I didn’t really register what the light thing meant until it was all I could see in my mind every time we really start getting passionate.”

  Laars nodded, “We’ll have to have a look in your spell book to see if there’s something we can do to hide it.”

  Saul brightened, “Good idea.” He said, “I’ll summon it.”

  Laars had been stroking his hands down Saul’s chest. It was so hard to keep his hands off his smoother-than-smooth body but he stopped so that Saul could concentrate on summoning the book.

  Saul shot him a grateful smile before closing his eyes. Laars marvelled silently at how far he’d come in his acceptance of all things magical around Saul as seconds later, the book landed on the bed beside them. A few weeks ago, and he’d have been running for the hills at this sort of trickery.

  “Hey, spell book.” Saul said, “How do Laars and I hide our love from our enemies?”

  Laars stared at Saul, “Enemies?” he asked in surprise.

  Saul shrugged, “Worst case scenario.” He said.

  The spell book shuddered on the bed and then opened. The pages fluttered and then as if there was a really strong wind in the room, started to flip rapidly. Finally, it was still.

  “There’s nothing on the page.” Laars snorted in disgust, “Fat lot of good….”

  “Shhhh,” Saul held his hand up, “Give her a minute.”

  Laars peered over Saul’s shoulder and was amazed when words started to just appear in front of their eyes.

  The secret light of soulmate love and how to keep it that way…

  Love is pure and love is good and love is all around us

  But secret love is hard to hide and there are those that want to hurt us

  Your light will glow for all to see and enemies will seek it

  So, hide your light in their darkness and let their hatred feed it…

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Laars asked.

  Saul shrugged, “I think it means that we’re going to have to hide our love in false thoughts. I’ve been doing that all year, already, whenever I’ve called home.” He sighed, a small frown appearing on his face, “There’s nothing else for it, then. We just have to stop making out.”

  “Fuck off!” Laars exclaimed indignantly, “I like kissing you, and it’s perfectly natural! There’s nothing wrong with us loving each other!”

  Saul nodded, “I know that.” he said, flashing his boyfriend a loving smile, “Let’s see what else she can tell us.” He turned back to the book, “I understand, spell book.” He said, “But I really love my boyfriend and we want to be able to make love with each other without anyone el
se being able to see our light. Can we do anything about that?”

  The book snapped shut.

  “Oh,” Saul said with a frown, “Well, that’s just great. It looks like she’s a homophobe, too.”

  The book opened again and once again the pages fluttered furiously before stilling.

  They both leaned forward eagerly to see what she had to say.

  “Holy shit.” Laars breathed, “What the fuck language is that?”

  Saul stared helplessly at the strange words in front of his eyes, “This is advanced stuff.” He murmured, "I have no fucking idea.”

  Laars let out a frustrated growl, “This is fucking ridiculous.” He said angrily, “I love you – and you love me and having to hide it from all and sundry is really beginning to piss me off – who the hell is your dad to tell you that you can’t love someone?”

  Saul’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry.” He whispered, “I should never have pursued you…”

  Laars felt immediately shitty about making his boyfriend cry, “I’m not angry with you.” He said, gathering Saul to him and giving him a hug, “I’m just frustrated that we’re constantly having to sneak around.”

  “And you want to have a normal relationship – with sex.” Saul said quietly, “And so do I.”

  Laars held him close, “Yes.” He said, “I do want to make love to you – because I love you and it’s normal to want to show that physically as well as emotionally. I’m so happy that you pursued me – but as soon as I saw you, something inside told me that we belonged together, too – it’s destiny, Saul. Never apologise for that. We belong together.”

  Saul gazed at him, “We do belong together.” He agreed, “When he comes, I think I’ll have to tell my father that I’ve met the love of my life and he’s just going to have to suck it up.”

  Laars grinned. They were very brave words but he wasn’t convinced that Saul would ever have the confidence to actually tell his father that he was in a relationship with another guy – well, not without Laars being there to hold his hand, anyway. “Let’s not do anything rash.” He said. “We can keep a lid on things for as long as it takes.”