(C) 1996  Jason Palmer

Author's Note: This was originally written for a friend of mine,
someone with a lot of fire, who stuck with me even when I wasn't
an easy person to deal with.  He inspired me to write this, and
I want to thank him for making me think enough to do this.  He
knows who he is, I believe.  This is the closest I will ever 
come to thanking him directly.
  
(Background information: The Kel and the Raahk are two races of
felines.  Imagine a domestic housecat from earth, and cross it
with the body of a twenty one year old man.  This is Cilain, one
of the Kel.  Areago, a Raahk  citizen, is a cross between a
Siberian white tiger, and a man five years  older with a
generously muscled physique-- a gymnast, perhaps.  The Kel and 
the Raahk have been at war for centuries, battling over the
largest continent on the planet.  Neither has mastered space
travel, nor even advanced sailing-- what cat likes to be over
water?)

		    "Blue-eyed Diamond"
		      by The NightCat


   Cilain stepped into the tavern, and sat at the bar.  It wasn't
an especially attractive place; the floor was hard wood, as were
the tables, though the latter had warped a little with age and
moisture.  The air was thick, filled with the scents of alcohol
and cheap catnip.  It was quiet there, with only a few people,
mostly Kel civilians, drinking and chatting.  
  
   There was nothing remarkable about that day, besides meeting
Areago. Cilain had no other friends, and he had no family.  The
latter had been killed years ago by the Gra'el, and the former
had never existed.  It wasn't something new; he was used to
living alone.  So, other than meeting his one friend in the
world, nothing really set that day apart from the rest.
  
   His was a race of felines, descendants of a splice between
domesticated  cats and humanoids.  They were the Kel, a peaceful
race, seeking more the security of hearth and home than conquest. 
Over the centuries, the Kel had developed more value in medicines
and philosophies than most others on their world.  They were a
very docile, gentle race of creatures, though when angered they
became quite violent and unstable.
  
   Over the years, Cilain had made several friends, and had
become very close to them.  Each time he'd grown close to
someone, they became the center of his life, his very reason for
happiness.  A few gave the illusion that they'd felt the same for
him, but over time that had died out.  They had been interested
in his inborn ability, his natural rapport with the elements. 
One by one they would all gain a fascination with his talents,
and, subsequently, each in turn would become angry and leave him
the moment he refused to make his powers  work for them.'  He'd
been born with a very strong source of energy, more intense than
that of his peers.  What he had mistaken for love was simple
usery.
  
   Love does not come easy, and Cilain learned this with such
painful, agonizing repetition.  Several times when he'd actually
fallen for someone, only to find out that those feelings could
never be returned.  Years of pain and betrayal had jaded his
emotions, memories that hurt him even now, as a  matured' feline.
Tears had fallen like gentle rain, until there were none left. 
The skies were emptied, and when one has no more tears to cry, he
cries acid-- burning drops of wretched cynicism.  
  
   Then someone came along, and changed everything.
  
   Areago was quiet, with a proud face, as a feline's would tend
to be.  He was of a hybrid species, with a father from the Raahk
empire, and a Kellan mother.  Born with traits of both races,
Areago was rather muscular, and white-furred, as Cilain.  His
coloration and large stature gave him away to the Raahk people,
and they rejected him.  The tigerstripes which clung to his body
meant instant hatred from the Kel.  Universally he was known as a 
nameless' feline.  Both of his parents were known as traitors to
their own people for falling in love, and therefore he was
immediately classified as the spawn of conspiracy.  The Raahk and
Kel, being at war, did not look kindly upon children of traitors. 
It was one of the few things they agreed on.  Yet to those who
knew him, (in other words, to Cilain alone) he was known as
Areago.
  
   They met by chance, in a neutral bar, a place right on the
border between their warring homelands.  It was known for being a
haven for `deviants' and both felt they belonged there.
Conversation was made one evening, a drink was offered, and they
began talking.  
  
   Talking is different from speaking, for when you really talk
to someone, you don't just speak with your mouth.  You don't just
say words; you express yourself.  You convey something to
someone, and, in a way, you open up to them, if only a little.  
  
   A little of Cilain was all Areago needed.  He had simply
opened the door, when the sunlight burst in, and warmed his soul. 
He fanned out for Cilain like a flower to the morning sunrise. 
Cilain was attractive, especially for a Housecat (as they were
referred to by the Raahk).  His eyes were blue, as blue as
sapphires in the sky.  They seemed to see into Areago, with a
gaze so penetrating they broke through any barriers before he
could put them up, and yet such warmth and compassion that they
seemed to hypnotize, entrance.  They met weekly at first, in the
same bar, at the same table.  For both of them, it quickly became
the only thing they looked forward to in their lonely lives. 

   They spoke of Areago's past, of the inadequacy he felt,
without the massive, tigerish strength of his father or the
elemental powers of his mother.  Cilain had insisted that he was
beautiful regardless, more so than anyone he'd ever met.  
  
   Had it been anyone else giving such a complement, Areago would
have believed they were simply trying to flatter him, or get
something from him, but there was something in those eyes that
reassured him.  Perhaps he noticed perfect sight, or was it
perfect honesty?  In the end he found both and more in those
eyes, more than he could ever have imagined.
  
   As the weeks passed, Areago found himself thinking about
Cilain more and more.  He would yearn for their meetings while
they were apart, and would rush back to the bar every week to see
him.  Something was so pure and strong about that feline, and it
intrigued Areago intensely. They became good friends quickly and
easily, and in time, their friendship grew.
  
   It had been one ordinary evening when Areago asked Cilain
about his powers, the genetic abilites of each Kel.  It felt odd
to ask, because neither of them had discussed it before.  
  
   With a simple question, it had begun.  From that moment, the
first instant he had seen the sorrow, the weary sadness on
Cilain's face, he loved him.  Cilain first spoke of his friends,
his family, and his Energy.  He warned Areago that he couldn't
get too close, that every time he'd ever gotten close to someone
he'd been hurt-- that they had wanted his power, and not his
heart. 

   "You've been hurt every time?"  Areago asked him (repressing
his other question, which was,  Aren't we close already?').
  
   A small, silent nod was Cilain's response.  "It makes me
insecure.  I never know if someone wants me for who I am, or what
I can do."  He frowned and looked down, seeming frustrated.  "You
know what I mean, right?"  When he glanced back up, his
expression was enough to melt Areago's chilled heart.  The feline
was so attractive, but so gentle.  A mild anxiety lay across his
eyebrows, and below, the question swam in his eyes, those
beautiful blue eyes.
  
   What Areago told him next stuck in Cilain's mind for years
afterwards.   

   "An asset like your power would fill the minds of only those
who couldn't understand anything else.  It turns their eyes green
with envy and greed.  They can't know anything else.  They aren't
rejecting you.  They don't even see you."  With that, he reached
out, ran a finger under Cilain's chin, and smiled.  "Of course, I
don't see how they could miss these exquisite blue gems you call
eyes."
  
   Areago had reached out to him.  Cilain took Areago's hand in
his own, and squeezed lightly.  Not breaking his gaze, he leaned
forward a little.   

   "You're like no one else, Areago.  I'm . . .  wondering if
you're real!"  He smiled, but his eyes were glistening with
tears.  
  
   Inside his chest, Areago's heart beat faster.  He could feel
tears of his own pushing at him, trying to work their way out. 
He hadn't felt friendship or affection in such a long time, and
this person before him, his friend, was in so much pain.  
  
   His eyes finally glassed over, and he said, with trembling
voice and hands, "If nothing else in this world, I am real, my
friend.  For you, I am real."  He reached out with his other
hand, and Cilain immediately clasped it.  Silence followed for a
few moments, as they stared, unable to understand their feelings,
or the strange, intoxicating emotions that hung in the air.  In
that moment Cilain realized he loved Areago.
  
   Slowly, hesitantly, Areago stood, and Cilain followed suit. 
They stepped out of the tavern to find it was no longer late
evening but early morning.  There was no reality for them. Time
had fallen away like a second skin, and their surroundings were
distant-- miles away.  The two companions left the bar then, and
stepped into the crisp morning air.  
  
   "Ci," Areago said.  He had unconsciously nicknamed him this
about an hour ago.  "I'm exhausted."
  
   Cilain nodded, and smiled a little. He didn't quite know why
he couldn't stop grinning, though somewhere within him, he felt
the reason.  No one had ever taken the time to nickname him, or
to treat his name with any sort of affection.  No one had cared
for him enough to show it.   

   "So am I, I'm afraid," he told his new friend.  
  
   The felines stood side by side, two white figures on a dark
road.  Without hesitation, or even their foreknowledge, they
clasped their hands together.  Their fingers entwined, two silky
furred arms brushing gently together.  Areago gave Cilain's hand
a gentle squeeze, and found it felt very nice to touch, to feel
something yielding but firm and alive within his grasp.   

   "We can go back to my home, and talk more, if you'd like," he
said.  He had never offered such a thing before, but it seemed
right, necessary. 

   With a relieved sigh, Cilain nodded.  "I'd like that.  I was
afraid we'd have to . . .  say goodbye."  He stood, looking up
into Areago's amber eyes.  He brought the tiger's hand to his
chest, and pressed it to his heart. 

   Areago's expression became serene, placid.  He placed a hand
on Cilain's large, round shoulder, and ran his fingers up the
feline's neck, clawtips disappearing in snowy fur, and then
gently caressing Cilain's face.   

   "My friend, I promise you," he said, with a low, quiet voice,
"I will never leave you."  Something burned inside him.  He meant
those words with every part of himself.  Cilain's vibrant blue
eyes gazed at him with some new understanding.  His free hand
rested gently on his companion's hip, and ran lightly over his
side.  There were no more words; none were needed.  There was
something between them, some tingling magnetism.  Then it was no
longer between them but inside them, for Areago leaned closer to
Cilain, and their bodies touched.  Neither knew what to expect,
but it was so natural, so right.  Cilain felt the large, warm
body of the tigercat rest against him, and he shivered, despite
the heat.  
  
   "Areago--" he whispered softly.
  
   "Shhh," came his reply.  Areago leaned down, and his furry
muzzle grazed lightly over Cilain's.  His whiskers tickled
lightly at Cilain's as their lips pressed together.  The touch,
the warmth, and the tenderness were all shadowed now beneath
something more, something like music.  It ran through their
bodies, a rhythm all their own.  Areago felt something
reminiscent of fear, but much more desirable, and it fulfilled
him.
  
   They parted a little, and their gazes met once again, but
there was a subtle, yet raging heat between them.  Cilain looked
at Areago through lidded eyes.  "What are we doing?" he asked
softly, in a gentle whisper. 

   A smile came to Areago's lips.  "That was a kiss, my friend." 
Then the smile faded a little, and his expression became
thoughtful.  "I've only seen it done between male and female.  I
don't think males do this often, or . . . ever." 

   Cilain blinked, and raised his eyebrows.  "Why not?  It feels
so nice." 

   Areago shrugged, and then slid his arms around Cilain's body,
bringing them into a very intimate embrace.  
  
   "Does it matter?" he whispered softly into one of Cilain's
black ears.  Cilain's ears were the only things on him that
weren't ivory white.  Before he could answer, Areago kissed him
again, this time parting his lips slightly. 

   Cilain moaned softly, and his fingers splayed on Areago's
back, pulling their bodies more firmly together.  He didn't know
why, but this felt so good, so warm.  There was something inside
him now, responding to these kisses, awakening at the feeling of
this body next to him.  Their mouths were in constant motion now,
lips seeking out one another, pressing and withdrawing.  Areago's
breath was warm and sweet.  Cilain breathed it in with his scent,
and he felt dizzy.  His knees weakened a little, as he struggled
to speak and kiss at the same time.  
  
   "What's . . .  mmm.... what's happen . . .  mmmph . . . 
happening, Areago?"
  
   The tigercat found he wouldn't stop kissing either.  Perhaps
he could, but he just intensely didn't want to.  He needed to
kiss Cilain.  He could feel a deeper need, something warmer-- no,
hotter, scorching, inside him.  There was some hazy need to get
closer to Cilain, but he no more understood it than the one he
felt it for. 
  
   "I... ohhmmm . . .  I don't know . . .  uhmmmph . . . " 

   Pressing a hand to Areago's throat, Cilain pulled away a
little, regretfully.  His eyes were terrified, but the fear was
masked, distorted by something else, something much stronger and
yet so subtle it could be read as sleepiness.  It was, for the
first time, desire.  All of these things passed between them, in
unspoken expression.  
  
   When Cilain spoke, his voice was low and husky.  "Areago--" he
stopped, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.  He began
again.  "We should get inside.  I'm a little . . . frightened,
but I like this.  I really, really like this."
  
   There was nothing more he needed to say.  There were more
words inside him, waiting to come out, but they would tear the
delicate fabric of the moment.  
  
   Areago nodded, and placed a finger gently on Cilain's muzzle
to silence him.  Then, Areago felt his own knees weaken as Cilain
parted his lips, and slowly engulfed the finger with his soft,
wet mouth.  He seemed a little surprised himself, but there was a
shared consciousness between them, and it throbbed, beating like
their pounding hearts.  It drove fear from both of them, leaving
only need, and passion.  
  
   Areago realized for the first time, as the dawn was born that
morning, that he lusted for Cilain.  His body needed him.  He
felt the feline's warm, velvet tongue swirl around his digit, and
the teeth nibble gently as he withdrew it, and then the tingling
was very tangible, coming to life where his legs met, firming
against Cilain's thigh.  They both shuddered now, and in their
eyes was realization.  
  
   Areago whispered several words harshly into the air, and
touched the sky with his mind.  His only inheirtance from his
mother, save his white fur, was his ability to teleport.  For
once it came in handy.  He willed them to no longer be here, but
in his home, and everything began to fade away except for the
silken touch, the beating heart, and the heated gaze between
them.  Around them the world disappeared, and it was them and
only them.  They were shifting from the outside air to Areago's
bedroom.  Perhaps a few minutes ago Areago would have taken them
to his living room, but now there was no question.
  
   Very gradualy reality took hold once again, and they were
standing in Areago's room.  It was rather typical of a tigercat's
apartment; the carpet was midnight black, and, besides many green
plants and small potted trees, the only thing in the room was a
massive pile of satin cloth and feathers.  This was undoubtedly
his bed. 
  
   Areago stepped back gently, and cool air seemed to swallow
Cilain up.  He felt alone again, and a melancholy loss as the
warm body pulled away from him.  He smiled though, to his new
friend, and, to his surprise, he yawned.  He realized how
incredibly exhausted he was, as everything caught up with him. 
His eyes watered in response a little, and it made him feel
generally sleepy.  Teleporting the way they had was known for
taking a great deal of energy, and it often left the travelers
tired afterwards.
  
   Areago, still holding his Cilain's hand, grinned at this.  "I
am tired as well, my friend.  Let's get some sleep, and we can
discuss . . . other matters later," he said, sounding a little
weary himself.
  
   Casting a long look at Areago's bed, Cilain chuckled.  "Is
that thing as soft and comfy as it looks?"  To his dismay, he
felt incredibly cute, and he had a hard time hiding it.  He did
not want to be cute, and so he was a little embarrassed. 
Cuteness was a childish thing, and Cilain was certainly no child. 
Still, all he wanted to do was curl up, have a nice nap, and
purr. 

   His friend's smile only broadened, and, if he noticed any
cuteness, he was kind enough not to say so.  He pulled Cilain to
his side, and began to walk them toward the bed.  
  
   "Lay down and find out," he said softly.
  
   Cilain nodded, and collapsed into what felt like a pile
heaven.  The satin curled around his body.  It felt so incredibly
comfortable!  He gazed up at Areago, and felt strangely at home.
Before he knew what was happening, the striped feline was
kneeling down, and laying next to him.  By now they were both
purring loudly.
  
   Areago rolled onto his back, and Cilain rested his head on the
tigercat's chest.  In a few moments they were both drifting off
blissfully into the world of dreams, together.  Neither of them
really knew how they had come together, only that situations had
put them there, and that it felt right.   

   The last thing Cilain would remember thinking before he fell
asleep was that it felt nice to curl up next to Areago's purring
body, and that there was nowhere in the world he'd rather be. 
Nowhere in the whole world. 

   Sleep came easily and deeply for both of them, and they both
began to dream before long, of their lives, their futures,
symbolisms, prophecies, and the like.  Curled up against one
another, they both relaxed.  Their bodies settled into a state of
slow breathing and heartbeat, passing the hours away in silent
sleep. 
  
   However, somewhere along the line Cilain began to have a
nightmare.  It shook his dreams, rending them apart, and then
twisting what was left into a series of pains and sorrows. 
Images of loneliness, death, pain and sadness tore through his
thoughts, slithering, burning into his gentle state of slumber. 
His body fidgeted a little, and his sleepy smile turned into
first a painful wince, then a grimace of terror.
  
   Without warning, he sat bolt upright, awake, with the words, 
this has to end' reverberating through his thoughts.  It suddenly
made sense.  Yes, this all had to end, and he would eventually be
returned to the lonely pit he'd managed to peek out of for the
moment.  It would all end.  Areago would go away, and it would be
over.
  
   Before he quite knew what was happening, he was weeping over
the loss of his new friend, even as Areago was waking up and
trying to comfort him. 

   "Ci?" he asked groggily, though very concerned.  "What's the
matter?"  He sat up, his stripes rippling over his strong body as
he moved.  He slid a protective arm around Cilain, pulling the
cat's trembling body close to him.  Cilain could only cry, and so
he continued, softly,  "Please, my dear friend, tell me why
you're crying."
  
   The care, the tenderness in Areago's voice made Cilain nearly
frantic.  Was he going to lose him now, even after he sounded so
warm, so compassionate?  How was he going to deal with that?  

   Still, he managed to pull himself together.  It was terrifying
to say aloud, as if releasing a demon from pandora's box.

   "I'm . . . I'm afraid you're going to leave me behind," he
said between sobs, and collapsed into the tiger's lap, shaking
weakly. 

   Areago's eyes widened, and suddenly he was very awake.  Leave
him?  He was bordering on telling the cat he-- no.  He'd think
about that later.  Right now he needed to comfort him, and
reassure him.  "Never," he soothed, stroking Cilain's head,
rubbing between his dark ears lightly.  "Never in all eternity
shall I leave your side."  His touch was tender, and his voice
sounded surprisingly gentle, even in his own ears.

   Very slowly, Cilain sat up and faced Areago once again.  His
eyes were red with tears, and his chin quivered a little.  "They
all have," he said softly, almost inaudibly.  "Everyone else.  My
whole life has been full of pain.  One terrible sadness after
another."

   The tiger placed a hand on Cilain's cheek, and gazed into his
eyes.  "Share them with me," he murmured, sounding almost
nervous.  "P-please." 

   Cilain was clearly stunned.  "What?" he asks, too startled to
remember he was crying.

   "I know you Kel have . . . " he paused, thinking over what he
was about to say.  It wasn't rational to ask someone to share
their worst failures with him, especially Cilain, who guarded his
sadness so carefully.  Yet he continued.  ". . . empathic
abilities.  Open yourself, Ci."  He gripped the cat's shoulders,
firmly with excitement, though not painfully.  "Show me."

   Reality seemed to break off, and Cilain only nodded slowly. 
He put a hand up, palm facing the tiger, and Areago met it with
his own, almost without his foreknowledge.  Their fingers slowly
entwined, as they clasped to one another, eyes still locked, each
now holding a piece of the other's soul.  Cilain opened himself
slowly, parting the door just a crack, letting loose some of the
demons that plagued his soul.  The demons were of memory, a
phantasmagoria of tragedy, roiling and searing his emotions as
they spilled out over him, and, through his link, into Areago as
well.

   He watched the tigercat's breath hitch in his chest, and his
eyes grow distant as he suddenly saw everything.  The female who
had held him close to her while he slept at nights, who told him
he was a beautiful cat, who smelled of lavender, who had
eventually scowled at him and shunned him when he kept his
special power from her.  The playmate, who had, from birth, been
his best friend, but who had tried to kill him last year, insane
with jealousy and hatred for his abilities.

   They saw it together, as one, as the memories were played
back, each instant of heartbreak and loneliness, of separation
and alienation.  It hurt Cilain as an old wound will ache at
times, but to Areago it was like slicing deeply into flesh for
the very first time.  Cilain wanted him to stop, because it was
hurting him, but part of him needed this.  Part of him needed to
share this torment, this burning emptiness.  Twice he begged
Areago to stop, to let him take the pain back, but the tiger
refused, insisting on sharing it all.  He would not say why. 

   Instinctively, Cilain's arms curled around Areago's body, and
pulled him close.  It felt good, the strong, intimate touch of
the tigercat's large body around him.  They both cried now,
weeping for the things in life they would never do.  In that
moment Cilain and Areago lost themselves in one another.  Echoes
of the emotions they shared would stay in their hearts long after
the pain had retreated back to the deep recesses of their
memories.  The bond was becoming stronger, tying their hearts
together.  
  
   For over an hour they held one another, sometimes picking out
a painful nerve, and weeping, sometimes just whispering softly
about how they needed one another, about how crying together is
so much better than crying alone.  Very gradually, the pain ran
dry, every drop of it exposed and in the open, and their bond
strengthened, drew closer, leaving both of them feeling cleansed
at facing the old, rotten memories.
  
   "Does this ease your fears, my love?" Areago asked softly,
when he felt it appropriate to speak.  "Do you feel more secure
now?" 

   There was a long pause, and, even now, Cilain shook his head,
his voice raw with emotion.  "No, it doesn't.  You've seen how
often I've been deserted, and how jaded it's made me."
  
   That statement held no surprise for Areago, who had been left
nearly as many times as Cilain himself.  "I am not like them," he
replied softly, gazing with searching tenderness into the cat's
blue eyes.  "My feelings for you are different."
  
   There were fear and uncertainty in Cilain's eyes.  "How?" he
asked simply.
  
   His response came in three words, three words that had never
been spoken to him in his life.  Areago said, "I love you." 
There were tears in his eyes, and he seemed about to cry again
himself.  Areago.  Strong, resilient Areago.
  
   Silence followed for a few long moments, and with each passing
second Cilain drew closer to the conclusion he had been working
toward since the night before.  "I love you, too," he said
breathlessly.  They kissed then.  There was no other way, they
both knew.  This kiss was quite unlike any they'd shared before. 
It drew out something very strong in Cilain, something he could
recognize only as overwhelming love, driven by rushing emotion
and not simply lust.  Love is stronger than sex, and they both
felt it in those moments. 

   For a long time afterwards they lay there in each other's
arms.  Cilain took his time, and carefully examined Areago's
body, from the large frame and the gentle thudding of the heart
inside his chest, to the way his striped fur spilled over his
shoulders.  Areago was beautiful, strong, and yet yielding and
warm.  He was perfect, as for as Cilain was concerned.  He had
helped take something horrible away.
  
   The pain didn't seem to hurt like before.  It began to dawn on
him that, for the first time in his life, he could share his
sadness with someone, and that that made it bearable.  Someone
else knew of his pain!  Someone would understand what he meant
now, when he explained how terrible it was. 

   He held Areago, with his silent pride, his quiet strength, and
sighed.  "I don't feel the same anymore, Areago.  I'm . . .
different now."  The words just didn't seem to form.  The
feelings were ready to burst out, if he could only articulate
them!
  
   Amber eyes searched his expression.  "How are you different,
my friend?" Areago asked, smoothing Cilain's whiskers back
against his muzzle with one hand.  They didn't stay back;
whiskers never did, but it was a gesture of affection.  They lay
on the bed now, on their sides, holding one another loosely,
sharing a warm gaze, thinking similar thoughts. 

   Cilain struggled to put his emotions into words.  If the right
words didn't come immediately, he just kept talking until they
did.  "I've felt a lot of pain in my life.  I've been alone, and
no one seems to understand me.  I didn't know if I could share my
pain with someone."  He paused, and tried to form his next two
sentences carefully, "What I'm trying to say, I suppose, is thank
you.  I can relate to someone now, where I never could before." 
He smiled, triumphant at last!
  
   An amused grin had settled on Areago's lips, and he ran his
fingers through the fur on Cilain's side.  The poor kitten was
trying everything he could to tell him one simple thing.  He
wasn't alone anymore.  Though the words didn't matter so much,
did they?  He understood exactly what Cilain meant, even before
he said it.  Areago believed that physical expressions of
affection often outweighed verbal ones.
  
   "I'm glad, Cilain," he replied simply.  His fingers smoothed
back those whiskers again, and he moved a little closer to him. 
"Come here," he whispered softly to the cat, motioning him over.
  
   Eagerly the housecat slid into the Areago's open arms.  They
gazed at one another, occasionally touching a chin or caressing
an ear.  Areago ran his finger's over Cilain's chest, and down
his stomach.  "You have a very nice body," he said softly.
  
   Cilain cocked his head.  "So do you," he told him, smiling. 
"You're taller than I am, you know."
  
   That was very amusing.  Areago couldn't help chuckling a
little.  "I'd sacrifice my extra inches in height for softer
features." 

   An odd thought came to Cilain's mind.  It made sense, and it
felt like the right thing to say.  "If you did, I'd have to lean
down to . . . to kiss your mouth."  It seemed an innocent enough
statement, because it was true, but he found himself blushing,
and feeling rather warm.
  
   "Height makes no difference when we're laying down," Areago
whispered.  Not breaking his gaze with Cilain, he touched his
nose to the Kel's, and tilted his head some, pressing their lips
firmly together.  Oh, that felt so good!  The lips were a very
sensitive area, very tender. It was something very intimate to
touch yours to a friend's.  It felt strangely hot and tingly. 

   Cilain enjoyed the sensation, and he found himself easing into
Areago's curves, sliding into his arms.  Hips, stomachs and
chests pressed tightly together in one fluid motion.  He tilted
his head a little, and parted his lips, allowing his tongue to
slip out occasionally.  He hoped that perhaps Areago would-- ah,
yes, he was doing it, too!  Their kisses were wetter, warmer now. 
The breath of his friend filled him once again, setting his
senses on edge.   

   He began to kiss more with his tongue, easing it over Areago's
lips very gradually, tasting his furry muzzle.  Soon their
tongues began to graze one another, and that was SO wonderful. 
Cilain put one hand behind Areago's neck, and slid his tongue
into the foreign warmth of his mouth.  His tongue danced with his
friend's, running over it, feeling the slightly rough texture,
and tasting the odd taste.  
  
   They lay there for some time, their forms pressed tightly
together, and their jaw muscles working as their mouths searched
one another.  They were in their own world, two rapidly beating
hearts and minds, exploring a new pleasure they'd never dreamed
existed  They were all that mattered; everything else vanished. 
There was no pain, no past, no future, no meaning to anything
outside of their two bodies. Cilain found bliss running his
tongue over Areago's impressive fangs.  He was fascinated by
their shape, and their sharpness.   

   Areago began to feel an uncomfortable heaviness between his
legs.  Something was happening to his furry sheath.  It was
becoming warm, and thick.  It felt a little uncomfortable, until
--when he pressed it against Cilain's thigh, when he ground his
hips against his friend's it fulfilled some need he hadn't
realized he had.  He realized this even as he was kissing Cilain. 

   Cilain noticed this as well, and moaned softly, pulling
regretfully out of the kiss.  He found, to his dismay, that he
was completely breathless.  "What's that?" he asked, motioning to
Areago's thickening sheath.  "What's going on down there?"
  
   Areago shrugged.  "I haven't a clue.  It just . . . did that." 
He pressed it once more against Cilain, and this time slid up a
little, pulling his sheath down, just a bit.  This brought a
groan from deep in his chest, and a gasp as his erection slid out
from within the furriness, into view.  It wasn't particularly
frightening, but it surprised both of them.  It looked smooth and
pink, pressing up into Cilain's tummyfur.  
  
   With one finger Cilain reached down and stroked it,
hesitantly.  Areago immediately made a stifled sound.  
  
   "Yesss . . ." 
  
   Everything seemed to change then, spinning on some invisible
axis, twisting the situation into something less innocent. 
Cilain looked into Areago's eyes with some new intent, though he
had no idea what it was.  He knew it was there, however, and he
intended to see it through.  He smiled, though his voice was low,
and trembling.  
  
   "You like that, don't you?" he whispered.  A quick nod from
Areago encouraged him.
  
   He was giving his friend pleasure, he knew that much, and by
the look on his face, that expression that was so deceivingly
near a grimace, he knew it was fairly strong pleasure.  He closed
his hand around the shaft, and found it very warm to the touch. 
Although he hadn't the slightest idea what to do with it, he knew
that contact was important.  
  
   He slid his hand up and down its length, and queried Areago. 
"What does this feel like?"
  
   There was a deep, strong purr rumbling in the tigercat's
chest, and his eyes remained nearly shut.  "In--incredible," he
grunted.  "Like . . .  like flying."
  
   Cilain moved a little faster, fingers and palm gliding over
the smooth flesh easily.  He looked into Areago's eyes, and
leaned forward to kiss him.  This also seemed right, because the
tiger began to lap eagerly, fiercely at his mouth.  His tongue
was suckled in Areago's mouth, as he shivered all over.   Cilain
found himself unprepared for this, and his hand faltered on
Areago's erection.  Almost immediately it was guided back to its
ministrations.  It brought a strange lightheadedness over Cilain,
and he wondered if the thickness in his own sheath would yield
forth a similar result.  He broke the kiss to look down, and yes,
it was firming up.  His sheath looked heavy and larger now, as a
long length of flesh began to poke out, into the cool air. 

   Five fingers curled around the shaft, squeezed gently, and
Cilain thought the pleasure would destroy him.  He closed his
eyes, and his mouth slowly dropped open.  Areago's hand was firm,
but not painful or rough.  He worked the penis in his grip with
such tenderness and dexterity, tightening his hold, then
loosening, gliding over it with his fingers.  Cilain found
himself pushing his hips forward, grinding his prick into the
warmth of the tigercat's fingers.  

   Cilain encouraged Areago by increasing the speed at which he
stroked the erection in his own hand.  The tigercat grunted
loudly, driving his hips forward, and his erection throbbed once,
and again.  Cilain opened his eyes at this, and he noticed a look
of shock and distress on Areago's face.  

   "Ohhh . . . ohhhhh Ci . . .  don't stop . . .  I'm going . . . 
ohhhh . . .  to . . . OHhhh!" the tigercat whispered huskily. He
hugged Cilain's body very tightly to his own.  He knew
instinctually that he was coming to some sort of climax
  
   His whole body shook as he held Cilain so tightly.  His strong
heart pounded in his chest, and his breath came in long gasps. 
His prick was spasming, and actually squirting something against
Cilain's body.  Hot jets of some sticky juice gushed from his
cocktip.  It alarmed him, but it felt so good!  Some tension
inside him was releasing itself, and at the same time he thought
it would cause him to faint.  The liquid was warm, invading their
fur, running down between his legs.
  
   "Areago, what're you doing?" Cilain whimpered to the grunting
tigercat.  He also felt the warmth liquid spurting into this fur. 
The realization began to dawn on him that they were doing
something very private, expressing themselves in a way that only
loved ones used.  They were, in a sense, mating, though certainly
no offspring were going to result.
  
   Areago groaned deeply, feeling waves of hot pleasure run
through him.  It subsided a little, though something inside him
was still clenching, tightening spasmodically.  He pulled back a
little, and looked into Cilain's worried eyes.  The worry

disappeared slowly, until something unmistakable, and yet so
foreign remained.  It was love, tainted with fear, but love
nonetheless! 

   He kissed Cilain's lips tenderly, and then openly.  Areago
wanted to comfort him so much with his strength, and his
caresses.  He wanted to look into Cilain's eyes and tell him not
to worry, that they would always be together, that he would never
hurt him.  The words were too much, though.  He kissed with his
heart, everything inside him pouring into his motions, and for a
while there was nothing but that kiss.  Then it ended, slowly and
regretfully.  The tigercat lay Cilain's body back on the bed, and
he fondly caressed the feline's chest.  Kneeling over him, he
examined the wet fur below the Kel's tummy.   

   Cilain smiled.  "You've covered me in . . . something."  He
laughed softly at this.  
  
   A mischievous grin spread across the tigercat's muzzle. 
"That," he said proudly, "is the product of a feline's lust.  You
should be honored, my friend." 

   Cilain nodded.  "I am, but now I'm also pretty sticky." 

   Areago giggled fitfully at this, laughing at some joke Cilain
didn't understand.  He knelt down and began to lick over the soft
fur of Cilain's stomach, grooming it carefully.  Above him the
Kel began to laugh now. 

   "Areago, that tickles!"
  
   This made the tigercat grin, and lick faster, his big tongue
swiping over the silky curves.  Then, as he lowered a bit, he
began to actually taste the juice he had splattered on his
friend's body.  It wasn't sweet, or bitter, but salty.  In any
case, it wasn't unpleasant, and it had to be cleaned from
Cilain's fur.  It was interesting to explore one's body with his
mouth, and he began to slow down, and enjoy the task.  He kissed
at Cilain's thighs, as he slurped up more of the strange liquid.  
  
   For some time he cleaned Ci's fur, and with each passing
moment the ecstasy, the hope that possibly he wouldn't be alone
began to form in his mind.  Could they possibly find with one
another what they had been denied so many times before?  Could
the memories they were building now carry with them in a new
life, beginning now?  He prayed they could.  
  
   They had been two lonely kittens, two diamonds in the rough,
finally joining hands and facing the loneliness, delving into the
infinite blackness without fear.  Perhaps a friend, a companion
is all one needs to conquer any problem.  Perhaps then one sets
aside fear and replaces it with their loved one.  Perhaps only
then can one be free.