The Arboretum was primal, smelled of the deep dark forest. The thick loam swallowed Kelvin’s sneakers as he walked down the wooden steps made directly from a tree, a living set of stairs that were firm and sturdy under him. All around him were nooks and crannies of stone and wood, places to rest and regain power. More natural than the sleeping chambers in the main base, it was more comfortable for the boys to sleep in there.
That is, after you jerked off because of all the primal energy that poured into you from the place.
Kelvin swallowed, knowing he was getting full in his pants as he came down the stairs to the middle of the arboretum. A natural table, chairs, and benches made of wood were in the center of the room. He walked over to the table and sat on it, swinging his legs back and forth.
“Casey?” he called, feeling stupid. Casey wasn’t always there, but when he was, he knew when people came into the arboretum. He didn’t come around, though, unless he was summoned.
“Yes?” came a voice in front of him. Stepping out of a small alcove, a blond man, shirtless, shoeless, and nearly pantsless, came forward. He smiled. “Hello, Kelvin.”
“I was talking to Fold about – someone. He said I should talk to you.”
“I have ‘relationship counselor’ stamped on my forehead, it seems,” said Casey, sitting down crosslegged on one of the benches. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, there’s this guy.” Kelvin sat down on one of the chairs. It molded to him, and he almost jumped up in shock.
“Don’t worry, the wood likes to hold people. So you have this guy.”
“He’s really nice,” said Kelvin. “He doesn’t mind waiting, he said.”
“Waiting? For what?”
“For me,” Kelvin said, his head down.
“Why?”
“Fallen. I’m afraid Fallen’s still around. I’m afraid he’ll try to get back with me, and if he knows the other guy’s around, he’ll do something to Red. Or me. Or both.”
Casey said, “You shouldn’t worry about the ex-boyfriend. You should worry about the guy in front of you.”
“He said he’ll wait.”
“Then it sounds like he’ll be fine with you.”
“I don’t want him to wait too long.”
“Kelvin,” Casey crossed his arms. “take things a little bit at a time. You have plenty of time. So does he. If he likes you, he’ll wait for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“No. But sometimes, you have to trust.”
“I can trust him.”
Casey smiled. “I know. You’re the trusting type.”
He blushed.
“Is that all that’s bothering you?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t come here for anything else?” He smiled.
Kelvin smiled back. “If I did want that, I think I’d wait for Red, too.”
“Fair enough, Kelvin.”