Continued...
        Kevin, Brian, and AJ were shown to the same room the following morning.  They spent a large part of their day there.  Kevin and Brian didn't know how to turn themselves off, so they couldn't touch AJ, which tempered Brian's affectionate nature.  Each had his story to tell, and his questions of his future.  At length, Louis arrived to lead them to the garden patio, where a meal waited.

        Nick showed AJ his favorite room, sat on the sofa and explained the mirror.  It took a while to get used to watching people, and to Nick's innate understanding of those people, but AJ was quick to become engaged.  Before long, AJ was talking to the people, yelling at them, cheering for them, worried about them and frustrated by them.  His perspectives brightened Nick's smile.

        Drew and Kevin worked out an arrangement.  While awake, Kevin kept to realities and tangibles.  When asleep, he was in Drew's world.  They would sit and talk, or walk and talk, and Drew coaxed Kevin into imagining, into hoping, into fantasizing.  Dream by dream, Drew guided Kevin into faith and understanding.

        Brian learned through Jeff's teachings.  They spent much of their time together out of doors, experiencing Jeff's world firsthand.  The miracle of life, of creation, of birth, was crystallized at the head of the spectrum, while death, the final end, stood at foot.  Both were precious.  Jeff taught them not as mysteries but as truths.

        Brian, AJ, and Kevin cemented their friendship.  They had been given a unique experience, and they shared it as best they could.  They walked through the palace, sang in the garden, danced around the hallways, played in the fields.  Jeff gave Nick pure, natural paints, which Nick in turn gave to AJ, who turned his creative and artistic flair into a new channel.  Kevin worked in the garden, encouraging the plants, and Jeff pretended not to notice.

        The three friends felt the differences in their situations.  Brian and Kevin had been raised, while AJ remained, as he called it with a grin and a shimmy, "a puny mortal."  AJ had Nick's every affection, and Drew was enamored of Kevin, while Jeff gave Brian his time, his teachings, and little else.  As best they could figure it, Brian was there as Jeff's pupil; AJ was there as Nick's consort; Kevin was there because Drew liked him, which didn't make for the steadiest plans.

        Playing touch football one afternoon, AJ sprained his ankle.  Kevin and Brian, who'd learned how to stifle themselves and could touch AJ safely now, helped him back to the palace.  Kevin didn't know how to heal him.  Brian might have known, but wasn't confident about making an attempt; and even had Brian been sure of the procedure, without the permission of one of the Weavers (preferably Jeff), it wasn't a good idea to try.

        Kevin and Brian brought AJ to Nick, in the room with the mirror, instead of where AJ wanted to go, which was to bed.

        "You're hurt," Nick said, as they set AJ on his sofa.  He seemed surprised more than anything.

        "Twisted my ankle," AJ said, shrugging.

        "I think it's sprained," Brian said.  "That's worse," he explained to Nick.

        "You're hurt," Nick repeated, and crouched before AJ.

        "Pull the plug," AJ reminded him.

        Nick stifled his radiance, then touched AJ's ankle.  "You're hurt."

        "We got that," AJ said.  "Got this job for your looks, didn't you?"

        Nick looked at him.

        AJ decided to be quiet.

        "I can't have you hurt," Nick said.  "Fetch Jeff," he said, without looking up.  Brian left.  AJ and Kevin shared a look of disbelief.  "I knew I should have taken care of this earlier.  You could have been killed."

        "Playing touch football?" AJ asked.

        "Humans are fragile creatures.  Many things go wrong."

        "You said I won't get any diseases here."

        "You won't become infected by any contagions here.  The human body breaks down and turns against itself in numerous ways."

        AJ didn't want to think about that.  "I'm fine."

        "You're hurt.  I don't want you to be hurt."

        "You're worried about me," AJ realized, and smiled.  He ran his fingers through Nick's hair.  "Isn't that cute.  Cupid's worried about me."

        Nick was blushing.

        "It doesn't hurt anymore.  What'd you do?" AJ asked, looking down.

        "It's still in the same condition.  You simply aren't feeling the pain," Nick said.  "Jeff.  AJ is hurt."

        Jeff knelt beside Nick at AJ's feet.  "You called me in for this?"

        "AJ is hurt," Nick repeated.

        Jeff looked at Nick.  "No."

        "Yes."

        "No."

        "You-"

        "Brian and Kevin were special cases brought about by special events.  I will not breathe new life into your paramour simply because he is capable of injuring himself."

        AJ felt like shit.  He'd could've struck Jeff just then.  Brian and Kevin were special cases.  He was nobody.  He was Cupid's little boyfriend.  A lower species, even.  A pet, practically.  Jeff had Hooch; Nick had AJ.

        "AJ is a special case," Nick told Jeff.

        "A head case," Jeff muttered.  Whoa.  Where'd he picked up that term?  Nice attitude, too.

        "I am asking for your help," Nick said.

        "No," Jeff said.

        Nick looked at him.

        Jeff looked right back.

        Nick clenched his fists and reined in his temper.

        Jeff's radiance flared.

        AJ had seen that happen once before.  He'd figured that there were a few levels of glow.  Weaver, Brian, Kevin.  But Jeff had an extra light bulb in there somewhere, because that guy could go up like the sun.  AJ didn't know whether Jeff had to work to stifle that light, or to work to show it.  Which was Jeff's natural state?  Whatever the story, damn if that sight wasn't impressive.  AJ hadn't been this close to it last time.  It was almost scary.  Awesome.

        Nick was pissed at Jeff.  Seriously pissed.  AJ was sort of proud that Nick was worried about him, but he knew that these guys had to keep their relationships smooth.  Couldn't have the Weavers fighting amongst themselves.

        "Look, just get me an Ace bandage or something," AJ said.

        "Stay here," Jeff said, and left.  AJ figured Jeff didn't know exactly what an Ace bandage was, but got the gist of it.  AJ twiddled his thumbs and Nick sat beside him on the couch.

        "Hi," AJ said.

        "You'll be all right," Nick promised.

        "I know.  It's good," AJ said.  "Stop worrying.  So you guys don't get hurt?"

        "Not physically."

        "What happens if you fall off a cliff?"

        "Why would we fall off a cliff?"

        "What if Hooch bites you?"

        "Why would he do that?"

        "Brian, help me out here," AJ said.

        "Our skin doesn't break," Brian said.  "Neither do our bones.  Our muscles don't tear."

        "You can't get hurt."

        Brian nodded.

        AJ poked Nick's cheek.  "Feels like skin to me.  Really nice skin, but skin.  Maybe it's a special soap you use."

        Nick caught his finger and kissed it.  Jeff came in and knelt before him again.  "You will need some amount of pain to measure your abilities and your healing," Jeff said.

        AJ nodded.  Okay, that hurt, but it wasn't bad.  He'd live.

        Not forever.  But he'd live.

        He'd never wanted to live forever.  It sounded unappealing every way he looked at it.  The world was screwed up enough right now; he didn't want to be around to watch it get any worse.  Make friends, only to have them die on him.  Plus, if he did the "Highlander" deal and never aged, what was he supposed to do, get a new identity every ten years?  And he'd have to spend his first couple hundred years working his ass off to get enough money to invest to support his future.

        Life was hard enough as it was.  He didn't need the extended tour.

        He didn't think that Kevin was too keen on the immortality deal, either.  Brian, sure, but Brian had a mission here.  Brian was going to go off and save the world or something.

        Jeff was wrapping up AJ's ankle.  Jeff wasn't a licensed medical doctor, but the guy had to know what he was doing.

        "Take care of yourself," Jeff said, and it sounded more like a warning or scolding than affection.  Then Jeff left again, duty done.

        Drew gazed across the dreamscape.  He'd tried several tactics, but Kevin was being rude and stubborn.  Well, he'd tried to be professional about this matter.  Time to make it more personal.

        He turned.  "Sit."

        Kevin sat, leaning back on his hands, looking up at Drew.  Patient.  Confident.  They'd become adept at playing off of each other.  Their personalities were ill-suited to each other, which tended to keep their interactions interesting.

        "You're uncooperative," Drew announced.

        Kevin raised an eyebrow.

        Drew liked Kevin's eyebrows.  He leaned down, cupped Kevin's jaw, and licked the eyebrow in question.  Then he straightened and resumed his talk.  "Tonight I'll ask you to do something simple.  The last time I asked it of you, I let you go when you asked.  Tonight, you'll go through with it."

        Kevin waited to be told what it was.

        "Have a sexual fantasy."

        "On command?"

        "Yes.  You're a potent male.  If you like, I'll arouse you beforehand."

        "No," Kevin said firmly.

        "I have other matters to tend to.  When I return, I want to see some progress."  Drew walked off.

        Kevin ran his hand through his hair.  A sexual fantasy.  He tried to conjure some arousing images.  He tried to remember the last time he'd gotten laid.  He tried to recall good jack-off fantasies.

        Nothing.

        His cock was already taking off on its own.  It had snapped to attention when Drew had licked him.  The slow, erotic sweep of Drew's tongue.  The gentle pressure of Drew's fingers.  The intimate kiss planted at the bridge of his nose, completing the moment.  His face tilted up to Drew, his hair falling back, his eyes closing.

        Kevin winced at the pleasure, his cock hard in his jeans.  He settled on his back, knees bent, hand on his stomach, and closed his eyes.

        While Drew was gone, he'd take a second or two, only a second or two, and indulge in the fantasy.

        Nick's favored portal was one of many in the palace.  Jeff set up a private one for Brian, in a lower room, first teaching him how to make it work.  They spent time before it, Jeff coaching Brian on how to watch the world, how to read its cues, how to understand through observation.

        When Jeff was busy elsewhere, and Brian had time to himself, he spent his hours in the garden or before the portal.  He did not venture beyond the garden, for that was Jeff's territory.  Louis had grown attached to him, and he welcomed the dog's company.

        Brian had been raised in the Protestant faith.  Although he now saw the world through different eyes, at times he tried to fit things into the Protestant framework.  Was he a disciple?  An angel?  Jeff was not God.  Brian wouldn't be surprised to learn that there were several sets of Weavers, or similar beings, in charge of different aspects of the universe.  Still, Brian adored Jeff, worshipped Jeff.  Loved Jeff, intimately and deeply.

        Jeff must have seen something of note in him, to raise him, to spend time educating him.  Brian was determined that Jeff's efforts would not be in vain.  He would use what he learned, to benefit the world, to enlighten the universe, to serve Jeff.

        Brian envied AJ and Kevin their easy, affectionate relationships with Nick and Drew.  Jeff was his teacher, his guide, his master, his god.  Not his friend, and never his lover.  Jeff had kissed him, once, when he'd been raised.  Had kissed his hand once, touched lips to his skin.  Those simple moments were worth more than the sum of Brian's sexual experience.  Intimate, loving, moving.  Meaningful.

        Jeff's wisdom and power...  Brian knew of nothing greater.  He didn't dare underestimate Jeff, not after looking into those eyes and seeing the ancient deity living there.

        Kevin spun erotic fantasies, stroking his naked erection, moaning through parted lips.

        Drew watched, head tilted to one side, interested.

        Kevin had worked his jeans open and released his cock, pulling up his shirt to expose his pale, tight abdomen.  His long, lean thighs were spread, flexing inside his jeans as he pushed his hips against his hand.

        Drew liked the way Kevin looked.  He wanted to watch more.  He stepped closer, admiring the way Kevin's long fingers worked over the hard shaft, pleased with the dark hair against the paler floor.  He wondered what Kevin was thinking.

        He peeked.

        Oh.  He smiled.

        He'd seen worse.  Of course, he'd never been included before.  He wanted to know more.  He peeked into Kevin's fantasies again.

        AJ washed and changed into paint-free clothes, refastening his bandage.  Maybe he'd look in on Nick.  See how the world was doing.

        It was weird.  Being away from the world.  Like playing hooky.  He knew that he belonged there, and he knew that he had to go back, and he knew that his responsibilities were there.  He was cheating the world, he was doing the forbidden.  He'd have to pay for it.

        Nick was in love with him.  He didn't understand how or why, but Nick was in love with him.  He was in love with Nick, too, of course, but that made sense.  Nick was, after all, perfect.  And easy to love.

        He liked Drew, and he kept wanting to smack that smug bastard Jeff, but Nick?  AJ was head over heels, soul-deep, forever in love with Nick.  To infinity and beyond.

        So, he figured he'd stay in the palace and be Nick's little love slave.  Then something would go wrong and he'd either die or end up back on Planet Earth.  But he was going to enjoy his piece of Heaven while he had it.

        Kevin pulled on his cock, arching his neck with a slow groan.

        Sitting beside Kevin's beautifully sprawled form, Drew touched Kevin's naked erection.

        Startled out of his fantasy, Kevin sat up, disoriented.

        Drew pushed Kevin's now-limp fingers out of the way and gave Kevin's cock a few experimental caresses.  It felt good, nice to touch.  Hot and hard and soft and smooth and alive.  He liked it.

        Kevin tried to stuff himself back into his pants.  Drew smacked his hands away, not wanting intereference, and leaned in, kissing Kevin's cock.  Kevin shivered, cock twitching.

        Drew rubbed his cheek against it, liking the way it felt.  He kissed it again and sat back, running his fingers down and back to Kevin's balls.  Furry.  He smiled and rolled them in his hand.  He never got to touch people, never ever ever like this.  He liked it.  He kissed Kevin's mouth and let go.

        Kevin zipped up over his aching erection.  Ouch.  Then he grabbed Drew by the back of the neck.  "Don't you ever touch me like that again!  I don't care if you're the Weaver of Dreams or not, if I don't want to be touched, keep your hands to yourself!"

        Drew looked worried.  "I didn't mean to upset you."

        Kevin pushed him away and stood.

        Drew frowned.  Kevin was angry with him.  "Why don't you want me to touch you?"  He stood and looked at Kevin's back, waiting for an answer.

        Kevin turned, rubbing his forehead.  "There's an imbalance of power.  You have control over me.  If you want to do something, I can't say no.  If I do say no, what will you do?  I have to keep you happy."

        "You know that's not true.  Tell me what's really upsetting you."

        "I don't want to give in to you.  I don't want to accept your philosophies.  I don't want to be a dreamer."

        "Kevin.  It can be good for you.  You can plot a new garden.  You can help Brian imagine how to better the world.  You can fantasize about having sex with me.  You can set positive goals and you can reach them.  Dreams help.  You know how limited your life has been.  You've felt the walls closing in on you.  Let me show you how good it can be."  Smiling up at Kevin, he put his hand on Kevin's arm.  "I saw something in your eyes.  What is it?"

        "A new garden?"

        "Yes.  The way you want it.  What you want, where you want it."

        "I can't.  Jeff-"

        "He'll let you.  He'll even help you.  I'd like you to spend some time together."  Drew tangled his fingers in Kevin's hair, drawing Kevin closer for a kiss.  "Make sure you save some time to spend with me."

        Sitting on the foot of the bed, AJ juggled oranges.  He didn't know where they'd come from, but they'd been in a basket on the table at lunchtime, so he'd snagged a few.  Maybe Weavers got whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it.  Maybe Jeff had a black market orange supply.  Maybe the seasons worked differently here.

        He ate alone these days.  Brian and Kevin had eaten with him at first, but they had better ways to spend their time now.  No big deal.  More food for him.

        Nick came into the room.  "How are you?"

        "Ah, ah, not with the flashlight," AJ warned.  "Douse yourself there, Cupe.  Ankle's fine.  Back to running the fifty-yard dash in a matter of hours."  Nick hid and exposed his divinity so frequently now that on occasion he forgot which state he was in.  AJ kept a sharp lookout.

        Still aglow, Nick lay on the bed, feet near AJ.  "What's a fifty-yard dash?"

        "Foot race," AJ said.  "Short one."

        Nick nodded and undressed.

        AJ looked over his shoulder at Nick, licking his lips.  Nice.  "That's one damned fine body you have there."

        "Thanks."

        He wanted to touch Nick while Nick was lit up pretty.  Wanted to see if it tingled, or if it made Nick warmer.

        The light went out.

        AJ crawled up Nick's body for a kiss.

        A baby.  Tiny, brand-new, red and wrinkled.  A baby.

        Jeff handed her to Brian, who accepted her with great care.  Little, little girl.  "She's perfect," Brian whispered, awed.

        "Sofia Maria," Jeff said.  "She's going to die tomorrow."

        Brian froze, trying to register those words.

        "Precious," Jeff murmured, stroking her cheek.  She turned toward his touch.  He took her from Brian, cradling her in his arms.  "It's a big, wonderful world, Sofia.  You're only going to see a tiny piece of it.  Let's make sure you have a good time while you're here.  Are you having a good time, sweetie?  Are you?"  He cuddled her and kissed her, smiled and cooed.  "Time to go back to Mommy and Daddy.  I'll come see you tomorrow."  He carried her away again.

        His ankle didn't hurt anymore.  Fast recovery time.  Looked better, too.  AJ tested it.  Yep.  Back to normal.  Guess it hadn't been as bad as he'd thought.
        Drew was tugging at the sleeve of Kevin's shirt, scrutinizing his clothing.

        "May I help you?" Kevin asked, looking at him.

        "Would you like new clothes?"

        "No, thank you."

        Drew was dissatisfied.  "I'll get you some new clothes."

        "Why?"

        "I want to."

        "I don't need new clothes.  I don't want new clothes.  I have clothes to work in, clothes to relax in, and clothes to sleep in.  That's what I have, and that's all I need."

        "Silver," Drew decided.  "A nice silver.  Something with a little shine to it."

        "Silver?" Kevin repeated.

        Drew nodded, pleased with his decision.  "Wait here."

        "Drew."  Kevin caught Drew's elbow and pulled Drew back.  "Why do you want to get me new clothes?"

        "So that I can arouse you sexually," Drew explained.  "It is uncomfortable for you to be aroused in the clothes you have.  The fabric is close and unforgiving."

        "You know what would take care of that?  If you'd stop turning me on."

        "Nonsense.  Now, in pants like mine, you would be quite comfortable."

        "How do you know?  You're never turned on."

        "You know what would take care of that?" Drew teased.  He lifted his face; Kevin planted an obedient kiss on his lips.  He smiled and Kevin kissed him again.

        Drew had explained to Kevin that his lack of an erection was no commentary on Kevin's sexual attractiveness.  Drew's sexual organs had lain dormant for...well, for some time now.  (Drew tended to skirt around the subject of his age.)  If they began to engage in sexual activities, no doubt Drew's body would join in the fun.

        Kevin had yet to see Drew naked.  He was fairly certain that Drew had the standard male body parts, but he wondered...  He could answer his questions by copping a feel, but he managed to keep his hands in check, tempting as the idea was.

        AJ hummed as he painted.  He was getting better at this painting deal.  It was harder than it looked, but most things were.

        Then he realized something.

        He blinked.

        He rubbed his eyes.

        He stood, walked around the room, and checked again.

        He walked into a darkened room, pulled the drapes, and closed the door.

        He crossed himself and ran to find Nick.

        Nick was lounging on the couch, watching the portal.  AJ skidded into the room and slid the last few feet on his knees.  "Nick!  Look at me!"

        "Hi, AJ."

        "Look at me!  Day-Glo AJ!  It's contagious!  I'm glowing!  How do you make it stop?  Turn me off!"

        Nick reached out a hand.  "AJ-"

        "No!"  AJ jerked back in time.  "Hands to yourself.  Don't light my fire."

        "AJ-"

        "Turn yourself off.  You don't want to fry my brain or whatever Brian did to Kevin."

        "I won't," Nick said.  "You're already...changing."

        "I'm a mutant," AJ said.  "I knew it!  My mother always said-"

        "AJ, calm down."

        "No!  I don't want to be a lightning bug and I don't want to walk around like I'm wearing neon and I-"

        "I saw the difference in you, and I spoke with Jeff.  AJ, we've been making love."

        "You're fucking Jeff?!"

        "No!  No, AJ, you and I have been making love."

        "I noticed."

        "I'm potent."

        "As opposed to impotent?"

        "My...seed..."

        "I'm pregnant!" AJ shouted, horrified.

        "No!  No, AJ, no.  That's not possible.  But my..."

        "Cum.  Jism.  Semen."

        "Semen," Nick said.  "It lives, and it carries my...  Bit by bit, day by day, my cells are being introduced to your body."

        "So instead of getting herpes, I get to glow in the dark?"

        "You're being raised.  As Brian and Kevin were."

        "What are you going to do?"

        A small smile.  "I thought of speeding the process."

        Horny Cupid.  "What are you going to do?" AJ repeated.

        "Nothing."

        "Kick me out?  Reverse the process?"

        "No, no."

        "Why not?  How long have you known about this?"

        "A...while.  I noticed the difference in you.  It's taken time to manifest, but I...see you in ways you don't."

        "Weaver X-ray specs."

        "What?"

        "This language barrier is fun."

        "We do not have a language barrier."

        "Cultural barrier."

        "Perhaps.  Different frames of reference."

        "That's what I said," AJ said.  "You're going to let me mutate?"

        "Yes."

        "Jeff isn't throwing a fit about it?"

        "When I went to him, he already knew about it."

        "Of course he did," AJ said.  "And?  He's not planning my execution?"

        "He said that as long as you were going to be here for a while, you might as well make yourself useful.  He gave me the paints to give to you."

        AJ stared.  That long ago?  No...

        "I can touch you now," Nick said.  "You're ready for my touch."

        AJ held very still, not breathing.

        Nick's knuckles grazed AJ's cheek.

        An infusion of warmth, of light.

        "We're still different enough to feel it," Nick said.  "I want to make love with you like this.  Everything's...more."

        Louis padded into the room where Brian watched the world through the portal.  He barked and headed for the door again.

        "Where are we going?" Brian asked.  "Hey, Louis.  Where do you want to go?"  He followed Louis through the palace.  Jeff's room.  Jeff's room?  Louis nudged him towards the door and left.

        Brian knocked.

        "You're welcome," Jeff's voice said.

        Brian hadn't been here since he'd been saved.  He entered, and lights rose.

        Jeff was in bed.  Sitting up, white bedclothes covering his lower half, naked upper body a swell of muscle.  A powerful man.  Brian had never seen Jeff out of the white silk clothes.  An intimidating sight.  A beautiful sight.  "You aren't ready to leave," Jeff said.  "You have much to learn.  But it will be soon enough."

        Brian nodded.  He felt almost ready, on the verge, but not quite.

        "When you are ready, you are free to go.  Free to return, yet free to go.  You must understand."

        "Like a child leaving the nest," Brian said.  "Welcome upon return, but independent."

        "Yes.  Come back if you like, when you like.  There is a place for you here, should you ever wish it."

        "I'm sure that I'll want your guidance."

        Jeff smiled.  "At first, no doubt.  My help is yours, Brian.  At any time."

        Brian tried to keep his gaze above the neck.  It was hard.  He was hard.  He was also doing his best not to be embarrassed.  An erect penis was a fact of nature.  Brian's sexual arousal was beneath Jeff's notice.

        "You wonder why I asked you here," Jeff said.

        Well, yes.  Why now, why here, for this discussion?

        "You must know that you have my help.  You are my responsibility, and I will do my best to support you.  I am above you, and you understand that.  I have not wanted to abuse that position."

        "You haven't."

        "I want you to be my lover.  I want to be your lover.  Not as a condition of your education.  Not to trade sexual favors for other privileges.  I want to be your partner.  I love you, Brian.  I've wanted to share my love since we first came face-to-face.  I've wanted to know your love."

        "You have my love," Brian said.  "You know that you do."

        "Show me," Jeff invited, holding out a hand.

        Nick lowered AJ to his bed.  AJ kissed Nick, arms around his shoulders, hips rubbing a hard cock against Nick's arousal.  Nick cupped AJ's naked ass with one hand, holding AJ to his body.

        Nick was great in bed.  Fact of life number one.  But this was incredible.  AJ could feel Nick's love.  Could feel Nick's desire pulling at him.  Could feel Nick's arousal mounting, kicking him higher, spurred on by his own passion.  He felt what Nick wanted, knew what Nick wanted.  Him.  His love, his body, his sex, his mouth, his touch, his flesh.

        AJ was used to regular sexual activity.  When your lover was Cupid, you could expect to get some.  He'd never felt this connection before.  Between their bodies, between them.  Nick's every touch poured erotic love into his blood.  He moved against Nick on purpose, wanting to feel it again, wanting more.  His body was infused with light; his heart was filled with desire; his soul spilled love.

        Then his knees were up and his hips were tilted and he was filled with something else, hard and hot and huge and wonderful.  Nick was glowing, and AJ knew why.  Understood.  Saw it all, in one slow flash, and then Nick was in and sparks shot up AJ's spine.  Then it was thrusting and loving and fucking and kissing and thrusting and sweating and making love and coming, coming, coming.

        AJ never forgot it.  The first time Nick made love to him, real and complete.  The first time they connected without barriers, without doubts.  The first time he saw into Nick the way Nick saw into him.

        Jeff tipped Brian to his back in the wide, white bed, one broad hand sliding down Brian's spine.

        "I love you," Jeff said, his voice soft, his kiss slow.

        Brian had been summoned to Jeff's room.  Had been invited to Jeff's bed.  Had stripped naked.  He should have felt used, should have felt like chattel.  Instead, he felt treasured.  Loved.

        "Precious," Jeff murmured, stroking her cheek.

        He was one of Jeff's subjects.  He knew it, and Jeff knew it.  It couldn't be any other way.  But Jeff had seen something worthy in him, had raised him, was teaching him.  Jeff saw something else in him, worthy of a Lifeweaver's love.  He and Louis and Sofia Maria and a caterpillar and a blade of grass, all lived and died at Jeff's discretion.  They were all part of a much larger picture, yet all received individual attention.

        Jeff was in love with him.

        Jeff was giving himself to Brian.  Brian got Jeff's love, Jeff's time, Jeff's affection, Jeff's attention, Jeff's kiss, Jeff's cock.

        Jeff's hips ground against his, and Brian moaned, digging his fingers into Jeff's back, unable to bear the stimulating friction.

        Jeff's radiance flared.

        Brian gasped, shaking, coming between their bodies.  The sight, the feel, the knowledge of Jeff's divinity had taken him without warning, had shocked him into orgasm.  Beginning to feel ashamed, still disoriented, Brian felt an intrusion.  Erotic and new, Jeff's finger pushed into Brian's body, working deep, finding his prostate without hesitation.

        Fire flared through Brian's body, lit his blood, popped before his eyes.

        Jeff smiled and kissed him.

        Brian moaned, wrapping his legs around Jeff's waist.

        "I'm going to give you an orgasm," Drew announced.  "I want the first one to be here, in this world, not in dreams."

        Kevin tried to think of a reasonable excuse.  Drew wouldn't accept a simple, "No, thank you."

        "I'm going to take your penis in my mouth," Drew said.  "You may have your orgasm there."

        Sounded like Drew had worked out the details here.

        "Would you like me to be naked?" Drew asked.

        Kevin had to say no, but he didn't want to lie to Drew, so he didn't say anything.  He had to get out of this room.  Drew had short legs; he could run faster and make his escape.

        "Here, take off your clothes," Drew said, and began to tug at Kevin's shirt.  "You must be naked.  I like your body."

        Kevin evaded Drew's hands and undressed himself.  He had to talk his way out of this.  He could say no.  Drew would let him go.

        "On your back," Drew said, pushing him onto the bed.

        He sank beneath the canopy, and the light dimmed.  How romantic.  Jeff was going to kill him.  AJ was going to smirk at him.  He couldn't let this happen.  He couldn't let the Dreamweaver give him a blowjob.

        Drew climbed onto the bed, onto him.  Naked.  Drew was naked.  Kevin closed his eyes.  He was not going to look.  He was not going to look.  He was looking.  He was staring.

        Now he had even more proof that Drew wasn't human.  Look at the guy.  Nobody looked like that.  Hard and muscular and ripped and tight and...Kevin needed to swear.  Yeah, he'd known that Drew was gorgeous, and he'd known that Drew had a good body, but this was unreal.

        Drew bent his head and licked Kevin's nipple.

        He was going to Hell for this.  But oh, it felt good...

        Drew kissed Kevin's cheek.  "Before I give you your orgasm, I'd like you to kiss my penis."

        Sure.  No problem.

        Drew sat up and moved forward on the bed.

        Kevin's jaw dropped.  That was Drew's cock?  Short little guy with that between his legs?  Kevin had brushed against it, had...but...

        Drew held his cock in one hand, kneeling over Kevin's shoulders.  "Kiss me, please."

        Kevin kissed it, the sensitive skin, the wide shaft, the round head.

        Drew kissed Kevin's mouth, then slid down Kevin's body and got to work.

        Kevin's eyes rolled back in his head.  He couldn't be expected to, he could never, Drew was...  He gripped the bedclothes, gritting his teeth, digging his heels into the mattress.  He wouldn't come in the first ten seconds, he wouldn't come in the first ten seconds, he wouldn't...

        Nick nuzzled between AJ's shoulder blades.  AJ smiled as Nick's hand stroked his naked abdomen.  "Thank you," Nick said.

        "For what?" AJ asked, running his heel down Nick's shin.

        "Accepting my love.  Returning my love.  Staying here with me.  Letting me change you."

        "You've sure changed my life," AJ admitted.  "The truth is, I think that the whole love deal made more of a difference than this immortality thing.  You've given me love and shown me love and let me feel it.  I could live forever without love, and it would mean nothing compared to living this time with you, with love."

        Nick's hand slid up AJ's chest, pulling AJ back; AJ rolled to his back and looked up at Nick.  Nick kissed him.

        AJ kissed back.  "You know who Cupid's lover was?" AJ asked.  "I got it!  There was that story.  That girl and she had sisters.  Cupid and Psyche.  That's us.  Cupid and Psycho."

        "Psycho?" Nick asked, kissing him again.

        AJ's fingers tickled down Nick's side.  "You got any wings?  White feathers?"

        "Do you want me to?"

        AJ looked at him.  "You're kidding."

        Nick smiled.

        Jeff held Brian, closing his eyes, breathing in the scent of Brian, of the proof of their love.

        Brian breathed with Jeff.

        "Your beauty," Jeff whispered.  "I couldn't let you die.  I couldn't leave you in that world.  You deserved to be recognized."

        Brian planted a gentle kiss on Jeff's shoulder.

        Drew curled up in Kevin's embrace.  "I knew you'd look good when you had an orgasm.  Let me do it again."

        Pretending only to get more comfortable, Kevin managed to pull Drew closer.

        While the fingers of his left hand crept over Kevin's shoulder and into Kevin's hair, Drew let his right hand find Kevin's nipple.  "I want you to give me an orgasm."  He raised his face for a kiss, and got one.  "Will you let me spill my seed in your mouth?"

        Kevin gave him another kiss.

        Drew smiled, fingers running down Kevin's chest, reaching into Kevin's groin.  "First I'm going to take care of my other responsibilities.  Come and dream with me."  He let go of Kevin's cock, apparently just liking the feel of it in his hand.  His eyes were warm and trusting as Kevin kissed him again.

        Kevin was in love.  He had his friends.  He was safe, happy, and healthy.  He had Drew.  He got to hold his beautiful dreamer.  He couldn't wish for anything more.  Dreams couldn't disappoint him now.

        "Come and dream with me," Drew invited again.

        "All right," Kevin said.

        They closed their eyes.

        They slept.

        They dreamed.

        The weaver smoothed the tapestry where he'd woven hair of midnight black over the Dreamweaver's pillow.

        "This isn't for sale, is it?" Nick asked.

        J. Paul Jeffre smiled.  "No."

        "Is it true?" Howie asked.  "Are there other Weavers?"

        "There are many realms with many purposes," the weaver said.

        The shop door opened, and a sweaty, tired family straggled in, disrupting the setting.  The weaver returned to his work.

matthew@matthewtime.com
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