Stung: Winter Special by K.A. Merikan Page A

Victor’s
father, as Victor himself never mentioned an interest in clockwork.
As fascinating as they were, the constant ticking noise of the
mechanisms started getting to him after only a minute or two. He
imagined the servants hated the hall with a passion.
    One of the
bigger clocks had a portrait of an elegant man on its face, and
even looking at it made Crunch self-conscious again. All he had on
were his dirty combat boots, a pair of insulated leather trousers,
and a shirt that had seen better days. He could have looked for
better clothes, but it was either that or taking a quick wash, so
he figured washing was more important when he’d be naked anyway... if he would be naked, that is. Crunch sure hoped so, but
Victor could have forgotten all about him, now that he was again
surrounded by classy gentlemen. If he rejected Crunch, they’d
probably have to do some small talk, reminisce, and he’d go home
sulking. At least he would have a beautiful boy to remember.
    A loud thumping
had Crunch turning his head towards the top of the stairs on the
other end of the hall. It was Victor. He emerged from the corridor
and jumped down the first top steps with the grace of a ballet
dancer, only to stop and flash him the brightest grin. In fine,
well fitted clothes, without the tense look of fear Crunch now
realised was ever present on his face back in the camp, Victor
looked even more handsome than Crunch remembered him.
    “Crunch!”
    “I...” His
voice was stuck in his throat. “Victor.” They exchanged letters
whenever it was possible, but seeing him now was a whole different
story. It had been months since they had touched each
other.
    Victor raced
down the stairs, keeping his eyes on Crunch. “You haven’t said a
thing!”
    “Yeah... Short
notice. I only got to leave thanks to the blizzard.” Crunch licked
his lips and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. Would they
be able to touch at all with so many servants around? He got his
answer when Victor lunged himself at him and pressed a kiss to his
mouth.
    “Thank God for
the blizzard then.” Victor’s smile was bright as sunlight when he
looked up at Crunch with his pretty brown eyes. Even his hair,
which had been a pathetic mess the last time they had seen each
other, had gotten long enough for the curl to start showing.
    Crunch couldn’t
help but smile into those eager lips. He instantly remembered how
soft and hot they were on his prick when he noticed Victor’s
knowing gaze.
    “Are you
hungry?” Victor drew a step back, sliding his hands down Crunch’s
arms to entwine their fingers in one smooth motion. Only now, after
the first touch, it occurred to Crunch how fine and dandy Victor’s
outfit was. He was wearing narrow trousers that showed off the
shape of his legs and hips, along with a purple vest, and a white
silkshirt with an eccentrically ruffled collar and wide sleeves. A
thin scarf of brown and purple curled around his neck in a loose
circle, completing the outfit.
    “Yes, please.”
He laughed and pulled Victor into a hug. Being able to hold him
close was satisfying one kind of hunger already.
    Victor purred
into his neck, and Crunch sensed his fingers touching the ring he
wore on a chain through the fabric. “You’re wearing it.”
    “I promised to
bring it back, right?” Crunch tried to forget about the servant,
who never left the hall, and enjoy Victor’s smell. If Victor’s
carefree demeanour was anything to go by, the domestics were used
to similar displays, but he himself didn’t feel comfortable with
being watched.
    “And you keep
your promises.” Victor’s soft lips brushed against the side of
Crunch’s throat, making his body tingle.
    “Uhm, should we
go somewhere?” Crunch slowly pulled away, worried he might get too
excited about this meeting.
    Victor squeezed
his fingers. “Only if you’re satisfied with a cold meal.”
    Crunch took a
deep breath not to say something like ‘I’m happy with anything’,
and settled