Read Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7 for Free Online Page B

Jeremy, November 20 th , Journal Number-
     
    The afternoon sunlight cast the room in a golden luminescence. The large bath (enough to fit four, quite helpful in the current situation) and the other amenities shone, reflecting the royal colour throughout the room, onto the marble objects and whitewashed walls. A dark canopy of trees greeted the base of the landscape through the frosted-glass walled-window. The large globe of the sun rested in the centre of this surreal window scene.
    The sight would often make Jeremy breathless; today however, he was focused on a more ensnaring sight. Leaning forward to turn on the taps of heated water and pouring in a large dollop of cleansing scent, Jeremy's head ducked down enough to catch sight of the enigmas dangling playfully under the dirtied robe in the rising heat. Jacob was insensible to Jeremy's distraction as he stood uncertainly in the middle of the cool room, looking out at the lowering sun on the horizon.
    Looking through his peripheral vision, keeping track of Jacob, Jeremy rambled out instructions. "Jacob," the subject started at hearing his name spoken with such an authoritative, unusually deep gruffness, "take the robe off. Put it by the door. The bath is full and ready, so get in while I get everything else we need."
    Jacob quickly did as instructed, perplexed at the sigh released from Jeremy as he turned away after staring at the bath. Evidently, Jacob's comments when they met had made a lasting impression and so, with chagrin, he entered into the blissful depths. As the light coating of bubbles floating across the surface of the water covered him, he risked a glance over at Jeremy, watching him reach into a cabinet for materials for washing. The near-boiling water kept him from becoming too ashamed at his underhanded tactics earlier as it scalded his balls.
    He let a loose a small smile as he could see the ridiculousness of his benefactor in the oversized, soiled red jumper. What a sight we must be , Jacob thought selfishly, momentarily forgetting the genesis of his situation. Yet he schooled his expression after recalling his reprehensible liberties at the expense of his host: I'm nothing to him. I should just be thankful for what he is giving me and be ready to leave when Jeremy tires of me .
    Jacob tucked his chin into the fragranced bathwater, realising how exposed he now was, leaning forward, and sitting naked in a stranger's bath. He knew he should not trust Jeremy, not after his parents' incident, but he could not resist the kindness that Jeremy seemed to selflessly give. A tear fell from Jacob's eye, mingling with the water and hiding his confused feelings. Perhaps his parents were reasonable to try to end their desolation, but he would never depreciate himself and hide who he was, even if it meant his continued suffering and humiliation. Otherwise, there seemed little else to live for, other than his principles and a hope of others like him.
    A clattering and a clang sounded behind him along with the order to, "Move forward."
    Jacob moved, keeping his face averted to hide the burning tears falling freely down his face. A soft thud sounded as Jeremy snuck up from the other end of the bath, and placed the cleansing bottles on the floor. Jacob turned away, planting his hands on the bath rim to stabilise his thought. He felt a ripple against his back and a groan from Jeremy as he entered the water. Jacob tensed and refused to move or even think about Jeremy being naked behind him, forgetting his woeful trails of thought entirely. He definitely refused to think of Jeremy undressing before his unseeing eyes, frustrated with his distraction.
    Jeremy saw the tension creep into Jacob as his ivy-like veins swelled under his skin. The dirt moved with the sensually flexing muscles. The water enhanced the dance as the movement created ripples that intensified the effect, leaving a yearning in Jeremy's chest. He could not resist the urge to move his foot out and touch Jacob's