Conflicted Eyes, Confusing Feelings | Complete

t h i r t y - t w o

"U-um...?" his voice broke with nervousness as he got out. Then, he couldn't decide whether he was shaking because of the movie or Xander's hold on him.

"Stetch your fingers, yeah?"

"Um ... o-okay."

Albeit nervous, he did as he was told.

Suddenly, Sage became even more hyperaware of Xander's hands as they shifted between his, to the base of his fingers. A thrill shot through him when Xander gently began pulling and twisting each finger in turn, until he was through and went onto the next step, which comprised of squeezing the fleshy part of Sage's palm between his right thumb and index finger. Moving from Sage's wrist to the base of his thumb, Xander could feel the gradual termination of his hand tremors.

Nevertheless, he continued, massaging the web between Sage's left index finger and thumb several times, searching for and soothing any tender points.

It ... it feels nice...

Sage's breathing hitched once again when Xander's hand glided beneath his, caressing his palm in a way that tickled and sent thrills shooting from each fingertip. Applying firm pressure, he used gliding strokes from the wrist to the base of each finger as his final movement. Even as he was done, he didn't release Sage's hand.

Brushing his thumbs over Sage's knuckles, Xander's eyes flitted to meet his. "Better?"

Sage quickly looked away, swallowing harshly as he nodded. Though he wanted to speak, he couldn't trust his voice, especially then.

Ah, Xan? Y-you can let go of me now...

At least one good thing came from it: his hand stopped trembling.

But as for his heart ... he would need a massage for that later.

After what seemed like an eternity, Xander looked back to the screen, boredly allowing his eyes to flit over the screen that displayed the movie he'd seen too many times to count. He was soon to realize that besides Sage, nothing greatly interested him. However, once Xander looked back at his object of interest, Sage paused the gesture of lifting three kernels of buttery popcorn to his lips, tensing.

Xander's eyes dropped back to where their hands were linked, and surprisingly, he didn't feel anything besides comfort. As Sage's hand relaxed, Xander relished in how small his hands were, and the warmth exuded from his slender fingers. Fingers Xander wanted to take between his lips, into his mouth.

His mind screeched at him to release Sage — that what he was doing was wrong and disgusting — but, for once, he wouldn't listen.

Instead, he shifted his fingers just beneath Sage's, to the soft skin of his palms. For that, he was awarded sweet gasps, followed by the curious stare of his large eyes. Sage's hands were so teensy compared to Xander's.

As his fingers coddled down from the base of Sage's hand to the center, Xander was pleased to see Sage's eyes droop, and the reddening of his lightly freckled cheeks. Moving at a constant slow pace, a small smile gradually grew on Xander's lips as he gauged Sage's adorable reaction. The blond's eyes slowly slid open, and a blush like wildfire spread across his cheeks once they'd met eyes.

An unforeseen desire bubbled within Xander, one that urged him to brush his fingers over Sage's lips.

Then, to lean in, slowly, carefully;

To kiss him.

Suddenly, Sage's eyes widened, snapping to at something behind Xander.