The Gift of the Winds...

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zeph leaned forward a little, catching it with his teeth. He smiled back, closing his teeth slowly and chewing the piece of fruit slowly. He swallowed and kissed Jason, licking his lips a little. His hand slipped around Jason's head, his fingers twining in his hair as he pulled him into his kiss.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled as he swallowed the mouthful of fruit, then returned Zeph's kiss, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. He twined his fingers into Zeph's hair, shifting where he sat, pressing his whole body against Zeph's and holding him tightly.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zephyros pressed against him, closing his eyes. His world narrowed to the feel of Jason's lips, and the feel of his body against him.

The bushes parted and there was a shriek. Zeph jerked away, his eyes wide as he turned to look at his mother. His heart sank as he saw the rage in her face, then his own expression hardened. She started yelling something and the wind around them started whipping around them, messing with their hair and beginning to tear leaves from the trees.

"MOTHER! This is my life! My choice! I love Jason, and if that isn't enough for you, then he and I can leave... and I won't be coming back. Ever. I can learn to live on my own, without your money. And you've already paid for me to go through my last year of high school and four years of college at Dunehelden... where I get to stay with Jason whether you approve or not.

"So make your choice, Mother. You can accept Jason and I, as we are... or you can lose a son."

He spoke in English on purpose. He wasn't going to have a fight like this in front of Jason in a language he couldn't understand. His arms were still around Jason, holding him close. Again, as if he was afraid Jason would be pulled away from him. His mother just gaped for a moment, her face growing red as Zeph pressed closer to Jason, putting his head on Jason's shoulder.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason held Zeph close, shivering a little at the ferocity in his voice. He watched Zeph's mother warily, waiting for her reaction, not saying a word.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Her face paled as what he said penetrated. She stood still, in shock. He... he felt that strongly? Her face twisted as she was forced to choose between two things she found... difficult.

Zeph pressed closer to Jason, his heart pounding. He didn't want to lose his home, but... Jason mattered more. They'd been through enough that he felt their relationship could survive this too. It had to...

She drew in a deep hissing breath. "...How dare you..." she hissed, her eyes flashing at Zephyros. "How dare you make me choose!"

Zephyros looked at her, pressed against Jason still. "You made you choose. So choose."

Her hands tightened into fists and she turned. "Don't let me see anything."

Zephyros smirked, "Then don't check the rooms and otherwise we will be glad to oblige. Right Jason?"

[Jason Hiller]

"Of course," Jason nodded, his immense relief showing in his face as he looked up at Zeph. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as he had feared ever since his first dinner with Zeph's family.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Her face paled and Zeph shook his head quickly, explaining in very rapid greek. She still looked livid, but relaxed a little bit as Zephyros explained. She nodded very quickly and left.

The moment she was out of range, Zeph almost passed out against Jason. He shook a little, looking ill. "Dear gods I never thought I would be strong enough to do that," he chuckled weakly.

[Jason Hiller]

"But you did," Jason smiled, cuddling up to Zeph and stroking his hair. "That was very brave of you. It takes a lot of nerve to stand up to the people you love... trust me, I've been through it too."

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zephyros continued to tremble, turning to bury his face into Jason's chest. His eyes filled with tears, "I can't believe I just did that..."

I almost just got myself kicked out of my home... I... Where would I go? he thought, still shaking. Jason couldn't take him in, his father wouldn't help him if he left... He choked, swallowing weakly.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason pulled Zeph close and held him, rubbing his back soothingly and whispering to him.

"It's okay, Zeph... you did what you felt was right. I'm proud of you." He kissed the top of Zeph's head tenderly. "I love you."

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zeph took a deep breath, blinking a little. The tears in his eyes fell, but no more came. He pressed his forehead against Jason's chest a little again, nodding slowly. "I love you too. I... I still can't believe I just did that..."

He wrapped his arms around Jason's middle, holding him close. "You are more than worth it, but... I can't believe I just did that!"

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled, kissing Zeph's forehead. "Calm down, sweetheart... you're okay."

He kissed both of Zeph's cheeks, then paused, looking him in the eyes. "As far as relationship obstacles go, that was a piece of cake compared to some of the stuff we've already survived. And we're okay. We're better for it, stronger." He kissed Zeph's lips softly, wanting to comfort him.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zeph nodded, kissing Jason back. "A piece of cake for our relationship, but one of the biggest obstacles I've ever faced with my mother. She was more calm about Hyakinthos! ...Maybe it is because of him she was so against you... but... but Hyakinthos was shallow, and younger and... and nothing like you."

He put his hand on Jason's shoulder. "I think she ruined my appetite, Jason..."

[Jason Hiller]

"Mine too," Jason murmured. "We can stay here, though... where it's safe. No one can hurt us or come between us." The incident with Zeph's mother seemed like living proof of that. "This can be our sanctuary."

[Zephyros Aetai]

"This little grove? It's not fun to sleep in the rain out here..." he kissed Jason with a grin.

"Even if you don't end up smelling like wet dog," he teased. A bad joke, but he didn't often tease Jason that way. Though Jason refrained from some bad 'wind' jokes too, so... it was only fair. One was probably coming, too. Zeph shrugged a bit, pursing his lips.

He reached out and grabbed a piece of chicken. "I feel bad not eating this... and I should probably eat anyway. I have a very bad habit of not eating, have you noticed?"

[Jason Hiller]

Still grinning at Zeph's joke, Jason nodded. "Yeah, I have noticed." He picked up some chicken for himself, taking a bite and smiling at the savory taste of the tender meat. He snuggled up to Zeph, looking into his face. "How's your finger?"

[Zephyros Aetai]

"Fine, doesn't hurt at all," Zeph said, smiling at him. The dark feelings his mother had created had disappeared quickly... maybe Jason had been right about this being a sanctuary. He picked at the chicken he had, shredding it between his fingers before eating any of it. Though he still had to force the chicken down past the knot in his throat.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason sat quietly, keeping his eyes on Zeph as he ate. He didn't say a word, but held his boyfriend close, just enjoying his presence amid their beautiful surroundings. He closed his eyes, leaning peacefully against Zeph. His mind wandered back through everything their love had endured and survived, and he held Zeph tighter, feeling that nothing short of death was ever going to separate them.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zeph huffed a breath in surprise when Jason's arms tightened around his middle, though he certainly had no objection. He kept working at his chicken, leaning more against Jason happily. His mother had backed down, his father had accepted their relationship... he was WITH Jason... life couldn't get much better. And Jason seemed to be enjoying himself in Greece, especially since he knew they wouldn't have the problems they had the first day.

He held up a piece of the chicken for Jason, not really wanting to eat it himself. Besides, it was more fun to feed Jason than to feed himself.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled, taking a bite of the meat Zeph was offering him. It was a little hard to swallow; his throat was getting a bit dry.

"Is there anything to drink in that basket?" he asked after his mouth was clear.

[Zephyros Aetai]

"Wine, I mentioned it earlier," he said, pulling free and grabbing the basket, pulling it over. He poured them both a glass, handing Jason his. "Unless you want to play at trying to boil water without anything to boil it IN."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason laughed and took a small sip of wine, watching Zeph over the rim of his glass. "Touché. So do you have any more surprises for me up your... lack of sleeves?" he grinned.

[Zephyros Aetai]

"I don't think so..." he said, getting a thoughtful expression. He held his glass up, admiring the light through the dark liquid. Sipping at it, he pursed his lips. "No, no more surprises today at least. I might have some later, but not today."

He smiled up at Jason, then took another sip, sighing softly. His eyes closed and he set the glass down carefully next to him. He stifled a yawn, running his fingers through his hair.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled down at Zeph, taking another sip of the sweet, heady wine. "Tired already? The day's barely started."

[Zephyros Aetai]

"I just faced down my mother, give me a break. And it's well past noon," he pointed out, pointing up at the sun. "Helios always makes me sleepy. I spend a great deal of my summer just dozing."

He shifted to put his head in Jason's lap again, his eyes blinking lazily. "Being with you makes me sleepy, too. In a good way." He smiled up at him, reaching up and tapping Jason's nose with one long finger.