<USS Avalon> "A Caress Of Twilight" By Lieutenant Anthony Manson and Junior Lieutenant Alder Shimbrodus

"A Caress of Twilight"

by Junior Lieutenant Anthony Manson and Junior Lieutenant Alder Shimbrodus

A wind swept through the trees causing leaves to rain and gently lay onto the 
ground. Nocturnal creatures peaked their heads out into the darkness and 
quickly retreated back to their homes, or back to their nightly routines. Night 
ruled this domain as a full moon dimly illuminated the land. Intricate 
silhouettes formed by the trees became visible to the eyes. And shadows moved 
like bees, or stayed like statues. A second cool breeze flew past as it made 
ruffling sounds of trees, bushes, and other dense foliage that made its home 
here. 

The moon, full in its appearance, reflected its pure brightness upon waters 
situated among surrounding trees, creatures, and the peaceful night. If one was 
to look at this from a distance, it would look very much like a great spot to 
free one?s thoughts and escape into the beauty of it all. Time had passed, and 
the moon still stayed in its position, afraid to move without consent.

Alder looked at Anthony, following beads of water that escaped from his short 
hair and traveled down his skin. Time for him, for both of them, suddenly had 
no meaning. As if it slowed down to their will, and everything didn?t matter 
anymore. They took company in each other?s arms, floating in the shallow lake 
that gave a little chill to the touch. Looking at the beads only gave Alder the 
sudden instinct to trace one of the many trails of water from head to neck- 
with his lips.

He shuddered a bit as Alder was near his ear. Alder whispered something and a 
burst of laughter came out. But it didn?t last long as Alder kissed him; the 
interruption was most welcomed. A few moments passed as they stopped and Alder 
looked at the man before him. Peaceful silence that said everything radiated 
from them. But with that silence, it was Anthony?s turn to look upon Alder. Yet 
instead of looking merely at the beads like Alder had done, Anthony followed 
one of those with fingers gently tracing the outline of Alder?s face.

It was a mix feeling for both of them. Alder, who never had this sort of 
connection with anyone was happy- but a little confused about it all. And for 
Anthony, who never had this type of thing done at all. It was all unfamiliar 
with him, but trying his best, it seemed as though everything was alright. 
Both, of course, didn?t show the awkwardness that filled them. Instead they 
placed their uncertainties aside and went with what felt right. Anthony?s 
fingers had trailed down Alder?s neck and following that trail his lips were 
suddenly upon them.

He stopped though, as it seemed Alder wanted to hug him closer. He rested his 
head against Alder?s who had eyes closed. 

"What are you thinking?" Anthony asked. He didn?t need to read Alder, he could 
physically tell just from Alder?s shuddering and slow breathing. 

"I?d like to trail those spots of yours-see where the lead to." The response 
gave a little arched eyebrow from Anthony. His spots ended at the torso, but 
who was he to tell?

Alder looked at his face but then really looked at him. Anthony?s grey eyes 
seemed to illuminate under the moon and the darkness. It was almost surreal, as 
if it wasn?t there, but looking at it seem to pull all your attention. "You?ve 
got amazing eyes..." Alder trailed off as he thought that looking deeper into 
his eyes would reveal the secrets of anything he asked. 

A smile crept up as he sighed. He looked up into the night sky. "You like this 
place?"

"Definitely. I hope we get too see it again."

Anthony looked at Alder with a slight frown, "why do you say that? You really 
don?t think we?ll make it?" He knew, of course, what Alder was talking about. 
But his hope was trying to get their mind off it to shake of the worries and 
relax a little. 

"I...I don?t know. I guess it?s just a little doubt..." Alder just looked at 
him and then as if it was an after thought said, "just don?t die on me."

Anthony smiled. Not that he wanted to. There was something in Alder?s voice 
that faded the smile and forced him to look at his eyes that glisten a black 
hue rather than brown. "I won?t die. You shouldn?t think like that."

"I know, but all this. I just..."

"We both know well that while this may be," Anthony tried finding the right 
word, "...extreme for us. We both know that?s a risk when we joined Starfleet." 
Before Alder could protest Anthony said, "look, don?t think about it alright? 
It may be bad for the next few moments...just don?t worry about it. Alright?"

Alder simply nodded realizing there was no point in arguing some more. 

"If anything, I?d die for you." Anthony simply said. The night air had swept 
through again as he said that with a realization that he meant it. He looked at 
Alder whose facial expression betrayed nothing but...something. He couldn?t 
describe it himself but he sensed from Alder mixed but strong emotions of 
worry, doubt...and love.

"You won?t have to. If not I?m kicking your metaphysical ass back to the 
physical world."

A light laugh came from Anthony. It was becoming apparent that this was maybe a 
bad idea after all. "But I do remember saying I wanted to trace those spots."

"You want to trace my spots after talking about death?"

"I?ve been wanting to do that. Besides, if this is our last night together, we 
might as well make it worth the while." 

The cool air swept one last time as the trees made that familiar ruffling 
sound. It wasn?t long after that as they got out of the lake and back into 
Alder?s quarters. Night time had also ruled the ship, as the noise level had 
been reduced to that familiar hum. And two separate breathing. 



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