Jesse Hamill
This is a love story between two consenting males and contains sexual themes and graphic depictions of sexual acts. It is by no means a sex story, and focuses on the relationship and romance first. This is also work of fiction. All characters in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This is my first series for Nifty and any criticism, comments, improvements or thanks can be directed at jesse.hamill88@gmail.com. I appreciate all the comments and support that I've received so far, so thanks readers!
As always, a special thanks to Ash, my editor, and my beta reader Mattie. Both of your hard work is much appreciated by me and the readers. Thank you!
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The Love of Rainn: Chapter 14
As Rainn and Jesse entered the library, they were greeted by a stranger. She was a tall skinny young woman with brown hair.
"Can I help you two with anything?" she asked them as they came closer to the desk.
"Well, I'm here for class," Jesse said, handing her a note. "College web courses."
"And you, young man?" she asked Rainn kindly. She had a soft and friendly voice. She wasn't very much older than them, perhaps in her twenties.
"...Oh. I'm here for study hall," Rainn said, handing her his own note.
"Very well. Just please keep quiet as you're working," the young woman said.
"Can I ask you a question, ma'am?" Jesse said.
"Oh yes, of course! You can call me Clair," she replied.
"Okay... um... where did Mrs. Swan go...?" he asked, trying not to be rude.
"Oh! I completely forgot!" she said. "You must be Mr. Michaels and Mr. Dawson... Mrs. Swan said you two are the usual Monday visitors. Oh, and to answer your question, Mrs. Swan had a personal emergency and needed to leave at lunch. I'm just here as a sub...a student-teacher actually..."
"Oh, okay. Thanks!" Jesse said. He grinned and exchanged a glance with Rainn.
"Oh, and Mr. Dawson?" she asked Rainn. "Please make sure to put paper down if you're going to do any artwork today, alright?"
"Yes, ma'am," Rainn said.
They took a table together towards the back of the library and tested the waters a bit. Rainn put some paper down so he could sketch, but they wanted to see if Clair was as strict as Mrs. Swan. From appearances, Clair was way more patient and kind, but they didn't press their luck. They were just grateful that they could sit together, something Mrs. Swan would never allow. She claimed it only invited people to talk, which led to interruptions. Librarian logic.
Today, though, it seemed that they might actually be able to enjoy the library and its quiet atmosphere together. Rainn and Jesse sat next to each other, holding hands under the table. Jesse was sort of working on a paper, but was more entranced with Rainn. He watched as Rainn worked on outlining, erasing, re-contouring shapes, and shading to the heart he needed to reconstruct.
Clair occasionally would look up to check on them, but never told them anything. They stayed quiet and whispered in each other's ears. It seemed to suit her just fine and they spent their time together, watching as the artwork become less skeletal and more real. Rainn would only let go of Jesse's hand as he needed to, adding color or retracing shapes in thicker, more bold lines.
The afternoon sun was coming through the upper windows, illuminating the dust and casting a golden glow on everything inside. Rainn and Jesse sat together and enjoyed each other's company, almost alone and uninterrupted. They both were having one of the best days at school in their recent memories. They talked about everything and joked a little. Every once in a while, though, Rainn or Jesse would have to stop and recompose themselves before they bursted out laughing. Clair looked nice enough, but she could still throw them out and then they would have to take their chances finding a study hall together.
Rainn sketched and colored effortlessly and the piece was almost identical to the one Jesse had seen, in this very room, last week. The differences were in the colors and the patterns in the heart. Rainn didn't think he could make it better than the original, but somehow he did. He liked this one better and felt a renewed confidence in his chances at the art competition.
"This one's better than the old one," Jesse whispered in his ear.
"Yeah, the paper and supplies are a better quality..." he whispered back. Jesse smiled.
"Nah. I've seen you draw with just notebook paper and a pen... You're just... having a great day," Jesse whispered.
"Aw... thanks!" Rainn whispered back. It was true. Rainn was having an amazing day. The happiness in his heart flowed through his hands, like a soothing stream of pristine water, and it was reflected in the heart on the page. The small details and clean lines came together, forming work like he's never done before. His thoughts were calmed and his art came into focus, like the water on a pond becoming still.
"I have someone to thank for my amazing day..." Rainn whispered.
"And who would that be?" Jesse asked quietly, pretending to be naive. He was a little bit pink around his cheeks.
"Cupid, I suppose... He led me to someone..." Rainn whispered back. Jesse just smiled and blushed a little more.
"Speaking of him, have you ever heard the story of Eros and Psyche?"
Rainn shook his head no. Who was Eros? he thought.
"I'll tell you after class," he said as Clair looked in their direction. She wasn't hushing them exactly, but they knew that they were getting a little bit too loud for the library.
They sat together not saying much and the last few minutes of school passed them by. As the bell rang, they cleaned everything up, like they did last week. Clair wished them a good afternoon as they left and started on their way home.
"Do you have work today?" Rainn asked Jesse, as they walked out the main doors of the school.
"Nope. I was wondering if we could hang out at your place?" he asked.
"Sure! That would be awesome..." Rainn replied.
" `Kay, I'll just text my mom..." he said as he took out his phone. Jesse sent her a message and got one in return, saying to be home by ten.
They talked a little more holding hands and turning at the crosswalk.
"Oh yeah, you were telling me about Cupid or something?" Rainn asked.
"Right! Eros and Psyche," Jesse said enthusiastically.
"Eros?" Rainn asked, looking a bit confused.
"Yeah, that's Cupid's original name in Greek. Eros is another word for heart' or love'," Jesse explained.
"Oh. So who's Psyche?" Rainn asked.
"Well... that's Cupid's... uh... lover..." Jesse said, shyly.
"Oooh! Romantic!" Rainn teased. He loved Jesse's shyness and modesty. "Is this a love story?"
"...uh... Yeah, a little more. Maybe the first original love story..." Jesse said smiling.
"Oooh, interesting! Tell me, please!" Rainn asked. "This is the origin of love?"
"Not love per say, but how two people... loved each other enough to... live together forever," Jesse explained.
"Okay, get started! I want to hear this!" Rainn said, as they started down the street where he lived.
"Alright... um... let's see..." Jesse began. "Psyche is the Greek word for soul' and mind.' That's where we get psychology,' the study of the soul and mind... It also means butterfly'."
"Uh huh. That's pretty, but continue," Rainn said, intrigued.
"Well, Psyche was born as the youngest of three daughters. Her father was a king and never been more blessed than when Psyche was born. She was a beautiful girl and many thought that she was favored by Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty," Jesse said.
"Was she?" Rainn wondered.
"No, in fact Aphrodite was jealous of Psyche's beauty and sent her son Eros, or Cupid, whichever you like, down to teach her a lesson. While Psyche was sleeping, Cupid used a potion on her, making her an unappealing bride. Once he'd accomplished his task, Cupid felt ashamed. Psyche's beauty and kindness had overtaken his heart and he was in love for the first time in his life. Feeling remorseful, he used another potion to give her hope and joy. Meanwhile, though, Aphrodite spoke to the king in his dreams, telling him that if Psyche wasn't married to someone soon, a terrible curse would befall his kingdom. When Psyche awoke, she felt different but hopeful," Jesse continued. "When it came time for her to be married, no man in the kingdom sought her. She was too beautiful many claimed and none had the courage to ask. Psyche's father was desperate and went to the oracle to see what could be done."
"The oracle?" Rainn asked.
"Yes. They were mystic priestesses that lived in Delphi. They were given the gift of prophecy by Apollo and could divine the future. They advised Psyche's father that no man would take her in marriage, but there was a creature at the top of a mountain that would. With no other options and fearing the curse, he took Psyche to the top of the mountain and told her that she would await there till her husband came for her. He left her there awaiting hopefully and he went home feeling guilty," Jesse went on.
"Did a monster or something came to get her?" Rainn asked, worried. He didn't like where the story was going now.
"Nope. She waited and waited and finally fell asleep as night came. The west wind, a spirit named Zephyr, took her from the mountain and carried her to valley filled with flowers and a manor. She awoke to find herself lost and curious as to how she came to be in such a beautiful place. All she could see was the house and decided to ask whoever lived there, where she was. Psyche knocked on the large door but nobody answered. She was about to leave when the door opened and a stranger asked her to come inside. Feeling scared, but wanting to see if the stranger could help, Psyche came forward slowly. She went into the house and could only see things in silhouette. The stranger explained that he was her husband from the mountain and that he would love her and take care of her forever, on one condition..."
"Which was...?" Rainn asked. He loved hearing Jesse tell the story. They were near Rainn's house now, but he wanted to hear more.
"The condition was that Psyche could never look at him or see him in the light. She accepted the condition, but still wondered why she couldn't see him. He explained that one day she would, but he had to make sure that they could be happy together first. So, Psyche lived in the beautiful valley with her new, mysterious husband. There were servants and she was well taken care of. The house was enchanted to be dark when her husband was home, but light when he was out. He was a..."
"Yeah...?"
"A kind and... gentle.... lover," Jesse said, a little red. "She was scared at first, but she could feel him in the dark and that he was human, not a monster. He was romantic and kind, so she no longer cared what he looked like, even if he was ugly or disfigured. She loved him for how he treated her.
"One day, though, her sisters got word that Psyche was happily married to a wealthy man in a beautiful valley. They had sent letters to see if she could have them visit her. Psyche asked her husband and he allowed her, but warned her that they might trick her into betraying him. She told him she would never do that, and invited them to their house.
"They arrived and were astonished at how well she lived. The valley and house were magnificent and the servants took care of every need Psyche could ever have. Her sisters were jealous and spiteful ever since Psyche was born, and convinced her that she was in danger. They insisted that her new husband was some sort of monster and only had her there to eat her when she was fattened up. Psyche grew concerned and asked her sisters for advice. They told her to..." he trailed off as they arrived at Rainn's house.
"Oh! Hold on..." Rainn said. "Let's sit in the garden a bit." Rainn tugged Jesse's hand and lead him around the side of the house.
Jesse smiled and followed Rainn to a beautiful garden filled with daffodils, irises, tulips, and large planters of roses. There was a large cherry blossom tree, not quite in bloom that had a bench underneath. It was a remarkable garden and the warm sunshine felt nice.
"Wow... just like the valley where Psyche lived..." Jesse said as Rainn led him to the bench.
Rainn smiled. "Yeah... I've always loved it back here."
"I can see why, it's beautiful... okay... um..." he said, not remembering where he left off.
"Psyche's sisters were going to tell her what to do..." Rainn reminded him.
"Right," Jesse continued. "They told Psyche that the best thing to do was to kill him in his sleep and take the manor for herself. Psyche insisted that he was kind and that she would never harm him. Finally, after arguing about it for a while they insisted that she would at least have to see what he looked like. Then she could know if he was a monster or not. She was annoyed with them at that point and asked them to leave. She could never betray him, and knew that he was a kind person, but..."
"Yeah?" Rainn asked. He scooted closer to Jesse.
"Psyche was curious. She still didn't know much about her husband and wondered what he really looked like. So, she hid a candle under their bed and waited for him to come home. They talked about her sisters' visit and she told them about their accusation of him being a monster. He asked Psyche if she thought he was one. She told him no, and that she trusted him. He embraced her and told her that one day soon she would be able to see him. They went off to bed together... and you know..."
"Did the dirty deed?" Rainn asked mischievously. They both laughed.
"Sure... I was going to say that they `made love,' but yeah," Jesse said. "Psyche waited till he was sleeping before she took out the candle and lit it."
"What did she see?" Rainn asked, curious and excited.
Jesse smiled and continued. "She could see the silhouette of a man, but he had the wings of an angel..." Rainn smiled and leaned in close to Jesse. He put his head against Jesse's shoulder and listened as he spoke.
"Psyche was amazed to see that her husband was Cupid, the god of love. He was so beautiful that she could only just stare at him in the dim candlelight. The candle kept burning and some on the wax dripped on Cupid's arm, waking him. He was saddened to see that Psyche broke her promise. He left the house without saying a single word to her. She called for him to stay but he was gone. She cried herself to sleep, regretting that she believed her sisters over her own heart."
"Then what?"
"She awoke the next day to find herself in a barren, rocky valley. The house, the fields of flowers and everything was gone. She prayed to the gods for help and Aphrodite answered. She wasn't done punishing Psyche for being so beautiful and trying to marry her son. Aphrodite came down from Olympus and told Psyche that she would consider allowing Cupid to marry her if she could do something in return. Psyche pleaded with her and would be willing to do anything for another chance. Aphrodite then took her to a large barn filled with a mountainous pile of grain. There was wheat, flax, rye... all sorts. Aphrodite told her that if she could sort the grain into piles of each type before the next morning, she consider letting her see Cupid again. She agreed, but the task seemed hopeless. The grain was so small that she had struggled to tell them apart in her palm. Aphrodite laughed at her and left, knowing that Psyche could never finished before sunrise."
"What a bitch..."
"Yeah, she gets worse. But, Cupid was watching her and sent her some help in secret. He asked a colony of ants to help her sort the grain and she finished just as the sun was rising to the east. Aphrodite came to see her progress and was annoyed that she finished such a daunting task alone. She asked Psyche if she had help, but Psyche insisted she did it herself and that was how strong her love was for Cupid. Angered, Aphrodite agreed that she could see Eros, but if she completed another task, she'd allow them to be married. Psyche wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, so she agreed.
"What did she have to do next?" Rainn asked, softly. He felt so at ease with Jesse nearby and the warmth of the day shining on them.
"Aphrodite took her to a mountain where she had to gather fleece from golden rams. Psyche was told to gather a skien of wool before the next morning and Aphrodite left. Psyche tried to get close, but the rams would knock her down to the ground before she could get their wool. She cried and waited hopelessly for morning. The wind whispered to her to go down to the river as the evening fell, and she did so wondering why. Cupid told the reeds near the river to grab the fleece as the rams came to drink before nightfall. There, Psyche easily gathered the wool and spun it into a skien."
"I bet Aphrodite was pissed..."
"She was, and she accused Psyche of getting help again. Psyche was pleased that she could marry Cupid, but Aphrodite offered her more. She told Psyche that if she could complete another task, she would give their marriage her blessing and dance at their wedding. Psyche wasn't sure, but Aphrodite convinced her that, without her blessing, Psyche's marriage would be difficult. So, Psyche agreed..."
"Poor thing... then what?"
"Aphrodite took Psyche to a deep and sheer canyon where the river Styx ran miles below them. She handed Psyche a chalice and told her to retrieve water from the river below. She laughed at her and left again. Psyche, tried as best she could, but the drop was so far she risked falling to her death. Cupid was watching and sent her an eagle, who easily flew down and filled the chalice for her."
"Did they finally get married?"
"Nope. Aphrodite came down and was livid. She offered Psyche one last challenge and said that if she was successful Aphrodite would wed them herself and leave them to live happily together forever. That was all that Psyche ever wanted, so she agreed to this last task. Aphrodite led Psyche down into hell and told her to see Persephone, the wife of Hades, and queen of the underworld. There, she was told to retrieve some blush and make-up that Aphrodite would need for Psyche's wedding. Psyche traversed through hell and finally was able to get the make-up from Persephone. She was nearly finished getting back to the living world when she saw her refection in the river of death. Psyche was shocked and saddened to see how faded her beauty had become. She was older, wrinkled and disappointed with her appearance. Psyche felt that Eros would never love her now. She remembered the make-up that she was delivering and thought Aphrodite wouldn't miss just a little bit of it. As Psyche put it on her face, though, she died."
"She died!?" Rainn asked, in sadness and surprise.
"Yeah, the make-up was only for the gods, not for mortals. Cupid was despondent and miserable with her death and flew down from Olympus to retrieve her body from hell. He took her to Zeus and begged for him to intervene. He restored her to life and she became a goddess herself. They lived happily together forever, and had a daughter named Pleasure."
Rainn was glad the story had a happy ending. Rainn looked up and placed a hand on Jesse's chest. "You know, Jesse... you're all heart..." he whispered.
Jesse smiled, moved by Rainn's words, and leaned in. He touched his forehead to Rainn's, gently. Rainn's eyes, the windows to his soul, shined brightly and looked beautiful. Jesse stared into them, deeply, taking in the emerald green. He closed the distance between their lips, until they were almost touching and whispered, "And you're all soul."
Jesse closed his eyes and his lips met Rainn's. As they kissed, slowly, Rainn moved his hands to Jesse's shoulders. The warm, gentle embrace of their lips, echoed the warm, gentle embrace of the spring breeze flowing through the pink flower buds and vibrant leaves of the cherry tree they sat underneath. The moment left them in rapture, in joy. Everything came together in that harmonious instant, like a perfect rhapsody.
Author's note: Eros and Psyche is one of my favorite stories. Thought I'd share it with you guys. We all have heart and soul.
I've been super busy, loyal readers, and apologize for getting this to you so late.
Chapter 15 will premiere next week, but 16 will have to wait till the end of July. After that, I hope to be able to post a chapter a week like I have before.
Jesse Hamill
Copyright Jesse Hamill and nifty.org 2015. All rights reserved.