"So we are in agreement?" Dark asked leaning against Alexander. He had relized he had not spoken aloud but figured he must have projected it or something that made it easier for Alexander to pick up one.

"we are" he tightened his grasp around the other mindful though now of how he touched. he had not before understood the consequences of his actions. he looked around after he had settled against the other "how did you find this place?"

"When I was younger, I did some exploring and found this place." He had been maybe seven when he first found this place. "You are the only other person who knows about this place," Dark said, "I used it often when I was a teen

he felt warmed by this. he was trusted with the other's secret place. "i am honored my lord" he whispered eyes closed

Dark gave a smile and then noticed the sky, "It is getting late right now, would you like to head back to our food? We can return at a later date if you would like."

he nodded. he would like to return but he understood too that they could not stay here forever tempting though the thought was, he pulled them both into a standing position then lifted the soaking dark bridal style and carried him from the lake. the sand shifted precariously under them but he paid it no mind and carried him all the way across the sand and onto the stone floor. he wanted to hold the other like that forever, to kiss his pale brow and never leave. he did not pander to this desire though, not even the kiss. he still felt uncomfortable with the idea of hurting dark again. he set the boy down on the smooth stone and bowed lightly. he offered a silent smile.

Dark had to fight rolling his eyes, Alexander was treating him like a pampered child. Dark stood up and fought back a shiver against the cold wind in his wet clothes. "Back up we go and hopefully it won't be as hard to navigate the tunels back up."

he watched the other shiver lightly then slide into the black crack. he felt nervous again but swallowed it. the other would be there to keep him grounded. he went in.

Dark and Alexander were able to quickly navigate the underground passage ways back to the place they had started and emerged behing the waterfall to see the sky turning vivid colors. "We made it back in time to see the sunset." And that meant they had been in the tunels for several hours longer then it had seemed.

he looked out to the painted sky. the entire world of pastel lived in the air. he reached up to touch it though he knew he could not reach. "everything is beautiful. how could one ever wish to leave it." it was not a question and was not intended to be said aloud but once it was spoken it could not be taken back

"One does not wish to leave it, it must happen though, wether we want to or not." Dark said softly taking in the carefree image Alexander was currently making.

he pulled back his hand, the moment lost "but why?"

"I have this unfortunate thing called a job and house that I should take care of, besides as great as this place is one can only live here so long before their prensece would soil it. Humans are such needy creatures." Dark said with a fleeting wisp of sadness/

he did not understand but he felt as if this was one of those questions the other could not explain. he let it go "dark, i am hungry"

"Then let us eat." Dark said with a smile and walked back towards where they had left the suplies. Thankfully it remained undisturded from were they had left it. Dark picked up the food and utensils, "Eat here or find someplace else?" Dark asked Alexander.

"here is fine" he did not care where they at as long as they ate together "the water is nice and there is still sun left.