Author's Note

NSFW warning: starts at the first ***, ends at the second ***.

Chapter 87: Pleasure

As the day before what Wild titled in his head as The Sleepover ended, he approached Artful with a question he didn't believe he would have ever asked before. However, despite the anxiety he felt, anticipation and a certain amount of excitement was stronger, and so he could move himself to ask what he wanted to ask.

"Will you sleep with me?" he asked. It was meant without any sexual undertones either, even though Wild, at some level, did wish for things to move towards that way.

"Oh, um, yeah, I would like to," Artful smiled at him shyly, "My place or yours?"

Wild, as much as he was ready for a bigger sleepover to happen away from his dorm, thought that he was far from ready to do it in Artful's own space. It seemed... too forward to ask himself to be invited. Perhaps it would work out in the future, but for now there was only one answer.

"Mine," Wild said.

"Alright. I'll grab my comforter and pillows. I didn't warn you last time, but, well, I'm a tossy sleeper and all. I don't want to steal yours on accident."

Wild smiled at the image it evoked in his head and nodded. After telling Artful he'll be waiting for him, Wild somewhat hurriedly made his way to the bathroom of his dorm. He relived himself so that nothing would disturb him when he was with Artful, then, just in case, washed his crotch. It had become far easier for him to look at himself down there and not have any bad memories come up. With his scars gone, now his stomach was smooth and featured no brand, and what was between his legs was so different, despite serving the same function, that it made it easy for Wild to forget about his time locked up in a basement for the cruel enjoyment of others.

Wild reminded himself that his body was now wholly his, and no one but him owned it. He could do whatever he wished to do with it, and no one would be able to take it away from him.

At first, it seemed like some sort of betrayal to allow someone else to touch him. He had spent such a long time shying away and denying himself any touch, and for good reason, but now... now, he realized he longed for touch, and this longing was far stronger than the fear of hurt and harm. With all the kisses and nuzzles and bumps and soft touches he had already exchanged with Artful, he was growing more and more comfortable with not just the vague ideas of consensual touch but with going further and further. Some fear remained, and he knew at least a trace of it would follow him until he died, but he was fighting against it, and he was winning.

After Wild dried himself off, he made sure to brush his mane and tail properly, even though it would get into disarray pretty quickly once he was in bed with Artful. For the longest time, he gave little attention to how he presented himself, deeming being clean good enough, but now, when he was in a relationship, he realized he wanted to do more than that. He couldn't see himself doing all that much more to make himself seem, perhaps, pretty, but brushing his mane and tail a bit more thoroughly wouldn't hurt.

He wished he had thought a bit forward and got himself off before Artful came in, all so that his lust was under more or less or at least somewhat perfect control, but it appeared he wouldn't have the time for it. After giving himself one last look in the mirror, he... stopped. He looked in the mirror again.

Wild knew it was himself in the mirror, yet, for a reason he couldn't describe, it felt like it was an entirely different person. Well, not entirely, of course, but this person he was seeing didn't look a few steps away from being too tired to move. It was as if he noticed his reasonably muscular body for the first time since forever. Without his scars, he could see himself as... handsome. The shadows around his eyes were gone, he realized, and there was no longer much tension in his body.

Wild turned away from the mirror and exited the bathroom, leaving that image behind yet still at the forefront of his mind.

Artful came in soon, carrying his comforter with him. Wild let him to his bedroom, and the two arranged their comforters and pillows so that Wild was on the right and Artful was on the left. Wild glanced at the window and saw that the sun was ready to descent. Then his eyes turned to Artful, who was still setting his pillows for whatever he thought most comfortable, humming quietly under his breath as he did so. He was turned away from Wild, and Wild's eyes slowly drifted over to his flanks. They were a nice pair of flanks as far as Wild was concerned, though once he realized where he was looking, he diverted his eyes away.

"Am I too forward?" Wild blurted out even as he realized that maybe it was not a good question.

"Hm?" Artful turned to him, "Ah, um, no, I don't think you're too forward. Why're you asking?"

Wild couldn't help but blush and turn slightly away before he signed that he wanted to kiss Artful. A lot. It was not like his voice failed him, but he felt strangely tongue-tied when he thought about saying it aloud. He hoped that this would also prevent him from coming off as too desperate. He knew he was perhaps all too willing to get this close and personal now that he was given the chance, but the kisses, the nuzzles, all the touches just felt so unbelievably good that he simply could barely stop himself. In truth, he was behaving as if he was making up for all the lost years where he wasn't given the chance to experience the joy and pleasure of being wanted as a... lover, perhaps.

"I... want to kiss you a lot too," Artful confessed, his own blush strong, "So, um, I don't see it as a, uh, problem, you know?"

Wild, instead of responding to any of it vocally, with a sign, or a simple nod, closed the distance and planted his lips on Artful. The pegasus immediately returned the kiss, and Wild shuddered in pleasure and the strong feeling of happiness emanating from Artful. They separated and then started kissing each other's face, on lips and on cheeks, on the tip of the muzzle and the edges of the jaw, then a bit lower on the neck too. Without much conscious thought, the two found themselves on top of the bed, lying face to face, front to front, hugging close and kissing.

Wild lost himself to the ecstasy of it all, and he was no longer a rock in the river but another river joining in and mixing with Artful's, feeling the strength of both of their emotions blending together until intensity rose higher and higher. Ecstasy and wonder and joy and amazement from Wild combined with much of the same from Artful as the two seemed to drift away into a total bliss.

It was intense, and the intensity was strong enough that Wild simply had to-

"Stop," he said breathlessly as the two separated from the last lips on lips kiss. Artful stilled, some concern popping into his mind. Wild panted as if he had just run a race, his face feeling like a furnace, and the same heat was between his legs. He realized that he had interlocked his rear legs with Artful's, and that almost resulted in them rubbing a certain body part against each other.

"Is everything okay?" Artful asked, and Wild's heart melted at his concern.

"I... need to breathe," Wild said as he calmed down, his panting losing its intensity, "I... I need to tell you something."

It was a spontaneous decision, but he found himself alright with it. He could trust Artful. He wanted to trust Artful. He had already let him physically closer than anyone ever before, and... he couldn't really finish the thought as he focused on what he wanted to tell Artful.

"I have a... an ability," he said, "I can feel... others' thoughts. I try not to, but... when we're this close, and I can't... can't really think because, um, kissing and, uh, such, feels so good, I... I just, well... Your emotions, I feel like mine, and then they combine with my emotions, and then... it is intense."

"Oh," Artful nodded, "Alright. So... we'll have to pause sometimes for you to catch your breath?"

He didn't sound annoyed or angry or even disappointed. There was no pressure from him, and Wild relaxed slightly at realizing that. He still couldn't quite believe he deserved this kind of consideration.

"Yes," Wild then nodded, "You... what do you feel about my, um, ability?"

"I mean, it's what you have," Artful shrugged, "Changelings have something like that too, and I'm alright with it."

Wild sighed in relief, then planted a soft kiss on Artful's cheek.

"You are too good for me," he said quietly. Artful, in his opinion, accepted far too much. Wild didn't think he would feel anywhere neat that at ease were he in Artful's place. However, imagining the reverse scenario, of perhaps Artful traveling to Wild's world... it wasn't easy. Chances were, if that happened, the two would never have met. Aside from that, Wild knew he was ugly as a human, unpleasant in many ways. Someone like Artful would not have found him comfortable to be around with, Wild imagined.

In the current situation, however... perhaps Artful was as accepting as was natural for nearly anyone else. After all, Wild wasn't exactly an expert on pony relationships or, truthfully, any relationships at all, for that matter. Perhaps the fact that Wild had an odd ability wasn't too much out of the ordinary.

"I care about you," Artful said, giving a kiss of his own, making Wild blush again and turn away, unable to look into Artful's eyes, "Everyone deserves happiness. I... in the past, I thought I didn't. I thought that, maybe, what I'm going through was... deserved."

Wild could emphasize far too well with this, but he didn't think Artful could ever deserve even a tenth of what Wild had been forced to go through.

"But I am who I am, and I am no longer sorry," Artful smiled, "I like who I am, and... I will get my own happiness no matter what anyone says."

Wild gave him a long kiss on the lips for that, savoring his words as balm on his very soul.

"I want you," he stated simply, not even quite sure what he exactly meant when he said those words. Or, perhaps, he meant everything he could possibly mean. When he realized what it exactly was that he wanted, he paused. Was he going too far and too fast? Did he push for more than he should have? Their relationship wasn't even a week old. It was true that they had known each other longer, but was it long enough for them to be in bed together for more than just literal sleeping? And so, he asked a burning question, "I... I am not going too far if... if I say... I want you... sexually?"

"I wanted you this way since we met," Artful admitted, "I want to... feel your body against mine."

Wild could almost not believe it. Was it a dream? Was he in heaven? But he knew it was real. And perhaps... he would allow it to happen. There were no similarities between when he was violated and what he thought was about to happen. He could feel his own desire, his lust for Artful, and there was nothing in it that would make him freak out.

"But I'm, um... not ready for anal," Artful said. Wild was vaguely aware that, for some proper pleasure, some preparations needed to be taken, including eating a certain kind of food and possibly something else. The memories of that weren't exactly clear, and he hadn't taken time to look it up again to check.

"I am not ready too," Wild admitted. While he could perhaps... do it to Artful, he didn't think he was ready for Artful to do it to him. However, Wild believed there was one thing he could do. He was very willing to do it, in fact, which was rather surprising. However, he would very much like to hear Artful moan, and for that to happen, he could... was it called 'giving head'? He had honestly almost forgotten. Whatever it was called, Wild was ready to go down on Artful in that way.

"I can... suck you off," Artful said it first, however, and much to Wild's surprise. Artful's face was almost entirely red as he said it too. And this was the moment Wild realized that he wanted it, wanted for Artful to go down on him, to give pleasure to him.

"I want that," he said breathlessly, "And... then, I you."

"If... if you want, we can do it, um, at the same time," Artful suggested.

Wild considered it, realized how it would work, and... it was not a bad suggestion, but Wild wasn't really feeling it at the moment. It would probably be a bit too intense.

"Not now," he shook his head, "Um, let's... let's try just... just simple."

Artful gave a nod, and that was all Wild needed.

***

Wild knew both of them were naked, and ponies as a whole were naked almost all of the time, but there was still something special about fully revealing himself. He adjusted his position on the bed until he was half-sitting half-lying on his back, with his upper body supported by the pillows. He then spread his rear legs apart, allowing Artful to see the entirety of his throbbing, waiting erection. Wild's breath caught in his own throat as Artful eyed it and moved closer until his lips were mere centimeters away from it as it twitched in anticipation. Wild could feel Artful's warm breath on his cock, and it was almost too much. He held his breath, knowing this was it, and old references entered his mind when he realized that he was about to lose his virginity. He banished a bad memory from his head that tried to tell him that he wasn't a virgin, hadn't been for some time. This body was new, it was his, and he was giving it to Artful and no one else, and it was his first time doing what he would consider sex. He was with someone he... liked very much, perhaps loved, and the two were ready to explore each other together.

The pegasus had already taken off his glasses so that they wouldn't possibly interfere anywhere, and Wild gazed into his eyes as Artful gazed into his. Artful opened his mouth, his tongue went out, and then he gave Wild's erection a tentative lick, ending with a kiss at the top of the head.

Wild had a full body shudder at the wet sensation of Artful's tongue, and he groaned in pleasure. Taking it as a sound of encouragement, Artful enveloped the whole head in his mouth, and then started bobbing his head up and down, increasing the distance with each bob. Wild moaned, his rear legs twitching, pleasure overtaking his mind and washing all the other thoughts away.

Just a few days ago, he couldn't even imagine it happening in real life despite his ever increasing fantasies, but now it was real, it was happening, and he wanted it. In his previous life, before his darkest days, he wondered if he would ever have sex with another guy, and he thought it would be too dangerous to attempt. Now, however, he was free, and no one would be able to stop him from being with whomever he wanted to be.

Artful worked his mouth on Wild's cock, sometimes popping up and giving it some long licks, sometime getting it between his lips sideways and going up and down that way, but always returning to putting it inside his mouth, fully enveloping it with his warmth. He went further and further down until he passed the medial ring, and then he reached the very base. He moved his head around, his tongue working around Wild's shaft and balls, and Wild was in full bliss, moaning and groaning, his eyes closed as he could not handle the intensity of both seeing it and feeling it. He had half a mind to tell Artful to stop, to perhaps slow down, but the other half of his mind was stronger and did not want a single moment of a pause to interrupt the pleasure.

"Artful..." he moaned, biting his lower lip, "You're so good..."

He could form no more words as Artful went up the entire length, popped the head out of his mouth, gave it a kiss, and then went all the way down. Wild could already feel pressure increasing somewhere inside between his rear legs, and he knew what it meant, and he wished it didn't have to end so soon, but he also knew what was coming would feel good. Still, there was something he could say and should say.

"I am about to... I am close..." he said, though he had no idea how to explain what exactly it was that he meant because he just didn't remember the word for it in Equestrian or simply didn't know it in the first place. However, it seemed Artful understood, humming a confirmation even as he kept the pace.

Wild's horn lit up, and a magical hand placed itself on Artful's head, giving him a pause before he let the soft pressure Wild exerted to guide him.

Finally, it was too much, and Wild let out one loud moan as he pressed Artful's head against his crotch, buckling forward as if he wanted to get even more of himself into Artful, and then he came. One spurt, then the second, and then the third, then a few more, and finally, he was done and spent. With a soft moan, he collapsed on the bed, letting Artful's head go. However, Artful didn't rise immediately as he used his tongue to milk Wild's cock until there was nothing, and then he went up, let Wild's cock out of his mouth, and audibly swallowed.

"It's kinda salty," Artful somewhat mindlessly commented, then giggled, which elicited a surprisingly exhausted chuckle out of Wild. As Wild caught his breath - he didn't even know why he felt this tired, considering that he was just sitting there - Artful licked his lips, then gave a kiss on Wild's own. Wild didn't taste himself, surprisingly, and he welcomed the kiss.

"You are amazing," Wild told Artful sincerely, "This... this felt good. Very good," Wild finally moved to look at his penis, and it was covered in drying saliva, but there was no sign of semen left. Artful, without a single doubt, sucked him dry, "How are you so good?"

"Um, I, uh, have a dildo, and I... practiced," Artful admitted with a blush.

"It... paid off," Wild said, "I... wouldn't mind it again. Sometimes. But," he then moved aside, "Your turn now. I... have no practice. But I will try."

"Alright," Artful nodded as he took Wild's position, though his own was a bit different because of his wings. Then he spread his rear legs.

As far as Wild could see, Artful was just slightly longer than Wild, though his cock seemed not as thick. It twitched in anticipation as Wild got into a comfortable position, and soon his face was close enough that he could easily start this.

Wild simply breathed for a short while, taking in Artful's scent. He idly noted that a pony cock was much different than a human cock, which made it... easier. Then he opened his mouth, shut any bad thought out of his head, and put Artful's dickhead in his mouth. He licked around it, eliciting small and cute moans from Artful, and then he simply followed the same path Artful took, slowly but surely taking more and more of his length into his mouth. He had to change the angle of his head a bit so that it would go down smoothly, and it appeared to be the right way because, soon enough, his lips were touching the base.

"Fuck, Wild..." Artful near-whispered.

Wild wondered at how easy it was, though it probably wasn't all too surprising - ponies had relatively long necks. Still, he had to adjust his position again so that it would be a bit more comfortable, and then he went up. He could tell that keeping his mouth open this wide for long would likely quickly tire his jaw muscles, but he deemed it worth the moans he could hear coming from Artful.

Then Wild got an idea.

He summoned his hands and started softly massaging Artful's balls, eliciting more moans that Wild, subconsciously, categorized as the most desirable. Wild went down to the base again, and when he rose up, his hand wrapped itself around the exposed length of Artful's cock. Not a single centimeter was left unattended as Wild worked on him, using his hands where he wasn't using his mouth. It left Artful moaning softly and wordlessly, and Wild could feel his thoughts turning to mush at the pleasure he was getting. Pleased with what he was hearing and feeling, Wild continued, working thoroughly if not all that skillfully over Artful's cock, bobbing his head to a rhythm no one knew. There was a bit of a strain on his neck, probably because he wasn't doing it quite right, and so he slightly readjusted his position once more until it became easier.

Wild decided to try something, and he increased his pace. The slurping noises resulting from it made him giggle, though Artful didn't notice it at all, moaning in time with Wild's movements.

"Wild, I'm gonna cum!" he warned, and Wild was ready for when Artful gave a much louder moan and thrust with his hips. Wild grabbed the sides of his butt and pulled it to himself, burying his own face in Artful's crotch, and felt his cock pulse as it released its load right into his throat. Wild sucked on it, working his lips and his tongue, and his hands didn't stop massaging Artful's balls until Artful released a sigh of relief and relaxed, completely spent. Wild rose up, and tasted Artful's semen. To his surprise, it was...

"Sweet?" he asked aloud. He expected something salty, perhaps even something more off-putting, but not this. He was glad he got what he got, but he wondered how.

"I... I ate a lot of pineapple," Artful admitted, "It, um, makes semen sweeter."

"Oh," Wild blinked at him as he licked his lips. Honestly speaking, if this was what he got, he wouldn't mind going down on Artful again and again. Perhaps he too would eat some pineapple to make it better for Artful.

"And Wild... you were very good too," Artful said breathlessly, "Really fucking good..."

***

Now, the two of them were lying together, surprisingly tired despite the fact that they hadn't just had the most exhausting sex. In fact, the two knew they would have to properly prepare if they wished to do more than oral, and Wild wasn't completely sure if he wanted to be on the receiving end of anything more than oral just yet.

Wild was resting, a dull ache in his jaws fading. Giving head was apparently not as easy as he thought, but at least it didn't last long enough for his jaw muscles to become truly tired. He made a mental note to look up a proper technique, just to make it easier on himself in the future, and there would definitely be a future time.

Wild took position near Artful and kissed him on the lips, and this time Artful invitingly parted them. Surprised, Wild took a moment before he carefully opened his own mouth and slid his tongue past his teeth and lips. It felt slightly odd, to go for this kind of kiss, the name of which he didn't remember, but it felt... nice, even if it wasn't anything more than exchanging saliva and tasting each other by rubbing their tongues together.

They parted to catch their breath, and Wild spoke a few words that he very much meant.

"I love you," he said. Perhaps he hadn't known Artful for as long as he could, but Artful was nice, kind, thoughtful, and, as he had just found out, very pleasant when it came to oral sex. There was nothing less that he could say that would express what he felt for him. Perhaps it was too fast, perhaps it was too quick, he honestly didn't know, but... it wasn't unwelcome in any sense of the word.

"I love you too, Wild," Artful said, and the two kissed again. Wild felt his own love for Artful combine with Artful's love for him, and it was almost enough to make him fly.

Wild didn't need any guide or atlas to know that he was, in that very moment, the happiest he had ever been.