Kensington (Toby)

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen heard a jacket fall to the sofa next to him. The man had taken his jacket off. He glanced up just as the officer turned his head. That gaze, and the words of reassurance – ”"Look I am not upset about this, and I don't want you to be upset either. If you are worrying about me telling, I am not. I would only harm my reputation and yours."

Tears sprung once more to the boy’s eyes, and a smile crept on to his face once again. ”I won’t. I won’t tell anyone.” he shook his head, but then felt the hand’s on his face and the kiss. He kissed him back, taking his own jacket off. He pushed his hands against the man’s chest, feeling the buttons of his shirt and slowly undoing each one.

He pulled away from the kiss, gasping for air again. They locked eyes once more. He felt so right. It felt so right. He smiled, giving the man a quick kiss on the lips again before kissing at his neck, caressing his flesh as he undid the last button.

No one could see them. They were alone. No one would care about what they were doing. Unless of course, that the clerk said something. But he highly doubted that. "God... thank you..." he murmured.

[Tobias Elva Styles]

Tobias kept the kiss alive, feeling the sting in his lips. The sign of stress and swelling. But the American did not care about it. All he cared about was the man before him. The draft of air met his face once more as Stephen pulled away from the kiss, allowing precious air to fill his lungs.

"”I won’t. I won’t tell anyone.” [/i]

The officer saw the smile creep upon the boy's face, giving it a glow despite the darkened room. The music long died out, it was only sounds of shuffling bodies and removing clothing. The felling to fingers playing with torso buttons, marrying of swollen lips, and sweet touches. Honestly Toby would never think he would get into this situation. He thought that it would be the normal routine, resulting in remaining alone in his quarters with limited time.

"God... thank you..." [/i]

He heard the still murmur spill from the others lips. It sounded sweet and a bit breathy, giving a chill of pleasure from the officer. Of course all of this felt right, felt normal. But in others eyes they would not accept it with kindness. It would be an abomination in their judgmental eyes. But the American could care less, it was his choice and what he wanted to do. It irked him how society held certain expectations for men to court a woman and produce from her. Toby never felt comfortable with that over his head, he never felt like himself, it nearly felt... robotic. But now, he found a man, a lovely man, who accepts him and doesn't mind shutting off the world.

Without saying another word, the officer began removing the other man's buttons on his shirt, noticing a basically bare torso, compared to Tobias's. Despite being in war, he did not show any visible scars or burns, unlike Tobias. The American let himself melt into the others tender touches, his fingers running over his neck, traveling down his neck, running over his scarred torso- a visible shiver ran up the others spine as Stephen's fingers felt one sensitive one.

[Stephen Colly]

It was just so perfect. So, so perfect. He felt so happy. And slightly drunk. But happy.


He kept kissing, wanting more. He slightly bit and tugged at the officer’s scarred neck and flesh. It was gentle though, not harsh. Loving. He moaned into the man’s neck as his shirt was removed, exposing a thin, slightly toned torso. Completely different to the older man. Stephen removed his own shirt completely and then removed Toby’s. He pulled away and looked at the man in front of him. He could see the full extent of the scars. But he didn’t question them.


He moved so he was practically lying on the man, kissing his chest, lightly kissing the scars. If anyone walked in. What would they think…?! His fingers moved over the chest, going lower and lower. But then again, he pulled away. He motioned to the other room, standing up and throwing his shirt aside, grabbing Toby’s hand and leading him into the other room, kissing him as he did so……


The light from the misty London sky streamed in through the window and landed on Stephen’s head. He stirred but did not open his eyes. Two men were lying in the same bed, in a hotel room in the middle of London. And no one knew.

[Tobias Elva Styles]

The surrender to pleasure held it's comforting embrace. Greeting the American officer with the gifts of love and tenderness from the younger man before him. The feel of soft lips, and slightly rough fingertips contrasted the calloused and injured parts of Toby's body. He felt good- in lack of a better word. He felt the private shed his fabric, before pulling away to release the American from his.

He felt wandering eyes drinking in the sight of his torso. He did not become reclusive, nor did he feel uncomfortable, he felt free and wanted. Now, the American felt like he was not a holder of destructive secrets, but an more open book. The older man felt a warm weight on his chest, with lips again attacking spots that sent ripples of nerves. The feeling of those fingers could drive him insane- and they did with each inch they descended. He was enjoying the touches, but they were short lived. Stephen retrieved his fingers to himself, guiding the officer to the bedroom.

As Tobias rose from the couch, the hand found his- practically pulling him along to the closed-off room. The American returned the sweet kisses that he received from the Englishman, entering the room, closing the door behind them.

The dust of light trickled through the windows, as the single sheet covered Toby's exposed body. He felt a buzz from both the alcohol and the experience of the night prior. A slight headache struck the American, but it was not so bad. He felt a stir from his partner next to him, it woke Tobias up. As he opened his eyes, he was caught by the sight of the covered private. Of course he was hiding his exposure underneath, but Toby couldn't help but to ponder how many bruises and bite marks he left. By the feeling of it, he felt the sting of scratches on his back.

The officer got closer to his partner, enveloping him with his strong arms, trying to find rest once more.

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen was drifting into that time when one is not fully asleep but not fully awake. The noise from the street outside woke his senses and the embrace of his partner next to him made him sigh and snuggle deeper, be it intention or just natural that he did so.




An hour or two passed with neither waking. The clock on the bedside table ticked towards 9am. The sun finally properly awoke Stephen. He was now lying away from Toby, so he could see the man next to him. He glanced at his face and then his eyes travelled to his body which was hidden by the blanket. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, sitting up and looking at the clock. Not too late. He felt his neck, felt the marks left by Toby. He too felt scratches on his back from the night before.

He also had a banging headache. How much had he drunk last night? He moaned slightly and flopped back on to the bed, closing his eyes to try and stop the pain. Gah. He needed water. He slowly and carefully climbed out of the bed, grabbing a dressing gown from the back of the door and wrapping it round himself as he walked into the bathroom. He found a glass, filled it with water and drank and drank. That was the one bad thing about alcohol, the night after. He looked at his face in the mirror, the tousled hair, the tired eyes.

He sighed, set the glass down and walked back into the bedroom. He climbed back into the bed and murmured to his partner – if it his partner was awake – ”Morning. Breakfast?”

[Tobias Elva Styles]

The resting American could now feel more movement beside him. The sudden movements woke him, causing him to groggily rub his eyes and stretch. His senses were coming to him as morning peered through the windows.

”Morning. Breakfast?”[/i]

As he heard that question, he turned towards the voice, meeting the sight of Stephen resting back beside him. This time he slipped on a robe, covering himself better than a flimsy sheet. It took Toby a minute to respond.

"Umm- sure."

It was simple response, but it was enough. The officer leaned closer to the boy, planting a kiss before sitting up. He began stretching some tired bones and sore muscles, as he did so the full extent of his backside scratches could be felt. Damn, he really clawed me. The American couldn't help but to observe. Well, at least it could be hidden by clothes, but the bruises- and the raspberries he left on the private... that may be a bit more difficult to hide. Tobias's feet found the cool floor. He leaned for a bit, before standing- gathering his underwear and his t-shirt, making his way into the bathroom.

While in the room, the officer washed up, slipping on the fabrics. The extent on the act from the previous night began to sink in deeper still. The paranoia of probably getting caught crept in. The American knew that people would only find out if he or Stephen told- and that was not going to happen.

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen wanted the kiss to last longer. He kissed him back and smiled, turning over and watching the American retreat to the bathroom. He felt his neck, ah. The marks were there. He sat up and felt his back. Yes, a few scratches too. Not as bad as the ones he had left on Toby’s back. He bit his lip, fumbling with the bedclothes a bit before getting out of the bed.

He moved over to his underwear and jeans, pulling them on. Where was his shirt?! Oh, in the other room. He walked in, glancing around. There was spilt alcohol on the carpet and two jackets slung over the sofa. He picked them up, putting them over two chairs. There was his shirt, crumpled on the floor. He chucked it over the chair alongside his jacket and grabbed a new one from the drawer.

He came back into the bedroom as he did up his buttons on his shirt. He glanced towards the bathroom. Toby was making himself look presentable. Stephen walked over to the bed and puffed the pillows, trying to make it look a bit better than it was. He then went back through to the other room, picking up the glass on the floor. He set it down on the table then walked back to the bedroom.

He approached the bathroom, wrapping his arms around Toby’s middle and resting his chin on his shoulder. Their reflections were in the mirror above the sink. Both looked very tired.

”What would you like for breakfast?” he asked, kissing his neck, and shoulder, or at least the parts he could reach.

[Tobias Elva Styles]

Toby was met with the lover's embrace behind him. It startled him a bit, well because he did not hear Stephen enter the room, nor did he expect the young man to encircle his mid-line. He couldn't help but to smile a bit as he felt the soft kisses on his neck and his shoulders. He couldn't help but to think that he now has scratches and bruises along with stitches and scars. Tobias watched himself and his partner in the reflection before him. Fatigue overtook their bodies and minds.

”What would you like for breakfast?”[/i]

The age old question that baffled the American. Not that he could not answer a simple question, he just could not think of what to eat- that is edible. And something that he did not concoct on a whim.

"Eh, do you know of any good places to eat?"

Well since Toby was not a native, or a good cook, maybe asking Stephen of anywhere could shed some light. Well hopefully so. The officer remained him his position, bringing his hands to rub his eyes, hopefully allowing some better clarity with his groggy sight. It has been an eventful night, the cards of chance or fate, bringing the American to his moment in time. Honestly the man thought he would acquire his father's farm and live alone in the country, like Edwin. But that will probably not be the case, well if the two every meet again.

((apologize for the short reply))

[Stephen Colly]

"Eh, do you know of any good places to eat?"

Stephen nodded silently. He moved away, came around to face Toby, reached up and gave him a deep kiss on the lips before drawing back and going into the other room to grab a jacket. He threw it on, then went about trying to find his shoes.

They were by the door. He sat on the sofa, putting them on carefully and doing each of the laces up. To be honest, he didn’t want much to eat as his head still hurt from the alcohol. Maybe just a coffee.

He stood, surveying himself in the mirror. The bruises on his neck were noticeable. He experimented for a while with his jacket collar, seeing if he could hide them at all. But he looked ridiculous so stopped that idea immediately. He rubbed his eyes, running a hand through his hair and going to the door.

Once they had both exited the room, Stephen made his way down the stairs. He could see that there were a few people in the lobby area. They took no notice of the two men as they walked through. He did, however, catch a woman’s eye. She was staring at them. He glanced away. Had she been in the pub last night? He couldn’t really remember.

They made their way into the bright sunlight. It was quite warm surprisingly for a January day. He moved through the people, making his way to the little café across the street. He entered, if Toby was behind him, then holding the door for him. Ordering a coffee and a piece of toast, he sat down at a table at the back. The coffee did not help his head one bit. He sat, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Once Toby, by now may have taken a seat beside him, he smiled at him. ”How you feeling? I feel like death.” he smirked and reclined in his chair, watching his lover, with a soft smile playing on his lips.

[Tobias Elva Styles]

Tobias was not expecting that kiss, neither it's intensity. His mind was trying to connect his partner's quirky ways- it was strange to be tied to someone of the same sex, but then again it felt normal to the officer, like that void was filled. The American watched as the private drift away from the bathroom, leaving Tobias again in his solitude. With a slight huff with the lungs, Toby washed his face and left the bathroom, finding scattered articles of his clothing, slipping them on. He honestly did not care if they were wrinkled or not no one should glance twice.

The officer made his way back into the foyer, as he was searching for his jacket, his eyes caught sight of the young man inspecting his neck in the mirror. Toby watched for a few seconds before returning the search for his coat. Upon finding it, he straightened it out a bit, slipping it on his torso. As soon as the American finished straightening out the best he could, he followed the lead of the lad. Both men ended up in the lobby. Just like the prior night, it was a few people scattered, but it was not crowded. He noticed that a woman was staring at them both, she did look familiar- maybe she knows?

With a slight shake of his head, Tobias suppressed the bubbling paranoia and continued walking with the private, with more room, he began walking beside him. Despite the season, the air was a bit warmer. It was still cool enough to wear a jacket, but not as freezing as Tobias expected it to be. As the men approached a cafe, Toby began trailing the lad, ending up behind him once more. Without a word, the private held the door open for him- allowing an easier entrance. The older man only graced himself with a cup of black coffee. For some reason he was not as hungry as he thought he was. He knew that he should eat for his recovery, but it just did not seem as necessary- well not as necessary as what others prescribe. Tobias took his coffee, following Stephen to the back of the cafe, taking a seat beside him.

”How you feeling? I feel like death.”[/i]

Toby couldn't help but to release a chuckle. The American sipped some coffee before answering.

"About the same. But with a slight headache."

It was a nagging one, but the coffee only gave some remedy. Just the thought of hearing the doctor chewing him out because of carelessness nearly put a frown on his face. He took his medication daily- on the hour, but he could not understand why he was put on such a strict diet. It doesn't really matter anyways, the officer knew he would be sent back sometime tonight, but he did not want to tell the lad just yet.

[Stephen Colly]

"About the same. But with a slight headache."

”Yes I have that too.” Stephen nodded. He hated feeling like this after alcohol. But that was the price paid for drinking the stuff. You felt wonderful at first but then after the night, you feel like you never want to touch the stuff again. Stephen didn’t want to touch the stuff again. No way. Of course, he didn’t actually mean that, tonight he would touch it again. He always did. It was his last night before returning to his unit so he would want to drink and drink and drink.

The pair sat in silence, Stephen nibbling at his toast, forcing it down as he was not really that hungry despite having no supper the night before. He sipped on his coffee as well, the taste odd mixed with the last few dregs of the alcohol that still lingered in his mouth.

As well as this headache, his body hurt all over. He had never felt like this before – probably because he had never engaged in that type of activity until last night. He felt so liberated however. It was not a bad thing.

He looked over at Toby. The time would soon come when they had to part ways. Both were probably thinking that. ”Do you have any plans for today?” he innocently asked. He hoped the answer was a no and that he could spend more time with him. Feel his kisses, his love again. They hadn’t discussed the actions the night before. Perhaps if they went back to the hotel room then they would but not in this public place.

[Tobias Elva Styles]

”Yes I have that too.”[/i]

A small smile returned to the officer's lips. He recalled the events the night prior- honestly it was all built on drunken mirth, but it was with that decision that led to this moment. Without the decision of tasting one more English pint before being sent off, Toby would have never met this private. He doubt he would met anyone on this level- but with meeting someone during peace of war, eventually you'll have to part ways. Tobias hoped that this separation would be temporary, but the looming fate of a permanent abandonment was fresh on his mind.

He couldn't let that become reality.

But- the American would have to crack open the news of him being sent back tonight to the private, he couldn't allow the boy to swim in a mindset that Toby would stay longer. He couldn't do that to himself, or to Stephen.

”Do you have any plans for today?”[/i]

The question the American hoped the other would not ask. Well, he has to answer it- but it depends on if he wants to give away his information at this moment. With a another sip of lukewarm coffee, Toby set it down on the table and allowed his back to meet the chair.

"No, not really- but tonight I do.. I got the news last night, before I left for the bar- that I will be cleared to be sent back tonight."

With a dry swallow, Toby looked over at the young man next to him. A twinge of sorrow surfaced in the older man's eyes. He never felt this way about someone- not even Douglass, the young private that had mannerisms like Martin, when the cold news of his skeleton surfaced. The American wished he could ask for an extension, but he used them up. He knows that he is needed back on the front, but he does not want to leave the one he has feelings for behind. He has to, he would be dishonoring many codes for deserting and especially for obtaining a relationship with an enlisted man. So much was on his mind after saying that small sentence, a sentence he wished never fell from his tongue.

[Stephen Colly]

It hit him. Square in the face. The news he had been dreading.

” No, not really- but tonight I do.. I got the news last night, before I left for the bar- that I will be cleared to be sent back tonight”

”Oh. Right.” That was all he could say. What else does one say when he had heard awful news. Another person he liked leaving. Another person potentially going to their death. Another friend lost. That was all he could think about. Edward, Rhys, Nathan, Daniel, Adelheid, Henry and now him. Now the first man he had done anything properly with.

He could not help thinking he would never see him again. Too many friends had been lost to this war. And negatively, this man would be the next.

He looked away and down at his coffee, confused thoughts running through his mind. ”I guess we all have to go back at some point.” he muttered, not looking at Toby and taking a sip of his coffee. He suddenly felt so low. He had been on a high all morning. But then he panicked. What if Toby told?! What if people had seen them!? What if his mates back at base began asking questions?! Stephen had always felt they knew… or at least suspected.

His eyes snapped up to Toby, a frown crossing his face. ”You won’t…you know. Tell anyone. And I would get to see you again? How long are you away for?"

[Tobias Elva Styles]

The silence fell upon the two, causing a heavy atmosphere to form. It was hard to swallow, but Toby did- he did not want to break the hard news, to damage the high Stephen was on. They both knew that war would call them back, that the mask of death threatens to separate the the two permanently. But Toby does not want to think about that- he does not want to think about leaving the man he attached his strings to.

”I guess we all have to go back at some point.”[/i]

By the sound of the young man's voice he was hit with reality. The officer did not receive any eye contact from the private. With a sigh, the American eyed the small ring of black caffeine that did nothing to perk up his restlessness or his heavy heart. He wished that he did not open his mouth- but he had to tell his partner at some point, but not when he suddenly abandons him under the sheets. Or during the fanfare.

”You won’t…you know. Tell anyone. And I would get to see you again? How long are you away for?"[/i]

Toby paused his reclusive withdrawal, looking back over at the young lad, he could feel worry and fear bubble up within him.

"I won't... And I don't know how long I will be away for, I wish I did- but when this war ends, I will find you again."

Because of the public place, Toby was careful in his wording. Luckily, no one around seemed to notice or care what was going on. The American wished he knew how long he would be away fighting against the enemy, he wished this war would be over- to be with this man away from the pain and sorrow of his former home.

[Stephen Colly]

"I won't... And I don't know how long I will be away for, I wish I did- but when this war ends, I will find you again."

"I will find you..." he muttered.

He smiled, feeling tears roll down his eyes. He looked up at him, their eyes meeting. He brushed the few tears away and drank the rest of his coffee and finished the toast in silence.

”We could…. Go for a walk?” he suggested, standing up and sniffing, putting his jacket on which had been slung over the back of the chair. A nice stroll in Kensington Gardens. ”We could go see the Peter Pan Statue?” he wanted to change the subject, to be cultural.

”Did you ever read Peter Pan?” he asked, standing slightly awkwardly by the table, waiting for Toby to respond. ”I did. I wanted to be him when I was younger. Fascinating little boy.” he shrugged and glanced around the café. A few people were there – another soldier and his wife or girlfriend; an elderly couple – the husband with an arm missing – from the First war probably. Stephen settled on the injury of this man. The man met his gaze and the boy looked away; the sadness in those eyes – the madness happening again.

This war had to end. And end soon.