Chapter 18
Farnsworth
After returning to Borja’s apartment, I survey the pile of artifacts on the coffee table. Borja holds the locket in his hand, his gaze focused on me.
“Are you nervous too?”
I shake my head. “No.” The lie is bitter on my tongue. “Yes, actually. It’s been a very long time since I banished a Horror and this one is particularly unruly. It goes against all the laws of the underworld. We’re dealing with something clever and dangerous.”
“Right.” He chews his bottom lip for a second. “I know you said time is of the essence, but if it’s waited hundreds of years already, what’s a few more hours?”
“What are you suggesting?”
Borja shrugs. “I don’t know. Time, I guess. A moment to breathe and collect our thoughts before we unleash this thing. I have a feeling that shit is gonna hit the fan once this thing is out. Am I wrong?”
“No. In fact, there’s a very real possibility that we’ll be in danger. Anything could happen and we have to be prepared for that.”
Borja chews on his lip for a second. “Okay, so can we enjoy the calm before the storm?”
I nod. “We can wait a bit. What do you suggest we do in the meantime?”
“We could watch a movie or just talk. You could read and I could doomscroll.”
“Doomscroll?”
He releases a nervous laugh. “Yeah. That’s a term we use to indicate mindlessly consuming social media content.”
“Show me?”
“Of course.”
He sits on the couch, patting the spot next to him. I watch in fascination as he awakens his phone and presses on a colorful button.
“This is one of the worst ones, and by worst, I mean best. It’s addictive. It sucks you in and you can literally lose hours watching video after video after video.”
“Of what?”
“Whatever your interests are. It knows that.”
I tilt my head, watching the screen. “It knows what I’m interested in?”
“Not this one. It knows what I’m interested in, but you could watch a few new things and it would change to show you more of that. It’s called an algorithm.”
“That sounds invasive.”
He barks out a laugh. “Damn, if that isn’t true, but it sucks us in. We’ve become a society staring at screens. Some people interact with computers more than humans.”
“Why would you do that when there are people all around? Why would you choose a video on a phone over human interaction?”
Borja holds my gaze. “Great question. I think it sort of snuck up on us. It was new and exciting at first, then we became numb to it. It’s a habit now, a ubiquitous presence in our lives. There are some good things about it.”
“Like?”
“Knowledge of things outside our own neighborhood, our own country. We know so much more about the world than we did, hence the term ‘doomscrolling.’ You get exposed to a lot of negative things, but there is good to be found too.”
“Okay.” I lean closer. “What kinds of things interest you?”
“I get videos about games I like to play. About the state I live in, haunted stuff, horror movies, and gay stuff.”
“Gay stuff?”
“Yeah. All kinds of information about what’s happening in queer communities around the world.
Some of it’s joyful, some of it’s sad, and most of it’s upsetting.
” He taps his screen, pulling up a video with a huge crowd of people standing in front of a store in defensive stances.
“A few years ago, there was a local business that was targeted by some righteous assholes who kept coming in and harassing the staff and customers just for selling and buying Pride stuff. Social media organized a huge group of queer people and allies to go down there and defend the business. Peacefully. I wouldn’t have known about that without social media.
The news certainly wasn’t going to show it. ”
“That’s amazing. Did they go away?”
“It took three days, but yes, they finally gave up. The organizer promised to retaliate by showing up at their businesses, schools, and workplaces if they started up again. It worked.”
I smile. “A bit different from protests of my time. They were never peaceful.”
“They aren’t always here either.”
“I know. Some of our Chasers died in such protests.”
“That sucks.”
“Yes.” Curiosity stirs in my belly. “What else is on the internet?”
“Everything is. Literally everything. Good stuff, bad stuff, very evil stuff. Sex, recipes, music—you name it, you can find it.”
“Sex?”
Borja nods. “Want to see?”
“I… I think I do.”
Smiling, he nods. “I’ll show you my favorite site.”
I shift next to him, slightly uneasy with the idea of what I’m about to see, but too curious to back out now.
“Here we go.” Borja turns his screen toward me so I can see it clearly.
Two men are tangled together on a bed, their cocks and asses on full display. My body immediately heats, my cock twitching with interest. One of the men slides down and dips his tongue in the ass crease of the other. I gasp.
Borja chuckles. “Rimming. It’s so hot.”
I watch, completely fascinated as one man wildly licks the other. I’ve never seen another man’s hole before, much less put my mouth anywhere near one.
“Do you…? Have you…?” I shake my head, unable to voice my question.
“I do and I have. Interested?”
“I don’t know. You enjoy it?”
“Giving and receiving.” He taps his screen and the scene changes to one man climbing on top of the other and guiding the man’s large cock inside him. “This. Look at this, Farns.”
We watch the action together, one man bucking wildly on top of the other, stroking his cock while the man on his back says very dirty things to him.
“Bottoming is my favorite,” Borja says softly, so close his breath warms my face. “I can’t describe how amazing it is to be completely filled in that way.”
I turn and look at him, swallowing past my dry throat.
“But I’m more than willing to top for the experience of it.”
I don’t need to ask what those terms mean. The context is sufficient.
“For example,” Borja continues, “if you don’t have any experience with either one, I’m willing to switch and help you discover which one lights you up the most. Maybe both will. Maybe neither will. It’s all individual.”
I open my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing comes out.
“Topping is easier at first. Gotta do some prep for the bottoming.” He smiles. “Not you, actually. Not eating will work in your favor.”
“Why?”
He leans close, whispering things about biological functions into my ear. I feel my cheeks heat, and I nod. “I understand.”
My gaze returns to the screen as the guy on top arches his back and semen shoots from his cock.
The other man shouts and grips his partner’s hips, grinding against him, then he pulls out and covers the other man in his semen.
They kiss, tangling their arms and legs together as the scene fades to black.
I can’t help but sneak a peek between Borja’s legs, my breath catching when I see his cock straining against his pants.
“How does that get on the internet?”
“It’s filmed by adults who consent. At least the sites I watch. It’s a profession.”
“Anyone can watch it?”
“Well, yes. It’s meant for adults, obviously, but yeah, anyone can watch it.”
“And people want you to watch it? They want to be seen having sex by strangers?”
“Yep.”
“I can’t imagine broadcasting such an intimate act.”
“It’s not for everyone, or for most people to be honest. It’s more popular to watch than it is to participate. Although private videos are a thing—filming for just the people involved.”
“To do what with?”
“Watch it. Or just the thrill of knowing it’s happening.”
“I see. Thank you for showing me.”
“No problem, Farns. What did you think? Did it do something for you?”
“I don’t see how one could be unaffected by it.”
“Does it make you hot? Does it make you want to fuck?”
“I believe you know the answer to that.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear you say it.” He brushes his fingers across my cheek. “Your cheeks are bright pink, your pupils dilated. Tell me what you want and it’s yours.”
My instincts are warring with each other. Logic tells me I’ve gone far enough and need to keep things professional, but my baser, feral side wants desperately to climb on Borja’s lap and see what all the fuss is about.
“Come on, gorgeous,” he whispers. “Say the word. I don’t want to assume anything. I want to hear your words.”
What’s the worst that can happen? I have a few hours of fun before it’s all over and I return to my life in the Revival House? That’s not so bad, is it? Surely having a little taste is better than eternal starvation. Or is it better never to know what I’m missing?
“No pressure, babe,” Borja says. “We can totally watch a movie or read.”
“Do you want… me?”
His eyes soften and somehow heat at the same time. “I sure as fuck do.”
As I study his face, my thoughts swirl until they settle with an unexpected confidence. I have this one shot to experience pleasure with a gorgeous man. I’d be a fool not to take it.
“Okay.”
A sweet smile plays on his lips. “Okay what?”
“Take me to bed, Borja. Show me what I’m missing.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice, handsome.”
Borja takes my hand, helping me stand on my shaky legs, and walks me down the hall to his bedroom.
When I woke up this morning, it felt far too good to be in a soft bed with a warm body next to me.
I couldn’t allow myself the indulgence, knowing it’s short-lived, but look at me, embracing the moment. Is this spontaneity?
In the bedroom, Borja releases my hand, grinning at me as he tugs his shirt over his head and tosses it to the floor. I follow suit, slowly undressing while keeping my eyes locked on him.
“I’m gonna do stuff,” he says. “You tell me if you like it or don’t and I’ll adjust. Cool?”
“Yes.”
He flicks the button of his jeans open, and I watch wide-eyed while he slides them down his thick thighs. His cock strains against his underwear, and when he tugs them down, my breath catches.
“Gods.”
“You like?” He strokes himself, clearly aware of the answer. “It’s all yours.”
Nodding, I remove my slacks too. “I’m nervous,” I admit.
“I know, babe. I got you.”
He approaches me slowly, and when he reaches me, he very sweetly cups my face and draws me in for a sizzling kiss. I practically melt in his arms, relieved that he’s taking control of the situation.
“Lay down,” Borja whispers. “Trust me.”
I nod, sitting on the bed and backing up to the middle before lying back.
“Quick question. Do we need condoms?”
“We’re immortal, Borja. We can’t be harmed or cause harm to others.”
“Fuck yeah.” He opens his nightstand drawer and pulls out a bottle I recognize from last night. “I’ve never fucked bare before. Something new for both of us.”
Nodding, I remind myself to breathe. I want this, but I’m absolutely terrified of being horrible at it. I hope Borja is as patient and understanding as he seems.
He climbs on top of me, pressing his weight against my body, his hard cock brushing my hip. “You are stunning, Farns. Absolutely stunning.” Hovering above me now, he lightly scratches the hair growing on my cheeks and chin. “And you look so hot like this.”
“Thank you. You are… unreal. A dream, or a fantasy perhaps. Beyond that, actually. I don’t think I could have conjured you on my own.”
“I’m real, babe. This is really happening.”
“If I’m terrible just—”
“Stop. You won’t be terrible. It isn’t hard, I promise, and all I want out of this is for both of us to have a good time. That’s all. No pressure.”
“Okay. No pressure.”
Borja slides his hand down my chest and reaches between my legs, stroking my cock. His touch is like fire, but in the most pleasant way possible.
“Touch me,” he whispers.
Lifting my arms, I place my hands on his shoulders, but quickly slide them down his smooth skin. I expected the tattoos to feel raised, but they don’t. His skin is soft.
“Keep touching,” he says as he leans down and claims my mouth again.
My breath hitches as warmth spreads through me, twisting like a storm in my belly before moving lower.
I’ve never experienced desire on such a tangible, visceral level before.
My desires always felt more like innocent curiosity, but not this.
This is overwhelming and powerful. This changes everything I thought I knew about myself.
“Give me your hand, gorgeous.”
I hold out my hand and Borja takes it, sliding it over the curve of his ass before pressing my fingers into his crease.
“Touch me there too. Get me ready for your cock.”
“Gods,” I whimper. “How?”
“Put your fingers in. I already used some lube. Just feel.”
I prod at his hole with my fingers, noting how soft the skin is there, the puckered texture, the heat. So much heat. I press my fingertip against his hole, and we both gasp as I breach him, his body reacting by clenching around me.
“Oh gods.”
“Yes,” he hisses. “So good. Do you want to see what you’re doing to me?”
“Please.”
Borja hops up, twisting around so his ass is above me. I return to my task of exploring his hole, testing to see how far I can press in with my finger, surprised when he demands more.
Gently, I add a second finger, and Borja’s reaction is nothing short of incredible. His moans vibrate through me as he pushes back onto me, fucking himself while I watch in pure awe.
“Fuck yes,” he murmurs, rocking back and forth. “Need your cock.”
Before I can react, Borja flips around again, grabs the lube bottle off the mattress, and pours some over my cock.
“Next time I’m gonna blow you,” he says, holding my gaze as he strokes me. “I’m gonna eat your ass too. You’ll love it.”
I’m left unable to utter a single word, which suits me fine. Borja is in charge of this.
He straddles my hips, gripping my cock and guiding the tip to his hole. Then he slowly slides down my length, and my mouth falls open as overwhelming heat envelopes me.
Borja’s eyelids flutter and a smile graces his beautiful mouth. “Fuck yeah. Been so long, Farns. Ooh, this is good. You good?”
I nod, but since his eyes are closed he can’t see me. He opens them, his brow creased.
“Are you good?”
“Yes,” I mutter. “It’s… a lot.”
“But good, right? You want to keep going?”
“Definitely.”
He leans forward and drags his tongue up my cheek. “Good thing, ’cause I’m about to rock your world.”