by
A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection.
The Wall? Who gives a snowman’s kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever!
All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year?
Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He’s a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it’s Kite’s responsibility to dispel the rumours about people on the other side being robots—just a myth, right? Deep down, he understands no human is better, or worse, than any other. And, if he dreams of meeting a guy like him—who wants to kiss—it doesn’t mean Kite’s a rebel. Not he!
Manu Feathers, also eighteen, lives on the other side. Gets into trouble. Likes boys. Breaks laws and wants more. Like everyone, he’s fixated on those over the divide—simultaneously scared and excited by rumours of too much sex. It’s a lot to get your head round.
Kite is selected to climb under the Wall, and it’s the best Christmas present ever. But nothing goes to plan. Instead of picking the perfect boy, all he notices is the guy on the end, acting out. Who’d choose a nuisance like him?
Can the highest Wall prevent first love? Can a kiss heal a baby bird?
Publisher: Ninestar Press
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 1
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 18-25
Protagonist 2 Age: 18-25
Tropes: Class Differences, Coming of Age, Enemies to Lovers, First Time, Friends to Lovers, Hurt / Comfort, Interracial Relationship
Word Count: 27K
Setting: alternate universe
Languages Available: English
we fidgeted and tried to be nonchalant, as if being almost naked next to another boy was an everyday occurrence. Did my elbows dig into his ribs? Could he breathe with my face pressed against his? Did I smell?
We lay, finally comfortable, with my head on his chest and his arms around me. Cocooned by the newness and the now familiar anticipation and primal ache of desire, it was too forceful to deny and too necessary. Whatever Mal said, I had to be with Manu.
The sex happened more slowly than before. For ages, he stroked my back, fingers playing over my skin, teasing every single hair until my body sang for attention.
“Now, now. What are you waiting for? Now!” I pleaded.
His answer was to throw the covers onto the floor and fine-tune me into a hive of buzzing energy, focused on one purpose. He rolled me, lifted my arms and legs, and parted me until I was no longer whole.
READ MOREWhen I tried to go faster, he kissed me so thoroughly I saw stars, held my hands to prevent me from seeking my own much-needed release, laughed when my body fruitlessly tried to get there anyway.
I forgot everything else. We roared together into oblivion, eyes locked until the very last second. Afterwards, we both cried and laughed.
I awoke as a weak dawn crept into the tent, and the first bird notes braved the silence. A pale beam of light sliced the air and landed on Manu’s sleeping face, spotlighting him for me. For me.
COLLAPSE
