“What about past relationships?”
Kraghol shook his head again. “Krampuses have those we fuck. But that is never affectionate. No sweet kisses, touches, or hugs. And krampuses don’t have partners.
“One day, a krampus will take a mate. I believe that relationship is more affectionate. But affection is never shown in public. So I am not sure what that even looks like.” Kraghol paused. “So you see, sleeping whilst holding and touching you is beyond wonderful.”
Jasper wrapped his arms around Kraghol, squeezing him tight. “Then I am going to hug and touch you constantly to make up for all you missed out on.”
Kraghol smiled. “I like the sound of that.” After several moments, he pulled back. “Now we should start heading to the city before it gets too dark.”
Jasper nodded. They dressed and headed out.
“Let’s go past our snowmen,” Jasper said, holding his hand as they walked.
“All right.”
They’d made a snowman, a snowkrampus, and a snowfox to represent the three of them. Although, honestly, it was a little hard to tell what they were meant to be.
The snowman and snowkrampus had been made from two balls, one stacked on top of the other. The snowkrampus had two sticks for horns and another stick for a tail.
The snowfox looked nothing like a fox. It was just one long, spherical snow blob with a smaller blob for the head. Then a thin, long blob for the tail. They’d used sticks for paws.
Kali nudged the snowfox with her snout. She did not look impressed.
“They don’t look the best,” Jasper said.
“I agree. But I still love them.”
“Me too.” Jasper laughed.
They walked back towards the city.
“Have you had many past relationships?” Kraghol asked, both curious and fearing the answer. He’d been wondering since Jasper had asked him.
“Not really. I’ve had lovers. But no one I’ve ever cared about or wanted a future with.” Jasper turned his head, fixing his gaze on Kraghol. “At least not before.”
Kraghol’s breath caught as he tried to interpret the look and those words. He glanced away. Did that mean Jasper wanted a future withhim?
But no. Kraghol had already explained that they could have no future together. Jasper understood that this was just temporary. Didn’t he?
They reached the edge of the forest. The light had almost disappeared from the sky. They walked slower, as if each did not wish to be parted from the other.
Jasper sighed. “I hate saying goodbye to you.”
“Me too.”
Then Jasper launched himself at Kraghol, wrapping his arms around him and squeezing him. Kraghol laughed, lifting Jasper off the ground.
“I am going to hug and touch you all the time now,” Jasper said, his voice muffled against Kraghol’s chest. “I’m going to keep doing it until you’re sick of my touch.”
Kraghol swallowed and held him tight, wishing he could hold Jasper forever whilst knowing he could not. “I do not think that will ever be possible.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Snow fell from the cloudy sky as Kraghol, Jasper, and Kali walked through the forest. Hoar-frost clung to the bare branches of the trees that stretched up and around them.
“Are you cold?” Kraghol asked.
