Jack put his arms round Marine Boy, who buried his face in Jack's neck. There was a short pause, then Marine Boy gave way. His body jerked with noiseless sobs, and Jack felt warm tears trickling down his chest. He uttered soothing noises.

Marine Boy clung to Jack for a long time. Eventually, however, his sobs ceased. He looked up at Jack, his face wet with tears. "Thank-you," he said.

"Er, any time," Jack told him.

Marine Boy sniffed, and wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand. "God, I must look a sight."

"You look beautiful."

"Even now?"

"Especially now."

"Huh?"

"It's hard to explain," Jack said. "I loved you when you were a hero. Now that you've shown that you have a vulnerable side as well – that you have the same emotions as the rest of us – well, you're still a hero, and I love you even more."

"Love?"

"Yeah, love. I may have a funny way of showing it, sometimes, but I do love you, Johnny."

"And I love you too, Jack."

"You can't do," Jack protested.

"Why not?" Marine Boy asked.

"Because – well, because of what I did to you."

"Saved my life?"

"Yeah, but only after –"

"It still counts."

"Really?"

"Really," Marine Boy said. "You see, love – and this is just something I read, you understand. I'm no expert, and no way am I speaking from personal experience. Oh, I love my Dad, I suppose but... Well anyway, I read this and it kind of makes sense. When you love someone, you love them no matter what. Whatever they do, whatever they say. Even if there are times you don't like them, you still love them. Understand?"

"Honestly? No. I mean, it makes sense, but it's pretty deep. There is one thing, though."

"What?"

"Well, when it came to – you know – sex, I suppose – I was wiser than you. Now that we're discussing love, however, you're way wiser than me."

"Like I said, it was just something I read."

"Something you read. Something you remembered; something that made sense to you; something you live by."

"You make me sound profound," Marine Boy said.

"You are. It's one of the things that make you a better person than me."

"I don't want to go over that again."

"OK."

"Good. So kiss me."

"Huh?"

"Oh for crying out loud," Marine Boy said, "do I have to say everything twice? Kiss me."

"Here?"

"Here. And now. Unless you don't want to."

"Oh, I want to, alright. But at a time like this?"

"Especially at a time like this. You're the one that said we might both be dead in a couple of hours."

"I'm not exactly hoping I'm right."

"Me neither. But the fact remains that we might not get another chance, which means that I want to make the most of it. You know that list we're all supposed to make – a thousand and one things to do before we die?"

"Yeah. So?"

"So right now, the first item on my list is 'Give your boyfriend an orgasm.'"

"Shit," Jack said, his eye wide with surprise.

"Is that shit yes, or shit no?"

"I think it's just shit shit."

"Not helpful. And we're wasting time. I may never get a chance to try number two on my list, but I really want to enjoy number one. Now are you going to kiss me or not?"

Jack inclined his head towards Marine Boy's and their lips met. Slowly at first, then with growing passion; tongues met, and hands pawed at excited bodies. Marine Boy took Jack by the shoulders, and gently but firmly pushed him down until he was lying flat. He straddled him, a knee either side of his hips. He leant forwards, stroking Jack's chest with one hand, whilst continuing to kiss him as hard as he could. Jack clawed at Marine Boy's back.

Marine Boy shuffled backwards, and moved his head lower. He nuzzled at Jack's neck, and was rewarded with something between a yelp and a moan. He moved lower still, planting a series of kisses on Jack's chest, and sucking gently at his nipples. He kissed each of Jack's ribs in turn, then moved on to his stomach. It was taut and firm, and though Jack wasn't quite ripped, the separate muscles were visible as he writhed ecstatically. Marine Boy's tongue flickered, exploring Jack's navel and licking his abdomen.

Jack's breath came in short, staccato bursts. Marine Boy took hold of the waistband of his trunks.

"No," Jack said, urgently.

"No? Why not? You look like you're enjoying yourself."

"Yeah, but I don't deserve –"

"Stop that!" Marine Boy yelled. "I don't want to hear that again. Ever. I'll decide what you deserve, and right now I reckon you deserve a break." He paused, then moved to lay beside Jack, face to face. He ran his fingers through Jack's blond locks.

"Look, Jack, I'm not going to force myself on you, or anything. To judge by what's happening down there, your body's saying yes. What your heart is saying, only you can tell. But don't be ashamed of your desire, or anything. Hell, it was only yesterday that you were telling me this stuff. Now be honest, and tell me what you want."

"I –" Jack began.

"Take your time."

"I –" Jack began again. Marine Boy kissed him playfully on the tip of his nose. "I want you, Johnny," Jack said.

"Good." Marine Boy made to move back to Jack's trunks.

"No, wait," Jack panted. "Kiss me on the mouth, please."

The boys kissed, frenetically. They were both hugely aroused, their members rubbing against each other through two thin layers of fabric. Jack cupped Marine Boy's behind with both hands. He squeezed.

Marine Boy disengaged from Jack's mouth to give a gasp of pleasure. "Are you ready yet?" he asked. "Please say you're ready."

"Yes, oh yes."

Marine Boy removed Jack's trunks, and gasped at the size of his erection. He licked his lips. "You don't actually blow, right?"

"I don't think so."

Marine Boy bent forwards. His heart was pounding, but the excitement of being about to cross one of life's most significant thresholds was intoxicating. He stuck out his tongue and tasted Jack. He was about to take him in his mouth when Jack pulled away.

Marine Boy was perplexed. "Am I doing it wrong?" he asked.

"No, you were doing great. But take your trunks off."

"I'll show you. Take your trunks off."

"But I want to do you."

"You will, but sixty-nine."

"What does that mean?"

"I'll show you. Take your trunks off."

With a slightly puzzled expression, Marine Boy did as he was asked, springing rigid as he was released from restriction. "Wow," Jack said. "Now you lie like this, and I..."

Suddenly Marine Boy got the idea, and responded vigorously. The experience was more intense than anything he had ever imagined.