The Four Horsemen 3 - Famine (13 page)

Famine opened his eyes, and looked up into Death’s black gaze. Sitting up, he realised that Ekundayo no longer covered him like a blanket. He glanced around, noticing the barrenness of the landscape. He remembered the place from when he’d first woken up as a Horseman. Ekundayo was gone.

Death.
“We’re here because I wanted to talk to you without the mortal around. Don’t worry
about him. It’s not reality, because it’s only in your dreams. Your body is back in the clearing
with him.” Death waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
“What do you want to talk about?” Famine asked, even though he had a feeling he
knew what Death wanted.
“Are you sure getting involved with the mortal is what you want to do? I could wipe
his memory, and he’d never remember the existence of Horsemen.” Death rested his fists on
his hips while staring off into the distance.
“No!”
Death turned at Famine’s shout with raised eyebrows. “Are you sure?” “Yes. No one deserves to have his memories erased like that. It isn’t fair to Ekundayo.”
Famine narrowed his eyes, and glared at Death. “I know he’ll grow old and die while I won’t
age a bit. I don’t care.”
“Surely you don’t want to watch that happening. How sad would that be?” Death
seemed to be playing devil’s advocate. “You’ll never stop being a Horseman, Famine.” “Wait, I thought you told me if I found someone who loved me I would go back to
being the mortal I was before I died.”
“Does Ekundayo love you? Do you really love him?”
Famine started to protest, but Death held up his hand to stop him.
“I’m just asking because you need to be sure, Famine. Don’t invest your heart if you’re
not sure he really does care about you. It could be simple infatuation because you were his
first.”
“How did you know that?” Famine frowned.
Death rolled his eyes, and shook his head. “You haven’t yet figured out that I know
everything that goes on with the Horsemen. I know what you feel and think. I know
Ekundayo had never had sex with anyone before you. I wouldn’t count on his feelings being
sincere.”
Famine fisted his hands and ground his teeth. As much as he wanted to protest, or even
hit Death, Famine had to acknowledge that he might be right. Maybe Death could be saying
it out of the goodness of his heart. He wouldn’t want to see Famine hurt if Ekundayo was
just caught up in the emotions from having sex for the first time.
When he thought he could talk without cursing Death, Famine took a deep breath and
said, “I don’t think it’s that. If it was, he would have moved on because there were several
weeks when we didn’t have any contact. He could have found other lovers to replace me.” “Really? Did he strike you as a worldly man who knows where to go to get laid?”
Death shrugged.
“Maybe not, but there are ways to find sex if he wanted to.” Famine tugged on one of
his braids. “Listen, all I know is how I feel, and I think I love him. I don’t want to miss the
chance to spend time with him as lovers.”
“You think?”
“Stop questioning everything I say. I don’t know if what I’m feeling is love or not. I’ve
never been in love with anyone. I died before I could experience it.” Famine poked Death in
the chest. “Let me have this, and stop trying to pretend you care about my feelings.” “As long as you do your job when I need you, I don’t really care what happens to you.
Just remember you’re a Horseman first, and Ekundayo’s lover second.”
Something flashed in Death’s eyes as he said that, but Famine couldn’t tell what
emotion it was, and, at that moment, he didn’t care. He wanted to get back to Ekundayo. “Fine. I’m going back now. Please don’t come and get me for a few days. I don’t want to
leave Ekundayo just yet.”
Death tilted his head, and curled his upper lip. “I’m not promising anything. When I
need you, I’ll come and get you.”
Famine didn’t say anything as the world went black around him, and when he opened
his eyes again he was staring up at a bright blue sky. Inhaling, he smelt the musky sweat of
Ekundayo who was still sleeping on him. He ran his hands up and down Ekundayo’s back,
savouring the feeling of Ekundayo in his arms.
Death might be right about Ekundayo’s feelings for Famine, but Famine didn’t care. For
the first time in his very long life, he found himself needing someone else. He wanted to
spend time with Ekundayo, and see if maybe they could have a life together. It was worth a
chance, even if he had to continue as the Black Horseman.

Ekundayo stretched, his muscles protesting a little, but not nearly as badly as they had even a few days ago. It had been three weeks since Famine had found him in the desert after his beating, and he was healing slowly. Yet Famine had never left his side, keeping him fed and safe. Their nights were spent wrapped in each other’s arms, but doing nothing more because Famine worried about hurting him .

He smiled as he looked around. The stream bubbled past, not rushing like the Zambezi where they’d first stayed. This stream didn’t have any real dangers, or so Famine had told him. Ekundayo fished from the riverbank, or he’d take baths in the shallow pool when he wanted to be clean. Sometimes, if he wasn’t busy, Famine would join him.

Turning at the waist, Ekundayo glanced up at Famine, who stood behind him. “Yes, I did. I think I might be part reptile or something. I seem to enjoy soaking up the sun.”
“It’s always good to be out in the sunshine while you’re healing,” Famine acknowledged as he crouched next to Ekundayo.
Ekundayo leant forward, pressing his lips to Famine’s smiling mouth. A hot burst of air brushed over his lips as Famine gasped. He took that as an invitation, and invaded Famine’s mouth with his tongue. They stroked and duelled, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, Famine leaned into him and Ekundayo fell back, humming as Famine settled between his legs.
“Are you okay?” Famine met his gaze with need and lust, but also with concern.
Ekundayo knew, if he said he hurt anywhere, Famine would pull away, and they would just go back to kissing. He didn’t want that. He wanted Famine’s cock buried deep in his ass, or his own cock in Famine. It didn’t matter which way. Ekundayo just wanted to come.
“I’m fine, Famine. Don’t stop. I want you inside me,” he confessed.
Famine closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. When he gazed at Ekundayo again, there was a stronger emotion than just lust burning in Famine’s black eyes.
“I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” Famine confessed.
Ekundayo reached up and grabbed two fistfuls of Famine’s braids, bringing the Horseman’s face to his. This time, their kisses were hot and sloppy, passionate and needful. Famine ground his hips into Ekundayo’s, drawing a low cry from Ekundayo.
Suddenly, Famine shot to his feet, and held out his hand. “I don’t want to do this out here. Let’s go back to the cave where there are blankets. You’re still a little bruised, and I don’t want to add to them.”
“Okay.” He’d have agreed to anything if it meant they could have sex.
As they made their way to the cave, Ekundayo thought about the emotions running through him. There was lust, need, and caring; and could he possibly be in love with Famine? He didn’t know what love felt like, but he did know he thought about Famine all the time. When he had been wandering in Harare, trying to find someone to buy his diamond, Ekundayo hadn’t been able to get Famine out of his head.
While in the city, he’d made tentative attempts to find someone to have sex with, but none of the men he’d met had turned him on like Famine did. He’d ended up not sleeping with any of them. Only Famine made him feel like his entire body was on fire.
They entered the cave, and Famine stopped in front of the pile of blankets they’d been sharing. He reached out and grasped Ekundayo’s shorts. Ekundayo rested his hands on Famine’s shoulders as Famine unbuttoned his shorts, then shoved them down. Famine took his weight while Ekundayo stepped away from the pile of fabric.
He stood in front of Famine, naked as the day he was born. His cock rose proudly from its nest of black curls. Famine hummed with happiness as he wrapped his hand around Ekundayo’s shaft and pumped.
“Oh my God.” Ekundayo groaned as he dropped his head back.
The sensation of Famine’s strong fingers engulfing him swelled until Ekundayo could do nothing but move, thrusting his flesh through the tunnel Famine had made. Famine laid a trail of kisses along Ekundayo’s jaw to his neck, and down to the soft triangle of flesh at the base of Ekundayo’s throat. He sucked on the small piece of skin, and Ekundayo sped up his movements.
After marking him, Famine inched away, and smiled at him. “That’s it, love. Fuck my hand. I want to hear how much you like it.”
“Please, Famine. I need…” Ekundayo pleaded.
“I know what you need.”
“No,” Ekundayo protested.
“Don’t worry, honey. I just need to get some lube and a condom for us.” Famine scrambled through the bags they kept in the back of the cave. “Got them.”
Ekundayo just managed to look like he cared about the lube and protection. All he wanted was to come; whether from Famine’s hands or his cock, Ekundayo didn’t care. Famine leant down and sucked one of Ekundayo’s nipples into his mouth. Ekundayo lost his rhythm, and Famine chuckled low in his throat. Famine flicked his nipple with his tongue.
“Famine, I love that, but I think I’d like your mouth on my cock better.”
Famine removed his mouth, and knelt in front of Ekundayo. “Demanding, aren’t you?”
Ekundayo started to agree, but then Famine encircled the head of Ekundayo’s cock with his lips, and sucked him all the way down.
“Holy shit!” Ekundayo cried out as the heat of Famine’s mouth surrounded him. He grabbed handfuls of Famine’s braids and started to plunge his penis in and out of Famine’s mouth.
He distantly heard a pop, but he didn’t pay any attention because the feel of Famine sucking him off overwhelmed him. It wasn’t until Famine rubbed his lube-covered fingers over Ekundayo’s hole that Ekundayo noticed things around him. Famine had one hand digging into Ekundayo’s thigh, keeping himself balanced while he played with Ekundayo with his other.
Ekundayo bit his lip as Famine pressed his fingers into Ekundayo’s butt. The pressure created a burn, but Famine withdrew before it got to be too much. As much as Ekundayo wanted Famine’s cock deep inside him, he knew he needed to be stretched before he could accept the pounding he wanted, or it would damage him. Famine wouldn’t do anything like that.
Famine swirled his tongue around Ekundayo’s flared head, and invaded the slit with the tip of his tongue. Ekundayo grunted, and shoved forward. When he pushed back against Famine’s fingers, they slipped further inside. Soon he was caught in a cycle of taking Famine’s mouth, while being taken by Famine’s fingers.
“Famine, please. I need you. I need more,” he begged, enjoying the feel of Famine’s mouth, but wanting Famine inside him when he came.
“Touch yourself, Ekundayo, while I get ready.”
Ekundayo prised his hands away from Famine’s braids, and fisted his cock with one hand. He toppled over, catching himself on the wall of the cave with the other hand. Ekundayo braced himself against the wall, tugging and stroking his own length. He heard the crinkle of a foil packet being ripped open. The familiar pop of the lube bottle hit his ears and he sighed, knowing it would only be a minute or two more before Famine filled his ass.
“Are you okay?” Famine whispered in Ekundayo’s ear as he came up behind him.
“Yes. Just do it.”
Famine laughed, his hot breath dancing over Ekundayo’s ear. “All right.”
Ekundayo tilted his hips, presenting his ass in a very wanton manner. Famine grasped his butt, spreading his cheeks and caressing Ekundayo’s hole with his condom-covered cock. Their sighs mingled as Famine breached Ekundayo, bearing down until he bottomed out.
They froze, and Famine massaged Ekundayo, kissing the spot between his shoulder blades. Ekundayo rested his forehead against the cool cave wall, breathing deep and easy, letting his body adjust to being so full.
When his body demanded pleasure, he squeezed Famine’s cock with his inner muscles. Famine moaned, and slapped Ekundayo’s ass.
“All right. I get the point. Brace yourself.”
Ekundayo wasn’t expecting the force of the first thrust, and his head almost banged into the cave wall. He straightened his arm, and kept it locked. Somehow, Famine nailed Ekundayo’s gland with each thrust, and electricity raced all through Ekundayo’s body. His own dick swelled, dripping pre-cum and giving Ekundayo something to ease the friction of his calluses scraping over his sensitive skin.
Sweat dripped from his face, and liquid trickled down Ekundayo’s spine. The damp air of the cave was filled with their grunts and the sounds of skin slapping against skin. Famine reached around and entwined his fingers with Ekundayo’s, so they were both jerking him off.
“That’s it, love. I want to feel you as you come,” Famine spoke into Ekundayo’s ear, his low, growly voice driving Ekundayo right over the edge.
“Famine!” Ekundayo cried out as he came, spilling his cum all over the dirt beneath his feet.
“Beautiful.” Famine slammed into him twice, and yelled as he came, flooding his condom.
When his strength gave out, Ekundayo sank to his knees, with Famine following him down. They snuggled closer, only breaking apart when Famine’s softened cock slipped out. Ekundayo crawled to the blankets while Famine took care of the condom.
“Roll over.” Famine smacked him on the hip.
Ekundayo did as commanded, and Famine washed him off. The cloth got tossed back into the water bucket before Famine spooned him. Ekundayo settled back into Famine’s embrace, and rested his hand over Famine’s. Silence fell over them, and he sighed as he listened to Famine’s breathing deepen.
“I love you,” he murmured, sure Famine was asleep.
“I love you too,” Famine replied.
“Shit!” Ekundayo jerked, and rolled over to look at Famine. “I didn’t think you were awake.”
“So you were hoping I was asleep, and wouldn’t hear you?” Famine pursed his lips. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
Ekundayo stared down at the blanket covering his legs. “Someday. I thought maybe it was too soon to fall in love with you. You’re my first lover, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to care about you this much, this soon.”
“Well, I’ll admit I’ve never been in love, so I don’t know if there’s a timetable or not. It seems to me, as long as both of us feel the same way, it doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other.” Famine took Ekundayo’s hands in his, and squeezed them. “I’m glad I found you the first time, and that, for some reason, Death chose to let me rescue you a second time.”
Ekundayo tensed, and he remembered Death telling him to never let Famine find out Death had saved Ekundayo. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Famine’s smile was soft and understanding. “I know he must have found you, and instead of taking your soul he gave you water before coming to find me.”
“Why would he do that? I didn’t think he liked me, and, being Death, shouldn’t he take the souls he’s supposed to without question?” Ekundayo hedged around the conversation, trying not to say anything that could get him into trouble with the Pale Horseman.
“Not sure why he’d send me to that particular place in Zimbabwe. If he didn’t want me to find you, why make me come here at all? I could have stayed in China.”
“Does it matter if Death planned for you to save me or not? I think the only important thing is you came, and I’m still alive.” Ekundayo smiled brightly, wanting Famine to think of something other than Death.
Famine stared at Ekundayo for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter. All that’s important is we’re together, and for as long as you live I’ll be here for you.”
It wasn’t quite the declaration Ekundayo was looking for, but what could he expect? As a Horseman, Famine would outlive him, and there wasn’t anything they could do about it.
“As long as I live, I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.” He squeezed Famine’s hands. “Where should we live?”
Famine embraced him, and they settled under the blankets to discuss where their permanent home would be.