The Conquered

The Conquered - Chapter 21: "Family Dynamics III" by ArtisticBiGuy and DWSimon

The following is a complete work of fiction.

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The Conquered - Chapter 21: Family Dynamics III

***** Don *****

I'd forgotten how clear the sky was in Collinsville. I sat, sipping my coffee, and listened to the the early morning stillness. Seb was sleeping, comfortably, in the guest room bed. It was nice of Lisa to give us the good bed. She hated mornings anyway, so sleeping on a sofa bed wouldn't make it any worse. I thought about how my life had changed so dramatically and unexpectedly as the result of one incredible, reality shattering fuck fest. I really owed Andrew and Lee better presents than the heart monitor, sports watches I'd gotten them with the gym's logo printed on the bands.

I looked up as I heard an unhappy shuffle step on the stairs. Lisa, the morning-zombie, came down and ignored me as she went in search of life's blood. She came back with a mug of it and sat down near the fire I'd rekindled about thirty minutes before. She didn't look at all happy to be awake. Of course, it was only six in the morning.

"Morning, undead-one," I whispered. She grimaced at me. I grinned. She was definitely hung over; a few too many eggnogs for her.

After five minutes of sitting quietly, letting the coffee and aspirin kick in, she rubbed her eyes. "The sofa bed sucks."

I laughed, causing her to flinch. "I know." I smiled at her. "Thanks for letting us have the bed."

"Two of you, and one of me. If I ache from the damn bed, you two must have been dying."

I smiled. "Seb did mention it was something like a modern torture device."

"Hmph," she grumbled, sipping her coffee, "that's a good description. Mom's going to have to do something about it for next year."

"Next year," I thought about the holidays. "We'll have to figure out who's family we'll be with. I guess we could do Thanksgiving here, and Christmas with Seb's parents. Only fair."

Lisa shook her head. "You sound so domesticated."

"Never thought your big brother could be house broken?"

She shrugged.

"So..." I looked at her. "You never actually told me how you 'figured it out'."

Lisa sighed. "Well, when you go hunting for a boom flick to watch while your brother's at work, and you find a gay-gangbang DVD instead, it's kind of obvious."

I frowned. "I thought I'd put all the porn away."

She shrugged. "I bumped the DVD rack you had, and knocked a DVD behind it. When I dug around for it, I found there was another DVD back there too. 'Dungeon Masters II'."

I cringed. Of all the things for my sister to find, a leather fetish gang bang video wasn't on the top of my list. "Oh."

"It was... interesting."

"Sorry."

She shrugged. "I didn't watch much of it. Kind of freaked me out."

"I bet." I sipped my coffee. "Not exactly the best way to find out your brother's gay, huh?"

"You're not really into that stuff, are you?"

I shrugged. "I went pretty hard core for a while, sis. When I finally 'came out', I did it with a vengeance. Way too much sex and partying."

"Were you safe?"

I nodded. "As safe as you can be when you're doing several guys a week." I wasn't proud of it, but I wasn't going to hide the truth either.

"That how you met Sebastian?"

I shook my head. "No. I'd gone cold-turkey for about six months before I started looking for a more sane form of intimacy."

She smiled. "It really scared me, Don. I was scared you were into the club drugs and would get sick. And I couldn't talk to Mom and Dad about it."

I brushed a lock of hair from her face. "I scared me too. That's why I went cold-turkey. I woke up in a room of naked men and couldn't remember how many of them I'd been with or what we'd done. I was really lucky."

Lisa sat up and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Don't ever get sick. You're a big jerk, but you're the only big jerk I've got."

I hugged her. "I don't plan to. I've got too many reasons to stay healthy."

After a minute, she pulled out of my arms and wiped her eyes. Lisa hated emotional displays. How two emotionally open, liberal, loving parents managed to end up with a couple emotionally inhibited kids I had no clue. Lisa stood up. "Why don't we get breakfast ready? It's better than sitting around the fire being weepy."

I grinned. "Okay, lead on."

We got a new pot of coffee started and got the oven heating for biscuits. The one thing we both inherited from Mom was the ability to cook. It wasn't that driving love to cook Mom had, but it was like an inborn skill that just allowed us to make whatever we felt like cooking. While Lisa made the biscuits, I started the sausage for gravy.

"Can I get personal," she asked as she cut the butter into the flour.

I shrugged. "Sure."

"Which one of you is 'the guy'?"

I stirred without missing a beat. I was definitely getting better. "You mean, who's the top?"

"Yeah."

I shrugged. "Depends. We don't have the same roles that straight couples have."

"Okay... so you both enjoy it?"

I nodded. "Yeah. We both really enjoy it."

"I'd think it'd hurt. I had a boyfriend who wanted to do that to me, but I didn't like it at all."

I shrugged. "Never did for me."

"Men must be made differently."

I laughed. "I'll say."

"Oh shut up."

"You brought it up."

Lisa grinned. "You know I still brag about you?"

"Yeah?" I smiled. I'd been her big, bad brother when I was in high school.

"Yeah. When a guy tries to act all macho on me, I just tell him that my older brother could kick his ass and would probably fuck it for good measure if he pissed me off."

I laughed. "You do not."

She grinned. "Yeah, I do. The bar scene is ugly these days."

"Yeah, I know."

She shrugged, rolling out the dough. "It's getting harder to meet nice guys."

"Well, now you have two brothers who can kick their asses... though you might want to have Seb do the fucking, they'll scream louder."

Lisa grinned. "Why's that?"

I gestured obscenely to indicate size. "Seb is huge."

Lisa laughed. "You're kidding."

I slid my finger from my elbow to my wrist, frowning as I thought about it, then smiled. "Nope, he's huge."

Lisa looked at me with large, disbelieving eyes. "No way."

"Way." She compared her forearm to mine. I put my hand around her wrist and squeezed. "Maybe not quite that thick."

She yanked her arm out of my grip. "Don!"

"What?"

"You're pulling my leg."

I chuckled, breaking apart the sausage as it browned. "Oh, he definately isn't as big as your leg."

"You're such a liar."

"Excuse me?"

"No one is that big."

I shrugged. "Our friend Frank is bigger."

Lisa blinked. "I'd never let something like that near me."

I chuckled, pulled out the grease discard can, and poured off the excess sausage grease. "It does take some getting used to."

"What does?" Seb wandered in, rubbing his face, and hugged me from behind.

I grinned. "Having a husband hung like a horse."

Seb looked from Lisa to me. "Please don't tell me you've been dishing."

Lisa studied her biscuit dough, cutting out the biscuits while whistling innocently.

Seb looked at me. "You're in so much trouble."

"What?" I poured in the milk and started simmering it with the sausage.

"I don't share that stuff with Tonio."

I snorted. "Go right ahead. He's pretty liberal for a straight guy. I could take it. I've still got the best ass in both families."

"If you're into fat, hairy asses," Lisa quipped.

"His ass isn't fat," Seb argued, grabbing my ass for emphasis. "This is all hard worked muscle."

"Still a big ass."

"I like his big ass."

"Well, no accounting for taste."

"Were you this critical about his descriptions?"

Lisa smiled, lifting up her arm and tracing from wrist to elbow. "Nah. I think he's delusional. No one is that big."

Seb shrugged. "Frank's bigger."

Lisa scrutinized Seb for a moment, and then looked at me. "You two coordinated that."

"Coordinated what," Seb and I asked. You'd have thought we were twins.

"That's exactly what Don said."

"He is," Seb replied. "Makes Leon happy. As far as I'm concerned, he has a few inches too many."

"Do all gay men compare penis sizes?"

"No," I answered as I added the flour. "We got pretty blitzed at Taylor's birthday party in September, and someone suggested a size comparison. We didn't do it, physically, but before the party was over, we all had the dimensions. Frank was the largest. Since Andrew had slept with everyone but Seb, he could confirm it."

"He'd slept with everyone?"

I frowned. "Well, not Larry. Larry's straight. Sean was a minor when Andrew was slutting, so Andrew hadn't done him either. And Lee had hooked up with Tyrone before Andrew could do Tyrone." I looked at Seb, and Seb nodded. "Yeah, he'd slept with 'everyone' and a few dozen more. How he got out of that life style without getting sick is anyone's guess."

"You know, you're making it sound like all the stories about the gay life style is true."

I shrugged. "There is truth in all the stories, Lisa. It is when you take the story and apply it to anyone in the group, that's when it's wrong. Like saying all blondes are stupid."

"They aren't?"

I frowned at her. "No. Nor do blondes have more fun."

Lisa grinned. "I know that, bone-head."

"Seb didn't slut around."

Seb shrugged. "I did, for like a week in college. I didn't like the emptiness of it. I was with one man for most of my college and into his law school years, and then we broke up." He smiled. "I met Don about half a year later, and it looks like this one will last."

Lisa smiled as she put her biscuits on the baking sheet. "So, you guys going to get married?"

I sighed, looking at Seb. "Mom really wants us to doesn't she?"

Lisa nodded. "It'd mean a lot to her, Don. I know they're cool with you being gay, but she's still got that whole sanctioned by the church thing."

"Well," I paused, and Seb nodded, "we're going to ask Mom and Dad if we can do it March 12th."

Lisa slid the last biscuit on. "Their wedding anniversary?"

I nodded, taking Seb's hand. "Yeah. Seb and I got together in March, so it's an important month for us. Sharing the day with Mom and Dad would just make it better."

Lisa smiled. "You're such a closet romantic."

Seb hugged me again. "Nope. I think we've opened all his closets. He's just a plain old romantic."

"Oh my God!" Lisa started laughing.

Seb and I looked at each other, our pants, and the room as Lisa giggled. "What?"

She tried to contain her mirth. "How the hell are you going to determine who pays for the wedding? That's the bride's family's responsibility."

I frowned, looking at Seb. "You'd look better in the dress."

Seb thought about it for about half a second. "No."

I shrugged. "We could flip for it."

"or fuck for it," Lisa added, laughing again.

"No, there'd be no contest there." When Lisa raised an eyebrow at me, I shrugged. "He's just that good a fuck." I kissed Seb on the cheek. "I guess that settles it. Mom and Dad are stuck."

"I didn't need to know that," Lisa complained. "Put the biscuits in."

"Yes, Ma'am."

She looked Seb over for a moment, her gaze lingering at his waist for a little bit before she shook her head. "I'm going to go take my shower." She rolled her eyes. "I really, really didn't need to know that." She left.

Seb looked at me. "I think she needs to get laid."

I nodded, pulling Seb around to kiss him on the lips. "Definitely. I don't like the way she looks at you. You're not on the market."

"Neither are you."

I grinned. "Think we can survive the church thing?"

"Mama will cry."

"Mom will too."

We smiled at each other like fools. There was just something right about standing in front of the stove with gravy bubbling and biscuits baking. I bent down and brought my lips to Seb's as I closed my eyes. No lunging. No diving for the tonsils. No heated, passionate embrace. Seb's hands rested gently on my hips while mine cupped his cheeks. The kiss was warm, soft, wet, and just about perfect.

Mom spoke as we slowly pulled our lips back. "And they say romance is dead."

I grinned, but didn't take my eyes from Seb's. "Morning, Mom."

"Good Morning, boys." She got herself some coffee as I kissed along Seb's brow. We weren't ready to let go. Mom smiled at us as she sat at the table. "Your father and I used to stand just like that, right in that very spot, and do the same thing."

"Why'd you stop?" I rubbed my cheek against Seb's before finally letting go of his face. He just stayed there, leaning against me, and dropped his head to my shoulder.

"We haven't," Dad said from the door. Seb stood up, but Dad waved at us dismissively as he walked to the table. "You don't have to stop just because I'm here."

I smiled. "Well, since you're both here, we have a question to ask."

Dad nodded. "Go ahead."

I draped my arm over Seb's shoulder as he turned around. "Seb and I were wondering if you'd object to our getting married on the twelfth."

Mom frowned. "That doesn't leave much time. That's only in a few weeks."

I smiled. "I meant March twelfth. March is an important month for us too."

Dad smiled, taking Mom's hand as she blinked away some tears. She looked so happy I thought she was going to burst. "Oh, Donald..."

I grinned. "We thought that if we were going to be stupid, romantic fools, we might as well go all the way."

Mom nodded, taking a napkin to dab at her tears.

Dad smiled. "We'd be honored, Son."

Seb and I smiled. The sudden thought of what we had to do next made me laugh.

Seb frowned. "What?"

"I was just thinking... you have to call Angelina."

Seb groaned. "I'm going to be deaf for a week."

Mom smiled. "You will have to give me your mother's number, Sebastian. I'm certain she'll want to have some input. She probably won't get any voice when your brother gets married. You said he was straight?"

Seb nodded. "Yeah."

"I'm sure we'll be able to make it perfect."

I blanched. "Small, Mom. Small."

"Of course, Donald. Big weddings are overrated and only serve to make people hate their in-laws."

I looked at Seb. "We're doomed."

He nodded, but squeezed me while he smiled. "Yeah, but I can live with it."

"So can I."

***** Andrew *****

The drive home in Taylor's SUV was both long and boring. Sean, the ever sleepy, curled up in the back, dead to the world. But, we couldn't exactly get into the long talk that we only scratched the surface on the previous night. I needed Taylor to talk to me about his father. I really wanted to fix things, but couldn't.

"I had a great time at your Aunt's Taylor."

His hand found mine on my knee as he squeezed it. "I'm glad."

Okay, this wasn't getting the conversation flowing. I stared out the window for a few minutes, trying to come up with something to knock him out of his shell. "I think we should invite Sean to sleep with us tonight. He's curious, and we could teach him a lot."

"What!?!"

I looked over to Taylor, who gripped the steering wheel in his death grip, flicking his angry, confused eyes back to me between swipes of the road. "At least I got your attention."

"What do you want, Andrew?" He looked so tired. I almost let him go and let it wait until later, but this was far too important.

"What about your father?"

"What about him?"

I sighed, letting go my frustration. "He's your father. You love him. But he cannot accept us. What do you want to do about it?"

Taylor let out his own sigh as we pulled off the highway to get some gas. I got out and pumped while Taylor went inside to get sodas and snacks for the human vacuum, Sean. He got back as I finished up the pump and leaned his forehead against my shoulder. "I don't know what to do. I honestly don't think he'll ever accept us. I'm sorry for that Andrew."

I held him to me, knowing that Taylor was still uncomfortable with public displays of affection, but I couldn't keep my hands off him. "It doesn't matter to me, but I know it does to you. I'm okay with it."

"It isn't fair." He pulled out of my arms and chuckled. "How many times have my kids said that to me?"

I grabbed him again and hugged him. "We'll figure something out." I kissed his forehead, sniffing his hair deeply. "I'm not sure what, but we will."

We got back in the SUV and drove on towards home, this time playing road games with Sean. I spy paled quickly. The day after Christmas and license plate bingo got a bit boring too. Thankfully, we pulled off the highway and headed towards home shortly after the last round. When we got to the driveway, I hit the button for the garage door. When Taylor had stopped the car, I noticed that one of the side windows was broken. "Taylor? Back out, let me go get the broom. One of the windows is broken."

We'd pulled out of the garage, and I hopped out. Headed for the kitchen door, I stopped dead in my tracks; that window was broken too. I walked around back to the slider and saw the spray paint marks. Faggot Spawn. Child raper. As I walked around the house further, I spotted two more broken windows and more graffiti on the walls. My heart began to pound as I strode back to the SUV. "You guys stay here."

I snatched my cell phone and called the police. The front of the house was untouched, but the back and sides, and the back of the detached garage, were all marked in someway. Taylor got out of the car and walked towards me as I hung up the phone.

"What's going on?"

I turned to face him, not knowing what to say. "Someone broke some windows and spray painted some shit on the side of the house."

Taylor's eyes opened wide and his face slightly paled. "What did it say?"

"Faggot spawn. Child raper. More of the same."

Taylor flinched. "Do you know who did this?"

I looked into the SUV, where Sean sat, staring at us. I turned back to Taylor. "I have an idea."

Taylor frowned. "Sean's father?"

I nodded. Taylor came to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Should we go inside?"

"No. If he left any fingerprints, we don't want to disturb them, especially if he was inside."

"My God. What are we going to tell Sean?"

I kissed his forehead. "I don't know, but he can't stay here tonight."

Taylor pulled me along until we were between the garage and the kitchen. "Why not? This is his home."

"I know. But if he comes back... I just don't want Sean to have to deal with this."

Taylor paced in front of me for a few moments. "If we send him away, he'll think it's because of what his father did, not because we're concerned for his safety."

I turned around and punched the wall of the garage. "God Damn it!" When I didn't feel any better, I did it again. Then again.

Taylor grabbed my arm. "Stop!" His touch held me still, and I turned back to him. Kissing my bruised knuckles, he looked at me. "We need to keep it together for Sean."

"How could he do this? This is our home. This is..." I broke off when I heard my voice crack. I would not cry. Damn it. This was my house. Our house. Where I felt safe. Where Taylor and I lived and loved. "I feel so violated."

"I know. I do too."

Sean poked his head around the corner. "Guys? What's going on?"

I shot Taylor a `what do we tell him?' look before I walked up to Sean. "Someone broke some windows and spray painted some crap on the house. We're waiting for the police to show up so we can file a report."

Sean swallowed, his gaze dropping to the ground. "What did it say?"

Taylor tried to help. "It doesn't matter. I'll paint over it tomorrow."

Sean looked right in my eyes. "Did it say faggot spawn?" I couldn't hold his gaze. "Or child raper?" I shut my eyes as I heard the hurt and anger in his voice. "How about burn in hell or repent now?"

I nodded before I pulled him into a hug, holding his head against me as he murmured about being sorry. "Shh, Sean. It isn't you."

"If I hadn't come here, he wouldn't have done this."

I hugged him tighter and felt Taylor's hands grip my sides as he hugged Sean from behind. "We wouldn't trade having you for anything. It's a few windows and some paint. It's nothing compared to you." I kissed his forehead. "We love you, Sean."

"Yes, we do," Taylor affirmed.

I lifted my head to see Taylor's eyes and smiled just for him. I loved him so damn much. I mouthed the words, `thank you, bacon.' He grinned and mouthed, `gorilla' at me.

The arrival of the police interrupted our hug. They took pictures, they asked us questions about where we were and when we left, and then they took us inside to see if he'd been inside. We told the officer whom we thought did it, but he left no paint cans and had either worn gloves or didn't touch anything. It eased my mind to know he simply broke the windows rather than went inside; not much, but a bit.

After the police left, with a promise to patrol by a bit more often and a copy of the report to give to my insurance agent, I spent the next couple hours cleaning up broken glass and trying to find enough wood to board up the four windows. Taylor unpacked and talked with Sean. Taylor found me in the garage, trying to piece together anything to cover up the windows. He put his arms around me and kissed the center of my shoulder blades. "How are you doing?"

"I'm pissed. Pissed that he hurt Sean like this again."

He caressed my chest, turning my mind to other things. "I know. But there's nothing we can do. The police might question him, but with no witnesses..."

"I know." I turned and took his face in my hands, kissing him. "We still have to get the windows boarded up. Nothing's open after six on Sundays. What time does their plane get in?"

He kissed my chin before answering. "Nine thirty."

I looked at my watch. "Damn. Only two hours."

"Yeah," Taylor sighed, "we'll have to think of something to do about the windows and we should get something to eat." He looked about, frowning. "What about some lawn garbage bags and blankets? The plastic will block the wind and the blankets will give some thermal protection. We can get wood tomorrow."

I knew I loved him for more than his tight ass. I kissed him. "Done. I'll get the nails and plastic, you go find some blankets we can live without." I frowned. "No, not the old blue one."

"Damn!" He grinned at me. 'I'd never get rid of that ratting thing... just like I wouldn't throw out your chair, you goof."

"We'd better get going." I kissed Taylor again before pulling away. "Then quick drive-through cuisine, and we're off to pick up the Bobsy-twins."

Taylor smiled as I pulled down the tools. "You know. You're sexy when you're in repairman mode."

I walked back over, smiling at him as I took the hammer and hooked it in his belt, pulling him up against me. "Maybe later."

His mischievous grin spread across his face. "Later."

***** Don *****

I nudged the sleeping Latin man who had nodded off against my shoulder. Mumbling incoherently, Seb snuggled in against me. Weeks of keeping me sane had worn him out. My poor, exhausted man. I shrugged my shoulder again, making his head bob. "Hey, handsome. We're landing."

"Hmmmph," he grumbled, slowly sitting up and stretching his neck as we heard the landing gears descend. "When did I fall asleep?" He put his palms to his eyes, trying to press the weariness out of them.

"About thirty minutes after take-off."

"I didn't realize I was so tired." Seb sat up straight and took an awakening breath as we bounced once on the runway He sighed as the plane settled to the tarmac and groaned as it slowed. "God, I hate landings."

I grinned. "That one was a good one. Only one bounce."

"Think the guys had a good Christmas up at Taylor's Aunt's?"

I smiled. "Couldn't possibly have been as good as mine." I wanted to kiss him again. Since Christmas Eve I'd felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I could never express what the man sitting next to me meant to me. Looking into Seb's eyes, I knew I'd spend the rest of my life trying to show him anyway. "You gave me my family back."

Seb smiled. "They were never gone."

I mouthed, "I love you," as the seatbelt light went out. I couldn't even find my voice.

It was impossible to walk off the airplane holding hands. The rush and hustle of passengers trying to depart, get to the luggage carousels, and get home was suffocating. Still, I managed to get my fingers interlaced with Seb's once we were in the terminal. Public displays were just going to be a part of our lives. We were going to be married, in a church, in my hometown, with family and friends as witness. If we could do that, we could do anything.

I caught sight of Andrew as we rode the escalators to baggage claim. He stood near Taylor and Sean, and they saw us as we got to the carousel. Andrew cut a path to us. Though he smiled as he approached, it didn't reach his eyes.

Seb squeezed my hand, leaning in. "Is it me, or does something not feel right?"

"Something's definitely not right."

I let go of Seb's hand and gave Taylor a hug, passed him to Seb, hugged Sean, and then exchanged our usual muscle-straining submission hug with Andrew. I grunted as he compressed my ribs, and I pushed up to his ear. "What's going on?"

Andrew grunted, under his breath, "Later."

I turned to Seb. "Andrew and I'll get the bags. You guys catch up." We wandered to the far side of the carousel, and stood there to wait. "Problems?"

Andrew shrugged. "Nothing we can't handle." He looked at me. "How'd it go?"

I smiled. "I'm just a pig-headed idiot. My parents figured it out a long time ago and were just waiting for me to come out."

Andrew smiled. "No drama or trauma, huh?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Some chastisement and guilt, and some regret, but once Dad forced me to say it, things went pretty well." I caught sight of Seb's bag. "Here's one."

I reached out and grabbed it, set the bag down, and Andrew caught my hand. "What's this?"

I grinned, letting him examine my ring. "The closet case is engaged."

"No shit!"

I nodded. "I've had the rings for a while. After coming out to the family, I couldn't think of any more excuses."

"You lucky shit," Andrew pulled me up into a hug.

I laughed. "Well, I hope you feel that way in March."

Andrew blinked. "Why?"

"We're going to need some groomsmen."

Andrew just stared at me. "You're what?"

I rolled my eyes. "Mom's determined that she's going to see me married in a church. Our minister has already told us he'd do it. We don't plan on a huge wedding, but I was going to ask Jackson to be my best man, and you and Lee to be groomsmen." I spotted my bag. "Oh, here's the other one."

Andrew grabbed my bag and we walked back to the guys. Andrew laughed. "Hey! Guess who's getting married?"

Taylor grinned, and winked at Seb. "You're leaving me for Don?"

Andrew growled. "Not likely. No one does me like you, Bacon."

Taylor smiled at Seb. "Why do I love him?"

"Because he's Grade A, prime beef with attitude?"

"Oh yeah."

Sean had my carry-on bag, and Seb carried his while Andrew and I carried the big bags to the car. It was stupid, because it wasn't like any of us couldn't carry the stuff, but the team effort was nice. Sean hadn't said three words together since we got the bags. As we got in the SUV, Sean in the back with us, I reached over and roughed up his hair. "What's with you, Sean?"

"Nothing."

I looked at Seb, who shrugged.

Taylor looked at Andrew for a moment, and then looked back at us. "Christmas went okay, but Sean got a present from his father when we got home."

Sean flinched. "He wouldn't have done it if I weren't living with you guys."

Seb frowned. "What happened?"

"Nothing serious," Andrew grumbled, pulling out of the parking lot. "Broke a couple windows and gave us a reason to paint. The house was due for a new paint job anyway."

I frowned. "Okay, I think someone had better catch us up."

Seb and I sat there listening to Andrew recount the whole thing while they took us back to the apartment. We checked our cars and the front door before we took a full breath. The bastard hadn't hit our place while we were gone. Living in a community where the neighbors could see everything had some advantages. The guys helped us bring in the bags, which we dropped near the front door.

Seb gave Sean a hug. "Everything will be okay, Sean. This isn't your fault."

Sean didn't look convinced. I cupped my hand behind his neck and squeezed reassuringly. "Have we ever lied to you?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Well, we aren't lying now. He can't hurt you if you don't let him, Sean. He doesn't know where you're going to school, right?" Sean nodded. "Well, we'll just make sure he doesn't find out. You're going to be three thousand miles away. It'll be scary, but you'll be fine, and safe."

He nodded again.

Andrew put his hand on Sean's shoulder. "We'll see him safely there and back again."

I grinned. "You've got the biggest, baddest guy in town watching your back, Sean."

"Merry Christmas," Sean mumbled, hugging Seb and me before heading back to Taylor's SUV.

I looked at Taylor. "He going to be okay?"

"Yeah. His father just fucked with Sean's reality again. It'll take a little while to get him back on solid ground, but we'll get him there.

"You guys be safe," Seb instructed, giving Taylor a hug.

"We will."

We shut the door, and I pulled Seb to me. We stood there, holding each other, and let the anxiety drain away. I slowly began to nibble on his neck. "Let's leave the bags for tomorrow."

Seb moaned as my hands pulled his hips against mine and I bit his neck. "Okay."

Scooping my man up in my arms, I kissed him. "We never got to celebrate our engagement." I walked around the bags and towards the bedroom.

Seb laughed. "I told you I'm not wearing the dress."

I smiled. "That's okay. I still plan to be your husband tonight."

Seb sighed, chewing at my jaw as I got him to the bed. "That'd be nice. My ass has been lonely."

It wasn't lonely for long.

***** Andrew *****

I fumed all the way home, and I had something new to think about. Married. I thought it was wonderful. Sebastian and Don made a great couple, they love each other, and their commitment to each other wasn't fucked up by anything I'd done. I could totally see them walking down the aisle, saying those loving words to each other. Wasn't sure if I could do it, but I was thrilled for them. Perhaps some day Taylor and I could, but not yet. We're a slow and steady to the finish line kind of couple.

When we finally got home, it was close to midnight. Taylor was still on his school sleep schedule, so was pretty tired. Sean ran into the house and headed for his room. We stood in the kitchen, staring after Sean. "What do we do?"

Taylor looked up from his water, shrugging. "I'm not sure. It'll take him time to get comfortable again."

"I'm so furious. I could kill that son of a bitch."

Taylor took my face in his hands, drawing me down to kiss me, chewing on my lips. "You need to work this anger off. Got any ideas?"

Just like that, my body relaxed, the tension moved from my neck and shoulders to a steely hard erection. Not wanting to give in so quickly, I nipped Taylor's chin with my teeth. "I could go for a long jog; that would probably do it."

When Taylor pressed his palm against the fly of my jeans, I just about collapsed on the floor. "Are you sure jogging would take care of it?"

"I'd be too tired to worry about anything else."

Taylor reached under my shirt and found my nipple ring, twisting it, tugging on it, until I whimpered. I grabbed him by his ass and pulled him against me as I devoured his lips. I kissed him deeply as I walked blindly out of the kitchen, across the living room, to the den, where I'd put all my workout equipment when Sean moved in. I shut the door, flicked on the lights and dropped Taylor to a workout bench, pressing into him, kissing him fast and hard.

Before either of us could catch our breath, we were half-naked, pressed onto the bench. Our lips never left each other's as I humped against his body, grinding our cocks together. Two days. It had been two long days since we'd had any form of sexual contact. Not that we hadn't gone longer, but this was enforced, making the abstinence more pronounced, our lovemaking more desperate as we clung to each other, muffling our cries of release with our kissing.

When my breathing calmed, I disentangled myself from Taylor and the sticky, drippy mess on his belly and chest. He hadn't managed to get his pants over his shoes, and the damn things were caught over the back of my neck. No wonder he'd been able to stay up and spread so easily. I slipped out from his improvised leg bondage and realized I was in the same condition. My pants had caught on the bench supports. I laughed. "Damn bacon, we made a mess of you."

"You don't look so fresh yourself." I looked down at the matted, sticky fur on my belly.

"You're right. Shower?"

We struggled out of our pants, grabbed our clothes, and bolted up the stairs. We hopped in the shower and washed off. Once out of the shower, I toweled Taylor off, and then dumped him in bed. I wasn't quite ready for sleep yet. I pulled on my boxer briefs and headed through the house one more time, just to check on the locks, the windows, the blankets and plastic, and turn on a few strategic lights. As I passed by the slider, I noticed some snow coming down and plopped in my chair to watch it.

After about a half hour, I heard footsteps on the stairs. I swiveled the chair around, expecting to see Taylor hunting for me. Instead, I saw Sean, in his heavy coat, carrying a suitcase. What the hell? When Sean made it to the door, dropping a note on the side table, I spoke. "Where are you going?"

Sean spun around, looking guilty. "I'm leaving."

"Why?"

He looked away. "If I weren't here, he wouldn't have done this to your house."

I stood. "I don't care about the house. You're more important than a house."

He looked at me, pushing at me with his eyes. "I have to go."

I didn't budge. "Where?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

That pissed me off. I'd worry about him if I damn well wanted to. "Where?!?!"

He was frozen with indecision as I got close. "I don't know."

I pulled him to me, hugging him. "Don't go. You don't have to go."

Sean pushed me away angrily. "He has a gun!"

I paused, and then I pulled him back to me. "It doesn't matter. He's a coward who won't hurt us." I kissed his forehead. "I may not be as trained as you, Don, or Sebastian, but I fight dirty."

As I ran my hands up and down Sean's back, I felt the nervous tension rippling through him. The kid was about to blow up. His body was a mass of nerves. He needed to calm down. Taylor helped me do that, and I think I helped him do the same. I pulled away from Sean, cupping his face in my hands. "Don't do anything tonight. Sleep on it, and we'll discuss this in the morning."

Sean wanted to bolt; I could see it in his eyes. He tried to say something a couple times, but no words came out. His resolve was cracking.

Helping him let go of the suitcase, I gripped his wrist, and pulled him towards the stairs. "Come on, you need a good night sleep."

Sean followed, resisting a bit, not wanting to go upstairs. I wasn't taking no for an answer. Sometimes my old habits came in useful. When we got to his bedroom door, I paused. He'd bolt again if I left him there. I wasn't about to lock him in. He needed a reason to stay. I pulled him with me to my bedroom. He balked as I opened the door, his voice dropping into a whisper. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you sleep."

I pulled him into the bedroom and around to my side of the bed. Taylor woke, smiling at me briefly before he spied Sean and raised an eyebrow. I didn't acknowledge Taylor's question directly, but spoke to Sean quietly as I removed his coat. "You'll wait to make the decision to leave until morning."

Sean looked shell shocked. "But..."

I pulled his sweatshirt and tee over his head before he could object. "A good night's sleep, Sean, and if you still want to go in the morning, Taylor and I will help you."

His eyes went wide as I undid his belt and unsnapped his jeans. "Andrew?"

"Kick off your shoes." He did, and I let his jeans drop. "Sit." He was trembling as I knelt by him, my eyes never leaving his, and pulled of his pants and his socks. "You'll sleep with us, here, where we can all be safe." I stood, knowing that Taylor was bare under the covers, pulled a pair of his briefs from the drawer before going to the door and locking it. I passed Taylor his briefs, lifted up the covers and motioned for Sean to crawl in.

Sean looked from me to the bed, to the door, and back. He crawled in, slowly, trying to get as far from my side as he could without bumping Taylor.

I followed him down and pulled the covers over us. Sean stayed perfectly still between us. I pulled Sean to me. "You're safe here Sean." Slowly, Sean's arm came around my back, holding me as his face burrowed into my chest fur. I felt Taylor shift and hug Sean from behind. "No one can hurt you as long as you're here. We promise."

Sean's head was below my chin, and I could see Taylor. He kissed the top of Sean's head. "We love you Sean. I don't care what your father did. We don't want you to leave."

I heard Sean sniff and felt wetness against my chest. We squeezed him tighter between us, my hand skimming up and down Taylor's back as Sean burrowed harder against me. Sean's muffled words reached up to us. "I love you guys."

I kissed the top of his head. "I love you both, so much."

Taylor kissed my lips briefly over Sean's head. "I love you both, too." Slowly, the warmth of our bodies, the quiet breathing, and the feeling of safety surrounded us and we drifted to sleep.

My next-door neighbor always got up early. He drove an old, beaten up truck. The thing backfired when he tried to drive it before warming it up. That morning it did. Sean bolted upright, knocking into my chin. "He's here!"

Taylor wasn't in the bed. He looked at Sean as he tied his shoes so he could go on his morning jog. I'd do my after Christmas dinner workout while at work, but Taylor was going to do his first competition in April, so he needed the morning jog. Taylor sat back on the bed, in his cute sweats and tee, and stroked Sean's arm. "No. He's not here." He looked over my head, chuckling. "Bob really needs to get a different truck."

"A truck?" Sean sounded sleepily doubtful..

I sat up, the sheets pooling around my waist. "Yeah, you've heard it before. The truck is a piece of shit and backfires. It's nothing Sean." I pulled him back to me as I lay back on my back. Sean burrowed, anxious but still half asleep against my chest. One hand covered my pec and his thigh came over mine. With a few muttered, incoherent words, Sean fell back to sleep. Taylor came around the bed and sat by my side. "Did I do right?"

Taylor leaned down and kissed me. "Yeah. You did good."

I let out the breath I was holding. "Thank god. I was worried there. But when I saw him trying to leave..."

Taylor took my hand. "I know. What time do you need to go in today?"

"First client is at nine."

Taylor leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. "I'll jog until seven-thirty. I'll wake you up. I suggest you take him with you today."

I nodded and yawned. "I'll keep him busy so he can't think about bolting."

"I'll drop by later and take you both for lunch. Is your free hour at noon or one?"

"One."

Taylor stood and started out the door. I snuggled back into the pillow and kissed Sean's forehead. The next thing I knew, the sun had risen and the room was bathed in golden light. I looked over to the clock and saw that it was seven. I had to piss badly and it was making itself known with morning wood from hell. I debated how to disengage myself from Sean when I felt him straining through his briefs and pressing into my hip.

At that moment, I realized what had woken me up. Sean's hips slowly ground into me and his fingers flexed in my chest hair. How do I get out of this? Sean would be mortified if he knew he was humping against me. Then I heard a moan from Sean. I tried not to laugh, but it was difficult. My chest rumbled in silent mirth and the shaking woke Sean. At first he yawned, then he became aware of who he was pressed against. He would have bolted from the bed if I hadn't grabbed him. He looked down and mumbled, "I'm sorry."

I took his face in my hand, forcing him to look at me. "It's okay. You were asleep."

His face bloomed in a blush. "I told you I get excited easily."

I paused. Was this awkward? Was this inappropriate? Actually, it was flattering. "Sean. It's okay. We were asleep. Morning wood is a plague and a blessing to every guy."

He tried to say something, but then thought better of it and shut his mouth. "What is it Sean? You can tell me."

"It felt so good to lie against you. You're so warm and I like the chest hair."

"Thank you, Sean. I'm glad you liked being held. It was nice to hold you too."

Sean shrugged. "Is it always so nice to lie with someone?"

"I think so."

Sean nodded. "I'm sorry—"

"Don't. You're not responsible for a morning hard on or rubbing against me in your sleep." I ruffled his hair and threw back the covers. Sean's eyes bugged out at the sight of my distended boxers. "I'm sorry, but I've got to pee."

Sean sat there as I made my way to the bathroom. I turned around so he couldn't see all of me and told him, "We have to leave at eight thirty for work. You have over an hour..."

Sean blushed and crawled out of bed, leaving me alone to take care of business. Once the need was gone, I turned on the shower. After I'd soaped up my body, I heard the bathroom door open. I soon wasn't alone under the spray. Taylor opened the door and grinned at me. "Thought you were going to sleep?"

"I did, but nature called before you got back. Come on in here."

Taylor shut the door as he stripped. Grinning, he let me pull him into the shower. "Good Morning."