Feeling His Steel

by Brynn Paulin

  By now Wyn seemed somewhat accustomed to the concept of water inside a dwelling, though Toby didn’t fool himself into thinking there wouldn’t be a lot of investigation to come. Wyn now seemed more intent on investigating Toby and Toby had no complaints there.

  As Wyn’s fingers skated along Toby’s back and thighs, Toby did his own exploration. He soaped his hands then played them over the hard muscles of Wyn’s back.

  Such a warrior, he thought. He’d have to make sure they went to the Y regularly so that Wyn could continue to train, though that training would indeed be different. He’d heard of a local sword-fighting group. Perhaps he could look into them. Or perhaps Wyn would just drag him out to the park and expect him to spar.

  Toby’s limbs itched as if remembering the activity and suddenly he longed for the weight of a sword in his hand. The sensation confused him more than ever. This was craziness. Forgetting his fanciful thoughts, he molded Wyn’s firm buttocks and worked his fingers between them. The pad of his forefinger slid over Wyn’s puckered flesh.

  “Squire, you forget yourself,” Wyn ground out between his teeth, yet he didn’t move away.

  “I forget nothing,” Toby replied. His soapy finger pressed the opening then slipped inside the tight orifice. Wyn groaned. His hips flexed into Toby as Toby slowly thrust in and out. Wyn was the top, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t experience some of the pleasure Toby so enjoyed. He had no intention of fucking Wyn—he didn’t think Wyn would allow it—but he wanted to massage his lover’s prostate and bring him soaring into bliss.

  He added a second finger and tapped backward against Wyn’s sweet spot, drawing a strangled cry. Wyn’s cock jabbed Toby’s lower belly.

  “Let me take you there, my knight,” Toby whispered, urging him to just let go and enjoy the pleasure. This wasn’t about power. It was about sharing the pleasure of being together, of breaking a long separation of souls.

  He slid from Wyn’s embrace, never ceasing his smooth strokes, and knelt. Water pelted the back of his head and streamed over his shoulders. He reached for Wyn’s cock, knowing he must be close and wanting that burning cum to fill his mouth once more. He took Wyn deep.

  He knew the sensation of his fingers in Wyn’s rectum, the water pouring over him, and his lips around Wyn’s cock would drive Wyn over the edge. As Tony added suction, Wyn’s hands slammed out to either side, one palm slapping against the whitetiled wall and the other knocking open the shower door. From the corner of his eye, Toby saw Wyn grasp the edge of the doorframe, and warm tendrils wove through him. He liked that he had this strong man struggling for balance and control. He redoubled his efforts, thrusting harder and applying a suction that had Wyn gasping.

  Toby was so overaroused his cock wept, profusely leaking his pre-cum, and he suspected he might come right along with Wyn when the moment came. Some men might protest that, but the shared pleasure between them, the intimacy, was enough in this instance. He didn’t need penetration or manual involvement. When Wyn jerked, stiffening all over, Toby swallowed as fast as he could. He loved Wyn’s cum.

  When the vision came this time, it took Toby by surprise. They were in the dark. A pallet lay nearby, barely visible through the moonlight-flooded room. The shutters were open, letting in the light, but there was none other in this rented chamber.

  Tobias and Wyn were passing through this town on their way home from months at the king’s court. Tobias had wanted to sleep in the woods, but Wyn had insisted on a room. When Tobias made to sleep in the stable, Wyn had insisted that he accompany him instead. Uneasiness filled the squire. He was subject to premonitions. He normally kept them to himself, very rarely sharing them with Wyn. This one scared him. Something was awry.

  As Wyn found release, Tobias slipped away. “I will see to the horses and find you some sustenance, my knight.”

  “Tobias, you are not my servant.”

  “But I am. It is my station.”

  “Not in my heart. The horses are fine. I am not hungry. I desire that you stay here with me.”

  Tobias wanted nothing more, but it was not his fate. Against what he willed for himself, he was drawn to the outside. If he didn’t go, that fate would come here to the place he and Wyn hid from the world.

  He stood, placing his hand on his beloved’s cheek. The stubble scratched the inside of his wrist but was hardly felt by his calloused palm. Tears pricked his eyes, but he knew Wyn wouldn’t see them with his face hidden in the shadows.

  “I love you, Sir Alwyn. Remember that always.”

  “Tobias…”

  “I’ll go see to the horses.” Tobias turned and left the room, knowing he’d never see his beloved Wyn again, but determined to be as much a knight as he had trained to be. That dream would never come nor would forever after with his one true love.

  Chapter Four

  “Tobias!” Wyn looked down in horror as Tobias pressed his forehead to his thigh and sobbed as if his favorite dog had been killed. When he didn’t respond, Wyn pulled him to his feet. Tobias’ eyes were blank, empty as if he weren’t there. Wyn had seen this look on Tobias’ face many times. A vision. Tobias wouldn’t be cognizant again until it was over.

  Gently Wyn washed him then held him up while he haphazardly soaped himself and rinsed them both. It took several tries to determine how to turn off the water since it was a different mechanism than the other water wells. He stepped outside and picked up one of the soft towels Tobias had set out. Tenderly he dried him then dashed the cloth over himself. Though Tobias had always hated it when Wyn carried him, Wyn lifted him into his arms and brought him to the bed. The sobbing had stopped and now Tobias shook as if he were freezing or experiencing overwhelming fear.

  Wyn tucked him beneath the covers of the kingly bed then climbed in beside him. He drew Tobias firmly to his body, absorbing the trembling. The visions had always disturbed him and this one bothered him no less. He wondered if Tobias was remembering his past and how Wyn fit into his life. Not for one moment did he doubt that this Toby was his lover, Tobias. The angel had told him Tobias intended to await him for eternity then told Wyn she was sending him here. There was no question why he was here—to reunite with the other half of his soul.

  “Tobias,” he whispered, smoothing the hair off Tobias’ forehead. He kissed his temple. His lips moved to his lover’s ear. “Come back to me, love. Leave this vision that troubles you. Come back to me.”

  He didn’t respond. An echoing pain gnawed at Wyn’s chest. Was Tobias remembering that day? The hour they’d separated forever? Wyn pressed his forehead into the back of Tobias’ neck as he remembered.

  Tobias had been caged, awaiting the wrath of those who’d snatched him from the inn that night, men who hated their kind, men who claimed to be on a mission from God. They were not godly men, not by any measure. Rage had filled Wyn. They’d beaten Tobias, and he’d curled in the corner of the cage, hiding his nakedness.

  Wyn was ready to kill them all, to wreak vengeance on the ones who’d done this. Tobias had grabbed Wyn’s tunic through the bars as Wyn had crouched beside him. “Do not tell them. Do not reveal yourself. Do not dare,” he’d rasped. Desperate fear had filled his eyes as he’d begged.

  They meant to kill Tobias, and Wyn and Tobias both knew it. Wyn wouldn’t let it happen.

  “I will rescue you from this. You are my squire. They cannot do this.”

  “They are the law here and they will kill you too. You must deny me,” Tobias had urged. “This fate awaits any like us. You must deny me so you might stop the blight preying upon our kind.” He’d looked out the corner of his eye at the mob who’d gathered. “You must leave. You are in danger. Promise me you will leave and you will fight.” His hand had shaken as he’d yanked at Wyn’s tunic, as if begging. “I wish I could kiss you one more time,” he’d whispered. “Promise me.”

  “Tobias—”

  “Deny me!” Tobias had grated, his pained tone low as he cut off Wyn’s harsh whisper. “You must. You must save yourself�
�and avenge me.”

  Wyn had straightened, his soul rending as the final veil of his youth had been ripped away.

  “I have examined this man, and I know him not,” he had announced, turning on his heel and heading through the crowd as they parted at the sight of his thunderous countenance. He had never intended to desert Tobias. He’d intended to rescue him as the darkness of night fell, but that had been too late. As the sun had sunk beneath the horizon, Tobias’ corpse had cooled, thrown in a field to await the carrion who would dispose of it.

  Wyn had saved his body from that desecration. He’d carefully buried the man who had served him and loved him so well. All the while, he’d vowed revenge.

  Now, in this new century, his tears fell on the back of Tobias’ neck.

  “I killed them,” he rasped. “I killed them all. I avenged you, Tobias.”

  * * * * *

  Toby had never had such an awful nightmare. The visions he’d had in the night shook him. The terrifying sight of a hot poker turning red in the fire as he was tied spread-eagle to a table had jerked him awake, a silent scream ripping at his throat.

  He’d never been so happy to see his sunlight-flooded bedroom. The flush of his toilet told him that not all of what he remembered from the previous night had been a dream. He sat up, his arms crossed over his middle as he leaned against the headboard and waited.

  The morning light seemed to dance across Wyn as he emerged from the bedroom gloriously naked. He was unbelievably beautiful. Toby would never share that descriptor with him—Wyn certainly wouldn’t appreciate it—but it was true.

  “Good morning,” Toby greeted him. “I was hoping I would wake first so I could get clothing for you and be back before you were up and about.”

  “You had a…difficult night,” Wyn replied. “And I have always risen early. You know that.” Wyn came to the bed and sat on the edge. He palmed the side of Toby’s face. “Are you all right?”

  Toby’s brows furrowed, and his head tilted at Wyn’s strange question. “You had a vision,” Wyn supplied.

  There was no point in denying it, though Toby refused to share the horrific things he’d seen. He nodded.

  “You know now. You know they took you from me and killed you.”

  “If they killed me, how am I here?” Toby asked.

  Wyn shrugged. “How am I here? The ways of the heavens are not for mortals to understand.”

  “You always said that and I always found it annoying.”

  Wyn’s wide smile lit up his face. “You remember!”

  “Some. Not everything,” Toby replied.

  “Then you believe me?”

  “With the things I’ve been seeing, how could I not? It’s still unbelievable to me, but it’s…so clear.”

  Wyn leaned forward, his lips covering Toby’s, and he opened as naturally for his lover as he knew he always had in the past. This time was a leisurely exploration, a reaffirmation of who they were together. Wyn changed the angle of the kiss then gave him short pecks on his lips and over his cheeks.

  “I need to get you clothes,” Toby moaned. He extricated himself with great difficulty—mostly because he didn’t want to go—and Wyn plopped down in the spot Toby had vacated on the bed. He watched with hungry eyes as Toby got ready for the day.

  “Do not go…” he murmured on Toby’s final trip out of the bathroom.

  “I need to or you’ll be stuck here with nothing to wear. I wish I could just ask you your sizes. I’m guessing about two inches and a shirt size on me.”

  Wyn looked at him blankly and Toby realized what he said probably sounded like gibberish.

  “The last time you left I lost you for eight years,” Wyn said, his voice flat as he looked out the window at the Grand Rapids skyline.

  Toby knelt beside Wyn’s hip on the bed. Gently he cupped Wyn’s face and turned him toward him then dropped light kisses on his face. “I’ll come back. I promise.” His thumb pulled along Wyn’s bottom lip. “I have wicked things I want to do to you.”

  He slipped off the bed before he indulged.

  Wyn watched as Tobias left the chamber and sighed when he heard the door close a few minutes later. He was being a child. Still he couldn’t fight the memories of the last time Tobias had gone to do a task for him. Unwilling to stay in bed, he rose and left the bedroom. This was a strange place—not just Tobias’ condo but everything in it, everything he saw as he looked out the large windows that would never have graced a dwelling in his time. There were no fortifications and none of the buildings seemed to have arrow slits for defense. The lord’s manor wasn’t readily visible nor were the huts of the serfs. Where did the ruler of this land live? The servants? He concluded this was a more peaceable time. Tobias didn’t carry so much as a dagger, and this dwelling didn’t contain the weapons of a warrior. That was strange since, though a squire, Tobias truly was a warrior and fully trained as a knight.

  In the main living area where they’d eaten yestereve, he saw it. Mounted on the wall was a medieval sword, much like the one he’d always carried. He lifted it down from the pegs on which it rested. The heavy steel felt familiar in his hands. A piece of home in this foreign land.

  He hefted the weight and found the weapon nicely balanced. Tobias had chosen well. Carefully he placed the weapon back where it had been then wandered toward the door, taking in everything. Last night he hadn’t been interested in anything but Tobias’ body. Today he took in everything, every unfamiliar object, texture, smell and sound.

  He recognized the table and chairs for what they were, though they looked completely different from those of his time. They were smoother. Smaller. He’d never seen a table decorated with a rock-and-water formation like the one on Tobias’ table— for that matter, he’d never seen a table decorated at all. Two large chairs, more kingly than a throne, were several feet away in the area across from where the sword was on the wall. Another oversized chair—or was it a bed?—was also in the space.

  A low rumble from outside blended with a constant hum droning through the dwelling. It seemed to be everywhere and he could only conclude that it was the sound of the future for he’d heard it in Tobias’ “office” too.

  Near the door, he gathered his clothing, chainmail and sword. He placed the sword on Tobias’ table near the rock decoration and draped the chainmail over the back of the chair next to it, but the weight tipped the seat. The piece of furniture was light and obviously not well-constructed if it could not hold this bit of armor. After placing the mail on the floor, he pulled on his hose and knotted the ties about his waist. Somehow he’d lost a boot, and a search did not reveal it.

  He wondered how long he’d be here. Was he here temporarily? Would the angel come back and pluck him away and set him down somewhere else? He didn’t like the thought. More so, he doubted the angel would bring him here only to take him away again. Crossing his arms over his bare chest, he went to one of the large windows on the far side of the living area. They were truly wondrous.

  He stared through the marvelously clear panes at the world below. So many people. So many of the conveyances he’d seen yesterday when he’d come here with Tobias.

  He stood there for a long time, just watching.

  Finally, when his stomach growled, he turned away and went in search of food. Again very little looked familiar. He recognized apples and grapes and something that smelled like bread but was too white in color and light in texture. Deciding it was some poor sort of bread, he took a few pieces to the table along with the fruit. Having watched Tobias with the beer last night, he opened one to complete his morning meal, though he would have liked to have some meat.

  The bread seemed to melt before he could chew it and he decided he didn’t like it. Perhaps he would avoid it in the future. He’d finished the grapes and was partway through the apple and the beer when Tobias returned from his excursion.

  His lover stopped inside the doorway to the living area and put down his parcels. He crossed his arms over his chest
and smiled, leaning against the wall. “I guess I should have fed you before I left.”

  Wyn took a bite of his apple. “I am well. I can find food.”

  “These days, we don’t drink beer in the morning. The water is safe so you can drink that without fear of disease. Of course, there’s juice in the refrigerator, and I like to drink coffee. Speaking of coffee…” He lifted one of the things he’d brought in with him. “I thought I’d see what you think of Starbucks. Careful. It’s really hot.” He handed a cup to Wyn and Wyn carefully took a sip.

  He made a face. “Sweet,” he commented.

  Toby’s face fell. “You don’t like it.”

  “It merely surprised me. I like it.” He’d say anything to remove that disappointed look from his lover’s face. And he really did like it. He took another sip. “This is called star buck?”

  “It’s coffee from a place called Starbucks.”

  Wyn nodded, without really understanding, and drank more of the strange liquid. Tobias set his down and reached for the four large parcels by his feet. “Clothes. Shall we? There are a bunch of places I’d like to take you today.”

  * * * * *

  “Lifting weights”, as Tobias called it, was enjoyable. The treadmill was boring— Wyn would rather be outside running. The swimming was good. Overall he liked this place called the YMCA. He was glad to have a place to work his body. If only they had a field where he could swing his sword and spar with other knights. He looked at Tobias speculatively. He had a sword and he knew how to spar.

  Tomorrow his squire would take him to a place where they could train. Pleased with his decision, he started to push at the swimsuit he’d worn in the pool. It was an odd material and stuck to his legs in an unfamiliar way now that it was wet. He preferred swimming naked. He couldn’t wait to get it off and sit in the small, steaming pool of water where Tobias said they were next headed now that they’d showered.