Into The Light

by Wolfe, H. M.

  And then, Sebastian’s voice reached to him, shaking him to the core. How could he be so blind, so stupid all that time? The truth was always there, under his nose, yet Vincent hadn’t realized it. Colin’s scrambled memories, the story with the dead son, everything screamed Sebastian Bloom, but he was deaf and blind.

  The two men he had feelings for, his lost boys, were there, needing him badly, so he had to come back to them, to offer them the safety and love their hearts longed so much for. Vincent gathered all his strengths, struggling to get free from the thick fog holding him prisoner. With a considerable effort, he managed to come to the surface, opening his eyes.

  ”Come on, boys, don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. Not yet, at least," he said, smiling weakly, at the sight before him.

  "Vince, are you really, here with us?" Sebastian"s beautiful, dark blue eyes were widened in surprise, not knowing what to believe. Joraan had the same shy, vulnerable expression like almost three decades earlier.

  ”Yes, boys, I’m back for good, and I don’t intend to let you go, now that we are back together. Fuck Alastair, fuck the planet, fuck the whole Universe, I’m not going to give up on you ever again!”

  Then, Vincent went silent, taking the two younger men’s hands in his, fingers laced. And they stayed there, Joraan in the middle, the precious link that kept their souls bonded. The tears were falling freely on their faces, washing all the fear and the pain away, leaving their hearts light, filled only with the love they had for each other.

  **********

  Alastair sat on the edge of the bed, his torso bare, pants undone and legs widespread. Mallory knelt in front of him, freeing the older man’s cock from the boxers and starting to tease it with the tips of his delicate fingers, already sending sweet shocks of pleasure to his nether regions.

  Mallory smiled, hooking his fingers into Alastair’s boxers and lowering them down on the man’s thighs just as much as he needed to expose his navel. Then, the young man leaned over and started to worship that area, covering it with feather-light kisses. Occasionally, Mallory swirled his skillful tongue over a patch of sensitive skin, making Alastair jolt.

  The boy was an expert in teasing, the redhead thought, an amused, lighthearted smile on his face. Over the few weeks they’d been together, the former Supreme Dragon discovered how much joy pleasing him brought Mallory, how totally, the young lawyer submitted.

  Until then, Alastair hadn’t punished the boy, only because he hadn’t given him any reasons to punish him. On the contrary, he rewarded him every time, whispered words of praise into his ear, held him tight, kissed, bathed, and caressed his skin and hair, made him feel loved, protected, cherished.

  With Mallory, everything was, so uncomplicated, so natural. No hiding, no masks to hide his true self behind. As the young man started to suck his cock hard, hollowing his cheeks, Alastair let out a deep, long growl, thrusting his hips forward. Mallory responded to his actions by speeding up the pace, the redhead’s cock hitting the back of his throat.

  The former CIA director felt his climax getting dangerously close, and, with gentle moves, removed himself from Mallory’s mouth, shooting his load onto his torso. Then, Alastair sat there, limp and so spent, trying to catching his breath, while his boy gave him a look filled with love and adoration.

  Although not entirely recovered from the post-orgasm haze, the Stark clan’s patriarch moved on the bed, patting the spot next to him. Mallory got the message, joining his Daddy for a well-deserved cuddle and kissing session.

  Alastair smiled gently, tugging a rebel strand of light-brown hair behind the young man’s ear. "Thank you, my boy, for giving me so much pleasure tonight," he said in a raspy voice. "You did very well."

  Mallory blushed a deep shade of pink at the praise. ”I’m happy to be of use, Daddy,” he replied, closing the space between the two of them.

  Alastair turned so he could face the young man. ”I’ve made up my mind, dear boy, and tonight I’m going to let everyone know about us. It’s a step I should have taken a while ago, but, at that time, I wasn’t sure if our relationship would last. I still think you deserve someone better. Someone younger, someone who could provide you that sense of satisfaction a relationship is about.”

  ”But I have everything I need, Daddy, and it’s here, in your bed, in your arms,” Mallory protested in a warm, sincere, passionate voice. ”A younger man could never be so patient with me, teach me so many things or show me as much affection as you have.”

  ”I’m trying hard, my boy,” Alastair let out a long sigh, ”and it makes me immensely happy to hear your words.” The redhead’s eyes got suddenly darker. ”I wish I could make this announcement under happier circumstances, with all the drama in Daniel and Tarquin’s life... You deserve much better, my boy.”

  Mallory was about to reply when the beep of Alastair’s phone stopped him before he could start speaking. A bright smile formed on the redhead’s sensual lips, reaching his eyes when he checked the caller’s ID. He answered, listening very carefully what the person on the other end on the line was saying.

  "Very well, young master Gerrard," Alastair finally spoke, "I will be there in about an hour. You are very important to me, all of you." He listened again for a while, without interrupting the other person. "Did he said that? Would you tell your father how thankful I am that he thought about me? Thank you, dear child, we’ll meet at the mansion.”

  Alastair hung up, putting the phone back on the nightstand. When he faced Mallory again, his eyes filled with tears threatening to spill. "You are my good luck charm, my boy, he said, cupping the young man’s face and gently kissing him on the lips.

  "What happened?" Mallory asked, a tinge of worry in his voice because he knew how hard Alastair tried to protect him from all the complications in his extended family.

  ”Only wonderful things, my boy,” the redhead spoke warmly, giving the young man a reassuring smile. ”My grandson has summoned me to the mansion, saying his father has some news to share, but he wants me to be present. Daniel and Tarquin have also straightened up their differences, and they are on good terms again."

  ”That’s great news indeed!" Mallory exclaimed, genuinely happy. "Lately, Elliott was very upset about the whole situation between his brother and Daniel, and he didn’t believe the whole cheating story, insisting that there had to be a logical explanation for everything, and he was right, as always.”

  "Yes, my dear boy, your associate is a brilliant young man, he’s rarely wrong. I suggest we take a quick shower, get dressed and go there because it’s the best way to find out what’s happened.”

  About an hour later, the two men were climbing the stairs leading to the mansion’s main entrance. They were holding hands, fingers laced, bright smiles on their faces. The atmosphere that greeted them was a calm, peaceful one, all the couples sitting next to their soul-mates, Daniel and Tarquin included.

  ”Grandpa Alastair, you arrived!” Gerrard exclaimed, running straight into the older man’s open arms. ”And you brought Mallory, too,” the little redhead said in a happy voice.

  ”Hello, champ, how are you?” the young lawyer smiled, tightly hugging the boy. He loved all the children, but Rayne’s son was his favorite, the little brother he never had.

  ”Thank you for coming,” Gerrard’s father gave the two men a warm smile, hugging Alastair and shaking hands with Mallory. ”To have you all here, by my side, to feel so much love and protectiveness radiating from you... It’s an entirely new experience for me, very different than the first time...” Rayne stopped, unable to continue.

  Alastair sensed his son needed a break to get himself together, so he turned to all those present in the room. "I am happy to tell you that I finally found the courage to get myself involved in a relationship with an exceptional man." As the redhead spoke, his eyes shone with love, especially when he looked in Mallory’s direction.

  ”I”m happy for you,” Rayne was the first who reacted. ”You are a good man and, if anyone
deserves to be happy, you are that person.”

  Looking straight into his son’s eyes, all Alastair could see was sincerity and affection, no trace of sarcasm or bitterness. Although there was still a long road ahead, the two of them started to build a healthy father-son relationship, with Gerrard having a substantial contribution to it. The fragile, quiet kid adored Alastair, who loved him back with everything he had.

  ”So, it’s true, then, great-uncle? You are shagging Mallory, after all,” Liam broke the silence, whistling in admiration. ”Wow, this is the greatest thing I’ve heard in a very, very long time,” he said.

  ”You know what this means, cousin, don’t you?” Elizabeth giggled. ”You are the only one in this room who will die a lonely, sour, virgin!”

  ”Oh, look who’s talking,” Liam huffed. ”Elizabeth Stark, the girl who never, ever, in her entire life, saw a dick! Not even in a photo!”

  ”You are so wrong, my little Liam, I”m looking at one right now,” the girl replied, to everyone’s amusement. Luckily, Gerrard was already upstairs, so the adults were free to use a less censored language.

  ”I’m pregnant,” Rayne blurted out in the middle of the general amusement. Then, he went stiff, as the laughter suddenly died.

  ”Now that’s serious, Daniel said, lips tightly pressed together, eyes almost black. ”Did that bastard forced himself on you? Because if he did...”

  ”No, the child is not Conroy’s, nor was I raped. It was a one-night stand, and I assumed the decision not to use a condom. I found out when I tested you," Rayne turned to Daniel. I also send a blood sample of my own, and the results came back positive for pregnancy. This morning, when I finally opened the envelope, I told Gerrard, and he’s thrilled to be an older brother.”

  ”I still don’t understand,” Alastair frowned, ”this means that I will be a grandfather... again?”

  ”Well, yes, since it’s my child, I guess you are his grandfather... I mean, since I’m your son, yes, that’s it,” Rayne smiled, lowering his head.

  In a blink of an eye, the Stark patriarch was next to the red-haired doctor, hugging him to his chest, rubbing soothing circles on his back, offering him the comfort and love the young man had longed so much for. Just then, Alastair’s phone started to beep, but he ignored it. However, annoyed by the perseverance of the caller, he decided to take the call, making it as short as possible.

  ”Alastair Stark speaking,” he said coldly, but the next second his entire attitude changed. ”What?! How... Are you sure, absolutely, positively sure? Of course that I’ll be there. Should I bring Daniel, too? I’ll explain everything to him on the way there. OK, we’ll meet there.” Then, turning to Tarquin’s husband, Alastair took a deep breath. ”Daniel, we have to go to the New York General. Your fathers are there, waiting to meet you.”

  CHAPTER 40

  ”Wake up, sleepy head, time for breakfast! You slept enough, it’s already 7 o’clock," Ardan softly spoke, as he put the breakfast table on the bed. "Breakfast is served. Enjoy," he continued, heading to the door.

  ”Mmmm, it smells delicious,” Alasdair peeked from under the blankets. ”My favorites even,” he said in a happy voice. Leon sure knew how to get to his little, pancake and orange jelly-loving heart.

  ”I’m glad you like it,” Ardan said, sighing inwardly. Soon, the boy would realize he was not at home, and his appetite would be ruined. It was the same story every morning since he’d saved the little redhead from the clutches of the abusive asshole his boyfriend was.

  "Oh, it is you again," Alasdair looked at the man with obvious disappointment. However, that day he had to make an effort and be nice to him because the news from home was not great, and he needed to go there badly.

  ”I’m sorry to disappoint you again, but yes, you are still here, stuck with me,” Ardan apologized in the same soft voice from earlier. ”I’ll leave you now.”

  ”No, please don’t go. I want to talk to you about something important. It’s not that I don’t like you or anything you guys are great, but I was dreaming about being home again with Leon and Ezra. I..."

  ”Don’t lie, Alasdair, you suck at that. You hate my guts. You show it to me every single day since you’ve been here. For you, I’m nothing more than a psycho who killed your boyfriend in cold blood. Never mind that the said boyfriend was a sadistic bastard who would’ve killed you in the end. What do you want from me?”

  "I want to go home, but only for a day or two. I spoke with my friend Peyton last night, and they told me something terrible happened to Ezra, one of my roommates, and... Please, let me go!" the kid said in a desperate voice, his eyes full of fear.

  The man stared at him with his strange, turquoise eyes hidden behind glasses, shook his head very slowly, then stared at the boy some more. His pale lips were as tightly pressed, as usual, his expression unreadable. All of a sudden, Ardan’s eyes filled with pain and defeat as he spoke.

  ”I can’t believe it! After all this time, you are afraid of me, of what I may do to you. A psycho with a gun, this is all I am to you, isn’t it, Alasdair? Someone who finds sadistic pleasure in taking people’s lives, a bastard who killed your goddamn abusive boyfriend!"

  "Yes, you killed Paul, and I’m afraid of you, I let you know that from the first day. And I still wait every night for you to come in here and ask me to pay for saving me from the beatings and humiliation, but you never show, and I’m more terrified that you would take me by surprise, and this is why I fall asleep so late at night," Alasdair blurted out in one go.

  Ardan didn’t say anything, a sad smile on his pale lips. Then, he went to the desk, lifting the redhead’s phone and carefully holding it. ”You know what this is? That’s right, it’s a phone connected to the Internet. And this one,” he pointed to the computer on the desk, ”is another Internet-connected device.”

  ”W…what do you mean?" Alasdair stuttered, finally starting to realize what Ardan was trying to say. The kid felt ashamed for being so stupid. He didn’t dare to look into the man’s eyes. ”I…I’m sorry, I’m so very sorry," he said, lowering his head.

  ”I believe you,” Ardan said, the sad look never leaving his face, ”only that I don”t know why are you sorry. For wasting your time with me and the others or for misjudging me? I think the first version is most likely the right one. Eat your breakfast and then I”ll tell one of the guys to escort you home.”

  "I'll come back, you have my word on that," Alasdair whispered, as Ardan put the phone back on the desk, heading to the door.

  ”You are free to do whatever you want, kid, I gave you my word from the first day you came here.”

  As soon as the man left, the redhead dug in the food like there was no tomorrow, enjoying the combination of tastes and the texture of the pancakes. But the sensation didn’t last for long, as the guilt started to gnaw at Alasdair. He was an asshole, a huge one, the biggest in the world, as he’d never given Ardan a chance, never thanked him or the other guys.

  But instead of a slap or shaking some sense into him, as he deserved, the man always looked at the redhead with his turquoise, sad eyes, still hidden behind his thick glasses, always leaving the room in silence. Alasdair mentally slapped himself for being such an insensitive brat, promising himself that he would make up to Ardan for behaving as he did.

  "Hello, kiddo, did you sleep well?" Seymour, the other guy in charge of him, stepped inside the room, going straight to the redhead and ruffling his soft curls. Just like Drew, he was a giant with a heart of gold, and very devoted to Ardan.

  ”Not quite,” Alasdair yawned, stretching his arms above the head, ”but I ate very well, the pancakes were divine. Compliments to the chef,” he grinned widely.

  "Well, you can tell him yourself, as he would want to check on you one more time before we leave for your home." Seeing the confusion on the teen’s face, Seymour added. ”I’m talking about Ardan. He’s the one who cooks breakfast for you and everyone else.”

  An hour and a half later, Alasdair was on the
porch of the house he shared with Leon and Ezra. To his great, and somehow unpleasant surprise, the older man was not in sight. After all, what happened with the young man, the absence of the one who protected them was not a good sign.

  Stepping into the house, Seymour in tow, Alasdair let out an audible sigh of relief, as both men were in the living-room, Ezra laying down on the couch, back propped on the pillows, and Leon sitting in an armchair, in front of him. He was holding a little bowl filled with fruits cut in small pieces and fed the teen from it.

  ”Well, hello, there, folks!” Alasdair waved, bringing a small smile on Ezra’s pale lips. ”Did you miss me? This is my friend Seymour,” he gestured to the solidly-built man who’d already shaken hands with Leon.

  "Hi, Ezra, nice to meet you," he extended his hand, smiling brightly, only to make the younger male to shy away, shaking and scared. But it seemed that Seymour was familiar with that kind of reaction because he didn’t insist on touching the boy.