by H. M. Wolfe
Talking all at once, the kids started to tell Cian about Alasdair's genius, big heart, and the tight bond he and Lorcan shared. Evan, Aidan, and their younger cousins, who knew more than Gavin, Natalina, and Tess, told the newcomer about how the love, trust and support the Spitfire showed him helped Ardan become the strong, confident man he was. He'd brought the light into his eyes and put a smile on his lips.
Cian's jaw dropped on the floor when Emery mentioned that, at twenty-three, Alasdair had already published a significant number of medical studies. Some of them in his name, while others were written in collaboration with his Uncle Rayne or his cousin's partner, Maxine. All three of them were working at the Van der Meerwe Institute for Human Genome Research, one of the most prestigious medical centers in the world.
''Wow!'' Cian exclaimed eyes widened. ''Is this guy real or just a product of your collective imagination? I mean, he is too good to be true.''
''Yes, and yes,'' Lorcan said in a dreamy voice, closing his eyes. ''You see, Pater loves me immensely and always makes the time to talk to me. He loves to spend time in my company. I've never felt like an obstacle or a burden for him during all this time. But Spitfire...he is all about making you feel comfortable, cooking your favorite food, checking on you all the time, explaining things, listening to you...For me, home is where Spitfire is.''
''Does he permanently live with you and your...our father? One of you guys mentioned that they are in a relationship of sorts.'' Cian asked, curious to learn more about the men in whose company he was going to spend the next few weeks.
''Dude, those two are happily married and very in love with each other.'' Gavin proudly declared. ''By the way, I hope you are not one of those homophobic assholes who think the love between two men is disgusting and condemnable?''
''No, I don't judge anyone. I don't have any prejudices or things like that. I have enough of other people talking behind my back, saying mean things and calling me names.'' At that point, Cian put a hand to his heart; pain contorting his face. To the kid's relief, none of the others noticed.
''Well, this is a little more difficult, and we don't blame you if the answer is negative.'' Evan cautiously spoke. ''Do you believe men can give birth to babies?''
''They weren't able to, last time I checked,'' Lorcan's twin tried to joke, ''but you never know. I mean, with all the progress in the medical field...''
''Aidan and I were carried by one of our fathers, Elliott.'' the boy solemnly said. ''He also gave birth to Quinn and the triplets, Florence, Felicity, and Elian. Uncle Daniel gave birth to Margot and Salome, and Uncle Rayne to Gerrard and Sophia. All of them are very much alive and kicking.''
''Wow, you are a huge family!'' Cian exclaimed, shocked pleasantly. ''I had no idea that there are so many men capable of...'' The pain took over his narrow chest again, making him stop.
''Dude, you don't look good at all.'' Gavin worriedly said, carefully examining the boy. ''Are you alright?''
''No, I'm not.'' Lorcan's twin shook his head. ''I'm...I'm dying.''
''W
hat do you mean by that? You can't be serious. You're only saying that to scare us, right?'' Lorcan asked, his voice shaking.
''No, it's true. I heard the doctors talking. They...they didn't care about me. I heard them saying that I was a spoiled, ungrateful brat, and there was no point in telling mom or trying to find a treatment. One of them even called me ”a spoiled, ungrateful brat who doesn't deserve to live,” probably because...never mind.''
''OK, you don't have to tell us, if you don't feel comfortable enough," Natalina moved closer to her newfound cousin, running her hand up and down his back. ''Some things are meant to be kept to yourself if that's how you feel.''
''I don't want to keep anything to myself anymore.'' Cian tiredly answered. ''The evening before, I'd tried to end my life by swallowing the contents of mom's medicine cabinet. Then, just when I was on the edge of the abyss, I thought about how lonely she was going to feel once I died and called this private clinic. They sent an ambulance, kept me twenty-four hours under observation, then released me.''
''How long have you known? And why didn't you tell your mother? I imagine she would have done something, had she known.''” Lorcan took the chair next to his brother, brushing his thumb over the other boy's hand. ''Sorry, I wanted to say our mother, but...''
''It's OK.'' Cian weakly smiled, squeezing his twin's hand softly. ''I tried to talk to her a few times, but things got in the way, and I eventually gave up. I didn't try to kill myself after that, either. I thought, why should I when I was going to die anyway. But now, seeing you guys, so accepting, funny, loving, I'm not sure I want to die anymore. I'm afraid it's too late for me, though.''
''Never say never.'' Lochlin joined Natalina and Lorcan, gently patting Cian on the shoulder. ''Like you said, medicine has progressed a lot. New treatments and procedures are discovered every day. Besides, there's another thing a lot of people tend to overlook, despising it even, but it is there, and it's working.''
''What's this other thing?'' The small smile bloomed again on Cian's lips, the boy being contaminated by the blond's confidence and enthusiasm.
''Magic!'' Lochlin answered. Lazarus, who was at the base, heard his mate's words, the hybrid's little heart fluttering.
The room was discreetly lit by the two lamps placed on both sides of the bed, on the nightstands. There was slow music contributing to the sensual atmosphere. As per his husband's request, Ardan was sitting on the edge of the bed, completely dressed, legs spread. His trademark smile was lightening his face, but this time it was even softer and more serene than usual.
The boys were spending the night at Dunstan's, with the rest of the gang, getting to know each other better. Lorcan had messaged his father and Alasdair, telling them everything was fine, so the two husbands had all the house to themselves. The redhead was taking advantage of that opportunity to stage something special for his husband. That was the best way to take away some of the tension; he was sure the man was feeling, especially after all the events of the day.
He appeared from the bathroom, wearing a long bathrobe, made from an almost transparent material. It allowed Ardan to see glimpses of the supple and gracious, but also muscular body hiding underneath. The man smirked at the sight, and extending his hand, wanted to grab Alasdair's waist and pull him in his lap, but his sexy husband slapped the hand away.
With sensual moves, he started undulating his hips in the most seductive, hottest possible way, driving Ardan crazy with desire. From time to time, he darted the tip of his tongue over his luscious lips, making them even more tempting and kissable with the wet shine.
When the combination of lust and frustration that was making his husband's eyes sparkle with intensity reached its peak, Alasdair peeled the robe off of him, his body clad in only a pair of skimpy underwear. Gracefully, following the rhythm of the soft tune cascading from the stereo system, the redhead came closer and closer to Ardan, who gasped in awe at the sight of him.
Smiling lasciviously, Alasdair slowly and seductively moved in between his husband's legs. He was lightly touching the man's bulge with his long, slim fingers, sending surges of pleasure straight through his groin. That night, the redhead wanted to drive his man to the edge over and over again, urging him to let out the wild, passionate side he was sure the man had.
Closing the space between them, Alasdair bowed his head, cupped Ardan's face with both hands, and captured his lips in a soul-searing, all-consuming kiss. The older man interpreted the closeness as permission to touch his husband's soft skin. He felt the need to feel it at the tips of his fingers, so he started to run his hands up and down redhead's back feverishly.
Ardan's caresses set Alasdair's body further on fire. His cock had started to twitch in its fabric confinement, making him wonder how much he could resist. The redhead began to unbutton the older man's shirt, his fingers shaking in anticipation. Sliding both hands between the fabric and his husband's heated skin, he started
to lightly massage his tense shoulders and perfectly sculptured pecs, making Ardan softly moan.
''By all the gods, Spitfire. Stop doing that to me. I don't know how long I can stay this way.'' the man pleaded. ''You make it impossible for me to hold back.''
''Then don't.'' the answer came in a playful, gentle voice. ''Let it all out. Possess me. ''Let's make love like there's no tomorrow. Take me completely.'' Alasdair whispered, his hands moving to the zipper of the other man's pants.
''I can't do that. I'm afraid that I will hurt you.'' Ardan caressed his husband's beautiful face. ''There's a beast inside of me, waiting to be released, and once I open the cage... Leave it there, my feisty Spitfire, not even you can fight against it.''
''I'm not afraid of beasts, no matter how wild they are. I have my super-secret method of taming them.'' Alasdair purred, peppering butterfly kisses on his husband's chest, while he finished unbuttoning his pants. ''Let's get rid of these, they are getting in our way.''
''As you wish, my love.'' Ardan ruggedly said, while sliding out of the pants and underwear. ''Now what?'' he smirked, pulling the redhead onto his lap. 'Should we play a little with this and that?'' the man lightly tugged at Alasdair's nipples, twisting them a little.
''I like where you're going with this.'' the young man returned the smirk, wrapping his arms around Ardan's neck and nipping at the sensitive flesh behind his ear. ''Gods of heaven and earth, babe, you taste so sweet!'' he moaned.
''No more games, little one.'' the older man growled, taking the redhead in his arms and laying him down on the bed. ''You've teased me enough. Now it's time to collect my prize.''
His emerald-green eyes dark with passion and desire, Alasdair spread his legs wide, inviting his husband to take what was rightfully his. With feverish moves, Ardan grabbed the lube bottle from the nightstand, coating his finger. Cautiously, he inserted it in the redhead's tight, puckered hole. He slowly started to slid it in and out. A second finger was soon added, making Alasdair moan and rock his hips.
After a while, Ardan pulled his fingers out, and his husband whimpered at the loss, but not for long. The older man pushed inside him slowly, carefully, giving the redhead enough time to adjust to the intrusion. After slowly pulling out and pushing back a few times, he bucked his hips, thrusting in full force inside Alasdair, who welcomed him.
Unable to keep the urge of completely possessing that flawless body under his control, Ardan unleashed, pounding mercilessly into his young husband. There was a yearning, a passion, and a need. There were unspoken words of love and a rush of emotions like he'd never experienced before. Several pent up feelings had to be released. Between short, quick thrusts, Ardan whispered heatedly into his lover's ear, words of praise and endearment, sweeter than the nectar of gods.
He covered Alasdair's face and neck in soft, innocent kisses, bringing out the memories of their first, tentative make-out sessions. The redhead wrapped his hands around his husband's neck, pulling the man closer and urging him to go even faster. Ardan shook his head instead, as he started to stroke Alasdair's painfully erect cock.
Feeling his orgasm building up, almost on the point of exploding any second, he picked up the pace. It was making the redhead buck his hips in a desperate attempt to thrust his hard cock into his fist. A few moments later, the older man spilled himself deep inside his beloved, who cried out his release, splattering their chests with ropes of hot, sticky cum.
Ardan caught his breath, waiting for the post-orgasmic haze to dissipate a bit. He then got out of the bed, went into the bathroom and returned with a damp washcloth he gently used to wash the evidence of their lovemaking off of a half-sleeping Alasdair.
Climbing back into the bed, he pulled the thin blanket over their spent and exhausted forms and cuddled with his husband. The right place. The right time. The right man, Ardan thought, as he drifted to sleep.
The next morning, the two men were enjoying a quiet breakfast in the kitchen, when the sound of the doorbell broke the silence, taking them by surprise.
''Who can it be so early in the morning?'' Alasdair raised his head from the plate, arching his brow questioningly. ''Lorcan always messages us, when he leaves Dunstan's or Daniel's.''
''Finish your breakfast. I'll get it.'' Ardan gestured at his husband, who'd intended to leave his seat.
''Good morning, I was hoping you two were awake and cooking breakfast.'' Peyton appeared from behind Ezra, who was standing in the doorway, a half-embarrassed, half-amused smile on his face.
''Good morning to you, too.'' Ardan greeted his unexpected guests. ''Please, come inside..'' he gestured to the entryway, ''there's plenty of food left. We forgot Lorcan's not home and cooked breakfast for three.''
''For three?! Man, my beloved alone can eat all the food in your house and then some. And I am someone who naively believed that the Van der Meerwe boys invented hunger!'' Ezra said, feigning horror.
''Peyton's here!?'' Alasdair exclaimed, appearing from the kitchen. ''Come on, my poor friend, let's feed you. This skinny ass here will let you starve to death.'' he cast a playfully threatening glare in Ezra's direction.
''Hi, my sweet, red-haired friend. You are the only one who understands me.'' Peyton hugged Alasdair. ''Feed me, then I have some wonderful news to share.'' they beamed.
T
he soft sounds of appreciation Peyton was making as they dug into the food like there was no tomorrow relieved, somehow, the tension that took over the room after they announced the news they wanted to share. It can't be bad, the three men thought, otherwise they wouldn't have enjoyed the food so much.
''It was delicious, thank you, guys.'' Peyton discreetly wiped the corners of their mouth with a napkin. ''And now, the great news: I'm pregnant again!''
''You...are...this means I'm going to be a father again.'' Ezra slid from his chair and knelt in front of his spouse. ''Are you sure? When did you find out, and why did you keep silent until now?'' he managed to articulate.
''I asked your Uncle Rayne to run a series of tests on me a while ago. I had started to feel weak, dizzy, and hungry all the time, and they were positive for pregnancy. Doctor Stark prescribed me some vitamins and also said I should rest properly, which I've done. However, I wanted to be sure. So I went to see Gaspard.'' Peyton stopped to catch their breath after saying everything in one go.
''Sure you did.'' Ardan softly spoke, grinning sweetly. ''You pregnant folks have your separate language and communication system. You can detect each other from miles away.''
''What? Do you want to say that he's pregnant, too?" Ezra's spouse exclaimed, eyes wide. ''He didn't tell me anything about that,'' they grumbled.
''Our incubus neighbor will give birth in about four months from now,'' Alasdair confirmed, smiling. ''Twin girls, he says. And the happy fathers-to-be are on cloud nine, both of them. But did I make a mistake, or didn't the two of you say there wasn't going to be another baby after Benjamin Christopher?''
''Yes, that was our initial decision. But seeing the yearning on my beloved's face every time they saw an infant was too much for me. So, last year, we decided to have unprotected sex for a month and see what happens. No hopes, no expectations.'' Ezra stood up, taking his spouse into his arms.
''I wasn't disappointed last year,'' Peyton continued their husband's story, ”because I was fully aware that my...well...female parts worked randomly. But when Doctor Stark told me, everything I'd experienced when I found out about Benjamin Christopher came back to me. Everything, minus the anxiety at the thought that you wouldn't want it.''
Peyton went silent, happiness written all over their face. It showed in the beautiful, light-green eyes and the smile gracing their features. Under the table, Ardan's hand found Alasdair's, lightly squeezing it, while the shine in the turquoise eyes was telling the redhead how important and precious he was. Gratitude, pride, love, protectiveness, possessiveness, fierce passion—it was all there.
Alasdair heard all the words his husband's lips didn't speak. He was expe
riencing the same feelings. All at the same time and with the same intensity. The redhead couldn't get enough of the peace and comfort he always found in those eyes that worshipped him. There, the young man found all the confirmation and the answers he needed.
''Well, since we are here, Spitfire and I also have some news to share.'' Ardan tenderly smiled, kissing his husband's hand. ''As of yesterday, our family has become larger by one.''
''What happened? Did you finally decide to adopt one of the kids from the base? Or is there more?'' Ezra and Peyton spoke almost in sync, making the other two laugh heartily.
''No, Lorcan's mother appeared at our doorstep, accompanied by her other son, Cian. She had twins back then.'' Ardan's voice sounded neutral, but his eyes were telling a different story.
''What did the wretched woman want?'' Ezra spat. In the three years since Lorcan had come to live with his father, a few trusted friends of the couple, Alasdair's best friend and closest cousin included, had found out about the brutal way the boy was conceived. ''She must have an evil plan and that little, spoiled brat...''