by Kit Fortier
Fox snorted.
“Are you saying… you like toothless old men?”
“So hot,” Fox snickered. “They gum you like crazy. It doesn’t hurt when they go down on you.”
“Are you saying—”
Fox placed a couple of fingers over Jake’s lips. “I know where this is going, papa bear, but before we lose that train of thought we were on, you know you have to tell me what you’re thinking sometime. Talk to me.”
Jake sobered.
“Did you see Ben out there just now, baby? He’s dead set on Eric for whatever reason.”
“He sees something in the guy that he’s willing to stand up for.”
“But that’s crazy. He just met him two days ago!”
“And by the end of the first week we were together, you told me you loved me, and I told you I loved you, too,” Fox said, neatly trapping his man. “Don’t tell me it’s not the same thing. While I may have been him, he’s a lot like a certain bear of a man I know. Probably because Ben’s his father’s son,” Fox said, not unkindly.
“Wow. He really is like me, isn’t he?”
“More than you know.”
“What do we do about Eric?”
“In what way? In the how-to-protect-Ben’s-heart-but-keep-the-guy-he-loves-close? Or the lycanthropy issue?”
“The lycanthropy issue. Wait, Ben loves Eric?”
“Oh, papa bear.”
“What am I missing?”
“Didn’t you see Ben laying out his heart in there? Or the way Ben kissed Eric back?”
Jake blinked.
“He’s hurting because Eric doesn’t think his life is one worth living. He’s hurting because Eric’s been struggling. He’s hurting because the guy he’s willing to give his heart to doesn’t see his own merits.”
“What are his merits, Fox? All I know about him is that he was a—”
“Stop,” Fox said firm, but gentle. “Whatever he was doesn’t matter. Not anymore. What matters is who he is. He is the guy we can help him to be. More importantly, he is the guy Ben can help him to be.”
Jake hesitated. “Who is he?”
“I already said it.”
A pause.
“Ben loves him,” Jake sighed.
“I knew you’d figure it out, big guy.” Fox reached up and kissed Jake gently.
Jake smiled a warm smile. He sat up and pulled off his shirt, laying back down after he tossed the shirt on one of the room’s comfy armchairs. When he came back down, Fox curled into him, rubbing his face into his man’s pelt and tugging gently on it.
“This is lame,” Jake grinned.
“What is?”
“We’re not chewing on each other’s necks right now,” Jake said, waggling his eyebrows.
“I don’t want you to think you can solve any problem by sticking it in me, baby,” Fox laughed.
“But I like sticking it in you,” Jake growled.
“Jake.”
“Foxy.”
“Lycanthropy.”
“Gotcha. What do you remember about Eric when you looked at him?”
“His spark was flickering, but it was there. There were strands of Aether, but not nearly as much as what Sully had.”
“I didn’t see that about Sully. That’s interesting. So, there’s a connection between being a mage and being a zoothrope?”
“It seems that way. I get the sense that since Eric was bitten involuntarily, he wasn’t overpowered by the Aether. It’s likely that the Lycan that bit him was changed by a Lycan. Eric might be at least second or third generation wolf.”
“Then the strain is weaker, maybe?”
“Yes—that, or it’s mutated somehow that he’s more in control than he realizes. A lot of unknowns. I wish we knew a witch or wizard who wasn’t crazy who knew about this stuff.”
The two lay in the silence of the room, listening to each other breathe. Fox let his thoughts wander as his fingers slid through the forest of hair covering Jake’s firm stomach and the solid chest that he had grown to love. Jake spoke up after a few moments, interrupting Fox’s reverie.
“Maybe we can strengthen the spark somehow.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Fox said. “Let’s go out into the desert tomorrow. I have an idea.”
“Sounds good,” Jake replied. “Can we get naked now? These pants really are making me uncomfortable.”
“Maybe we can find a nice nudist colony in San Diego.”
A laughing cough bubbled out of Jake as he sputtered, “Why?”
“We can’t be naked when your son is around. Or Eric, for that matter.”
Jake’s laughter faded to a chuckle as he shimmied out of his pants, kicking them off the edge of the bed.
“Maybe we can make zones or something. Green zone is no nudity, red zone is expect nudity…”
“Or something,” Fox chuckled as Jake laid back.
“Hey, you’re not wearing our alone-time uniform.”
Fox snickered. “Well, it’s kind of hot,” he said. He used his lips to search out one of Jake’s nipples. When he found it, he latched on, and Jake hissed.
“What happened to talking instead of sex?” Jake whimpered as Fox went to town on the sensitive spot of flesh on his chest.
“Done talking. Want you.”
Jake writhed under Fox’s touch. Fox ran his hands down the thick forest of salt-and-pepper hair that covered his man’s chest, his lower torso, his treasure trail. The man was hard.
“Want in you, Jake,” Fox ground out, still chewing on the hard nub of flesh in his mouth.
Jake sat up, displacing his husband none-too-gently as he attacked Fox’s fly. He pulled his man’s hardened length through the hole. He tasted it, tasted the clear drops that pooled at the head when he squeezed on it. He focused his silvery gaze on Fox’s eyes as he took as much of his man in as he could.
“So hot,” Jake muttered as he straddled the otherwise fully dressed Fox. With no preparation, the big guy pushed down slowly on Fox, taking him in slowly. Jake exhaled a shuddering breath, lost between the pain and the pleasure. Fox saw Jake’s pupils were blown out—black in the middle of rings of silvery blue. He bottomed out, then took Fox’s face in his hands, attacking his mouth.
“Fuck, Jake,” Fox groaned as Jake writhed. The bear of a man had enveloped Fox completely. The warmth and the tightness blanked out the younger man’s brain in a haze of desire. He held Jake close and began thrusting. Jake held himself up on the headboard to give Fox the room he needed to pull out to the tip and sink into the base.
Jake’s head rolled back as his husband rabbit-thrusted into him. Moans of take it want you so hot fuck more love you harder filled the dimly lit room. Fox was sweating through his shirt. Jake fared no better. A sheen of sweat coated his thickly muscled frame. Both men were focused on the point where they were joined together, where they were one.
It was Fox who came first. His release flooded Jake, and the man whimpered softly as the warmth radiated from the inside. It didn’t stop Fox from ramming him, and soon Jake showed the telltale signs of impending climax.
Fox pulled out and scooted down between Jake’s legs. He took Jake to the hilt, inhaling deeply when his nose hit the thick thatch above his man’s length in his mouth. Jake cried out, and Fox tasted warmth splashing against the back of his mouth and throat. He pulled back, sucking on the crown, tasting his husband on his tongue.
Jake spread out on top of Fox, making love to the younger man’s mouth, chasing his own taste with his tongue.
When their breathing finally evened out, Fox gave Jake a kiss on the cheek. He peeled out of his clothes where he lay. Jake chuckled and even helped him, tossing Fox's clothes off the bed.
“Uncomfortable,” Fox said. Jake laughed. He quickly sobered for a moment.
“They’re doing it right now over there, aren’t they?” Jake groaned.
“Probably. You think we’re hair-triggered—Ben and Eric are only a year apart and they’re both just
under twenty. You should know, you were a horny teenager once, too.” Fox grinned as he curled against Jake in their usual way.
“Not helpful,” Jake sighed.
“Did you expect me to be?” Fox snickered. A quiet moment passed between them.
“At least they have condoms.”
“That’s the spirit.”
There was a comfortable silence.
“Foxy.”
“Papa bear?”
“Did we really do it on the top of the world?”
Fox sighed happily.
“Yep. Worth every penny of that meal.”
*** Ben
Eric carefully took off the clothes Fox bought for him. He folded everything and put the pile on the dresser before he got into bed. Eric lay to face Ben, who was sitting in an armchair with his laptop.
“I’ll be right with you, E. I just need to talk to someone.”
Eric smiled. “I’ll be right here, B.”
Ben grinned. E and B. It tickled him, and he couldn’t explain why.
The laptop powered up, and Ben logged onto his chat function. He was happy to see Mr. S was still up.
Hey there Mr. S!
Hiya, Ben! How’s my favorite son doing?
I’m your only son, Mr. S.
Right, right. ; )
I’m doing alright. We’re staying a couple days more.
At the Bellagio?
Yeah—penthouse room and all.
Jesus—how loaded is your dad’s husband, anyway?
I think he’s treating us. My graduation gift, their honeymoon.
I’m totes jealous.
Ew, Mr. S.
What? Am I too old to say totes?
I don’t think anyone says totes anymore.
Fair enough.
I came across that guy I talked about.
Oh? Do tell.
He’s staying with us at the hotel. With me.
Dude, you and your dad move fast, don’t you?
He’s hurting, Mr. S. I couldn’t NOT help him.
You’re a good guy, Ben. I’d be shocked if you didn’t help someone in need.
What do I do? How can I help a guy who doesn’t think he’s worth much?
What do you mean “worth much”?
He didn’t have a lot before he got here. And he doesn’t have a lot now.
I see you typing something, but you haven’t said anything. Is there something you’re not telling me?
… He had to sell himself, Mr. S.
Oh.
Yeah.
Is he okay? He’s not doing that now, right?
No. My dads took him in.
Dads, huh? So, you have three now?
Hahahaha—I guess I do.
You don’t call Fox “dad”, do you?
No. But he’s my stepfather, so he’s a dad, too, right?
You guys are killing me. ; ) So about your guy…
Yeah?
I take it you like him?
… Yeah.
And you’ve taken it upon yourself to help him.
Is that a question?
No. It’s a fact, if I know you.
How do you know?
Benj, you were constantly bringing half-dead animals into the house. We had so many veterinarian bills for animals we didn’t own.
I remember.
You have a big heart, kiddo. But while you’re taking care of others, remember that you have to take care of yourself, too, okay?
How does that help me with Eric?
His name is Eric? Is he hot?
What?
You did it, didn’t you?
…
Oh, Benny. My boy is all grown up.
You’re embarrassing.
I’d be a horrible dad if I didn’t make my son blush at least three times a day.
You and Dad are both embarrassing.
You love us.
Yeah.
You know, Eric isn’t a wounded animal.
… Yeah.
If your heart is in it, then you should remember that every decision you make affects not just you, but him, too.
Okay.
And that you are responsible for the things you say and do.
Yes.
And that if you have any questions, you know that your dads and I will always be here to help you.
I do, Mr. S.
Sarah told me to tell you she misses you bad, buddy.
I miss her too.
Take care of yourself, okay, Ben?
I will, Mr. S.
And send me a picture of your dads. At the pool, or, you know, whenever. Nudes would be cool.
Mr. S…
Kidding. Love you, buddy.
Love you too.
Ben felt a lot better. Mr. S, for all his embarrassing bluster, was actually a smart guy.
“Good chat?”
Ben looked over his screen and saw Eric watching him with a gentle smile on his face.
“Yeah. My dad in Idaho.”
“You have… three dads.”
Ben chuckled. “Yep.”
“I kinda want to know how.”
“Well—”
“Wait.” Eric moved off the bed, standing naked before Ben. He closed the laptop and set it on the nightstand next to the bed. Turning back to Ben, Eric reached down and gently pulled Eric’s shirt off while he sat. While Ben was seated, Eric knelt down and untied the taller man’s shoes, taking them off. He stood back up, putting out a hand for Ben to bring him up. Eric undid Ben’s shorts, quietly slipping them off. With Ben in his boxer briefs, Eric led Ben into the bed.
He rolled onto his side, facing Ben. “Okay. Better.”
Ben grinned. “How is this better?”
“It just is.”
Ben shook his head. He lifted his long, firm legs closer to his chest as he pulled his underwear off. He tossed it towards the bathroom door.
“Even better?”
“I don’t want to say. You’re beautiful, but you don’t have to do this to make me happy,” Eric whispered.
“You know I’m gonna do it if it does make you happy.”
“B…”
“E.”
Eric sighed.
“I love how you want us…” Eric said nothing more. Everything up to this point had been so much—too much—already. He was all too aware of how things could be snatched away in an instant. He was also aware that a certain word ended up in what he just said—a word that was rapidly becoming a deeply rooted reality to him.
Instead, Eric leaned in and kissed Ben chastely. “Tell me about your dads.” He took Ben’s arm and rolled onto his other side, pulling Ben around him like a warm blanket.
Ben kissed Eric’s shoulder.
*** Eric
There was a boy who lost his Mother. He was too young to know what had happened. His Father came into his life and raised him and cared for him until the boy was six.
Then, the boy was sent to live with people who were strangers to him. But they didn’t treat him like a stranger at all. They loved him and cared for him like he was their own—The Samuelses.
The boy was frightened. He didn’t know where his Dad was. The Samuelses rallied around him. They held him at night when he cried. They took him to school. They looked after his education. They supported and encouraged his interests. They cared for him through the years. He never forgot his Dad, but he would always wonder why he was left behind.
Mr. S became another dad to him. He would never replace Dad, but Mr. S was kind, understanding to a fault. He loved Mr. S for his kindness, and he loved Mrs. S for her honey badger-like devotion to his needs.
The Samuelses were the first people the boy came out to when he realized he was gay.
The Samuelses took care of him when he injured himself or was sick.
The anger the boy had was pressed down like so many springs in a can. If someone pulled the lid off, the springs would definitely explode. But the boy never thought of that.
In time, the boy became a
man. The Samuelses had raised him for ten years. His Dad came back. Everything was a mess. But his Dad showed him why he had to leave—and the young man pushed himself to accept it.
The Father also brought another man into the picture. He was a good man who would become his Father’s husband. Father and Husband were deeply in love, and the young man wanted what his Dad had.
The Husband would never be another Dad, but he was working on being a good friend. So far, it was working.
The young man didn’t think he’d find someone. He’s young, and the world was waiting.
But the young man’s heart had been drawn to a guy. A dirty blond guy with a strong, beautiful heart and incredible golden eyes.
Eric couldn’t disguise the tears streaming down his face. He lay still and quiet. He tried to hold back any sign of his grief, his sorrow, and his struggle to accept what was being offered to him. The heart of a man who had losses of his own, but the support of so many who loved him. Who was he in comparison to that? What made this kind and caring soul think he had a strong heart?
Another kiss landed on Eric’s shoulder. Ben rolled him onto his back. Eric resisted, but gave in when Ben practically muscled him into a prone position.
“I want you, Eric. I can’t explain it.”
Eric rolled into Ben, wrapping an arm around him and pulling himself into Ben’s chest. Eric found warmth, softness, a feeling he never had before. He smelled the ocean. Like the vast waters in his imagination, it was warm and encompassing, enveloping him.
“I’d be lucky to have you, Ben.”
A kiss pressed against the top of Eric’s head as Ben snuggled him close.
“You do, E. You do.”
Eric lay quietly, soaking in the comforting scent that rolled off the man holding him. He waited until Ben’s breathing evened out and the big guy was asleep.
The wolf was out again, quietly exploring the corners of Eric’s mind. Feelings of contentment pushed through his emotional bloodstream, along with a strange desire to protect, to own. Eric bit his lip to keep from exhaling in frustration. He willed the wolf away and lay in the dark, breathing Ben in.