The Long Weekend
ATF Universe
Part of the Adiutor Amor Cervus series.
Part 1 - 3 | Part 4 - 5 | Part 6 - 7 | Part 8
"Buck I can manage by myself, really I do not need you to…""Alright, alright, have it your way."
Maude stood where she was and listened to the two men, as the front door swung open and she watched Ezra manoeuvre into the apartment, he was limping heavily and his left arm below the elbow was encased in a navy blue cast.
"Hello darlin'," Maude announced.
Ezra looked around to locate his mother; he gave her a thin smile.
"Mother, you're still here, how… delightful."
"Goodness boy, what have you done to yourself?" Maude asked, running a distasteful eye over her distinctly battered son.
Before he could answer, Buck came in with his bag.
"Mrs Standish," he greeted her, trying to retain a neutral tone in his voice.
Maude ignored Buck as she watched Ezra limp over to the sofa and ease himself down into it.
"Mother, I believe Buck greeted you?" Ezra glared at his mother.
Maude frowned and then looked over at Wilmington, still standing by the front door.
"Darlin'?"
"It is impolite to ignore someone who has acknowledged your presence," Ezra ground out.
Maude was still unsure just what was going on but she finally turned to face Buck. "Hello Mr Wilmington." With that she turned back to Ezra. "Dear boy, just what do you have on your feet? Have I taught you nothing? Appearance is everything, remember?"
"Well Mother, they are called - in medical circles - dressings, and they are used to cover wounds in order to prevent debris and other contaminants entering an open wound, furthermore they…"
"I was referring to the footwear boy, not the no doubt unnecessary ministrations of the medical profession."
"Flip-flops, mother, they are called flip-flops, and Buck was kind enough to purchase them for me, I was in need of footwear that would not aggravate my injures, and these were most appropriate and comfortable."
Maude finally sat down in the chair opposite her son. "What is wrong with your arm?"
"It is broken, that's why it has a cast on it," Ezra announced, as if he was talking to a three-year-old.
Maude regarded the cast as if it were an alien invader.
"It is most unbecoming, dear, is it really necessary?" she asked.
"Yes mother, it is necessary, the bone is broken, I wish it to mend in such a way as to be of some further use to me, it was also most painful."
Maude sat back in her chair, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so dear, don't make a fuss." Without and changing her voice or looking up at Buck who was still standing in the hallway just outside the living room, she asked, "I believe some refreshment is called for, can you make Earl Grey Tea, Mr Wilmington?"
"Reckon so," Buck admitted non-committally. In fact Ezra had taken great pains to teach him how to make tea. Ezra liked tea on a Sunday morning, and since Buck was an early riser and insisted on getting the breakfast ready, he had to teach him how he liked it.
"MOTHER!" Ezra exploded.
"Darlin' what is the matter now?"
"Buck is not a servant, you cannot just order him to make tea," Ezra fumed.
"Ez it's okay, I'll leave you two alone fer a bit, while I get it," Buck said, as he headed to the kitchen. He could see Ezra wasn't happy but he wanted to give mother and son some privacy.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra lent back to rest his head on the back of the sofa and closed his eyes, in a vain attempt to rid himself of the pounding headache he had acquired as they drove in from the airport. He didn't exactly want to have this conversation with his mother, but then he didn't wish to have to keep hiding and lying to his only living relative. He had more than once planned the conversation, often to the last detail. He would take Maude out to dinner, to the most exclusive restaurant in town; she would never make a scene in public. He would then wine and dine her, slowly introducing the question of his personal relationships; eventually he would reveal that he was gay. At this point he would signal to Buck, who would be watching them from another part of the restaurant, he would join them and his mother would then understand - at least in Ezra's imagination.
"Dear what is the matter? Really you do make a fuss about the smallest things," Maude tutted irritatedly.
Ezra took a huge breath and sat upright again.
"Mother, how kind of you to grace me with some of your precious time this holiday weekend," he started.
"You know I like to see my darlin' boy whenever I can," Maude purred.
So long as it doesn’t get in the way of making money, being seen in the right places and involve any sickness or injury on my part, Ezra silently added. He remembered bitterly the times his mother had left him, dumped him or refused to come to him when he had been sick or hurt as a boy. You just hate the fact that I'm hurt don't you? Somehow a less than perfect son reflects badly on you and that can't be allowed, can it?
"Mother," Ezra started.
"Yes dear?"
"Mother I have to tell you something."
"Yes dear, what is that?"
"You are aware - indeed you have seen fit to comment on it from time to time with increasingly regularity - that I have had no personal relationships for a great many years."
Maude turned her emerald eyes fully on her only child. She had worried he would never find anyone to settle down with, time was ticking on for him, she just hoped it would turn out to be someone suitable, acceptable.
"Indeed.""
"Mother I have found someone. Someone special, someone amazing."
"Really darlin'? Well it is about time, and while discrimination is a fine thing, I have been telling you that suitable young women will not just fall into your lap… especially all the way out here," she kept her eyes on him, "so far from proper 'society'." The disdain in her voice, not just for Denver, but for his chosen profession, was all too evident.
"Yes, really, someone amazing, someone strong, someone who loves me as much as I love them, someone who needs me, cares for me, cherishes me, who gives me a reason to live every single day."
"She sounds like a paragon of virtue, dear," Maude observed.
Ezra laughed, the idea of Buck as a paragon of virtue was amusing, no matter how much you loved him.
"No, no I wouldn't say that exactly, but loyal, honest, brave, caring, considerate, intelligent, insightful, loving…" Actually maybe he is a paragon? Ezra silently considered.
"Sounds too good to be true dear, I hate to burst your bubble, but there has to be a catch, there always is, and unless you find it now, the marriage will never last."
Ezra snorted. "You are giving me marriage advice, you? A woman who has been married - what? Five times? Besides who said I was getting married?"
"You have to be married son, or the children will not legitimately carry the Standish name."
"Now we get to the truth, you want grandchildren to carry on our glorious, or should that be insidious traditions, my happiness is only of peripheral import. There will be no children mother, not ever."
He could see she was about to speak, but he didn't give her the opportunity. "I'm sorry, we both are, but that’s just the way it is. And no… there is no chance that medical science will be of any help."
He watched his mother processing this information, her eyes never left him, looking for what she knew was not being said.
"So who is she? Do I know her? Is she from a good family?" his mother finally asked.
Ezra took a deep breath. "She is a he, yes you know him and his family background is irrelevant."
He waited, waited to see if she had actually heard him, and just what the reaction would be.
"He?" she asked in very quiet voice, that was nevertheless laced with ice.
"Yes, he."
"But that would mean that you…"
"Yes mother."
"But that can't be."
"Why not?"
"But…but…you’re a federal agent, you have a gun…"
"So? Mother, some of the world's greatest warriors were gay, Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, Lawrence of Arabia, that is just a few. One in ten adults is gay - whether they know it or not - so believe me I am not the only gay man with a gun!"
"Do stop saying that word," Maude admonished irritatedly.
"Why mother? What word would you like? There are lots, some less savoury than others, how about …"
"Stop, I know what the words are. Dear …how long have you been ...you know, when did you…?"
"Gay mother. The word, currently and as we have just established, is gay. Since college, that is to say that was when I recognised it in myself, but probably always, since puberty anyway. You don't choose it mother, it just is, I was born gay, if you like."
"This is not my fault!"
"No mother, it is no-one's fault, it is not a 'fault' at all. I am not ashamed nor do I regret it, these past few months have been the most blissfully happy of my life."
"Months!"
"Yes mother, and don't go getting on your high horse about this, if you bothered to stay in touch, to ever let me know were you were, I would have told you sooner, I just didn't want to do it over the phone or in an e-mail."
"You say I know this person?"
Ezra knew Buck was listening so he just tilted his head back and called softly.
"Beloved?"
Buck stepped into the doorway.
+ + + + + + +
Maude looked up at Wilmington. She had had the thought and dismissed it. She still couldn't reconcile what she knew about him with what her son was telling her. The image of her son in the many team pictures she had seen came to her. In almost all of them he was next to Wilmington, the picture of him and Buck was the only other one on his desk, and on Buck's desk a similar picture. As she remembered this, Buck walked into the room and sat down beside Ezra. He had kept his eyes down, other than a quick look at Ezra, but Ezra was having none of it. He reached out and captured his lover's neck and pulled him over for quick gentle kiss. He had promised Buck he would tell his mother about them, and he wanted it clear to her just what they were talking about. Filled with Ezra's strength of purpose, Buck looked up into Maude's green eyes.
"Son of mine, your mind is clearly addled by lust. Him? I may not know Mr Wilmington that well - but - I do recall you regaling me with tales of his Casanova like behaviour with the female population of Denver. And besides, any lasting partnership must be one of equals, you cannot believe you can have a lasting relationship with this…this…" She waved her hand in desperation at Buck. "This red-neck oaf!"
"Mother!" Ezra cut in, his voice hard with warning, "take…that…back!" he ground out, "and apologise to Buck."
"It's okay Ez, leave it, least I know where I stand," Buck all but whispered.
"No Buck! No, it is not okay. Mother you don't know Buck, very few people do, this man…" his hand reached out and captured Buck's their fingers intertwining, "is so much more that what you see before you, he is intelligent, and gentle, and intuitive and …. Why am I doing this? I don't have to justify myself to you! I'm a grown man, an adult and I will live with whom ever I choose. I told you - face to face - out of courtesy, take it or leave it!"
Maude stared at her son for a long time, as an uneasy silence descended on the room. Finally, she took a breath before she spoke.
"I see, well I believe I will have to think on that for sometime, I do not take kindly to ultimatums, especially from my own son." She rose sedately from the chair. "Good night dear." She was about to leave when she caught Ezra glaring at her. "Good night Mr Wilmington." With that she disappeared into the guest bedroom.
+ + + + + + +
"Well, that went well," Ezra commented.
"Ez don't joke about this." Buck sat back against the sofa.
"I'm not, I had envisioned a far more volatile reaction from her - she is still here after all. All in all I think that went better than could be expected."
Buck cringed inwardly for Ezra, that he thought what had just passed was a good reaction, spoke volumes for his expectations of his relationship with his mother. Did Ezra think everyone had this kind of relationship with their mother? Sighing, Buck sat forward again.
"Come on Babe, she's right about one thing, let's head for bed, you need a bath - for that matter so do I."
Ezra looked sideways into the midnight blue eyes, that smiled back at him with such love.
"And how are we going to achieve it this time?" He held up the cast. "You planning on taking me to the Belmont?"
"No, but I have a plan in mind, trust me?" With that he did the one thing guaranteed to get Ezra to say yes. He tilted his head to one side and smiled, with hint of a smirk. It was a little trick he had learned, and Ezra was helpless against it.
"I always trust you Beloved, you know that."
+ + + + + + +
Buck helped Ezra limp into the master bedroom and sat him on the bed. The then went into the dining room and returned with one of the designer bar stools. Ezra gave a questioning look, but Buck just grinned at him and disappeared into the bathroom. The bathroom was large, the heated floor was made of blue slate slabs with narrow grooves running between them, the walls were tiled with mosaics in different shades of blue, from almost navy at floor level to sky blue at the ceiling. The shower in one corner was set directly on the floor, the huge dark blue corner tub had no overflow, it could be filled right to the brim, all excess water just flowed onto the floor and disappeared between the slate tiles into a hidden drain. Buck stripped off quickly and took a swift but thorough shower, then he placed the stool in the middle of the room and returned, not even bothering with a towel, to Ezra.
Ezra watched Buck stride back into the bedroom, water still clinging to his hair, and dropping occasionally on to his broad shoulders, like tiny diamonds. As Ezra watched a huge grin spread across his face, Buck was already half hard as he strode, with his usual unselfconsciousness, over to Ezra. Kneeling down, the taller man smiled up at his lover.
"Your bath - for what of a better term - awaits you, sir."
With that Buck reached out and began to undo the fastenings at the top of Ezra's pants.
"I can do this myself, I'm not helpless you know?" Ezra put his hand over Buck's larger one.
He looked down to see the look of disappointment on Wilmington's face as he pulled his hand back.
"Sorry Ezra, I know you can do it yourself, I just…"
Guilt washed over Ezra, he remembered Buck telling him how much he enjoyed 'unwrapping' his presents. He reached out to capture the retreating wrist, holding it gently, he ran his thumb over the bracelet.
"Just because I can do something, doesn’t mean I want to do it, doesn’t mean wouldn't mind someone else doing it for me." He was rewarded with a hundred-watt smile from his lover, as he placed his hands behind him on the bed and lent back to enjoy Buck's skilled and talented ministrations.
His long, surprisingly nimble fingers, made quick work of the button and zip and in no time he was peeling back the cotton waistband. Ezra levered himself up so that Buck could slip both pants and boxers down and past the firm twin globes of Ezra's, tightly muscled ass. Then gently he eased them the rest of the way down the well-muscled legs, pausing only to remove Ezra's patriotic footwear. Once Standish was divested of his lower clothing, Buck sat back on his heels to admire the view. The fine linen shirt was now tented as Ezra sat there smiling seductively.
Buck didn't bother to remove it as he bent closer, he just brushed it aside, so that Ezra's cock peeped invitingly out between the folds of white fabric.
"Mmmm, now that is very tempting, it must be said, most inviting," he commented.
"Well don't let me stop you taking up the invitation," Ezra purred.
Buck was sorely tempted, much as Ezra had been boasting about his cock sucking abilities, Buck considered himself no slouch in that department.
"Inviting but no, bath first." Buck stood and extended at hand to Ezra.
+ + + + + + +
It took a little doing, but eventually Buck had Ezra sitting - bare-assed - on the high bar stool, which he had set in the middle of the room. With infinite care and maddening slowness, Buck undid the buttons on the shirt, eventually removing it. The bathroom had been lit with candles, all around the big room and on every surface they burned, flickering, a warm glow bathed Ezra's finely defined body in a honeyed light. And as Buck lifted the full pitcher of warm water, the light caught the little droplets that fell from it as he carried it over to Ezra, sparkling like jewels as they splashed on to the warm slate floor, which in turn, as it became wet changed colour from grey to shimmering blue.
"Tilt your head back," Buck whispered.
Ezra complied, and closing his eyes, enjoyed the sound and feel of the warm water as it was poured over his hair. He heard the pitcher being returned to the counter beside the twin wash basins and then relaxed even more as Buck began to massage in shampoo. Strong caring fingers worked not only on his hair but also on his scalp, kneading and rubbing, working out the last vestiges of tension, pushing Maude as far into the background as possible. When the head massage was finally done, he all but whimpered as the physical contact was lost, but sighed contentedly as clean water rinsed his hair. Ezra really did like to feel clean.
"Don't move." The command whispered in his ear was so low and soft it was barely audible, but to Ezra it was as sweet as music.
The next thing he felt was soft warm lather being spread on his face, and he prepared himself for a nice, close, wet shave. Buck had shaved him in the Red Room, it had been the first time his lover had performed this very intimate, masculine ritual for him. He had shaved Buck every day for nearly a week when he first got home from the hospital, the very fine motor control needed was one of the things effected by the head injury and one of the last things to return to normal. Shaving another man is a tricky thing, not the same as doing yourself, Ezra had learnt as he went along, the first attempts were not too close, but he had at least not cut Buck, whose open regular features made the job easier. Buck on the other had seemed more than competent, he moved the triple bladed safety razor with practised confidence, even in candlelight. Curious but not bothered, Ezra sat back to enjoy the sensation, a good, well executed, wet shave was one of life's little joys.
"There, pretty as a picture," Buck announced, as patted Ezra's smooth, hairless chin dry.
Ezra sighed and sat up to look at Wilmington. "Buck?" he asked.
"Yeah." Buck was putting the towel he had just used in the hamper.
"Where did you learn to practice the barber's art so deftly?"
Buck took a moment to run that through the Ezra translator. "Oh, at the Belmont." He turned back to Ezra, to see he was going to have to give more information.
"They offer a 'Full Service' remember, including a barber, I used to work evenings for extra money. I can do you with a cut throat, if you want, it's like riding a bike - you never forget how." That devilish smile was back. "I can shave more than chins too!"
Ezra couldn't help it, his eyes betrayed his amused shock. "Really?"
"Oh yeah, all shapes all sizes - both designs!"
"A man of many talents."
"Babe, we have only begun to scratch the surface of my talents," Buck boasted with a wink.
With that he picked up a wash cloth from the basin of warm soapy water. He then stood in front of Ezra and so slowly it was almost in slow motion, he worked the cloth over Ezra's left shoulder, squeezing it so the soap-laden water ran out and down his chest and back. Ezra just sat and gazed as the light danced and flickered in those midnight blue pools of pure love. Not giving any verbal instructions, Buck lifted Ezra's arm, as he washed his armpit and underarm thoroughly and tenderly, the only sound the slosh of the cloth on bare skin and the plop, plop as drops fell to the floor. Still working excruciatingly slowly, he worked his way across those broad muscled shoulders, talking time to clean the neck and even behind the ears. He worked the water and soap down as far as the small of Ezra's back but, much to his disappointment, stopped short there. Then he worked to the right shoulder, arm and around to the front again.
"Miss me?" he whispered.
"Mmmm." Ezra was all but flying.
Buck refreshed his wash cloth and began on Ezra's chest, working up a rich, fragrant lather with Ezra's expensive sandalwood soap. As he worked, he let his fingertips stray onto the smooth hairless skin, finding already hard nipples and playing with them. Ezra gasped, his back arched so that he was thrusting his chest forward, seeking greater contact, but Buck was not ready to move up a gear yet. Much as he was enjoying giving Ezra pleasure, he had other plans. Leaning forward he captured Ezra's lips and kissed him gently as he knelt down in front of the southerner. Taking care not to get the dressings wet, he washed the legs and feet, with a reverence and care that was almost spiritual.
The job was almost done, the last part would be the most difficult because it required the most self-control. He retrieved the biggest, thickest towel they had and folding it to form a thick mat, lay it at Ezra's feet.
"Babe?" he asked softly.
"Mmmm?"
"I know it hurts, but I need you to stand up now, here on the towel."
Ezra looked down, not just at the towel but at his lover, kneeling before him, naked, somehow vulnerable and invincible at the same time. If Buck asked him, he would have walked through fire. So he just smiled and eased his way off the stool, suppressing a wince of pain as he stood on the soft towelling. But pain was soon to be banished, other more powerful feelings took over, as the warm, fragrant wash cloth passed over the small of his back, little rivulets of warm lather ran between his ass cheeks. Instinctively and with no verbal instruction, he moved his legs further apart as the cloth moved deeper, following it's own trail of soap. Deeper it worked, until it passed that special opening and Ezra almost fell as his body gave and involuntary spasm of pure erotic pleasure.
"Easy tiger, we ain't got to the main event yet," Buck chuckled as he reached up to clasp Ezra's hand and steady him.
"You mean this isn't it?"
"Hell no boy, this is just the trailers."
"I always like the trailers."
Buck suppressed a laugh and continued to wash. He moved around to face his lover.
"Just one last thing to do," he explained.
"Leaving the best till last?"
"Absolutely."
Buck squeezed out the wash cloth just above the now fully erect penis, coating the proud shaft with thick creamy lather. Than he abandoned the cloth and worked the soap in around and under the shaft with his fingertips. He coated the balls in their sack with such gentleness it was as if nothing more than a feather had touched him. Ezra's head swam, he swayed, reaching out and taking hold of Buck's head to steady himself.
"Soon Babe, very soon," Buck assured.
"It had better be Beloved, your ministrations are most stimulating…" he suddenly gasped and swayed as Buck's thumb past over the slit at the end of his shaft. "Oh good Lord."
Buck smiled to himself and repeated the action, ignoring the almost painful ache in his own, rock hard shaft.
"I don't care if you're done or not, please Buck," Ezra all but pleaded.
Smiling wolfishly to himself, Buck released Ezra and stood to face him. "Very well, my eager little bea…"
"Don't you call me an 'eager beaver'!" Ezra warned. "JD is an 'eager beaver' not me."
"Oh really, so what are you?"
"Desperate!" With that Ezra finally took back some control, when he reached forward and pulled Buck down to kiss him, long, deep and hard. Buck relaxed into the kiss, running his hands down Ezra's back and over his ass cheeks. Taking a firmer hold, but without breaking the kiss he managed to lift Ezra up enough to allow him to wrap his legs around Buck's hips. Now locked together Buck carried Ezra out of the bathroom and into the bedroom once more. Finally settling him down on the edge of the high bed.
+ + + + + + +
Buck ran his hand up Ezra's thigh, it was still slightly damp. As he reached the top of the thigh, he let his thumb spread out and slip down into the side of Ezra's groin. He lent down and captured Ezra's lips, briefly, only just long enough for Ezra to return the kiss before he moved on, brushing gentle kisses down the side of Ezra's neck, along his shoulder, stopping briefly to nuzzle his ear, before moving on to the collar bone. Ezra lifted his head back to expose more flesh at the same time as running his uninjured hand through Buck's thick, luxuriant, slightly damp hair. His hand suddenly clenched, holding on to a lock of hair as Buck's kisses reached his nipples, kissing the left one while toying with the right. The thumb resting in Ezra's groin was moving, pressing down as it rubbed up and down in the crease at the top of his thigh. As Buck released his nipple and moved further south, Ezra became a boneless heap, falling backwards to lie down on the bed, his legs still hanging over the edge.
He knew what was coming and he didn't have to wait long for it. The head of his shaft was captured and held in soft, warm, exquisite captivity. He gasped as the skilled mouth moved deeper; the stimulation became more intense.
"Oh good God, oh Lord, oh …oh my God!" He raised his head. "Buck, my mother is in the next room!"
Buck heard him, but didn't stop; in fact he ran his lower front teeth along the ridge at the back of Ezra's shaft. Ezra practically came off the bed in sheer ecstasy. Buck released the member, and looked up at his lover.
"Want me to stop?" he asked, totally serious.
"Only if you want me to shoot you!"
"Sure?"
"This is my …our home, and I shall do as I please in it."
"Well alright." Buck grinned and stood up.
"Aren’t you going to…" Ezra looked imploringly at his now weeping cock.
"Nope I want us to do this together, joined, one." He held out his hand, their mutual signal for lube. Ezra could just about reach the draw in the nightstand, his hand groped about in a totally empty draw. He looked desperately at Buck.
"Ooops!"
"What?"
"It's still in the laundry hamper." Buck stood up, he grinned down at his lover, laying on the bed with his lower legs dangling over the edge, slightly spread, his erection standing to attention, a look of pure want in his eyes.
"Hold that thought!" With that he was running back to the bathroom.
While he was out of sight Ezra decided wanton, was a good look for him, so spread his legs a little wider and propped himself up on his elbows to await Buck's return.
"Oh my!" Buck exclaimed as he ran back.
"Come here big man I need you," Ezra cooed, "Need you inside me, need you to make sweet love to me. Need you to…"
"Take you to heaven and carry you home?" Buck was now back beside the bed.
"With a rocket!" Ezra added. "And such a big rocket!"
The first time Ezra had seen Buck fully erect, he had been slightly alarmed. There was no denying it was in proportion to the rest of him, which was to say big; very long, an impressive width - impressive but not impractical as it turned out. He had been worried he would get hurt, that he couldn't accommodate Buck safely. His fear had lasted just until the first time Buck made love to him. He had done it with such tenderness, such care, so slowly and gently, with such consideration for his new lover, that Ezra had felt just incredible, earth shatteringly good pleasure, no pain, only love. That was when he knew, in his heart, that Buck was different, that he wouldn't hurt him.
Buck had opened the lube and quickly coated himself; both of them were now so in need of relief, it was painful. Stepping up close to Ezra he ran a slicked finger over Ezra's sensitive opening. He was ready to work Ezra open but it was clear to him this wasn't needed, Ezra was more than ready.
"Well, well and you said you weren't an eager bea…"
"Don't even think it, let alone say it! Just for God's sake do something!" Ezra gasped out, spreading himself even wider.
Buck moved in, with practised ease he slipped inside Ezra, using all his skill and self-control - as he always did - he took it slowly and carefully until he felt himself pass the powerful muscle ring. He had become an expert at knowing just when Ezra was ready for him to move. There it was that gentle, half cry, half sigh he gave, Ezra melted into the mattress as Buck began to move, just a little, not too fast, not too deep - not yet. His wide hands spread out around Ezra's hips, he began to pull Ezra's smaller frame toward him to meet his thrusts. Ezra instinctively moved his hands to reach for Buck's, their fingers touched and instantly intertwined. Ezra gave a little tug, his eyes locked with his Beloved. In response Buck pulled him up, gently, in one smooth fluid movement, putting no pressure on the broken arm, not risking the connection between them. As he came up Ezra bent his legs around Back capturing him around the thighs. Their hands slipped up to come to rest, with Ezra's on Buck's shoulders and Buck's cupped around Ezra's neck.
They were now moving as one, building speed and friction, heat rising between them, perspiration breaking out all over their bodies. Lips found lips; the kisses became more urgent and more intense. Buck's hand broke contact with Ezra on the left side, allowing him to reach down between them and take hold of Ezra cock, was now weeping copiously. It felt so hot it was almost burning in his hand, as his skilled fingers worked their magic, just as it had in the Jacuzzi. Knowing he was close to the edge he sped up his ministrations, feeling Ezra's body trembling, it was as if they were both vibrating at the same pitch, making their own sweet music - if a dog had been in the room Buck reckoned he could have heard them. And then it came, the release, together, as one, in perfect harmony, just as they wanted it.
Ezra dragged his mouth from Buck's and threw his head back.
"Oh God!" he breathed, his voice low and throaty with emotion. "God? What did I do to deserve this?" He pulled his head up to look dreamily into Buck's eyes. "I can't have done anything to be so rewarded, it must be you." But Buck wasn't able to answer, or even comprehend what he said, his world had darkened at the edges and he was holding on the Ezra, just to stay upright.
"Oh Ez, oh…"he finally muttered as the world came back into focus. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, that was…oh my God!"
"My thoughts exactly, my Beloved, my one an only, my Buck." Ezra had just enough strength to pull himself forward and kiss Buck once more, gently this time, not on the lips but on the forehead. "Thank you," he breathed.
Then his head slipped past to rest his chin on Buck's broad shoulder, Buck mirroring him on the other side. The remained locked together like that, even as Buck's cock softened within Ezra they stayed locked together, clinging on to each other, each feeling the other's heart beat against their own chest.
"I do love you so much," Buck whispered.
"I love you my Beloved one - always."
How long they remained like that neither was sure, but eventually Buck eased himself away, as he slipped out Ezra all but whimpered as the connection was lost, his legs, still locked around Buck's thighs, tightened.
"I have to clean us both up," Buck explained in his softest, most velvet-coated voice. "I will be back very soon my darling."
Ezra relented and opened his legs just enough, that Buck could go, but would feel the Ezra's feet running along his legs as he moved back.
"Soon?" he pleaded.
"Very soon, I promise."
"Bring two," Ezra called as he watched Buck walk away, delighting in the rear view of his tall, lean lover.
Buck cast a glance over his shoulder and raised a quizzical eyebrow, Ezra just smiled, so Buck shrugged and went in search of two fresh wash cloths. By the time he got back Ezra had turned down the quilt and was sitting up against the headboard propped against a pile of pillows. Buck settled himself on the edge of the bed. He lent over to rest one hand on the bed on the far side of Ezra's legs, and dutifully handed over one of the wash cloths. As he washed Ezra's abdomen, chest and groin, Ezra did the same for him. In truth Buck didn't need much cleaning, but that seemed to be beside the point, long after Buck had finished Ezra was still washing Buck's chest with meticulous care. Buck indulged him, sitting up he let Ezra take his right hand, and gently turn it over palm side up, and with the same meticulous care, clean it, even though Buck had washed his hands while he was in the bathroom. Finally Buck placed his hand over Ezra's as it worked on his hand.
"It's clean now," he whispered.
Ezra looked up. "I like doing it, I like to…" He looked up at his lover.
"What?"
"Sometimes I like to be the one who takes care."
Buck reached out and ran the back of his finger down Ezra's cheek. "I know my love, and when I was just out of the hospital, you did - remember?"
Ezra nodded.
"You take care of me everyday Babe, everyday that you are with me, everyday that you make me feel I am worth something…" Ezra was about to speak, but Buck placed a finger on his lips. "You take care of me with your eyes - so full of love, with your touch, your very voice takes care of me, even that you let me look after you, that, takes care of me."
"You are worth something Beloved, you are worth everything to me, everything. And I'm never more happy then when you take care of me, how ever you do it."
Buck lent forward and kissed him softly, while he gently removed the wash cloth from Ezra's hand and put it on the floor. Usually there was a small bowl in the bottom of the nightstand specifically for used clothes, but it too had been removed by Buck to deflect Maude, so just for tonight Buck placed the damp clothes under the bed, the carpet would survive, just this once.
Buck was about to manoeuvre over Ezra, to settle on the far side of the bed, when he remembered something. Suddenly he stood up and crossed to the wardrobe.
"What are you looking for?" Ezra enquired.
"This!" Buck stood up holding the gift-wrapped tie he had purchased at the airport, just two days ago; he had almost forgotten it. "I got you a welcome home present."
By now he was back at the bed, sitting now on the other side, next to Ezra. He thrust the package at Standish.
"If you hate it I can change it - no problem - so if you hate it say so, 'cause I know how particula' ya are, I won't mind honest, it's just I wanted t' get you a present, there wasn't much selection, at the airport I mean and I didn't have a lot of time, so I…"
"Buck stop, you're babbling again, I will love it what ever it is." He began to open the box, letting the silk tie fall into his hands. The room was lit only with one bedside light, so at first Ezra didn't see the little motif for what it was. But in the poor light, the blue matched Buck's eyes, that alone would have made it perfect, then he looked closer to see the little silver-grey triangles for what they were. "Buck it is quite, quite perfect, I shall treasure it, and wear it, knowing it is a mark of your love. My own Cervus." He wrapped the soft material around his casted hand and held it to his cheek. "I would have purchased a gift you also, I was planning on it, it's just that…well you know."
Buck was now lying on his side, propping himself up on his elbow. "I know Babe." He reached out to stroke Ezra's cheek. "I don't need anything, I have you, that is gift enough for anyone."
Ezra turned on his side as Buck pulled the quilt up over them both, then he wiggled back so he was pressed up against Buck. Buck's arm came over his shoulder, his hand came to rest against Ezra's heart, his other arm snaked under the pillow and under Ezra's head, Ezra's hand reached out and their fingers interlaced. Finally Ezra reached out with a hand that still had the tie wound around it, to turn off the light, and they settled down for the night, content and safe within each other's embrace.
+ + + + + + +
Buck wasn't sure what woke him, but as he came full awake he was aware of two unpleasant sensations, his arm, the one under Ezra's head, was asleep, 'pins and needles' assaulted him. Second, his stomach was growling at him, audibly. The only food he'd had all day was the meal on the plane, though since it was first class, it hadn't been too bad. But it wasn't enough to keep a big man like Buck going. In the hospital, while Buck did his laundry, Ezra had had a meal - he complained bitterly that it was inedible but had clearly eaten it all. And they never did have the tea Maude had sent him to make. He tried to ignore both problems and get back to sleep, but it was no good, so eventually he slipped his arm out from under Ezra, careful not to wake him. Then equally careful not to wake Ezra, he slipped out of the bed. Normally he wouldn't have bothered with dressing, but this night he got a tee shirt and a pair of boxers from the wardrobe and pulled them on in the dark before setting out for the kitchen. The very act of getting dressed had worked off the 'pins and needles' so he now only needed food.
The kitchen light was on, though the apartment was quiet. As Buck turned into the kitchen he was confronted by Maude, she was leaning up against the fridge, dressed in what appeared to be a silk kimono; her hair tied back in a ponytail. She was sipping a cup of - from the smell if it - tea. Her eyes lifted to acknowledge his presence but she said nothing. His first instinct was to run, or at least retreat. But Buck Wilmington was not a retreater by nature. He stepped into the well lit room and crossed to the stove, turning on the heat under the still hot kettle. He then prepared a mug with some instant drinking chocolate, while the kettle re-boiled. Maude watched but said nothing. Once the he had made the drink he turned to the fridge.
"Do you mind?" he asked politely but with enough edge for her to know he was not happy.
She moved to her left, far enough to let him open the door. Inside he scanned the contents, as it happened he had stocked up before the weekend, so precious time with Ezra would not be lost on shopping. He pulled out some cream cheese and oak smoked salmon and moved to the counter. After removing a bagel from the breadbox he began to fill it with the cream cheese and smoked salmon. Maude watched him silently as she sipped her tea. Finally as he ate his late night snack she spoke.
"Do you really think this little charade of yours can work?" she asked icily.
Buck didn't respond.
"What do you want from him? I may be rich but Ezra isn't, you won't get any money you know?"
Still Buck didn't respond.
"Did you corrupt my son? What did you offer him? Did you promise him something?"
Buck slowly and deliberately finished his bagel and picked up his mug of chocolate.
"Did I corrupt Ezra?" he asked. "Me? Did I abandon him with strangers because he inconvenient? Did I leave him to fend for himself when he was hurting and in trouble? Did I teach him he could rely on no one and nothing but himself? Did I teach him that only one thing in life is important, the acquisition of money? That friendship, loyalty, helping those less fortunate or weaker, serving your community, is all just useless and a sign of weakness, did I teach him that? Did I belittle his achievements? Did I make him feel he was a failure, no matter what he did? Did I do all that?" He looked straight into her eyes, the same colour as Ezra's. "No I didn't corrupt your son - you did."
"How dare you!" Maude fumed. "I raised my son the best way I could, he never wanted for anything. I taught him how to survive, I…"
"I dare because I love him. Love him, real love, not the sham you call love. I will never let anyone hurt him if I can stop it, and that includes you. I want you to be part of Ezra's life, but not if you continue to hurt him. That’s what I offered him, love."
"I am his mother, I love him, I do not hurt him." Maude had put down her cup, unwilling to let Wilmington see how much her hands were shaking.
Buck looked her in the face. "What is your son's name?" he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"What…is…your…only…child's…name?" he ground out.
"I don't understand," Maude did indeed look puzzled.
"Just say it, say his name?"
"Ezra?"
"Right. Do you realise that is the first time you have used his name all evening, you call him "darlin'" and "dear boy" and "son" but never Ezra. It is like he is a possession to you, a thing you were saddled with to use, as you want. Well he ain't, he's a person, a very remarkable person, he has done stuff, stuff you wouldn't believe. He saves lives, he helps make this country safe, he enriches the lives of his friends, and all that is worth more than any amount of money." He put his own cup down and pushed himself off the counter he had been leaning on. He took a step closer.
"No one 'corrupted' Ezra, but you, his own mother. No one made him gay, he just is. We are what we are. He - your son - makes me happy, more happy than I thought I could ever be, more happy than I deserve to be. And I believe I make him happy, he tells me I do and he doesn’t lie to me. Can you say the same? Well?" He took a step closer, forcing her to look up to look him in the eye. "If you make him choose, you will lose him - forever - think about that. I made him a promise all right. I promised him I wouldn't let anyone hurt him, that I would protect him, and I will, no matter who threatens him or hurts him - you understand me? What have you ever promised him? Have you ever even kept a promise to him?"
Without another word he put the cup in the sink and walked past her and out into the corridor, she moved to the doorway and watched him disappear into the master bedroom. Leaving her alone with her thoughts. She remembered Ezra the boy, so eager to please her, so desperate for her approval, he would practice his card manipulation, work diligently at card counting, try so hard to get top grades, all so she would notice him. And she used that to make him stronger, better, smarter, by denying him the approval he so wanted, she had forced him to get better. But what harm had she wrought?
As she thought, Maude Standish found herself doing something she hadn't done in years - tidying up after someone else, she was absentmindedly washing up Buck's plate, knife and mug along with her own. Finally she made her choice, she walked up to the master bedroom and finding the door not quite shut, she pushed it with her fingertip. It swung silently open, allowing a shaft of light from the lit corridor to spill into the room, it reached just as far as the edge of the bed. As she looked in she could make out Ezra's bare chest above the white linen, behind him the dark mass of Buck Wilmington's unruly hair, a strong, naked arm draped protectively around her son. As she stood there Buck raised his head to look her in the eye. Nothing passed between them for what was probably only seconds but felt like hours. Then Ezra's arm moved, his fingers found Buck's forearm and closed around it.
"M' B'ck," he mumbled, pulling the strong arm closer to him in is sleep, like a child with a comfort toy.
As Maude watched Buck bent his head and gently kissed Ezra's cheek, he looked back up at her. Finally she nodded; just the merest hint of an affirmative, but it was enough. Buck smiled as he lay his head back down and Maude backed silently out of the room, bathing it in darkness once more.
The End
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