Chapter Twenty-Four

At another seedy motel off the main roads in Virginia, William lay awake, listening to the gentle and rhythmic breathing of Ronald. He felt the man pressed tight against his side. The natural positions in bed, occupying the same comfortable spaces they had over the years together. Couples sharing beds never switch sides. There is a reassurance in the arrangement that helped both of them feel close. Even when he was a million miles from Ronald, William always left the space open where Ronald lay in bed. It made him think a time came when he’d fill that place again at his side.

He reached out and touched Ronald’s side. So many times in far off hostels while on assignment, William repeated that action. Now it mattered more than anything in his life that he protected Ronald. He didn’t want to lose him. There was a sense of responsibility that pulled at William. He wondered if the actions over the last few weeks were because of him, or because Ronald truly found something worth killing him over. If William was just another lance-corporal putting in time at Quantico, not pretending, would they still be on the run? It felt too close to his job. Some variables mimicked many of his missions. But the military trained people the same the world over because the tested skills worked, and they weren’t in the business to change something unless missions failed.

“You’re awake.” Ronald’s voice found William in the dim light of the motel room. He needed sleep, but William trained to go on much longer than most before allowing sleep to occupy him. After cat-naps, he was refreshed, if still fatigued.

After evading the organized attack at the last motel, it wasn’t possible to entirely rest. If he drifted too close to the edge of consciousness, images of trained soldiers infiltrating the motel room brought him immediately to consciousness again.

“It’s not that easy,” William admitted.

Ronald turned, slipped his arm under William’s head and pulled him close. William breathed deep.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Ronald asked.

“You’re doing it.” William squeezed him. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Ronald kissed his forehead lightly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He felt Ronald’s free hand press down his front. Fingers slipped into his underwear. He felt the warm, soft hand grip his cock. The response was instantaneous. His body woke up, penis responding to his lover’s touch.

“I want you inside me,” Ronald told him. He began to kiss his face. William sighed, holding Ronald tight. It was impossible to resist the incredible stirring in his loins and the hammering of his heart.

He’d seen combat. He’d been under enemy fire. He’d felt the raw, penetrating edge of the enemy’s blade. But having Ronald at his side, feeling Ronald gentle and persuasive tugging at his cock, was beyond any other excitement William had experienced. It mattered more too him than his life or career. Ronald was his whole life, and if he were gone tomorrow, William would perish.

Ronald caressed him. Sucked on his tongue and pulled at him. William pulled at the underwear at Ronald’s waist. He yanked off the briefs with urgency. Ronald responded, feeling William’s intensity.

William rolled off the bed and shed the briefs in one motion. He dug into the ‘go bag,’ and after fishing out what he wanted, William climbed back into bed.

“You carry that everywhere?” Ronald asked of the tube of personal lubrication.

“Hey, you never know when you’ll need it.”

Ronald embraced William, laughing. They rolled together, feeling the freeness of their bodies together. Ronald turned on his back. William pressed a dollop of lubricant against Ronald’s anus. He gently guided his cock into his lover. They watched each other’s faces as they made love. The union of their bodies matched the intensity of their lives. Intertwined, under the gun, they were lovers who needed a moment to step out of time and be together.

William caressed Ronald’s face. The thickening stubble of his beard under his palm made him smile. The new look suited Ronald and made his youthful face rugged. “I love you so much.” William never experienced a more perfect moment in his life.

Ronald held him. They were allowed a moment of love in an impossible time. A minute of love in an eternity of uncertainty, William’s heart beat rapidly in his chest. Ronald’s hand pressed against his breast, feeling it under his fingers. William gripped Ronald’s stiff cock and pulled on it in time as he slowly fucked his lover. It was perfect of their love that made them a couple out of time. The world could fall away, and they would remain fastened together, forever, floating into oblivion.

***

After they showered and lay together, arm in arm, Ronald’s head and hand on William’s chest. He took a deep breath. Sleep pulled mercilessly at his body.

“Are you okay?” Ronald whispered.

“I am.” William moved a little, sliding down, so his head rested next to Ronald’s face. “I think I know what we need to do to make this stop.”

“What?”

“You need to die.”