Chapter Fourteen
“You can’t wear that.”
Tyler was drinking a glass of water at the kitchen island when Elliot walked in. “Excuse me, Ellytot?”
“That.” Elliot pointed. “Ratty brown tee shirt. You can’t wear it.”
“It’s not ratty. It’s comfortable.”
“Do you not have a date with Tim tonight?”
“It’s just dinner at his place. I’m heading out now.”
“Not in that tee shirt you’re not.”
“Why?”
“He invited you to dinner.”
“So?”
“And you guys have been fucking. Right?”
“Yeah. So?”
“So, that means it’s a date, Tyler. Make a fucking effort. The guy is crazy about you.”
Heat climbed Tyler’s neck. “How would you know that?”
“Because I’ve known Tim Patterson for over a decade and I’ve never seen him turned inside out over a guy before.”
“Never?”
“Not like this. I’ve had my problems with Tim but he’s a decent guy and I’m pretty sure he’s falling in love with you, so for God sakes put on a decent shirt.”
Falling in love?
Those words, spoken aloud, rang like a heavy bell in Tyler’s ears. All these tangled emotions, the insatiable need for sex, the constant worry over Tim’s well-being. Wanting to change his own life to make himself more compatible with Tim’s. He’d felt it all, and still never thought to place it inside that box.
Falling in love.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t admit that he, too, was falling in love. It was that those words sounded so simple and normal and benign, not nearly enough to encompass all the turbulence going on inside him, that edge of pleasure and pain, of desire and fear, of desperation and contentment.
Falling in love.
“Tyler, you all right? You look sick.”
“I’m fine, I just...I...didn’t bring any good shirts with me.”
Elliot smiled. “I’m pretty sure you’ll fit in something of mine. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Tyler downed his water. He did feel sick suddenly.
Because this mission was coming to an end soon. But he didn’t want things to end with Tim. And that meant talking about it. Allowing himself to think he could have it. Which was what he’d been thinking about all afternoon. The shame-golem inside was trying to rise. Like it knew what he wanted to do tonight. That he wanted to make some sort of promise to Tim Patterson. And it didn’t want to let him. It held in its gnarled hands Tyler’s ugliest secret, and it aimed to use it to blackmail him into giving up on Tim.
This made him profoundly sad, because despite his anxiety, despite a subtle but looming fear, he was also excited as hell inside. He’d only just seen Tim this morning but was already jittery with anticipation to see him again. He wanted to make sure Tim was no longer mad at him and had several naughty ideas about how to achieve this goal. He wanted to see that special smile Tim gave only to him. Wanted to be teased and touched and made to laugh until he couldn’t breathe. He wanted to feel that sensation when Tim’s dick got extra hard right before he lost control. He wanted to be the reason Tim lost control.
“Here you go, robot boy.” Elliot walked into the kitchen holding a green button-down shirt. “Get your tits out.”
Tyler peeled his tee shirt off and scowled at the button-down. “I’m not sure that’s my color.”
“Trust me, every time I wear this, Nolan can’t keep his hands off me. It looks better on than it does on the hanger. Here.”
Tyler turned around and Elliot helped him into the shirt. As he buttoned it up he said, “Maybe it looks good on you because you have green eyes. Probably doesn’t look as good on me.”
Elliot shook his head. “Tyler.” He helped adjust the collar. “With your skin-tone? And those jeans? It looks fucking hot on you. I knew it would.”
“Really?”
“Really. And this is coming from someone who used to want to fuck you, so my opinion holds more weight.”
Tyler smirked. “You think Tim will think I look hot?”
Elliot dragged him into the hallway and pushed him in front of a mirror. “See for yourself.”
Tyler liked what he saw, despite the frown furrowing his brow. The shirt did accentuate his olive skin. And it went well with the dark jeans. He’d put a bit of product in his hair so it was coiffed and shiny. But his eyes...they looked haunted and strained.
“See?” Elliot stood behind him. “Do you look hot or not?”
“Thanks Elliot. I like it. Shit though, do I always look this miserable?”
“Most of the time, yeah.”
Tyler chuckled. He liked what the smile did to his face. He determined to smile more tonight when he was with Tim. “Can I still borrow your car?”
“Of course you can. But first...” Pulling a small bottle out of his pocket, Elliot spritzed Tyler’s neck.
“Hey!” Tyler jumped back. “A little warning? What is that?”
“Very expensive cologne. Trust me. He’ll like it. Now go on. Get out of here. I left the keys in the car for you.”
Tyler went back in the kitchen and picked up the stun-gun he’d left on the counter.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Elliot said. “You’re bringing a gun on a date. Most people opt for a bottle of wine.”
“Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”
“At least it matches your shirt.”
Tyler headed for the front door. “See you later.”
“I won’t wait up.”
The sun was going down in the main village, a splash of gold across the lake’s surface, and there were even more people out tonight since the weather turned warm. Tyler took in the sights as he drove along the boardwalk, recalling the night he’d kissed Tim up against the beach wall. The night he was brave and admitted he felt something. Something that went beyond sex.
Over by the gazebo, he spotted a handsome young black man with a nice build in uniform, recognizing him as Myles’ deputy Darwyn, who was busy scolding some teenagers. It made Tyler think of the hybrid twins, Fi and Fo. He hoped all that business was over. If so, then the mission would be called a huge success. Ogden was already thrilled to have in his possession a drone made from hybrid technology. He’d given Tyler kudos on the phone earlier, complimenting his efficiency and saying he looked forward to having him back at headquarters. In a way, Tyler felt like he’d only just left headquarters. But at the same time, everything felt different. He felt different. Not the same Tyler that left that place just a short time ago.
In hindsight, the change within him started quite some time ago. The night of Elliot and Nolan’s wedding reception, when he’d tended to a forest ranger having a panic attack. That crazy night. This thing happening between him and Tim now? It all started with tears and sex and vulnerability. But now it felt strong. Solid. Real.
Tim Patterson had grown stronger as well. He’d had his reality shattered overnight and despite a few stumbles, had muscled through in spite of it. It made Tyler want to be there for him even more, to be normal enough to become part of his life. Tim had learned to live with the knowledge of aliens, even confronting them face-to-face. It hadn’t been an easy adjustment for him, but he’d pushed himself and been strong. If he could do that, Tyler could make his own adjustments.
He had to. He had to somehow learn to live without his past keeping him in a chokehold.
Life before Ogden had been painful. Living his life for Ogden was all he knew now. For the cause. For the good of humanity. It all used to feel so important, so relevant, so crucial. As it should. He didn’t want to stop being involved in this work. But suddenly he felt like it all meant nothing if he couldn’t also have Tim.
You can’t have Tim. Not YOU, Tyler Marchant. His soul is pure and yours is stained.
“Shut up,” he muttered aloud. His stomach twisted. He would fight this. He had to somehow convince himself that the past didn’t matter. That he deserved this thing that was new and good and pure. That he could stop looking back and move forward. Forgive himself.
There’s no forgiving what you’ve done.
“Shut the fuck up!”
His hands trembled so he pulled the car over. For ten minutes, he rested his head on the steering wheel, calming himself. Rolling down the windows, he let the sweet, wood-scented air of the village into his lungs. Inhaling that mix of pine and smoke, he felt better, determined even. He’d been fighting for others since joining Ogden’s team when he was sixteen. But he’d fought for himself once. He would do so again now, come what may.
With that thought, he put the car in gear and headed down the road again, pulling into Tim’s driveway minutes later. He immediately spotted Tim’s summer-blond hair as he stuffed something into the trash bin outside his garage, turning around when he heard the car. Tim’s smile was stunning, and he looked sexy in faded jeans and a blue polo shirt. He started toward Tyler, then stopped dead when Tyler got out of the car with his gun. “Holy shit, Tyler!”
“Sorry. I’ll put it away once we go inside. I just feel more comfortable having it with me.”
“I’m not talking about the gun, I’m actually getting used to that. I meant holy shit look at you! You look so good tonight.” He leaned in and gave Tyler a kiss. “And damn, you smell great. Come inside.”
Thank you, Elliot. They went into the house and Tyler leaned the gun against the wall beside the front door. Tim’s living room smelled like lemons and everything looked freshly polished and vacuumed. “You cleaned.”
“It does happen sometimes.” Tim tugged Tyler into his arms. “I want you to like being here.”
“I do like being here. Kind of like being anywhere you are.”
“Yeah? Then it’s a damn shame you’re gonna be leaving the village soon.”
Tyler’s thoughts seized up as a pit rose in his stomach. He told himself to say something but no words came out.
“Shit.” Tim released him. “I went too far with that one, didn’t I?”
“No!” The word came out loud, and Tim raised an eyebrow. “Sorry. No. I agree. I mean, that it’s a shame.”
“You hungry? Come on into the kitchen.”
Tim left the room, and Tyler sighed, hanging his head. Five minutes in and he was already screwing up this date. He followed Tim into the kitchen and stopped, surprised to see the table. Candles. Flowers. Nice dishes and wine glasses. “Oh, wow. This looks beautiful.”
“Have a seat. You want wine?”
“Sure.”
Tim poured the wine, then opened the oven, pulling out a tray and setting on the stovetop. “I’ve been keeping it warm so I hope it’s not too dry. You like lasagna? It’s one of the few things I manage to make taste good.”
“Yeah, sounds great. This is great, thank you.”
Tim smirked at Tyler as he grabbed his plate. “Will you relax?”
“I am relaxed.”
“I made you uncomfortable with my comment about you leaving the village. I’m sorry. I did want to talk to you about all that tonight but I didn’t mean to jump the gun and ambush you as soon as you walked through the door.” He set Tyler’s plate back down, now full with a thick piece of steaming lasagna. “Be careful, that’s hot.”
“I’m not uncomfortable.”
“Don’t fib, Tyler. I know when you’re trying to placate me.” Tim sat down beside him with his own plate, then lifted his wine glass. “A toast. To honesty. Can we have nothing but, tonight?”
Tyler clinked Tim’s glass with his. “To honesty. I’ll do my best.”
They both drank, eyes locked. Tim said, “Eat. Please. Enjoy.”
The lasagna was delicious, and Tyler was happy for the distraction of eating it. Because Tim was right—he was uncomfortable. Tim looked so good to him it was painful, and this nice dinner was so sweet. No one had ever made him dinner before. Not in a romantic way. He was moved. And inside, he was on the same page as Tim. He wanted to talk about what would happen between them when he was called back by Ogden.
And yet, Tyler was a malfunctioning robot once again. He could almost feel gears jamming inside him, synapses misfiring. And he needed to snap out of it. He took a large gulp of wine, then another.
Tim smiled at him, eyebrows raised. “Good wine?”
“I hate that I can’t talk to you sometimes. Especially the times when I really want to. I hate it. I hate that about myself.”
“Hey, don’t do that. It’s all right, Tyler.”
“It’s not.” He shook his head. “I have this thing inside that tells me to run away, to shut it all down. But it’s not because I don’t want it. Just the opposite. I want it too much. But the thing inside me says I don’t deserve it.”
“Why would you think you don’t deserve it? And am I right in assuming you’re referring to me?”
“Yes, you. I want you, Tim. I want to sit here and tell you I can do it. That I can make it happen. And you’ve been so understanding with my shit. But this thing I have inside me, this shame, I can’t control it. I keep thinking I’ve got it under my thumb but then it just...” His breath shuddered. “It takes control. Stops me from saying what I want to say to you. It won’t let me have this.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Tim pushed back his chair and slid closer to Tyler, grabbing his hand. “What do you have to be ashamed of?”
“Things from the past.”
“Is this about the Greys?”
He nodded, lips tightening as pressure pushed against the back of his eyes, threatening to spill over in tears. He took a deep breath and forced them back. “Yeah. It’s about them.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. You did what you had to do to escape them.”
“That’s not all I did.”
“No? Then what? Ty, you can talk to me.”
His stomach trembled. This was not what he’d planned to talk about tonight. This was not what he planned to talk about ever. So why was it coming out now? His plan had been to learn to live with it, to move past it, not confess it to the last person he wanted to think less of him. Tim asked for honesty a minute ago, but Tyler hadn’t planned on giving it to him. Not fully. Not like this.
He was terrified suddenly, because he could feel that it was coming out regardless, like vomit from a stomach bug, no way to hold it in now. And he was about to lose Tim. Because there was no way he could get past this. No way he’d look at Tyler the same afterward. But however strong the self-loathing voice inside him was, Tim’s influence was even stronger. Ever since Tyler came back to the village, he’d felt the force of it, a thread being pulled with every kiss, every touch, every intimate whisper. It was unraveling him, pulling him apart, drawing out his truths.
“I’m not a good person, Tim.”
Tim frowned. “Bullshit! Of course you are.”
“No. You’re the good person. You haven’t done bad things. You don’t deserve to get stuck with someone like me.”
“I want to be stuck with you. I’d love to be stuck with you. And just because I’ve never committed violence doesn’t mean I’m a freaking saint. I’ve hurt people over the years. Been selfish. Arrogant. I’ve lied. Cheated. Been oblivious to other people’s feelings. We come from different worlds, Ty, but just because mine is more benign doesn’t make me the good one. It’s about what’s inside, and I see nothing but good in you.”
“I killed babies,” Tyler whispered.
“What?”
Tyler was so stunned that the words had actually come out of his mouth, for a moment he questioned if they had. If he’d actually said them, finally, out loud after all these years. Tim was frowning at him like he must have heard him wrong. Or maybe he didn’t hear him at all. Maybe Tyler could pretend he hadn’t said the words.
But a tide was rising inside him. Welling up and spilling over after years in captivity, it broke free from the dam of silence. “I killed babies.” His voice caught, but he said it again. “I killed babies, Tim.”
Tim’s hand rested on Tyler’s shoulder, soft, gentle. “What are you talking about?”
“The dream I told you about. Walking through a pet shop. Looking in the cages.”
“I remember.”
“The Greys put it there to overlay another memory. They...” He felt the first hot tears spill onto his cheeks and swatted them away. His throat tightened and his stomach began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Hey.” Tim wrapped his arms around him. “Come here. Down here.”
He gently pulled Tyler off the chair and sat them both on the floor. Leaning against the wall, he shifted behind Tyler and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Tyler’s tears were coming harder now and he knew Tim could feel him shaking. Losing control. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“Tell me what happened,” Tim said. “It’s all right. You’re safe.”
“They weren’t cages with birds in them.”
“What were they?”
“Chambers. Babies growing in chambers. They were...simulated wombs.”
“Okay.” Tim squeezed him tighter.
“They were mine.” A sob hitched his back.
“What do you mean they were yours?”
“The Greys would use this tool to force me to orgasm and they’d steal my sperm. They used it to make hybrid babies. Mixed with their own genetic material. They’d walk me past the row of chambers to show me. Telling me the babies were mine, and that they were healthy. That they were going to be born soon. Acted like that should fucking please me.”
“Jesus,” Tim said softly. “Ty...”
“I killed them.” A sob barked out of him. “Before I crashed the ship. Right after I killed the Greys, I kicked over all the chambers and smashed them and made sure they were dead. They were grotesque and obscene and wrong but they were mine and I killed them. I killed my babies, Tim. I killed them all.”
After that, everything was spinning. Sobbing so hard his throat hurt, the room became hazy through his tears. He started hyperventilating and Tim forced his head between his knees. “Breathe. Deep and slow, Tyler. Just breathe, honey. It’s okay. Just breathe.”
Tyler must have been delusional, because there was no way Tim had just called him honey. No way he wasn’t recoiling after what Tyler just confessed.
But Tim wasn’t recoiling. He was rubbing Tyler’s back. When Tyler could breathe again, Tim’s arms wrapped around him, rocking him back and forth. They stayed like that, silent for a long time. Eventually, softly, Tim asked, “Is that why they kept taking you?”
“Yes,” he rasped, then wet his lips.
“I’m so sorry, Ty.”
“They said I was perfect. I found out later what that meant. From Ogden. Only a small percentage of humans have DNA compatible with the Greys. Ogden thinks their race is slowly dying. That’s why they’re always experimenting with various hybrids. Testing species’ ability to meld with others. Searching for a way to...put themselves in the mix.”
“I’m so sorry, Tyler. So, so sorry you went through that.”
Tyler shifted and looked Tim in the eye. “Do you hate me now?”
“Hate you?” He grimaced. “Of course not.”
“But I...” He gulped back a sob, trembling as the pain and horror of the memory flooded through him. “One of the babies had my nose and chin.” His lips quivered. “It had the eyes of a Grey but it...it fucking looked like me. They were innocent and I...” His back hitched as the tears came again. “I fucking murdered them! What kind of person could do that? What am I?”
Tim pulled him onto his lap, holding him tight. “You’re a rape victim. That’s what you are.”
Tyler wiped his nose, blinking tears away. “They never...they didn’t have sex with me.”
“They forced you to ejaculate. They raped you. They violated your mind and your body. They took from you. They were monsters. Monsters from another world and they kidnapped you and tortured you repeatedly. Nothing, and I mean nothing you did under those circumstances is on you, Tyler.”
Tyler clasped his hands together to stop the trembling. “It’s not?”
“No, Jesus! Didn’t you ever...didn’t Ogden get you therapy or something? Did no one ever help you with this?”
“I talked to some doctors but they never...no one ever said this to me. These things you’re saying.”
“Well, they should have. They fucking should have.”
Tyler wiped his eyes and looked into Tim’s. “I’m not a bad person?” he whispered.
“The fact that you can even think that after what you went through proves you to be just the opposite.”
Emotion still controlled his body, making his hands tremble, and his eyes couldn’t seem to stop leaking. But somewhere inside, a weight lifted. He’d heard the term used as a metaphor, but he could actually feel it, something heavy rising up and out of his body, leaving him lighter. The shame-golem was silent. Perhaps it hadn’t been holding him hostage after all. Perhaps he’d been the one holding it hostage. And he’d just released it at long last.
The quiet and the rocking was soothing. Tim didn’t seem in any hurry to move. He just held Tyler and rocked him until his tears dried up and his breathing became normal again.
Tim got up for only a moment, grabbing the bottle of wine off the table, then he sat back down next to Tyler, wrapping his arm around him. For the next twenty minutes, they didn’t speak. They sat in perfect silence and just passed the bottle back and forth. The quiet, the wine, Tim’s warmth, it all served to calm Tyler in a way he couldn’t remember being in years, maybe ever.
Eventually, Tim asked, “Are you all right? You need anything?”
“I’m okay. I...I feel better.”
Tim smiled and stroked Tyler’s chin. “I’m so glad.”
Tyler was surprised to see Tim’s eyes glistening. “Did I upset you?”
“I just don’t like seeing you in pain.”
Tyler looked away, because he didn’t like seeing Tim in pain either. Suddenly he chuckled. “Look. We’re back on the kitchen floor.”
Tim snorted. “So we are. Back where we started months ago.”
“And there were more tears.”
Tim gave Tyler’s shoulder a squeeze. “Yeah.”
“Now we just need sex to complete the circle,” Tyler said.
“You want sex?”
“Yeah.” And he did. Desperately. “I want sex with you. Can I have it?”
“You, Tyler Marchant, can have whatever you want. Can we skip the whole uncomfortable floor thing and do it in a bed this time? Will the circle still be complete?”
Tyler flinched. “I need to tell you something. Don’t worry. Nothing as bad as the other thing.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready yet to sleep...above ground. In rooms on the upper floor. I managed a few hours at Brett’s but didn’t make it the whole night. I’m working on it and I know it’s weird and if you feel like—”
“Tyler, stop.” Tim kissed his hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” He stood then pulled Tyler to his feet.
Wobbling for a moment, Tyler grabbed the counter. “Whoa. Didn’t think I had that much wine.”
“You didn’t. Take it slow. Hyperventilating takes it out of you. I know from experience.”
His equilibrium settled, and he grabbed Tim’s hand. “Okay. I’m good.”
“Follow me.”
Tim led him to the back of the house then down a set of stairs. Tyler stepped into a basement room. One half was open pipes and a boiler. The other half had a rug with Tim’s bed on it, a pair of lamps on bedside tables, a dresser against the wall. Tim’s bedroom furniture—Tyler recognized it from the day they fooled around in his room upstairs. “This...you brought all this down here?”
“I’ve got some more work to do to make it livable as a permanent bedroom, but yeah. And as a bonus, it’s got way more space than my room upstairs. And I installed a heavy-duty lock on the door. On the inside.”
Tyler stared at him, blinking. “You did this for me?”
“I did it for me. Because I want you to be able to come to my house and sleep over. I want you to be comfortable here.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to do all this just because I’m so fucked up.”
“No way.” Tim grabbed Tyler’s arm and pulled him down to sit on the bed. “I spent a lot of time thinking about this today. And I realized, why should you have to change yourself for me? You’re the one who’s been hurt, not me. And I don’t mind sleeping in the basement. It’s a small thing. But the way I feel about you, Tyler? That’s huge.”
Tyler grinned. “Huge?”
“Enormous.”
“Okay. But I’m still gonna try to combat it. The anxiety.”
“That’s your choice. But you do it in your own way, and in your own time. I’m gonna be here either way.”
Tyler traced a finger over Tim’s lips, getting lost in his blue eyes, and he didn’t want to talk anymore. He wanted heat and breath and flesh and to be joined.
“What are you thinking about?” Tim asked.
“I’ve decided I want to have sex right now. Immediately.”
Tim burst out laughing, his head falling forward.
“Is that funny?”
“I just really like the way you talk. Don’t change that, okay?”
Tyler shrugged, smiling. “Okay.”
“Are you sure you want sex? You’re having kind of a rough night. I don’t mind if we just cuddle or whatever.”
“I’m so sure. I need it. I need you. And cuddling’s not gonna do it.”
Tim kissed him softly, and it turned into something more desperate when tongues got involved. With a heavy breath he pulled back from the kiss. “Hey, look at what I’ve got.” He leaned over and pulled open a drawer on the bedside table, then held up a plastic bottle shaped like a bear. “Gummi Glide.”
“Oh my God, is that your lube?”
“It is. Purchased from the sex shop by Christian then sold to me for cash. My secret lube back-channel.”
Tyler laughed, examining the bottle. “It looks like a jar of honey.”
“It’s lube, I promise. Honey gets stuck in your pubes and it’s not fun getting it out.”
Tyler snorted. “You’ve actually...used honey?”
“Not for lube! But for...you know. Sex play.”
Sliding over, Tyler straddled Tim’s lap, wrapping his arms around his neck. “I don’t like thinking about you having sex play with anyone but me.”
Tim’s smile slid away, expression turning serious. “Then I won’t have sex play with anyone but you from now on. How’s that sound?”
Tyler’s heart fluttered. “Sounds good. And I won’t have it with anyone but you.”
“God, Tyler. You have no idea what that just did to me. You saying that while you’re sitting on my dick. Can we start now?”
“Yes.” He moved his hips, grinding himself against the growing bulge in Tim’s jeans. “How do you want me?”
“You’re the guest. How do you want me?”
“I feel exhausted,” Tyler said. “Mentally and physically. Exhausted but so horny for you. I need to feel you touching me and taking me and wanting me. I want to just lie down and feel you do what you want with me. Anything you want.”
“Then that...” Tim flipped them over so Tyler was on his back. “Is exactly what’s going to happen.”
And that’s exactly what did happen. Tim undressed Tyler and himself quickly, almost frantically, but then he slowed way the fuck down. Lying on his stomach, Tyler could feel the fullness of Tim’s erection where it rested against his ass, but Tim took his time massaging Tyler, thumbs kneading his neck and shoulders.
The massage remained moderately chaste until Tim’s hands had made their way to his lower back, then his mouth and tongue got involved. Tyler jolted, then groaned as Tim bit and sucked his ass cheeks, squeezing them with both hands. The touching stopped, but only briefly, and Tyler smiled when he heard the top pop on the Gummi Glide. “What are you doing down there?”
“I’m about to make your ass taste like Gummi Bears. Then I’m going to eat it.”
Tyler’s heart pounded as slick fingers lubed his hole. His dick swelled in anticipation, but the moment Tim’s tongue made contact he fell into a fit of laughter.
“Stop that!” Tim slapped his ass.
“I’m sorry. It feels good but it tickles.”
Tim licked him gently, and Tyler flinched, giggling.
“Stop clenching!” Tim laughed. “You’re supposed to be enjoying this. My ego’s taking a beating here.”
“Try doing it harder.”
“Oh, I love hearing those words from you.”
Tyler shivered, then groaned as Tim blew on his hole, then a hot tongue penetrated him.
“Fuck. That’s good.”
Tim did it again, and again, pinching Tyler’s cheeks and squeezing them apart as his face burrowed deeper. Tyler’s ass lifted, body twisting and stomach muscles tightening as the pleasure became overwhelming. “Stop.”
“Why?”
“I need to fuck.”
Tim flipped him over onto his back. “Your wish is my command.” He grasped Tyler’s hands and pinned his arms up over his head. “Lie back, close your eyes, and just feel it, okay?”
Smiling, Tyler closed his eyes. His hands were released and then he heard Tim getting a condom ready, which made his dick twitch. “Just make sure I feel it good and hard. Remember, I’m not delicate.”
“Hey, zip it. You’re supposed to be passive, not setting conditions.”
“You said you want to make me feel good, so I’m telling you what I...” He gasped as his ass was lifted off the mattress and Tim thrust into him. “Oh...”
“That good and hard enough for you?”
With the Gummi Glide and all the tongue play he was plenty slick, so Tim’s cock filled him completely with no hesitation. His eyes opened and he stared up at Tim. “Do it again.”
Cheeks flushed, Tim hooked Tyler’s legs over his shoulders. He bore down, the position making everything deeper and more sensitive. “Go ahead, baby,” he huffed. “Tell me what to do.”
“Fuck me, please. Pin me down and fuck me, fuck me deep.”
Tim pressed down on him and captured his mouth. Tyler whimpered, because he loved this part. He loved being pinned down with his legs up while Tim’s hot tongue probed his mouth, his kisses heated but gentle. He felt completely owned, a bit dirty but also cherished and wanted. He sucked Tim’s lips, crossing his heels around his neck and trapping him there.
With a gasp Tim broke the kiss. “Oh fuck, I think this is it. My favorite position with you.”
“You like my legs around your neck, don’t you?”
“I fucking love it. You’re so needy and possessive I just wanna...” He began thrusting into Tyler hard. “I wanna tear you apart.”
Mouth falling open, Tyler’s pleasure blasted through him, becoming more blissed out as Tim’s stamina seemed to increase, slapping against him and hitting him just right inside, hard and fast. “Yes,” he huffed. “Yes, fuck yes don’t stop. Please. Please...”
Tim faltered a moment, then kept fucking. “God Ty, this isn’t gonna last long. You turn me on so much.”
“Just keep going like that, and I won’t last long either.”
Tim groaned and his eyes closed. Tyler could see his concentration, feel his effort not to lose the rhythm. But he could tell by the stiffening cock inside him that Tim was right on the edge, so Tyler let himself go, grabbing his own cock and tugging. Once, twice, “Open your eyes, I’m coming!”
Tim’s eyes opened then he gasped at the first splash of hot cum hitting his chest. “Tyler, God, yes. Shoot it all over me.”
He cried out in pleasure as Tim brought him over the edge with gold-medal stamina. Tim’s hips thrust and his face turned red but damn, he stayed hard and kept pumping until Tyler’s orgasm peaked and he finally stopped howling.
Tyler’s legs dropped to the mattress, then Tim’s thrusts slowed. He was still hard, hadn’t come yet. He kissed Tyler deeply as his cock glided in and out, slowly, gently, until he shuddered. His lips tore free and he stared into Tyler’s eyes as he climaxed.
“I love the way you look at me,” Tyler whispered. “Especially when you come.”
As his breathing slowed, Tim cradled Tyler’s head in his hands. “How do I look at you?”
“Like you want me so much it hurts a little.”
Tim slipped out and rolled them onto their sides. Wiping sweat from his brow, he said, “That is incredibly accurate. How did you know?”
“Because I can see it in your eyes, and because it’s the same way I feel.”
“Ty...” Tim’s knuckles brushed his cheek. “Tell me this doesn’t have to end.”
Tyler blinked slowly. “Tell me you don’t want it to end.”
Tim kissed him. “I don’t want it to end.”
“Then we’ll find a way to make it work.”
“You won’t let...you won’t talk yourself out of it again?”
Shaking his head, Tyler said, “I can’t. You take up so much space inside me now. I’d be too empty without you.”
Tim’s eyes closed and he smiled. “For a robot, you sure know how to say some sweet things.”
“Was it sweet? I was just explaining how it feels the best way I can.”
“It wasn’t just sweet. It was perfect.” Tim’s eyes widened. “Shit. I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to use that word with you.”
“Perfect?”
Tim nodded, chewing his bottom lip.
“It’s all right. I feel tonight like...like something happened when I spoke the words out loud. Brought the truth into the light. Like I released it. The past doesn’t have such a hold on me anymore.”
“You mean it?”
“Yeah. I feel different. Liberated or something.” He wet his lips. “And thirsty.”
Tim sat up. “I’ll get you some water. You’re still the boss of me after all, long as you’re here, right?”
“Right. Like you’ve listened to me at all on this mission.”
Tim feigned shock, placing his hand on his chest. “I have been absolutely subordinate!”
“I can’t take you seriously when you’re standing there naked with a condom still hanging off your dick.”
“Oh, shit. I’m gonna go get cleaned up, then I’ll bring you some water.”
“Okay.” Tyler stretched back on the mattress, smiling. “I’ll be here.”
While Tim was upstairs, Tyler dug his supplies out of his jeans pocket and rolled a joint. He wasn’t feeling anxious, it was more of a precautionary measure. In truth, he felt more content than he ever had. Felt like he could sleep here and dream freely and be safe. The only nerves he had were happy nerves. Excitement tingling as he replayed the things they’d said to each other.
Holy shit, there it is again. Happiness.
“Tyler?”
He looked up as Tim came down the stairs. He held a glass of water, his face pale. Tyler jumped up and went to him. “What’s wrong?”
“I think I saw Elvis.”
“What?”
“Elvis. The mechanical spider Fi and Fo were talking about? I swear I think I just saw it in the driveway.”
Tim’s hand was shaking, so Tyler took the water glass from him. “Are you sure?”
“Well, I heard a noise, looked outside, and saw a black, metallic spider the size of a fucking basketball. So yeah. I’m pretty damn sure.”
“Shit. I thought this nonsense was over.” Tyler’s phone rang. He set the water down and hunted around on the floor for his jeans. Finally finding them, he dug the phone out of his pocket. “It’s Brett calling. Double-shit. Something must be up.”
“Put him on speaker.”
“Hey, Brett. You’re on speaker with me and Tim.”
“Guys, hi. Listen, Baz was just here. The twins are missing from the base.”
Tim and Tyler looked at each other. “Missing? Just gone?”
“Yeah. Their parents went to Baz and he’s in a panic. There are hybrids looking for them. This probably has nothing to do with us, but considering what we learned earlier about their recklessness, just keep an eye out. Stay indoors until you hear back from me. And keep the doors locked.”
“Shit,” Tyler said.
“Tell him,” Tim said.
“Tell me what?” Brett said.
“Tim thinks he saw...Elvis in the driveway just now.”
“Elvis? Who the fuck...oh, the alleged spider drone? That thing is real?”
“Unfortunately, I think yes,” Tim said. “I flicked the porch light on and it scuttled off around the side of the house.”
“You’re sure it wasn’t a cat or something?”
“I thought you’d have learned to believe me by now, Brett.”
“I’m sorry, I’m just making certain.”
“It was about a foot tall and wide, black, and had these metallic legs. I saw it move and it looked like a goddamn spider, that’s all I can say.”
“Fuck. Okay, Nolan and I are coming over. Tyler, do not go outside. I mean it, buddy.”
“You don’t think Ogden wants another juicy piece of hybrid tech?”
“I’m sure he does. But wait for us. The sole purpose of these drones so far has been to lure people out in the open.”
“I’ll wait for you guys.”
“Okay, sit tight. Lock the doors. We’ll be there soon.”
Tyler hung up. “Damn it.”
“Do you think it’s the twins? You think they’re out there somewhere? That they sent the spider here?”
“I think it would be a big fucking coincidence that the twins go missing the same night we spot Genius George’s mechanical spider on the property. Get dressed. Let’s go upstairs.”
The dressed fast, and when they got to the living room Tim peeked out the window.
Tyler picked up his gun. “See anything?”
“It’s not there anymore. But I’m still fucking freaked out.”
“You heard Brett. He and Nolan are coming over. We’ll handle this.” A loud crash sounded behind them and they both whirled around. “What was that?”
“Sounded like the back door.”
Gun pointed, Tyler started down the hall.
“Ty, wait!”
“Stay behind me.” He made it to the end of the hall then they both stopped once they turned the corner.
The back door stood open. On the tiled floor just before, a metal spider sat motionless. It had one large, glittering eye—likely a camera. Tyler pointed his gun directly at it. “Is that you, Fi and Fo?”
No response. No movement.
“This is not a game you want to play. We don’t find it funny. So take your toy out of here and fuck off back to base. People are worried about you.”
The spider remained where it was, motionless but for that single eye, pulsing with light.
“I don’t want to have to break your toy,” Tyler said. “Back it up, and out of the house.”
The spider still didn’t move.
“Tyler?” Tim said. “Ty...something’s wrong.”
Tyler turned, a chill running through him at the panic in Tim’s voice.
“Tyler what’s happening?” Tim asked, then fell to his knees.
“Tim!” Tyler caught him as he collapsed onto the floor. “Tim what’s wrong?” He shook his shoulder. His eyes were closed, lips parted, but he was breathing. Tyler’s heart pounded. He gently lay Tim on the floor then stood and dug his phone out.
He was about to call Brett but froze when a figure stepped into view at the other end of the hall near the living room. Tyler pointed his gun. “Stay where you are!”
The figure walked slowly toward him. Close to seven feet tall, it looked male, sleek black hair to his shoulders, a single, platinum stripe on one side.
“I said stop!”
The figure stopped. In the shadowy hallway, Tyler couldn’t make out facial features, but the hands were chalk-white. The man was very thin, wearing dark pants and some sort of billowy red top. It held a white hand up. “Sleep.”
Tyler stumbled. A heaviness to his limbs, his eyes trying to close. He suddenly recognized what was happening, different but also familiar, like invisible fingers inside his mind. Trying to access that certain part of his brain, to knock him out, like the Greys used to. But this was no Grey. The energy was similar but slightly less powerful, and he fought it. Holding the wall for support, he breathed deeply, looking down at the hand that still held the gun. Stay awake. Fight it.
“Sleep,” the figure repeated, the voice deep and gravelly.
The fog cleared, and Tyler looked up. “No.”
The black-haired being’s head tilted to the side. “Interesting.”
“I will shoot you.” Letting go of the wall, he got the gun up again. “I will.”
“Not if Elvis shoots you first.”
Tyler’s instincts were fast, but before he could turn around something sharp and painful hit the back of his neck. He fired the stunner at the figure down the hall but stumbled and missed his mark, taking out an overhead light.
Numbness ran through his body and the gun slipped from his grip. Knees buckling, he went down, landing hard on his back.
He couldn’t move his limbs, his breath quickening as his pulse sped with fear. He heard footsteps, then a shadow fell over him and he was looking up into a painted face. No, it wasn’t paint. It was just skin. But it was so strange. His vision swam.
“Now,” the creature said, leaning over Tyler’s body. “Sleep.”
This time, Tyler couldn’t fight it. He was too weak from whatever that spider shot into his neck. The strange face blurred. Then darkness.