Chapter 29
Cherished
Rune showered. It took him a full three minutes. Then he sprinted from the bathroom, slipping a little on the tile with his bare, wet feet, and dove into bed beside Oliver, who smiled over at him.
Biting his lip, Rune pushed the sheet aside, needing much more access to Oliver’s naked body. The bench he’d been chained to was just a few feet away. Morning light spilled in through the parted curtains of Adam’s guest room. Oh-so-careful of his movements and Oliver’s shoulder, Rune moved to straddle him, dripping water everywhere, slippery as a fish. He found and fondled Oliver’s cock, shocked at the starkness of Oliver’s hunger and focus. Beneath him Oliver seemed open, clear, peaceful, like nothing else in the whole world existed but the two of them, nothing else mattered other than their love, trust, and respect.
Rune steadied Oliver and sank down onto him with a happy sigh. Bending forward over him, a human shield, Rune rode him slowly, wanting to draw it out. When Oliver took hold of Rune’s erection, playing it through a wet fist, Rune caught Oliver’s mouth and licked into it. Melting into the three points of contact and the mind-blowing pleasure found in each, Rune gave over to him.
He shivered and gasped as he raced toward climax, fast. Rather than drawing it out more, Oliver sped up, jacking Rune to force him over the edge. He brushed his parted lips over Rune’s as he gasped and came, spilling in a hot flood over Oliver’s fingers, rocking down against him as his skin pebbled in goosebumps from head to toe.
Tingling, head spinning, awash in bliss, Rune’s world narrowed even further, to touching Oliver with light caresses of his fingers, and light kisses here, there, and everywhere he could reach. He kissed Oliver’s eyelids and the tip of his nose, then circled down below his ear, the edge of his jaw, finishing up at the center of his forehead. All the while, Rune clenched and rolled his hips, giving Oliver all of the pleasure he deserved. The slight quiver of Oliver’s lips, the high color in his cheeks, the urgency of his thrusts and grasping of his hand all urged Rune on.
When Oliver came inside him, Rune hummed with satisfaction and caught all of Oliver’s panting breaths, feeling the racing of his heart with the press of his palm against Oliver’s chest.
Behind the bed, there was a window. In the glass’s reflection, Rune saw Adam lingering in the doorway, sketchbook in hand, drawing furiously as he glanced between the bed and the page.
Smiling, Rune helped Oliver pull out, then settled down next to him, laying inside the circle of his arm, and savored the rare, true joy of being home, at long last. He loved and was loved. He protected and was protected. He cherished and was cherished in return.
“How is Max?” Oliver signed and asked.
Rune’s ever-watchful gaze followed the movements of Oliver’s hands as he sipped his mug of coffee. Max had been providing regular updates on their monitoring of the Lions. There had been no activity in the handful of months since the day Oliver had been shot. Everything was quiet. Maybe it wouldn’t last—it never did—but for now, there was nothing to be concerned about.
Rune typed into his phone, which dictated, “He’s good. They’ve been keeping an eye out with the scanner and regular patrols of the area. Nothing major to report. It’s quiet. How are you?”
Oliver flexed his left arm, stretching it, and signed, “Good. The exercises aren’t fun but they help.”
He was out of the sling, but still was working the kinks out of his range of movement and stiffness.
“When’s Jackson getting back from the convention?”
“Friday,” Oliver replied, making a circle of his thumb and index fingers, his other fingers straightened as he rotated it to face him and circled the upright hand twice.
“I miss him,” Rune’s phone read.
“Me too,” Oliver smiled. Then he paused, thoughtful, before asking, “Are you interested in surgery, for your hearing? We could look into it. I’d be happy to cover the costs.”
It was something Rune thought of, now and then, a puzzle he toyed with at the back of his mind, especially now that he had less pressing concerns to divert his attention.
So, he had an answer prepared.
“Right now, I don’t need it. I’m happy.”
Oliver came over and kissed him. “I’m happy too. If you change your mind, tell me.”
Rune nodded.
“I’ve never asked,” Oliver started, “but your parents—do they know about your accident?”
Rune held Oliver’s gaze, letting him see some of the cloudiness he felt in response to the question before typing his answer. “No. I never told them. They honestly wouldn’t care the way parents should. They’ve always been too wrapped up in their own problems, with little room for mine. We all have our own lives. It’s better this way. I feel more stable standing on my own or leaning on you, than trying to go back there.”
Oliver drew him in for a hug and another kiss, then signed and said, “Okay. I’m sorry you’ve had to handle so much on your own. If you ever need to vent about any of that, I’m here.”
Rune held the fingers of his right hand to his lips and moved the hand forward, then down slightly.
“I’m headed to the office if you need me,” he gestured to the hallway. “The tutor is coming at eleven?”
Rune nodded and pointed to his laptop, where he’d been doing some studying of video tutorials to get a jump on things. Now that he didn’t have to worry about the Lions, he realized how important it was to broaden his ASL vocabulary, not only for himself but in order to better communicate with those he loved, and to help others. There was a small but vibrant local deaf community, which he was discovering and yearning to be a bigger part of. They were another group of people he wanted to be able to watch out for, and speak up for.
Oliver walked over to him and kissed his forehead. “I’m so proud of you,” he enunciated, letting Rune study his lips.
“Me too,” Rune replied aloud, letting the words go, filling them with everything in his heart. With his hands, he said, You, Jackson, Adam, Max—you’re my family. You’re what I fight for now.
With a bittersweet expression, Oliver pulled him close and held him. Rune kissed Oliver’s healed wound, as he kept finding himself doing, like a little prayer of thanks.
Oliver let go, turned to head to his desk, located just down the hall and in the first room on the right. He hesitated to say and sign, “Saturday, Manse?”
Rune smiled, and nodded, wiggling his eyebrows and winking once to show he was ready. In fact, he was looking forward to it.
Rune stood beside his motorcycle as Oliver pulled up in his black Jaguar with Jackson riding shotgun. Rune grabbed the door for the backseat and slid in with a farewell wave to Max who stood smoking a cig nearby.
Rune had been spending some of his free time at the clubhouse, working on ways the Soldiers could do community outreach, offering ways to help like providing moving services for women and kids who were looking to escape abusive or dangerous situations, or participating in the local big brother program to help mentor kids, or hosting charity drives for people in their community going through medical emergencies. It took a lot of secretarial coordination and a flexible schedule, so Rune’s typing and organizational skills, his drive to help others, and his lack of a paying job all made him perfect for the role.
Jackson held up the screen of his phone:
How was work?
Rune gave him a thumbs up, then buckled his seatbelt and settled in. He pulled out his phone and typed a reply, which was read aloud. “I told Olly I’d find a paying job if he gets sick of me mooching off of him.”
Rune caught one glimpse of Oliver’s severely offended expression and grinned, flapping a hand at him as Oliver started to rant and complain, not bothering to try lip-reading any of it. Rune just pointed to his ear and shrugged.
Oliver twisted in his seat, gave Rune’s cheek a little slap and pointed at him in warning. Rune just blew him a kiss.
Jackson’s phone now displayed the message:
I don’t think he’s a fan of that idea.
Rune’s phone spoke his reply, “Really? I couldn’t tell. It’s not like he’s controlling or a worry wart or anything. Even my mom wasn’t this protective of me.”
Oliver scowled at him once more. Rune patted his arm and gestured for him to go ahead and drive.
Jackson texted Rune as they drove out to Manse, filling him in on the conference he’d returned from, and news from Josefina and the kids, who were doing well in school but were dealing with a bit of bullying. Rune offered right away to handle it for them, but Jackson assured him it was under control, then made sure Rune understood that wasn’t an invitation to investigate the bullies on his own. He made Rune promise not to do anything crazy but offered to let him talk with the kids and offer advice if he wanted, which Rune was more than happy to do.
Rune knew he was done with focusing on his own problems. Now, he devoted himself only to helping in every way possible, as much as possible. The more he gave, the better he felt. Because Oliver, Jackson, and Adam had all shown him how letting go of fear and selfishness, holding on to his faith in those in his newfound family, and following his heart were the ways forward.
Good to have you back, Rune typed to Jackson. You’re staying over tonight, right? If so, I call dibs on your ass.
Jackson glanced back over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. He messaged:
Yeah, we’ll see. I think it’s my turn.
Maybe you’ll have to fight me for it, Rune replied with a chuckle.
Oliver and Jackson exchanged a look, then Jackson sent:
That can be arranged.
Rune laughed again, looking forward to everything the night might bring.
Manse was packed, or at least it seemed to be from what Oliver could see as they were escorted by a member of the staff to a secluded room on the basement level of the mansion. They left the drunk, dizzy, and horny patrons behind, along with the noise and the crowds.
In the room stationed with guards, they found David, Shea, and Elet waiting for them. Staff approached with trays of champagne and finger food.
Welcome, David signed, waving horizontally toward himself with an opened hand.
“You’ve been learning?” Oliver asked, opening for David’s embrace as Shea hugged Rune and Elet kissed Jackson’s cheek.
“Starting to. You?”
“Yeah, I’m getting there.”
The initial greetings continued and David urged them all to make themselves comfortable. It was a low protocol kind of night, but Rune seemed to be enjoying a more submissive role. When Oliver sat on a couch, Rune sat at his feet, resting against his leg. Jackson sat on the couch on Rune’s other side, idly brushing the soft, dark hair at the nape of Rune’s neck.
Oliver felt David and Elet watching them, measuring them.
A large, well-placed mirror on the opposite wall, probably installed for voyeuristic pleasure, helpfully allowed Rune to see Oliver as he spoke and signed, “I need to express my thanks to all of you for how you brought me and Rune together. I don’t know how I could ever pay you back for helping me find him, but I’ll always be grateful.”
Rune nuzzled Oliver’s thigh with his cheek, wrapped a hand around his lower leg.
“We’re just glad it’s working out,” David said, with Elet translating for him. “I worried about you both. Not you, though, Jackson. You’re fine.”
They all chuckled. But when Oliver frowned at the enthusiasm of Jackson’s amusement, it just made him laugh harder. He leaned in and kissed Oliver’s cheek.
“Yeah, we’re all a mess, but Jackson’s always fine, as usual,” Oliver said with pouty sarcasm.
“Hey, you said it,” Jackson teased.
Oliver whispered, “I’ll get you for that later,” then saw from the corner of his eye that Elet was still translating everything and Rune was chuckling.
“How’s your shoulder doing?” Shea asked.
Oliver saw a cloud pass over Rune’s joy, felt the strength of his grip increase, so Oliver stroked Rune’s hair to try to soothe him.
“Fine. It’s fine. We were all glad to get out of that safely.”
“And Rune, how are you?” David asked, with Elet echoing his words with his hands.
Rune signed his answer.
Suddenly choked up, Oliver bowed his head to compose himself. The room was so quiet, echoing the world in which Rune lived, every day, every moment.
When no one translated, Shea asked, “What did he say?”
Elet spoke up, telling them with emotion in his voice, “He said, all of my dreams have come true.”
Oliver caught Rune’s eye in the mirror’s reflection and told him, “Me too.”
“I think that deserves a toast,” David declared softly. He made sure they each had a glass, except for Elet, who was too busy shaping David’s words, then they raised them together. “To love, life, and happy endings.”
Their glasses clicked, and they drank deeply. Oliver knew it wasn’t really the end, but that every moment they had together from here on out would be a gift, an adventure. He wondered how he’d gotten so lucky to have so much.
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